Shira Tarrant

Publicist

Websites

Press Coverage

Shira Tarrant is a nationally recognized expert on gender politics, feminism, pop culture, and masculinity. She is the author of Men and Feminism (Seal Press) and When Sex Became Gender (Routledge), and editor of the provocative anthology Men Speak Out: Views on Gender, Sex and Power (Routledge). Her co-edited anthology, Fashion Talks: Undressing the Power of Style, is forthcoming (SUNY Press). She is currently at work on the book The Sex Wars: Pole Dancing, Porn and Other Things That Freak People Out and the anthology, Pleasure and Peril: True Stories About Sex, Self-Acceptance, and Saying Yes in a World That (Sometimes) Says No.

Shira Tarrant’s articles receive mainstream and academic attention in Bitch Magazine, BUST Magazine, the Women's Media Center, Ms. Magazine Blog, Huffington Post, off our backs, The International Encyclopedia of Political Science, and The Women’s Movement Today: An Encyclopedia of Third-Wave Feminism. Her essays are featured in anthologies including Fix Me Up (McFarland) and Robot Hearts (Pinchback Press).

A frequent speaker at college campuses and public venues across the country, Shira Tarrant is quoted widely in print, radio and television (including the Toronto Globe and Mail, Baltimore Sun, Denver Post, Sydney Morning Herald, WBAI radio, and CBS). She is featured on popular blogs including Womanist-Musings, Feminist Review, Girl With Pen, and Pandagon.

Shira Tarrant holds a doctorate in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is an Associate Professor in the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at California State University, Long Beach. To read more about her work, see http://shiratarrant.com.

For Speaking Engagements:

Shira Tarrant's author events and public speaking engagements include direct readings from Men and Feminism or previous books. She is also available to speak about a wide variety of topics, both in a lecture format and a more interactive “town hall” style, including:

  • Pornography and Pop Culture — Moving past the anti-porn/pro-sex stalemates, Shira instead talks about the complexities of porn in pop culture
  • Men and Masculinity — Shira discusses contemporary topics in pop culture including hypermasculinity and the new man-as-kidult theme
  • Men and Feminism — Drawing from her recent books, Shira explores with her audience how and why feminism is everyone's issue. This topic includes a focus on men's roles in violence and sexual assault prevention
  • Politics of Parenthood — as a (former) teen mom and an expert in pop culture and gender issues, Shira speaks clearly about the politics of parenthood and why we need more support for all kinds of families.

What People Are Saying

“What’s that? You don’t think that men have been a part of the feminist movement? Oh how mistaken you are! … Tarrant does a brilliant job at showing us how we must pay attention to the plight of boys and men under patriarchy in order to bring out a more just world.” —Veronica I. Arreola, Feminist Review

“Shira Tarrant aims to show once and for all that men can be feminists too… Kudos to the author for this blame-free book that encourages readers to embrace equality—and provides precise, simple steps to get [there].” —Brandy Barber, Bust Magazine

“[Men and Feminism] is brief, it’s engaging, and it doesn’t mince words in explaining exactly what feminism has to offer men, and why they should get behind it.” —Cate Simpson, Bitch Magazine

“[Men and Feminism] provides a fresh and uncomplicated view that men are also part of the feminist movement. In writing that is highly accessible and quite amusing, this book was both informative and quite fun to read.” —Noël Alumit, Frontiers

“One of the misconceptions that many have about feminism is that it’s filled with male bashing and misandry, however Tarrant’s book will help clear up these misconceptions.” —Nila Hall, Kansas City Examiner.com

“Shira Tarrant isn’t afraid to go into unexpected territory … [This book] discusses the history of men in feminism, but also analyzes conversations about gender and masculinity while providing resources for men interested in feminist actions.” —Allison McCarthy, Womanist Musings

“Shira Tarrant’s Men and Feminism helps define the role men can play in a movement liberating women.” —Trinidad Guardian Newspaper

“With this concise overview of men’s role in feminism, Shira Tarrant makes a substantial contribution to the project of ally-building across gender lines… Drawing from significant intersectional, antisexist, and antiracist theory, the book is an informative introduction to feminism in general and to how men stand to gain from it in particular.” —“For Your Bookshelf,” the Association of American Colleges and Universities

Upcoming Events

Date City Location Country
09/24/10 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Book Festival United States