In some ways, being a female metalhead is like
being a female involved in any male-dominated hobby or profession.
You are either:
(1) examined more closely by your male counterparts because of being female;
(2) you are treated the same way as a male;
(3) or you are dismissed offhand.
Most men at shows probably aren’t automatically assumed to be
at shows just because their girlfriends like metal.
Of course, some of the treatment of female metalheads is because female metalheads,
in general, seem to fit into some standard categories.
1. The Gothic Vampiress:
Tends to dress in various forms of tight, black plastic garb,
often with some form of netting and corsetry involved.
Paleness and extremely dark eye and lip make-up are mandatory.
Some of these gals are true Goths who have a genuine interest in a music style/lifestyle.
Some find that their Dani Filth fetishes pass at their 14th birthday.
Along with the ‘80s Slut, these gals will most often be the ones
dressed in very skimpy attire and ogling various band members.
2. The ‘80s Slut:
Tends to dress in clothing that is a flashback to the ‘80s-tight short skirts,
high heels, some form of midriff-baring top.
The hair generally involves some form of blond bleaching process, normally with the dark roots showing.
These gals loved the scene in the ‘80s when metal was more of a societal norm.
Some (not all) of these gals might be better advised to get a style update
and just go to a “normal” club-because what they really DO want is to meet men.
Men with big hair that matches theirs.
3. The “I’m More Guy Than Most Guys” Gal:
These are the gals who talk, walk and act butch.
Generally, they appear androgynous, or even more male than most men.
You’ll often see these gals in the middle of the mosh, throwing elbows.
4. The Handbag and Borrowed Black T-Shirt Wearers:
These are the gals who typically really aren’t into the music,
and really ARE there because of their boyfriend.
The boyfriend wanted to go to a show, so they will go along just to hang out.
It’s cool that they will support a scene that they really aren’t interested in, so these gals get special kudos.
5. The Straightforward Concert Goer.
These are the gals in the jeans wearing the concert T-shirts.
They probably aren’t wearing much make-up (if any), and their hair is probably long.
6. The True Metalhead Female.
The problem is that the true metalhead female might LOOK like any of the above.
Or something different altogether.
Which is why you shouldn’t assume that any woman you see in the metal scene
is anything other than a person interested in the music, until proven otherwise.
I think women in the metal subculture probably face
a lot of extra difficulties simply because of their gender.
When introduced to a group of male metalheads,
a woman may have to "prove" to them that she's really a metalhead,
and really into it for the music.
This would be especially true if she's dating a metalhead,
because it would be very easy to make the assumption,
"There are so few women into metal,
that the chances are good when we see a woman who appears to be into metal
dating a guy who's into metal,
she's just along because of her boyfriend."
**Excerpt from contents ©2002 Metal-Rules.com
Metal Women Warriors
Women in Metal Rant
Metal Maidens
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