Ch. 2--It wasn't shocking at all to learn that lesbianism was/is seen as a threat to male authority. Also, I completely disagree with D'Emilio...homosexuality isn't the result of capitalism. I felt like this explanation was definitely reaching.
I too disagreed with D'Emilio's idea that homosexuality is a result of capitalism at first. But the more i thought about it, I don't entirely disagree. I think there is a valid point to be made that up until a certain time, life was about reproducing to stay alive. Do you think there is space to consider sexuality when your primary focus is survival?
Additionally it is a fun exercise to consider that homosexuality is a result of capitalism. Conservatives would literally explode if their most precious creation spawned something that would threaten the hierarchy that kept them superior. A the queer community, who, dare I say more Socalist would be thrust into identity crisis. It's a fun mental exercise.
