Softboy (also known as soft boy or softboi) describes a less masculine boy who is described as "cute" based on their soft or gentle characteristics. Mainly boys who express their softness a lot. Many transmasculine individuals who do not subscribe to traditional/mainstream masculinity use softboy as a label. The term should not be used to describe trans individuals who have not specified whether they are okay with it, as it can be infantilizing and/or fetishizing.
The girl equivalent is softgirl.
History
The usage of "soft boy" predates the internet, usually in reference to young boys who were agreeable in nature and kind, but sometimes with more negative connotations (eg. someone unable to hold their own in a fight). The term growingly became negative throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. By the late 2010s, it became known as a subculture and aesthetic, which included boys who rejected traditional masculinity; however, some negative connotations remained.[1][2] There are mentions of softboy being a term coined by transmasculine individuals, but its usage predates this and no actual coining can be found.[3]
Flag
The softboy flag was created by Tumblr user beyond-mogai-pride-flags on July 21, 2018.[4]