Before the Parade is such an important book. LGBTQ+ history is so valuable to pass on, and this book presents it with a wonderful voice that keeps you engaged throughout. It was such an emotional read, and you don't want to miss it.

A joy to read! I learned so much about LGBTQ+ History in Canada. This book was impeccably researched and I really enjoyed all the primary source materials referenced. It was also so refreshing to see that the author actually interviewed so many folks to write this book-It really makes the reader emote, and I think it's important not to just see history as a series of events, but as something individuals and communities created and lived. I definitely cried at various points in the book- putting myself in these people's shoes...Which was easy enough to do because of how well written this is, but also, because in some ways, the LGBTQ+ communities are still facing many of the same struggles as they were in the 70's + 80's: housing insecurity, hate crimes and violence, etc.

Can't wait to see what they write next! I will definitely be adding this to my Library collections, and it has inspired me to dig more deeply into Canadian LGBTQ+ history.