LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered, and is usually used in sentences which include the expression "LGBT community."

Community is a funny thing. A reader might look at that phrase, "LGBT community" and think that it were a unified entity. Others might consider the history of the expression, about how it has tried to pull together identities that were previously related but set apart. Thus Gay was joined by Lesbian, and eventually Bisexual and Transgendered were brought in.

But sometimes what looks good on paper does not always reflect real life. Many bi and trans people have found themselves struggling to be included, whilst having their differences acknowledged and celebrated, in the greater gay world. To this day the inclusion of these identities continues to spark controversy.

It is against this background that Jonathan Alexander and Karen Yescavage have created a collection of essays that examine the ways in which bi and trans identites intersect each other, and also how they relate to the wider queer community.

Bisexuality and Transgenderism's ideal consumers might be academics and students enrolled on gender studies courses. As well as being a book in its own right, the volume has been published simultaneously as an edition of The Journal of Bisexuality. Who knew such things existed? Anyway, this might give you a clue as to the tone of the collection.

Whilst this is primarily an academic book, lay readers should not be frightened off because the accounts within it are generally very accessible. Of particular interest is the opening essay, by Jillian Todd Weiss, which documents the history of trans- and biphobia within the US gay and lesbian community. Weiss writes about these difficult relationships skilfully and with great insight. It should be recommended reading for anyone interested in queer history and culture.

Bisexuality and Transgenderism goes on to examine common experiences, theory and pop culture from a bi/trans point of view. Because this is a cross-genre collection of work, poetry is included, as are interviews, pieces of sociological writing about bi and trans people in Indonesia and Japan, and a satisfying exploration of Angelina Jolie (ahem!). There's also an essay about swingers by yours truly.

Alexander and Yescavage have put together a great book, it's refreshing, thought-provoking, and will no doubt deepen our understanding of sexuality and gender.
 
Bisexuality and Transgenderism: Intersexions of the Others edited by Jonathan Alexander and Karen Yescavage
Published by: Harington Park Press
ISBN: 1560232870
Price: £13.99

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