In this work, Leo Bersani addresses homosexuality in modern culture. In his chapters on contemporary queer theory, on Foucault and psychoanalysis, on the politics of sadomasochism, and on the image of "the gay outlaw" in works by Gide, Proust and Genet, Bersani raises the possibility that same-sex desire by its very nature can disrupt oppressive social orders.

In this work, Leo Bersani addresses homosexuality in modern culture. In his chapters on contemporary queer theory, on Foucault and psychoanalysis, on the politics of sadomasochism, and on the image of "the gay outlaw" in works by Gide, Proust and Genet, Bersani raises the possibility that same-sex desire by its very nature can disrupt oppressive social orders.