In Defence of Separatism is a timely book. When it was first written in 1976, although it was an important subject of conversation among many feminists it was not welcomed by academics or publishers. When a political group wants to strategise so that its members can arrive at agreed-on political tactics and ideas, they call for, and create, separate spaces. These might be in coffee shops, in community centres, in one another's homes or in semi-public spaces such as workers clubs, even cinemas. When the proletariat was rebelling, they did not ask the capitalists and aristocracy to join them (even if a few did); when the civil rights movement started it was not thanks to the ideas and politics of white people (even though some whites joined to support the cause); when the women's liberation movement sprang into life, it was women joining together to fight against their oppression. The difference is that women are supposed to love men. Through careful argument, Susan Hawthorne takes us through the ideas which are central to her argument. She analyses the nature of power, oppression, domination and institutions and applies these to heterosexuality, rape and romantic love. She concludes with a call for women, all women no matter their sexuality, to have separate spaces so they can work together to change the world and end patriarchy. This 2019 edition includes a Preface, Afterword and additional commentary in italicised footnotes that bring the reader up to date on changes, developments and controversies in feminist theory.

About the Author
Susan Hawthorne is the author/editor of 25 books published in five languages across 20 territories. Her non-fiction books include Bibliodiversity (2014) Wild Politics (2002) and The Spinifex Quiz Book (1993). She has been active in the women's liberation movement since 1973, was involved in Melbourne's Rape Crisis Centre and performed as an aerialist in two women's circuses. She has taught English to Arabic-speaking women, worked in Aboriginal education and has taught across a number of subject areas in universities. She is Adjunct Professor in the School of Humanities at James Cook University, Townsville. Among her awards, she was the winner of the 2017 Penguin Random House Best Achievement in Writing in the Inspire Awards for her work increasing people's awareness of epilepsy and the politics of disability. She has won awards for her contribution to the gay and lesbian community and to publishing.

Reviews
In Defence of Separatism is a powerful lesbian feminist manifesto. It was written by Susan Hawthorne in 1976, when the second wave of feminism was in full flow, as the thesis of her Honours degree in Philosophy. And now - over four decades later - it is more relevant than ever before. Her work is a must-read for any lesbian figuring out feminist politics. - Claire Heuchan, AFTERELLEN



Book Information
ISBN 9781925950045
Author Susan Hawthorne
Format Paperback
Page Count 112
Imprint Spinifex Press
Publisher Spinifex Press