{"id":8152307925229,"title":"Friends of Dorothy","handle":"friends-of-dorothy","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFriends of Dorothy\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Celebration of LGBTQ+ Icons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anthony-uzarowski\"\u003eAnthony Uzarowski\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"Alejandro%20Mogollo%20D%C3%ADez\"\u003eAlejandro Mogollo Díez\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis giftable collection of Instagram-worthy illustrated biographies takes you on a tour through LGBTQIA+ history from the 20th century through today—featuring Judy Garland, RuPaul, and Lady Gaga. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes a gay icon? Free, uninhibited expression; an open mind; creativity; and bravery. \u003cem\u003eFriends of Dorothy\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates a wide range of people with the strength, vulnerability, charisma, and style that set them apart and gave them status with the queer community. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueer icons include supporters of LGBTQIA+ rights such as Marsha P. Johnson, and others like Divine and RuPaul who shattered social barriers to become important cultural ambassadors of queerness, changing the world in the process. Other icons are timeless entertainers with unique appeal, from Judy Garland and Bette Midler to Grace Jones and Lady Gaga.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection welcomes readers into a flamboyant world populated by larger-than-life figures who inspired LGBTQIA+ people—over the decades—creating controversy, challenging conventions, and sometimes putting their own lives on the line in order for new generations to live in a more equal and accepting world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/troublemakers-in-trousers\"\u003eTroublemakers in Trousers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/friends-of-dorothy-spread.jpg?v=1680527758\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680527754\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/friends-of-dorothy-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1680527754\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnthony Uzarowski, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnthony Uzarowski is the author of \u003cem\u003eJessica Lange: An Adventurer’s Heart \u003c\/em\u003eand coauthor of\u003cem\u003e Ava Gardner: A Life in Movies\u003c\/em\u003e. He has written numerous articles on cinema and the arts, with his work appearing in the \u003cem\u003eGuardian, Film International, Gay Times, Queerty,\u003c\/em\u003e and many other publications. You can also see his head pop up in the occasional documentary, where he shares his love for classic movies and its stars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anthony-uzarowski\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Anthony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlejandro Mogollo Díez, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlejandro Mogollo Díez is a Spanish artist and illustrator from Seville. He studied art, film, and photography at Cornell University before becoming an art director and graphic designer. His unique illustrations, inspired by classic Hollywood and pop culture, have garnered the attention of many celebrities, including Madonna, who has shared his work on social media. His work has been previously featured in \u003cem\u003eEncyclopedia Madonnica \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e MLVC60.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/alejandro-mogollo-diez\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Alejandro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this jubilant outing, film historian Uzarowski (Jessica Lange) spotlights 40 tastemakers beloved by the LGBTQ+ community, from classic celluloid heroines of the 1930s and ʼ40s and pop divas of the 1960s and ʼ70s to contemporary celebrities. According to Uzarowski, thereʼs “no set sexual or gender identity” required to be a queer icon, who are celebrated instead for their “strength and vulnerability,” unabashed love of glamour and camp (Marlene Dietrich), support of the LGBTQ+ community (Cher), and groundbreaking representation of queer identity in their work (James Dean), or personal lives (Elton John). Alongside pop art–style portraits from Diez, the biographical sketches highlight how the subjectsʼ public personas intertwined with their lives and careers, from Katharine Hepburnʼs “ambiguous sexuality and confidence... [that] distinguished her from other female stars of the era” and led to movie projects “that highlighted her tomboyish qualities,” including a role in the “genderbending” 1935 Sylvia Scarlett, to “probably bisexual” Frida Kahloʼs “unique blend of feminine beauty and masculine elements,” which were evident in both her “androgynous... self-portraits” and personal style. While there could have been more diversity—many subjects are drawn from mainstream white culture, though Uzarowski takes care to include the likes of Josephine Baker and James Baldwin, along with a few other people of color—readers will revel in this tribute to boundary-pushing luminaries. Itʼs a delight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch this interview with Anthony on Robert Bellissimo at The Movies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VhmRCduQcjs?si=wT75HNVCiTI-hvVl\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-351-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 176\u003cbr\u003e7\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2 \u003c\/sub\u003ex 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2023-05-04T09:23:30-04:00","created_at":"2023-04-03T12:23:51-04:00","vendor":"Imagine Publishing","type":"Adult Book","tags":["adult","art\/music\/theater","Browse by Age_Young Adult","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Gift Books","civil rights","coffee table books","memoir\/biography"],"price":2499,"price_min":2499,"price_max":2499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":44044212601069,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"43518","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":38671485305069,"product_id":8152307925229,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-04-03T12:28:03-04:00","updated_at":"2023-04-03T12:28:04-04:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":720,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680539284","variant_ids":[44044212601069]},"available":true,"name":"Friends of Dorothy - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":2499,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":9,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623543518","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":31266726674669,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.833,"height":720,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680539284"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680539284"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680539284","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":31266726674669,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.833,"height":720,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680539284"},"aspect_ratio":0.833,"height":720,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680539284","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch1\u003eFriends of Dorothy\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Celebration of LGBTQ+ Icons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anthony-uzarowski\"\u003eAnthony Uzarowski\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"Alejandro%20Mogollo%20D%C3%ADez\"\u003eAlejandro Mogollo Díez\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis giftable collection of Instagram-worthy illustrated biographies takes you on a tour through LGBTQIA+ history from the 20th century through today—featuring Judy Garland, RuPaul, and Lady Gaga. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes a gay icon? Free, uninhibited expression; an open mind; creativity; and bravery. \u003cem\u003eFriends of Dorothy\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates a wide range of people with the strength, vulnerability, charisma, and style that set them apart and gave them status with the queer community. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueer icons include supporters of LGBTQIA+ rights such as Marsha P. Johnson, and others like Divine and RuPaul who shattered social barriers to become important cultural ambassadors of queerness, changing the world in the process. Other icons are timeless entertainers with unique appeal, from Judy Garland and Bette Midler to Grace Jones and Lady Gaga.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection welcomes readers into a flamboyant world populated by larger-than-life figures who inspired LGBTQIA+ people—over the decades—creating controversy, challenging conventions, and sometimes putting their own lives on the line in order for new generations to live in a more equal and accepting world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/troublemakers-in-trousers\"\u003eTroublemakers in Trousers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/friends-of-dorothy-spread.jpg?v=1680527758\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/friends-of-dorothy-cover.jpg?v=1680527754\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/friends-of-dorothy-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1680527754\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnthony Uzarowski, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnthony Uzarowski is the author of \u003cem\u003eJessica Lange: An Adventurer’s Heart \u003c\/em\u003eand coauthor of\u003cem\u003e Ava Gardner: A Life in Movies\u003c\/em\u003e. He has written numerous articles on cinema and the arts, with his work appearing in the \u003cem\u003eGuardian, Film International, Gay Times, Queerty,\u003c\/em\u003e and many other publications. You can also see his head pop up in the occasional documentary, where he shares his love for classic movies and its stars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anthony-uzarowski\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Anthony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlejandro Mogollo Díez, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlejandro Mogollo Díez is a Spanish artist and illustrator from Seville. He studied art, film, and photography at Cornell University before becoming an art director and graphic designer. His unique illustrations, inspired by classic Hollywood and pop culture, have garnered the attention of many celebrities, including Madonna, who has shared his work on social media. His work has been previously featured in \u003cem\u003eEncyclopedia Madonnica \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e MLVC60.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/alejandro-mogollo-diez\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Alejandro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this jubilant outing, film historian Uzarowski (Jessica Lange) spotlights 40 tastemakers beloved by the LGBTQ+ community, from classic celluloid heroines of the 1930s and ʼ40s and pop divas of the 1960s and ʼ70s to contemporary celebrities. According to Uzarowski, thereʼs “no set sexual or gender identity” required to be a queer icon, who are celebrated instead for their “strength and vulnerability,” unabashed love of glamour and camp (Marlene Dietrich), support of the LGBTQ+ community (Cher), and groundbreaking representation of queer identity in their work (James Dean), or personal lives (Elton John). Alongside pop art–style portraits from Diez, the biographical sketches highlight how the subjectsʼ public personas intertwined with their lives and careers, from Katharine Hepburnʼs “ambiguous sexuality and confidence... [that] distinguished her from other female stars of the era” and led to movie projects “that highlighted her tomboyish qualities,” including a role in the “genderbending” 1935 Sylvia Scarlett, to “probably bisexual” Frida Kahloʼs “unique blend of feminine beauty and masculine elements,” which were evident in both her “androgynous... self-portraits” and personal style. While there could have been more diversity—many subjects are drawn from mainstream white culture, though Uzarowski takes care to include the likes of Josephine Baker and James Baldwin, along with a few other people of color—readers will revel in this tribute to boundary-pushing luminaries. Itʼs a delight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch this interview with Anthony on Robert Bellissimo at The Movies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VhmRCduQcjs?si=wT75HNVCiTI-hvVl\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-351-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 176\u003cbr\u003e7\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2 \u003c\/sub\u003ex 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Friends of Dorothy

Friends of Dorothy

A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Icons

By: Anthony Uzarowski / Illustrated by: Alejandro Mogollo Díez

This giftable collection of Instagram-worthy illustrated biographies takes you on a tour through LGBTQIA+ history from the 20th century through today—featuring Judy Garland, RuPaul, and Lady Gaga.

What makes a gay icon? Free, uninhibited expression; an open mind; creativity; and bravery. Friends of Dorothy celebrates a wide range of people with the strength, vulnerability, charisma, and style that set them apart and gave them status with the queer community. 

Queer icons include supporters of LGBTQIA+ rights such as Marsha P. Johnson, and others like Divine and RuPaul who shattered social barriers to become important cultural ambassadors of queerness, changing the world in the process. Other icons are timeless entertainers with unique appeal, from Judy Garland and Bette Midler to Grace Jones and Lady Gaga.

This collection welcomes readers into a flamboyant world populated by larger-than-life figures who inspired LGBTQIA+ people—over the decades—creating controversy, challenging conventions, and sometimes putting their own lives on the line in order for new generations to live in a more equal and accepting world.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Anthony Uzarowski, author

Anthony Uzarowski is the author of Jessica Lange: An Adventurer’s Heart and coauthor of Ava Gardner: A Life in Movies. He has written numerous articles on cinema and the arts, with his work appearing in the Guardian, Film International, Gay Times, Queerty, and many other publications. You can also see his head pop up in the occasional documentary, where he shares his love for classic movies and its stars.

Read more about Anthony.


Alejandro Mogollo Díez, illustrator

Alejandro Mogollo Díez is a Spanish artist and illustrator from Seville. He studied art, film, and photography at Cornell University before becoming an art director and graphic designer. His unique illustrations, inspired by classic Hollywood and pop culture, have garnered the attention of many celebrities, including Madonna, who has shared his work on social media. His work has been previously featured in Encyclopedia Madonnica and MLVC60.

Read more about Alejandro.

  • Coming soon!

Publishers Weekly

In this jubilant outing, film historian Uzarowski (Jessica Lange) spotlights 40 tastemakers beloved by the LGBTQ+ community, from classic celluloid heroines of the 1930s and ʼ40s and pop divas of the 1960s and ʼ70s to contemporary celebrities. According to Uzarowski, thereʼs “no set sexual or gender identity” required to be a queer icon, who are celebrated instead for their “strength and vulnerability,” unabashed love of glamour and camp (Marlene Dietrich), support of the LGBTQ+ community (Cher), and groundbreaking representation of queer identity in their work (James Dean), or personal lives (Elton John). Alongside pop art–style portraits from Diez, the biographical sketches highlight how the subjectsʼ public personas intertwined with their lives and careers, from Katharine Hepburnʼs “ambiguous sexuality and confidence... [that] distinguished her from other female stars of the era” and led to movie projects “that highlighted her tomboyish qualities,” including a role in the “genderbending” 1935 Sylvia Scarlett, to “probably bisexual” Frida Kahloʼs “unique blend of feminine beauty and masculine elements,” which were evident in both her “androgynous... self-portraits” and personal style. While there could have been more diversity—many subjects are drawn from mainstream white culture, though Uzarowski takes care to include the likes of Josephine Baker and James Baldwin, along with a few other people of color—readers will revel in this tribute to boundary-pushing luminaries. Itʼs a delight.

Watch this interview with Anthony on Robert Bellissimo at The Movies

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-351-8
Page count: 176
71/x 9