Wiley-Blackwell Same-Sex Cultures and Sexualities: An Anthropological Reader (Wiley Blackwell Readers in Anthropology)

This book demonstrates the centrality of sex, gender, and sexuality to theories of human behaviors and practices. Moves beyond other “lesbian and gay studies” readers by presenting a broader view of the significance of studying same-sex cultures and sexualities across cultures. Offers readings from all four subfields of anthropology: cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological (along with historical and applied anthropology). Includes discussion of biotechnology and bioethics, health and illness, language, ethnicity, identity, politics, post-colonialism, kinship, development, and policymaking. Review “It is volumes like this one that allow us to see all sorts of new connections and possibilities. The vibrant thematic coherence of these articles is intellectually exciting, and one can genuinely say that, in this volume, the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. It is a particular strength that the articles come from across the anthropological subfields.” Margaret Conkey, University of California, Berkeley “An exquisite collection! The ethnographic reach and theoretical sophistication of this reader ensure that it is destined to become a classic reference and an indispensable tool for teaching. In addition to its contributions to the study of same-sex cultures, it boldly articulates anthropology’s special claims and unique role in the study of human sexualities.” Gayle Rubin, University of Michigan “An exceptionally coherent collection, with uniformly strong contributions. Same-Sex Cultures and Sexualities is a lucid demonstration of the ways that research on same-sex sexualities has intervened in and redefined core problems and debates in anthropology and history.” Mary Hancock, University of California, Santa Barbara From the Inside Flap Same-Sex Cultures and Sexualities: An Anthropological Reader demonstrates the centrality of the complicated relationship of sex, gender, and sexuality to theories of human behaviors and practices. Although heterosexuality has been interrogated and demystified, it retains normative dominance. By drawing on the multiple fresh and illuminating perspectives of anthropology, this landmark collection moves beyond other lesbian and gay studies readers by presenting a broader view of the significance of studying same-sex cultures and sexualities by presenting the lives of a range of individuals across cultural and temporal domains. Same-Sex Cultures and Sexualities offers readings from all four subfields of anthropology: cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological (along with historical and applied anthropology), and includes discussion of biotechnology and bioethics, health and illness, language, ethnicity, identity, politics, post/colonialism, kinship, development, and policymaking. From the Back Cover Same-Sex Cultures and Sexualities: An Anthropological Reader demonstrates the centrality of the complicated relationship of sex, gender, and sexuality to theories of human behaviors and practices. Although heterosexuality has been interrogated and demystified, it retains normative dominance. By drawing on the multiple fresh and illuminating perspectives of anthropology, this landmark collection moves beyond other lesbian and gay studies readers by presenting a broader view of the significance of studying same-sex cultures and sexualities by presenting the lives of a range of individuals across cultural and temporal domains. Same-Sex Cultures and Sexualities offers readings from all four subfields of anthropology: cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological (along with historical and applied anthropology), and includes discussion of biotechnology and bioethics, health and illness, language, ethnicity, identity, politics, post/colonialism, kinship, development, and policymaking. About the Author Jennifer Robertson is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan. She has published many articles and book chapters (in seve