The real explosion of the politics and visibility of homosexuality has taken place in the last 60 years and, arguably, most identifiably in the United States, according to Hawley (English, Santa Clara U.), who presents a three-volume encyclopedia that traces this relatively recent history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer life in the United States and explores its role in defining US culture in the 20th and 21st centuries. From Steve Abbott, the late bisexual poet and novelist, to David Zamora Casas, a gay Chicano artist living in Texas, the encyclopedia's approximately 700 cross-refenced entries discuss topics related to art and photography, associations and organizations, culture and identities, dance, education, ethnic and interest groups, family, film and television, the gay movement, health, history, law and public policy, the lesbian movement, literature, music, news media and publishing, philosophy and ethics, politics and economics, queer theory, regional studies, religion, science, sexualities, sociology and cultural studies, terms and concepts, and theater and performance. A large number of individuals are included, with the emphasis on those living. Each entry includes a guide to further reading and the third volume contains a general bibliography and a cumulative index. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)