Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “Hi Honey, I’m Homo!”
Why: This is a great read for Pride month as it details the rise of LGBTQ+ characters in American sitcoms from “Bewitched” to “All in the Family” to “The Golden Girls” and “Will & Grace,” among others. Author Matt Baume details the behind-the-scenes fights with censors, networks, anti-gay protesters, and gay rights advocates. Baume smartly focuses on network television (NBC, CBS, and ABC) and the sitcom format, showing how the evolution of recurring queer characters on popular shows eventually led to supporting characters (think Billy Crystal’s Jodie on “Soap”) and ultimately queer central characters in shows like “Ellen” and “Will & Grace.” The book makes a strong argument that the country’s perception of the LGBTQ+ community was markedly influenced by these early representations on network television and led to changing the minds of politicians, and eventually laws governing gay rights. The library offers the book in print, e-book and e-audiobook.
Where: This is available as a print book, e-book and e-audiobook from the Monroe County Library system.
How: You can request books online by logging in to www.keyslibraries.org and get e-books and e-audiobooks 24/7 at www.estuff.keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org
Recommended by: Michael Nelson, assistant director of public services
