A review by tranzkafka
The Queens' English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Expressions by Chloe O. Davis

informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.75

i think i expected this book to be more rooted in sociolinguistics/lavender linguistics and the nature of defining queer vocabulary rather than a solely cultural focus, but i had fun with it regardless. it was really thought-provoking to learn how much we owe to Black queer people in lgbt+ vernacular so i'm glad i got to learn about that. i found the extra resources that weren't definitions sometimes helpful when they provided historical context but often a bit distracting from the main focus of the book in defining vocabulary. though the book was graphic designed really well with amazing illustrations, it was quite visually dense and occasionally difficult to read if it was black text on a background with not enough contrast - this made it inaccessible to some readers. also, i found the definition of lesbian to not reflect the experience of many lesbians not actually being women, though i understand historically this is what it has meant and defining identity words is often quite difficult.