The Rainbow Age of Television is such a wonderful survey of the big, beautiful expanse of LGBTQIA+ identities as represented on TV. Its a medium that brings characters so close to us, into our homes for episode after episode, which has been vital as queer people have fought to be accepted and embraced. Reading this book is like having your smart queer friend watching with you and guiding you through it all.
I love how author Shayna Maci Warner talks about intersectional identity, showing that the struggle isnt just one for queer peopleits for everyone. This book examines an age when LGBTQIA+ characters were finally able to at least occasionally flourish on television and is a tool to put in your quiver as queer representation faces an uncertain future thanks to everything from the economy and our political scene to shifting priorities from the tech platforms now controlling our media consumption. Let it be your guide to better understanding your LGBTQIA+ friends and neighbors, along with why they cant stop talking about this one show that you just absolutely have to watch. * Mike Roe, journalist and author of The 30 Rock Book * Warner is that telephile bestie with an absurd wealth of knowledge about queer TV. Still, The Rainbow Age of Television isnt just a history book; Warners cultural analysis of representation and its everlasting impact makes their book a must-read for every media-consuming queer person alive! * Zachary Zane, author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto * A true gem. Warners incisive analysis, detailed research, and wry humor make for a genuine page-turner chronicling American LGBTQIA+ TV history. Warner seamlessly navigates between critiquing the institutions that hold LGBTQIA+ television back and appropriately contextualizing and paying homage to those who laid the foundation for all we have now. The Rainbow Age of Television is an essential read for every queer storyteller. * Sav Rodgers, filmmaker and founder, Transgender Film Center * An astute account of how depictions of LGBTQ characters on TV have evolved since the 1970sThe history makes clear how advances in representation were often halting and double-edgedand interviews with queer television creators offer behind-the-scenes insightsa sharply observed chronicle of the small screen. * Publishers Weekly * A thoughtful, well-researched cultural study * Kirkus Reviews *