Stonewall by Ann Bausum; Viking Press, $16.99
You and Me and Him by Kris Dinnison; HMH Books for Young Readers, $17.99
This Book is Gay by James Dawson; Sourcebooks Fire, $15.99
As 2015 Gay Pride celebrations dot the nation and legions of LGBTQ people march and party, it's important to pause and reflect on those who came before us. The older generation of gays and lesbians will ponder the significance of a place in Manhattan's West Village called Stonewall and the dawn of gay rights, but younger people may not have made proper acquaintance with their own movement's history, the legendary struggle for equality that continues today, or the police riot that changed the face of homosexual freedom forever.
Writing in what she calls "the company of ghosts," veteran social justice historian Ann Bausum spent hours scouring references and visiting the National History Archive of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in NYC to gain insight on an era when homosexuality was a crime, and for many, the closet was the safest haven. In Stonewall, her new book tailored to younger readers, she describes the Stonewall Inn as a music-filled, dual dance-floored gay bar where scores of gay men and women gathered to drink, laugh, network, and get laid, although the book recognizes both street cruising and the off-duty meat trucks parked along the banks of the Hudson River as widely accepted alternatives. Back then, Bausum writes, prohibitive sodomy laws dominated the law books with the threat of jail time, public humiliation or worse for violators. When a battalion of police officers raided the Stonewall Inn (for the second time that week) on June 27, 1969, a mob reaction turned the bar patrons into angry protesters who came face to face with law enforcement. The people had had enough.
Bausum recounts this night with intensity as protesters armed themselves with "any bottle that people could grab, aim, and throw. Some pried a cobblestone out of the ground and lobbed it with a crash onto the trunk of one of the squad cars." She also includes chapters on the scourge of AIDS and touches on the valiant strides taken by gay pioneers Harvey Milk and Barbara Gittings to advocate for social and governmental policy changes.
The author's passion is evident on every page. "I write for the individuals who persevered in the struggle, and those who've benefited from it," Bausum notes. Timely and relevant to our times, this is a pivotal piece of American history made youth-friendly and accessible to every reader.
Another notable entry in gay Young Adult books is Kris Dinnison's You and Me and Him, a generous novel which follows the exploits of plump straight girl Maggie ("not one of those shrinking-violet fat girls") and her gay best friend Nash, both of whom have yet to enjoy their first real kiss. Maggie's sassy first-person delivery is perfectly suited to a plucky story, which gains momentum when Nash's attentions drift away upon the arrival of cute new student Tom. Tom gravitates toward Maggie, who frets that her size will eventually drive him away.
Dinnison's narrative derives much of its entertainment value from the dialogue shared among Maggie, her nagging parents, Nash, Tom, and a school full of naysayers. For the most part, this is Maggie's story, but Nash makes for a compelling and funny gay character.
Young adult readers will find useful and honest advice in James Dawson's This Book is Gay. A former teacher turned author, Dawson imparts frank advice and factoids on subjects ranging from coming out, religion, dating, bullying, stereotypes, and gay life inside and outside of community settings.
Eye-popping chapter titles like "Why Are Gay Men So Slutty?" will snag book browsers eager to get to the good stuff. These chatty chapters offer unfiltered guidance and quirky illustrations concerning the dirty deeds of sex play, coupled with the risk for sexually transmitted diseases. But the book isn't without its faults. Dawson addresses transgender issues with quips and one-liners when the subject matter deserves more comprehensive analysis and a more useful tone.
One of the bonuses of Dawson's queer instruction manual is his inclusion of personal testimonials from many young gay men and women, who offer the kind of wit and wisdom that so many young people can relate to. Here's to the younger generation; carry the torch of freedom and equality into the future with great pride. The path you tread today has been paved with the blood, sweat, and tears of your forebears; don't ever forget their sacrifices.