The life and times of butch dykes

Portraits of women throughout history who have defied society’s expectations of feminine behavior and appearance in order to live a more authentic life. These short vignettes combine biographical sketches with evocative illustrations for an impact that is as bold, powerful, and inspirational as the brilliant artists, writers, and musicians they represent. The notable people profiled in this book include Audre Lorde (activist and poet), JD Sampson (artist, and musician known for Le Tigre and MAN), Jenny Shimizu (model and actress), Claude Cahun (photographer, performer, and writer who defied all gender expectations and wasn’t any gender), Esther Eng (director), Gladys Bentley (singer and performer), Gertrude Stein (author and poet), Martina Navratilova (tennis champion), and Gloria Anzaldúa (scholar). Author and artist Eloisa Aquino presents these icons against heteronormativity in a good-humored homage, showing how the courage to be true to yourself can spark the sort of work that changes the world.