Spotlighting the crush-worthy butches, mascs and studs who’ve dominated screens, stages and feeds this year , from Fortune Feimster’s big-screen wink to TikTok style bops and the queer voices making space for us all. Here’s who to follow, why they matter and how to celebrate Butch Appreciation Day with style.

Essential Takeaways

  • Standout performer: Fortune Feimster gains wider attention thanks to a role opposite Will Ferrell, bringing butch joy to mainstream comedy.
  • New music to watch: Joy Oladokun’s upcoming album, Hope Is A Heavy Thing, marks a major moment for masc-presenting, gender non-conforming artists.
  • Social media style: TikToker River (@fatbutchdiary) is offering visible, wearable butch fashion that's resonant and relatable.
  • Screen representation: Shows like The Hawk and I Kissed A Girl season 2 are foregrounding masc and butch characters in fresh ways.
  • Community creators: From Tabs Benjamin’s Butch, Please! to festival-favourite Joelle Taylor, grassroots figures are building safer spaces and storytelling platforms.

Why Fortune Feimster’s turn feels like a win for butch visibility

Fortune’s relaxed, knowing comic energy landed her in a new Netflix series alongside Will Ferrell, and it’s the kind of casting that feels quietly celebratory , warm, funny, and visible. Critics and viewers have noticed the show’s comedic setup and the way it gives supporting players breathing room to shine. This matters because mainstream comedy roles still often flatten queer identities; seeing a butch performer play with big-studio humour nudges representation from niche to normal. If you’re curious where to start, check out reviews and cast lists on entertainment sites for a quick sense of tone and who’s in the ensemble. Expect charm, some golf hijinks, and a comfortable, human centre.

Joy Oladokun’s new album is one to anticipate

Joy’s music bridges tender songwriting and masc-presenting artistry in a way that feels personal and political at once. Fans are already counting down to Hope Is A Heavy Thing because her lyricism translates queer experience without resorting to shorthand. Albums like this shift listener expectations , they make masc and non-binary voices part of mainstream playlists rather than the margins. If you want to get ahead, stream older releases to catch recurring themes and vocal textures that make this new record likely to stick with you.

TikTok, fits and representation: River’s style diary

Social feeds remain an unbeatable place for everyday representation, and River’s account is a great example of how clothes tell identity stories. Their butch fits are practical, polished and often quirky, offering ideas that actually work day to day. That kind of visibility is useful not just aesthetically but emotionally , it signals belonging to viewers in similar communities. For style inspiration, try saving looks you love and remixing them with your wardrobe, or lean into one signature piece that feels authentically you.

Theatre, poetry and grassroots icons keeping butch culture alive

Names like Joelle Taylor and Tabs Benjamin underline that culture isn’t only made on screen. Taylor’s touring and recent book work keep queer narratives on festival stages, while creators behind projects like Butch, Please! nurture safe spaces online and IRL. These figures don’t just entertain; they organise, educate and validate. If you want to support them, buy their books, attend readings or share their platforms , small acts that keep grassroots culture sustainable.

Why TV casts and festival stages now matter more than ever

This year’s TV casts , whether in ensemble dramas or reality formats , have included more masc and butch-presenting people, and that variety changes storytelling. Shows giving masc characters real arcs, rather than token roles, broaden what viewers imagine possible. Industry coverage and reviews are tracking these shifts, so look for write-ups that discuss casting and character nuance. And if you care about representation, voting with your attention , watching, recommending, talking about shows , is an easy way to push for more inclusive narratives.

It's a small change that can make every crush feel like a community moment.

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