Lavender Book Club – CANCELLED TODAY

BOOK CLUB CANCELLATION UPDATE 3/31:
Unfortunately we will have to cancel book today, 3/31 but will pick back up next month! In the mean time, if you want to discuss Entry Denied, consider joining the Prism Discord and discussing the book in the Lavender Book Club channel!

See you next month!

Do you love to read or want to get into reading? Looking for new books to add to your TBR list? Want a laid back community group to discuss the latest read? Join Lavender Book Club, Tuesday, March 31st from 6pm – 7pm to discuss this month’s books!

This Month’s Book:

Entry Denied: Controlling Sexuality at the Border by Eithne Luibheid

Entry Denied is a critical analysis of how U.S. immigration policy has, for over 150 years, used the regulation of sexuality to enforce racial, gender, and class hierarchies. The book examines how, starting in the late 19th century, authorities targeted immigrant women—particularly Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican—based on sexuality to exclude them, framing them as threats to national security.

Worried about any Trigger Warnings for this month’s book? Check out the trigger warnings listed below and decide if you wish to read this month’s book:

• Sexuality discrimination and exclusion
  The book documents how immigration law historically excluded people based on sexual identities (e.g., lesbians, those assumed to be homosexual) and non-normative sexual behavior.
• Sex work and prostitution
  Luibheid analyzes the Page Law and how Chinese women were excluded or categorized based on suspected prostitution.
• Racialized and gendered policing of bodies
  Discussion of how race, gender, and sexual norms intersected in immigration control, particularly for Asian and Mexican women.
• Surveillance and policing of gender expression
  Cases include women being denied entry for “looking like a lesbian” — linked to assumptions about how women should present.
• Rape and sexual violence
  The book addresses the role of rape and sexual violence in Border Patrol practices and asylum processing.
• Refugee and asylum systems affecting sexuality
  Discussion includes how sexual orientation, gender identity, and related norms affect asylum claims and treatment by immigration authorities.
• Nationalism, patriarchy, and heteronormativity
  Broader critique of how immigration laws enforced heterosexual and gendered norms tied to national identity.

Please Note: You may read whatever book you are comfortable with and let us know about it during book club! No pressure to read this month’s pick.

What to expect in Lavender Book Club this month:

• The space will only be open to folks who wish to attend book club during this time!
• A laidback space surrounded by books to discuss the latest reads
• Staff facilitated discussions and questions
• Sharing your opinions and questions about the book
• Meeting new people
• making friends!

New to Prism? Here’s what to expect:

• Our doors are always locked for security. We have an intercom at the door as first point of contact. Simply call “front office” from the touch screen.
• Weapons are not allowed in space.
• There is a preliminary security check at the door
• We have an intake form we ask all new folks to fill out. Try to arrive a few minutes early to fill that out.