Description

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*SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK DESIGN AND PRODUCTION AWARDS 2023*

A fun and fascinating compendium of LGBTQ+ icons, one for every day of the year, and a celebration of queer history – or as RuPaul would say; Herstory! 

Discover your queer hero and learn something new every day with 365 Gays of the Year, an accessible and fun introduction to LGBTQ+ history through the people that made it.

Carefully curated and thoughtfully researched, author Lewis Laney assigns a person or group of note to each day of the year to form the ultimate LGBTQ+ hall of fame.

Legendary queer icons such as Marsha P Johnson and Freddie Mercury sit alongside lesser known but equally important names such as activist Renée Cafiero, blood donor Barbara Vick, and Sappho the lesbian poet (who was doing her thing in 570BC).

All have contributed amazing achievements to the LGBTQ+ story.  Each month also features one ally - inspiring heterosexual people who have all contributed something significant to the lives of the LGBTQ+ community. People like Elizabeth Taylor who “brought AIDS out of the closet and into the ballroom ­– where there was money to be raised”.

Each entry comprises a short biography plus a brief explanation about why that celebratory date represents an important milestone.

Lewis brings international figures to life (famous and lesser-known) with his witty and uplifting prose which are peppered with little-known facts and accompanied by bright illustrative portraits from the hugely talented Charlotte MacMillan-Scott.

This witty, unique celebration of queer history promises to inspire and empower readers with its wealth of bright stars.

About the Author

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Originally from Derbyshire, Lewis Laney headed to the bright lights of Blackpool in his teens and began writing queer fiction. After having his first short story published in The Next Wave: The Gay Times Book of Short Stories (2002) at eighteen, he went on to write for various publications including the iconic music magazine The Face. His first book The Little Book of Pride was published in 2020 and immediately topped Amazon’s LGBTQ History category. Lewis works in publishing and lives in London, where he works with local establishments to provide safe spaces for queer meet-ups.
 

Charlotte McMillan-Scott is a pen and digital illustrator based in the UK. Her lively works explore empowerment, visibility and identity. They are full of bright colours, bold lines and famous characters. She also creates stickers.

Praise For…

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'A wonderful and fascinating tribute to the people who have changed our world.'—Matthew Todd, award-winning author of 'PRIDE: The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement' and ex-edito

'An invaluable book to read and to consult.'—Peter Ackroyd, author of 'London: The Biography' and 'Queer City: Gay London from the Romans to the

'In 365 Gays of the Year, Lewis Laney provides a fascinating, whistlestop tour of LGBTQIA+ icons and allies from across the globe and throughout history. The range and breadth of the people included goes far beyond previous similar compilations, with many lesser known (yet just as important) queer people featured alongside bigger, more well-known names. Laney has curated the book in a calendar style format that enables you to read one person each day or to dip in and out as you please. The book, published by White Lion, is well-researched and packed full of people, history and ideas that sit alongside Charlotte Macmillan-Scott's colourful illustrations. This will be a great LGBTQIA+ reference book for years to come.'
 —Peter Tatchell - Human Rights Campaigner

"This book is perfect for sitting out and letting people stroll through to get a little insight into the people that helped shape the community a little bit at a time or in a couple longer sessions.  If you have the chance you should pick up for yourself or a gift for someone in the community."—PaperPhoenixInk.com

"Overall, it’s a fun book that would make a perfect gift for the LGBTQIA reader or history buff in your life. Or for someone young or new to the community or who might have just come out, this book serves as proof that the LGBTQIA community has played an integral part in our society for a very long time. From movies and TV shows, to music and pop culture, to politics and activism, Lewis Laney’s book covers it all."—Capote Book Review