Julia Kristeva, 'woman's primary homosexuality' and homophobia

Gambaudo, S

doi:10.1177/1350506812456460

Julia Kristeva, 'woman's primary homosexuality' and homophobia

Gambaudo, S

Authors

S Gambaudo

Abstract

This article offers a critical reading of what Julia Kristeva calls ‘woman’s primary homosexuality’ and discusses homophobia in Kristeva’s work. If we are to draw conclusions on the merits and limitations of Kristeva’s theories of sexuality, homophobia needs to be assessed within the aesthetic and ethical contexts that typify Kristeva’s overall oeuvre. The article shows that we can apply Kristeva’s semiotic/symbolic model of signification to sexuality and argues for the construction of ‘primary homosexuality’ as the manifestation of resistance to authorized sexual identity. The article also shows why the political demands to recognize lesbianism as a valid form of sexuality and especially as an intelligible lifestyle go against Kristeva’s understanding of what resistance entails.

Citation

Gambaudo, S. (2013). Julia Kristeva, 'woman's primary homosexuality' and homophobia. European Journal of Women's Studies, 20(1), 8-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506812456460

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Feb 1, 2013
Deposit Date	Mar 14, 2012
Publicly Available Date	Dec 2, 2014
Journal	European Journal of Women's Studies
Print ISSN	1350-5068
Electronic ISSN	1461-7420
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	20
Issue	1
Pages	8-20
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506812456460
Keywords	Ethics, Homophobia, Homosexuality, Intellectual, Kristeva, Lesbian, Lesbianism, Resistance.

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Copyright Statement
Gambaudo, S. (2013) 'Julia Kristeva, 'woman's primary homosexuality' and homophobia.', European journal of women's studies., 20 (1). pp. 8-20. © The Author(s) 2013. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.