The identity emerged as a way for Black masculine lesbians to differentiate their lived experiences from white lesbian "butch" culture.

A "stud" identity is defined by both appearance and a specific way of moving through the world. Understanding Stud and Stem Identities in LGBTQ+ Culture

: One of the first traceable academic mentions appeared in a 1965 thesis by Ethel Sawyer at Washington University, which documented a Black lesbian bar in the Midwest where patrons referred to themselves as "studs" and "fish". 2. Aesthetic and Identity