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13+ Works 1,464 Members 17 Reviews 2 Favorited

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Works by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore

Associated Works

Flesh and the Word 4: Gay Erotic Confessionals (1997) — Contributor — 110 copies
The Best American Erotica 2001 (2001) — Contributor — 91 copies
Working Sex: Sex Workers Write About a Changing Industry (2007) — Contributor — 88 copies
Best American Gay Fiction 3 (1998) — Contributor — 86 copies
Against Equality: Don't Ask to Fight Their Wars (2011) — Introduction — 44 copies
Best Gay Erotica 2000 (1999) — Contributor — 41 copies
Second Person Queer: Who You Are (So Far) (2009) — Contributor — 40 copies
Best Gay Erotica 2001 (2000) — Contributor — 35 copies
Best Gay Erotica 2009 (2008) — Contributor — 29 copies
Best Gay Erotica 2002 (1840) — Contributor — 28 copies
Best Gay Erotica 2004 (2003) — Contributor — 25 copies
Best Gay Erotica 2012 (2011) — Contributor — 23 copies

Tagged

activism (20) anthology (55) assimilation (9) conformity (9) culture (8) ebook (7) essays (57) feminism (19) fiction (26) gay (26) gender (87) gender identity (12) gender studies (14) genderqueer (11) glbt (9) goodreads import (7) history (7) identity (12) lgbt (26) LGBTQ (41) lgbtqi (6) masculinity (11) memoir (19) non-fiction (104) passing (18) politics (16) queer (121) queer studies (29) queer theory (26) race (16) radicalism (6) read (6) San Francisco (10) sex (12) sex work (8) sexuality (30) theory (9) to-read (142) trans (40) transgender (31)

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Reviews

IDK how to rate this or what my rating would mean, but it seems successful as a portrait of some radical left social dynamics (that I've more witnessed than been personally involved in). Good writing; it would likely be unreadable if it wasn't so beautifully written. Glad I finished it.
 
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caedocyon | Jul 18, 2023 |
If you grab this off the shelf expecting it to be about "Gender and Conformity" as linked terms, you may be disappointed. Although there are several contributions that address both gender and conformity, there are equally as many contributions that address these topics as separate issues. For instance, trying to pass as a person of color or passing on passing as part of a culture. This does not, in any way, take away from the intentions of the book. Gender and conformity need not be linked to prove true to the title that "Nobody Passes". This was a compelling read and I am now a fan of Mattilda, as well as several of the authors within this book, for life.… (more)
 
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coffeechic | 7 other reviews | May 31, 2023 |
Every essay is well-written, interesting, and moving. Very smart, very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
 
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elenaj | 7 other reviews | Jul 31, 2020 |
This book really challenged my views on sexuality, sex, and radical feminist and queer thought. Theory, story, interview and case study blended together to create a coherent radical queer agenda against assimilation into the white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. The hot topics of the "gay rights" white gay male "movement" are Gay Marriage, Adoption, and the Right to Military Service. These all benefit the system more than they benefit queer liberation, so that even if you win, you lose.

One of the highlights of the book for me was the story of PISS, the campus movement to create gender-neutral and handicap accessable bathrooms. To have things as simple as being able to go to the bathroom be a serious complication with your body and identity is heartbreaking. It was inspiring to read about what I had previously thought of as disparate movements working together for a common goal and supporting one another.

Another highlight was the article stating that Gay Marriage is racist. Marriage is seen as the route to assimilation and acceptance from the hetero world. The interviewee made the case, however, that black families and mixed-race families often have the "foundation" of marriage. Black people have done the experiment of marrying for acceptance within the larger society, but the state sees them as "queer" (as in, part of the "other" that isn't white and wealthy). The state destroys their families by jailing the father, refusing welfare to the mother, and putting up children for adoption or foster care. Therefore, marriage is an ineffective route to acceptance, and even if it were effective, it would be selective acceptance based on race, as black people are systematically denied family and marriage.

After reading this book, I was embarassed that I put HRC stickers on my class binders in university to show that I was a queer ally.
… (more)
 
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magonistarevolt | 4 other reviews | Apr 24, 2020 |

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Works
13
Also by
13
Members
1,464
Popularity
#17,551
Rating
3.8
Reviews
17
ISBNs
33
Favorited
2

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