The Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History in America is a monumental piece of scholarship. It extends to more than 500 entries on 13 general subjects. People and politics are the two largest subject areas covered and both are further subdivided. Other areas included are: culture and the arts; academic disciplines and fields; identities, communities, and cultures; geographies; law and public policy, economics and labour; sex, sexuality, intimacy, and relationships; religion and spirituality; language, symbols, signs, and concepts; social life, issues, and institutions; and social, cultural and political processes. The breadth of the entries is such that it draws upon research from across the humanities and the social sciences. The full list of contributors is available in the third volume (pp. 327‐334) and is very impressive.
Stein's Preface (pp. xiii‐xvii) and Duggan's Historical Introduction (pp. xix‐xxi) usefully mark out the political project of the Encyclopedia and its substantive focus area. As they write, it seeks to focus on same‐sex and cross‐gender desires, practices and knowledge – that are termed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) – in different historical contexts. There are entries on early Native American cultural practices of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the Encyclopedia's strength is its coverage of the 20th century. The editors see the 1969 New York City Stonewall Riots as a watershed of LGBT activism and awareness. The Encyclopedia tries and manages to include pre‐1969 material to give more of a historical perspective to many LGBT issues.
The very useful chronology (pp. xxiii‐xlvi) is indicative of the Encyclopedia's strengths. This begins in the 15th century, but the entries are disparate in time, until the 1890s, when there are sufficient entries to subdivide history into decades. Over half of the chronology then covers the 1960s onwards. Finally the Encyclopedia concentrates on LGBT histories in the United States, including biographical entries for US citizens and those who resided in the United States for significant periods of time. Given the influence of American LGBT activism and research, this Encyclopedia it will be of interest to those studying LBGT issues both in America and generally.
Individual entries vary in length depending on the topic, but the biographical entries are shorter, typically about a page. Sub‐headings further divide a topic into its main periods, developments or components. An entry can therefore be read in its entirety or the most relevant parts selected. Each entry finishes with a bibliography and provides a list of “see also” references. Unlike the chronology, entries in the main Encyclopedia do not highlight cross‐references in the text. While this approach allows for a broader appreciation of a subject, it might frustrate those readers with more specific enquiries. There is, however, a comprehensive contents page and detailed index in the final volume.
The Encyclopedia is a valuable product of, and contribution to, LGBT scholarship and awareness. As a specialist reference, however, it is more likely that it will be held by university library services.
