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A review by danicapage
The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle by Lillian Faderman
informative
slow-paced
3.0
This is 816 pages or 29 h 17m. So to say it took some time to get through this one is a massive understatement.
Other reviewers have discussed the criticisms re lack of meaningful inclusion of trans people and also the strange lens she chose to portray the Stonewall Riots. This also failed to include coverage of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ folks at times and is very assimilationist-focused.
However, as an assimilationist LGB history, I found this to be very informative and thorough (again in that viewpoint). It covers a variety of topics and shows you the timelines of how understanding, culture, and laws evolved in order to grant LGBTQIA+ people more rights in the US/U.S. society.
If the author had presented a more limited scope in her efforts and coverage (mainly that it was LGB-focused and assimilationist focused,) I think that would have alleviated many people's criticisms (other than the lack of racial and diverse socioeconomic claims.)
I have yet to find an LGBTQIA+ history that I've loved, though I have read a few.
For an assimilationist LGB book, this one is well done. The writing is thorough. However, the lack of broader representation was noticeable. I did learn a ton, but that is a major failing of this one. I'm glad I read it, but I will keep searching for a better history.
Other reviewers have discussed the criticisms re lack of meaningful inclusion of trans people and also the strange lens she chose to portray the Stonewall Riots. This also failed to include coverage of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ folks at times and is very assimilationist-focused.
However, as an assimilationist LGB history, I found this to be very informative and thorough (again in that viewpoint). It covers a variety of topics and shows you the timelines of how understanding, culture, and laws evolved in order to grant LGBTQIA+ people more rights in the US/U.S. society.
If the author had presented a more limited scope in her efforts and coverage (mainly that it was LGB-focused and assimilationist focused,) I think that would have alleviated many people's criticisms (other than the lack of racial and diverse socioeconomic claims.)
I have yet to find an LGBTQIA+ history that I've loved, though I have read a few.
For an assimilationist LGB book, this one is well done. The writing is thorough. However, the lack of broader representation was noticeable. I did learn a ton, but that is a major failing of this one. I'm glad I read it, but I will keep searching for a better history.