Through detailed textual readings as well as empirical research, Halberstam uncovers a hidden history of female masculinities while arguing for a more nuanced understanding of gender categories that would incorporate rather than pathologize them. She also explores issues of transsexuality among 'transgender dykes' - lesbians who pass as men - and female-to-male transsexuals who may find the label of 'lesbian' a temporary refuge. Halberstam also tackles...

"Between Banat presents a feminist and queer of color analysis of homoeroticism and nonnormative sexualities between Arab women as represented in transnational Arab literature, art, and film. It draws on a dynamic archive of Arabic and Anglophone film and literature, as well as works in translation and transliteration to outline dominant discourses which make representing queer Arab subjects difficult. Between Banat establishes queer Arab critique...