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Are Lesbians Women?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2020

Jacob Hale
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Abstract

I argue that Mordque Wittig's view that lesbians are not women neglects the complexities involved in the composition of the category “woman.” I develop an articulation of the concept “woman” in the contemporary United States, with thirteen distinct defining characteristics, none of which are necessary nor sufficient. I argue that Wittig's emphasis on the material production of “woman” through the political regime of heterosexuality, however, is enormously fruitful for feminist and queer strategizing.

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Type
Research Article
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Hypatia , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , Spring 1996, pp. 94 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 by Hypatia, Inc.

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