A Queer Reading in Leslie Feinberg's Stone Butch Blues

The novel Stone Butch Blues addresses the theme of prejudice and persecution faced by members of the LGBTQ community in Post-War America. It also expands upon the Queer theory. The protagonist of the novel, Jess Goldberg is born into a working class, traditional, Jewish American family. Although born female, Jess is never able to reconcile herself into society's definition of a proper girl. In her earliest memories, Jess Goldberg felt different from other girls her age. She despised dresses and all the things that girls played with. Even when it came to dress, Jess was inclined to dress like a boy. She envisions her future, and in that future, she does not see herself resembling the typical, socially-accepted woman. And as a result, even as a very young girl, Jess faced a lot of persecution and prejudice; not just from kids her own age but from adults as well. Instead of trying to understand her, they tried force her to fit in. And as she develops into a teenager, she realizes that she will never be the same as the rest of the girls and she doesn't want to be; all she wants is for society to accept her for who she is. The novel is about the search to find one's own identity, particularly when that identity runs counter to what society says is acceptable. It also depicts the struggles in the life of a person who decides to transcend gender; it also highlights the courage of the human soul to face adversity and survive. And in the end, the author conveys an important message; that lives goal is to channel one's own struggle to achieve a purpose that is greater than oneself. A purpose that brings a higher meaning to existence. Keywords: Queer, alienation, binary, homosexuals, Stone Butch Blues