Queer culture over the centuries has rarely been visible and documented. Esther Newton broke down barriers to make that different now. But it took a toll on her at the time.
What a nice look at someone who pushed the academic frontiers on the studies of queerness and society, from someone who was on the front lines at the most pivotal time in the last decades of progress. Still overshadowed by masculine gay culture, drag and lesbian history needs to have room in the discourse. That is only more apparent today on Trans Day of Visibility, where some understanding of the nature of the people defining their own existence is crucial, as the attacks on these vulnerable groups seem to be escalating.
Besides her important work, learning about Esther as a person and her relationships and hobbies was also humanizing and helpful context for her life.
I didn't know her before, or what to expect when I clicked "play" on Kanopy. But it was worth my time.
What a nice look at someone who pushed the academic frontiers on the studies of queerness and society, from someone who was on the front lines at the most pivotal time in the last decades of progress. Still overshadowed by masculine gay culture, drag and lesbian history needs to have room in the discourse. That is only more apparent today on Trans Day of Visibility, where some understanding of the nature of the people defining their own existence is crucial, as the attacks on these vulnerable groups seem to be escalating.
Besides her important work, learning about Esther as a person and her relationships and hobbies was also humanizing and helpful context for her life.
I didn't know her before, or what to expect when I clicked "play" on Kanopy. But it was worth my time.
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