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Rainbow Revolutions: Power, Pride and Protest in the Fight for Queer Rights
On June 28 1969, around one o'clock in the morning, New York City Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village, New York...What happened that night would come to be a defining moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and for queer people everywhere. From the impassioned speeches of bold activists Karl Ulrichs and Audre Lorde to the birth of Pride and queer pop culture, Rainbow Revolutions charts the dramatic rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and celebrates the courageous individuals who stood up and demanded recognition. With bold and beautiful illustrations by pop artist Eve Lloyd Knight.
96 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2019
7 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 2, 2023
2.5 / 5 stars
Some of this was fairly well presented! It was digestible and organized in an easy-to-understand time line. Props are due to the authors for making queer history accessible!
That being said...the format itself was simply incomprehensible. It had blown up sentences to make it seem like a news article, but it really wasn't clear why they were there. Sometimes it was a sentence already in a paragraph near it, other times it was the same piece of information reworded, and, my least favorite, was a sentence that should be in the paragraph but was taken out, making it unclear what it was relating to. It was really unclear when we were supposed to read and what paragraph they related to. It was just nonsensical and detracted from the information they were trying to provide.
Also, the design as a whole was not well thought out. For context, most of the text was really small and black, so as someone with a general understanding of color perception, there were definitely no pages with dark colored backgrounds like army green or deep purple. Sadly, you would be wrong. It was...I mean, it was something.
They mostly focused on homo- and heterosexuality and only referenced a-sexuality/romanticism, multisexuality, and being trans in passing. Which, c'mon, Stonewall was a riot started by Black disabled trans women. How are you gonna do the community like that?
Worst of all, some of the information was blatantly wrong. The term mother does come from queer balls and houses as they said, but it originates and belongs to BIPOC queer communities. The first balls were not inclusive to QTPOC, so they made their own balls and homes, calling their heads 'mother'. Its not a generalized (white) queer term, it's a QTPOC queer term. Did they not try to look this information up? It's not my place, but that's kinda racist to whitewash the PoC out of QTPoC...
Some of this was fairly well presented! It was digestible and organized in an easy-to-understand time line. Props are due to the authors for making queer history accessible!
That being said...the format itself was simply incomprehensible. It had blown up sentences to make it seem like a news article, but it really wasn't clear why they were there. Sometimes it was a sentence already in a paragraph near it, other times it was the same piece of information reworded, and, my least favorite, was a sentence that should be in the paragraph but was taken out, making it unclear what it was relating to. It was really unclear when we were supposed to read and what paragraph they related to. It was just nonsensical and detracted from the information they were trying to provide.
Also, the design as a whole was not well thought out. For context, most of the text was really small and black, so as someone with a general understanding of color perception, there were definitely no pages with dark colored backgrounds like army green or deep purple. Sadly, you would be wrong. It was...I mean, it was something.
They mostly focused on homo- and heterosexuality and only referenced a-sexuality/romanticism, multisexuality, and being trans in passing. Which, c'mon, Stonewall was a riot started by Black disabled trans women. How are you gonna do the community like that?
Worst of all, some of the information was blatantly wrong. The term mother does come from queer balls and houses as they said, but it originates and belongs to BIPOC queer communities. The first balls were not inclusive to QTPOC, so they made their own balls and homes, calling their heads 'mother'. Its not a generalized (white) queer term, it's a QTPOC queer term. Did they not try to look this information up? It's not my place, but that's kinda racist to whitewash the PoC out of QTPoC...
January 31, 2021
I’m surprised to see that this book doesn’t have any recognition on here. Not only are the illustrations beautiful, but the history is concise and heartbreaking. There are so many revolutions that have led us to where we are, and the startling amount of untold history in this book blew me away.
February 22, 2022
Its Pride Month in my local Library, so out of curiosity I picked this off the stand and decided to see what material was being made for younger generations. I'm sure this book was published to target school libraries and young readers. The book is stuffed with beautiful and highly colourful two page pictures that introduce every section, and each section is itself set out in a two page summary of the key facts about the topic. And the section dedicated to discussing the impact of Section 28 mentions that had it still been in force that it would've been impossible for this book to have been published.
I'm not in the target audience for the book, and while some of the more well known sections left me feeling like some important bits were cut out I did still learn some things from it, and I found it to be an easy read, I started and finished it in one sitting.
I can say with confidence that this book is miles better than anything that was available to me on Queer history and identity when I was still a pupil. But then, that's not surprising, there was nothing like this in my school library because most of my early schooling was in the last years of Section 28. A fact that this book reminded me. Looking back this explains why we went from no talk or discussion about Queer issues until 2004-5 when we suddenly had special and clearly very rushed lessons in biology and sexual education about how some people are Gay, Intersex or Transsexual (the term used at the time) and that this was natural and wasn't something to be vilified.
I really like this book, Its making a strong attempt to be as inclusive as possible and acknowledges some of the failings of the older Queer rights and liberation movements, there are sections on issues affecting Trans people, Women, Ethnic minorities, bisexuals and so on. I was also pleased that while it was congratulatory over the recent legislative reforms won in some nations like same-sex marriage and discrimination protections, it always qualified them with reminders that phobia, discrimination violence and other challenges didn't disappear with them.
I'm not in the target audience for the book, and while some of the more well known sections left me feeling like some important bits were cut out I did still learn some things from it, and I found it to be an easy read, I started and finished it in one sitting.
I can say with confidence that this book is miles better than anything that was available to me on Queer history and identity when I was still a pupil. But then, that's not surprising, there was nothing like this in my school library because most of my early schooling was in the last years of Section 28. A fact that this book reminded me. Looking back this explains why we went from no talk or discussion about Queer issues until 2004-5 when we suddenly had special and clearly very rushed lessons in biology and sexual education about how some people are Gay, Intersex or Transsexual (the term used at the time) and that this was natural and wasn't something to be vilified.
I really like this book, Its making a strong attempt to be as inclusive as possible and acknowledges some of the failings of the older Queer rights and liberation movements, there are sections on issues affecting Trans people, Women, Ethnic minorities, bisexuals and so on. I was also pleased that while it was congratulatory over the recent legislative reforms won in some nations like same-sex marriage and discrimination protections, it always qualified them with reminders that phobia, discrimination violence and other challenges didn't disappear with them.
July 8, 2020
This book may be short and easy to read, but phew, it's an emotional, revealing read. I've read a bit about global LGBTQ history before, but definitely learned more. Did you know that in the 60's, you could be arrested for wearing too few clothing appropriate for your gender, as it could hint at being trans? Or that gay men liberated from Nazi concentration camps were often sent straight to prison?
June 9, 2023
Very well organized with beautiful art. I learned a lot in regards to the Holocaust and some of the first protests.
June 25, 2023
QUEER HISTORY 🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈✨🏳️🌈
July 4, 2024
This book was so cool to read! It’s so important to learn about the history and struggles that came into the pride community today. I loved reading all of the people who fought for their sexual orientation.
I totally recommend!
I totally recommend!
July 16, 2022
Aimed at young adults, or people with a basic understanding of famous LGBTQ+ individuals wanting to learn more.
About revolutionary Western LGBTQ+ people in their fight for recognition and liberation. Enough information to learn new things and have a basic understanding; leaves room for reader to research additional information.
Focused closely on individuals in Western countries. Some mention of non-Western countries. World history of LGBTQ+ rights would be massive, but I wish the author mentioned that they were focusing on the West.
Beautiful illustrations.
Gave me a feeling of pride, determination, and camaraderie with LGBTQ+ people, as a Queer woman.
About revolutionary Western LGBTQ+ people in their fight for recognition and liberation. Enough information to learn new things and have a basic understanding; leaves room for reader to research additional information.
Focused closely on individuals in Western countries. Some mention of non-Western countries. World history of LGBTQ+ rights would be massive, but I wish the author mentioned that they were focusing on the West.
Beautiful illustrations.
Gave me a feeling of pride, determination, and camaraderie with LGBTQ+ people, as a Queer woman.
March 28, 2022
This book is fabulous. This is a history of queer rights that was needed and is needed. I learned knew things and expanded my knowledge on others. There’s so much here that’s not readily known, and for a reason, because it was history that had been buried on purpose or it was taboo to discuss.
For instance, we all know about Hitler’s terrifying reign in which Jewish people, Polish people, people of color, people with disabilities, and queer people were targeted. While the fact that queer people were targeted is mentioned (most of the time), it’s never really discussed. Like how 5,000-15,000 men were sent to concentration camps for being gay, and when the war ended and the camps closed, they weren’t often freed but sent straight to prison for being (or assumed) gay. They are “forgotten victims of the Nazis.”
This book covers a lot including the Stonewall Riots, the AIDS crisis, voguing, the rainbow flag, Pride marches, the LGBTQ+ acronym, prominent figures, and more.
For instance, we all know about Hitler’s terrifying reign in which Jewish people, Polish people, people of color, people with disabilities, and queer people were targeted. While the fact that queer people were targeted is mentioned (most of the time), it’s never really discussed. Like how 5,000-15,000 men were sent to concentration camps for being gay, and when the war ended and the camps closed, they weren’t often freed but sent straight to prison for being (or assumed) gay. They are “forgotten victims of the Nazis.”
This book covers a lot including the Stonewall Riots, the AIDS crisis, voguing, the rainbow flag, Pride marches, the LGBTQ+ acronym, prominent figures, and more.
June 21, 2024
This is another queer book that almost made me cry. This is our history, our culture, our pride. Beautifully illustrated by Eve Lloyd Knight, I'm very impressed with how impactful and in-depth this book is despite being a youth nonfiction title. I'm especially happy that this book did not shy away from teaching youth about harder facts, such as the suicides of certain activists and pioneers after facing discrimination or conversion therapy/procedures, Harvey Milk being assassinated, or the AIDS epidemic, which is normally fluffed up for younger readers or excluded entirely. This is such an important read, and I think every queer person should have this in their library.
August 21, 2020
i spotted this randomly when i was scrolling through the scholastic webstore and i'm so glad i bought it! it's so beautifully illustrated and it was great to read a p comprehensive timeline of the queer rights movement.
i know a small amount about queer history but i'm always always interested in learning more and it was great to read about stuff 'in order' and how various acts, and people, have influenced others. it was also quite depressing to read about how recent a lot of this has been? especially in regards changes in law etc.
i know a small amount about queer history but i'm always always interested in learning more and it was great to read about stuff 'in order' and how various acts, and people, have influenced others. it was also quite depressing to read about how recent a lot of this has been? especially in regards changes in law etc.
February 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was short and succinct really giving you the broad strokes of so much of queer history. I don't think I've ever been as informed as I was after finishing this book. It also gave me so many names that I can look further into. My only criticism of the book was the inclusion of polyam folks under the LGBT+ umbrella and I say that as a polyam queer person. It will never be as dangerous for polyam straight folks as it is for anyone who is under the LGBT+ umbrella
March 20, 2024
A fantastic introduction to queer history and the artwork in this book is stunning.
(Would recommend checking page colours, sometimes they can be difficult to read due to their colours, black printed on dark grey can make this feel tough to read in moments).
(Would recommend checking page colours, sometimes they can be difficult to read due to their colours, black printed on dark grey can make this feel tough to read in moments).
June 9, 2024
A beautifully illustrated book about the fight for queer rights from as early as the 1800’s. My biggest take away is that although the use of the word queer encompasses many different groups, each individual group must be recognized separately.
November 25, 2019
A really powerful and educational book about queer history, with beautiful illustrations and lots of information packed into a smaller size book.
December 27, 2020
very informative and written in a fun to read manner
December 31, 2022
Overall, the book has interesting facts and visuals creating a book which is fun to look at and read. I would gladly recommend this to people if they want to read and find out about queer history.
May 13, 2024
The artwork is phenomenal, and the chapters are very informative. I like how it's broken down into different areas but they are organised in a way that makes it seem as a consistent flow.
December 27, 2024
What a time to be alive. Learnt so much and the timeline on the final double-page spread is fantastic.
Essential reading for all humans.
Essential reading for all humans.
January 20, 2023
An accessible history of LGBTQ+ movements and moments around the world covering topics from Stonewall in the US to Section 28 in the UK, from sit-ins to ball culture, from riots to pride. Perfect for middle and high school libraries and hopefully will be used as stepping stones to learn more about the people and places mentioned.
August 26, 2022
Great books to read to gain some insight and knowledge around the history of the LGBTQIA+ community.
I don’t usually read non-fiction books but saw this in my local library and picked it up!
I has such fun and interesting facts and history and is a quick read
I don’t usually read non-fiction books but saw this in my local library and picked it up!
I has such fun and interesting facts and history and is a quick read
November 23, 2020
This interesting and stunningly illustrated book details the fight for queer rights, and how people learnt that speaking out against homophobic abuse was better than keeping quiet. It describes the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ people throughout history, the birth of the queer rights movement and the development of the emerging LGBTQ+ community, and its precept is that "no matter its size, every act of resistance against the mainstream is in itself a revolution". This is a powerful and very readable book with well-laid out pages that use colour and illustrations very effectively - the pages have an almost graphic design feel to them - and with text that is broken up by the use of short paragraphs and different sized fonts. There is a timeline, a glossary and index; personally I would have liked to have seen some links to relevant and useful websites but the absence of these does not detract from the book. Although aimed at teens there is no content or language that would make it unsuitable for younger MG readers and older teens would also find it interesting. This is a book that should be in every secondary school library.
August 7, 2021
This is an excellent primer on queer rights throughout time. There are stories that touch on a variety of identities and struggles. I feel that this inclusion will teach young readers the introductory language to begin to learn more. This did include some figures, events, and struggles that I had not heard of so I was impressed with the breadth of what this book covered.
The artwork throughout is incredibly beautiful and really adds to the overall impact of the message and information in the text.
The artwork throughout is incredibly beautiful and really adds to the overall impact of the message and information in the text.
previewed
July 11, 20217/11/2021 ~ I skimmed sections of each chapter to determine whether this would fit in my elementary library collection. Book List (starred review) suggests Grades 6-10 & School Library Journal suggests grades 7 & up. This is more text heavy than other related books previewed.
Graphic illustrations using black, grey, and a single, vivid background color on each page.
Verdict: Not ready to add it to my elementary collection, and given the text load, is probably best for secondary grades.
Graphic illustrations using black, grey, and a single, vivid background color on each page.
Verdict: Not ready to add it to my elementary collection, and given the text load, is probably best for secondary grades.
November 16, 2019
I’ve heard the phrase “the first pride was a riot” and all of this and had a vague idea about queer history,but in reality I knew so little.This book although not very long is very informal and beautifully illustrated.Randomly picked it up in the library because “why not”,and am so glad I did.Hopefully now I can be a better ally!!?
August 6, 2021
An enjoyable survey of queer history, though not without an agenda. I didn't anticipate learning much, but I did -- some light shed on a few topics and periods I had not before encountered. A worthwhile, albeit brief read.
August 6, 2019
Non-fiction history guide to the queer rights movement, from the first Pride to now. No content or language. Recommend 11+
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews