When Brooklyn Was Queer

By: Hugh Ryan

Narrated by: Hugh Ryan

The never-before-told story of Brooklyn's vibrant and forgotten queer history, from the mid-1850s up to the present day

Hugh Ryan's When Brooklyn Was Queer is a groundbreaking exploration of the LGBT history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the queer women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. No other book, movie, or exhibition has ever told this sweeping story. Not only has Brooklyn always lived in the shadow of queer Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Harlem, but there has also been a systematic erasure of its queer history - a great forgetting.

Ryan is here to unearth that history for the first time. In intimate, evocative, moving prose, he discusses in new light the fundamental questions of what history is, who tells it, and how we can only make sense of ourselves through its retelling; and reveals how the formation of the Brooklyn we know today is inextricably linked to the stories of the incredible people who created its diverse neighborhoods and cultures. Through them, When Brooklyn Was Queer brings Brooklyn's queer past to life, and claims its place as a modern classic.

©2019 Hugh Ryan (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Milestone in gay history!

The narration was excellent. The story's flow was well connected and thoroughly interesting throughout. Bravisimo!

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC

Ryan does a brilliant job reading his own well-researched (and entertaining) work. This may sound silly, but I really enjoyed his subtle sighs, which give the text an emotional depth I would have otherwise lost had I read this on my own. 13/10 would recommend.

A Mind-blowing Account of Brooklyn's Pride

Hugh Ryan is the perfect narrator of his own book. Serious with an occasionally campy inflection, scholarly when not hilariously funny, and entertainingly educational. He brings to life the multifaceted characters of Brooklyn's queer history, from Crane Hart to Truman Capote. Guaranteed to make your drive worth every minute.

The depth of earnest truth hits hard.

My only regret is the truth that is reality. Historical discrimination and suppression of race of culture of birth variant is a worldly disgrace.

Incredible history

Fantastically researched and presented. So much historical and economic history I had no idea about. Not only gives perspective into historical queer lives, but gives economic and political perspective on how all of society changed and how New York as a whole changed through the decades. A good effort to touch on queer PoC history as well despite all of society's efforts to erase the evidence. I just finished this book and am eager to listen again right away. Please give this a listen. It has enriched my historical understanding so so much!