Uppity-Negro.com

Someday I expect the "discrete" lesbian will not turn her head on the streets at the sight of the "butch" strolling hand in hand with her friend in their trousers and definitive haircuts. But for the moment it still disturbs.

--Lorraine Hansberry, in The Ladder, May 1957, quoted in Marjorie Garber, Vested Interests, 1992.

And above quoted in Lesbian Quotations. Compiled by Rosemary Silva:

This work is essentially a collection of quotations about lesbians and lesbianism organized into seven broad topics: lesbian identities and communities; emotional aspects of lesbian bonds; nature of lesbian sexuality; anti-lesbian sentiment, discrimination and homophobia as expressed by the church, the military, patriarchal society; heterosexual women, the psychiatric establishment, and pornography; lesbian myths and stereotypes; internalized homophobia, its sources, and the struggle for recognition, equality, and liberation; and family roles, relationships, lifestyles, and life stages/changes. A single index of authors and specific subjects concludes the work.

Snagged it at Brown Elephant last Saturday. I really should ask the staff their names, we're getting to know each other pretty well at this point. . .

The male party line concerning Lesbians is that women become Lesbians out of reaction to men. This is a pathetic illustration of the male ego's inflated proportions. I became a Lesbian because of women, because women are beautiful, strong and compassionate.

--Rita Mae Brown, A Plain Brown Rapper, 1976

Just flipping through it, really, but I'm not sure a book of quotations is something you're meant to read beginning to end.

First quote selected because there's still some denial controversy about whether Lorraine Hansberry was or wasn't. Second selected because I joke about these things, but know better. Ain't gonna stop me, but I know better.

And obviously, there's people here who'd like/could use this book more than me. Anyone want it?