Queer Criminology (New Directions in Critical Criminology) - Softcover

'Buist and Lenning have made a major contribution to the criminological literature with Queer Criminology. It moves beyond the stereotypes that still characterize much criminological writing on the experiences of queer people in justice systems, reviewing the path-breaking theoretical and empirical contributions by the leaders in this emerging field. This will undoubtedly be the foundational text cited by every credible criminologist in years to come.' - Molly Dragiewicz, Associate Professor, School of Justice, Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

'This first book on queer criminology couldn't be more relevant. Enough scholarship has been amassed to write such a book and the authors capably address queer people as victims, offenders, and criminal legal system workers. Queer Criminology is interdisciplinary and intersectional and also accessible to readers unfamiliar with the topic. This book should be required reading for every criminology scholar and criminal legal system worker.' - Joanne Belknap, Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of Colorado-Boulder, USA

'This volume is nothing short of groundbreaking. Not only do Buist and Lenning document how criminologists and the criminal legal system have historically ignored or marginalized LGBTQ communities and the experiences of LGBTQ victims and offenders, but they offer a clear and compelling framework for an inclusive criminology. There are no more excuses for the oversights and slights. The insights of Queer Criminology are certain to enrich criminological theory and serve as a springboard for significant, pioneering criminological research.' - Claire Renzetti, Professor & Chair of Sociology, Endowed Chair in the Center for Research on Violence Against Women, University of Kentucky, USA

'The manner in which criminal justice institutions and organizations worldwide regard and treat queer people has only recently emerged as a focus of study within the discipline of critical criminology, and this concise and well-written volume sets forth the rationale for and subjects of study of this new subfield. Essential.' - R. B. Ridinger, Northern Illinois University, Choice Magazine

"Notwithstanding the inherent difficulties of establishing what a queer approach can be, the authors do an excellent job at contextualising the rationale for their research and in clarifying why it should be considered queer. They explain that their work has been inspired by the fact that those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer disproportionately suffer negative experiences when engaging with the criminal legal system, either as offenders, victims, or agents of the system. The queer approach adopted by the research leads to the authors’ assertion that criminology should be both identity-driven and deconstructionist; identity-driven because gender and sexual identities can be central to queer people’s lives and how they experience their interaction with the criminal legal system; and deconstructionist, since this allows for understanding conceptions of gender and sexuality that underpin current criminological inquiry.... the book is successful in exploring the use of queer theory as a tool for studying criminology. It concludes by emphasising that queer criminology needs to be intersectional and interdisciplinary, and should pay attention to life beyond academia, in particular to the use of new media. It seems to suggest that queer criminology should be dynamic, as true queer identities can be." - Damian Gonzalez-Salzberg, University of Sheffield, UK, International Review of Victimology

Winner of the 2016 Book Award from the American Society of Criminology, Division of Critical Criminology.

In this book, Carrie L. Buist and Emily Lenning reflect on the origins of Queer Criminology, survey the foundational research and scholarship in this emerging field, and offer suggestions for the future. Covering topics such as the criminalization of queerness; the policing of Queer communities; Queer experiences in the courtroom; and the correctional control of Queer people, Queer Criminology synthesizes the work of criminologists, journalists, legal scholars, non-governmental organizations, and others to illuminate the historical and contemporary context of the Queer experience.

Queer Criminology offers examples of the grave injustices that Queer people face around the world, particularly in places such as Russia, Kyrgyzstan, England, India, Thailand, Nigeria, and the United States. These injustices include, but are not limited to, selective enforcement, coerced confessions, disproportionate sentencing, rape, extortion, denial of due process, forced isolation, corporal punishment, and death. By highlighting a pattern of discriminatory, disproportionate, and abusive treatment of Queer people by the criminal legal system, this book demonstrates the importance of developing a criminology that critiques the heteronormative systems that serve to oppress Queer people around the world.

Buist and Lenning argue that criminology is incomplete without a thorough recognition and understanding of these Queer experiences. Therefore, Queer Criminology is a vital contribution to the growing body of literature exploring the Queer experience, and should be considered a necessary tool for students, scholars, and practitioners alike who are seeking a more just criminal legal system.