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.

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!

Fantastic read, full of information

I love queer history and have, like most not heard of Brooklyn's. Fantastic read, and full of things I'd never heard of and connections to larger things and people that had come through the Brooklyn scene.

Exactly what I was looking for

This really was exactly what I was looking for. He's also a compelling narrator of his material.

Loved it!

An excellent and thoughtful overview of queer Brooklyn. The author does the reading and lends a life to the book that is enriching.

Phenomenal and fascinating! 🖤🤎🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

This intersectional masterpiece is a captivating queer and trans history of Brooklyn that I never would have come across otherwise. I especially appreciate its focus on queer and trans people of color. As a queer living in NYC, I can relate to a significant amount of this book’s content. Definitely would recommend!

Priceless LGBT history

It is clear that Ryan invested formidable work to write this historical book. Without history, all is forgotten. I always assume Manhattan was the epicenter of gay life in NYC. not so. it is heartbreaking to read how LGBT people were treated throughout the years and how we ended up where we are today. A must read!

Fascinating book

If you are looking for a really good read for Pride Month may I suggest “When Brooklyn Was Queer” by Hugh Ryan. It is not JUST a queer history of Brooklyn but a comprehensive exploration of Queerness in America between the publication of “Leaves of Grass” in 1855 and Stonewall in 1969. It explores the changes in queer self understanding as well as the changes in societal understanding of Queerness over time. Also the intersectionality and NON intersectionality between race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and class, and ALSO the roll that wartime disruption played in the emergence and repression of queer culture and identity. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a history book as enlightening and intriguing as this!