Review: Diane Richardson and Steven Seidman (eds.): Handbook of Lesbian and Gay Studies.

In lieu of an abstract, here is the first pargraph of the review: What is normal? This question, or rather, the challenge to traditional notions of what qualifies as normal, healthy, and natural in regard to sexuality is at the core of a thriving area of study known as gay, lesbian and queer studies (GLQ). With the Handbook of Gay and Lesbian Studies, edited by Diane Richardson and Steven Seidman, at long last a much needed and welcome introduction to GLQ Studies has been published. Twenty-six review essays provide a guideline through this complex and intriguing area. In the best sense of a handbook, this collection both introduces the student to the theory and research done over the last thirty years and serves as a reference book for the general reader already acquainted with the basics and interested in exploring the diverse aspects of GLQ studies.