Queers in History: The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Historical Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals

by Keith Stern

Queers in History is the first comprehensive biographical compendium of important historical and contemporary figures who were/are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. From Egyptian pharaohs, Catholic popes and Abraham Lincoln to Bishop Gene Robinson, Neil Patrick Harris and Angelina Jolie, Queers in History brings these figures, from their work to their sexuality, to life.The hundreds of people whose stories appear in this book are some of the most intriguing personalities of their actors and actresses, writers and musicians, businessmen and politicians, scientists and soldiers. But this irresistibly readable encyclopedia intended for gays and straights alike doesn’t just report those details that get left out of the standard biographies; it reveals a fascinating picture of queer society and culture throughout recorded history, from the homosexual traditions practiced by samurai in Japan to the modern struggles for equal rights in America. Sir Ian McKellen offers a foreword.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, LGBT, Queer, Biography, Reference, Gay

1060 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[library lola · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this book was mildly interesting, but clearly flawed in research and well-roundedness. When one lists some of their sources as Wikipedia we know there's a problem.

It was very interesting in bits and also heartbreaking. An excerpt from a letter from Hans Christian Anderson to a lost same sex love was particularly sad for me to read. Social pressure inducing a life of secrecy is needless suffering, but is so often necessary, such as in this case.

While the premise was good, the book itself was flawed in execution. It's credibility was definitely questionable and having some passages be lengthy and others quite brief was odd. A mildly interesting read, but should not necessarily be considered 100% fact based.

[Michelle Hoogterp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reference book and not a cover-to-cover book, at least not for me.

I am very disappointed that for further reading under each entry only one book or website, such as Wikipedia, is listed. The books that make it into inclusion for further reading are such that have a clear homosexual agenda for promoting the idea that a certain artist or politician, etc. is indeed gay. The problem with that is that there should be biographies, autobiographies, letters, and other more reliable resources.

I still think this is a good book and as Sir Ian McKellen says in his foreword: "But if one or two names entered in [the author's] engaging list are doubtful about their inclusion, perhaps they won't, on reflection, object much to being between the sheets with Michelangelo and Armistead Maupin--what could be cozier?"

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great project, but the resulting book is of at best medium quality. The brief portraits of figures historical and contemporary included here cover a wide range and are generally entertaining, gossipy and quite shallow, including rather a lot of speculation and rumour in some cases that ought to be taken with more than just a grain of salt. Evidently, a fairly substantial part of the research largely involved Wikipedia.

[Erin Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like reading a wonderful, giant gossip rag. Entertaining as all get out as long as you don't take all of the speculation in the book (and there is lots) as gospel truth.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and learning about some very fascinating queer individuals throughout history. Most I had never heard of, or I did know them, but did not know they were queer. I was also able to learn about a few more books that look interesting.

[Lenore Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

College Girl recently was visiting with family here at our home this weekend. A wonderful couple that are raising their interracial granddaughter. Here on our front porch we share their lives for a lil while. The struggles of these two men who have served in quiet retrospect while giving their all to provide for the communities they have lived in. Many times having an uphill battle to just be allowed to have the right to be part of that community. Some our greatest citizens of the world have had that same battle. "Queers in History" (an encyclopedia style book) shares that many people have lived the DADT policy. In this book we saw so many people in history that gave to our world experience while also having a different sexuality than those around them. College Girl was thrilled to share this book with her "cousins". Here we learned that many politicians and military along with artist, writers, musicians and entrepreneurs shared the same history.

For example:
An heroic soldier, Deborah Sampson, in the US Revolution was actually a woman in disguise, who "married" another woman after her service in the Continental Army? When Deborah's true identity was discovered she was denied here veterans pension.

James Buchanan, U.S. President, had a male roommate that was so close that they were called the "Siamese Twins". In 1994 Bucahanan's grave was vandalized with words about his sexuality.

[A. Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to flip through. I've learned about historical figures and some entries surprised me. I'll admit that at times I was a little unconvinced but it's always nice to think about the possibility of people being a member of your community. That said, it is a really great look at queer figures in history and it has a couple tables in the back, organized by name and by year which were a great help in browsing through names.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not only fascinating but also constantly surprising! I'd recommend it to anyone, and especially any LGBT teen who is struggling, or not, with defining themselves, without the least hesitation. It not only shows the history of the LGBT community but also the breadth of its contribution to civilization across history.

[JaNel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an encyclopedia of gays, lesbians, etc. just like it says. It also includes why they believe/know they were/are homosexual. Very interesting reading.

[Oriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously it'd be impossible to write a truly comprehensive book like this, but this one definitely covers a lot of ground.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly thorough (at nearly 600 pages!) - some of the entries came as a surprise. Impossible to go into much depth for each person, but many listings have a "for further reading" reference.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any young GBLT person, this would be the gift to give! I loved it; many of my heroes were/are gay or lesbian
and I didn't know it. It's gossipy but in a juicy, harmless way :)

[Radclyffe U-Haul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far from exhaustive but still pretty great. Rather lacking in trans people.
Willed to me by Anne, so obviously sentimental.

[Lenka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend to every homophobe obsessed with famous people so maybe they can change their minds.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while to read this, and yes, there were people who surprised me in it. Very, VERY good book, and useful as a reference and a teaching tool.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of speculation and fact.