Podcast Summary: Overdue – Ep 707: Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

Introduction In Episode 707 of Overdue, hosted by Andrew and Craig from Headgum, the duo delves into Leslie Feinberg's seminal novel, Stone Butch Blues. Released on June 16, 2025, this episode aims to unpack the novel's intricate themes, character development, and its enduring impact on LGBTQ+ literature.

Hosts' Personal Insights and Context [03:00 – 07:08] The episode begins with Andrew and Craig exchanging personal anecdotes, celebrating Father's Day, and sharing their experiences related to the day. Craig introduces the week's book, Stone Butch Blues, highlighting its cultural significance and Feinberg's multifaceted identity:

Craig [07:08]: "Feinberg, who was born in 1949 and passed away in 2014, identified as an anti-racist white working-class, secular, Jewish, transgender, lesbian, female, revolutionary communist."

Andrew emphasizes the novel's longevity and cultural footprint, noting its 30-year legacy and its role in addressing enduring social issues.

Leslie Feinberg’s Background and Stone Butch Blues [07:08 – 10:45] The hosts provide a comprehensive overview of Leslie Feinberg's life and works. Feinberg, an activist and writer, infused her personal experiences into Stone Butch Blues, a novel that mirrors her journey as a masculine-presenting lesbian in Buffalo, New York. They discuss Feinberg's diverse career—from dishwasher to ASL interpreter—and her involvement with the Workers World Party.

Andrew highlights Feinberg's commitment to making her work accessible:

Andrew [10:10]: "She makes the book itself free, though it's not like sitting out on most store bookshelves most of the time."

Craig adds context about Feinberg's dedication to preserving the novel's integrity, ensuring it remains a truthful representation of her experiences and ideologies.

Publication History and Accessibility [10:45 – 20:38] The conversation shifts to the novel's publication journey. Initially released by Firebrand Books in 1993, Stone Butch Blues faced challenges with small feminist and queer presses folding, complicating its availability. Feinberg eventually reclaimed the rights in 2012, ensuring the novel's continued accessibility through free online versions and print-on-demand options. Andrew underscores the importance of Feinberg's choice to prioritize the ideas within her work over personal fame:

Andrew [08:23]: "She was focused on keeping the ideas centered rather than the personalities."

Craig mentions Feinberg's posthumous recognition:

Craig [19:18]: "Feinberg was among the 50 inaugural honorees for the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall National Monument that was dedicated in 2019."

Content Warnings and Themes [20:01 – 33:38] Andrew shares the novel's opening reader note, which serves as a content warning about themes of rape and violence, emphasizing their non-gratuitous nature:

Craig [20:09]: "This is just a content warning, essentially."

The hosts delve into Feinberg's exploration of transgender terminology, highlighting how the novel argues against the narrowing of "gender" to mean only biological sex. Andrew relates this to contemporary discussions around transgender identities, noting:

Andrew [20:38]: "Feinberg makes a case for it being much more expansive than that. And I think this is what many actual trans people understand the word to mean."

Narrative and Character Analysis [33:38 – 55:43] Craig provides a detailed plot summary of Stone Butch Blues, focusing on the protagonist, Jess Goldberg. The novel chronicles Jess's journey from a young butch woman facing discrimination to her experiences within various LGBTQ+ communities and labor movements in Buffalo during the mid-20th century.

Key themes discussed include:

• Identity and Community: Jess's struggle to find her place within both the queer community and the broader society.

  Craig [36:52]: "She finds her way into this... gets taken in as what they call a baby, butch."

• Violence and Trauma: The recurrent police raids on LGBTQ+ spaces and their impact on Jess and her relationships.

  Craig [39:26]: "Everybody's being totally chill about all of it. No, it's pretty terrible."

• Labor and Capitalism: Jess's involvement in unionization efforts and the intersectionality of class, gender, and sexual identities.

  Craig [48:43]: "She's confronting how homophobia, transphobia, racism... are wielded by classist and capitalist forces."

• Passing and Exile: Jess's decision to pass as male to navigate societal dangers, leading to feelings of isolation and alienation.

  Craig [51:57]: "Jess decides to pass as male... feels safer in public, but way more alone and adrift."

Notable Quote:

Craig [36:55]: "It's important, like, she has come here, she is given words to help her, you know, even just talk to herself about her lived experience."

Hope Amidst Struggle [55:43 – 67:03] Despite the novel's harrowing events, Craig and Andrew discuss the underlying message of hope. They interpret the novel as a testament to resilience and the enduring fight for a more just world.

Craig shares a poignant excerpt from the novel's conclusion:

Craig [62:34]: "Imagine a world worth living in, a world worth fighting for... you are experiencing the impact of what we in the movement take a stand on and fight for today."

Andrew reflects on the balance between hardship and hope:

Andrew [55:21]: "There's a lot of finding hope amidst a situation that is clearly not ideal."

Conclusion and Recommendations [67:03 – 69:24] As the episode wraps up, Craig and Andrew emphasize the importance of reading Stone Butch Blues for its profound exploration of identity, community, and resistance. They acknowledge the novel's challenging content but advocate for its significance in understanding LGBTQ+ history and struggles.

Andrew Teases Next Episode:

Andrew [68:28]: "Next week we are both reading American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis."

Craig concludes with final thoughts:

Craig [67:15]: "Teach jerks a lesson. That's what I've learned."

Final Remarks Craig invites listeners to engage with the podcast by recommending other works or connecting via email and social media. They also promote their website, Patreon, and upcoming projects, encouraging continued support and interaction.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Craig [07:08]: "Feinberg, who was born in 1949 and passed away in 2014, identified as an anti-racist white working-class, secular, Jewish, transgender, lesbian, female, revolutionary communist."
• Andrew [10:10]: "She makes the book itself free, though it's not like sitting out on most store bookshelves most of the time."
• Craig [20:09]: "This is just a content warning, essentially."
• Andrew [20:38]: "Feinberg makes a case for it being much more expansive than that..."
• Craig [36:55]: "It's important, like, she has come here, she is given words to help her..."
• Craig [62:34]: "Imagine a world worth living in, a world worth fighting for..."

Recommendation Stone Butch Blues is a powerful narrative that intertwines personal struggle with broader social movements. Andrew and Craig commend the novel for its raw portrayal of identity and resilience, making it a must-read for those seeking depth and historical context in LGBTQ+ literature.

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