ABSTRACT
In the context of the New Queer Cinema, and as some groups of lesbians try to claim a lesbian art and culture that is more open about lesbian sexuality, the question of lesbian camp is on the agenda. Parody, performance and subversion have largely replaced positive-images feminist politics with ‘riskier’ images of ‘queer’ sexuality. The question of what constitutes a risky image is not one on which all lesbians will necessarily agree, however. Meanings of the term risk are particularly complex for lesbians. Queer cinema sees itself as risking homophobic responses by being more open about homosexual or gay sexuality. Feminism sees the risk in representing female sexuality in terms of promoting violence against women generally. Lesbians committed to anti-pornography politics would argue that it is the feminist challenge to the (hetero)sexualization of women which is most risky for lesbians, in terms of provoking anti-lesbian responses.
