Asian American Sexualities: Dimensions of the Gay and Lesbian Experience [Paperback]

Russell Leong (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 041591437X | ISBN-13: 978-0415914376 | Publication Date: November 8, 1995 | Edition: 1

Asian American Sexualities works to dispel the stereotype of oriental sexual decadence, as well as the "model minority" heterosexual Asian sterotype in the US.

Writing from an impressive array of interdisciplinary perspectives, the contributors discuss a variety of topics, including sexuality and identity politics; community activism and gay activism; transnational aspects of love between women in Thailand; queer South Asian culture in the US; gay and lesbian filmmakers; same-sex sexuality in Pacific literature; and Asian American male homosexuality and AIDS. The relationship of the gay and lesbian experience to Asian American studies and Ethnic Studies is also explored.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Editor Russell Leong has managed to weave a diverse and thoughtful selection of pieces--personal essays, articles of literary and film criticism, roundtable discussions, and works of fiction and poetry--into a provocative exploration of personal experience and the construction of Asian American gay and lesbian identity....a valuable contribution in the fields of both queer cultural studies and Asian American studies.... This book is the first of its kind, and for that alone it is noteworthy. The diverse approaches, good writing, and the inclusion of both lesbian and gay experience, however, make this a fascinating and informative read as well.
–Lesbian Review of Books

In all respects the anthology is informative, carving out an Asian American gay and lesbian culture and community that has been active and that will no longer be silenced either by racism or homophobia. While there are anthologies of Asian American gay experiences that precede this one, this is the first to deal with both gay and lesbian experiences.
–Pacific Reader

About the Author

Russell Leong is the editor of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center's Amerasia Journal. He edited Moving the Image: Independent Asian Pacific Media Arts (1991), and is the author of The Country of Dreams and Dust (1993), recipient of the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literature Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (November 8, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 041591437X
• ISBN-13: 978-0415914376
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Underrated book about API gay men and lesbians, September 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Asian American Sexualities: Dimensions of the Gay and Lesbian Experience (Paperback)

This book is pretty good; I actually enjoyed it more than the more-popular "Q&A" anthology. This anthology features articles from the leading gay and lesbian API academics in the country. I purposely say "API" because the book includes a chapter on gay Polynesians. There's gender parity in the articles, or at least the editor is mindful of not making another androcentric book. I think all gay Asian-Americans should get their hands on a copy of this book. It's neither hyperacademic babble nor another cheesy poetry book. It would also be a great resource for ethnic studies majors. I think straight API allies will enjoy it as well. I recommend this book. It's a keeper.