| Term | Femboy |
| Scenes | Urban • Online |
| Origins | Reaction against rigid gender norms |
| Emergence | 1990s |
| Definition | A cis male individual who adopts traditionally feminine styles of dress, grooming, and mannerisms |
| Prominence | Relatively niche phenomenon |
| Relationship to LGBTQ+ | Not directly tied, but represents a desire for greater gender expression and fluidity |
In this alternate reality, the term "femboy" refers to a distinct cultural subgroup and fashion trend, rather than a gender identity or sexual orientation. Femboys are cis males who adopt an androgynous, highly feminine aesthetic in their clothing, grooming, and overall presentation.
The femboy subculture emerged in the 1990s, particularly in major urban centers of New Netherland and Europe. It arose as a reaction against rigid gender norms and traditional masculinity, with young men seeking to express a more fluid, ambiguous gender identity through their appearance and style.
Inspired by earlier youth subcultures like glam rock, androgynous fashion, and Japanese streetwear, the femboy look centered around adopting traditionally feminine articles of clothing and grooming practices. This included items like skirts, stockings, makeup, long hairstyles, and delicate accessories.
While not directly tied to LGBTQ+ communities, the femboy subculture shared some overlapping interests and aesthetics. However, many femboys identified as cisgender males who were simply exploring novel modes of gender expression, rather than as transgender or non-binary individuals.
The femboy "look" was highly distinctive, blending hypermasculine and hyperfeminine elements in a deliberately androgynous style. Common features included:
Femboys also often adopted mannerisms and behaviors culturally coded as feminine, such as subtle hand gestures, affected speech patterns, and graceful body language.
While the femboy subculture maintained a niche, cult-like status compared to mainstream fashion and youth movements, it represented an important counterpoint to rigid gender binaries. Femboys challenged notions of masculinity and femininity as mutually exclusive, carving out a space for more fluid, ambiguous gender expressions.
Within their own social circles and online communities, femboys cultivated a sense of camaraderie and shared identity. However, they also faced stigma and social backlash from those who saw their appearance and behavior as unnatural or deviant.
Despite these challenges, the femboy subculture endured as a means for young people to creatively explore and assert their individuality. Its influences can be seen in the aesthetic choices of later androgynous and gender-nonconforming fashion trends, as well as in the growing acceptance of diverse gender expressions in popular culture.
