Essential readings in LGBT history/culture

[Aquarelle]

I wish to further educate myself on LGBT history and culture. What are the definitive texts I need to read in the field?

 

[Thalassa]

I've never taken Queer Studies as an academic course, and I'm not sure what you mean by "history and culture" I mean do you want novels written by gay or bisexual men, like Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh, for a literary and historic treatment of men being bisexual or biromantic, and the probable life hurdles of the fully gay partner in the early 20th century western world... or do you want more sociological or artistic observation from a bisexual woman like Susie Bright or a lesbian comedian like Fran Liebowitz?

Because those are books or authors I'd recommend.

 

[Yama]

Stone Butch Blues

 

[Aquarelle]

I'm looking more for academic texts like a good historical overview, and basic queer theory (I've had some academic training, but need a refresher). But I will look into the authors you suggest.

 

[violet_crown]

I don't know if it's LGBT canon or anything, but Woolf's Orlando is pretty insanely ahead of its time in its exploration of gender.

My knowledge of LGBT-related academia is pretty cursory, though. :/

 

[Andronas]

Jonathan Katz. He did historical research.