Homo Economics: Capitalism, Community, and Lesbian and Gay Life - Brossura

Amy Gluckman and Betsy Reed are the authors of The Gay Marketing Moment, an expose of myths about gay consumers that appeared in Dollars and Sense, a Boston-based progressive economics magazine. They are both members of the Dollars and Sense editorial collective.

Homo Economics is the first honest account of the fraught relationship between gay people and the economy. This groundbreaking collection brings together a variety of voices from the worlds of journalism, activism, academia, the arts, and public policy to address issues including the recent economic history of the gay community, the community's response to its changing economic circumstances, and the risks inherent in a narrow definition of liberation. For the first time in U.S. history, gay men and lesbians live open lives. From nightclubs in gay city districts to political rallies and Caribbean cruises, this new community continues to reveal itself throughout the nation. However, with this growth, there are also signs of fracturing as economic forces key to its development are now threatening the future. Homo Economics illustrates the way in which modern capitalism has eroded the rigid sexual division of labor that deterred gay couples from setting up households in the past. But the book also shows how this economic system has created divisions within the gay community, channelled lesbians and gay men into particular professions, and discriminated against them in the work place. After a century of neglect, we have now reached a point where suddenly gay consumers are being courted by corporations, gay money is being fueling political campaigns, and gay and lesbian neighbourhoods are expanding. The essays in Homo Economics warn us however, that contrary to popular stereotypes, only a narrow segment of the gay community is enjoying economic success and the majority of gay men and lesbians actually earn less than straight men and women. Homo Economics brings together contributors including Jeffrey Escoffier, Donna Minkowitz, Tony Kushner, Julie Matthaei, Dorothy Allison, Sean Strub, Dan Baker and Lee Badgett among others, to address the views of the gay community towards capitalism. As such, Amy Gluckman and Betsy Reed have given us the most comprehensive overview t