Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History

by Sarah Prager, Sarah Papworth (Illustrator)

This groundbreaking, pop-culture-infused LGBTQ+ illustrated biography collection takes readers on an eye-opening journey through the lives of fifty influential queer figures who have made a mark on every century of human existence.

Rainbow Revolutionaries brings to life the vibrant histories of fifty pioneering LGBTQ+ people from around the world. Through Sarah Prager’s (Queer, There, and Everywhere) short, engaging bios, and Sarah Papworth’s bold, dynamic art, readers can delve into the lives of Wen of Han, a Chinese emperor who loved his boyfriend as much as his people, Martine Rothblatt, a trans woman who’s helping engineer the robots of tomorrow, and so many more!

This book is a celebration of the many ways these heroes have made a difference and will inspire young readers to make a difference, too. Featuring an introduction, map, timeline, and glossary, this must-have biography collection is the perfect read during Pride month and all year round.

Biographies
Adam Rippon, Alan L. Hart, Alan Turing, Albert Cashier, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Alexander the Great, Al-Hakam II, Alvin Ailey, Bayard Rustin, Benjamin Banneker, Billie Jean King, Chevalière d'Éon, Christina of Sweden, Christine Jorgensen, Cleve Jones, Ellen DeGeneres, Francisco Manicongo, Frida Kahlo, Frieda Belinfante, Georgina Beyer, Gilbert Baker, Glenn Burke, Greta Garbo, Harvey Milk, James Baldwin, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, José Sarria, Josephine Baker, Juana Inés de la Cruz, Julie d'Aubigny, Lili Elbe, Ma Rainey, Magnus Hirschfeld, Manvendra Singh Gohil, Marsha P. Johnson, Martine Rothblatt, Maryam Khatoon Molkara, Natalie Clifford Barney, Navtej Johar, Nzinga, Pauli Murray, Renée Richards, Rudolf Nureyev, Sally Ride, Simon Nkoli, Stormé DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera, Tshepo Ricki Kgositau, Wen of Han, We’wha

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, History, Biography, Middle Grade, Queer, Childrens

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2020

Reviews

[Saipriya N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book which contains 50 LGBTQ+ stories from ancient period to modern day, like Alexander the great, Gilbert Baker(the one who designed the rainbow flag), Ellen DeGeneres(host of The Ellen Show), Manvendra Singh Gohil(an Indian prince) and many more, who have contributed a lot to the society. These are very short stories of each one of them, which are completely diverse, immensely inspirational and how they had to fight many battles on daily basis in order to come out.

[Oyinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 189 of 2021

3.5 ✨

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this book out a couple months ago thinking I'd go through it quickly. Well, I forgot about it until recently and finally got to it. It's a great little book about some amazing people that helped shaped the LGBTQ+ community throughout the years. People you may have not even suspected. Going back hundreds of years to kings, queens, athletes, actors, to everyday normal run of the mill people that were brave in the face of diversity.
Each one of the 50 people got their own 2 page spread. On one side is a beautifully illustrated picture of the person and on the opposite page is a one page bio about their accomplishments/story of coming out and how that affected them, their lives and the community. Even with the short bio, it gives you a little background information on some people that you may not be familiar with. As for me, some I knew and some I didn’t, but it made me want to know more about certain people and I got a nice little introduction to them already.
Great little book for young and old alike. Opens your eyes to the whole LGBTQ+ community.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like three and a half stars. I wish so much I could rate it higher because books like this are great and important, but - especially as an aromantic asexual reader - I just can’t cheer for yet another book that claims to be for the entire “LGBTQ+” community while actually all but entirely reducing it down to the Ls, Gs, Bs, and Ts. I knew this would happen, so I kept track of the identities being represented, and here are the results (keeping in mind that obviously some people have more than one queer identity):

Lesbian - 10 (20%)
Gay - 14 (28%)
Mspec - 10 (3 bi specifically; 20%)
Trans - 11 (2 transmen, 9 transwomen; 22%)
GNC - 6 (12%)
Aromantic - 2 (possibly inferred, 4%)
Polyamorous - 1 (2%)
Ambiguous - 4 (8%)

Only mentioned in glossary: Pan, intersex, asexual

And I have to say the aromantics are “possibly inferred” because a few people are specifically mentioned as never having had romantic relationships, but aromanticism is never mentioned as a possibility. In fact, the identity is left out of this book completely, not even getting the glossary-only treatment asexuality does. You cannot have a book like this without including aspecs. It’s excluding and wrong. I know examples of these are harder to find, but they exist. Spend two minutes on Google if you have to.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History is a middle grade picture book anthology of mini-biographies written by Sarah Prager and illustrated by Sarah Papworth. It is a colorful compendium, which covers fifty boundary-breaking LGBTQ+ figures from across history and around the globe.

For the most part, this anthology is written and constructed rather well. Arranged in alphabetical order by first name, each tribute receives a two-page biography with a straightforward one-page biography that includes an account of how they changed the world, broke a barrier, or fought for LGBTQ+ rights and is accompanied by vivid, full-page, blocky illustrations. Backmatter includes a timeline, LGBTQ+ flags and symbols, selected bibliography.

Prager had chosen fifty influential people from all walks of life and covering many spheres of influence. The selection showcases a diversity of races, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities, with some minor gaps as there are no intersex examples or those from East-Asian countries. Despite this oversight, it does not diminish the book’s fundamental value as a resource for young people.

All in all, Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History is an exciting if uneven volume that offers much for inquisitive kids seeking LGBTQ+ information.

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic collection of stories of LGBTQ+ people throughout history who made history for one reason or another. I read with kiddo (8) who really enjoyed listening to it. I will definitely be getting it from the library again or purchasing our own copy as kiddo gets older, because I'm sure they will get more from it as they grow.

It made a great jumping off point for discussions about different LGBTQ+ identities and did a good job interspersing uplifting stories with more tragic stories so the overall mood never got too dismal.

It is difficult to sum up a person's life and historic events in a single page, and this did a great job of that while being both clear and easy to understand and containing a lot of information.

I really wish I'd had it as a child, instead of growing up with no knowledge of LGBT+ people at all until high school (I was sheltered) and thinking for years there was something wrong with me for being different. It's exactly the sort of book I would have devoured as a middle schooler.

[zey · Rating 4 out of 5]

insanely cute lgbtq+ people anthology. i love.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the current state of society today, children are rarely, if ever, introduced to individuals who identify as LGBTQ+; for the few times that children might be introduced to one such individual in a history lesson, they definitely do not mention the person's sexuality.

This book tries to counter that dearth of knowledge by presenting vignettes of 50 individuals throughout history who identify as LGBTQ+. Each vignette discusses not only the individual's identity, if known, how that identity affected their lives, and how they responded to those difficulties. I was impressed with the wide representation throughout history and around the world.

Included with these vignettes is a very brief timeline of LGBTQ history, along with a fairly extensive glossary of terms, which I think is a wonderful addition for the age range of children who are the target audience.

For my own experience, I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Ines del Castillo. The supplemental material of the book (historical timeline, glossary, and pictures of flags and other symbols) was included as a PDF that could be downloaded alongside the audiobook, which was nice and would definitely come in handy for parents and children who are listening to the book. The narrator did a pretty good job, though her voice sounded somewhat scratchy, like she needed to clear her throat or something. That said, after about the second or third vignette, I was no longer noticing that aspect, and it certainly didn't get in the way of my enjoyment of the book.

I definitely recommend this book for middle-grade readers, their parents, older siblings, friends, or even adults who have no children but just want to learn about LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of 50 prominent LGBQT+ people is written for children. It presents the subjects of the book with gentleness and kindness. Here are some of the history-making LGBQT+ heroes:

*Cleve Jones was the creator of the Aids Quilt;
*Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag and never copyrighted it, so that it has become a universal symbol of the LGBTQ+ community;
*Johanna Siguroardottir - Served in the Icelandic Parliament and then became the first openly gay Prime Minister;
*Georgina Beyer is a New Zealander politician. In 1995 she became the first transgender mayor in the entire world. Later she was elected to Parliament, and again was the first transgender member of a national legislature in the world;
*James Baldwin - renowned American author who did not want to be pigeon-holed as a Black author; he wanted to write about his life experience, which included being a gay man. Ultimately after many rejections, he able to get his novel Giovanni's Room published. Many of the characters were gay or bisexual.
*Greta Garbo - she loved both men and women and was an award-winning actress
*Josephine Baker - she also loved both men and women. Raise in poverty in the US, moved to Paris and became a world-renowned dancer. During World War II she spied on the Nazis.
*Wen of Han -Emperor of China, his reign is known as one of enlightenment and kindness. He loved his Empress and his long-term male lover.

I learned a lot from the book.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It took me way longer to read it than I though it would since, of course, I had to look up each individual to find out more! The colorful illustrations are lovely and I love how the artist incorporates the individual's personality in the borders and the spelling of their names. Would highly recommend to 8-12 year olds especially, but also to old ages if you're prepared to spend some time doing research on your own! (and you can also read Prager's other book "Queer, There, and Everywhere")

[Lampje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely children's book and a great (but sadly sometimes short) introduction to many queer people who made history but mostly aren't remembered for it, or have their queerness erased in history books. You can really notice the thought and care that was put into the language surrounding these people and therefore I had to give it 4 stars!

[Trish Meegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for my classroom. A variety of historical profiles of important individuals. My middle school students seemed to enjoy it. The Audible narration was a nice addition.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am continuing in my quest to read bunches of banned books. Our local library had a display of them and I picked this one up. I think this one was amazing as it highlighted many heroes and regular people in the LGBTQ+ community who have fought for equality in big and small ways. There is no reason for a book about people who fight for fair treatment and acceptance to be banned. I learned a lot in this book.

[Tracie Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the entries got identities wrong, but I was happy to learn about folks I have never heard of before and I was glad to see different identities and BIPOC folks represented in the book.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book says it is for younger kids, but I think it would better suit middle school. The purpose of the book is a great one, but trying to fit 50 short, less than one page biographies into one book is daunting. Also, some of the people covered are not even confirmed part of the LGBTQ+ community and it even states that in a couple of the biographies. So, my question is, why include them then?
So, I think if you want to add a book or two to your library for kids to learn more about the world's LGBTQ+ game-changers, I would look elsewhere.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super fun and informative collection of stories of LGBTQ+ people - very inclusive (lots of different queer rep as well as people of color included), and had coverage of different time periods. Learned about quite a few figured I’d never heard of, and the art really added to the feel of the book. Would highly recommend for kids aged 7/8 and up, and adults - you’ll learn a lot while also being entertained & intrigued about the many different ways LGBTQ+ people have shaped history!

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The back matter is great; however, I was disappointed in the writing style and, in spite of some of the interesting information, it was a wade for me to get through. (In fact, I didn't make it through, the first time around.) Although I am personally not a fan of pop culture art, it is admittedly appropriate for this particular title, and the layout worked well. I thought the cover was especially well designed, and the art did grow on me. There is not much else out there that covers what this one does, especially for children, or I would say to look elsewhere for less assumptive writing.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book includes a wide range of people who identify as LGBTQ+. It will be great for kids to see representations from times and places throughout history and from all over the world. Unfortunately, I found the writing style a bit distracting. Many of the biographies ended awkwardly and there were attempts to connect with readers (like “not cool” or “rocked it” phrasing) that missed the mark, in my opinion.

[Esperanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book, which is a history of LGBTQIA+ people, beginning with Wen of Han, born in 202 BC. Many orientations are represented in the book, including gay, asexual, pansexual, polyamorous, aromantic and more. I learned the names and stories of many LGBTQIA+ pioneers I never knew before. A must read for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ rainbow, family members, friends and allies. The book proves that we're here, we're queer, we've existed since the dawn of time. Get used to it. Ten stars.

[Book Buying With Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO GOOD. Learned about so many queer people--and trans people in particular--who I'd never heard of. Very accessible for upper elementary, but this adult found it very entertaining as well :)

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can watch my review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8gji...

[jamie [its pride month my gremlins] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4. I’ve finished this book, it’s a great, short, and educational read! I suggest it to lgbtq+ folks, and non lgbtq+ people alike!

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Sarah Prager
Illustrator: Sarah Papworth
Age Recommendation: Middle Primary
Art Style: Colourful
Topic/ Theme: LGBTQ+ People & History

I want to start by saying this is almost problematically American given the words on the back of the book 'In every culture and in every century, LGBTQ+ people have not only existed and thrived, they have revolutionised'. So many of the stories are from people lived as a substantial enough amount of their life in the US to have their country listed as the United States. Some could have been left out in order to have more geographic diversity. As a book aimed at children, it does simplify the situation for many of them dramatically so. Alexander the Great was no exception, sexual expectation and acceptance of sexual relationships have changed dramatically through time. Which is partially the point though that is not made clear and it probably should be. So many of the people featured are bi or their orientation is maybe a guess or an assumption. I will say that maybe the write-ups are a little wordy for those in the youngest demographic. The framing on the text boxes are a nice way to bring everything together. The art style is okay, including so quotes where appropriate. The settings are effective. Like Billie Jean King's write surrounded by tennis balls, her name spelt out using tennis iconography; Ma Rainey's name stylised in a font of her time surrounded by jazz instruments; Cleve Jones with all his quilting imagery.

Have a random dump of some of the good and the bad
• Alan H. Hart — feels kind of unnecessary. He was the first American person to transition with the help of medical doctors and a leader in the tuberculosis treatment field. But given Lili Elbe is in here I just think the space could have better used.
• Benjamin Banneker — Bless the inclusion of an ace. A scientist.
• Chevalier d'Éon — born Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée d'Éon de Beaumont, aka Mademoiselle La chevalière d'Éon. A badass spy trans spy in the time of Louis XV (and Louis XIV) her entire debut wardrobe was a gift from Marie Antoinette
• Christina of Sweden — What is a book like this without Christina?
• Franciso Manicongo — This is one I hadn't heard of, 1500s Angola/ Brazil. The whole thing is mostly heartbreaking. But it is also fascinating to my anthropologist's brain. The idea that Angola at this point had different clothes for trans people fascinates me.
• Frieda Kahlo — Another I absolutely expected, but how it was written is odd. Diego and Frieda are something else. Putting Frieda in a children's book does not allow her to be done justice.
• Gilbert Baker — "Do you know the word 'vexillographer'? It's time to learn." One is that a word? Two who chose to put it in a children's book? Baker is the man who made the rainbow flag so closely linked to the LGBTQ+ community.
• Lili Elbe — Lili is a badass. She was one of the first to get physical transition surgery. Always supported by her loving wife Gerda Wegener. Lili's death from complications for her fourth surgery hurts me.
• Natalie Clifford Barney — It's nice to see at least one poly in here.
• Wen of Han — I would also suggest people look up the story of Ai of Han, known to some has emperor cut sleeve. Wen of Han and Ai of Han are related some 5 or 6 generations apart.
• We'Wha — Their identity is "lamana" it's an example of non-binary gender. The book does explain the meaning of this one, I just appreciate that it was included.

The inclusion some of the LGBTQ+ history at the end is useful. A timeline of LGBTQ+ history, Glossary, Pride and Identity Flags and LGBTQ+ Symbols. There is a selected bibliography as well, I'm not sure how acceptable they would be the demographic. It's not the best book it's not the worst book. I think it lost track of its audience somewhere along the line but it does tell the stories to the extent it does fairly well. I think it could have chosen a wider people on a global scale, possibly different identities. Look I'm ace there is only one ace and his feels a bit off, ace is not a new identity but we are often less vocal than others harder to assert historically. Do I think it is a good book? Yes. I think it would be a good choice for a child particularly for those who have a personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community or an interest in history. But I'm pretty sure there are better out there.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

old post reposted


One of the other books I purchased recently was "Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History." It was written by Sarah Prager and illustrated by Sarah Papworth. It's "technically" a children's book, but it was fascinating and fun and informative.

["This groundbreaking, pop-culture-infused LGBTQ+ illustrated biography collection takes readers on an eye-opening journey through the lives of fifty influential queer figures who have made a mark on every century of human existence.
Rainbow Revolutionaries brings to life the vibrant histories of fifty pioneering LGBTQ+ people from around the world. Through Sarah Prager’s (Queer, There, and Everywhere) short, engaging bios, and Sarah Papworth’s bold, dynamic art, readers can delve into the lives of Wen of Han, a Chinese emperor who loved his boyfriend as much as his people, Martine Rothblatt, a trans woman who’s helping engineer the robots of tomorrow, and so many more!

This book is a celebration of the many ways these heroes have made a difference and will inspire young readers to make a difference, too. Featuring an introduction, map, timeline, and glossary, this must-have biography collection is the perfect read during Pride month and all year round."]
There are about 100 pages in total, not including the glossary and key-words dictionary as well as several pages dedicated to symbols and flags. Each individual had a full page bio as well as a full page illustrated portrait (and then fun borders that were themed to them, their life, and how they shaped history). There's also a map of the world that tells you were each Rainbow Revolutionary is from (or where they made history).

It was also gorgeous. And honest. Perfect for children and adults alike!

#rainbowrevolutionaries #rainbowrevolutionariesfiftylgbtqpeoplewhomadehistory #fiftylgbtqpeoplewhomadehistory #sarahprager #sarahpapwroth #books #lgbtbooks #childrensbooks #childrenslgbtbooks #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[TJ Edmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Prager’s "Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History" is a dazzling tribute to the diverse and powerful contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history. This book is a treasure trove of inspiration and education, making it a must-read for anyone passionate about queer history and representation.

What makes "Rainbow Revolutionaries" particularly delightful is Prager’s dedication to highlighting lesser-known queer pioneers. As a blogger always on the lookout for fresh and enriching content, I found immense joy in discovering stories of individuals who have been overlooked by mainstream historical narratives. This book introduces readers to a rich tapestry of trailblazers, from the brilliant Alan Turing to the courageous Sylvia Rivera, and many others whose names might not be as familiar but whose impact is undeniably profound.

The narrative is engaging and accessible, making it easy to absorb and appreciate the vast contributions of these extraordinary individuals. Each story is a reminder of the resilience, creativity, and strength of the LGBTQ+ community, and serves as a powerful source of inspiration for content creation. The detailed accounts of these revolutionaries have already started to inform and enhance my blog’s content strategy, providing a wealth of new material to share with my audience.

Prager’s work is more than just a collection of biographies; it’s a call to recognize and celebrate the rich history of LGBTQ+ individuals who have shaped our world. For anyone interested in deepening their understanding of queer history and amplifying these important voices, "Rainbow Revolutionaries" is an invaluable resource. I highly recommend this book to fellow bloggers, educators, and history enthusiasts alike. It’s a vibrant, enlightening read that deserves a place on everyone’s bookshelf.

[Jessica Kluthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open this book to find a rainbow-coloured map of the world plotting birth places of LGBTQ+ revolutionaries from Alexander the Great to Juana Ines De La Cruz and Jose Sarria.

What this map so beautifully depicts is the fact across cultures and across time, LGBTQ+ folks have not only existed, but revolutionized — shaping the map, our world, in so many meaningful and lasting ways for all.

As you flip through, you will find engaging biographies of each figure that includes when they were born and where they lived. Each two-page spread features a vibrant, unique portrait!

Flip to the back of the book to find a clear and succinct timeline for LGBTQ+ history. In the BC era, where the timeline begins, readers learn that there have been several cave paintings showing LGBTQ+ people as well as early writings about same sex love. As readers learn that LGBTQ+ history can be traced back to early times, it is an important reminder that what has been so legislated and politicized, is a truth that has endured and will endure. It is also a reminder of the systems that disadvantage some and provide unfair advantages to others — we need to push back, and perhaps we can draw strength to do so from the true stories in this book. I am grateful to each and every one of these rainbow revolutionaries.

What a cool book about history, about blazing trails and being oneself! I was thrilled to find this copy at the St. Albert Library and will absolutely be picking up a copy to ensure my children have the opportunity to learn about each of these inspiring figures. Billie Jean King! Christina of Sweden! Francisco Manicongo! Frieda Belinfante! Gilbert Baker!

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Prager (2020) RAINBOW REVOLUTIONARIES (AUDIOBOOK)
BorrowBox - HarperAudio

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars

BorrowBox writes, "Rainbow Revolutionaries brings to life the vibrant histories of fifty pioneering LGBTQ+ people from around the world. Through Sarah Prager’s (Queer, There, and Everywhere) short, engaging bios, readers can delve into the lives of Wen of Han, a Chinese emperor who loved his boyfriend as much as his people, Martine Rothblatt, a trans woman who’s helping engineer the robots of tomorrow, and so many more!
This book is a celebration of the many ways these heroes have made a difference and will inspire young readers to make a difference, too. Featuring an introduction, timeline, and glossary, this must-have biography collection is the perfect read during Pride month and all year round."
=====
We're in a world right now who deny us peace and autonomy, they mock and flag us off and in the worst instances we're beaten up and killed... on the daily. So it's quite depressing to be LGBTQ+ to be honest. So it was lovely and timely listening to this. Learnt some new names who've contributed to the world from day dot. Highly recommend. Especially if you’re someone who believes we're less than.
=====
#SarahPrager #RainbowRevolutionaries #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #BorrowBox

[Luka · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a very cute, basic introduction into the history of our community but i did have some issues with it. i didn't really enjoy the writing style. i get that it's for kids but i didn't like how the author skirts around the word death and the awful horrible things that happen/-ed to lgbtq+ people, especially the black part of the community. it just feels a little disingenuous. this whole like,,, "they didn't let discrimination get them down. pretty cool right?" It just felt like unless there was absolutely no way around it, like in the case of Harvey Milk, the author wanted to shy away from the hard things as much as possible. i get it, it's a children's book and you want to make it sound happy and hopeful, but what if their lives weren't like that? a lot of the parts in here feel like lies by omission and like,,, idk. i'm not a parent so idk, maybe this is the proper way to tell children about stuff, it just felt a little "dishonest" to me, like people just might not want to tell kids about it because it's hard. or maybe the chapters were just way too short to get into it, which is also a thing. the book probably would have had more impact if the author had narrowed it down to thirty people. or made a series out of it with ten per book.

[Danielle Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love these types of books -- they give you short histories on extraordinary people throughout history. There were a lot of familiar names (Harvey Milk, Ellen Degeneres, Sally Ride, and Billie Jean King), but there were also a LOT of people featured that I either didn't know about, or didn't know they were LGBTQ+.

The book does a fantastic job with including people from different geological places as well as in different time frames. I didn't feel like I could give the 5th star because I wanted more diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. It mostly focuses on the widely known sexualities and identities, which is great, but I would have liked to have more inclusion along the Ace spectrum as well as someone who was intersex, for example.

This book overall does do a fantastic job with highlighting influential LGBTQ+ people in history, and is an excellent book to read for Pride!

[KV LeSuer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for Junior and Senior High History Reports. This book gives a very brief history of importance of these LGBTQ+ peoples in world history. The book does three things:
1) Offers enough biographical information to peak an interest in people throughout history and cultures who have made a significant difference in the world - beyond their own specific demographic. So, rather than simply a nod to the LGBTQ+ communities, but also to the world at large to say “look what happened because of these individuals!” (Think Alexander the Great and first computers!)
2) Offers a broad enough reach to help us normalize the many many people that made a difference in our lives, and they just so happen to be part of the LGBTQ+ demographics.
3) Gives a sense of pride, hope and an extraordinary “Thumbs up” for a person who may be curious, anxious, or socially shamed for themselves, family, or friends.