The year 2000 is a unique time in the evolution of American social life.
Concerned people see that some progress has been made and breathe a sigh of relief.
The tension between social change and the persistence of intolerance informs the study of women, sex, and identity that we embark upon in this course. Together we will explore the historical, cultural, and political understandings of lesbian life in the United States. Next we will investigate the role and influence of feminism on lesbian life by navigating the feminist theoretical contributions to our understanding of lesbian existence, politics, and culture from the 1970s to the present. In this section we will discuss various issues, experiences, and perspectives emerging from lesbian studies and activism. Finally, we will explore gender identity through one writer s memoir.