'The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle' Book Talk, "Question and Answer: Part 16 of 16", Lillian Faderman, 2015/10/18

[caption: Lillian Faderman, Historian and Author of The Gay Revolution]

Brinskele: Okay this is the, really the last question.

Audience member: I’m asking the question on Jean’s behalf. Jean wanted to know why you put in the chapter “The Parallel Revolution on Lesbian Feminism”, and why it was so important for you to have that chapter in the book?

Faderman: I think it’s a really crucial story. I think that lesbian feminists in the 1950s did not want–to get back to an earlier question–did not want to simply assimilate, did not want to marry, which was a patriarchal institution. It was the man’s institution. Certainly did not want to serve in the military. Lesbian feminists wanted to create an alternative culture, an ideal utopian culture that was just very different from the mainstream culture–totally un-assimilationist. And I thought it was important to give an example of that, so I spend about 30 pages on that.

Brinskele: Okay, thank you all. You’ve been riveted, and I understand.

[applause]

Brinkskele: Thank you. Big hand for Lillian Faderman.

[applause]

[END OF VIDEO]


Interviewee: Lillian Faderman
Interviewer: Audience member
Interviewer: Angela Brinskele
Transcriber: Caitlin M.
Formatter: Serena R.
Recording Date: October 18, 2015
Release Date: October 25, 2015
Location: City Council Chambers in West Hollywood, California
Interview Length: 00:01:21