Drawing from both primary and secondary sources, “Becoming Visible” traces the immutable presence of homosexuality through 2,000 years of history and a diverse range of cultures-from ancient Rome and Imperial China to the Third Reich and post-Stonewall America-and in the process invites a thoughtful examination of the odd dichotomy between those civilizations that accept and even nurture homosexuality and those that vilify it, all the while telegraphing the unmistakable message “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are everywhere.”

Illustrated with excerpts and personal accounts, each section of the reader is followed by questions that teachers could assign to students as well as suggestions for classroom activities. The readings are suitable for age levels from ninth grade through college, but general readers seeking insight into gay and lesbian history will be equally enriched.