This book is so appropriate to our times. Each generation has become more accepting of the LGBTQ community, and I think this book serves as a reminder that those changes were hard won, and that there is still much more progress to be made. ( )

This book is the first of its kind geared toward the teen audience. There are first-hand accounts of treatment and struggles from the 1920's to AIDS to gay marriage rites.

Awards/Reviews:
Booklist starred 02/01/09
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 06/01/08
Horn Book 04/01/09
Kirkus Reviews 05/15/08
Library Media Connection 01/01/09
School Library Journal 07/01/08

This book is an obvious recognition of sexual orientation diversity

I would use this for a student's personal library collection if I knew they needed support in this area (either themselves/friends/family).

Outstanding history! ( )

This book is a historical recount of gay and lesbian life in the United States and is geared specifically toward teens. It contains many pictures both recent and dated across the decades of American history. Gay America describes how gay men and women have lived, worked, and loved for the past 125 years. Beginning in colonial times, the book moves on to the Victorian period and beyond, including such historical milestones as the Roaring '20s, the Kinsey study, the McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950s, the Beat generation, Stonewall, disco, AIDS, and present-day battles over gay marriage. The author, Linas Alsenas, presents a sense of hope mixed with pride, demonstrating how, within one century, gay women and men have gone from being socially invisible to becoming a political force to be reckoned with and proud members of the American public living openly and honestly. The colorful pages make this book appealing to 7-10th grade readers, or anyone for that matter, who want to grasp a better overview of the LGBTQ history in our country.

Review by TB

This is a ground breaking book at the lives of gays and lesbians in Americans. Some of the topics that are highlighted are gay rights, different types of celebrations within the lifestyle such as parades. aids epidemic, and social justice. The book will take you on a journey of personal and fictional stories . There are accounts from the past and present and facts on how the lifestyle has evolved and is now accepted. Information for younger and older generation.