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Hear Us Out!: Lesbian and Gay Stories of Struggle, Progress, and Hope, 1950 to the Present
What was it like being young and gay during the closeted 1950s, the exuberant beginnings of the modern gay rights movement in the 1970s, or the frightening outbreak of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s? In this unique history, Nancy Garden uses both fact and fiction to explore just what it has meant to be young and gay in America during the last fifty years. For each decade from the 1950s on, she discusses in an essay the social and political events that shaped the lives of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people during that era. Then, in two short stories, she explores the emotional experiences of young gay people coming of age during those times, giving vivid insight into what it really felt like.
Hear Us Out! is a comprehensive and rich account of gay life, both public and private, from one of the pioneers of young adult lesbian and gay literature.
Hear Us Out! is a comprehensive and rich account of gay life, both public and private, from one of the pioneers of young adult lesbian and gay literature.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published April 17, 2007
7 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Garden
44 books451 followersA versatile writer, Nancy Garden has published books for children as well as for teens, nonfiction as well as fiction. But her novel Annie on My Mind, the story of two high school girls who fall in love with each other, has brought her more attention than she wanted when it was burned in front of the Kansas City School Board building in 1993 and banned from school library shelves in Olathe, Kansas, as well as other school districts. A group of high school students and their parents in Olathe had to sue the school board in federal district court in order to get the book back on the library shelves. Today the book is as controversial as ever, in spite of its being viewed by many as one of the most important books written for teens in the past forty years. In 2003 the American Library Association gave the Margaret A. Edwards Award to Nancy Garden for lifetime achievement.
In Remembrance: Nancy Garden
In Remembrance: Nancy Garden
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 28, 2021
Garden leads us through a decade by decade history of LGBT life in the US. Each section starts with an essay outlining the main issues and challenges facing the LGBT community in that decade and then she shares two short stories highlighting teens.
The first couple of stories from the 1950s may seem a bit too sweet and innocent to today's teens, but reflect how tentative gays needed to be in a time when they were expected to stay in the closet, and when homosexuality was seen as a sin and a mental disease.
Other stories follow the stories of a man who dies of Aids, and a gay boy beaten to death. These are part of the reality of LGBT life. The final stories are more optimistic as we start a new century. One is a sweet love story, though it suggests the awkwardness of crushing on someone who may not be gay. The final story follows a young lesbian runaway, if it's accurate to use the term when you've been thrown out. She finds support and kindness at a Pride service and parade.
The last decade covers is the 2000s, and the essay focuses on Gay adoption and Gay marriage. It's the longest essay, going into detail about court cases and legislation. A brief note warns that things may have changed by the time the book is released. Today, more than a decade later, much of this essay could be cut, replaced with the statement that the US Supreme Court has made Gay marriage legal, striking down all the unconstitutional laws that withheld the right to marry from LGBT+ people. It seems that the final stories' optimism may be well earned.
The first couple of stories from the 1950s may seem a bit too sweet and innocent to today's teens, but reflect how tentative gays needed to be in a time when they were expected to stay in the closet, and when homosexuality was seen as a sin and a mental disease.
Other stories follow the stories of a man who dies of Aids, and a gay boy beaten to death. These are part of the reality of LGBT life. The final stories are more optimistic as we start a new century. One is a sweet love story, though it suggests the awkwardness of crushing on someone who may not be gay. The final story follows a young lesbian runaway, if it's accurate to use the term when you've been thrown out. She finds support and kindness at a Pride service and parade.
The last decade covers is the 2000s, and the essay focuses on Gay adoption and Gay marriage. It's the longest essay, going into detail about court cases and legislation. A brief note warns that things may have changed by the time the book is released. Today, more than a decade later, much of this essay could be cut, replaced with the statement that the US Supreme Court has made Gay marriage legal, striking down all the unconstitutional laws that withheld the right to marry from LGBT+ people. It seems that the final stories' optimism may be well earned.
May 22, 2008
This book was a mixed bag. A collection of essays, separated by decade, each followed by a couple of short stories to highlight the issues raised in said essays.
I quite liked the essays and learned a lot from them. However, the short stories were very hit-and-miss. The first one(s) were very flat, but definitely improved as the book proceeded. But another short story was so touching that I and others in the book club were moved to tears. I do think that the author is an ambitious writer and consequently, part of my criticism is that she could have embraced more. For example, when she talks about the '70's and women's movement, I think her stories could have conveyed some of the dilemmas -- perhaps a female character who supported women's lib issues, but didn't want to include lesbians in her grassroots group. (or something similar).
I quite liked the essays and learned a lot from them. However, the short stories were very hit-and-miss. The first one(s) were very flat, but definitely improved as the book proceeded. But another short story was so touching that I and others in the book club were moved to tears. I do think that the author is an ambitious writer and consequently, part of my criticism is that she could have embraced more. For example, when she talks about the '70's and women's movement, I think her stories could have conveyed some of the dilemmas -- perhaps a female character who supported women's lib issues, but didn't want to include lesbians in her grassroots group. (or something similar).
September 5, 2017
Interesting premise but not executed well. The essay that sets up the history of each decade tends to be short and underdeveloped. The only in-depth one is for the 2000's (and other decades had their fair share of content, although you wouldn't know that based on this book). The stories themselves have useful moments; however, they often feel like a rough draft wherein the author did some research and needed to prove it by forcing it into the story--often, these characters feel forced into situations rather than rendered with honesty. Although it is refreshing to see largely positive takers on these situations, they felt too contrived.
November 11, 2020
From the Goodreads Site
"What was it like being young and gay during the closeted 1950s, the exuberant beginnings of the modern gay rights movement in the 1970s, or the frightening outbreak of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s? In this unique history, Nancy Garden uses both fact and fiction to explore just what it has meant to be young and gay in America during the last fifty years. For each decade from the 1950s on, she discusses in an essay the social and political events that shaped the lives of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people during that era. Then, in two short stories, she explores the emotional experiences of young gay people coming of age during those times, giving vivid insight into what it really felt like.
"Hear Us Out! is a comprehensive and rich account of gay life, both public and private, from one of the pioneers of young adult lesbian and gay literature."
Love this pioneer in Gay Lit! Sadly, Nancy is no longer living, but she left us all a gift with this informative and moving book.
"What was it like being young and gay during the closeted 1950s, the exuberant beginnings of the modern gay rights movement in the 1970s, or the frightening outbreak of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s? In this unique history, Nancy Garden uses both fact and fiction to explore just what it has meant to be young and gay in America during the last fifty years. For each decade from the 1950s on, she discusses in an essay the social and political events that shaped the lives of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people during that era. Then, in two short stories, she explores the emotional experiences of young gay people coming of age during those times, giving vivid insight into what it really felt like.
"Hear Us Out! is a comprehensive and rich account of gay life, both public and private, from one of the pioneers of young adult lesbian and gay literature."
Love this pioneer in Gay Lit! Sadly, Nancy is no longer living, but she left us all a gift with this informative and moving book.
June 16, 2022
From the Goodreads Site
"What was it like being young and gay during the closeted 1950s, the exuberant beginnings of the modern gay rights movement in the 1970s, or the frightening outbreak of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s? In this unique history, Nancy Garden uses both fact and fiction to explore just what it has meant to be young and gay in America during the last fifty years. For each decade from the 1950s on, she discusses in an essay the social and political events that shaped the lives of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people during that era. Then, in two short stories, she explores the emotional experiences of young gay people coming of age during those times, giving vivid insight into what it really felt like.
"Hear Us Out! is a comprehensive and rich account of gay life, both public and private, from one of the pioneers of young adult lesbian and gay literature."
Love this pioneer in Gay Lit! Sadly, Nancy is no longer living, but she left us all a gift with this informative and moving book.
"What was it like being young and gay during the closeted 1950s, the exuberant beginnings of the modern gay rights movement in the 1970s, or the frightening outbreak of HIV and AIDS in the 1980s? In this unique history, Nancy Garden uses both fact and fiction to explore just what it has meant to be young and gay in America during the last fifty years. For each decade from the 1950s on, she discusses in an essay the social and political events that shaped the lives of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people during that era. Then, in two short stories, she explores the emotional experiences of young gay people coming of age during those times, giving vivid insight into what it really felt like.
"Hear Us Out! is a comprehensive and rich account of gay life, both public and private, from one of the pioneers of young adult lesbian and gay literature."
Love this pioneer in Gay Lit! Sadly, Nancy is no longer living, but she left us all a gift with this informative and moving book.
November 3, 2017
Hear Us Out is a good book, but I wouldn´t re-read it. Don´t get me wrong, I do support the LGBT community, I might be part of it actually, but this book didn´t really say ¨don´t discriminate against us¨ and really was just regurgitating facts and telling stories.
Also, the stories were almost the same, but with a few changes. If there weren´t any names, then you might have thought that this was the same story. A few that were different was the one about the two gay boys (the only male couple in the ENTIRE FRIGGIN BOOK), one about tuxedoes (no parents involved), and the last one when the main character does not either have a love interest/partner. The story was basically two lesbians fall in love, accidentally reveal the secret that they are gay to their parents/peers and gets rejected by everyone.
Good book, but will not read again.
Also, the stories were almost the same, but with a few changes. If there weren´t any names, then you might have thought that this was the same story. A few that were different was the one about the two gay boys (the only male couple in the ENTIRE FRIGGIN BOOK), one about tuxedoes (no parents involved), and the last one when the main character does not either have a love interest/partner. The story was basically two lesbians fall in love, accidentally reveal the secret that they are gay to their parents/peers and gets rejected by everyone.
Good book, but will not read again.
January 6, 2020
So this book had great potential but I wish the essays, like the 2000s one, had more to t and wasn't simply a gloss over. There is a lot of information in these decades for LGBT change and I wish there was just more. The stories are good in general. I wish there were more happy stories but I get the time period that it was set in. Overall I enjoyed the content and liked this from the author that brought one Annie On My Mind.
January 9, 2019
A wonderful balance between short stories and history. The fiction and non-fiction aspects combined make for a wonderful view into the time periods that you wouldn't get if it was just one or the other.
June 6, 2018
Great concept for a book, poor execution. The writing was choppy and really took away from the content & historical significance.
April 22, 2019
One of the original titles added to MS and HS libraries with CCS/PFLAG Rainbow Reading project.
January 23, 2022
I really enjoyed the essays but the short stories fell really flat for me
July 25, 2022
Nancy Garden never disappointed. I loved this book as well as Annie On My Mind. If only the author lived to see gay marriage become legal in all 50 states. She’d be so proud.
April 16, 2025
I did not really like this one too much, which is primarily due to inaccuracy and bias in some of the chapters. All in all, an ok-title, not more. 3 stars
November 8, 2009
This was a great book, and I'd highly recommend it for teen (or older) readers, straight or otherwise. Although many teachers may be skittish about tackling the topic of being gay, this book presents it in matter-of-fact essays combined with stories that bring the personal point of view home. Being heavy on facts should help keep book-burning parents at bay.
With a stroll through the decades from the "you're sick and need treatment" '50s to the civil rights empowerment blitz of the '60s to the freedom of the '70s, AIDS devastation of the '80s and, finally, more recent attempts at straight-gay alliances and increasing media representations of everyday gay life, a portrait of the history of gay rights in America is drawn in easy-to-soak-up scenarios.
Remember: The suicide rate is still incredibly high among gay teens in 2009, so books like this could be one way to help them cope as they seek emotional and social support. They'll even get a historical perspective and learn some legal facts that just might come in handy.
With a stroll through the decades from the "you're sick and need treatment" '50s to the civil rights empowerment blitz of the '60s to the freedom of the '70s, AIDS devastation of the '80s and, finally, more recent attempts at straight-gay alliances and increasing media representations of everyday gay life, a portrait of the history of gay rights in America is drawn in easy-to-soak-up scenarios.
Remember: The suicide rate is still incredibly high among gay teens in 2009, so books like this could be one way to help them cope as they seek emotional and social support. They'll even get a historical perspective and learn some legal facts that just might come in handy.
July 4, 2009
Unique telling of the history of the GLBTQ movement. Each section is devoted to a different decade, beginning with the 1950s. At the beginning of each new decade explored, Nancy Garden gives historical accounts of events of the time and the effects on the GLBTQ community. Young adults of the decades and their own accounts of becoming aware of themselves and the pressure from society to change then follow the historical accounts. The book, told in many different voices gives the reader a great sense of feeling as if you are a part of the story, not merely an observer, and would be a wonderful tool to teach voice in a Language Arts classroom. The stories would also pair well when examining social issues of different eras. For instance, if discussing the 1960s and the age of protest, reading the section of the 1960s depicted through the eyes of a young man who witnessed the Stonewall Inn riots in New York, would see a protest not often discussed or examined.
June 6, 2008
If you're looking for a quick overview of the history of the LGBTQQI (or any combination of those letters) rights movements in recent American history, this is a great book to begin with. From the 1950's to the present, Nancy Garden follows each decade with two short fiction pieces. I was expecting more adult information, as I did not realize this book was geared towards young adults. Despite the lower reading level, this would be a good book to have on hand for anyone involved in the gay-rights struggle.
November 3, 2015
Originally rated E by Lea Blumenfeld
I think that some middle school students need to read this, but only with the approval of the librarian. It shouldn't be put out for general middle school consumption. Very well written. Not graphic. Since the highest rate of suicide among teens is among gay teens, I feel that this is an essential addition to each high school library. The angst felt by the teens in the stories is so well depicted that it is almost palpable. Important for straights to read also.
I think that some middle school students need to read this, but only with the approval of the librarian. It shouldn't be put out for general middle school consumption. Very well written. Not graphic. Since the highest rate of suicide among teens is among gay teens, I feel that this is an essential addition to each high school library. The angst felt by the teens in the stories is so well depicted that it is almost palpable. Important for straights to read also.
August 4, 2007
I really liked the essays at the beginning of each time period (yes, shocking that me - the most un-historically interested person in the world is saying this) - They helped set the stage for what the time period was like for GLBTQ teens. My heart cried out for many of the characters. I thought many of the stories would have made excellent novels. :)
November 20, 2015
This was a pretty good book and it was FULL of great facts regarding LGBT rights and achievements. It went decade by decade all the way for the 1950's to 2000's with letters in-between. I found it very informative and I especially enjoyed learning about all the progress the LGBT community has made.
March 10, 2021
This book was powerful, riveting, and extremely emotional. It was a pleasure to read through these kids' experiences in the LGBT community, and I am happy that I could find a book that was so relatable to me and people like me.
August 13, 2007
An important book, but kind of plodding to get through.
February 29, 2008
History good, stories boring.
February 18, 2013
Thought this was a really accessible way for youth to learn about queer history, in a neat format. Full review up on the Lesbrary tomorrow.
January 1, 2015
A mix of stories of varying quality, highlighting the changes in opinions and political landscape towards LGBT matters throughout the years.
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January 16, 2017This book is so important and inspiring! I really enjoyed. I actually found my forensics piece in this book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews