A Black Queer History of the United States

by C. Riley Snorton, Darius Bost

The first-ever Black history to center queer voices, this landmark study traces the lives of LGBTQ+ Black Americans from slavery to present day

Gender and sexual expression have always been part of the Black freedom struggle

In this latest book in Beacon’s award-winning ReVisioning History series, Professors C. Riley Snorton and Darius Bost unearth the often overlooked history of the Black queer community in the United States.

Arguing that both gender and sexual expression have been an intimate and intricate part of Black freedom struggle, Snorton and Bost present historical contributions of Black queer, trans, and gender non-conforming Americans from slavery to the present day to highlight how the fight against racial injustice has always been linked to that of sexual and gender justice.

Interweaving stories of queer and trans figures such

Private William Cathay/Cathay Williams, born female but enlisted in the Army as a man in the mid-1860s Josephine Baker, internationally known dancer and entertainer of the early 20th century who was also openly bisexual Bayard Rustin, prominent Civil Rights activist whose well known homosexuality was viewed as a potential threat to the movement Amanda Milan, a black trans woman whose murder in 2000 unified the trans people of color community, this book includes a deep dive into the marginalization, unjust criminalization, and government legislation of Black queer and trans existence. It also shows how Black Americans have played an integral role in the modern LGBTQ rights movement, countering narratives that have predominantly focused on white Americans.

Through storytelling and other narratives, Snorton and Bost show how the Black queer community has always existed, regardless of the attempts to stamp it out, and how those in it continue to fight for their rightful place in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Queer, LGBT, Race, Gay, Audiobook

232 pages, Hardcover

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

C. Riley Snorton is associate professor of Africana studies and feminist, gender, and sexuality studies at Cornell University and visiting associate professor of American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California. He is author of Nobody Is Supposed to Know: Black Sexuality on the Down Low (Minnesota, 2014).

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read Black histories, read histories of LGBTQ+ peoples, etc. but I was interested in a history of Black Queer people. I am aware of conversations regarding Black and LGBTQ+ communities (and Black people who are also part of LGBTQ+ people, LGBTQ+ people who are Black, etc.) but it is not something I am a member of or can speak about, so I was looking forward to this.

From the earliest presence of Black people as slaves to the present day, the authors also look at various individuals and how they expressed their sexuality, gender identity, and more. How this was part of their lives (positive, negative), etc. From Cathay Williams (who joined the Army as William Cathay), to Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin to more current people and movements including Black Lives Matter. These are compiled into relatively short chapters with a conclusion rounding up what the chapter aimed to cover.

There was a lot of interesting information that I did not know, plus it was helpful to have a work specifically focusing on as the cover says, the history of Black Queer people in the US. But I will say that it was very dull. I did not realize I had read another work by Snorton (Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity) and my reaction is similar. Lots of good information but overall the work reads too much like a formal academic paper.

I do certainly think it's worth a read and would not be surprised to see it pop up on college syllabi (it's probably not a HS-level book that may depend). What I very much appreciated is that the authors definitely kept it moving and did not try to dump the entire life stories of the individuals they profile. If this is a topic that interests you and you don't know much about it (like me), it's certainly worth a read.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.

[Mario Jovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy read and a great introduction to Black queer studies. It focuses on lesser-known figures and continues to center trans people. Each chapter is beautifully organized, although one chapter challenged me and made me have varying thoughts. The research is well-done. I rate it a 4 based on my own expectations rather than the author’s. I own another book called Black Queer and Untold, which delves deeper into each subject matter. This book serves more as an introduction without explicitly stating it. I was under the impression that it would be as deep as the book I mentioned, but it’s more of a beginner’s guide. You can read it in one sitting, which is why I highly recommend it. It provides the necessary information without overwhelming you with challenging words, acronyms, or terms that you may not be familiar with.

[Aditi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of sad this book doesn’t have more reviews and ratings up! This is a wonderful history for beginners and highlights a group of people massively ignored when it comes to civil rights and lgbtq+ rights.

I’d love to read an even longer more in depth history.

[Kallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would call this Black Queer Histories maybe, as it jumps around a lot in the stories and doesn't give a continual history. Very understandable given how little information was kept from so long ago, and somehow still impressive in what is able to be gathered from the sources that exist.

[Hollie]

I learned so much! I had no idea just how prevalent the intersectionality between black lives and homophobia/ transphobia is.

Really informative. A great gift to give a homophobic family member for Christmas 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️