Sex Variant Woman
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Joanne Passet (author) |
| Products | Biography |
| Parent | Da Capo Press |
Sex Variant Woman: The Life of Jeannette Howard Foster is a 2008 biography authored by American historian Joanne Passet, which explores the life of Jeannette Howard Foster, a trailblazer in the field of lesbian studies. Released by Da Capo Press, this work includes a foreword written by Lillian Faderman.
Critical reception
In her review for The American Historical Review, Leila J. Rupp characterized the biography as "a compelling account of an exceptional figure in lesbian history," highlighting Passet's respect for Foster while also recognizing aspects of racism and elitism in Foster's background.[1] Meanwhile, Martha Vicinus writing in The Women's Review of Books commended Passet's extensive research but desired a deeper examination of how Foster's experiences were both unique and emblematic of her era, connecting the new women movement of the 1920s with the activism of the 1970s gay liberation era.[2] According to Publishers Weekly, although the biography focuses more on Foster's private life than her professional accomplishments, it ultimately affirms that "Passet honors Foster's significant role within literary and lesbian cultural history."[3]