Someone out there now owns an 8-inch golden carabiner: the first-place prize for the Performative Masc Lesbian Contest.
Although the performative masc lesbian contest has been circulating throughout universities (most notably Smith College and Barnard College), the definition of a performative masc lesbian is still hard to define.
Before the competition, when the audience was asked about what makes a performative masc lesbian, there was a struggle to define any clear characteristics. Throughout the competition, it became increasingly apparent that each contestant was giving their personal interpretations of a performative masc lesbian.
The crowd erupted into a frenzy as the first contestant — carrying a guitar case and a basketball — brought out a chair to place in front of the notable A.D. White statue and a bouquet of red roses. Is it even a performative masc lesbian contest if various audience members don’t yell to receive a rose or volunteer to be on the receiving end of a more tasteful version of a lap dance? We think not.
To the surprise of the crowd, two more volunteers were selected from the audience afterward, and the “lap dance” continued with the new participants. All of a sudden, a performative masc lesbian became easy to define.
In the midst of the line of masc lesbians carrying their semi-played guitars and gently used rock-climbing gear, one contestant emerged to showcase her strength as she completed over 30 push-ups. At the crowd's behest, she proceeded to flex.
After contestants gave renditions of "Sofia" by Clairo and "Riptide" by Vance Joy, among others, the competition began to narrow. Kayla Harvey ’29, who placed third, was asked before the competition started about her ukulele usage, responding, “I don’t play it. I brought it for the prop. Part of being performative.” This mindset was evident in the numerous pairs of Timberlands (with the tag still on), brand-new pairs of rock climbing shoes hanging from various rock climbing harnesses, and non-industrial carabiners attached to the many jorts.
In contrast, the display of a trick play by the Women’s Club Rugby Team demonstrated prowess — that was not performative and actually skillful — that quickly became a fan-favorite act of the night.
Most contestants introduced their “Big Three” — a term used to refer to your Sun, Moon and Rising astrological signs — as if it were their last name. For all the spiritual sapphics out there interested in Sun, Moon and Rising signs, these mascs were prepared. Harvey represented spiritual queer women, donning seven different crystals: goldstone, rose gold, black tourmaline, carnelian, bloodstone, amethyst and tiger's eye.
Still, as the competition narrowed to the top seven, the contestants were asked to name their favorite WNBA player, and to eliminate a contestant, a heated game of “name 10 lesbians off the top of your head” ensued. When asked to name their favorite villain, some contestants named Poison Ivy or even Harley Quinn, but staying true to the nature of the competition, the crowned winner of the first-place prize — an eight-inch golden carabiner — called their ex their favorite villain.
It wouldn’t be a performative masc lesbian competition without the inclusion of multiple references to emotional unavailability and lingering feelings for an ex-girlfriend. A notable moment of the night was the admittance by a pair of friends that they had gotten themselves entangled in a sapphic web of connection, proving The L Word correct even in 2025. Still, it was clear from the cheering and intermittent heckling that the crowd enjoyed the antics of the night with Clara ’28, a member of the audience, describing the event as an opportunity to “window shop.”
The big difference between this competition and the Performative Male Contest was the striking moments of genuineness shared between the contestants and the crowd. Many “performative masc lesbians” spent their introduction time talking about their journey of self-acceptance. Not just of their sexuality, but also the journey towards feeling comfortable in their skin and their presentation. One contestant said that dressing in a masculine way requires confidence and more than a bit of bravery. The runner-up for the competition, Alexis Sherman ’26, described the experience of competing as “really powerful” in her journey of self-discovery and exploration, and praised that the competition “took over the Arts Quad.”
When asked why Harvey — who made the famous scissors cutout pictured and shared by the host organization Big Red Moon Club — was participating in the competition, she gave a heartfelt response, “Usually back at home, I was always the token masc wherever I went, so it’s nice to be around other people like me. It’s just home.” She proceeded to show off her worn purple carabiner in jest, “And I need a better carabiner. I need that real bad.” Another contestant spent her time reading poetry she had written, centered around what masculinity means to her as a masc gay woman, writing, “I like dressing like a ‘little boy’ and I love being a girl.”
Many contestants referenced the stigma attached to being masculine as a woman in their speeches. In between the various jokes about rock climbing harnesses, there was a striking note of vulnerability and honesty in the event.
Still, the support of these contestants by masculine women and other members of the LGBTQ+ community transformed the Performative Masc Lesbian Contest into more of a celebration of masculine women.
The performative masc lesbian contest was less about being performative and more a celebration of masculine women by the LGBTQ+ community.
It was clear through the uplifting energy of the event that everyone in attendance was proud to show up in their truth, regardless of whether they were competing or there to “window shop.”
Vanessa Long is a sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She can be reached at vvl22@cornell.edu.
Sanika Saraf is a sophomore in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She can be reached at ss4353@cornell.edu.
