Comprehensive Encyclopedia of LGBTQ+ Historical Figures
Queers in History presents over 900 documented stories of prominent gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals spanning from ancient Egypt to the present day. This 500-page trade paperback compilation required 17 years of research from reliable sources, revealing the hidden personal lives of celebrities, royalty, soldiers, athletes, scientists, and religious leaders worldwide.
Historical Documentation and Notable Revelations
This encyclopedia contains verified historical facts typically omitted from official biographies. The book documents same-sex relationships and affairs involving movie stars like Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe, artists such as Leonardo da Vinci who faced imprisonment twice for same-sex affairs, composer Leonard Bernstein's relationship with an Israeli soldier, and Angelina Jolie's public statements about Jenny Shimizu.
Presidential history receives particular attention, documenting how one First Lady moved her girlfriend into the White House, while another president shared his bed with his male security chief. Military history includes the story of a woman who disguised herself as a soldier during the US Revolution and later married another woman.
Cultural and Religious History
The encyclopedia examines how the founder of Shinto Buddhism established traditions of male-male love in Japan, and documents an 1886 incident where a Native American tribe sent a man in traditional women's dress to Washington, DC when officials requested "their best woman."
Format and Presentation
Each biographical entry is structured as an entertaining short story, examining how sexuality influenced both personal lives and professional work. The book features a foreword by Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf, Magneto), adding his perspective to this historical documentation.
The previous edition received recognition in USA Today, Wired magazine, and The Village Voice. This updated edition maintains the accessible writing style that made the original successful while expanding the historical record.
Research and Sources
All 900+ entries draw from documented historical sources, providing factual information about figures across multiple centuries and cultures. The compilation covers diverse fields including entertainment, politics, military service, science, athletics, and religious leadership.
Author Keith Stern has produced popular biographical websites and spent nearly two decades compiling this reference work. The encyclopedia serves as both an informative resource and an engaging collection of historical narratives that reveal previously obscured aspects of well-known personalities.
Visit www.queersinhistory.com for additional information about this comprehensive historical reference.
