Created & Compiled by: Matthew Riemer & Leighton Brown
For ages: all ages
Language: English
Topics Covered: LGBTQ History, Activism, Global Community, Own Voices.
Summary: So this might seem like a funky book to review since we primarily do children’s books, but it’s really not. Corrie in particular had a favorite book when she was little, it was a giant photo book of the best Life Magazine photos of the 20th century! Being able to flip through that giant heavy book and learn all sorts of facts, look at picture and camera technology develop through the years, and learn about lots of events that were never taught in school was (and still is) very important to her.
This book is incredible! We saw it once in a shop when we were traveling and it was too heavy to take home, so we didn’t end up buying it. The book itself is a huge and beautiful coffee table book and contains our queer history in between the covers. Being able to look back on historical LGBTQ figures & activists is so special. Many names and lives have been forgotten, particularly with the loss of a generation during the AIDS epidemic. Looking back on the work that activists who came before us, and seeing them in action is nothing short of inspiring.
Such time and care was put into developing this volume of photos, we are looking at our past. The LGBTQ community is indebted to those who struggled before us, and without their sacrifices we would not have as many protections as we do today. Our community still struggles today, and Black trans women of color are being murdered at sickening rates. This book reminds us that the fight is not over, in one of the most beautiful and comprehensive ways we personally have ever seen. This book will be parking itself right on our coffee table and not leaving!
This book was generously given to us by Ten Speed Press in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are our own!
About the Creators:
Best-known as the creators and curators of Instagram’s @lgbt_history, Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown blend striking imagery and meticulously researched narratives to uncover details too often overlooked. With a uniquely engaging ability to grapple with queer history so that individuals and organizations can understand the present and shape the future, Matthew and Leighton’s approach to history teaches, challenges, and inspires.
Described as “absolutely essential” by Out magazine, @lgbt_history has drawn praise for for “giving special attention to the often overlooked stories of transgender and bisexual members of the community . . . [as well as] to people of color and people with disabilities, who have been crucial to the advancement of queer liberation but often go ignored.”
Matthew and Leighton live in Washington, D.C., where Leighton is an attorney and Matthew, a former attorney, is a writer and lecturer. They enjoy fighting fascists, spending time with their dog, and disrupting fundamentalists’ worldviews. We Are Everywhere is the couple’s first book.