LGBT history/nonfiction, preferably of larger scope/comprehensive

[Jason]

I'm trying to get a better grasp on LGBT history. I'm looking for non fiction, specifically a comprehensive overview of the subject matter, including research/ect, but honestly, any solid rec is a good rec! time/subject is open.

endless thanks.

[Elena]

Lillian Faderman is one of the most prominent LGBT historians, and her 2015 book The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle was very well reviewed. This only covers the LGBT rights movement though, from the 1950s onward.

Caveat that I haven't read it, but did enjoy her other book Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America.

[Elena]

Oh, and A Queer History of the United States would be an okay place to start if you don't mind the U.S. focus, though it's been rightly criticized for its superficial treatment of its subject matter (it's a survey, so obviously there's not much depth) and for focusing on gay and lesbian history at the expense of other parts of the queer community. This is probably as close as you'll come to a comprehensive overview though.

[Jason]

Elena wrote: "Lillian Faderman is one of the most prominent LGBT historians, and her 2015 book The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle was very well reviewed. This only cover..."

I JUST grabbed a copy of The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle from my library. I'm excited for it.

[Lexxi Kitty]

I found Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy, and Madeline D. Davis to be quite good.

While it includes an occasional mention of non-lesbians, the book's focus is on lesbians and two specific types of lesbians - those that looked for the lesbian culture in the bar scene (mostly white women, with some brave few non-white) and those who looked for the lesbian culture in the 'house party' scene (mostly black women, with some brave few non-black). Built on interviews from people who lived in the time period, the book covers the 1930s to the 1960s in Buffalo New York.

Redeeming the Dream: The Case for Marriage Equality by David Boies, and Theodore B. Olson is a good one about '[t]he riveting inside story of the Supreme Court’s landmark rulings on The Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8—by the two lawyers who argued the case'.

StoryCorps: Outloud is a roughly 2 hour audiobook that contains oral history of LGBT people's born before the 1969 Stonewall uprisings - '"OutLoud" honors the stories of those who lived before the 1969 Stonewall uprisings, celebrates the lives of LGBTQ youth, and amplifies the voices of those most often excluded from the historical record.'

[Jason]

Lexxi Kitty wrote: "I found Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy, and Madeline D. Davis to be quite good.

While it includes an occasion..."

my head just exploded with gratitude! thank you endlessly for the suggestions and extensive explanations of each book!

[Betsy]

I know you're looking for books, but you might also enjoy the recent TV miniseries which was on ABC, "When We Rise". It follows three people -- one lesbian and two gay men -- who were involved in the gay rights struggles in the U.S. from the 70s through the Obergefell decision. It's about 8 hours of excellent television drama. And it's based on real happenings and real people.

http://abcallaccess.com/abc_show/when...

Might be available on the ABC app. I got it from On Demand on cable, but it may not still be available. If you can get access to it, I highly recommend it.

[Jason]

Betsy wrote: "I know you're looking for books, but you might also enjoy the recent TV miniseries which was on ABC, "When We Rise". It follows three people -- one lesbian and two gay men -- who were involved in t..."

sooooo good, right?! i waited until they were mostly all out and binged into the weeee early morning hours.

I snagged the book from the library

[Betsy]

Jason wrote: "I snagged the book from the library"

I didn't realize it was a book. I may have to read it.

When We Rise: My Life in the Movement

[Jason]

Betsy wrote: "Jason wrote: "I snagged the book from the library"

I didn't realize it was a book. I may have to read it.

When We Rise: My Life in the Movement"


right? I was looking up the series and it flashed up on amazon. It's at most libraries.