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han_reardonsmith's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I was ambivalent about this book at first, but it really came through. The author’s sensitivity and humility (and honesty) exceeded my expectations, and in particular the interviews she conducts in Turkey, Serbia, and Sweden, especially with Sámi queer poet and activist Timimie Märak, as well as the self examination that these provoke raise some really vital points for consideration for those of us living queer with a fair amount of privilege and comfort.
pruadh's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first foray into queer/LGBT+ literature and I was really thrown by how much my own experiences and subconscious prejudices were examined in this book, as a member of the LGBT+ community.
The author blends her personal experiences with those of the people she meets and interviews across different parts of the world, and ultimately ends up with an intimate exploration of the trials and tribulations of queer people from different cultures and social spheres.
The key point of this for me was that the fight for our rights is still nowhere near complete - we may have rights (in some countries) and be accepted (as long as we're outwardly conventional enough to be assimilated into the mainstream), but we are still a long way from true liberation where we are allowed to be who we want to be without fear of violence, discrimination, erasure, and hatred. We need to keep fighting until that day comes, and be thankful to the giants on whose shoulders we stand today.
The author blends her personal experiences with those of the people she meets and interviews across different parts of the world, and ultimately ends up with an intimate exploration of the trials and tribulations of queer people from different cultures and social spheres.
The key point of this for me was that the fight for our rights is still nowhere near complete - we may have rights (in some countries) and be accepted (as long as we're outwardly conventional enough to be assimilated into the mainstream), but we are still a long way from true liberation where we are allowed to be who we want to be without fear of violence, discrimination, erasure, and hatred. We need to keep fighting until that day comes, and be thankful to the giants on whose shoulders we stand today.
tildahlia's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a solid quick tour of a number of issues affecting the LGBTIQ+ community. I picked it out after reading a bunch of interesting articles about how corporations had co-opted this year's Pride (this piece by Alex Verman is so great: https://www.dailyxtra.com/jonathan-van-ness-sponsored-coming-out-is-not-activism-158911 ) and the book notes this tension is explored.
As a Vice writer, she has a solid writing style that makes the pages very turnable, but I was hankering for more depth than she gave. Just as she started to toy with a challenging idea (for example, what it means for historically marginalised communities to find their culture and identities mainstreamed and monetised) she moved onto the next issue.
That being said, lots to learn and enjoy in this book, with lots of vibrant and fascinating interviewees.
As a Vice writer, she has a solid writing style that makes the pages very turnable, but I was hankering for more depth than she gave. Just as she started to toy with a challenging idea (for example, what it means for historically marginalised communities to find their culture and identities mainstreamed and monetised) she moved onto the next issue.
That being said, lots to learn and enjoy in this book, with lots of vibrant and fascinating interviewees.
josh_irl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
curiousslam's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
specialinterestbooks's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The only reason this didn’t get 5 stars from me is because the chapters are all really long (up to 60 pages). The content of the book is fantastic. Amelia’s writing is clear and inclusive and engaging.
It’s just a personal preference. Long chapters that aren’t broken up into subheadings or sections are a struggle for me. So it took me about twice as long as usual to read.
But it was well worth it
It’s just a personal preference. Long chapters that aren’t broken up into subheadings or sections are a struggle for me. So it took me about twice as long as usual to read.
But it was well worth it
gabelawson's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
Perfect example of on-point nonfiction. She explores beyond Western culture, beyond just gay and lesbian culture and beyond our own individual queer lives to hear real experiences from wider corners of the LGBTQ+ world. It feels like you are sitting in on a heart-to-heart rather than an interview and reading a book exploring queer culture rather than questioning and dissecting it. She lets you in, lets you listen and form your own opinions. Just super well done.
Perfect example of on-point nonfiction. She explores beyond Western culture, beyond just gay and lesbian culture and beyond our own individual queer lives to hear real experiences from wider corners of the LGBTQ+ world. It feels like you are sitting in on a heart-to-heart rather than an interview and reading a book exploring queer culture rather than questioning and dissecting it. She lets you in, lets you listen and form your own opinions. Just super well done.
catarinalobo's review
4.0
Beautifully written. As a LGBTQ+ person myself it was really nice reading this. And I think every queer person should read this sentence: “LGBTQ+ people before me had been fighting for our right to be the same as everyone else, or to be different”.