www.ecofem.org welcomes the development of a discourse on queer ecofeminism. This sharpens both the ecofeminist analysis of interconnection as well as the understanding of dualisms. Moreover, it brings to the fore the importance of understanding the way in which 'nature' has historically been used as a normalising discourse. This is a thoroughly socially constructed nature. The policing of sexuality, as Greta Gaard argues, has operated around a dualism between 'reason' and the 'erotic'. Non-hetero sexualities are portrayed as chaotic, out of control, as non-reproductive and as animalistic. Non-hetero sexualities are simultaneously portrayed as 'against' nature, yet also as 'closer to nature'. Whilst seemingly a contradiction this merely points to the importance of adopting a social constructionist approach to nature, wherein there have been several 'natures'. The growing discourse of queer ecofeminism can go in interesting directions and inspire novel coalitions. The first specific paper I read on this subject was by Greta Gaard (see below). The possibility of a queer ecofeminism first arose in my mind after reading Kate Soper's 'What is Nature?' back in 95/96. The most prolific writer on this topic has been Catriona Sandilands.

I suggest the following as examples of this new development within ecofeminist and ecological/social theory:

Journal Articles

'Toward a Queer Ecofeminism' by Greta Gaard Hypatia-A Journal Of Feminist Philosophy Vol. 12, No. 1 (Winter 1997)

'Desiring Nature, Queering Ethics' by Catriona Sandilands Environmental Ethics Vol.23, No.2 (Summer 2001)

'Mother Earth, the Cyborg, and the Queer: Ecofeminism and (More) Questions of Identity' by Catriona Sandilands National Women's Studies Association Journal Vol. 9, no. 3, p. 18-40. 1997.

'Wild Democracy: Ecofeminism, Politics, and the Desire Beyond' by Catriona Sandilands Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies Vol. XVIII, no. 2, p.135-156. 1997.

'Queering Ecological Feminism: Toward a Lesbian Philosophy of Ecology' by Wendy Lynne Lee and Laura Dow Ethics and the Environment Vol.6, No.2, (Fall 2001) forthcoming!

Books

Gay and Gaia: Ethics, Ecology, and the Erotic by Daniel Spencer (1996) Pilgrim Press.

What is Nature? by Kate Soper (1995) Blackwell

The Good Natured feminist - Ecofeminism and the Quest for Democracy by Catriona Sandilands (1999) UOM Press