Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Participation in African Inspired Traditions in the Americas (Hardcover)

by Randy P Lundschien Conner (Author) "African-inspired spiritual traditions or religions are practiced in various places in the Americas, the Caribbean, Western Europe, and elsewhere..." (more)
Key Phrases: gay male practitioners, transsexual practitioners, gender complexity, United States, New York, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE. . . . RICHLY INFORMATIVE AND A GENUINE PLEASURE TO READ. . . . -- AnaLouise Keating, PhD, Associate Professor of Women's Studies, Texas Woman's University

"FASCINATING. . . . IMPORTANT AND INSIGHTFUL. . . . FRANK AND CLEAR. -- Lindsay Hale, PhD, Lecturer in Anthropology, The University of Texas at Austin

Product Description
What roles do queer and transgender people play in the African diasporic religions? Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Participation in African-Inspired Traditions in the Americas is a groundbreaking scholarly exploration of this long-neglected subject. It offers clear insight into the complex dynamics of gender and sexual orientation, humans and deities, and race and ethnicity, within these richly nuanced spiritual practices.

Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions explores the ways in which gender complexity and same-sex intimacy are integral to the primary beliefs and practices of these faiths. It begins with a comprehensive overview of Vodou, Santeria, and other African-based religions. The second section includes extensive, revealing interviews with practitioners who offer insight into the intersection of their beliefs, their sexual orientation, and their gender identity. Finally, it provides a powerful analysis of the ways these traditions have inspired artists, musicians, and writers such as Audre Lorde, as well as informative interviews with the artists themselves.

In Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions, you will discover: how the presence of androgynous divinities affects both faith and practice in Vodou, Candomble, Santeria, and other Creole religions

how the phenomenon of possession or embodiment by a god or goddess may validate queer identity and nurture gender complexity

who practices the African-derived spiritual traditions, what they believe, and who their deities are

how these faiths have influenced the art and aesthetic traditions of the West

This landmark book opens a fascinating new world of thought and belief. The authors provide rigorous documentation and faultless scholarly method as well as personal experience and the testimony of believers. Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions sheds new light on two widely different fields: LGBT studies and the theology of the African diaspora. A thorough bibliography points the way to further study, and an extensive photograph gallery provides a unique look at the believers and their practices. Every library with holdings in queer theory, African mythology, or sociology of religion should have this landmark volume.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (April 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560233508
• ISBN-13: 978-1560233503
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,282,457 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ashe!, November 9, 2006

By	RootedHand (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This is a well written and much needed book. I bought it without having seen it and am so very glad I did. This book is written for those of us who are gay and involved in traditional african religions. I highly reccomend this wonderful book to all.