Who's Who in Contemporary Gay and Lesbian History : From World War II to the Present Day (Who's Who) (Whos Who)

Who's Who in Contemporary Gay and Lesbian History: From World War II to the Present Day provides a comprehensive modern biographical survey of homosexuality in the Western world. Among those included are: * Controversial political activists - Peter Tatchell; Guy Hocquenghem; Harvey Milk * Pop icons - David Bowie; k d lang; Boy George * Groundbreaking artists, writers and filmmakers - Pier Paolo Pasolini; Derek Jarman; David Hockney * Intellectuals who have shaped and changed the modern understanding of sexuality - Michel Foucault; Simone de Beauvoir; Alfred Kinsey * Over 500 entries - clear, informative and enjoyable to read - build up a superbly thorough overview of gay and lesbian life in our time. "Who's Who in Gay and Lesbian History is a reference work on the key men and women in the history of homosexuality from antiquity to the middle of the twentieth century. It includes biographies, with references, on figures - famous, notorious or unknown - in politics, social activism, culture and the arts, medicine, religion, and other fields throughout Europe, North and South America, South Africa and Australasia." "Expert authors from over a dozen countries have written on over 500 figures, from the era of Sappho and Socrates to the age of Radclyffe Hall and Andre Gide. This fascinating volume reveals how important men and women who have had emotional and sexual preferences for those of the same gender have been in the 'canon' of Western art, culture, religion and other areas of public life. It will be of particular interest to historians, political scientists, and specialists in gay lesbian and queer studies or in social, literary and cultural studies."--Jacket Aldrich (history, U. of Sydney, Australia) and Wotherspoon (an honorary research associate at the U. of Sydney) have edited substantial entries of the lives, careers, and, frequently, controversies of diverse western figures from Abba to the Canadian activist Eve Zaremba, all of whom share some role or identity in gay and lesbian history. Each entry is signed by its author (there's a long and international list of contributors); many include a short list of references. A second volume is devoted to historic figures up to WWII. Distributed by Taylor & Francis. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com). "Who's Who in Contemporary Gay and Lesbian History: From World War II to the Present Day provides a comprehensive modern biographical survey of figures significant to the history of homosexuality in the Western world. Entries cover a huge range of figures, including cult and less well-known icons: from gay and lesbian activists to homophobes; from classical composers to rock musicians; from novelists and poets to queer theorists; and from Nobel Prize winners to Olympic athletes."--Jacket This work of reference covers figures who have had an impact upon gay and lesbian life throughout recent history, and not merely individuals who were or are themselves homosexual. Unless explicitly stated, no inferences should be made about subjects' sexual orientation.