Sisters, Sexperts, Queers: Beyond the Lesbian Nation

by Arlene Stein (Editor)

In this collection of provocative essays dealing with subjects ranging from sexual mores to self-image, the voices of both established and fledgling writers and activists are represented. By turns scathing, funny, seething, analytical, and impassioned, these works depict a lesbian culture of tremendous diversity that is reinventing itself for the '90s.

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, LGBT, Lesbian, Essays, History, Queer Studies

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conversely powerlessness and victimization are equated with innocence and this has ugly implications for communication and organizing. If the only possibilities are good/bad or all powerful/powerless everyone is frozen on one or the other side of the dichotomy. This is what leads people to brandish any badge of oppression they can claim, in order to trump themselves into a position of nonresponsibility for anything. Everyone becomes the done-unto, never the doer. It's dangerous to rely on an identity founded on being innocent because none of us is ever completely innocent.

Such an interesting snapshot of lesbian discourse from the ~1980s to the early 1990s. It’s not that every essay in this is good or something I agree with — it’s how so much of the arguments and pain points are continual, reoccurring issues. Very ideas in here are truly outdated (the argument against gay marriage is the main one) and instead they’re so recognizable they make time feel like a circle.

[Juniper Copley-Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many other reviews, I found this collection of essays to be hit or miss at points. There were some essays that could be read as transphobic or that used language that isn't common or isn't acceptable anymore. But, at other points I found a thread of connectivity with lesbians in history; while the essay on the topic wasn't necessarily positive in framing, Dykes, Disability, and Stuff sent a shock of recognition through me. Knowing lesbians in 1980 are having the same damn arguments that we are in 2020 is both saddening and heartening. Overall, I enjoyed the snapshot of this period in history.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

Being a product of the 90s, in some instances these essays are fairly dated, but there was also a lot that rang true to a lesbian born in 1999. A really interesting read nonetheless, it's always fascinating to see the history and evolution of lesbian culture.

[Hanfoi · Rating 2 out of 5]

ex gf gave me this. interesting but definetly a littttttle terfy at points but that’s to be expected from old queer books (unfortunately)

[R. C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very timeless pieces about the lesbian PClice and classism, as well as some essays that mark a weird position on the timeline, before we all knew a lesbian parent but after lesbians themselves had come to terms with the idea of parenting together on purpose. It was weird to hear the terms male-identified and female-identified so much, and the total lack of the whole genderqueer idea was interesting too. Worth picking up if only for that one essay on class. It's very powerful.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed collection of essays- some are painfully dated, but there are some real gems, including Dorothy Allison's A Question of Class.