"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." - Audre Lorde  

Arabelle Sicardi's Queer Heroes embodies the spirit of Audre Lorde's powerful words. This inspiring book introduces readers to a diverse array of LGBTQ+ individuals who have made significant contributions to the world. Queer Heroes is a vibrant celebration of diversity and a powerful tool for fostering inclusivity. By showcasing a wide range of LGBTQ+ individuals, from historical figures to contemporary icons, the book offers young readers a much-needed sense of representation.

Seeing oneself reflected in the pages of a book is crucial for building self-esteem and a strong sense of identity. Queer Heroes provides young LGBTQ+ readers with inspiring role models who demonstrate that they are not alone and that their experiences are valid. Moreover, for young readers who may not identify as LGBTQ+, the book offers a valuable opportunity to develop empathy, understanding, and respect for the diversity of human experience. One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to introduce readers to familiar names like James Baldwin and Virginia Woolf in a new light, revealing their often-overlooked identities. Additionally, it highlights countless others who deserve wider recognition. Queer Heroes is a visually appealing and informative book that celebrates diversity and inspires readers to embrace their true selves.

With its engaging text and vibrant illustrations, Queer Heroes is a must-have addition to any library. It is a book that not only informs but also inspires, empowering readers to embrace their true selves and celebrate the richness of human diversity.

Queer Heroes is not only a book focused on the parts of historical figures’ lives that is often hidden, but it is also a stunningly beautiful work. From the colorful, almost joyful illustrations of the profiles to the absolutely transparent and frankly unapologetic cataloguing of the queer influence of these people, I appreciate the clear vision of who each person is.

This full color book is perfect for anyone wanting to learn about inspiring LGBTQ+ role models who have made a difference in their communities and in the world. The book includes profiles on LGBTQ+ artists, writers, innovators, athletes, and activists who have made great contributions to culture. The illustrations are eye catching! Backmatter includes a glossary for further learning.

This is a beautiful book that celebrates queer artists from Freddie Mercury to Frida Kahlo. Perfect for anybody who wants to learn more about queer history.

This is a book with so much potential - children need to see that some of their heroes are like themselves when it comes to their gender and/or sexual preferences.

This is where I immediately had a problem with it as the title states ‘meet 53 LGBTQ heroes from past or present’. Except you don't… most of the people we meet are LGB, there's very few transgender people and no one who identifies as nonbinary,or openly asexual for example. Representation matters, and that means there needs to be done correctly - the T and Q (IA) are already the minority even within the community without diminishing their existence in a book designed to highlight.

The writing also lets the book down, whether it be obvious typos and spelling mistakes which I know happen; but more importantly where the author doesn't make it a rule to refer to the person’ partner as either their first or surname and instead flips back and forth. If adults can get confused over this, then you can guarantee the intended age group will do so, and it's off-putting.

I found it sad that Ellen DeGenres was included, as the book was published after the revelations about her poor working behaviour came to light. I'm sure someone who is kinder and a member of the LGBTQ community could have placed there instead. Either historic or modern such as Sir Ian McKellan or Kye Allums would have been excellent to learn more about?

The positives are the vibrant art that brings the book together and the very existence of this in the first place. It's a book I had the utmost hope for, but it feels like it should have a note on it…

‘Must try harder’.

Perhaps if there's a sequel, it will take on board the necessity for full inclusion, etc.

Along with an apology for including Sia to any autistic queer people if there's a reprint.

I just reviewed Queer Heroes by Arabelle Sicardi. #QueerHeroes #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
Oueer Heroes is a good book for all ages that talks about queer representations in real life .
however It would have been better if they had more trans, ace/aro and gender fluid representations, otherwise it was a good read

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I liked this little book !
Sweet and colorful art and I like the diversity of the people represented here (there's a lot of POC which is not always very common when people are showing famous queer figures)!
Tho, a bit more of diversity for the lgbtq+ identities would have been nice :)
But it's a nice book to give to people so they get to discover some famous lgbtq+ figures :)


Thanks to Netgalley and Wide Eyed for their trust !

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley,

The coverart is STUNNING.

I love the biographies that were included. I definitely learned something new about several people featured in this book.
My ONLY complaint is that not many areas of the LBGTQIA+ Community were not included. . Hopefully there will be a book two so that can happen?

Between the drawings and the history and the information was pure perfection! My daughter definitely needs this on her shelf!

Thank you @netgalley for the eARC!

The one was very cool. The illustrations we gorgeous and I liked that the bios were short enough to be accessible for a younger audience, I also liked the wide range of figures recognized, though some felt a little basic and some even controversial.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for quickly giving me this graphic novel!

I thought the art is ok enough and that the information highlights of each person was very detailed for someone who wants a quick read.

However I did feel there was a shortage of people here like there’s more than just 53 persons who have done a lot for basically everyone. I’m not one for labels since it’s always about the persons talents regardless of who they like and don’t like but there are many out there and I wanted more from this graphic novel.

<blockquote>It is not our differences that divide us, it is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.
-Audre Lorde</blockquote>
Thanks to the creative team and NetGalley, i received a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Even though this is a children/MG book, it was very educational for me, even though i read a lot of works with LGBTQ people present, i have not read enough informational books, to hammer in that aspect of our diversity as humans, i am always semi-clueless about LGBTQ history and the different terms, however many movies or novels or graphic novels that i read that include them, Which is why reading Non-fiction books is important in this case, because even though i have many LGBTQ+ friends, we never really talk about our sexuality or gender identities.

In Celebration of Pride Month i read this, and will read more, This is actually the first monthly celebration i decide to take part in, recent homophobic Arabic reviews or comments, really annoyed me, that i wanted to show another sector of us, maybe it is a small sector now, but i truly believe that it will grow and grow, and one day we will be able to defeat the ugly ghoul of homophobia in this part of the world too.

While i have a privilege of not being a Muslim anymore, i got rid of the religious induced homophobia years before i forsaken that religion, so it is possible even for Muslim people, to let go of that prejudice and ugliness, they just have to realize the harmful impact, that there despicable comments, might do on LGBTQ individuals or the hate that the community in general, feels from our part of the world.

I used to try and limit myself to certain fights that touches me personally, but now, i don't feel like that anymore, i feel i want to take on all the fights that are worth fighting over here, while i am still here, because i don't intend to remain here forever if i can help it.

To return to the book, First of all I loved Freddie Mercury on the first page, love love love that man, watching the movie Queen, turned me into a diehard queen fan, but a fan for Freddie specially, the guy was simply a genius, His voice was a thing of legend, and he could do that on stage all day, my favorite versions of his songs, are the ones that were sang in Live Aid 1985.

What i didn't know, James Baldwin, Michel Angelo, SIA, Virginia woolf, Tchaikovsky, Oscar Wilde, i didn't know any of them was LGBTQ, Some people who don't know Leonardo Da Vinci might not know he was also gay, but i knew this part, because of my obsession with him.

Who inspired me to no end, Manvendra Singh Gohil, Subhi Nahas, Harvey Milk, Willem Arondeus, Khalid abd-elhadi, These individuals impressed me with their Gutsy actions and strength, many others did actually.
<blockquote>If You are not safe outside, and you are not safe inside, you better run.</blockquote>
It was awesome to see a few Arabs or Muslims in there, LGBTQ community around here need amazing individuals like this, It doesn't matter, if you fight from inside the system, or provide help from outside, by helping refugees of LGBTQ community, your time will eventually come.

I will end the review with the amazing words of James Baldwin.
<blockquote>If you don't live the only life you have, you won't live some other life, you won't live any life at all.</blockquote>

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The illustrations were pretty and interesting. I felt that it could’ve been a little more diverse and inclusive as it focused mostly on a few letters rather than giving us some of all the letters. While it’s wonderful to share queer stories and just living life as queer is heroic… I thought the title was a bit misleading as some stories were simply “they’ve said in interviews that they’ve dated both men and women”. Brave? Yes! Beautiful? Yes! Heroic? Not for the 2020s

Its a good overview of queer people but its also a very random list of people and to honest I don't get what makes them all a hero in any way - No idea what Sia did to be on that list. Just because she might have dated women and men in the past?

To say someone is gay just because they wrote a poem about it or they got accused also really rubs me the wrong way.

And where are the non-binary people? intersex? trans? If you write LGBTQ on it I would like to see more than the first three letters.

This is a book that every teen, straight or queer, should check out. I learned so many things about the people mentioned in this book, even the ones I already thought I knew a lot about. It also shows that Gay people didn’t just start showing up recently. We’ve always been around, and we’ll continue to be.

The illustrations in this book were also really interesting. I’m excited to check out a physical copy because I just know they’ll look even better off of the screen.

This book had a fantastic range of people within its pages. I had a chance to learn more about people I already had head of but also learn about people I hadn't. It will broaden the majority of people's awareness of experiences from different races, cultures and countries

I felt it was well researched, well written and beautifully illustrated

This really rubbed me the wrong way. It's supposed to be about "queer heroes," but this was mostly just about people's history and some of them happened to claim a certain sexuality.

A couple of these people only had rumors about their sexuality, nothing confirmed. They "confirmed" someone's sexuality based on poems they wrote. One of these people even referred to himself as a "closet heterosexual" and the author then said, "But whatever his sexual orientation was..." Like, doesn't that matter for this book?

The author also proudly described one of the "heroes" as a communist. That's nothing to be proud of. It's actually pretty distasteful. Another distasteful thing is holding some of these people up as heroes when they've had horrific pasts. Not just casual misbehavior like some of us have, but truly heinous stuff.

I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations were really interesting, and I found the book very informative. I liked that there were some people that I knew about, but lots of them were unfamiliar to me, and it gave me the chance to learn about other queer figures, both historical and modern. I highly recommend it, as it's a quick read but still helps inform people.

What a beautiful queer book. Great message and a great way to communicate it.
The absolutely fabulous cover is what got me to read it and that great art style delivered a beautiful book.