Short History of Queer Parenting by Kirsty Loehr
A smart, engaging read from a local author who knows how to make history feel relevant, fun and curious. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to understand the roots of queer family life—and why those roots matter now.
Short History of Queer Parenting by Kirsty Loehr
Queer families are not a modern invention—they’ve always been part of the human story. Kirsty Loehr’s Short History of Queer Parenting reminds us of that truth with arch wit and clarity, tracing the many ways LGBTQ people have raised children across cultures and centuries. Loehr is here with receipts – fabulous, historical receipts stretching back millennia.
This is not a dense academic tome; it’s a lively, accessible read that offers snapshots of history rather than exhaustive detail. Loehr moves from ancient poets who balanced motherhood with same-sex love, to networks of women in imperial China who created family structures outside heterosexual norms, and on to the unconventional marriages of early 20th-century Britain. These stories challenge the idea that queer parenting is new or marginal—they show it as enduring, adaptive, and deeply human.
Conversations about queer parenting here often focus on legal frameworks and contemporary challenges, but Loehr’s book widens the lens. It’s a reminder that our families have always existed, even when laws and social norms tried to erase them. That’s empowering for anyone navigating parenthood today. It's validating, affirming, to see our lineage traced with such gleeful irreverence.
Whether you're actively family-planning, child-free and curious, or simply wanting cocktail party ammunition, Loehr arms you with gloriously queer-verified nuggets of history. The author's voice threads throughout – but the format positively invites the browsing approach. Pick it up, flip through, absorb what resonates, return when the mood strikes. It's designed for our dopamine-addled, scroll-happy brains, and there's genuine liberation in that honesty.
The tone is conversational, funny and sharp, with Loehr’s trademark no-nonsense humour running throughout. It feels designed for dipping in and out—perfect for those who want quick, fact-checked insights to share or reflect on and I always enjoy the new facts I learn from Loehr's books. While not every joke will land for every reader, the substance is strong enough to carry the book. And for those who want to dig deeper, Loehr provides resources for further study.
This is a smart, engaging read from a local author who knows how to make history feel relevant, fun and curious. It offers something precious: ancestral connection to a queer parenting tradition that predates any of us. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to understand the roots of queer family life—and why those roots matter now.
Out now £8.99. for more info or to order see the publishers website here:
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