Esther Newton Made Me Gay

This documentary is well paced and includes interesting archives. It's a pleasant and extensive introduction to the life and books of Esther Newton. The documentary will certainly reinforce her status as a queer icon and a legendary lesbian feminist.

Humble, witty, and charming, the spectator discovers a touching person who was au audacious pioneer in the fields of anthropology and queer theory. The documentary is also interesting in the way it presents, through Esther Newton's life, key moments in the history of American feminism and the LGBTQ movement.

I liked how much this documentary conveys kindness and makes you want to read Newton's essays.

Queer culture over the centuries has rarely been visible and documented. Esther Newton broke down barriers to make that different now. But it took a toll on her at the time.

What a nice look at someone who pushed the academic frontiers on the studies of queerness and society, from someone who was on the front lines at the most pivotal time in the last decades of progress. Still overshadowed by masculine gay culture, drag and lesbian history needs to have room in the discourse. That is only more apparent today on Trans Day of Visibility, where some understanding of the nature of the people defining their own existence is crucial, as the attacks on these vulnerable groups seem to be escalating.

Besides her important work, learning about Esther as a person and her relationships and hobbies was also humanizing and helpful context for her life.

I didn't know her before, or what to expect when I clicked "play" on Kanopy. But it was worth my time.