Scan barcode
randeerebecca's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
I learned about parts of queer culture I had never heard of before (e.g. ballroom culture), but otherwise didn’t feel like this was that great. The author is a lesbian and part of the title of this book referred to it as a “personal journey through LGBTQ+ culture.” Other than the relationship anecdotes, there was actually VERY little exploration or discussion of lesbian culture at all. This book claims to be about LGBTQ+ culture, but it really focuses mostly on gay men, transgender women, and shitting on RuPaul. There’s no acknowledgment whatsoever of ace identity, and very little expansion on lesbian or bisexual identities. I did not read the last chapter, so it’s possible the author suddenly decided to expand her focus, but I doubt it.
As a disclaimer, I am not mad that this book is mostly about gay men and trans women. I am mad that the marketing and title led me to believe that it would be a personal reflection written by a lesbian. I am a lesbian and I read this book for pride month because I wanted to make an effort to expose myself to media where I would see myself represented more. I wish I had not wasted my time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Addiction
bookbanshee's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I was ambivalent about this book at first, but it really came through. The author’s sensitivity and humility (and honesty) exceeded my expectations, and in particular the interviews she conducts in Turkey, Serbia, and Sweden, especially with Sámi queer poet and activist Timimie Märak, as well as the self examination that these provoke raise some really vital points for consideration for those of us living queer with a fair amount of privilege and comfort.
pruadh's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first foray into queer/LGBT+ literature and I was really thrown by how much my own experiences and subconscious prejudices were examined in this book, as a member of the LGBT+ community.
The author blends her personal experiences with those of the people she meets and interviews across different parts of the world, and ultimately ends up with an intimate exploration of the trials and tribulations of queer people from different cultures and social spheres.
The key point of this for me was that the fight for our rights is still nowhere near complete - we may have rights (in some countries) and be accepted (as long as we're outwardly conventional enough to be assimilated into the mainstream), but we are still a long way from true liberation where we are allowed to be who we want to be without fear of violence, discrimination, erasure, and hatred. We need to keep fighting until that day comes, and be thankful to the giants on whose shoulders we stand today.
The author blends her personal experiences with those of the people she meets and interviews across different parts of the world, and ultimately ends up with an intimate exploration of the trials and tribulations of queer people from different cultures and social spheres.
The key point of this for me was that the fight for our rights is still nowhere near complete - we may have rights (in some countries) and be accepted (as long as we're outwardly conventional enough to be assimilated into the mainstream), but we are still a long way from true liberation where we are allowed to be who we want to be without fear of violence, discrimination, erasure, and hatred. We need to keep fighting until that day comes, and be thankful to the giants on whose shoulders we stand today.
tildahlia's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a solid quick tour of a number of issues affecting the LGBTIQ+ community. I picked it out after reading a bunch of interesting articles about how corporations had co-opted this year's Pride (this piece by Alex Verman is so great: https://www.dailyxtra.com/jonathan-van-ness-sponsored-coming-out-is-not-activism-158911 ) and the book notes this tension is explored.
As a Vice writer, she has a solid writing style that makes the pages very turnable, but I was hankering for more depth than she gave. Just as she started to toy with a challenging idea (for example, what it means for historically marginalised communities to find their culture and identities mainstreamed and monetised) she moved onto the next issue.
That being said, lots to learn and enjoy in this book, with lots of vibrant and fascinating interviewees.
As a Vice writer, she has a solid writing style that makes the pages very turnable, but I was hankering for more depth than she gave. Just as she started to toy with a challenging idea (for example, what it means for historically marginalised communities to find their culture and identities mainstreamed and monetised) she moved onto the next issue.
That being said, lots to learn and enjoy in this book, with lots of vibrant and fascinating interviewees.
josh_irl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
ali777ali's review against another edition
3.0
verrrry entry level queer theory/ topics, bit of an annoying narrator
specialinterestbooks's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The only reason this didn’t get 5 stars from me is because the chapters are all really long (up to 60 pages). The content of the book is fantastic. Amelia’s writing is clear and inclusive and engaging.
It’s just a personal preference. Long chapters that aren’t broken up into subheadings or sections are a struggle for me. So it took me about twice as long as usual to read.
But it was well worth it
It’s just a personal preference. Long chapters that aren’t broken up into subheadings or sections are a struggle for me. So it took me about twice as long as usual to read.
But it was well worth it