When my daughter was home on spring break, we got to talking about LGBTQ activism and specifically "what's next" after marriage equality. She mentioned this book, which she read for a class a couple of years ago, and credited it with expanding her thinking about the intersectional nature of LGBTQ politics. And now it has also expanded mine. In Normal Life, Dean Spade offers a strong critique of the popular LGBTQ agenda, focused on non-discrimination and largely championed by people who already come from a position of privilege (white, educated, wealthy). Spade describes the intersectional issues that affect life chances, especially for those who are non-white, poor, and/or caught up in the criminal justice system. Spade advocates for social justice work that attacks these underlying issues: how do you reduce incarceration? Ensure healthcare? Housing and food? There was particular focus on the trans community, whose concerns are only just coming to the forefront of privileged minds like mine.

This book is not for everyone -- it's really dry reading -- but I learned a heck of a lot in less than 200 pages. ( )