Seema Yasmin wanted to write a book celebrating queer icons and queer people's contributions to society over the centuries, so that was one of the reasons why she wrote, "The ABCs of Queer History."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
"The ABCs of Queer History" is the book I wanted to read as a kid! I’m very much inspired by Toni Morrison who said, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” I wanted kids and their carers to have a book that is a joyous celebration of queer icons and queer people’s contributions to society over the centuries. The book shows queer joy and queer resilience side by side. It doesn’t gloss over the harder parts of our history, but it shows how much we shine when we embrace diversity within the queer community. We’re not a monolith!
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
It means seeing yourself represented in stories. It means seeing different melanin tones in picture book artwork. Reading Rainbow means losing yourself in stories where the queer characters thrive!
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
I’ve literally had friends tell me that, as kids, they found the will to live because they were handed books that showed that queer people exist. Books are empathy machines and imagination engines. Great stories — ones that push us forward to imagine greater futures and bigger possibilities — are literally lifesaving. And they’re fun to read.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
Two things can happen when you search for queer history. Either our people are written out of the history books, especially the queer disabled and queer Black and Brown folks; or we’re included…but our queerness is erased. How many times have you read: “Mary died a spinster in 1904 at the age of 80 and was survived by her friend Agnes?” Mary and Agnes were queer, and I want to know all about it! Spill all the tea! Tell me how they lived and loved and danced and read.
There’s a great character in "The ABCs of Queer History" by the name of Charley Parkhurst. Charley was one of the greatest stagecoach drivers in all the West. In fact, Charley was trusted by Wells Fargo to transport gold bullion across some of the most treacherous terrains. His eye was kicked out by a horse, but still he chewed tobacco and smoked cigars and rode his stagecoaches. When Charley died in 1879, his obituary in the Sacramento Daily Bee included this line:
“On Sunday last, there died a person known as Charley Parkhurst, aged 67, who was well-known to old residents as a stage driver. He was, in early days, accounted one of the most expert manipulators of the reins who ever sat on the box of a coach. It was discovered when friendly hands were preparing him for his final rest, that Charley Parkhurst was unmistakably a well-developed woman!”
I discovered so many Charleys out there who I had never heard of, and I’m excited to share their stories of badassness.
What can fans expect from your book?
Surprises, new names, as well as some familiar queer icons. There’s something for everyone.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
I have two more books forthcoming in 2024. "Unbecoming" is a young adult novel about two Texas teens navigating their friendship and their freedom in an America where abortion is beyond illegal. "Djinnology" is an illustrated and gruesome guide to the world of djinn, ghuls and other spooky spirits from the Muslim world.
