Nonfiction

Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History

Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History

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  • Create Date：2021-05-16 08:55:38
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Sarah Prager
  • ISBN：0062947753
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Summary

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

This groundbreaking， pop-culture-infused LGBTQ+ illustrated biography collection takes readers on an eye-opening journey through the lives of fifty influential queer figures who have made a mark on every century of human existence。

Rainbow Revolutionaries brings to life the vibrant histories of fifty pioneering LGBTQ+ people from around the world。 Through Sarah Prager’s （Queer， There， and Everywhere） short， engaging bios， and Sarah Papworth’s bold， dynamic art， readers can delve into the lives of Wen of Han， a Chinese emperor who loved his boyfriend as much as his people， Martine Rothblatt， a trans woman who’s helping engineer the robots of tomorrow， and so many more！

This book is a celebration of the many ways these heroes have made a difference and will inspire young readers to make a difference， too。 Featuring an introduction， map， timeline， and glossary， this must-have biography collection is the perfect read during Pride month and all year round。

Biographies include:

Adam Rippon， Alan L。 Hart， Alan Turing， Albert Cashier， Alberto Santos-Dumont， Alexander the Great， Al-Hakam II， Alvin Ailey， Bayard Rustin， Benjamin Banneker， Billie Jean King， Chevalière d'Éon， Christina of Sweden， Christine Jorgensen， Cleve Jones， Ellen DeGeneres， Francisco Manicongo， Frida Kahlo， Frieda Belinfante， Georgina Beyer， Gilbert Baker， Glenn Burke， Greta Garbo， Harvey Milk， James Baldwin， Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir， José Sarria， Josephine Baker， Juana Inés de la Cruz， Julie d'Aubigny， Lili Elbe， Ma Rainey， Magnus Hirschfeld， Manvendra Singh Gohil， Marsha P。 Johnson， Martine Rothblatt， Maryam Khatoon Molkara， Natalie Clifford Barney， Navtej Johar， Nzinga， Pauli Murray， Renée Richards， Rudolf Nureyev， Sally Ride， Simon Nkoli， Stormé DeLarverie， Sylvia Rivera， Tshepo Ricki Kgositau， Wen of Han， We’wha

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Reviews

Dave ，

Interesting overview of 50 people of varying sexual or gender identities some more well known than others， selected to show the rich variety the LGBTQ+ Community has offered the world over time。 Quirky but fascinating work， beautifully aided by its colourful illustrations。

Catherine ，

Author: Sarah PragerIllustrator: Sarah PapworthAge Recommendation: Middle PrimaryArt Style: ColourfulTopic/ Theme: LGBTQ+ People & History I want to start by saying this is almost problematically American given the words on the back of the book 'In every culture and in every century， LGBTQ+ people have not only existed and thrived， they have revolutionised'。 So many of the stories are from people lived as a substantial enough amount of their life in the US to have their country listed as the Unit Author: Sarah PragerIllustrator: Sarah PapworthAge Recommendation: Middle PrimaryArt Style: ColourfulTopic/ Theme: LGBTQ+ People & History I want to start by saying this is almost problematically American given the words on the back of the book 'In every culture and in every century， LGBTQ+ people have not only existed and thrived， they have revolutionised'。 So many of the stories are from people lived as a substantial enough amount of their life in the US to have their country listed as the United States。 Some could have been left out in order to have more geographic diversity。 As a book aimed at children， it does simplify the situation for many of them dramatically so。 Alexander the Great was no exception， sexual expectation and acceptance of sexual relationships have changed dramatically through time。 Which is partially the point though that is not made clear and it probably should be。 So many of the people featured are bi or their orientation is maybe a guess or an assumption。 I will say that maybe the write-ups are a little wordy for those in the youngest demographic。 The framing on the text boxes are a nice way to bring everything together。 The art style is okay， including so quotes where appropriate。 The settings are effective。 Like Billie Jean King's write surrounded by tennis balls， her name spelt out using tennis iconography; Ma Rainey's name stylised in a font of her time surrounded by jazz instruments; Cleve Jones with all his quilting imagery。 Have a random dump of some of the good and the bad• Alan H。 Hart — feels kind of unnecessary。 He was the first American person to transition with the help of medical doctors and a leader in the tuberculosis treatment field。 But given Lili Elbe is in here I just think the space could have better used。• Benjamin Banneker — Bless the inclusion of an ace。 A scientist。• Chevalier d'Éon — born Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée d'Éon de Beaumont， aka Mademoiselle La chevalière d'Éon。 A badass spy trans spy in the time of Louis XV （and Louis XIV） her entire debut wardrobe was a gift from Marie Antoinette• Christina of Sweden — What is a book like this without Christina？• Franciso Manicongo — This is one I hadn't heard of， 1500s Angola/ Brazil。 The whole thing is mostly heartbreaking。 But it is also fascinating to my anthropologist's brain。 The idea that Angola at this point had different clothes for trans people fascinates me。• Frieda Kahlo — Another I absolutely expected， but how it was written is odd。 Diego and Frieda are something else。 Putting Frieda in a children's book does not allow her to be done justice。• Gilbert Baker — "Do you know the word 'vexillographer'？ It's time to learn。" One is that a word？ Two who chose to put it in a children's book？ Baker is the man who made the rainbow flag so closely linked to the LGBTQ+ community。• Lili Elbe — Lili is a badass。 She was one of the first to get physical transition surgery。 Always supported by her loving wife Gerda Wegener。 Lili's death from complications for her fourth surgery hurts me。• Natalie Clifford Barney — It's nice to see at least one poly in here。• Wen of Han — I would also suggest people look up the story of Ai of Han， known to some has emperor cut sleeve。 Wen of Han and Ai of Han are related some 5 or 6 generations apart。• We'Wha — Their identity is "lamana" it's an example of non-binary gender。 The book does explain the meaning of this one， I just appreciate that it was included。 The inclusion some of the LGBTQ+ history at the end is useful。 A timeline of LGBTQ+ history， Glossary， Pride and Identity Flags and LGBTQ+ Symbols。 There is a selected bibliography as well， I'm not sure how acceptable they would be the demographic。 It's not the best book it's not the worst book。 I think it lost track of its audience somewhere along the line but it does tell the stories to the extent it does fairly well。 I think it could have chosen a wider people on a global scale， possibly different identities。 Look I'm ace there is only one ace and his feels a bit off， ace is not a new identity but we are often less vocal than others harder to assert historically。 Do I think it is a good book？ Yes。 I think it would be a good choice for a child particularly for those who have a personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community or an interest in history。 But I'm pretty sure there are better out there。 。。。more

Clover ，

Loved the art， 10/10 would recommend

Kate Elizabeth ，

This was a beautifully illustrated book about queer history。 I got this in my library book subscription box from the Junior Library Guild， and it was such a good pick！ I have zero other books like this， and I think it's so important for my kids to have access to this book。 It was also written in a really accessible way for kids， which I really appreciated as well。 I read it for the Book Riot's "Read Harder 2021" challenge- read a LGBTQ+ history book。 There were tons of people whose stories I had This was a beautifully illustrated book about queer history。 I got this in my library book subscription box from the Junior Library Guild， and it was such a good pick！ I have zero other books like this， and I think it's so important for my kids to have access to this book。 It was also written in a really accessible way for kids， which I really appreciated as well。 I read it for the Book Riot's "Read Harder 2021" challenge- read a LGBTQ+ history book。 There were tons of people whose stories I had never heard， and some who I knew， but didn't know were queer。 A great read！ 。。。more

Sharon ，

Picked up this quick and easy read after hearing the author speak on Episode 0。7 of History is Gay。 I'm still astonished by how few of these people I was taught about while growing up in school。 Even with the familiar names， I mostly didn't know that they were LGBTQ+。 I'll probably send a copy of this to my activism-inclined nephew at some point。One drawback about listening to the audiobook version of this is that I didn't get to see the illustrations。 Also， "LGBTQ+" is a mouthful to say out lou Picked up this quick and easy read after hearing the author speak on Episode 0。7 of History is Gay。 I'm still astonished by how few of these people I was taught about while growing up in school。 Even with the familiar names， I mostly didn't know that they were LGBTQ+。 I'll probably send a copy of this to my activism-inclined nephew at some point。One drawback about listening to the audiobook version of this is that I didn't get to see the illustrations。 Also， "LGBTQ+" is a mouthful to say out loud over and over。 。。。more

Isaiah ，

Got the definition of ace wrong。 Also used the idea that someone not in a relationship was ace， with no mention of aro。Referred to a trans person as intersex。 The book was a quick read， but had some issues。

Trish Meegan ，

Great read for my classroom。 A variety of historical profiles of important individuals。 My middle school students seemed to enjoy it。 The Audible narration was a nice addition。

Jani Sblendorio ，

I picked up this book as part of #TheA5Experience where I tour a new book store in each of the 50 states。 This book has a broad variety of people who happen to be from the LGBTQ+ community that have influenced our lives。 The pages are abstract and colorful just like the personalities of the people who have paved the way！ I can't wait to place this in my classroom library！ Educators this is a must have for yours as well！ I picked up this book as part of #TheA5Experience where I tour a new book store in each of the 50 states。 This book has a broad variety of people who happen to be from the LGBTQ+ community that have influenced our lives。 The pages are abstract and colorful just like the personalities of the people who have paved the way！ I can't wait to place this in my classroom library！ Educators this is a must have for yours as well！ 。。。more

Heidi ，

This book says it is for younger kids， but I think it would better suit middle school。 The purpose of the book is a great one， but trying to fit 50 short， less than one page biographies into one book is daunting。 Also， some of the people covered are not even confirmed part of the LGBTQ+ community and it even states that in a couple of the biographies。 So， my question is， why include them then？So， I think if you want to add a book or two to your library for kids to learn more about the world's LG This book says it is for younger kids， but I think it would better suit middle school。 The purpose of the book is a great one， but trying to fit 50 short， less than one page biographies into one book is daunting。 Also， some of the people covered are not even confirmed part of the LGBTQ+ community and it even states that in a couple of the biographies。 So， my question is， why include them then？So， I think if you want to add a book or two to your library for kids to learn more about the world's LGBTQ+ game-changers， I would look elsewhere。 。。。more

Salamah ，

Wide range of diverse people from different occupations。

Bethany ，

One-page biographies of 50 amazing LGBTQIA+ individuals from a variety of cultures and throughout time。 On the opposite page of the bio is a fun， cartoony， and bright illustration of the individual。 This book is for upper elementary readers， but it could also be a good stepping stone for middle and high school readers。 The only improvement I would make would be to put them in an order， either alphabetical by last name or group their accomplishments together （i。e。 all the athletes together， all t One-page biographies of 50 amazing LGBTQIA+ individuals from a variety of cultures and throughout time。 On the opposite page of the bio is a fun， cartoony， and bright illustration of the individual。 This book is for upper elementary readers， but it could also be a good stepping stone for middle and high school readers。 The only improvement I would make would be to put them in an order， either alphabetical by last name or group their accomplishments together （i。e。 all the athletes together， all the musicians together）。 。。。more

asena ，

insanely cute lgbtq+ people anthology。 i love。

Caroline ，

"Oh， won't somebody think of the children？" Yes。 Sarah Prager will。 An accessible whip through some of the big names， and some of the names you've never heard of too， of LGBTQ+ history， Prager brings her personal style of writing from Queer， There and Everywhere （although， less lurid details， obviously） to this book to teach queer history to children too。 With an inclusive tone and some thought provoking questions such as "What would you do if the people who you thought were your allies turned t "Oh， won't somebody think of the children？" Yes。 Sarah Prager will。 An accessible whip through some of the big names， and some of the names you've never heard of too， of LGBTQ+ history， Prager brings her personal style of writing from Queer， There and Everywhere （although， less lurid details， obviously） to this book to teach queer history to children too。 With an inclusive tone and some thought provoking questions such as "What would you do if the people who you thought were your allies turned their back on you？" （in the Sylvia Rivera chapter， but very relevant to sections of the modern gay rights and feminist movements too）， it's a great book for all queer kids; and the nine queer ones too。Some terms could have been defined better， but I also do understand the issues with explaining polyamory to children - I struggle sometimes to explain it to adults。 。。。more

Jeanjean ，

I learned a ton， and the language is very school appropriate for my middle grade students。

Abby Johnson ，

This collective biography profiles 50 influential LGBTQ+ people from throughout history and from around the world。 I really appreciated the diversity of the subjects， not only in the LGBTQ+ rainbow， but also in the different cultures and ethnicities represented。 It's written in a very middle-grade appropriate way， using the terminology of loving people rather than anything sexual or attraction。 I particularly love the language of "sex affirming" surgery where applicable when profiling transgende This collective biography profiles 50 influential LGBTQ+ people from throughout history and from around the world。 I really appreciated the diversity of the subjects， not only in the LGBTQ+ rainbow， but also in the different cultures and ethnicities represented。 It's written in a very middle-grade appropriate way， using the terminology of loving people rather than anything sexual or attraction。 I particularly love the language of "sex affirming" surgery where applicable when profiling transgender individuals。 Worth noting is some unclear wording in the profile of We'wha， a Pueblo of Zuni Native American， that appears to indicate that Native Americans don't currently exist。 It's clarified a bit later in the same paragraph， but it was still a little red flag for me。 That small error aside， this is a really nice collection of profiles that deserves a place on your library shelves。 。。。more

anxious enby ，

4。4。 I’ve finished this book， it’s a great， short， and educational read！ I suggest it to lgbtq+ folks， and non lgbtq+ people alike！

Saipriya ，

This is the book which contains 50 LGBTQ+ stories from ancient period to modern day， like Alexander the great， Gilbert Baker（the one who designed the rainbow flag）， Ellen DeGeneres（host of The Ellen Show）， Manvendra Singh Gohil（an Indian prince） and many more， who have contributed a lot to the society。 These are very short stories of each one of them， which are completely diverse， immensely inspirational and how they had to fight many battles on daily basis in order to come out。

Alicia ，

A bright and vivid collective biography of fifty historical figures （and some obviously a bit more contemporary and still alive！） who made history in some way。 Some are short others are a little longer- each follows the same pattern: beautiful artwork of the person "being" what made them famous and then the biography that is uplifting and positive。 I like the tone of the book and the celebratory nature。 Thoroughly enjoyed it！ A bright and vivid collective biography of fifty historical figures （and some obviously a bit more contemporary and still alive！） who made history in some way。 Some are short others are a little longer- each follows the same pattern: beautiful artwork of the person "being" what made them famous and then the biography that is uplifting and positive。 I like the tone of the book and the celebratory nature。 Thoroughly enjoyed it！ 。。。more

Esperanza ，

A brilliant book， which is a history of LGBTQIA+ people， beginning with Wen of Han， born in 202 BC。 Many orientations are represented in the book， including gay， asexual， pansexual， polyamorous， aromantic and more。 I learned the names and stories of many LGBTQIA+ pioneers I never knew before。 A must read for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ rainbow， family members， friends and allies。 The book proves that we're here， we're queer， we've existed since the dawn of time。 Get used to it。 Ten stars。 A brilliant book， which is a history of LGBTQIA+ people， beginning with Wen of Han， born in 202 BC。 Many orientations are represented in the book， including gay， asexual， pansexual， polyamorous， aromantic and more。 I learned the names and stories of many LGBTQIA+ pioneers I never knew before。 A must read for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ rainbow， family members， friends and allies。 The book proves that we're here， we're queer， we've existed since the dawn of time。 Get used to it。 Ten stars。 。。。more

Amy ，

Definitely designed for younger readers， but really informative。 I enjoyed learning about the 50 subjects in this book and the illustrations are gorgeous。

Book Buying With Katie ，

This was SO GOOD。 Learned about so many queer people--and trans people in particular--who I'd never heard of。 Very accessible for upper elementary， but this adult found it very entertaining as well :） This was SO GOOD。 Learned about so many queer people--and trans people in particular--who I'd never heard of。 Very accessible for upper elementary， but this adult found it very entertaining as well :） 。。。more

Erica ，

I loved this book！ It took me way longer to read it than I though it would since， of course， I had to look up each individual to find out more！ The colorful illustrations are lovely and I love how the artist incorporates the individual's personality in the borders and the spelling of their names。 Would highly recommend to 8-12 year olds especially， but also to old ages if you're prepared to spend some time doing research on your own！ （and you can also read Prager's other book "Queer， There， and I loved this book！ It took me way longer to read it than I though it would since， of course， I had to look up each individual to find out more！ The colorful illustrations are lovely and I love how the artist incorporates the individual's personality in the borders and the spelling of their names。 Would highly recommend to 8-12 year olds especially， but also to old ages if you're prepared to spend some time doing research on your own！ （and you can also read Prager's other book "Queer， There， and Everywhere"） 。。。more

Earl ，

You can watch my review here: https://www。youtube。com/watch？v=V8gji。。。 You can watch my review here: https://www。youtube。com/watch？v=V8gji。。。 。。。more

Becca ，

The back matter is great; however， I was disappointed in the writing style and， in spite of some of the interesting information， it was a wade for me to get through。 （In fact， I didn't make it through， the first time around。） Although I am personally not a fan of pop culture art， it is admittedly appropriate for this particular title， and the layout worked well。 I thought the cover was especially well designed， and the art did grow on me。 There is not much else out there that covers what this on The back matter is great; however， I was disappointed in the writing style and， in spite of some of the interesting information， it was a wade for me to get through。 （In fact， I didn't make it through， the first time around。） Although I am personally not a fan of pop culture art， it is admittedly appropriate for this particular title， and the layout worked well。 I thought the cover was especially well designed， and the art did grow on me。 There is not much else out there that covers what this one does， especially for children， or I would say to look elsewhere for less assumptive writing。 。。。more

Cait Maloney ，

Sarah Prager gives us a gift with Rainbow Revolutionaries。 I love the diverse range of famous LGBTQ+ historical （and some modern） people that each chapter introduces us to。 Definitely geared toward youth readers， the book is beautifully illustrated and easily digestible in a way that makes me want to do even more reading about each of these characters。 Me and my 8 year old loved reading it together。 And it really is something all ages will enjoy！ I am sure it will spark the same curiosity in man Sarah Prager gives us a gift with Rainbow Revolutionaries。 I love the diverse range of famous LGBTQ+ historical （and some modern） people that each chapter introduces us to。 Definitely geared toward youth readers， the book is beautifully illustrated and easily digestible in a way that makes me want to do even more reading about each of these characters。 Me and my 8 year old loved reading it together。 And it really is something all ages will enjoy！ I am sure it will spark the same curiosity in many others — young and old。 What really filled me with love， was the message that each chapter leaves with its readers — no matter who you love， who you are and what you are going through， you are not alone and can make your mark on this world。 Definitely excited to see what Sarah Prager does next！ 。。。more

Ama ，

Interesting brief biographies of notable LGBTQIA people。 Written for a younger audience。 Uses WAY too many exclamation points！ Just barely 3 stars。

Kristin ，

This book includes a wide range of people who identify as LGBTQ+。 It will be great for kids to see representations from times and places throughout history and from all over the world。 Unfortunately， I found the writing style a bit distracting。 Many of the biographies ended awkwardly and there were attempts to connect with readers （like “not cool” or “rocked it” phrasing） that missed the mark， in my opinion。

Kim ，

The LGBTQ+ people profiled in this book are truly diverse。 Coming from all parts of the world and throughout history， these praise-worthy people have contributed to culture， and society as leaders， lawyers， scientists， doctors， performers， astronauts， athletes， artists， and activists。 Also included is a glossary of terms and a chart of LGBTQ+ flags and symbols in colorful illustrations by Sarah Papworth。 This was inspiring and enlightening。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0