Queer There and Everywhere

Queer There and Everywhere

YA/adult nonfiction
"Most of us have probably never considered our first president's
sexual identity beyond knowing that he was married to a woman. We
just assume he was straight because history doesn't explicitly tell
us otherwise. But when we make assumptions about any historical
figure, we rewrite history without even knowing it..."
Sarah Prager's Queer There and Everywhere questions the
historical assumption of uniform CIS straightness. She introduces
readers to 23 important world figures who differed in how they saw and
presented themselves and/or who they loved. You'll get to meet or get
reacquainted with:
*Elagabalus (203-222) a teenage Roman emperor who considered herself a
woman although raised as a boy and had relations with men and women;
*Kristina Vasa 1626-1689) a Swedish monarch who was gender nonconforming
"As a young girl I had an overwhelming aversion to everything
that women do and say. I couldn't bear their tight-fitting, fussy
clothes. I took no care in my complexion or my figure or the rest of
my appearance..."
and gave up the throne rather than being forced into marriage;
*Albert Cashier (1843-1915) who was born Jennie Hodges and ditched all
traces of femininity while coming to America to escape the potato
famine. He lived as a male over half a century including three years
fighting in the Civil War;
*Ma Rainey (1886-1939) Mother of the Blues
"Went out last night with a crowd of my friends
They must have been women, 'cause I don't like no men
It's true I wear a collar and tie...
Talk to the gals just like any old man...";
*Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) who, although married to FDR, had a
long term relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok;
and eighteen other fascinating historical figures who didn't fit the
very narrow norms of their times.
Queer There and Everywhere is a wonderful book for LGBTQ folks
and allies and anyone with an open mind. There is a glossary of terms
and an extensive bibliography.
I was overjoyed to read the liberating two-spirit, an indiginous
people's term for male and female appearing in one person. It fits me
even more than gender fluid or nonconforming.
This is Prager's book and I hope she'd working on another even
as I write this.
On a personal note, spring seems to be on the way. The snow that fell
Friday night melted very quickly. In one more week we'll celebrate
Pride Week. I'm really looking forward to it, especially stuffing a
unicorn and performing in the Drag Show.
A great big shout out goes out to UMaine's vibrant LGBTQ community and
our amazing allies.
jules hathaway



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