1st Edition
Encyclopedia of Lesbian and Gay Histories and Cultures
A rich heritage that needs to be documented
Beginning in 1869, when the study of homosexuality can be said to have begun with the establishment of sexology, this encyclopedia offers accounts of the most important international developments in an area that now occupies a critical place in many fields of academic endeavors. It covers a long history and a dynamic and ever changing present, while opening up the academic profession to new scholarship and new ways of thinking.
A groundbreaking new approach
While gays and lesbians have shared many aspects of life, their histories and cultures developed in profoundly different ways. To reflect this crucial fact, the encyclopedia has been prepared in two separate volumes assuring that both histories receive full, unbiased attention and that a broad range of human experience is covered.
Written for and by a wide range of people
Intended as a reference for students and scholars in all fields, as well as for the general public, the encyclopedia is written in user-friendly language. At the same time it maintains a high level of scholarship that incorporates both passion and objectivity. It is written by some of the most famous names in the field, as well as new scholars, whose research continues to advance gender studies into the future.
Biography
Bonnie Zimmerman is professor of women's studies at San Diego State University. She received her Ph.D. in English from SUNY Buffalo, where she became part of the first generation to work in women's studies. She is the author of The Safe Sea of Women: Lesbian Fiction, 1969-1989 (1990), which won the Lambda Literary Award.
George E. Haggerty is professor of English at the University of California, Riverside, and was founder and co-chair of the program in Gay, California, Berkeley, and is author of several books, including Men in Love: Masculinity and Sexuality in the Eighteenth Century (1999).
"The most comprehensive reference work in the field..These volumes are valuable to all college, university, and public library reference collections." -- American Reference Books Annual
"This source is unique among encyclopedias of homosexuality...[It] should become the standard in its field, will be a useful addition to all public and academic libraries." -- American Libraries
"The Encyclopedia is a thorough, well-researched and for the most part impressive collection of notes on the who, what, where, why and when of lesbians...[T]he cross-cultural entries are some of the best I've see in a project of this nature. For those entries alone, the Encyclopedia would be a fruitful addition to any home." -- Girlfriends. Two volume set. Volume 1, Encyclopedia of Lesbian Histories and Cultures, edited by Bonnie Zimmerman ISBN 0-8153-1920-7 Volume 2, Encyclopedia of Gay Histories and Cultures, Edited by George Haggerty ISBN 0-8153-1880-4
"Thumbs up for Haggerty and Zimmerman...An exceptional group of authors has contributed entries to these volumes...Reference librarians in academic and medium-sized and large public libraries will want to add both volumes to their collections." -- Booklist/RBB
"Nothing short of a landmark publication.." -- Choice
"Fine scholarly works that belong in the reference section of every library." -- Library Journal
