Remarkable LGBTQ Lives

Over the decades, Americans have become increasingly accepting of gay people: in their families, in their communities, and as public figures. This slow but marked shift in attitude has required many pioneers to spearhead the change. Harvey Milk, born in 1930, lived during a time when being openly gay wasn't only not accepted, it was dangerous. Undeterred, Milk, a San Francisco politician, was a cheerful and tireless vehicle for liberation and liberalization. Readers of this engrossing book will be inspired by Milk's courage and humor, and riveted by the details of his tragic death.

Zachary Quinto is one of the great success stories of today, and once readers learn that he didn't let his sexual orientation hold him back, they will be inspired to reach for the stars as well. Most people don't know that Quinto hid his sexuality for many years. Only when he came out did his fans truly embrace him. This book details the arc of Quinto's life to date, including his early years in Hollywood playing small roles and his later stardom, eventually taking over Leonard Nimoy's role as Spock in the Star Trek remake.

After years of theater, film, and television work, actress Jane Lynch has reached icon status. Her portrayal of Sue Sylvester on Glee has led to Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a wax figure at Madame Tussaud's. She has hosted TrevorLIVE, a fund-raiser for crisis intervention services for LGBT youths. This revealing volume describes Lynch's endeavors to raise awareness of marriage equality, the bullying of LGBT teens, the Ban Bossy campaign to encourage girls to take leadership roles in their community, and Project Angel Food, which provides food to people with AIDS.

Growing up African American in the middle part of the twentieth century, James Baldwin saw firsthand the ugly racism that scarred the United States. Further complicating his identity was the fact that he was openly gay at a time when homosexuality was a crime in almost all states. Baldwin turned his struggles into art, writing the semi-autobiographical novel Go Tell It on the Mountain; the essay collection Notes of a Native Son; and the controversial novel Giovanni's Room, among many other works. He was an active participant in America's civil rights movement, yet he often was kept at a distance by top leaders because of his sexuality. This volume captures the remarkable life of James Baldwin, an activist and writer who gave voice to so many, when they couldn't speak for themselves.

AIDS activist by day and TV pundit by night, Rachel Maddow has dedicated her life to discussing the issues important to her. Pairing a winning personality with a sharp grasp of current events, she has won the respect and admiration of fans and critics alike. From her early interest in the AIDS epidemic to grappling with coming out to her conservative family to becoming one of MSNBC's most popular hosts, her remarkable journey to celebrity and activism is chronicled within these pages.