Lesbian studies emerging in Canada

This paper provides an overview of Lesbian Studies in Canada historically and currently. The methodology integrates the factual with personal accounts and perceptions. The first sections touch upon theoretical aspects, including: what is Lesbian Studies, the pros and cons of merging Lesbian and Gay, or Lesbian and Women's Studies, mainstreaming versus creating a separate discipline and the threat of cooptation. A brief historical account traces evidence of Lesbian Studies in antiquity, and in the United States and Europe in recent decades. Reports from various Canadian institutions discuss the extent or lack of Lesbian Studies to date. A section on francophone institutions outlines the grass-roots cultural and political pinnings which are necessary to making Lesbian Studies possible in the academy. The paper then focuses on the Lesbian Studies Coalition of Concordia (Montreal), a student group which has struggled for the first series of Lesbian Studies credit courses in Canada.