Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past and Present!
Written by Arabelle Sicardi Illustrated by: Sarah Tanat-Jones
Published by Wide-Eyed Editions ISBN: 9781786034861
Review by Derek Brazell
The energetic portraits and bright colours of Queer Heroes’ cover welcome readers to a book that deserves a place on many peoples’ coffee tables/bookshelves and in every school library. Is a book for young people celebrating contemporary and historical LGBTQ people necessary now, when attitudes to gender and sexuality have moved on so much? Hell, yes. There is plenty of ground that has been gained for LGBTQ people that needs to be retained in the present day.
Much is made of ‘role models’, but not all people in the public eye feel inclined to reveal their sexuality for a number of reasons (will it compromise their career, make them vulnerable?), however it’s important for all people (regardless of their orientation) to recognise that there are, and always have been, LGBTQ people achieving and influencing in positive ways.
Arabelle Sicardi’s introduction positions the book one that honours ‘the Heroes that came before us, and the ones that are still around today’, and talks directly to the reader as a member of the queer community, but leaving the content open to all.
The book offers a page or spread per person with a short bio, embracing writers, musicians, activists and sports/business people; from Vikram Seth and Martina Navratilova to Sia and Khalid Abel-Hadi. Sarah Tanat-Jones’ vibrant portraits use colour and pattern to add dynamism to the characters and page layout, making the publication a lively introduction to the many achievements of LGBTQ people.
Some more of the portraits by Sarah Tanat-Jones
