Author(s): Sheila Jeffreys

Non-Fiction

Once, lesbian feminists transformed lesbianism from a stigmatized sexual practice into a political practice that posed a challenge to male supremacy and its basic institution of heterosexuality. Lesbian feminism sought to overturn the sexual system of male dominance and female submission. Lesbian sex and loving was to be the egalitarian alternative. They were heretics. Now a lesbian sex industry is making a profit from women's oppression, teaching lesbians to turn the pain of abuse and subordination into pleasure, and calling this liberation. Sadomasochism, sex toys, porn are said to be authentic lesbian sexuality and backed up by sex therapists and poststructuralist theory. A lesbian sexual revolution is fitting lesbians back into the sado-society.This book challenges the male supremacist and racist assumptions of the sex industry. It advocates the continued creation of a separate lesbian culture, community, friendship and ethics based on principles of equality and resistance. And once again, lesbian feminists are deemed heretics.