Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health

Queer activists have been at the forefront of health activism for decades. Here, community activist Shanker brings together a new generation of advocates tackling health care issues. With a foreword by Rachel L. Levine (Pennsylvania State Coll. of Medicine) and an afterword by Kate Kendell, who previously led the National Center for Lesbian Rights, this collection features works from writers across the spectrum of lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, and intersex populations. Among the various topics covered are pediatric concerns, informed consent, anal health, suicide survival, HIV stigma, and housing concerns for older LGBT adults. The book is organized by age group, from youth to adults, and each essay is by a contributor with experience in the field. The distinctive title references the reality that healthy bodies regularly require medical attention, and that our current health care system is inadequately prepared to cope with queer bodies.