womanidentified

Womanidentified (often written as woman-identified or woman-identified woman) is a term used in feminist and LGBTQ+ discourse to describe a stance or identity in which a person defines themselves primarily through their relationships with women and through women-centered values, rather than through male-defined roles or identities. The concept is closely associated with the idea that women’s identities can be rooted in solidarity, shared experience, and mutual regard among women.

Origins and meaning: The phrase gained prominence in the early 1970s within lesbian feminist activism. The pamphlet The Woman-Identified Woman, published by the Radicalesbians in 1970, argued for a reorientation of women’s identities toward relationships with other women, women’s own needs and desires, and a critique of the male gaze and patriarchal social structures. The concept has since been discussed within broader feminist and queer contexts as a way to understand how identity can be formed through female-centered communities and experiences.

Scope and interpretation: In its original context, the term reflected a political stance that emphasized female bonding, autonomy, and the creation of women-centered spaces. Over time, discussions about being womanidentified have broadened, with some readings focusing on solidarity and mutual support among women, while others examine how such an identity intersects with sexuality, gender expression, and community life.

Criticism and evolving usage: Critics have argued that the concept can risk essentializing womanhood or excluding certain groups, notably trans women and nonbinary people, depending on how it is interpreted. Contemporary usage varies, with some communities embracing a broad, inclusive interpretation that centers women’s experiences, while others maintain more narrowly defined, women-centered frameworks.

See also: Lesbian feminism, Radicalesbians, Feminist theory.