Sexuality and Socialism: History, Politics, and Theory of LGBT Liberation

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Sexuality and Socialism: History, Politics, and Theory of LGBT Liberation

4.49 of 5 stars 4.49 · rating details · 96 ratings · 7 reviews

Sexuality and Socialism is a remarkably accessible analysis of many of the most challenging questions for those concerned with full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

Inside are essays on the roots of LGBT oppression, the construction of sexual and gender identities, the history of the gay movement, and how to unite the oppressed and exploit...more

Paperback, 278 pages

Published June 1st 2009 by Haymarket Books

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Sep 08, 2010 Janet Mason rated it 3 of 5 stars

This commentary will air on This Way Out, the LGBT radio syndicate, and also appears on http://amusejanetmason.com

Sexuality and Socialism:
History, Politics, and Theory of LGBT Liberation
Sherry Wolf
Haymarket Books (2009)

It is said that the personal is political and I find that the opposite – that the political is personal – is true also, perhaps more so. Consider, for example, the epithet Commie Pinko Queer. When the term originated and was hurled at artists and Progressives of all stripes durin...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Noah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: As a newcomer to the LGBT rights movement going into this book, I did not have much historical or social context on the prevailing issues surrounding sex, sexuality, and gender. So in that respect, I was probably inclined to be especially agreeable to compelling arguments involving these points, if only for the fact that I'm a blank slate of opinion (not that I didn't have opinions before; they were just more abstract and vague). So I'm calling out my own inclination for bias here.

AN...more Disclaimer: As a newcomer to the LGBT rights movement going into this book, I did not have much historical or social context on the prevailing issues surrounding sex, sexuality, and gender. So in that respect, I was probably inclined to be especially agreeable to compelling arguments involving these points, if only for the fact that I'm a blank slate of opinion (not that I didn't have opinions before; they were just more abstract and vague). So I'm calling out my own inclination for bias here.

ANYWAYS. This book is fantastic. It's difficult to summarize: it very succinctly and effectively examines the history of LGBT individuals and their place in society from the past (with special emphasis on the 19th century) to today, the greater social conditions that shaped and influenced the LGBT movement, and arguments for how to best approach achieving positive change in the future. This is all achieved through a socialist perspective, which may be offputting at first to the unfamiliar (as it was to me; I know jack-shit about socialism), but it convincingly addresses the difficult question of how oppressive social constructs are developed while examining the tensions found in trying to reform them. In this way, ideas of sexuality, feminism, racism, and classism are connected through an implicit sense of intersectionality under the guise of socialism. And although sexuality is the principle focus of the book, much thought is given to how solidarity between seemingly disparate disenfranchised groups can positively benefit the rights and opportunities of all.

If this all sounds very general and broad, well, it is. There is so much covered that I could not really do the book justice in attempting to convey everything. So, more than anything, I heartily recommend this to anyone with an interest in understanding not only the history of LGBT people, but also an interest in having a richer understanding of -why- we face the issues we do today and how oppression of any ilk can be overcome through a common struggle.
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Dec 21, 2009 Chelsey Pennyamon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: lgbt, socialist-theory-and-history, non-fiction, 2009

A very important book for all people-- not just LGBT activists-- to read, giving a brief, critical history of the roots of LGBT oppression, the birth of an LGBT identity, a critique of post-modernist de-mobilization which divides rather than unites, and ultimately a history of the triumphs and solidarity which has involved LGBT activism. Many of the issues Sherry brings up I am confronting first-hand in attempting to bring together a viable, grassroots coalition of LGBT activists after the Natio...more

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Dec 31, 2009 Larry-bob Roberts marked it as to-read

Fairly balanced review from Christopher Phelps where he point out a lack of attention to anarchist viewpoints (Free Comrades Anarchism and Homosexuality in the United States 1895-1917 might be a good corrective to that) and some inaccuracy as concerns Harry Hay's activities : http://www.isreview.org/issues/68/rev...
(the review appears in the ISR, a publication of the ISO, of which Sherry Wolf is a member.)

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Mar 17, 2010 Benjamin Solah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sexuality and Socialism by Sherry Wolf is described as the ‘History, Politics and Theory of LGBT Liberation.’ A book like this that covers the issues of sexuality and homophobia under capitalism is a long overdue contribution to socialist politics, but especially timely given the struggles all over the world for same-sex marriage rights.

The book covers such a broad scope of different issues within the issues of LGBT oppression and liberation that I cannot possibly cover all of it in one review....more Sexuality and Socialism by Sherry Wolf is described as the ‘History, Politics and Theory of LGBT Liberation.’ A book like this that covers the issues of sexuality and homophobia under capitalism is a long overdue contribution to socialist politics, but especially timely given the struggles all over the world for same-sex marriage rights.

The book covers such a broad scope of different issues within the issues of LGBT oppression and liberation that I cannot possibly cover all of it in one review. It begins with the theoretical and historical origins of sexual oppression under capitalism and makes the argument that the repression of sexuality and things like homophobia are the product of the material conditions and the economic needs of capitalism. This is in stark contrast to explanations that homophobia is in our human nature or just from the religion and the bad ideas in our heads.

It goes on to cover the gay liberation movement of the 60s and 70s and the theory surrounding much of LGBT politics. It then goes on to cover contemporary struggles and debates today.

Sherry Wolf links in all of the arguments within the context of class society and the nature of capitalism. Homophobia and other forms of sexual repression are not divorced from other forms of oppression and the needs of exploiting workers to make a profit.

This is used to argue against the prevalence of ‘identity politics,’ the idea that all LGBT people have a common experience of oppression and a common interest in fighting it. In fact, LGBT workers need to organise separately from LGBT business owners who are tied to the existence of capitalism.

She argues that straight workers have more in common with LGBT workers because they both have a common interest in defending their conditions as workers and fighting their exploiters. Despite homophobia within the working class, Wolf argues that straight workers don’t benefit or gain an advantage by partaking in homophobia as it weakens the working class, divides and distracts workers from the class struggle.

Another aspect of the book that needs to be touched on is the fact that she covers issues of transgender and intersex. This is something that hasn’t really been touched on before in other Marxist literature about sexuality and it’s covered in quite an extensive way.

One point though that wasn’t touched that is sometimes controversial even within the socialist movement is that I think transgender can sometimes been seen as a product of capitalism and the gender norms that come in it. This isn’t to take away from the fact that trans people have the right to have sex changes of identify as another gender but the fact the capitalist society assigns ways of behaving to particular genders, such as women being feminine and men being masculine means that if you don’t fit into these norms then you can feel like you don’t fit into your body.

I would argue that under a socialist society that this feeling would be less prevalent because you wouldn’t need to conform to the gender norms and there wouldn’t be such a connection between gender biology and your behaviour.

Sexuality and Socialism covers a lot and does it clearly. It mixes theoretical and historical explanations with concrete and often emotive contemporary examples that make these issues feel real and connect with the reader. This book is also something that can be re-read in parts as a kind of reference book on Marxists’ attitudes to various issues of LGBT oppression and liberation.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the topics of sexuality, homophobia and LGBT politics.

Originally published @ http://www.benjaminsolah.com/blog/?p=...(less)

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Feb 28, 2013 David rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: socialist-politics

This is the BEST book I've read in a decade.

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Jun 19, 2012 Willow marked it as to-read

Shelves: activism, glbt

I'm a few chapters in and I LOVE it so far. It's really appealing to my geeky history and queer theory loving activist heart.

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Mar 17, 2011 Mark rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, history, politics, favorite-non-fiction, lgbt, favorites

An absolute must-read for anyone serious about LGBT liberation.

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Shelves: politics

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About Sherry Wolf

Sherry Wolf is an activist for LGBTQ rights, author, public speaker and associate editor of the International Socialist Review. She has written articles on subjects ranging from abortion rights to the Iraq war. Her essays and lectures can be seen in Monthly Review, Znet, and on CounterPunch.org.

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