Reviews

Real Queer America: Lgbt Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen

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readingmerrily's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

3.5

I really enjoyed this book. Although I kind of wish she would have gone to some smaller places. Jackson, Bloomington, and Johnson City are small cities,but still cities. But maybe I'm just thinking that because even though I'm in a purple state, in my small town it is deep red. She interspersed the trip with stories of her own journey, which were interesting. And the story at its heart was hopeful to see the fighting against the tide in these places and surviving and thriving.

kelsaygrace's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

brittbat's review against another edition

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4.0

A memoir mixed with reporting that successfully argues its thesis that queer people exist and make their lives and advocate for change in red states, but that already looks a bit dated from the vantage point of the increasingly radicalized political landscape of post-Trump America. As much as I liked Samantha Allen's writing, I found it difficult to share her confident vision of an America that is marching steadily along a path of progress and increasing queer acceptance. I just kept wondering about how her interview subjects are doing now and feeling sad about how much worse things have gotten since 2019.