The Rainbow Age of Television: An Opinionated History of Queer TV

(Hardback)

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A fun and accessible blend of pop culture, entertainment, and queer history that celebrates LGBTQ+ television and examines the past, present, and future of queer representation on the small screen

The Rainbow Age of Television is a fun and accessible blend of pop culture, entertainment, and queer history that celebrates LGBTQ+ television and examines the past, present, and future of queer representation on the small screen.

From Abbott Elementary to The White Lotus to Yellowstone and the hundreds of other gems across a multitude of platforms in between, American audiences are being treated to a second Golden Age of Television. But something completely new is stirring, toothe first Rainbow Age. For the first time in the history of American television, we have queer women who fight the trope of inevitable on-screen death (Jane the Virgin, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Greys Anatomy); gay men who are more than just a flamboyant best friend (How to Get Away with Murder; Looking; OK, maybe we also still have Will and Grace); and trans people played by trans actors (The Fosters, Transparent, Pose, Euphoria,Tales of the City). But our screens certainly havent always been this colorful. How did we get to this veritable wealth of representation and sometimes glitter-strewn dimensionality What sacrifices were made along the way

The Rainbow Age of Television explores these questions and more as author Shayna Maci Warner tracks the evolution of LGBTQ+ icons across the televised ages and into the future of streamingfrom the first queer kiss to rock the airwaves to the shows that are making household names and heroes of queer characters today. Through conversations with critics, creators, stars, and detailed historical reference, The Rainbow Age of Television examines the rise of todays entertainment culture in which LGBTQ+ viewers are finally beginning to see themselves proudly on the screen and highlights the importance of such representation on television. Above all, its a proud celebration of the shows and their characters and creators that define this new age in television.

Reviews

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 *

Author Bio

Shayna Maci Warner is a GLAAD Rising Star-awarded Brooklyn- based writer and film programmer who is obsessed with television. Their words on queer films, shows, and feelings have appeared in Paste magazine, The Film Stage, Women and Hollywood, and Autostraddle, among other publications, and they have contributed to festival programming at NewFest, Outfest, Tribeca, and Nitehawk Cinema. To argue with Shaynas opinions on hot evil lesbians, you can find them at www.criticallyqueer.com.