Queer ideas : the David R. Kessler Lectures in Lesbian & Gay Studies : from the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, CUNY

Exploring questions of sexuality and gender, this volume brings together ten core thinkers in the field of lesbian and gay studies and provides an essential introduction to this interdisciplinary field as well as the processes by which new—and queer—ideas are thought into being. The collection begins with Joan Nestle, exploring the outsider status of lesbians through the complex life of a working-class black lesbian born in the South, who lived in New York and experienced the transition from complete marginalization to gay pride. It ends with Judith Butler, who speaks on broadening our concept of human rights in the aftermath of September 11. The collection also includes Edmund White on queer fiction and criticism, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick on the dialogics of love, John D'Emilio on gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, Esther Newton on being "butch", and lectures by Barbara Smith, Monique Wittig, Samuel R. Delany, and Cherrie Moraga. Alisa Solomon and Martin Duberman of CLAGS discuss the genesis of the lecture series and reflect on the evolution of lesbian and gay studies over its first ten years.

A dynamic collection of essays from the leading voices in lesbian and gay studies.

Library Journal

This is an important collection of ten revised speeches from the prestigious Kessler lecture series at CUNY's Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, which attracts important thinkers in LGTBQ (Lesbian/Gay/Transgender/Bisexual/Queer) studies. Between 1992 and 2001, the series included Joan Nestle, Edmund White, Barbara Smith, Monique Wittig, Esther Newton, Samuel R. Delany, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, John D'Emilio, Cherrie Moraga, and Judith Butler, whose work is represented here. Taken as a whole, these essays are emblematic of the theoretical diversity that marks LGTBQ studies. For example, Nestle preserves the life stories of socially marginal lesbians, while Butler examines gender as a fluid variable that shifts according to historical context. The witty introduction, written by the past and current center directors, convincingly argues that "queer ideas can change the world," yet the essays themselves are uneven. Historicizing categories of identity is intellectually powerful, but some speakers declare, "I'm here, I'm queer" without explaining why being queer matters. A helpful addition to such standard LGTBQ texts as Queer Studies: An Interdisciplinary Reader (ed., Robert Corber) or The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader (ed., Henry Abelove). Recommend for public and academic libraries.-Katherine C. Adams, Bowdoin Coll. Lib., Brunswick, ME Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Exploring questions of sexuality and gender, this volume brings together ten core thinkers in the field of lesbian and gay studies and provides an essential introduction to this interdisciplinary field as well as the processes by which new—and queer—ideas are thought into being.

The collection begins with Joan Nestle, exploring the outsider status of lesbians through the complex life of a working-class black lesbian born in the South, who lived in New York and experienced the transition from complete marginalization to gay pride. It ends with Judith Butler, who speaks on broadening our concept of human rights in the aftermath of September 11. The collection also includes Edmund White on queer fiction and criticism, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick on the dialogics of love, John D'Emilio on gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, Esther Newton on being "butch", and lectures by Barbara Smith, Monique Wittig, Samuel R. Delany, and Cherrie Moraga. Alisa Solomon and Martin Duberman of CLAGS discuss the genesis of the lecture series and reflect on the evolution of lesbian and gay studies over its first ten years. Approaches to the experiences, history, and culture of lesbian and gay people, and in the process they think new and queer ideas into being. Contains: Joan Nestle on the outsider status of lesbians through the life of a working-class black lesbian who experienced the transition from complete marginalization to gay pride; Edmund White on queer fiction and criticism; Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick on the dialogics of love; John D'Emilio on gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin; Esther Newton on being 'butch'; Barbara Smith on African American lesbian and gay history; Samuel R. Delany on the banishing of sex from Times Square; Cherríe Moraga on the intersections that make her a Xicanadyke; Judith Butler on human rights in the aftermath of 9/11; Alisa Solomon and Martin Duberman on the genesis of the lecture series and reflect on the evolution of lesbian and gay studies over its first ten years This volume brings together ten core thinkers in the field of lesbian and gay studies. Participants in the outstanding Kessler series, hosted by CLAGS, the premiere U.S. think-tank in the field, they present ten -diverse approaches to the experiences, history, and culture of lesbian and gay people, and in the process they think new and queer ideas into being. Beginning with Joan Nestle, who explores the outsider status of lesbians through the complex life a black lesbian domestic worker, and ending with Judith Butler, who speaks on -human rights in the aftermath of -September 11. The collection includes the pantheon of queer theorists: Edmund White on queer fiction and criticism, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick on the dialogics of love, and John D℗Emilio on gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin This volume brings together ten core thinkers in the field of lesbian and gay studies. Participants in the outstanding Kessler series, hosted by CLAGS, the premiere U.S. think-tank in the field, they present ten -diverse approaches to the experiences, history, and culture of lesbian and gay people, and in the process they think new and queer ideas into being. Beginning with Joan Nestle, who explores the outsider status of lesbians through the complex life a black lesbian domestic worker, and ending with Judith Butler, who speaks on -human rights in the aftermath of -September 11. The collection includes the pantheon of queer theorists: Edmund White on queer fiction and criticism, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick on the dialogics of love, and John DѫEmilio on gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin