Rainbow Revolutions: Power, Pride, and Protest in the Fight for Queer Rights

Gr 7 Up–This overview of the history of LGBTQ activism starts with the well-known Stonewall riots, then moves back in time to explain more than 20 turning points in Western culture from the 19th century to the present. Each spread details a significant person or event, while also emphasizing the ways activists rely on the work of those who came before them. These connections are further cemented in the time line in the back matter; also included are a glossary and an index. Accompanied by Knight’s bold and inspiring artwork, the text covers well-known topics and those that are sometimes overlooked, including the contributions of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), trans activists, and women. Despite the brevity of each section, Lawson avoids oversimplification and uses a direct writing style that invites readers to learn from historical tragedies (the Holocaust, the AIDS crisis, and the deaths of Harvey Milk and Alan Turing). Lawson offers a perfect balance between celebrating the community’s achievements and inspiring young leaders to keep fighting for justice.