In a few short pages, Margot Canaday describes the field of LBGT history with high regard for the overarching framework of Intimate Matters, a groundbreaking work written in 1988 and revised in 2012 that explores the separation of sex and reproduction, the changing meanings of sex and sexuality over time (from "procreative," to "romantic," and then to "liberalized and commercialized"). These major shifts from the Colonial era and subsequently into the 19th and 20th centuries chart helpful shifts within the field of women's history.

At the same time, Canaday asserts that LGBT History has a "serious gender problem" (12) related to gender subordination. That is, a predictably uneven history privileging men's experiences has been a prominent issue. Regardless, Canaday remains very positive about LGBT history based not only on her experience going to conferences packed full with new scholars, but also the more concrete steps being made in the field of family, church, and the workplace, offering not only published, but forthcoming scholarship in each of these areas.