The Culture of Queers

by Richard Dyer

For around a hundred years up to the Stonewall riots, the word used for gay men was 'queers'. In The Culture of Queers, Richard Dyer traces the contours of queer culture, examining the differences and continuities with the gay culture which succeeded it.

Opening with a discussion of the very concept of 'queers', Dyer asks what it means to speak of a sexual grouping having a culture, and addresses issues such as gay attitudes to women and the notion of camp. From screaming queens to sensitive vampires and sad young men, and from pulp novels to pornography to the films of Fassbinder, The Culture of Queers explores the history of queer arts and media.

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, LGBT, Film, History, Theory, Cultural Studies

Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jesse]

The essay "It's In His Kiss!: Vampirism as Homosexuality, Homosexuality as Vampirism" has now proven to be ground zero for several papers I have researched and written, ranging from Nightwood to Twilight, and I've always meant to read some of the other chapters (ranging from camp to "queer noir" to Rock Hudson to Fassbinder to porn) as well. One of these days.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read parts. Humorous and informative.