For the Hard Ones: A Lesbian Phenomenology / Para las duras: Una fenomenologia lesbiana

by Tatiana de la Tierra

Poetic Prose. Lesbian Erotica. Lesbian Identity. In Spanish and English on inverted pages. This philosophical exploration of the fantasy of being a lesbian is a poetic vision from the heart of the matriarchy. FOR THE HARD ONES/PARA LAS DURAS looks at different aspects of lesbianism, from the fingernails and the tongue to the literature and the herstory. A lesbian manifesto for hardcore dykes, baby dykes and wanna-be lesbians, FOR THE HARD ONES/PARA LAS DURAS is a lesbian celebration in Spanish and English, written by Colombian-American queer activist and librarian, tatiana de la tierra.

Genres: Poetry, Lesbian, LGBT, Queer, Erotica, Queer Studies

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[fausto · Rating 5 out of 5]

tatiana de la tierra was one of the most powerful feminist poets of this century, her work is such a beautiful chant to all lesbianas duras and sinvergüenzas :)

[E. V. Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there are certainly terms and sentiments in this collection that are dated and essentialist, I also found—and continue to find of the lesbian poetry of this generation—something so invigorating and powerful about these poems. A brashness, a confidence, a sexiness, a boldness, a fearlessness, a tenderness, an earnestness, an honesty. For so much of my life, I had been scared to even say the word "lesbian" out loud, let alone identify with it. And yet, here it is in print a thousand times, again, and again, and again. We owe a great deal to our forebears and ancestors and how their words have and continue to speak us into existence.*

*Though, I am also very glad that language and identity continue to evolve. Two things can be true at once, I guess.

[clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

i feel like my identity is heavily intertwined with tatiana’s. a lesbian latina born in villavicencio colombia who then moved to miami florida? this book could not be more perfect for me. if only i’d read this when i was younger, it would have guided me when questioning my sexuality, identity, beliefs, morals… the perfect book.

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a soul-nurturing book, I’m not sure if I could love tatiana de la tierra any more after reading this and the tributes of those she touched.