From Gay to Z

February 28, 2022
In this rowdy celebration of queer culture, comedian and playwright Sayre (Husky) “throw a little shade and make a little joy” with a delicious “who’s who of the LGBTQ+.” Offering cheeky illustrations alongside a brisk and breezy cultural history, the guide—which focuses on “artists and activists who are gay, or have a gay following”—entertains and educates in equal measure. Sayre highlights the pioneering social work of Jane Addams (1860–1935), who founded the Hull House, a settlement house established to help immigrants in Chicago, with her “lover Ellen Starr”; stans “gay icon” Lady Gaga; and applauds Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy’s affectionate portrayal of the “LGBTQ+ story.” RuPaul gets plenty of shout-outs for shepherding numerous queens into the spotlight thanks to Drag Race, while legendary “gay man” Franco Zeffirelli—whose productions of Aida, La Bohème, and Turandot rank as some of the 20th century’s most famous operas—offers a mic-drop of an end to the book. The author also thoughtfully gives space to “unlikely” yet important advocates such as “little old lady” Edie Windsor (1929–2017), who “took her case all the way to the Supreme Court and won, making gay marriage the law of the land.” While Sayre prudently notes that evolving nature of gay culture prohibits a definitive tome, this is an excellent start.

May 1, 2022

Humorist and writer Sayre isn't a historian or social scientist--as they readily admit in the introduction to this compendium of artists and activists within or with influence on LGBTQ+ culture. Instead of creating a scholarly text, Sayre intends to "throw a little shade and to make a little joy." Brief, alphabetically organized entries profile icons (Doris Day; Prince), films (Moonlight; A Fantastic Woman), organizations (ACT UP; Daughters of Bilitis), drag queens (Divine; Merrie Cherrie), actors (Laverne Cox; Neil Patrick Harris), and poets (Audre Lorde; Gabriela Mistral). Each entry discusses the subject's historical and cultural context, contributions and impact on queer culture, and importance to LGBTQ+ communities, sometimes paired with line drawings by Fredy Ralda. VERDICT Many readers will enjoy this breezy, wide-ranging, and at times opinionated look at LGBTQIA+ figures, trends, and influencers.

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 30, 2022
Queer comic and culture icon Sayre draws on their five-part NYC show, The GAyBC's, to create this alphabetically organized compendium of influences on contemporary gay culture. Their goal is to celebrate artists and activists who are gay or have a gay following ""in a very queer way--to throw a little shade and make a little joy,"" and the book is wildly successful on both counts. (A typically succinct entry from the B chapter reads simply ""a gay sacrament, brunch typically involves day drinking and gossip."") Exuberant line drawings by Fredy Ralda are scattered throughout; the best of these juxtapose figures who share little other than an initial --Beyonc� with Leonard Bernstein, or Dan Levy with Liberace. Recommend to fans of Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood (2020) or Grace Perry's The 2000s Made Me Gay (2021).

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