Sex, Art and American Culture

Writer, social critic, and academic Camille Paglia speaks about her new book, Sex, Art and American Culture: Essays (1992), and delivers a controversial discussion of Gloria Steinem and contemporary feminism. Paglia was invited to speak as the “alternative voice” of the 1992 About Women lecture series. She provides her own perspective on feminism and responds directly to the first program of this series, a panel discussion about third-wave feminism moderated by Gloria Steinem. Paglia argues that, despite Steinem’s criticism of “the establishment,” she has herself become a figure of the establishment and the object of “media civility.” Paglia further criticizes what she describes as “Yuppy Feminism” and “the insularity and kremlin mentality of the feminist establishment.” She accuses third-wave feminists of being “frozen in adolescence” and suggests that “they haven't read anything in twenty years.” She instead advocates for what she calls “Drag Queen Feminism,” a feminism that, according to Paglia, acknowledges the reality and “history of women.” The lecture is followed with questions from the audience.