Out of the Closets: Voices of Gay Liberation [Paperback]

Karla Jay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0814741835 | ISBN-13: 978-0814741832 | Edition: 2

Filled with Joyous self-affirmation, angry manifestos, and searching personal reflections, this classic work provides a close look at the individuals and ideologies of this important social movement. In the tradition of Sisterhood is Powerful, Out of the Closets presents , in their own words, the views, values attitudes, aspirations, and circumstances of the early generation of gay and lesbian liberationists. Highlighting both how much and how little has changed since Stonewall, this work is essential reading for anyone concerned with the history of sexuality and the legal and social status of lesbians and gays in contemporary America.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is wonderful to have Out of the Closets again available. A pioneering anthology that had a profound impact in its first incarnation in 1972, it still speaks powerfully to the condition of gay men and lesbians in American life, recounting sorrows and joys, offering solace and strategy, celebrating the remarkable diversity and creativity of those who are different."

-Martin Duberman,Distinguished Professor of History, City University of New York

About the Author

Karla Jay has written, edited, and translated nine books, the most recent of which are Dyke Life and Lesbian Erotics. Dyke Life won the 1996 Lambda Literary Award in the category of Lesbian Studies. She is editor of NYU Press's series, "The Cutting Edge: Lesbian Life and Literature." This is the only lesbian studies series in the world from a university press. In existence since 1992, the series now spans some 20 books of original criticism, reprints, translations and recovered archival letters and manuscripts. Dr. Jay has written for many publications, including Ms. Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, The Village Voice, and Lambda Book Report. She is Professor of English and Director of Women's Studies at Pace University in New York City. She is currently at work on two books, Ten Decades of Struggle: Gay and Lesbian Life in the United States (Oxford UP) and Tales of the lavender Menace (Basic).

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press; 2 edition (May 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814741835
• ISBN-13: 978-0814741832
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,104,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars "Out of the Closets" Still a Fascinating Read, November 8, 2011

By 

Michael Andrew - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Out of the Closets: Voices of Gay Liberation (Paperback)

For anyone studying the early, radical days of Gay Liberation, this book is a must. The voices within reach back to the years just after Stonewall, with a wonderful compilation of both the truly radical politics of the age as well as moving testimony about self-discovery and gay living in the early 70s. This was the very first book I read in college that didn't talk about gay people as sick deviant perverts, and as an 18-yer-old coming out of the closet in 1982, it was a godsend to me, as somewhat dated as it was even then, because it talked about love between men as well as sex. For me, it was truly liberating, and now, 40 years later, stands as a testament to the radical politics and thought of the times, and can serve as a good primer for those in the queer community who strive against complete assimilation into heteronormative codes of conduct.