Sinnott (Yale U.) examines how female same-sex relationships in Thailand and other East and Southeast Asian countries have evolved into masculine and feminine pairs, described in English-derived terms. She analyzes how individuals feel they fit among the complex identities, and whether this structure contains parts of local cultures or is entirely derived from Western and capitalist concepts of gay and lesbian identities. She also considers how governments and other forces outside this community have been influenced by local and Western bias. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)