In the first ever full-length history of Rockford’s LGBTQIA+ community, author Andrew Mertzenich introduces the riveting stories of a community that has long lingered in the shadows. While other historical Rockfordians have been remembered and celebrated, queer people in Rockford history books, schools, organizations, and museums have been mostly ignored, insulted, or grossly misunderstood. But with dogged research and sparking wit, he knocks down the closet door to show readers those whose lives and work would influence the Forest City.

 

From brave soldiers to stunning drag artists, from tenacious activists

to the heartbreak of the AIDS crisis, and despite disadvantages ranging

from the courtroom to the streets, Mertzenich highlights these brave and varied individuals and organizations. In doing so he illuminates those who shaped, inspired, and sometimes scandalized the place we call home. This book gives them their due and sets the record straight (ha!) to share the Forest City’s unique, heartbreaking, and inspirational history of LGBTQIA+ people in our area’s past. His work evokes the enduring power of struggle, resilience, tenacity, creativity, community, and humanity in Rockford’s queer heritage, inspiring generations yet to come.