sexual-identity

This chapter covers Alan Turing's independent formulation of the Turing machine as a solution to Hilbert's Entscheidungsproblem, highlighting the simultaneous but distinct work of Alonzo Church and the significance of Turing's conceptual breakthrough. It also details Turing's recognition through a university prize and his preparation for a research stay at Princeton, where he encounters a prestigious mathematical community and candidly shares his views on sexuality and religion, revealing his identity and cultural perceptions.

This chapter chronicles Alli Sheldon's profound personal and creative struggles following the revelation of her identity as James Tiptree, Jr. It details her grappling with sexual identity, grief from family losses, and a crisis of creative voice marked by the loss of the authoritative Tiptree persona. Despite moments of renewed inspiration and social engagement, Alli faces isolation, bureaucratic challenges, and a fading literary voice as she attempts to reconcile her authentic self with her past pseudonymous success.

This chapter explores the complex intersections of gender, sexuality, and identity in the life and work of Alice B. Sheldon, known as James Tiptree Jr., through symposium discussions, personal journals, and correspondence. It highlights Tiptree's provocative views on parenting and sexuality, her struggles with depression and gender performance, and the impact of her revealed identity on the science fiction community. The chapter concludes with a detailed bibliography and index that reflect the interdisciplinary scope of Sheldon's legacy.