Professor Dominique Bourque, member of the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies at the University of Ottawa, has overseen the French translation and edition of a major work by Italian sociologist Daniela Danna (Università del Salento), Love Between Women in Western History, published by Éditions sans fin.
The book sheds light on narratives and experiences that have often been silenced or reinterpreted through the lens of dominant history. From the “heterosexualized” transmission of Sappho’s verses, to the “romantic friendships” that allowed women to live together without scandal in the modern era, to the suspicions cast on suffragettes and unmarried women in the 19th century, the work retraces the complex ways in which relationships between women have been lived, perceived, and stigmatized. The 20th century marks a new stage, with women who love women affirming their presence more openly in urban centres, creating spaces of community and culture.
By making these stories accessible to a Francophone readership, Dominique Bourque and the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies highlight how social sciences help us critically examine social norms, amplify marginalized voices, and broaden our understanding of the human experience.
Through this publication, the Faculty of Social Sciences celebrates a contribution that reflects its core values: critical thinking, inclusion, and a commitment to building a more just and humane society.