Queer Theories explores and aggressively expands the provocative new field of sexual identity studies. It covers the history of the terms "gay" and "lesbian" as identity categories, the reclamation of the word "queer" as a term of radical self-identification, and the recent challenges to sexual identity studies posed by transgender and bisexual theories. Donald E. Hall also offers concrete applications of the abstract theories that he explores with imaginative new readings of works such as "The Yellow Wallpaper," Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Orlando, and The Color Purple.