Title: The Quotable Queer Author: Minnie Van Pileup Publisher: Fair Winds Press Publish Date: 2005 Pages: 192 Genres:: Gay, Compilation, Non-Fiction, Pop culture Reviewer: Layla Tichtchenko

Rating:

Whether straight or gay, bi or curious, there’s something from and for everyone in this hodgepodge of irreverent wit and wisdom. The Quotable Queer is full of tidbits of advice on subjects from love to fashion. It contains something from the non-gay populace as well, with bits of commentary from celebs such as Colin Farrell and Ben Affleck to writers and journalists like Truman Capote and the perhaps less-known columnist Dan Savage. The chapters are broken down by subjects including “ Style & Fashion” and “ Coming Out.”

Many of the quotes were especially clever, insightful and even rather profound, especially the ones from Oscar Wilde. Minnie Van Pileup would have done better by providing more quotes from the literary populace, like Truman Capote, who had a bawdy and fun quick wit. Rather than quotes that could stand alone on their own, The Quotable Queer is mostly full of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy comments, many of which can barely be called quotes because as they sit on the page out of context, they are rendered nearly meaningless. The quips of Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez are often in need of parenthetical explanation. There are a few that do provide such definition. But by and large, they’re just silly comments that only an avid viewer of their show might find amusing.

It was essential perhaps to the compilation to include comments on the opposite side of the fence as well. There are bizarre anti-gay quotes included as well. Many of them are shockingly coarse in their blatant attempt to quantify homosexuality. Many of these are actually from those in political offices with strong government influence. Despite the abhorrent anti-gay sentiments from so many politicians, it was refreshing to also see many comments on politics from gay politicians, of which there seem to be many more.

Minnie Van Pileup introduces the chapter on marriage by pointing out that gay marriage is no threat to heterosexual marriage. There are bold and somewhat coarse statements from the Traditional Values Coalition suggesting the subject of gay marriage is now the main “moral issue.” It’s shocking but perhaps necessary to understand just how strong and skewed the anti-gay sentiments are.

Despite all of its flaws, and useless and somewhat unquotable quotes, anyone the least bit interested in the subject of gay rights should read through this book. It is a quick and easy read. It may just open up your curiosity to read more on the subject or inspire you to read more from a particular writer who’s been quoted. It is insightful in places and clever in others. Although Minnie Van Pileup would have done better to rely less on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and more on authors, poets, and the like, it was a rather entertaining read.