by Lesley Graydon | Gender, Identity, Theory
Judith Butler drew attention to the paradox of foundationalist frames which would fix or constrain “the very ‘subjects’ that it hopes to represent and liberate” in her groundbreaking book Gender Trouble. She asked us to consider that “if identities were no longer...
by Lesley Graydon | Love, Relationships
Gertrude Stein (February 3, 1874 – July 27, 1946) and Alice B. Toklas (April 30, 1877 – March 7, 1967) met on the first day Toklas arrived in Paris, in 1907. Toklas moved into Stein’s residence in 1910 and they were life-long partners until Stein’s death....
by Lesley Graydon | Gender
On Gender… For the majority of people one’s gender is simple, clear, and defined: one is either a man or a woman. There is nothing complicated about it. Our society has certain “womanly” or “manly” behaviours, traits, and...
by Lesley Graydon | Critical Theory, Feminist Theory, Gender Theory, Identity, Queer Theory, Sexual Theory, Theory
What is Switching… To switch, and the process of engaging in the action of switching, can most broadly be described as dwelling in, and having the intention of, honoring, exploring, and sharing different, switchable aspects of a person: multiple or varied states...
by Lesley Graydon | Desire, Roles, Sex, Sexuality
“Present fears are less than horrible imaginings” (Shakespeare, Macbeth) To consider and be comfortable with authentic displays of variant genders and sexualities seems such a basic, healthy, productive, powerful, potentially opening and enlivening premise; yet,...
