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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Resources: EDI Books

EDI resources available & TUS staff recommendations

LGBT+ Titles

Queer spaces : an atlas of LGBTQIA+ places and stories

Adam Nathaniel Furman and Joshua Mardell have gathered together a community of contributors to share stories of spaces that range from the educational to the institutional to the re-appropriated, and many more besides. With historic, contemporary and speculative examples from around the world, Queer Spaces recognises LGBTQIA+ life past and present as strong, vibrant, vigorous, and worthy of its own place in history. 

The big book of bisexual trials and errors

Elizabeth Beier chronicles true-life romantic tales as she breaks up with a long-term boyfriend and navigates a brave new world: dating women. Beier tackles the complexities of sexuality and self image with a conversational and immediate art style and brings us stories that anyone who's ever struggled with dating can relate to.

The pink line : the world's queer frontiers

by Mark Gevisser

The Pink Line follows protagonists from nine countries across the globe to tell the story of how LGBTQ+ Rights became one of the world's new human rights frontiers in the second decade of the twenty-first century.

From refugees in South Africa to activists in Egypt, transgender women in Russia and transitioning teens in the American Mid-West, these stories of individuals, families and communities give a personal account of how the world has changed, so dramatically, in just a decade.

Giovanni's room

by James Baldwin

When David meets the sensual Giovanni in a bohemian bar, he is swept into a passionate love affair. But his girlfriend's return to Paris destroys everything. Unable to admit to the truth, David pretends the liaison never happened - while Giovanni's life descends into tragedy.

XOXY : a memoir

by Kimberly M. Zieselman

Meet Kimberly, a regular suburban housewife and mother, whose discovery later in life that she was born intersex fuelled her to become an international human rights defender and globally-recognised activist. Charting her intersex discovery and her journey to self-acceptance, this book movingly portrays how being intersex impacted Kimberly's personal and family life, as well as her career.

Redefining realness

by Janet Mock

With unflinching honesty and moving prose, Janet Mock relays her experiences of growing up young, multiracial, poor, and trans in America, offering readers accessible language while imparting vital insight about the unique challenges and vulnerabilities of a marginalized and misunderstood population. 

Amateur : a reckoning with gender, identity and masculinity

by Thomas Page McBee

Thomas Page McBee, a trans man, trains to fight in a charity match at Madison Square Garden while struggling to untangle the vexed relationship between masculinity and violence. Through his experience of boxing - learning to get hit, and to hit back; wrestling with the camaraderie of the gym; confronting the betrayals and strength of his own body - McBee examines the weight of male violence, the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes and the limitations of conventional masculinity.

Your silence will not protect you

by Audre Lorde

A posthumous collection of essays, speeches, and poems by African American author and poet Audre Lorde. It is the first time a British publisher collected Lorde's work into one volume.

The collection focuses on key themes such as: shifting language into action, silence as a form of violence, and the importance of history. Lorde describes herself as a "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet", and addresses the difficulties in communication between Black and white women.

Fun home : a family tragicomic

by Alison Bechdel

A darkly humorous family tale, illustrated with Alison Bechdel's gothic drawings.

Meet Alison's father, a historic preservation expert and obsessive restorer of the family's Victorian home, a third-generation funeral home director, a high-school English teacher, an icily distant parent, and a closeted homosexual who, as it turns out, is involved with his male students and the family babysitter. When Alison comes out as homosexual herself in late adolescence, the denouement is swift, graphic, and redemptive.

Queer : a graphic history

by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele

Activist-academic Meg-John Barker and cartoonist Jules Scheele illuminate the histories of queer thought and LGBTQ+ action in this groundbreaking non-fiction graphic novel.

From identity politics and gender roles to privilege and exclusion, Queer explores how we came to view sex, gender and sexuality in the ways that we do; how these ideas get tangled up with our culture and our understanding of biology, psychology and sexology; and how these views have been disputed and challenged

Gender

The story of art without men by Katy Hessel

How many women artists do you know? Who makes art history? Did women even work as artists before the twentieth century? And what is the Baroque anyway?

Discover the glittering Sofonisba Anguissola of the Renaissance, the radical work of Harriet Powers in the nineteenth-century USA and the artist who really invented the Readymade. Explore the Dutch Golden Age, the astonishing work of post-War artists in Latin America and the women artists defining art in the 2020s. From the Cornish coast to Manhattan, Nigeria to Japan, this is the story of art - one with women at its heart, brought together for the first time by the creator of @thegreatwomenartists.

Women & power by Mary Beard

British classicist Mary Beard revisits the gender agenda and explores how history has treated powerful women. Her examples range from the classical world to the modern day, from Medusa and Athena to Theresa May and Hillary Clinton. Beard explores the cultural underpinnings of misogyny, considering the public voice of women, our cultural assumptions about women's relationship with power, and how powerful women resist being packaged into a male template.

Men explain things to me by Rebecca Solnit

Rebecca Solnit's essay 'Men Explain Things to Me' has become a touchstone of the feminist movement, inspired the term 'mansplaining', and established Solnit as a feminist thinker of our time - one who has inspired everyone from radical activists to Beyonce Knowles. Collected here in print for the first time is the essay itself, along with the best of Solnit's feminist writings.

Gender trouble by Judith Butler

Judith Butler's Gender Trouble is as celebrated as it is controversial. Arguing that traditional feminism is wrong to look to a natural, 'essential' notion of the female, or indeed of sex or gender, Butler starts by questioning the category 'woman' and continues in this vein with examinations of 'the masculine' and 'the feminine'. Best known however, but also most often misinterpreted, is Butler's concept of gender as a reiterated social performance rather than the expression of a prior reality. 

Not that bad edited by Roxane Gay

In this revealing anthology of essays, Roxane Gay collects original and previously published pieces that address what it means to live in a world where women have to measure the harassment, violence, and aggression they face, and where they are "routinely second-guessed, blown off, discredited, denigrated, besmirched, belittled, patronized, mocked, shamed, gaslit, insulted, bullied" for speaking out.

Vested interests by Marjorie Garber

Beginning with the bold claim, "There can be no culture without the transvestite," Marjorie Garber explores the nature and significance of cross-dressing and of the West's recurring fascination with it. Rich in anecdote and insight, Vested Interests offers a provocative and entertaining view of dressing up, and with the power of clothes.

Third sex, third gender

Modern discussions of the relationship of biological sex to gender tend to presuppose that there are two genders, male and female, founded on the two biological sexes. But not all cultures share this essentialist assumption, and even Western societies have not always embraced it. Bringing together historical and anthropological studies, Third Sex, Third Gender challenges the usual emphasis on sexual dimorphism and reproduction, providing a perspective on the various forms of socialization of people who are neither "male" nor "female." 

Woman in the making by Rory O'Neill

This is the story of Rory O'Neill's journey to becoming Panti Bliss, the voice of a brave new nation embracing diversity, all the colours of the rainbow and, most of all, a glamorous attitude. It's also the story of a misfit who turned his difference into a triumphant art form; of coming to terms with HIV; of political activism; and of 'Pantigate', and the speech that touched a million lives. 

Gender and art

Encompassing European art, architecture and design from the 16th century to the present day, this volume uses case studies to examine the role of gender difference in the production, consumption and interpretation of works of art.

50 key concepts in gender studies

Key Concepts in Gender Studies covers 50 topics central to the field. Jane Pilcher and Imelda Whelehan′s introduction gives an account of gender studies - what it is and how it originated. The 50 entries reflect the complex, multi-faceted nature of the field in an accessible dictionary format. Each concept begins with a concise definition · includes illustrations of how the concept has been applied within the field · offers examples which allow a critical re-evaluation of the concept · is cross-referenced with the other key concepts · makes further reading suggestions. 

Male order

First published in 1988, this is a collection of articles exploring the meaning of masculinity, at work, at home, in politics and in love. Looking at fashion, images of black men, heterosexuality, feminism, the new man and families, it examines some of the growing uncertainties about what it means to be male today.

Slow motion by Lynne Segal

This work looks at the ongoing feminist pessimism about men and male power. Throughout the 1980s, questions concerning the changing nature of men's lives and experiences have been debated with new passion and concern. From the exploration of sex roles to the study of gender and power, the psychology of men has emerged fraught with strain and crisis. This book approaches the problem in a new way by not looking at masculinity, but at specific masculinities.

Race Equality

Portraying Irish travellers

An interdisciplinary perspective on the history of Irish Travellers. Scholars from anthropology, history, literary studies and socio-linguistics explore the methodological problems that arise when a marginalised minority is portrayed by an established and powerful majority population. Each chapter addresses how different sources illuminate settled and Traveller history alike. This book will appeal to scholars interested in majority-minority relations generally, and the example of Ireland in particular.

Projecting migration

Migration is a major global issue, increasingly determining who we are and how we define ourselves. Projecting Migration: Transcultural Documentary Practice is a groundbreaking book/DVD-ROM project that explores contemporary ethnographic narratives through the medium of film, photography, multimedia, and radio. The DVD contains media material from each of the essays while the text engages interprets migration through the medium of image and sound. Audio and visual imagination is a crucial component of cultural identity, and this collection marks a major cross-media, interdisciplinary contribution.

Seeing through race

According to W. J. T. Mitchell, a "color-blind" post-racial world is neither achievable nor desirable. Against popular claims that race is an outmoded construct that distracts from more important issues, Mitchell contends that race remains essential to our understanding of social reality. Mitchell brings visual culture, iconology, and media studies to bear on his discussion of these critical turning points in our understanding of the relation between race and racism.

The history of white people

Nell Irvin Painter guides us through more than two thousand years of Western civilization, illuminating not only the invention of race but also the frequent praise of "whiteness" for economic, scientific, and political ends. A story filled with towering historical figures, The History of White People spots a gap in literature that has long focused on the non-white and forcefully reminds us that the concept of "race" is an all-too-human invention whose meaning, importance, and reality have changed as it has been driven by a long and rich history of events.

White

Richard Dyer's classic text is a study of the representation of whiteness in Western visual culture. White explores how, while racial representation is central to the organisation of the contemporary world, white people have remained a largely unexamined category in sharp contrast to the many studies of images of black and Asian peoples. Looking beyond the apparent unremarkability of whiteness, Dyer demonstrates the importance of analysing images of white people. 

Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race

Examining eradicated black history, the political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism, and the inextricable link between class and race, Eddo-Lodge offers a framework for how to see, acknowledge, and counter racism. A useful handbook for anyone looking to understand how structural racism works.

Black womanhood

Explorations of contemporary art have focused on issues of identity and race for some time. Few, however, have sought to investigate these themes by juxtaposing historical and contemporary frameworks. Black Womanhood examines an especially charged icon--the black female body--and contemporary artists' interventions upon historical images of black women as exotic Others, erotic fantasies, and supermaternal Mammies. This book presents icons of the black female body as seen from three separate but intersecting perspectives: the traditional African, the colonial, and the contemporary global. 

The image of the black in Western art, Volume IV: from the American Revolution to World War I, Part 2: black models and white myths

In the 1960s, art patron Dominique de Menil founded an image archive showing the ways that people of African descent have been represented in Western art. This book examines the racial assumptions behind representations of Africans that emphasized the contrast between "civilization" and "savagery" and the development of so-called scientific and ethnographic racism.

Nobody knows my name

Baldwin's early essays have been described as 'an unequalled meditation on what it means to be black in America' . This collection contains 'Fifth Avenue, Uptown- a Letter from Harlem', polemical pieces on the tragedies inflicted by racial segregation and a poignant account of his first journey to 'the Old Country', the southern states. 

Don't touch my hair

Emma Dabiri takes us from pre-colonial Africa, through the Harlem Renaissance, Black Power and on to today's Natural Hair Movement, the Cultural Appropriation Wars and beyond. We look at everything from hair capitalists like Madam C.J. Walker in the early 1900s to the rise of Shea Moisture today, from women's solidarity and friendship to 'black people time', forgotten African scholars and the dubious provenance of Kim Kardashian's braids. Uncovering sophisticated indigenous mathematical systems in black hairstyles, alongside styles that served as secret intelligence networks leading enslaved Africans to freedom.

Mapping the invisible

Mapping the Invisible: EU-Roma Gypsies takes the reader on a visual journey across Europe with a focus on its fastest-growing ethnic minority: the Roma. This publication is the result of a partnership called EU-ROMA formed by a group of architects, designers and artists wishing to raise awareness to the diversity and richness of the Roma people.

The whole picture

If you think art history has to be 'pale, male and stale' - think again. Should museums be made to give back their marbles? Is it even possible to 'decolonise' our galleries? Must Rhodes fall? From the stolen Wakandan art in Black Panther, to Emmanuel Macron's recent commitment to art restitution, and Beyoncé and Jay Z's provocative music video filmed in the Louvre, the question of decolonising our relationship with the art around us is quickly gaining traction. 

Artifacts and allegiances

Artifacts and Allegiances takes us around the world to tell the compelling story of how museums today are making sense of immigration and globalization. Based on firsthand conversations with museum directors, curators, and policymakers; descriptions of current and future exhibitions; and inside stories about the famous paintings and iconic objects that define collections across the globe, this work provides a close-up view of how different kinds of institutions balance nationalism and cosmopolitanism. 

Aurora Women's Leadership Programme - recommended reading

Daring greatly: how the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead

Daring Greatly is not about winning or losing. It's about courage. In a world where "never enough" dominates and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It's even a little dangerous at times. And, without question, putting ourselves out there means there's a far greater risk of getting criticized or feeling hurt. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena--whether it's a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen.

The madness of crowds: gender, race and identity

Murray investigates the dangers of 'woke' culture and the rise of identity politics. He examines the most controversial issues of our moment: sexuality, gender, technology and race, with interludes on the Marxist foundations of 'wokeness', the impact of tech and how, in an increasingly online culture, we must relearn the ability to forgive. One of the few writers who dares to counter the prevailing view and question the dramatic changes in our society - from gender reassignment for children to the impact of transgender rights on women.

The 7 habits of highly effective people

Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centred approach for solving personal and professional problems. With insights and pointed anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty and human dignity - principles that give us the security to adapt to change, and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.

Emotional intelligence : why it can matter more than IQ AND working with emotional intelligence

Does IQ define our destiny? Daniel Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow, and that our emotions play a major role in thought, decision making and individual success. Self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, motivation, empathy and social deftness are all qualities that mark people who excel- whose relationships flourish, who are stars in the workplace. With new insights into the brain architecture underlying emotion and rationality, Goleman demonstrates how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us.

Quiet : the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts--from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, impeccably researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.

Recommendations from GOSHH Bookclub Members

The Library, Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest