My first book explores mirthful modes of political performance that inspire and sustain deadly serious struggles for revolutionary change. In response to queer theory’s long-suffering romance with mourning and melancholia and a national agenda that urges homosexuals to renounce pleasure in a bid to be taken seriously by mainstream society, I reanimate gaiety as a political value for progressive LGBT activism. Honors for Acts of Gaiety (University of Michigan Press, Triangulations Series):
- Outstanding Book Award, Association for Theatre in Higher Education
- Barnard Hewitt Award for Best Book in Theatre History, Honorable Mention, American Society of Theatre Research
- Lambda Literary Award, Finalist
“Acts of Gaiety is a rollicking ride….And who wouldn’t want to spend the day reading about the Lavender Menace, Valerie Solanas, the Five Lesbian Brothers, and Hothead Paisan?”
– Lisa Duggan, NYU*****
“a great read…with excellent research”
– Jack Halberstam, USC/Columbia
Acts of Gaiety was featured on the set of The Wooster Group’s The Town Hall Affair (2017), which revives a raucous 1971 debate on women’s liberation between Germaine Greer, Norman Mailer and Jill Johnston, the subject of my third chapter.
Selected Articles & Book Chapters
I have published widely in academic books, scholarly journals, and the mainstream press on LGBT issues, feminism, theater and performance, prison reform, and other topics. You can view my complete bibliography on ORCID.
Selected Articles in the Mainstream Press
“Flag Day is Donald Trump’s 71st Birthday: Give Him the Bash He So Bigly Deserves,” Huffington Post 12 June 2017.
“Not My President’s Day,” Huffington Post 2 February 2017.
“The FBI’s Assault on the Election Has Historical Roots,” Huffington Post 15 December 2016 (with Charlotte Canning).
“Will Beauty Queens Be Trump’s Kryptonite?” Huffington Post 1 Nov 2016.
“Most Diverse Broadway Season Ever: If You Leave Out Women,” Womens eNews 9 June 2016.
“Pulitzer Prize Winning-Alum Returns to Campus for Ph.D.,” Cornell Chronicle 29 March 2016.
“Transgender Revolutionaries Profiled in New Documentary,” Huffington Post 1 March 2016.
“Political Performance: It Didn’t Start with Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé,” Huffington Post 22 February 2016.
“How Gay Marriage and Wedding Culture Threaten Other Couples,” Time Magazine 11 February 2016.
