“God Hates Fags: The Rhetorics of Religious Violence”
Michael Cobb
NYU Press, 2006, 229 Pages

At A Glance: “God Hates Fags: The Rhetorics of Religious Violence” explores the paradoxical role of religious discourse in American politics as both a tool for anti-gay violence and a potent medium for queer expression and activism, analyzing literary works, legal cases, and strategies of religious right organizations.

Overview: “God Hates Fags: The Rhetorics of Religious Violence” by Michael Cobb is an analysis of the complex relationship between religious discourse and anti-gay violence in American politics and culture, exemplified by events like the protest at Matthew Shepard’s funeral. Cobb argues that, paradoxically, religious discourses have often served as powerful mediums for queer expression and activism.

The book interweaves detailed examinations of works by authors like James Baldwin and Tennessee Williams with critical analyses of legal cases and anti-gay legislation. It also scrutinizes the strategies and communications of religious right organizations, offering a nuanced understanding of how religious rhetoric has been both a source of oppression and a tool for queer resistance throughout the twentieth century.

Thoughts from Readers: