The Hidden Stories They Tried to Erase
Volume Two of Two – Fresh for 2025
The book they don’t want you to read—back again before they try banning it once more.
Secrets captivate us. Scandals intrigue us. And when it comes to celebrities, the rich, the powerful, and the famous, we can't resist uncovering the truth about their personal lives—especially the parts history conveniently left out. Now, get ready for a book that delivers it all: passion, controversy, and a thousand and one revealing short stories about iconic figures from ancient Egypt to the modern day.
What do they have in common? They were all queer.
From movie stars to monarchs, scientists to soldiers, religious leaders to revolutionaries—Queers in History uncovers the hidden truths about the personal lives of some of history’s biggest names. The title is lighthearted, the stories are compelling, and the information is groundbreaking.
Ever wondered what the official biographies failed to mention?
- Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe shared a steamy one-night affair.
- Leonardo da Vinci was imprisoned—twice—for same-sex relationships.
- Leonard Bernstein fell for an Israeli soldier.
- The wife of a gay Hollywood actor accused Howard Hughes of romancing her husband before his untimely death.
- The founder of Shinto Buddhism also pioneered male-male love traditions in Japan.
- Angelina Jolie wanted to marry her "Firefox" co-star Jenny Shimizu.
- A First Lady moved her girlfriend into the White House—while another U.S. President shared his bed with his male security chief.
- A heroic soldier of the American Revolution was, in reality, a woman disguised as a man—who later “married” another woman.
- In 1886, when U.S. officials requested an Indian tribe send "their best woman" to Washington, D.C., they proudly sent a man—in a dress.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
This book has been 32 years in the making, filling 700 pages across two volumes—an unrivaled deep dive into the lives of queer individuals whose identities shaped history in ways you never imagined. But Queers in History is much more than a collection of facts. Each life story is a captivating narrative, exploring how their sexuality influenced their choices, their work, and their legacies.
Critically acclaimed in USA Today, Wired, The Village Voice, and more, previous editions ignited conversations wherever they landed. Put it on your coffee table and watch it become the center of your next gathering—just don’t leave it in the bathroom unless you’re prepared to lose your guests for a while!
I’m Keith Stern, the author of Queers in History and the creator of some of the most well-known biographical websites on the internet. This edition features an inspiring foreword from none other than Sir Ian McKellen—yes, Gandalf himself.
Visit queersinhistory.com to learn more.
Get ready—history is about to get a whole lot more interesting.