Author(s): Matt McEvoy

NZ History and Society

30 Queer Lives explores the lives, struggles and successes of LGBTQIA+ New Zealanders, from north to south and from soldiers, celebrities, lawyers, drag queens, businesspeople and Olympians to farmers and fa`afafine. From the famous — including Grant Robertson, Gareth Farr and Chlöe Swarbrick — to the less well known, these 30 stories encourage empathy and understanding, challenge stereotypes, and offer courage and hope.

The author, Matt McEvoy, notes that as a young gay Kiwi kid growing up, books about All Blacks and Sir Edmund Hillary were ubiquitous, while stories about other New Zealanders struggled for a place in school libraries and bookshops. 'The singular elevation of the sports-hero genre made us feel that perhaps we weren't "real New Zealanders". 'To this day, there still has not been a book to celebrate queer expression and contribution to New Zealand life, and show how LGBTQIA+ people strengthen our rich culture.'

This book, bold and bright as the rainbow community itself, fills that gap. It explores the lives of queer people across New Zealand society.