Queer Theory Sociology

by Steven Seidman

This book aims to productively engage the pioneering work of Queer theorists and point the way towards a new sociological Queer studies.

First book to bring the works of theorists and researchers in the social sciences to Queer theory which is distinctively dominated by the Humanities.

Uses classic sociological essays that shaped lesbian, gay and bisexual studies and recent original works and applies these to the discursive approach of Queer Theory to create a productive dialogue between the disciplines.

Genres: Sociology, Queer, Gender, Nonfiction

467 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Moataz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe that I first started this book in 2018. This was the first book I ever read on queer theory. I wanted to get a little insight on the gay and lesbian movement on the US and the dramatic shift regarding their rights in less than a decade. And I got that! I also wanted to get an insight on why they somehow succeeded, while the civil rights for racial equality seem to be moving forward slowly (I honestly don't think so, but I'm trying to be optimistic.) But I didn't get that.
What was really surprising is understanding that the HIV pandemic brought more sympathy to the queer community along with homophobia. And that has shifted the perception of society. I understood where HIV came to be 'the gay disease', and during the book I searched a lot more - because the book is heavily academic - so I actually read old articles of supposed scientists who really believed that heterosexual humans are immune to the disease. So when famous heterosexuals contracted the HIV, people suddenly realized that gay people are humans!
I also didn't know that the UK prided itself, at some point in the near history, with hanging more gay men than murderers. How quickly Europe forgets and start pointing their fingers nowadays ha?

All this honestly was mixed and cooked in my head with constant questioning on the East/West classic dichotomy. And Messad's Desiring Arabs was always hovering over my head. I also thought that the contemporary gay culture was a direct effect to media, but it is truly enriching to realize that even during the nineteenth century or the early twentieth century there were huge similarities between the gay communities of the East and West. (If any of the sexual escapades of white colonizers in the East to be believed of course!)

I think one of the most important aspects that never crossed my mind was capitalism (which was part two of the book.) Perhaps the most important, but certainty the heaviest. People often consider science and religion when it comes to morality, but little is mentioned of economy. This is the first book I ever read to cover this point actually.

[I wish I had eyeballs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still feels a little too close to queer studies rather than truly utilizing and adapting sociology into it. Also, an excessive amount of parts feel like discussion of the relationship between queer studies and sociology, of which I doubt the benefit, while fewer are the studies actually done in these disciplines' methods.

[FAHASS]

306.76 SEI