Overview

Feminism, the Family, and the Politics of the Closet is about placing sexual orientation politics within feminist theorizing. It is also about defining the central political issues confronting lesbians and gay men. The book brings the study of lesbians from the margins of feminist theory to the center by critiquing the analytic frameworks employed within feminist theory that renders invisible lesbians' difference from heterosexual women. This book also outlines the basic features of lesbian and gay subordination by exploring the differences between heterosexual dominance and gender and race relations. Throughout, Calhoun aims to re-center lesbian and gay politics away from concerns with sexual regulations and toward concern with the displacement of gays and lesbians from the public sphere of visible citizenship and from the private sphere of romance, marriage, and family.

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9780199257669

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Reviews

Are romantic love and sexual attraction the essence of lesbianism? Is legal recognition for same-sex marriage and parenting essential to justice for lesbians and gay men? Cheshire Calhoun answers YES to both questions, and she defends both conclusions subtly and rigorously. Feminism, the Family, and the Politics of the Closet has ignited productive controversy. This, I think, is the highest praise anyone can give a work of social theory. Professor Diana T Meyers, University of Connecticut This book offers new insights into such major philosophical issues as the relationship of lesbian to feminist theory and such major practical ones as the case for same-sex marriage. An excellent text for LGBT studies, Women's Studies, and Contemporary Moral Issues courses. Equally accessible to LGBT activists and other interested ethical or political theorists. Beautifully written, scrupulously argued, certain to become a classic! Professor Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin In this book, Cheshire Calhoun, one of the pre-eminent ethical theorists of our day, turns her careful, creative and analytical mind to a set of questions concerning lesbian and gay rights. Calhoun boldly challenges several central and widely-accepted theoretical and practical claims, most significantly, the applicability of feminist theory to theorizing lesbians and gay men and their social and legal positions and struggles. Professor Edward Stein, Cardozo School of Law

`Are romantic love and sexual attraction the essence of lesbianism? Is legal recognition for same-sex marriage and parenting essential to justice for lesbians and gay men? Cheshire Calhoun answers YES to both questions, and she defends both conclusions subtly and rigorously. Feminism, the Family, and the Politics of the Closet has ignited productive controversy. This, I think, is the highest praise anyone can give a work of social theory.' Professor Diana T Meyers, University of Connecticut `This book offers new insights into such major philosophical issues as the relationship of lesbian to feminist theory and such major practical ones as the case for same-sex marriage. An excellent text for LGBT studies, Women's Studies, and Contemporary Moral Issues courses. Equally accessible to LGBT activists and other interested ethical or political theorists. Beautifully written, scrupulously argued, certain to become a classic! ' Professor Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin `In this book, Cheshire Calhoun, one of the pre-eminent ethical theorists of our day, turns her careful, creative and analytical mind to a set of questions concerning lesbian and gay rights. Calhoun boldly challenges several central and widely-accepted theoretical and practical claims, most significantly, the applicability of feminist theory to theorizing lesbians and gay men and their social and legal positions and struggles. ' Professor Edward Stein, Cardozo School of Law

Author Information

Cheshire Calhoun is Professor of Philosophy at Colby College.

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