Riki Wilchins

Queer Theory, Gender Theory by Riki Wilchins is a very good basic introduction to the theory for those who either don't want to read the theory or want a basic foundation before diving into the nuance and detail of the theories.

I wasn't prepared for just how basic this was going to be, so it took a while for me to appreciate what it does so well. I've been reading this theory and using it since the 80s (the 90s for Butler) and forget that not everyone enjoys reading theory. As I've said before, yes, I am a nerd. What this book does is highlight where much of the theory (foundationally Derrida, Foucault, and Butler) meets the application or activism. This does not try to express every nuance, it offers the reader a basic understanding so that they can then better understand where some of the ideas come from. I would imagine that for those looking for an intro, this may well suffice. For others, this may pique their interest to learn these ideas in greater detail.

One thing that makes this particularly interesting is that Wilchins does not spare any one or any group critique. Not so much confrontational but more pointing out where feminism(s) or some gay rights groups miss main ideas or, even worse, do to trans what had been done to them. This is done in hope of creating understanding and making bridges, not condemning.

I would recommend this to readers who want a foundation either for better understanding or as a prelude to more serious study.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (more)

I picked this up mostly as a joke after learning that iced coffee and walking quickly are queer symbols. While researching whether or not I was queer for liking iced coffee (and wondering if this is what my San Francisco friends meant when they said they were queer,) I came across this book, and was surprised to learn that there is a THEORY behind being queer! Fascinating!

After a quick wikipedia-job on queer theory that didn't prove to be helpful in the least, I thought I should probably read a book on the topic. Either it would be informative, or it would be further evidence that the humanities are full of crazy people spouting off on "theories" that are completely impenetrable -- win/win, really.

So I dove in during a long bus ride. And I was pleasantly surprised! Wilchins makes a good argument that it's stupid to draw strong dichotomies based on sexuality. Does it make a man a homosexual if he thinks about kissing another man? Not only is this not right, argues Wilchins, it's not even wrong. These categories are useful insofar as they help us predict the future, but they are not helpful as _identifiers._

I don't remember much else about the book. I ran out of steam on it. I never intended to abandon it, but I did, and I have no desire to read more. Queer Theory was significantly less shit than I was expecting it to be! I remember being impressed with a few of the arguments while reading it, but damned if I can remember what they are now.… (more)

A collection of essays and excerpts from a genderqueer trans activist. There are pieces from as early as 1994, as recent as late 2017, and somehow they don't feel out of place next to one another. Reading the Advocate columns that span from 2002 to 2017 throws into sharp distinction how fast things are changing - terminology, issues, recognition - and also how much things stay the same. (Reading columns from early 2016 is just heartbreaking.) There's a lot of talk about intersex people (more than I'm used to even in trans writing, which is refreshing) and a wonderfully expansive inclusiveness to the idea of genderqueerness. The tone varies from chatty and conversational to crude to erotic to intensely theoretical. This isn't a single coherent history or theory of anything, but it's a fascinating and enlightening collection of thoughts, and a good introduction to a compelling and important writer.… (more)