The Lesbian Heresy: A Feminist Perspective on the Lesbian Sexual Revolution

Once, lesbian feminists transformed lesbians from a stigmatized sexual practice into a political practice that posed a challenge to male supremacy and its basic institution of heterosexuality. Lesbian feminism sought to overturn the sexual system of male dominance and female submission. Lesbian sex and loving was to the egalitarian alternative. There were heretics. A lesbian sex industry is now making a profit from women's oppression, reaching lesbians to turn the pain of abuse and subordination into 'pleasure' and calling this liberation. Sadomasochism, sex toys and porn are being promoted as authentic lesbian sexuality, backed up by sex therapists and poststructuralist theory. A lesbian 'sexual revolution' is fitting lesbians back into the sado-society. Feminist theorist, Sheila Jeffreys, challenges the male supremacist and racist assumptions of the sex industry. The Lesbian Heresy advocates the continued creation of a separate lesbian culture, community, friendship and ethics based on principles of equality and resistance. And once again, lesbian feminists are deemed heretics.