Working-Class Lesbian Life

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. Reviewing the Literature: An Introduction

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 1-36

3. Class and How to Get It

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 37-62

4. Close Encounters of the Classed Kind

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 63-87

5. What Now?

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 88-114

6. Negotiation and Navigation: Emotional Maps

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 115-137

7. Scene Spaces — Inclusions and Exclusions

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 138-153

8. Ties That Bind

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 154-181

9. Knocking-Off: Conclusion

   • Yvette Taylor

   Pages 182-188

10. Back Matter

    Pages 189-220

    PDF

This is an original study of women self-identified as working-class and lesbian, showing the significance of class and sexuality in their biographies, everyday lives and identities. It provides insight, a critique of queer theory and an empirical interrogation of the embodied, spatial and material intersection of class and sexuality.

• biography
• emotion
• women

'...thought-provoking...at times edgy and provocative, always captivating' - Sociology

'...a welcome addition to a growing body of work on contemporary classed cultures. This is an extensive study of the complex intersections of classed and sexual identitites and the material, embodied and subjective consequences of occupying both of these subjectivities at one.' - Alison Rooke, Sociological Research Online

'...an excellent addition to any collection of readings on the subject indeed, it is by far the best single book I have encountered on the topic.' - Journal of Lesbian Studies

'...I highly recommend Working-Class Lesbian Life as a text that asserts both the significance of social class to understanding sexual others and the significance of sexuality to understanding social class inequalities' - Elizabeth McDermott, American Journal of Sociology

'The strength of Working-Class Lesbian Life lies in its deep and thoughtful consideration of working-class lesbian's everyday lives, and its contribution in demonstrating the importance of class as a key subjectivity for participants. The book offers a unique and important view into the social geographies of working-class lesbians' - Gender, Place& Culture

'Taylor's study is useful in highlighting that, notwithstanding some triumphs, to be on the outside on both counts of class and sexuality can be a significant burden to bear...Taylor's book does provide a timely reminder of the importance of class in analysis generally and to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender research more specifically.' - Feminist Review

'...an important and timely intervention in sexualities studies. In highlighting the diversity of lesbian experiences and identifications, and pursuing new paths to explore the intersections between sexuality and class, Taylor's monograph represents a highly original contribution to debates on intersectionality. It makes for a very engaging and thoughtprovoking read, and it is highly recommended to scholars interested in sexuality, class and the relations between the two.' - Francesca Stella, European Societies

• University of Newcastle, UK

  Yvette Taylor

Yvette Taylor is Professor in Social and Policy Studies and Head of the Weeks Centre, London South Bank University, UK. Her publications include Working-Class Lesbian Life: Classed Outsiders , Lesbian and Gay Parenting , Fitting Into Place? Class and Gender Geographies and Temporalities , Classed Intersections ; T heorizing Intersectionality and Sexuality and Sexualities: Reflections and Futures .

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