Reading Queer: A Graphic History
It was with mild reluctance that I volunteered myself to review Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele. Being a millennial queer guy I was sure the audience intended was not an old like me, but I was immediately won over upon the first crack of the book. The clean effective art combined with the stern kindness that carries on from beginning to end makes Queer: A Graphic History a must have for allies and queer folk alike.
From start to finish Queer: A Graphic History holds careful consideration to newcomers. The first page opens upon questions to why queer theory is hard to pin down and introduces the reader to the idea of understanding that there may not be an exact straight answer at the end of the book. Though there may be no straightforward answer to what being queer is, there are indeed a lot of answers for the reader to travel through and ponder upon.
Queer: A Graphic History works almost like an old school textbook if old school textbooks could be cool and awesome to look at. The book is divided in sections and full of new words for readers to add to their vocabulary. The sections of the book start from discussing the west’s relationship with sexuality and gender to discussing the need of intersectinality when discussing the queer community and everything in between. The vocabulary is sprinkled throughout the book. Each word used within and outside the queer community is introduced throughout the pages along side historical anecdotes and quotes. The context helps provide broad and singular definitions and authenticity to each new word. Meg-John Barker and Jules Sheele pull in queer and non-queer philosophers, activists, and doctors from throughout history, building a well versed timeline of sexuality, gender, and queerness.
Though limited by the fact that this is a book for newcomers, a lot of the history is rushed through to help contain a brief easy to read book into the queer world. This limitation doesn’t hinder the success of Queer: A Graphic History though. Meg-John Barker and Jules Sheele provide a strong introduction that will help any newcomers start their familiarization with the road the reader has started on. The amount of queer writers, artists, philosophers, and activists are so many, and Queer: A Graphic History makes a case to leave no one behind.
I’m glad Queer: A Graphic History exists. I’m glad I had the time and opportunity to read it. In a time rife with folks eager to persecute and spread false information about the LGTAI+ community this book came into our lives at the right time. Not only will it be helpful to any allies looking to become more informed, it helps provide info and answers for any LGBT person that has been unable to receive any info. It also definitely taught me many moments in queer history I had missed out, being that I indeed am a millennial straight out of an era when someone couldn’t legally marry someone of the same sex.
Find the book on bookshop or any local store.
