A review by thereadingcat
A Little Gay History: Desire and Diversity Around the World by R.B. Parkinson

informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

 This is a nice little book that you can read in 1 hour to learn about some of the most important LGBTQ+ histories in the world. It was a very pleasant reading as the author tries to relay information in a very informative, critical, yet also appealing and understanding. It is also empowering, knowing the love story and desire of millions of people before us who, in the end, still choose to live their truth. As the author said, history does not belong only to the "mainstreams," it belongs to all of us, and no one group can impose what is normal or acceptable. It was also fascinating to learn how colonisation and the British imperialism, along with Christian ideaology, influences so much of the concurring negative attitude we see today. The chapter on treatments of the Native Americans were specifically horrifying, and one could only wonder if the colonisers had ever consider the destructive legacies that they had left, which had far-reaching consequences.

That being said, the book is intended as more of an intro and anyone interested in deeper stories can find the resources reccomended by the author. It was not too transformative but still very informative and insightful.