Literary Wing

Review by Mountman

If you want to know about Gay/Lesbian history, one of the most comprehensive books is the Lambda Literary Award winning "Completely Queer - The Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia". It is a definitive resource for our community. Many interesting pieces of GLBT history are found, for instance: What was the first nonpornographic openly gay bookstore in the U.S, and who owned it? and What was the first contemporary lesbian novel to be adapted for British television? An easy read as well as entertaining you will come away with a much broader comprehension of our community’s heritage.

There are two sections to the book. The A to Z section covers everything from Berenice Abbott to Zaps. Most of the articles include a brief list of sources so that readers may consult for more information on the topic covered. The information is well written and to the point. The authors have succeeded in following an encyclopedia format, sticking to the facts and not cluttering with conjecture.

If the person covered is an artist, writer, musician, or actor, they have given examples of their work for the reader to explore. Pictures throughout the book give you glimpses into our GLBT history. Where possible, there are cross-references so the reader may get a more in-depth perspective of the subject.

The second section is Chronology. This section starts C. 12,000 B.C. : "Near the end of the Upper Paleolithic Era, human beings have left artifacts and works of art suggesting an appreciation of HOMOEROTICISM..." and ends November 1996 : "San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown signs a bill that requires all companies doing business with the city to offer gay and lesbian employees DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP benefits."

Words in all caps are also headings to another article in the book.

I enjoy scanning the book for different facts. Sometimes I will have specific information that I want to know. Other times I just flip through and read something that catches my interest. When you want to know something like the history of the word ‘Gay’ this book is the resource you need to have. A great information base for all! No longer must anyone in our community have a lack of heritage, pride, and sense of community accomplishment. It is all here.

For Purchasing Information http://www.henryholt.com/98-1hh/completequeer.htm http://www.ambook.org/bookstores/

Note From Codi:

StoneWall Society would like to thank Steve Hogan and Lee Hudson for permission to use "Completely Queer The Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia" as an official resource for the site in our GLBT History and GLBT Famous people sections.

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Site opened 10/31/99

StoneWall Society 10/99 - 2004