The Little Book of Pride: The History, the People, the Parades

by Lewis Laney

Celebrate the LGTBQ community with this small but perfectly formed guide to Pride.

What began as a protest for gay rights following the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York has grown to become a global celebration of LGBTQ culture. In the 50-odd years since the original protest, and what is now widely accepted to be the first Pride march—Christopher Street Liberation Day, 1970—Pride events are now attended by millions each year, celebrating how far we’ve come, recognizing where we have to go, and highlighting important causes in the queer community.

The Little Book of Pride proves that size definitely doesn't matter by squeezing everything you need to know about Pride into 144 pages. Inside, you will find the history, the key people involved, the best Pride events around the world, inspirational quotes from famous queers, Pride facts, and a fun Pride survival guide.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Queer, History, Historical, Biography

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2020

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a good pocket size guide to the history of Pride. It's concise but informative & covers a lot of information about Pride marches across the world, Pride history, the riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in 1969 & much more.
A book well worth buying for many reasons, especially the quote from actor Morgan Freeman!

[Daphne Maijer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this. It is honestly great to have a little book with a lot of information, but also really easily readable.
I learned some new things, I also learned that I knew more than I thought. Anyway, this little book is great and I recommend it to anyone and everyone!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative for anyone who wants an short introduction to pride. Exactly what it says on the cover.

[Müller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost all people featured in this book, especially the pride personality pages are white. And they are also all with very few exceptions Americans. Okay book, but it clearly written by a white American working at an American university. It does not represent the true diversity of LGBTQIA+

[Kris Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a pocket size book, at least that’s what they call it when they are this size, that gives a quick and shall I say dirty, breakdown about pride. It’s a far shorter book than the next book I’m going to read: “The Gay Revolution”.

I love this book though! It’s easy to read and fun to look at! I originally got this as a gift on Reddit exchange during pride month along with another book (mentioned above). It gave me insight into the movement and the struggles the community has had to go through. I see a lot of plays taken from the Civil Rights Movement, and I’m glad that they acknowledge the Black and Brown communities struggles, too. I also learned each countries’ struggles both past and current, and how it’s crazy, for example, that Russia is banned from having a Pride parade until literally 2112! I go comes up with these numbers?! I assume because Putin will be far longer gone. Also, I enjoyed reading about Madonna and Lady Gaga and their connection to the LGBTQ+ community.

EVERYONE needs to read this. I’m a full LGBTQ+ ally, and reading this has helped me become more of an ally to educate ignorant people on the struggles they’ve an currently trying to overcome. I believe corps need to use their voices towards congress, and stop trying to capitalize on capitalism every June. It’s great they provide money to the events, but we need to stay clear on who’s events these are for.

[Katy Chessum-Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a pocket sized introduction to the history of gay pride, from its origins in the Stonewall riots of 1969, to the first Pride march - Christopher Street Liberation Day - to the huge #pride events that take place in major cities across the world every year. Filled with facts, cartoons, inspirational quotes from famous queer people and even a Pride survival guide!

I found this a very approachable way to dip my heterosexual toe into queer history; although I was aware of the Stonewall riots I had no idea how pivotal these events (and the people) were in challenging and changing the status quo. Living in the UK and working in (what I would perceive as) a liberal organisation, it is easy for me to think that being gay is no longer an issue, however this book points out there is still a long way to go for people to live and love as they choose.

The Little Book of Pride is not marketed as a children's book, however the material is written and presented in such an accessible format that I would recommend for readers 11+, so might be a helpful resource for parents/caregivers who want to discuss LGBTQ matters with their children.

[Dionysus · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t accept the world as it is. Dream of what the world could be - and then help make it happen.”
- Peter Thatchell
.
First off, can I just say how much I love this book?? A friend gifted it to me and I just had to read!
I love history, I love books, and I love the LGBTQ+ community, so this book couldn’t match any better to my person!
Reading it I felt both happy and sad. I am happy for learning and seeing how far we’ve come, but I also got sad we even HAD to fight in the first place, and especially this quote made the tears drop: “... would rather have a dead son than a gay one.”
The book is very informative and interesting with many great colours and illustrations (JUST LOOK HOW PRETTY IT IS!!) and has great quotes.
It is definitely a recommend for the curious and alike!!
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

[L M · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Pride is still relevant. Pride is still needed.'

This was an informative short read and tells you everything you need to know about Pride's history, the people behind it, the laws and struggles LGBTQ+ individuals faced historically and to this day. It touches upon the riots and the communities and groups that protested and advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, the AIDS crisis and what Pride is like in modern day and talks of corporations involvement. They also bring up countries across the world and it's just focused on America or Britian. 

In today's political climate, with Britain's TERF's and anti-trans rhetoric and America passing bills such as 'Don't say Gay' it is important to remind us of the communities past and continue the efforts they started for LGBTQ+ rights across the world. 

[Mary Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owe the author such a debt of gratitude. This is such an each read and such a good overview of the gay rights movement. I had some knowledge of the struggle but the global overview presented here is thorough and also so sad. I cried a lot - who taught us to hate? The book is such an easy read. It has priceless infomation presented in a colourful way in a book size that is inspired. I can see giving a teenager this book to read and not getting it returned unopened and that is the highest review I could give any book. THANK YOU. I know so much more having read this little book. I will use Good As You with your permission.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little book that makes for a nice little introduction for someone who knows next to nothing about Pride history (like me). It's mostly focusedn Pride and protests that started it im USA. It includes mentiones of several other countries but apart from UK that's very little about them. However the whole book is really short so I understand that, and I appreciate the intent.
It's really pretty with hard cover, full colour pages with drawings on a thick paper with rainbow glided pages. Pretty thing to hold. I didn't much of in depth, comprehensive info so it served the purpose I had in mind buying it (being an easy fast read overview) well

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars! I learnt so much from this short read. As a queer person and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I knew almost nothing of our history and what it took to get to where we are today. This book was a great introduction into such a broad topic. I do have a bone to pick though as I found it was rather inappropriate to have a quote about Harry Potter, which is famously written by a TERF. This book is meant to be a safe place for trans and non binary people and I wonder how they would feel to see their opposition acknowledged in a book about LGBT rights. If it could be removed or amended, I think this book would be a great stepping stone into LGBT history.

[Gordon MacLellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an excellent little book.....a useful richocet round queer history. Focussed mostly on Pride events (fair enough given the title!), it also covers pre-Stonewall activism with the Matachine Society, the Daughters of Bilitis and more.

A good reminder of how recently things have changed for the LGBTQ+ communities (and the times and places where nothing has improved) or an excellent introduction for someone asking what it's all about......

[Sebastiaan Vanbesien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky fun little booklet. While this is not the book you need when looking for answers, an in depth analysis, or a full history of the lgbtqia+ community, it is an ideal coffee table book that can certainly help to spark the conversation with people. The information provided within, while succinct does provide an ideal jumping off board to point people in the right direction when they are looking for more information on theirselves and/or (the history of) their community.

[Sandor · Rating 3 out of 5]

non un libro, ma un "little book", per raccontare in caratteri grandi da dove viene il Pride, che fino al 67 l'omosessualità era reato in UK e fino al 69 decriminalizzata negli USA, dove però erano vietato avere locali per gay. il pride nasce da un riot contro una retata contro il piu famoso locale gay di new york. scoppia il giorno dopo la morte di una delle grandi icone gay, Judy Garland. E' un libro del 2020. se sapessero cosa succede ora in Russia e Ungheria...

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first Pride was a riot.

This is a very pretty little book. It's a hardback with a shiny cover and embossed letters. Like a coffee table book but tiny.

There isn't much room for details but the most important facts are there. The illustrations are fantastic. It feels like it was created with a lot of love and has earned a place on my mantle.

[Sian Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I’ve always wanted to learn about Pride and how it all began, so I thought that this book would be perfect for me. The book didn’t disappoint me, it was perfect, I learnt so much from the book. It took me only under half a day to read and I highly recommend the book. 💕

[Ricardo Shimoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's basic, mandatory information about the parade, how it started and future directions. This book provides a clean view of challenges, past, present, and future, and a reminder that not everywhere in the world people have the freedom to be who they are.

[Whitney Terrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read about LGBTQ+ history, and it'll be a good start for people that want to know more about the community. As an Asexual woman, I found this to be a good read, and the reference list of website and other resources will be good to further my education.

[S.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an LGBT+ ally, I found this little book very moving. Despite my allyship training, I still learnt new things amongst these pages, and I'm sure I still have plenty more to learn! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about Pride.

[Victoria-Melita Zammit · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick non-fiction read about the history of the Pride movement. Great to read if you're just learning about it, but if you're an old hat like myself you probably already know most of the information in this.

[Shaun Winford · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick read, cute and nicely illustrated, perfect for those who don't really know much about the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and how it all began, and how Pride is still relevant today (don't be a pick-me prick and say it isn't)

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book talking about pride and how it started. Perfect and I learned a a lot too 🌈💙

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whip crack journey through some of the significant, people, milestones and events that have created Pride as we know and experience.

[Coralie Michon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little book explaining pride in the most simple way possible. There’s a lot of information about the past, the present and the future of pride. love this 🏳️‍🌈

[Shelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that gives a little of Pride history and Pride of present

[Ez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative 🌈

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short introduction to the history of LGBTQ+ persecution and activism in the 20th/21st century. Despite the potentially heavy topic, its a book full of positivity and hope for the future!

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little book, a brief outline of various lgbt movements in modern history. Learned a few aspects that I can research more in depth. Love the glittery rainbow pages.

[vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to be a great coffee table book every June for my guests to flip through. And I mean that in the best possible way.

[Pil · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very informational and I loved the small illlustrations:)