Call Me Lesbian: Lesbian Lives, Lesbian Theory by Julia Penelope

Call Me Lesbian: Lesbian Lives, Lesbian Theory Reviews

• 
  Audrie

  As a baby to performing queer readings, this book was incredibly helpful in crafting a framework for a paper. The first few chapters are great if you're also unfamiliar and want some handy definitions and history.
  
  “Because Lesbians are ignored in most histories, including histories of sexuality, at some point we have to explain how we identify those we include as members of the category ‘Lesbian’— not, however, in order to placate skeptical critics, but to please ourselves. Determining Lesbian identity is a task of historical proportions. Unlike other sorts of identity, Lesbians possess no readily apparent identifying characteristics of space or time, nor can we look to origins or particular circumstances. Someone born in Thailand, Norway, or Ghana can claim that national identity as a birthright unless she surrenders or is exiled. Someone born in 600 BCE, 1848 or 1956 C.E. “belongs” to that time period, whether she embraced or rejected its customs and values. Consequently, Lesbian history is a hidden history, a submerged history, lived between the lines of one’s time and country.” (22)
• 
  Neelybat

  I enjoy reading older Lesbian theory, but to feel a connection to the not so distant past, but to argue with the writers in my mind. It helps me clarify what is most important to me. I believe that this book is interesting and full of meaningful gems, mostly when Julia is speaking about her own life, and struggles though it. The later chapters that discuss the reclaiming of the 'erotic' and about S/M are laughable in how little she seems to understand, or want to understand something she does not like. Even within her text she admits to not wanting to read or learn about the topics she spends pages discussing and shaming. For anyone wanting to see what exactly inspired the "pro-sex" third wave feminist activists look no further than this book!