I've been meaning to read this book for awhile and, since I've decided to read more nonfiction this year, it seemed like the perfect time. Sarah Prager's Queer, There and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World was a well-written collection of queer people profiles, but, as other reviewers have noted, it could have gone farther.

After a very nice introduction, Prager profiles and recounts the lives of twenty-three queer people in history. As an adult who has been around for a bit, some entries were unsurprising (Eleanor Roosevelt, Sylvia Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Queen Kristina of Sweden, George Takei) and some definitely were (Abraham Lincoln! Glenn Burke! Lili Elbe!). Prager's language was very soft and empathetic throughout. Even though some difficult topics are discussed, I came away feeling comforted and affirmed. The historian in me delighted that she acknowledged that historical meanings of gender may differ, but it's not inaccurate/bad scholarship/whatever to apply modern identities to past people, if due reverence is given.

My one quibble, which other reviewers have noted, is that the contents do not live up to the title. The subjects are overwhelmingly from the 20th century, North American/Western European, very white, and binary/cis. Given the title and introduction that we are worldwide and forever, I was expecting people from a lot of centuries, every continent, more trans folk, and many ethnicities. Maybe something went funky in the publication process, maybe it's a very large oversight of the author: who knows. It's disappointing all the same.

Overall, however, I think Queer, There and Everywhere is a good book for queer teens in search for a sense of history. It's a good jumping off point if they want to research these individuals further. We have always been here, existing, loving, and carving space for ourselves.