Interesting topic, Caly and good afternoon. I spent the rest of the day yesterday getting completely pie-faced (drunk) for my birthday celebration (I celebrate the whole month).
Anyway, I've read plenty of books about Lesbianism, I've read many short novels about a specific character that takes the journey that every person takes when they realize that their sexual orientation is completely different.
As I have in the past, before my transition, I read a book called Lesbian/Woman, and it was the most important part of my coming out process. Now that I have transtioned or is transitioning, I have repeated the same process. I have read two books about ftms and their transitioning process. With one particular author, I see a lot of similarities, and his book "speaks" to me. And I have a book that has also become another most important of my coming out process. The book is called Transliberation.
Of course, with every group of gender and sexual orientation, there's always going to be an element of politics. It is important for me to get involved with those politics, but my way of getting involved is to live a good, but not slient, life.
One of my Favorite topics: Here's part of what I remember:
A neat story:
When Eisenhower was in command of our troops in post World-War II, he was a rather pragmatic man. The future President had a large WAC division working directly for him, performing primarily clerical and support duties. One day, he was told that the unit included a number of lesbians. He directed one of his closest aides, a woman, to investigate the rumor and prepare a list for him. His aide said that she would, but also told him that her name would be the first on the list. She named others whose names would join hers, and pointed out that their military service had been outstanding, and that they played a critical role in helping him discharge his awesome responsibilities. “Cancel that order”, Eisenhower was reported as having said. “Forget I ever mentioned it.” *********************************************************************
good book:
"Mrs Kepler and Her Daughter"- Mrs. Keppler was the mistress of King Edward the 3rd or 1st I believe, and was Violet Trufusis’(**see more about Violet Trufus below) mother. Mrs. Keppler is the great,great Grandmother of Camilla-Parker Bowles….former mistress to Prince Charles…now his wife. Hmmmm? What goes around comes around ?
Vita Sackville-West & Violet Trufus were lovers for years, both married to men at the time who also had male lovers. Vita is also famous for her knowledge of Botany and gardening.
************************************************************************ Vita and Violet hung around Paris in what were known as Literary Salons…with the likes Natalie Barney, Simone De Beauvouis,William Wadsworth Longfellow etc...
Books I read that told me All about it !!
Lesbian Ethics- by Sara Luci Hoagland Lesbian Nation- Jill Johnston Ruby Fruit Jungle-Rita Mae Brown (The Best coming out book for lesbians!) The Price of Salt-Patricia Highsmith(Classic lovestory) BeeBo Brinker- Lee Lynch ToothPick House- Lee Lynch Dusty’s Queen of Heart’s Diner-Lee Lynch That Ole’ Studebaker- Lee Lynch Home in Your Hands-Lee Lynch Stone Butch Blues-Leslie Feinberg
I agree, This is an interesting question, (thanks to person who suggested it), I have always enjoyed reading, and I am always on the look out for good books about Lesbianism.
My journey to come out to myself began with a movie that really touched and affected me. It triggered feelings that I'd had all my life but never really acknowledged. The movie is "Lost and Delirious". I've always felt silly admitting that a movie had such a profound effect on my life, but it did. I identified with the passion and emotion of the main character and wanted to experience true love with a woman like she did. After watching it I began exploring the GLBT community, mostly online. The book "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin was a big influence as well. It's about a woman living in 1899 who decided to break away from her obligations as a mother and wife and discover her own sexual and emotional identity. In coming out to myself I craved a new identity. I realized that the plan I had for my life all along was not really what would make me happy. It was a dark and painful process at times, but I got through it and am glad I took that journey.
So, my experience was more with becoming strong and breaking away from my old life to begin anew. In the process I discovered that I wanted to be with a woman more than anything and was lucky enough
That is ironic, Storm! I really agree that coming out feels like a new awakening. It is freeing and refreshing, even though you may only be able to share it with a few select people. There is a book called "The Marriage Sabbatical: The Journey That Brings You Home" by Cheryl Jarvis, which I would like to read sometime. It's about women who take time away to rejuvenate, to grow, and in the end bring that back to their marriages and families. Now I certainly don't want to leave my family, but what's interesting to me is that some women do have this need to "find themselves," and that it's important to make that happen. That "need" is what I'm most interested in reading about.
Anyway, sorry to ramble! I just think this kind of awakening we're talking about is so powerful and liberating! And I'm glad I have experienced it!
I came out...really out when I got sober nealry 16 years ago. There as this woman that was a resident , like me, at this recovery house for women. She and I went to a soft ball game (women's, of course) and I told her, while sitting up in the stands looking at all these lovely dyke women, that I felt like standing up and saying "Here I am ! I am sorry it took me so long to get here. " My friend just laughed and said "So your Out, now Get On with it !" She used to tease me each time she saw anew "unfolding" of my new self that was lesbian identified....cutting my long hair short (it was right for me), I stopped wearing so much make up, I started walking differently..strutting, actually.
Interesting topic, Caly and good afternoon. I spent the rest of the day yesterday getting completely pie-faced (drunk) for my birthday celebration (I celebrate the whole month).
Anyway, I've read plenty of books about Lesbianism, I've read many short novels about a specific character that takes the journey that every person takes when they realize that their sexual orientation is completely different.
As I have in the past, before my transition, I read a book called Lesbian/Woman, and it was the most important part of my coming out process. Now that I have transtioned or is transitioning, I have repeated the same process. I have read two books about ftms and their transitioning process. With one particular author, I see a lot of similarities, and his book "speaks" to me. And I have a book that has also become another most important of my coming out process. The book is called Transliberation.
Of course, with every group of gender and sexual orientation, there's always going to be an element of politics. It is important for me to get involved with those politics, but my way of getting involved is to live a good, but not slient, life.
Thanks,
Sebastian
Hugs,
Sebastian
http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce
One of my Favorite topics: Here's part of what I remember:
A neat story:
When Eisenhower was in command of our troops in post World-War II, he was a rather pragmatic man. The future President had a large WAC division working directly for him, performing primarily clerical and support duties. One day, he was told that the unit included a number of lesbians. He directed one of his closest aides, a woman, to investigate the rumor and prepare a list for him. His aide said that she would, but also told him that her name would be the first on the list. She named others whose names would join hers, and pointed out that their military service had been outstanding, and that they played a critical role in helping him discharge his awesome responsibilities.
“Cancel that order”, Eisenhower was reported as having said. “Forget I ever mentioned it.”
*********************************************************************
good book:
"Mrs Kepler and Her Daughter"- Mrs. Keppler was the mistress of King Edward the 3rd or 1st I believe, and was Violet Trufusis’(**see more about Violet Trufus below) mother. Mrs. Keppler is the great,great Grandmother of Camilla-Parker Bowles….former mistress to Prince Charles…now his wife. Hmmmm? What goes around comes around ?
Vita Sackville-West & Violet Trufus were lovers for years, both married to men at the time who also had male lovers. Vita is also famous for her knowledge of Botany and gardening.
************************************************************************
Vita and Violet hung around Paris in what were known as Literary Salons…with the likes Natalie Barney, Simone De Beauvouis,William Wadsworth Longfellow etc...
Books I read that told me All about it !!
Lesbian Ethics- by Sara Luci Hoagland
Lesbian Nation- Jill Johnston
Ruby Fruit Jungle-Rita Mae Brown (The Best coming out book for lesbians!)
The Price of Salt-Patricia Highsmith(Classic lovestory)
BeeBo Brinker- Lee Lynch
ToothPick House- Lee Lynch
Dusty’s Queen of Heart’s Diner-Lee Lynch
That Ole’ Studebaker- Lee Lynch
Home in Your Hands-Lee Lynch
Stone Butch Blues-Leslie Feinberg
A funny : http://www.salon.com/weekly/books9607
Enjoy!!
Designergrl47
"Thoughts are things! Think Good ones!"
Just a small correction: Ann Bannon wrote Beebo Brinker.
Sebastian
Hugs,
Sebastian
http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce
Hi all,
I agree, This is an interesting question, (thanks to person who suggested it
), I have always enjoyed reading, and I am always on the look out for good books about Lesbianism.
I too read quite alot when I first came out.
Thanks Sebastian !
Designergrl47
"Thoughts are things! Think Good ones!"
My journey to come out to myself began with a movie that really touched and affected me. It triggered feelings that I'd had all my life but never really acknowledged. The movie is "Lost and Delirious". I've always felt silly admitting that a movie had such a profound effect on my life, but it did. I identified with the passion and emotion of the main character and wanted to experience true love with a woman like she did. After watching it I began exploring the GLBT community, mostly online. The book "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin was a big influence as well. It's about a woman living in 1899 who decided to break away from her obligations as a mother and wife and discover her own sexual and emotional identity. In coming out to myself I craved a new identity. I realized that the plan I had for my life all along was not really what would make me happy. It was a dark and painful process at times, but I got through it and am glad I took that journey.
So, my experience was more with becoming strong and breaking away from my old life to begin anew. In the process I discovered that I wanted to be with a woman more than anything and was lucky enough
I've read absolutely nothing.
That is ironic, Storm! I really agree that coming out feels like a new awakening. It is freeing and refreshing, even though you may only be able to share it with a few select people. There is a book called "The Marriage Sabbatical: The Journey That Brings You Home" by Cheryl Jarvis, which I would like to read sometime. It's about women who take time away to rejuvenate, to grow, and in the end bring that back to their marriages and families. Now I certainly don't want to leave my family, but what's interesting to me is that some women do have this need to "find themselves," and that it's important to make that happen. That "need" is what I'm most interested in reading about.
Anyway, sorry to ramble! I just think this kind of awakening we're talking about is so powerful and liberating! And I'm glad I have experienced it!
I came out...really out when I got sober nealry 16 years ago. There as this woman that was a resident , like me, at this recovery house for women. She and I went to a soft ball game (women's, of course) and I told her, while sitting up in the stands looking at all these lovely dyke women, that I felt like standing up and saying "Here I am ! I am sorry it took me so long to get here. "
My friend just laughed and said "So your Out, now Get On with it !" She used to tease me each time she saw anew "unfolding" of my new self that was lesbian identified....cutting my long hair short (it was right for me), I stopped wearing so much make up, I started walking differently..strutting, actually.
Designergrl47
"Thoughts are things! Think Good ones!"