Dyekwomon, Elana (Ed.); Onada-Sikwoia, Akiba (Ed.) Uccella, Michaela (Ed.); Kaye/Kantrowitz, Melanie (Ed.); Biren, Joan E. JEB (photo.); Pratt, Minnie Bruce;

[Feminist Lesbianism] Sinister Wisdom, 22 Issues, 1984-1998: Issues 25, 35-40, 42-54, and 56-58 [22 Issues]

Charlotte, North Carolina; Amherst, Massachussetts; Rockland, Maine; Berkeley, California: Sinister Wisdom; Catherine Nicholson and Harriet Ellenberger Desmoines; Michelle Cliff and Adrienne Rich; Elana Dykewomon, 1984-1998.

First Edition. Paperback. A solid collection of these 22 issues of the foundational feminist, oldest surviving, and longest operating lesbian journal to date. Founded in 1976 by Catherine Nicholson and Harriet Ellenberger (Desmoines), Sinister Wisdom has spanned eras, waves, and genres with issues currently numbering over a hundred, a body of work forming a vital historical resource of American lesbian art and writing from the late 1970s to today. The magazine has featured work by notable contributors including writer and civil rights activist Audre Lorde, poet Adrienne Rich, poet Joy Harjo, science fiction novelist Joanna Russ, photographer Joan E. Biren (JEB), poet and novelist Gloria E. Anzaldúa, novelist Michelle Cliff, poet Toi Dericotte, writer and activist Elana Dykewomon, poet and novelist Sapphire, and poet and essayist Minnie Bruce Pratt, all of whom are represented in these 22 issues, spanning 1984 to 1998, all from the library of influential Jewish lesbian feminist, theorist, and scholar Dr. Bette S. Tallen (1950–2023).

Each issue is rich with poetry, fiction, non-fiction, book reviews, lesbian theory, art, and photography related to feminism and lesbianism. Special issue subjects include: "Passing" (SW 35), including poems by Minnie Bruce Pratt; "Surviving Psychiatric Assault & Creating Emotional Well-Being in Our Communities" (SW 36), "On Disability" (SW 39); "Dyke Lives" (SW 46), including work by quilter Ellen Oppenheimer; and "Old Lesbians/Dykes" (SW 53).

"Sinister Wisdom 37: With an Emphasis on Lesbian Theory" includes Dr. Bette Tallen's essay "Lesbian-Feminist Theory: A View from the Political Theory Trenches." Sinister Wisdom 54: Lesbians & Religion, an issue dedicated to questions of faith and community, includes Tallen's contribution "Dialoguing about Dialogue: A Jewish Lesbian Perspective," about her experience as a Jewish lesbian and responses to her speech patterns, culture, and erasure in feminist dialogues, anti-racist workshops, and professional spaces.

8 1/2" X 2 1/2". 128pp; 140pp; 122pp; 140pp; 140pp; 140pp; 140pp; 360pp; 140pp; 122pp; 160pp; 138pp; 144pp; 128pp; 128pp; 120pp; 144pp; 144pp; 118pp; 140pp; 128pp; plus ads for Lesbian Ethics, Naiad Press, Gayfellow Pages, the age 40+ Broomstick, and other LGBTQ+ and feminist publications, as well as "The Butterfly Inn: A Bed & Breakfast for Women in Beautiful Hawaii," Campfest '92, Golden Thread Feminist Bookstore, "Nothing to Lose: Fat Lip Readers Theatre's New 30 Minute Video—A provocative look at living fat and female!," and more. Moderate wear to paper wraps, with soiling and foxing to covers, occasional creasing and sunning to spines, and edgewear, light creasing, and occasional small tears to extremities. Foxing and dust soiling to top edges of text blocks. Occasional foxing to pages, else unmarked. Bindings are firm and sound. Good. Item #17064

Price: $325.00