Title: The lesbian revolution : lesbian feminism in the UK, 1970-1990 /
Authors: Jeffreys, Sheila
Year: 2018
Subjects: Lesbians Political activity Great Britain History; Feminism Great Britain History; Feminism; Lesbians Political activity; Great Britain
Abstract: The Lesbian Revolution argues that lesbian feminists were a vital force in the Women's Liberation Movement (WLM). They did not just play a fundamental role in the important changes wrought by second wave feminism, but created a powerful revolution in lesbian theory, culture and practice. Yet this lesbian revolution is undocumented. The book shows that lesbian feminists were founders of feminist institutions such as resources for women survivors of men's violence, including refuges and rape crisis centres, and that they were central to campaigns against this violence. They created a feminist squatting movement, theatre groups, bands, art and poetry and conducted campaigns for lesbian rights. They also created a profound and challenging analysis of sexuality which has disappeared from the historical record. They analysed heterosexuality as a political institution, arguing that lesbianism was a political choice for feminists and, indeed, a form of resistance in itself. Using interviews with prominent lesbian feminists from the time of the WLM, and informed by the author's personal experience, this book aims to challenge the way the work and ideas of lesbian feminists have been eclipsed and to document the lesbian revolution.
Contents: Introduction -- The origins of lesbian feminism -- Lesbian culture -- The lesbian perspective -- Separatism -- Political lesbianism and heterosexuality -- Sadomasochism: the challenge to the politics of sexual equality -- The gender backlash: butch/femme roleplaying -- Identity politics and the destruction of lesbian feminism: "The CIA couldn't have done it better" (Rahila of Southall Black Sisters, 1986) -- The demise of lesbian feminism.