Who is Mattilda?

In 2006 I read a book entitled, Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity, edited by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore. At that time I knew nothing about her other than her name. I bypassed it as it was of little importance to me and went on to the contents of the book.

The book is an excellent collection of essays which seek to challenge the normative idea of what it is to belong.

Within the book exist an array of topics which include notions of feminism, sex, racism, academia, LGBTQI communities and more.

I enjoyed the book and looked forward to Sycamore's 2008 edited book, That's Revolting: Queer Strategies for Resisting Assimilation. 

The book consists of essays, interviews and conversations which address personal histories, activism, joy and pain.

It didn't matter that I didn't agree with or relish EVERY crumb of every single story within these two texts. Anyone speaking their truth will get my attention.

It wasn't until yesterday on September 20th, 2011, the day that the military ban, Don't Ask, Don't Tell was eradicated that I was able to listen and watch Sycamore speak to Democracy Now!.  

Sycamore spoke about how the fight against DADT served as a distraction from other gay rights issues. She pointed out that the military is harmful to our nation and to address DADT is actually an endorsement of military action. While I don't disagree with her I maintain that the repeal of DADT is a victory. To watch the Democracy Now! footage, click here.

Through more exploration I have come to learn that Sycamore is a highly revered writer, editor, activist, artist, filmmaker, and critic. Being that I appreciated her first two edited books, I am oh so curious about her other workings.

Sycamore's earlier work includes editing for Tricks and Treats: Sex Workers Write about Their Clients (2000) , Pulling Taffy (her own novel -2003), editing for Dangerous Families: Queer Writing on Surviving (2004) and contributions to published gay erotica.

Most recently Sycamore has released a new novel entitled So Many Ways to Sleep Badly.

She is currently finishing a new anthology, Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots?: Flaming Challenges to Masculinity, Objectification, and the Desire to Conform, which will be published by Spring 2012. I'm frustrated that I have to wait so long for this one. This is bound to be chalk full of interesting insights.

I am particularly interested in her book which gives voice to various sex workers. As an anti-porn feminist I am not in favor of the sex work profession however, I am an advocate of health rights and proper treatment. I am eager to listen to the stories within these pages. In the past I've read essays from various writers who have been in the sex work biz or who still are. I am a sucker for good storytellers as I believe it is a true art form - and sex workers definitely have a lot to say.

Although, I have not read every edited book by Ms. Sycamore, I do indeed recommend  Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity as well as That's Revolting: Queer Strategies for Resisting Assimilation.

I am appreciative of anyone who gives voice to the underprivileged and the undermined. Gays, women, ethnic minorities and so many more. If you do not belong to one of these groups you most certainly know someone who does.

Educating oneself doesn't always mean that you have to research statistics, policy, or historical events.
While it is certainly important, sometimes the best education you can receive is by simply listening to someone's story.

For more information on Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore visit her official website here.
To visit the official Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore blog site, click here.