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Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities behind Sexual Orientation Research by [Gayle E. Pitman Ph.D.]

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Gayle E. Pitman Ph.D.

Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities behind Sexual Orientation Research Kindle Edition

by Gayle E. Pitman Ph.D. (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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“There’s a story behind every research study.” In Backdrop, Gayle Pitman narrates the “story” behind the science of sexual orientation – a science that has been rife with contradictions and controversies. Pitman argues that, when it comes to sexual orientation research, we could potentially glean more powerful insights from the backdrop of politics and personalities behind the research than from the actual studies themselves. Beginning with a focus on the causes of sexual orientation, moving then to the politics of transgender and intersex identities, and culminating in the political controversies of reparative therapy, “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and same-sex marriage, Backdrop brings into focus the rich and textured landscape behind the scientific research findings. Filled with plot twists and developments, variegated characters (the scientists as well as the activists and reactionaries), and thorny political, moral, and philosophical questions, Backdrop brings the science to life, raising more complex questions while simultaneously providing us with a more nuanced understanding of gender and sexual orientation.

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299 pages
Language

English
Publication date

Aug. 30 2011
File size

513 KB
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About the Author

Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Sacramento City College. She has conducted research on the physical and mental health of lesbian women, and she has written numerous articles and book chapters on gender and sexual orientation. She lives in Northern California. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005KDCGH2
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Active Voice Press (Aug. 30 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 513 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages

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Gayle E. Pitman Ph.D.

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By day, Gayle E. Pitman teaches psychology and women's studies at Sacramento City College. By night, she writes children's books and engages in other forms of subversive creativity. Her debut picture book, THIS DAY IN JUNE, won the 2015 ALA Stonewall Award, it was chosen as a Top Ten pick on the GLBTRT's Rainbow List, and it won the Notable Books for a Global Society award. Her newest book, WHEN YOU LOOK OUT THE WINDOW, tells the story of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. Gayle lives with her partner and child in Northern California.

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Lifelinking

Very useful resource - and a very enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2012

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I bought Backdrop to help me with research, and found myself reading it for enjoyment. Pitman has achieved that all too rare a thing of writing something that is both scholarly and easy to read. The work has been written in such as way as to encourage the reader to question assumptions and think about the issues for themselves. I would recommend this book to those studying sexual orientation in any context and more widely to anyone with an interest in social issues.

ReadsGreatBooks

Important Work

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2014

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There aren't many books like these on the market. As a psychologist who is also bisexual, I found Pitman's research to be an important and engaging work that helped me see how my field of research understands me. Pitman holds a mirror to scientific inquiry and shows the politics that are always in the background of such a loaded topic. In fact, the only piece of criticism I have is that sometimes the political approach goes too far. For example, Pittman lists it as a success when the APA voted to remove homosexuality from the DSM. The thing is, though, science isn't supposed to be based on popular vote. Pitman, however, overlooks points like these.

Overall, if you're like me, you found this book because you had exactly the kinds of questions that Pitman is prepared to answer. She will explain to you not only what the cutting edge of science has to say about your sexual/gender identity, but also how it got to where it is today. And for that, I genuinely thank her.

Paulius

Well written, interesting and very informative

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2013

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I was looking for a book that presented different research findings and opinions on such a loaded topic as sexual orientation. Gayle E. Pitman really presents different sides. The book is very much reader friendly without any jargon - yet an essence of many scientific studies is presented. I especially loved that the author didn't pretend to be unbiased, but was very personal and open instead. I believe that transparency is a much better policy than hiding under often illusionary objectivity. Revealing a personal context behind every research and every researcher is what really distinguishes this book from the others. Not only it makes the book much more interesting to read, but as well helps to put findings of scientific studies in the context.

2 people found this helpful

R. Cameron

Wonderful addition to LGBT Psychology resources!

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2012

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Dr. Pitman's fresh approach to the topic of LGBT psychological research will be invaluable for anyone really seeking to understand the complexities of the topic. By presenting the various contexts in which research actually takes place: human, political, academic, financial, methodological, etc., Dr. Pitman helps to make the literature on LGBT Psychology, with its breakthroughs and its limitations, more comprehensible and accessible to lay readers, students, and academics alike. By demystifying LGBT Psychology and by presenting historical and current controversies with frankness, Dr. Pitman offers a uniquely helpful perspective. I will be assigning this as a supplemental text in my own LGBT Psychology class.

3 people found this helpful

Paul T. Mero

An honest story

Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2013

Verified Purchase

Few activists tell an honest story. Pitman shows her bias but has the courage to even discuss the flaws and contradictions within her ranks. To be applauded.

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Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities behind Sexual Orientation Research Kindle Edition

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Gayle E. Pitman Ph.D.

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