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United Queerdom
Throughout the 1970s the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) initiated an anarchic campaign that permanently changed the face of Britain. Inspired by the Stonewall riots in the US, the GLF demanded a worldwide “Queer Nation.” Yet half a century on, LGBT+ inequality is still rife. Complete LGBT+ liberation means housing rights, universal healthcare, economic freedom and more. Some believe we are now free and should behave, assimilate and become palatable – but until we achieve full liberation we can only expect further discrimination and harassment.
Birth of the Queer is a collection of interviews with surviving members of the Gay Liberation Front, documented as part of a film and book project to mark the fiftieth anniversary of “Pride in London” in 2020. It tells the stories behind the people who started Pride, and evocatively captures fifty years of LGBT+ protest from the GLF to 2020. Protest is essential to queer identity, and this book uncovers the back-breaking hard work as well as the glamorous stories of those who rebelled against injustice and were central to the birth of queer liberation.
Birth of the Queer is a collection of interviews with surviving members of the Gay Liberation Front, documented as part of a film and book project to mark the fiftieth anniversary of “Pride in London” in 2020. It tells the stories behind the people who started Pride, and evocatively captures fifty years of LGBT+ protest from the GLF to 2020. Protest is essential to queer identity, and this book uncovers the back-breaking hard work as well as the glamorous stories of those who rebelled against injustice and were central to the birth of queer liberation.
272 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 8, 2021
A really insightful, heartfelt and touching look at queer activism from the 70's to today. Glass has a wonderful way of making his writing personal, affecting, and strewn with fabulousness and campery- this book made me want to join the GLF!
I also really admire the strong intersectional message delivered throughout this book, and the delivery was consistently candid and heartfelt. just brilliant.
I also really admire the strong intersectional message delivered throughout this book, and the delivery was consistently candid and heartfelt. just brilliant.
May 17, 2021
This was ok. Some good ideas peppered throughout - especially the stuff about queer history, and the commercialisation/corporatisation of Pride. But there was quite a bit about the author's own activism, which admittedly was of less interest to me. It also felt kind of disjointed in places.
It's ostensibly a book for the entire LGBT+ community, and the author did a reasonable job of being inclusive and mindful of the diversity within the community, but it was also clear that most of this was coming primarily from a cis gay male perspective. That was noticeable to me especially in a chapter regarding the NHS which didn't even touch on how the NHS continually fails trans people - which is a HUGE issue for us.
This book could really have used better editing to polish up the writing and some of the dodgy grammar - including the really stilted-sounding 'quotations'.
It's ostensibly a book for the entire LGBT+ community, and the author did a reasonable job of being inclusive and mindful of the diversity within the community, but it was also clear that most of this was coming primarily from a cis gay male perspective. That was noticeable to me especially in a chapter regarding the NHS which didn't even touch on how the NHS continually fails trans people - which is a HUGE issue for us.
This book could really have used better editing to polish up the writing and some of the dodgy grammar - including the really stilted-sounding 'quotations'.
August 19, 2020
Part memoir, part queer history book and part instruction manual, Dan Glass’s United Queerdom brilliantly explains the struggle.
Many people would believe, with gay marriage and many other rights now enshrined in law, that the fight is over. Pride in London moved from being a protest march to a parade back in the early 2000s, what is there left to do?
Well, it turns out, quite a bit!
From defending queer spaces and venues to the corporate take over of Pride in London, United Queerdom takes us through some of ongoing struggles LGBTQIA+ people continue to face, even in 2020.
Queer history is unique in that it is rarely passed down from generation to generation. Instead, each new cohort of gays reinvents itself and the struggles of the past are easily forgotten. The actions of the Gay Liberation Front, Act Up and so many other queer activist groups could easily be overlooked but this book faithfully records their actions and their achievements.
Given oppressive recent history, it would be easy for this to be a grim tale. The pretty police, the raids on the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, homophobic attacks and the history of HIV are all covered in Glass’s light-hearted and humorous tone, making it easy for the reader to relax into the history of it all.
And that’s because queer activism is, sometimes, plain fun!
When Nigel Farage, then leader of UKIP, made remarks about HIV+ migrants be allowed into the UK, activists did, as Glass recounts brilliantly, what activists do best. And after a UKIP candidate suggested a “gay donkey tried to rape his horse” action had to be taken! Which leads to one of the best chapter titles I’ve read for a long time: ‘Leave the Gay Donkeys Alone’! And it’s not just a brilliant recount into how Act Up invaded Nigel Farage’s pub, we also get a five-point plan on how to organise our own pub invasions.
But that’s enough mention of that name.
Glass reserves a lot of criticism for the organisers of Pride in London. Many of today’s corporate sponsors have more than dubious track records and, the author argues, the LGBTQIA+ community should not be allowing these companies to use Pride to cleanse themselves of their sins. When BAE Systems are marching in a Pride parade, what message does that send out? Gays support arms sales?
So what to do? Start your own Pride, of course. And take direct action against the organisers.
These messages, of direct action, of protest, of understanding what is going on behind the feather boas and the glitter have to be passed down. We have to become custodians of queer history while we live it. (Incidentally, Glass speaks of the campaign to get a queer museum space, thus preserving and telling this vital history.)
Aside from the odd typo (it’s my job, I’m bound to notice them!) this is an excellent book and one that proves that, despite all the odds – including the author’s own HIV status – a lot of changes still need to be made, they are being made and it’s going to be damn fun making those changes!
To end, there are just two final quotes I have to share. The first, from my now second favourite chapter title ‘Sex Litter’, recounting a party on Hampstead Heath celebrating George Michael and cruising. A resident says “I welcome you to our glorious home […] everyone just make sure you pick up your sex-litter.”
And finally, five steps to building a loving community:
1. Cultivate joy and hope.
2. Remember that life is short.
3. Live in awe and wonder.
4. Cherish each human’s unique revolutionary potential.
5. Defy the stereotypes by refusing to be pigeon-holed.
And one more for luck – get a revolutionary homoerotic hip tattoo.
I’m off to get my hip tattooed and to leave copious of sex-litter! You should definitely read this book while I’m at it!
Many people would believe, with gay marriage and many other rights now enshrined in law, that the fight is over. Pride in London moved from being a protest march to a parade back in the early 2000s, what is there left to do?
Well, it turns out, quite a bit!
From defending queer spaces and venues to the corporate take over of Pride in London, United Queerdom takes us through some of ongoing struggles LGBTQIA+ people continue to face, even in 2020.
Queer history is unique in that it is rarely passed down from generation to generation. Instead, each new cohort of gays reinvents itself and the struggles of the past are easily forgotten. The actions of the Gay Liberation Front, Act Up and so many other queer activist groups could easily be overlooked but this book faithfully records their actions and their achievements.
Given oppressive recent history, it would be easy for this to be a grim tale. The pretty police, the raids on the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, homophobic attacks and the history of HIV are all covered in Glass’s light-hearted and humorous tone, making it easy for the reader to relax into the history of it all.
And that’s because queer activism is, sometimes, plain fun!
When Nigel Farage, then leader of UKIP, made remarks about HIV+ migrants be allowed into the UK, activists did, as Glass recounts brilliantly, what activists do best. And after a UKIP candidate suggested a “gay donkey tried to rape his horse” action had to be taken! Which leads to one of the best chapter titles I’ve read for a long time: ‘Leave the Gay Donkeys Alone’! And it’s not just a brilliant recount into how Act Up invaded Nigel Farage’s pub, we also get a five-point plan on how to organise our own pub invasions.
But that’s enough mention of that name.
Glass reserves a lot of criticism for the organisers of Pride in London. Many of today’s corporate sponsors have more than dubious track records and, the author argues, the LGBTQIA+ community should not be allowing these companies to use Pride to cleanse themselves of their sins. When BAE Systems are marching in a Pride parade, what message does that send out? Gays support arms sales?
So what to do? Start your own Pride, of course. And take direct action against the organisers.
These messages, of direct action, of protest, of understanding what is going on behind the feather boas and the glitter have to be passed down. We have to become custodians of queer history while we live it. (Incidentally, Glass speaks of the campaign to get a queer museum space, thus preserving and telling this vital history.)
Aside from the odd typo (it’s my job, I’m bound to notice them!) this is an excellent book and one that proves that, despite all the odds – including the author’s own HIV status – a lot of changes still need to be made, they are being made and it’s going to be damn fun making those changes!
To end, there are just two final quotes I have to share. The first, from my now second favourite chapter title ‘Sex Litter’, recounting a party on Hampstead Heath celebrating George Michael and cruising. A resident says “I welcome you to our glorious home […] everyone just make sure you pick up your sex-litter.”
And finally, five steps to building a loving community:
1. Cultivate joy and hope.
2. Remember that life is short.
3. Live in awe and wonder.
4. Cherish each human’s unique revolutionary potential.
5. Defy the stereotypes by refusing to be pigeon-holed.
And one more for luck – get a revolutionary homoerotic hip tattoo.
I’m off to get my hip tattooed and to leave copious of sex-litter! You should definitely read this book while I’m at it!
February 5, 2021
I implore anyone to read this book and not feel inclined to add just a little bit more fire to their own queer activism. To read it and not swell with a little bit more pride for our community. To read it and not want to get on a train directly to Number 10 and sashay your way through the door with the queer agenda and a gay flag demanding our human rights. This feels like a really important book. A wonderfully accessible archive of our queer history and UK activism. Absolutely GORGE x
September 25, 2024
An essential read for anyone who has ever marched, ‘kissed-in’ or petitioned for queer rights - or plans to do so - because, in addition to being packed full of illuminating historical facts relating to our community’s struggle for equality (notably referencing the Buggery Act of 1533 which planted the seeds of homophobia all over the world) Dan’s book is also a ‘how to’ guide for activists everywhere.
March 8, 2023
Greatly enjoyed this book and was lucky enough to meet the author while he gave a talk at my office. Well recommended
January 4, 2025
Gut wrenching, funny, made me cry a lot. Chaotic and heartfelt approach to queer history that is filled with lived experience.
February 3, 2025
Opened my eyes to so many actions that have happened in recent times, and has such a strong core of resilience and optimism that we need right now.
June 20, 2025
Would’ve liked more organization of ideas. Enjoyed the concepts described
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews