The Gay 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Gay Men and Lesbians, Past and Present

by Paul Russell

Book Overview

Covering 2,500 years and celebrating a diverse range of individuals, a fascinating volume selects and ranks a vast array of writers, thinkers, artists, musicians, military leaders, politicians, and gay rights activists who have had a lasting impact on how gay men and lesbians define themselves. Repr

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758201001
• ISBN13: 9780758201003
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 386 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.9" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

A Starting Primer...

"There is no doubt that if it became widely known _who are_ the Uranians, the world would be astonished to find so many of its great or leading men among -- Edward Carpenter, 1908. [from book-- "Uranian" referring to one of the titles associated with Aphrodite, or "the heavenly Aphrodite," who was supposed to be the patroness and inspirer of love between males, as mentioned in Plato's _Symposium_.] This volume is an excellent "beginners" guide to knowledge of the well known, and not so well known, gays, bisexuals, and lesbians in history. The members of this group, each, has 3 or more pages devoted to his or her life and influence on culture. As the author, Paul Russell, states: "Whether tangible or intangible, evidence that a person's legacy continues in the world, luminous and alive, is what I have sought in attempting to gauge the extent of his or her influence. By influence, then, I mean the ability to effect change, to reconfigure the parameters, to leave in one's wakea set of challenged assumptions and transformed lives. For the purposes of this particular ranking of influence, I have asked myself a twofold question: How has the individual in question, specifically as a gay man or lesbian, contributred both to history in general and to gay/lesbian identity in particular?" Thus, there are persons included from all areas of influence: philosophers, poets, playwrights, scientists, novelists, social reformers, female liberationists and equal status advocates, generals, rulers and emperors, painters, sculptors, composers, ballet dancers and impresarios, film directors, actors, actresses, and others.This is not a sensationalist work, nor is it meant as a scholarly study. The lives are interesting, informative, and upbeat -- but not glitzy or poorly written. The person who is very knowlegable about gay history and contributions may find some notable omissions (several composers are listed in one of the lives, but they do not have sections of their own in the volume)-- others, with less knowledge will find the work a very helpful beginner's informative guide. There are a few inclusions which some might find questionable -- or troubling to themselves --

very interesting book, but.....

This is a very readable and useful book, I appreciate it. However, almost of all people in the book are the westerners with few exception ;( Mishima Yukio and Hafez ). Therefore, you cannot find famous Arabian, Persian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Japanese gay & lesbian people. And in the book, there do not exist important figures like Platon, Epameinondas, Harmodios and Aristogeiton et al. In addition , even Jean Cocteau, Ludwig 2nd , Truman Capote, Somerset Maugham, and Luchino Visconti also are absent.