Remus Lupin was supposed to be on the H.I.V. metaphor. It was someone who had been infected young, who suffered stigma, who had a fear of infecting others, who was terrified he would pass on his condition to his son. And it was a way of examining prejudice, unwarranted prejudice towards a group of people. And also, examining why people might become embittered when they’re treated that unfairly.
Presenting the WLU RC’s Third Campaign of the year:
SUPPORT LOVE!
Come and show your support for love in all its forms, whether it be queer, straight, polyamorous, monoamorous, sexual, asexual, romantic, familial, between friends, traditional, or just a little bit more… adventurous!
If you believe that all love is valid, so long as it’s consensual, then come on out to our events:
Monday, Feb 11, 10-3: Booth in the Concourse Tuesday, Feb 12 @ 7 pm: Movie Night in the RC Wednesday, Feb 13, 10-5: Games Day in the RC Thursday, Feb 14 @ 5:30: Valentine Making in the RC Thursday, Feb 14 @ 7: Discussion in MacHouse Lounge.
Get ready everybody! It’s almost time for the WLU RC’s annual TRANS* AWARENESS WEEK! We’ve got workshops, discussions, open houses, and - most importantly - COFFEE(houses)! See our facebook event for more details.
That’s right; our very own Amanda Couture will be reading and writing reviews on some of the queer literature found right in our very own Rainbow Centre Library. Each review will be posted as it is completed, and will be stored for easy access on our new “Book Reviews” tab on our homepage, found here: http://wlu-rainbow.tumblr.com/REVIEWS.
If you like what you see, feel free to stop by and rent it out!
- Neph R., Marketing and Public Relations
And now, the first review:
What is Marriage For?
The Strange Social History of our Most Intimate Institution
By E.J. Graff
Amanda Couture
What is marriage for? The title’s question may seem laced with despair or anger, but Graff’s historical and personal work approaches the subject of marriage with fascination and sincere empathy. There is a tremendous effort to refrain from under-handed mockery and to embrace the female voice.
Also, though the cover praises it as critical reading for defence of same-sex marriage, this book is really defends marriage in all its forms - addressing the roles that race, family, money, sexuality, institution and children play in marriage.
What Is Marriage For? is a empathetic, ironic, and often hilarious romp through history, which challenges our modern views of marriage – especially our claims to an understanding of ‘traditional’ marriage.
It also advocates for same-sex marriage, though in a surprising way. Graff convinces without much argument at all: though the chronicle of marriage as presented in What is Marriage For? is turbulent and dramatic in its shifts, the method of understanding – and changing – marriage throughout history conforms to a brilliantly consistent pattern that becomes obvious the more you read.
In this way, Graff has simplified marriage through its complexities, and the message is a hopeful one: if marriage has changed so often through history in order to adapt to growing social needs, then it has the strength to survive the changes that come, and to support its own purposes.
Graff also engages with same-sex arguments with a deeper philosophy: if society embraces same-sex marriage, what will this mean for everyone? The right to same-sex marriage is not a simple yes or no; if you are married, how is your marriage constructed? What are your marriage’s purposes? In short, what is marriage for?
These questions transcend sexual orientation. Everyone who is considering marriage will find though-provoking material in this book.
So, if you think you know exactly what marriage is, let this book prove you wrong. Then, let it empower you. What is marriage for? Well, what doyouthink? What does it mean toyou? If the so-called ‘traditional’ rationale is not very traditional, aren’t we free to fall on our own definitions? Besides, you may find some of the past (and truly traditional) forms of marriage resemble your current and dear ‘non-traditional’ one.
