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15 LGBTQ Books for Kids and Teens Recommended by Queer Librarians, Educators, and Independent Booksellers

By Caitlin Giddings

Recent book bans censor discussions on sexuality and gender identity with young people. But many kids today are growing up with queer parents and other extended family members, as well as in communities with queer families and classmates. Silencing basic information prevents them from understanding their world, fictionalizes reality for all kids—and further erases those who are LGBTQ.

I would know. In 1993, my school district drew nationwide attention for removing and banning Annie on My Mind —one of the first young adult novels about two girls who fall in love—at a time when I was beginning to struggle with my own identity. Reading books about LGBTQ life and identity shows all children how others live, while also holding up a mirror for some kids to see themselves, said Nicole Champoux, a Montessori school administrator and teacher in Washington state. And today there are hundreds of age-appropriate children’s books exploring queer families, history, gender expression, and more.

But for those of us who grew up in eras when those books didn’t exist—or in communities where they weren’t yet accessible—it can be hard to know where to start in choosing books for our own kids. We asked Champoux, as well as a dozen other queer librarians, educators, and booksellers, for their reading recommendations for kids of all ages. Here are their picks, along with options to support independent, queer-owned bookstores.

Picture books for young children

Bodies Are Cool written and illustrated by Tyler Feder (about $12 at the time of publication)

Also available at Charis Books & More ($19 at the time of publication)

Bodies Are Cool is a body-positive picture book that takes a casual approach to queer representation. It depicts a diverse array of bodies—of all shapes, sizes, races, and genders, including post-top-surgery trans bodies—paired with playful rhyming text. The book doesn’t focus on LGBTQ kids specifically, but Sara Luce Look , co-owner of Charis Books & More in Decatur, Georgia, found that it had the perfect inclusive message about anatomy. “The biggest need we were having was for books on puberty or how to talk about bodies,” Luce Look said. “We love this one—it’s important for all kids to see different kinds of bodies, and to see fat bodies and disabled bodies and different types of people interacting with each other in all different kinds of ways.”

Federico and All His Families by Mili Hernández, illustrated by ​​Gómez ($10 at the time of publication)

Also available at Unabridged Bookstore ($10 at the time of publication)

As kids with LGBTQ parents begin socializing, they learn early that their family structures aren’t the norm. In my family’s experience, this growing awareness came from both media and simple observation of the larger community—but also from other young children’s repeated insistence that it’s impossible to have more than one mom or dad. That’s why picture books that serve to normalize different family structures—like Federico and All His Families —are so important for all toddler- and preschool-age kids. The colorful board book tells the story of a helpful neighborhood cat who visits different families as they prepare to start their day, including families with two moms and two dads, a single-parent family, and one with grandparents raising a child. Kate Wilson, children’s book buyer at Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago, recommends it as a form of “incidental representation” that introduces the concept of family diversity without making it the sole focus of the story.

A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng ($18 at the time of publication)

Also available at Unabridged Bookstore ($20 at the time of publication)

For a more straightforward depiction of family diversity, Naomi Socher-Lerner , children’s librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia, said A Family Is a Family Is a Family is “a bit on the nose, but very sweet.” The picture book tells the story of a class of kids asked to share what makes their families special. A young narrator is initially afraid that her family might be too different to include, but she’s soon proved wrong by other kids’ comical depictions of their own diverse households, including families with divorced parents, foster kids, lots of grandparents, two dads, and two moms who are “terrible singers” but nevertheless “love to sing really loud.”

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita ($14 at the time of publication)

Also available at Women & Children First ($20 at the time of publication)

When Aidan Became a Brother is recommended by multiple queer librarians and booksellers for its heartwarming tale of a family navigating their son’s emerging trans identity while they prepare to welcome a second child. “When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl,” the book starts. But as Aidan grew older, he began to realize he was “a different type of boy.” Although “it was hard to tell his parents what he knew about himself, it was even harder not to.” Sarah Hollenbeck, co-owner of the Women & Children First bookstore in Chicago, said parents of trans kids have picked up the book and really responded to its generous spirit. “(Aidan’s) parents have this beautiful moment of accountability with their child about having made some mistakes by raising him in the wrong gender,” Hollenbeck said. “I am so grateful to have that kind of message in the world.” Wilson agreed that the book portrays family support of a trans kid with empathy and depth. “It has such emotional intelligence—I can’t recommend this one highly enough,” they said.

Julián Is a Mermaid and Julián at the Wedding written and illustrated by Jessica Love (about $10 and $13 at the time of publication)

Also available at BookWoman ( each book is $17 for hardcover at the time of publication)

Julián Is a Mermaid and Julián at the Wedding are two more picture books depicting kids exploring gender expression with family support. With scant dialogue and dazzling illustration, the first book tells the story of Julián, a young boy who has some apprehension about sharing his love of makeup, flowy hair, and mermaid role-play with his abuela . But to his surprise, she embraces and celebrates his interests by taking him to the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade in New York City, where Julián struts down the boardwalk in makeshift mermaid regalia as his glamorous authentic self. The book’s sequel shows Julián making delightful mischief at a lesbian wedding with a new friend named Marisol, a little girl who’s equally authentic to herself. Audrey Kohler , senior bookseller at the feminist bookstore BookWoman in Austin, Texas, recommends both. “The books show family embracing gender expression, which is really important for children,” Kohler said. “They’re just a nice look at the different ways children can explore their genders—and the artwork is so gorgeous.”

Books for first- through third-graders

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno (about $12 at the time of publication)

Also available at Giovanni’s Room Bookstore ($19 at the time of publication)

So many kids have encountered the rainbow equality flag, whether posted in the window of a local shop or flying from a neighbor’s porch. But because LGBTQ history is so rarely taught in school, most don’t have a sense of the history of that flag or the context—and recency—of modern Pride movements. Picture books like Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag help introduce young kids to some of those early struggles for queer rights in a way that’s “bright, cheerful, and really relatable,” said Nicole Champoux, head of Arbor Montessori School in Sammamish, Washington. The book tells the origin story of the Pride flag through welcoming text and colorful, panoramic illustrations. “It engages children on an imaginative level and lights up their empathy and understanding,” she said.

My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Violet Tobacco ($10 at the time of publication)

Also available at BookWoman ($15 for an eBook at the time of publication)

In the world of LGBTQ picture books, Gayle E. Pitman is probably best known for This Day in June , a joyful, rhyming ode to Pride parades. But in 2020 Pitman published another winning celebration of queer life and families, My Maddy , which introduces kids to a nonbinary parent while highlighting the beauty of other things that defy easy categorization, like sporks, motorcycles, and hazel eyes. Austin, Texas, bookseller Audrey Kohler said it’s among their favorite books showcasing diverse family structures for young readers.

A Princess of Great Daring! by Tobi Hill-Meyer, illustrated by Eleanor Toczynski ($16 at the time of publication)

A Princess of Great Daring! is a favorite of Lee Steube, YA librarian at the Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library in Pennsylvania. Ostensibly, the book is about a trans girl coming out to her friends for the first time while they’re playing a make-believe game involving princesses and dragons. But the coming-out process isn’t the narrative’s primary focus. “The book models several things well—it models her parents being supportive, her friends being positive and supportive, and it fights back against the idea of, ‘Oh, you’re a princess, you’re going to sit back and be rescued.’” Jamie gets to be a princess and save the day in this imaginative adventure. The book comes from publishing house Flamingo Rampant , a great source of picture and middle-grade books that center on LGBTQ identities, Steube said. “They have such a wide range of books that highlight queer families and include the joy, just by showing queer people living their lives in ways that are fun and interesting.”

Books for third- through sixth-graders

The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids About Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families by Rachel E. Simon, illustrated by Noah Grigni (about $17 at the time of publication)

Also available at Charis Books & More ($20 at the time of publication)

For late-elementary and early middle-school kids, there’s a real need for explanatory nonfiction books that challenge some of our traditional thinking about bodies and gender, said Remy Timbrook, a librarian at the Oakland Public Library in Oakland, California. “We’ve had a lot of caregivers asking for books that explain these topics without being quite so binary or old-fashioned, so they don’t make people feel bad about themselves when reading them.” She praises The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids About Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families for its gender-inclusiveness in approaching big topics like puberty, hormones, pregnancy, and childbirth—and briefly even miscarriage, abortion, birth control, and safer sex. “Nobody wants to be erased, right?” Timbrook said. “Kids are always getting handed these classic books about growing up—having one that includes matter-of-fact descriptions and discussions of what it means to be cisgender or transgender is really important,” she said, for validating and celebrating kids’ realities. (We have more book suggestions in our guide to tools to help prepare your kid for puberty .)

This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby (about $14 at the time of publication)

Also available at Giovanni’s Room Bookstore ($17 at the time of publication)

For similarly broad-sweeping representation, This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us is an “all-inclusive anthology of fiction geared toward middle-grade readers,” said Katharine Milon, manager of the long-running Giovanni’s Room Bookstore in Philadelphia. “Usually when you find queer fiction, one identity is showcased per story—and I understand that as a teaching tool,” Milon said. “But in reality, friend groups are much more complex.” She describes the book as a playful set of stories about kids from various identities under the queer umbrella, written by some notable authors. But any education about queerness or gender identity is purely secondary to each chapter’s plots. “It’s not just, ‘Oh, here is a nonbinary character, this is how the character would like to be addressed’—but more like, ‘Here’s a nonbinary kid that gets to be a pirate.’ Kids want to see themselves in a story, but more than that, they want to be told a story.”

The Tea Dragon Society written and illustrated by K. O’Neill (about $16 at the time of publication)

Also available at A Room of One’s Own ($18 at the time of publication)

Kids who are drawn to graphic novels will likely find a lot to love about The Tea Dragon Society , a delightful book that features gentle, warm depictions of many different queer characters, said Gretchen Treu , ​​co-owner at A Room of One’s Own bookstore in Madison, Wisconsin. The 2018 Eisner Award–winning book series follows a young blacksmith apprentice as she dives into the fantastical world of tea dragons , miniature dragons who can sprout tea leaves from their heads. Treu said the series gives queer kids both a sense of being seen and an opportunity to explore their own identities. “They’re looking for stories that are mirrors, but they’re also looking for windows that help them learn about other people, or other worlds and experiences,” Treu said of the Tea Dragon series , which spans three titles . “These books give kids an opportunity to step into an identity, and see opportunities to figure themselves out without having to know everything about themselves to begin with.”

Books for middle-schoolers and up

Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman (about $22 for Volume One at the time of publication)

Also available at Giovanni’s Room Bookstore ($25 for Volume One at the time of publication)

Emily Hersh, librarian at Navarro Early College High School in Austin, Texas, said graphic novels are huge with her school’s large immigrant population because so many of the students are English-language learners, and the illustrations aid their understanding. She recommends the Heartstopper series —sweet and realistic illustrated novels about two boys who fall in love (now a Netflix series ). “The book’s characters have a group of friends who are also on the queer spectrum, and it’s beautiful to see them interact so naturally and comfortably, like it’s not even a big deal that one’s transgender or one’s gay,” Hersh said. “Let’s normalize it all.”

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi ($11 at the time of publication)

Also available at A Room of One’s Own (about $19 at the time of publication)

Bitter is another of bookstore owner Gretchen Treu’s fantasy favorites, for its inclusion of queer characters in a compelling storyline. The book is the prequel to Akwaeke Emezi’s popular Pet , and it tells the alternate-reality tale of a teen called to use her voice for protest when her supposed utopian city of Lucille becomes embroiled in violence. “It’s very much a question of ‘what will you do when the revolution comes—will you use what privilege you have to help?’” Treu said. The story depicts an array of queer and trans characters fighting for equality and justice—but also enjoying love and support from their families and communities.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo ($9 at the time of publication)

Also available at Unabridged Books (about $12 at the time of publication)

“It’s not easy being a queer teen in 2022, and it was even less so in the 1950s,” said Spokane, Washington–based librarian Candise Branum of her pick, Last Night at the Telegraph Club . The National Book Award–winning YA novel places queer youth in a historical context via the tale of a Chinese-American teen navigating her sexuality at the time of the Red Scare in 1954. Branum praises the story for including a sense of hope and positivity absent from most queer pulp tales of the era. “Seeing evidence of lesbians thriving and finding love and community in a time of extreme oppression—especially now with everything that’s happening in Texas and Florida and across the entire country—demonstrates the fight and resiliency our community has historically had,” she said. The book’s author, Malinda Lo, has written a number of beloved YA books with queer characters. Lo is also the founder of Diversity in YA , a volunteer-run blog that promotes young adult books featuring disabled and LGBTQ characters as well as people of color.

For more book suggestions, check out the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Awards titles, which introduced a Children and Young Literature category in 2010.

This article was edited by Joshua Lyon and Kalee Thompson.

Naomi Socher-Lerner, librarian at Parkway Central Children’s Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia , email interview , March 16, 2022

Sara Luce Look, co-owner of Charis Books & More , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Gretchen Treu, co-owner of A Room of One’s Own , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Audrey Kohler, senior bookseller at BookWoman , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Candise Branum, librarian at Gonzaga University , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Lee Steube, librarian at Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library in Pennsylvania , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Remy Timbrook, librarian at Oakland Public Library , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Kate Wilson, children’s book buyer at Unabridged Bookstore , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Emily Hersh, librarian at Navarro Early College High School , phone interview , March 17, 2022

Sarah Hollenbeck, co-owner of Women & Children First bookstore , phone interview , March 20, 2022

Katharine Milon, manager at Giovanni's Room Bookstore , phone interview , March 20, 2022

Nicole Champoux, head of school at Arbor Montessori school , email interview , March 29, 2022

Meet your guide

Caitlin Giddings

Caitlin Giddings is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, Lonely Planet, Outside magazine, and more.

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These books incorporate and celebrate LGBTQIA+ themes and experiences. They present thoughtful stories around concepts like acceptance, truth, love, and identity. These stories will help young people to connect, build empathy, and learn that everyone's story deserves to be told.

Shop books selected by Scholastic editors below to help your students  Read With Pride . You can find all books and activities at  The Teacher Store . 

For immediate release | June 20, 2023

An updated guide to LGBTQIA+ books for children and teens

CHICAGO — Books for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, asexual, and intersex readers and their allies continue to thrive and evolve in reflection of the variety of families and individual identities today. Deemed "an essential purchase" in a starred review by School Library Journal , the new second edition of “ LGBTQIA+ Books for Children and Teens ,” published by ALA Editions , highlights the best lit for young people while also addressing urgent topics such as the rise in book challenges. Authors Kathleen Breitenbach and Liz Deskins offer library workers and teachers the information and tools they need to build a diverse, inclusive collection and confidently share it with the patrons they support. This resource:

• provides hundreds of annotated book entries, complete with author and illustrator, publisher, date of publication, descriptions of each book’s LGBTQIA+ representation, and helpful prompts to foster discussion;
• surveys the current censorship push against books with LGBTQIA+ topics, themes, and characters, discussing its effect on young people and how to deal with objections and book challenges head on;
• includes interviews with noted authors that explain not only why they write for children, but what they feel librarians and teachers should understand when working with queer children and their classmates;
• spotlights picture books for young children that depict kids, parents, and families with a variety of gender and sexual dynamics;
• introduces books for middle-grade readers, focusing on titles with young people who are questioning and finding themselves while searching for where they belong;
• shares books for teens that range from stories touching on mental health and other issues that develop as youth start high school to others that explore housing insecurity and other concerns that impact older teens; and
• shares ideas for programming and marketing, advice on outreach to stakeholders, and best practices for supporting LGBTQIA+ students.

Breitenbach (they/them) has been the Teen Librarian at the Hamilton Township (NJ) Public Library since 2009 and is the 2022–2023 Past Chair of the Rainbow Round Table. They have also served on the Rainbow Book List Committee and the Stonewall Book Awards Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Committee for the Rainbow Round Table; chaired YALSA’s Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults; and spoken on LGBTQIA+ issues and youth literature in webinars and conference programs. Deskins was a school librarian for 30 years, teaching at the elementary, high school, and college levels. Now retired, she is an adjunct professor for Kent State University. A past president of Buckeye Children and Teens Book Awards as well as past president of OELMA (Ohio Educational Library Media Association), she has also served on numerous committees and task forces for AASL and ALSC. Her other publications include “Linking Picture Book Biographies to National Content Standards: 200+ Lives to Explore” and “ Content-Area Collaborations for Secondary Grades .”

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman at [email protected].

Related Links

"LGBTQIA+ Books for Children and Teens, Second Edition"

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LGBTQ Education: Books

• LGBTQ Youth
• Classroom Practices
• Curriculum Inclusion

View the full project here .

Awards & Book Lists

The first and most enduring award for LGBTQ books is the Stonewall Book Awards , sponsored by the American Library Association's Rainbow Round Table .

For over 30 years, the Lambda Literary Awards (the “Lammys”) have identified and honored the best lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender books.

The American Library Associations Rainbow Round Table (formerly the GLBT Round Table) is the nation's first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender professional organization. In addition to sponsoring the Stonewall Book Award, the Rainbow Round Table provides professional resources such as book lists, reviews, detailed bibliographies, and more.

• BOOK RIOT Articles and lists tagged #lgbtq from BOOK RIOT.
• I'm Here, I'm Queer, What the Hell Do I Read? Blog and forum from author Lee Wind featuring LGBTQ children's and YA books.
• Lambda Literary Awards For over 30 years, the Lambda Literary Awards (the “Lammys”) have identified and honored the best lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender books.
• LGBTQ Reads LGBTQ Reads is a site dedicated to promoting curated LGBTQIAP+ literature for all ages, run by author and blogger Dahlia Adler.
• NoveList K-8 Plus Books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters from NoveList.
• Professional Tools Resources from the American Library Association Rainbow Round Table, including reviews, news, and a variety of detailed bibliographies.
• Rainbow Book List Reviews and best of lists from the GLBT Round Table of the American Library Association.
• School Library Journal Reviews, articles, and book lists from School Library Journal tagged LGBTQIA+
• Stonewall Book Award The first and most enduring award for GLBT books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Rainbow Round Table.
• What is “Good” LGBTQ YA? An in-depth look at LGBTQ young adult literature from author and advocate Malinda Lo.
• YA Pride YA Pride is dedicated to promoting and discussing LGBTQIAP+ Young Adult literature. YA Pride publishes quarterly issues on topics related to the LGBTQIAP+ YA literary community.

Books for Educators

These are some books available in the MaineCat Statewide Catalog on LGBTQ topics in education:

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• Last Updated: Sep 15, 2022 8:59 PM
• URL: https://libguides.spsd.org/lgbtqeducation

• On the Road

20 exceptional LGBTQ+ children’s books your kids should read immediately

Diverse children’s literature can shape young minds. Through the power of storytelling, they inspire young readers to embrace their own identities, respect others, and create a future where love knows no bounds.

Books play a vital role in representing different identities and experiences, allowing young readers to see themselves reflected and learn about the world around them. These exceptional LGBTQ+ children’s books serve as windows to a world of understanding, compassion, and self-discovery.

Related: Conservatives threatened to hold LGBTQ+ library books hostage. The plan blew up in their faces. The bungling pair ended up raising $45,000 for the library to help expand their LGBTQ+-themed programming and materials.

1. Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Daily Weekly Good News

Julian Is a Mermaid is a heartwarming tale that follows Julian, a young boy captivated by the allure of mermaids he sees on the subway. Fueled by his creativity, Julian transforms into a mermaid using household items. With the support of his abuela, he finds the courage to embrace his imagination and authentic self, leading to a powerful and affirming moment.

Jessica Love, the author and illustrator of the book, crafts a story that beautifully showcases the importance of acceptance and unconditional love within families. Love’s vibrant and evocative illustrations vividly capture Julian’s emotional journey and connection with his abuela. By exploring the themes of self-expression and identity, she empowers young readers to embrace their uniqueness.

2. Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian

Worm Loves Worm challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes through the story of two worms who decide to get married. As their friends question the roles and traditions associated with weddings, Worm and Worm remain steadfast in their love and determination to celebrate their union on their own terms. The book elegantly shows that love knows no boundaries and that anyone can be whoever they want.

J.J. Austrian’s narrative, complemented by Mike Curato’s engaging illustrations, creates a delightful and inclusive world where the characters’ love is at the forefront. By offering an alternative perspective on marriage, Austrian and Curato encourage readers to challenge societal norms and embrace the diversity of love. Worm Loves Worm is a celebration of love and a call for acceptance, and it has garnered widespread acclaim for its simple yet profound message.

3. Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman

A groundbreaking classic, Heather Has Two Mommies introduces young readers to Heather, a girl with two moms. As Heather prepares to show her classmates her family tree, the story beautifully emphasizes that families come in all shapes and sizes. The book celebrates diversity and challenges societal norms by showcasing the love and care that Heather’s family provides her.

Lesléa Newman’s thoughtful storytelling and Laura Cornell’s whimsical illustrations make this book a timeless favorite. By presenting an inclusive narrative, the book fosters understanding and acceptance among young readers, while Cornell’s vibrant artwork adds a layer of warmth to the story.

4. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Inspired by a true story, And Tango Makes Three introduces readers to Roy and Silo, two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who form a loving partnership. When they’re given a chance to care for an egg and raise a penguin chick named Tango, the story beautifully illustrates that love and family transcend traditional norms and can be found in unexpected places.

Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s heartwarming narrative, complemented by Henry Cole’s charming illustrations, celebrates the resilience and love exhibited by Roy, Silo, and Tango. The book gently introduces the concept of same-sex couples and families to young readers, while Cole’s soft and endearing artwork captures the emotion of the penguins’ journey. The authors’ commitment to depicting diverse family structures has made And Tango Makes Three a beloved choice for parents and educators seeking to promote understanding and inclusion.

5. Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer

In Stella Brings the Family , young Stella faces a dilemma as her class prepares for a special event celebrating families. With two dads and no mother, Stella feels unsure about who to invite. As she navigates her feelings, she discovers that family isn’t limited to a traditional structure. The story beautifully emphasizes that love, care, and support define a family.

Miriam B. Schiffer’s heartfelt narrative sensitively addresses the complexities children like Stella might experience. Holly Clifton-Brown’s illustrations capture Stella’s emotions and interactions with her classmates, portraying a diverse cast of characters. Together, the author and illustrator create a touching story highlighting the importance of accepting and celebrating different family dynamics.

6. The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke

The Princess Knight takes readers on an empowering journey with Princess Violetta, who defies traditional gender roles by becoming a knight. As she dons armor and embarks on heroic quests, Violetta challenges the notion that certain roles are limited by gender. The book sends a powerful message that every child should be free to follow their dreams.

Bestselling author Cornelia Funke delivers a modern fairy tale encouraging young readers to question societal expectations and stereotypes. Kerstin Meyer’s dynamic illustrations portray Violetta’s courage and determination, helping children visualize the strength of pursuing one’s passions regardless of preconceived notions. The Princess Knight encourages children to embrace their interests and aspirations without limitations.

7. Introducing Teddy by Jess Walton

Introducing Teddy is a tender exploration of friendship, understanding, and gender identity. Teddy, a teddy bear, confides in his friend Errol that he is actually a girl bear named Tilly. Errol’s supportive response models the importance of acceptance and respecting others’ identities, fostering a heartwarming connection between the characters.

Jess Walton’s touching narrative approaches the topic of gender identity with sensitivity and simplicity, making it accessible to young readers. Dougal MacPherson’s illustrations bring Teddy/Tilly, and Errol’s emotions to life, capturing the nuances of their relationship. It gently introduces the concept of gender identity and underscores the significance of unconditional friendship and understanding.

8. Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag chronicles the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement through the life of Harvey Milk and the creation of the iconic rainbow flag. The book highlights Milk’s advocacy for equality and the enduring symbol of hope and inclusion represented by the rainbow flag.

Rob Sanders’ informative narrative, accompanied by Steven Salerno’s vibrant illustrations, educates young readers about the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Through Harvey Milk’s story, the book imparts the message that individuals can make a positive impact by standing up for justice. Pride serves as a testament to the importance of equality and the power of unity.

9. They, She, He, Me: Free to Be! by Maya Christina Gonzalez

They, She, He, Me: Free to Be! explores gender pronouns and the fluidity of identity. The book introduces readers to different pronouns through playful language and interactive elements and encourages a respectful understanding of gender diversity.

Maya Christina Gonzalez’s empowering text is accompanied by Matthew SG’s lively illustrations, creating an inclusive and dynamic learning experience. Gonzalez’s background as an LGBTQ+ advocate and artist infuses the book with authenticity, while Matthew SG’s artistic interpretation complements the narrative’s interactive and educational approach.

10. Daddy’s Roommate  by Michael Willhoite

Michael Willhoite’s 1990 book is an adorable story about a boy spending time with his divorced father and his partner. The two men are explicitly gay, as near the end of the book, the boy says, “Mommy says Daddy and Frank are gay. At first I didn’t know what that meant. So she explained it. Being gay is just one more kind of love. And love is the best kind of happiness. Daddy and his roommate are very happy together. And I’m happy too!”

Ten years later, Willhoite wrote a sequel,  Daddy’s Wedding , where Daddy and Frank get married. Since it’s pre- Obergefell v. Hodges , it’s officially a “commitment ceremony.” The little boy narrator is asked to be Daddy’s best man. And the book has a dog eating some wedding cake — what more could anyone ask for?

11. My Daddies by Gareth Peter

English author Gareth Peter’s 2021 picture book is about two dads who have an adopted child. He says he wrote it after seeing that there weren’t a lot of picture books that reflected families like his, with his partner and two adopted children. So he wrote this one — a nice story about what parents do with their kids to make them feel loved.

There was sadly a backlash from the folks you’d expect, but Peter didn’t let that stop him, and he’s written a sequel, Adventures With My Daddies , and a companion volume,  My Mommies Built a Treehouse . 

12. I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown

Queer Eye culture host Karamo Brown wrote a picture book with his son about accepting oneself. The story is about a dad and son walking through the city, and, according to Amazon, “discovering all the ways in which they are perfectly designed for each other.”

13. Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress  by Christine Baldacchino

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress is a picture book about a little boy who loves to put on a dress from his class’ costume bin. Unfortunately his classmates mock him, saying dresses aren’t for boys, and they won’t let him play with them.

Eventually he gets sick of the bullying and stays home from school where he has a dream about going to space with his cat. He paints the scene and brings it to school, which wins over his classmates. It’s a nice little book about being accepting of gender nonconformity.

14. This Day In June  by Gayle E. Pitman

Gayle E. Pitman’s 2014  This Day In June is a primer for 4- to 8-year-olds about what Pride celebrations are about. It’s an age-appropriate guide to Pride, and it even comes with a note to adults about how to speak to kids about queer issues in age-appropriate ways. 

Despite being a cute picture book, it was one of the American Library Association’s 11 Most Challenged Books . Pitman also wrote a children’s book in 2018,  Sewing the Rainbow , all about Gilbert Baker , the creator of the first rainbow Pride flag.

15. Santa’s Husband by Daniel Kibblesmith and AP Quach

Santa’s Husband started out as a joke . Author Daniel Kibblesmith tweeted in 2016 that his future kids would be told that Santa is Black, and “If they see a white one we’ll say ‘That’s his husband.'”

He ended up getting a book deal and took the story seriously. In the book, adorably illustrated by A.P. Quach, the Clauses go through the Christmas checklist of feeding the reindeer and checking Santa’s list (and checking it again), and just celebrating each other at home. Santa’s husband even helps out at the mall posing as his partner so more kids can meet Santa.

16.  Promised Land  by Adam Reynolds and Chaz Harris

Promised Land is a fairytale about a prince who falls in love with a farm boy. The prince’s evil stepfather wants to control the nearby magical forest — which also encroaches on the farm boy’s land. The book is available in a number of languages including English, Spanish and Portuguese. The authors went on to write two more books, Maiden Voyage and  Raven Wild .

17. Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer

Sophie Beer’s  Love Makes a Family is a board book for younger audiences, up to 3 years old. Still, it helps explain the different types of families out there — for kids who might not see other families like theirs around, or perhaps ones who have questions about friends’ families. Spoiler alert: it turns out the thing that defines a family is love.

18. I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings 

I Am Jazz is a picture-book version of Jazz Jennings ‘ life as a transgender child. She says that she knew she was a girl from when she was 2 years old, and her parents accepted her and let her live as she wanted. The book is great for kids who are experiencing gender identity issues, or have a friend who is and wants to understand them better.

It’s been praised by many people, including Laverne Cox, who said, “I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty.”

19.  You Need to Chill!  by Juno Dawson

Juno Dawson may be known for her young adult books This Book Is Gay and What’s the T? , but in 2023, she wrote a children’s book,  You Need to Chill! It tells the story of a little girl whose classmates are all concerned that her older brother Bill hasn’t shown up to school in a while. 

The kids all speculate that something horrible has happened to Bill — perhaps he’s been devoured by a shark. But it turns out the answer is much simpler and less exciting: Bill is now the narrator’s sister Lily, and she’s doing fine.

20. My Two Dads and Me by Michael Joosten

Michael Joosten’s 2019  My Two Dads and Me is another board book for babies and toddlers, but its intriguing illustrations by fashion illustrator Izak Zenou makes the story pop. The book is just about a family doing all the normal stuff families do. They eat breakfast, get dressed, go to the park, and go to bed after playing all day. There’s also a companion book, My Two Moms and Me .

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11 LGBTQ Books Every High School Library Should Have

Mikkaka Overstreet

Mikkaka Overstreet is from Louisville, Kentucky by way of Saginaw “Sagnasty”, Michigan. She has been an educator since 2006 and earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in 2015. By day she is a mild-mannered literacy specialist. By night she sleeps. In between, she daydreams, writes fiction, and reads books. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and cats.

View All posts by Mikkaka Overstreet

I’m delighted to start this post by saying that it was difficult to choose only 11 LGBTQ books for high schoolers. Back in the Dark Ages when I was a teen it would’ve been a challenge to find 11 half-decent options. However, thanks to some amazing strides in representation in publishing, that’s no longer the case.

Of course, that’s not to say that the work is done. As I shared in a recent list of 25+ LGBTQ books for teens , we’ve got a long way to go. Though queer YA has grown drastically in recent years, this growth isn’t enough to close the huge diversity gaps in traditional publishing.

I’ve said it many times: kids need queer books . All kids need to see themselves and their families valued. Furthermore, all kids need to see people who are different from them as valid and valued. We show what we value in our schools by who we include and exclude in curricula and materials.

Unfortunately, queer books are consistently among the most challenged and banned books in the United States. Worse still, more than 200 anti-LGBTQ bills have been filed in 2022 alone. This is despite the fact that 80% of Americans support laws to protect LGBTQ rights.

Sadly, a hateful and vocal minority is shaping the public conversation, pushing book bans and harmful legislation. However, there are many educators, caregivers, and concerned citizens fighting for equity. We remember that public education is for the public, and that includes queer kids and families.

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With that in mind, I’ve compiled this list of LGBTQ books for high schoolers. These are some of the best books to add to classroom and school libraries. Check out my picks and advocate for these books in your schools and communities.

LGBTQ Books Every School Library Should Have

Okay, did I mention how hard it was to choose? Seriously, I originally planned on eight titles. Anyway, here are some of the best LGBTQ books for high schoolers based on one weirdo’s current opinions. (It’s me. I’m the weirdo.)

As many of these books detail the challenges queer teens face, general content warning for homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and other such bigotry.

Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen, and ND Stevenson

Yes, I know that this is a list of LGBTQ books for high schoolers. Though this series might target a middle grade audience, I’m a firm believer in kids reading for pleasure without being limited by “reading levels” and such. These popular graphic novels chronicle the adventures of five kick-ass girls at summer camp. They challenge gender norms while solving mysteries and fighting monsters. It’s a lovely celebration of friendship and love.

Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro

Oshiro’s “beautiful and brutal debut” features an engaging cast of characters with a wide array of intersectional identities. Main character Moss Jeffries and his friends represent multiple marginalized identities: Black, Latine, disabled, Muslim, asexual, nonbinary, gay, lesbian. Most importantly, though, Oshiro deals honestly with how to navigate and embrace the righteous anger that comes with being othered.

Simon vs. t he Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

This title probably needs less introduction, given its meteoric rise to queer classic status, movie adaptation, and spinoff television series. Simon is a relatable teen with a great supporting cast of friends and family. Unfortunately, when Simon’s private correspondence with a boy he likes falls into the wrong hands, he finds himself being blackmailed. He has to help his jerky classmate with his romantic goals or be outed. It’s a story full of teen angst, humor, and heart.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Get ready to cry, rage, and get your detective on. Felix, a trans high schooler, is publicly deadnamed and has old pictures of him posted around his school. Furthermore, the culprit behind the attack makes a fake Instagram account to continue harassing Felix. We get to solve whodunnit along with Felix, while also exploring the complex relationships he has with his peers and family. Ultimately, it’s a story of triumph and self-love that we can all appreciate.

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

I am still not over this book, which I read at least a thousand years ago. (It was before the pandemic and that’s been going on forever, right?) Regardless, this book beautifully handles the complexity of being nonbinary in a transphobic, heteronormative world. I wasn’t ready for it to end because I didn’t know if the main character, Riley, was okay. For teens, this book addresses cyber bullying and other such relevant issues in a way that should be helpful as they navigate similar spaces. It’s not necessarily a gentle story, by any means, but it’s a must-read.

The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson

Listen, Jacqueline Woodson is a national treasure and all of her books should be in every school library. Seriously, the woman writes across audiences and everything from her picture books to adult novels are absolute gold. The House You Pass on the Way is the story of Stagerlee, a biracial girl who maybe likes girls and is trying to figure out where she fits in the world. It’s perfect for the high school years, when teens are finding their true selves.

We A re Okay by Nina LaCour

A story of loss and grief, We Are Okay is a story about dealing with loss and change. Marin is a college freshman who has left her old life behind after the death of her grandfather. However, when her best friend and former love interest Mabel turns up, Marin has to face everything she’s been hiding from. While I haven’t read this one yet, the wide critical and commercial acclaim accompanying this title make it a must for my TBR and for high school libraries.

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

I will not apologize for my undying love of the enemies-to-lovers and fake relationships turning into true love tropes. Book Riot contributor Jaigirdar has gifted us with two distinctly different and complex queer protagonists of color. Hani is well-liked and a bit of a doormat, while Ishu is abrasive and driven. In other words, they’re a perfect complement to each other — even if it takes a while for them to realize it. Together, they fight for the space to be who they truly are.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Most likely, fans of YA have heard of this book. However, I am here to tell you about it again because it deserves to be talked about forever and all the time. It is hands down one of the best LGBTQ books for high schoolers. When Liz Lighty doesn’t get the prestigious scholarship she was counting on, she has to find another way to pay for college. Thus, our reluctant heroine is forced into the spotlight, joining the over-the-top town traditions around electing the prom court. Her journey is touching, hilarious, and relatable.

Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye

Alright, so this is one of the sweetest love stories I’ve ever read in my life. Popular athlete Bryson Keller makes a bet with his friends that requires him to date a different person each week. Naturally, the whole thing turns on its head when Kai Sheridan, a shy boy in his theater class, asks him out. There’s some homophobia and tense moments, but overall this book is a cozy, swoonworthy delight. Like the previous entry, it should resonate with teen readers thanks to the high school setting and requisite drama.

The 57 Bus by Dashiki Slater

Based on true events, this book packs quite a punch. It tears your heart in two as it tells the story of a gender-nonconforming teen who is set on fire on a bus. Of course, this act is deemed a hate crime and our sympathy is rightfully directed at the victim. Slater then turns our emotions on their heads by introducing us to the young and thoughtless perpetrator. We watch as a Black boy is villainized and victimized by the justice system for a moment of adolescent impulsivity. The truth is always complex and Slater handles it beautifully. Teenagers can definitely learn a few valuable lessons from this one.

There are many identities and orientations that fall under the LGBTQ umbrella. Consequently, a list of 11 titles can’t be representative of the entire spectrum. We have many lists like this here at Book Riot, so be sure to check out our archives . Here are a few great lists to start with:

• 20 Queer YA Books for Your 2020 TBR
• 12 Books for Gay Teens Who Have Just Come Out
• The Best LGBTQ Books of 2021, According to American Librarians
• 12 Queer YA Audiobooks to Listen to in the First Half of 2022

You Might Also Like

Social Justice Books

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

Titles that we recommend are featured below . The ones with reviews are noted with an asterisk ( * ). Some titles are recommended with a caveat. At the end of this page, we provide a list of titles on this theme, with reviews, that we do not recommend .

This list includes books about gender diversity for all ages. For more books about gender diversity for young children, see Early Childhood: Learning About Gender Diversity .

Early Childhood | Elementary | Middle School |  YA Fiction  |  YA Nonfiction

Biographies & Memoirs | Poetry & Lit | Adult Nonfiction | Parenting |  Education | Related Reading

Early Childhood

And Tango Makes Three

By justin richardson, peter parnell, henry cole (illustrator).

Baby’s First Words *

By stella blackstone, sunny scribens.

Being You: A First Conversation about Gender

By megan madison,  jessica ralli, and anne/andy passchier (illustrator).

Daddy, Papa, and Me

By leslea newman, carol thompson (illustrator), gender identity for kids, by andy passchier.

My Shadow Is Purple *

By scott stuart.

Pride Colors

By robin stevenson.

By Maryann Jacob Macias and Alea Marley (Illustrator)

10,000 Dresses *

By marcus ewert.

Antonio's Card/La Tarjeta de Antonio

By rigoberto gonzalez, cecilia alvarez (illustrator), call me max, by kyle lukoff and luciano lozano (illustrator) mombian review: call me max, by vanessa ford, jr ford, and kayla harren (illustrator), a child's introduction to pride: the inspirational history and culture of the lgbtqia+ community, by sarah prager and caitlin o'dwyer (illustrator).

Flor Fights Back: A Stonewall Riots Survival Story

By joy michael ellison and francesca ficorilli (illustrator).

Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five

By phil bildner and daniel j. o'brien (illustrator), grandad's camper, by harry woodgate, curriculum guide from reading is resistance.

The Harvey Milk Story

By kari krakow and   david gardner (illustrator).

Heather Has Two Mommies

By leslea newman, laura cornell (illustrator), i am jazz *, by jessica herthel, jazz jennings, and shelagh mcnicholas (illustrator).

By Catherine Hernandez and Syrus Marcus Ware (Illustrator)

If You're a Kid Like Gavin

By gavin grimm,   kyle lukoff, and    j yang (illustrator).

It Feels Good to Be Yourself

By theresa thorn, noah grigni (illustrator).

Jack (Not Jackie) *

By erica silverman.

Joyful Song: A Naming Story

By lesléa newman and susan gal (illustrator).

Julián at the Wedding

By jessica love.

Kapaemahu *

By hinaleimoana wong-kalu, dean hamer,   joe wilson, and daniel sousa (illustrator).

King and King

By linda de haan, stern nijland, linda de haan (illustrator).

The Legend of Auntie Po

By shing yin khor.

Love, Violet *

By charlotte sullivan wild and charlene chua (illustrator).

Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle

By nina lacour and kaylani juanita (illustrator).

Marley's Pride

By joëlle retener and deann wiley (illustrator).

Max and the Talent Show

By kyle lukoff and luciano lozano (illustrator) mombian review: max and the talent show.

Max on the Farm

By kyle lukoff and luciano lozano (illustrator) mombian review: max on the farm.

Miss Rita, Mystery Reader

By sam donovan, kristen wixted, and   violet tobacco (illustrator).

Mom and Mum Are Getting Married!

By ken setterington, alice priestley (illustrator).

Mommy, Mama, and Me

My Footprints

By bao phi, basia tran.

My Rainbow *

By deshanna neal,  trinity neal, and art twink (illustrator).

One of a Kind, Like Me / Unico Como Yo *

By laurin mayeno, robert liu-trujillo (artist).

Our Subway Baby

By peter mercurio and leo espinosa (illustrator), the rainbow parade *, by emily neilson.

Ritu Weds Chandni

By  ameya narvankar .

Salma Writes a Book

By danny ramadan and anna bron (illustrator), sharice's big voice: a native kid becomes a congresswoman *, by sharice davids,   nancy k. mays, and   joshua mangeshig pawis-steckley (illustrator).

Sparkle Boy *

By lesléa newman.

Stella Brings the Family

By miriam b. schiffer and holly clifton-brown (illustrator).

By Rob Kearney,   Eric Rosswood, and   Nidhi Chanani (Illustrator)

They She He Me: Free to Be! *

By maya & matthew gonzalez.

This Day in June

By gayle e. pitman.

'Twas the Night Before Pride

By joanna mcclintick and juana medina (illustrator) spanish edition available:  la víspera de orgullo.

When Aidan Became a Brother *

By kyle lukoff, kaylani juanita (illustrator).

When We Love Someone

By ernesto javier martinez, middle school.

The Civil War of Amos Abernathy

By michael leali.

Different Kinds of Fruit

By kyle lukoff.

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun

By jacqueline woodson.

The House You Pass on the Way

King and the Dragonflies

By kacen callender.

The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester *

By maya macgregor.

The Moon Within *

By aida salazar.

The Other Boy *

By m. g. hennessey.

Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist

By terry catasús jennings,   rosita stevens-holsey, and ashanti fortson (illustrator).

By Akwaeke Emezi Read a teacher's story:  Exploring Justice through Fiction: Middle School Students Analyze the Book Pet

Too Bright to See

Almost Perfect

By brian katcher.

Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence

By marion dane bauer, beck underwood (illustrator).

Annie on My Mind

By nancy garden.

By Malinda Lo

By Alex Sanchez

Boyfriends with Girlfriends

By Sophie LaBelle

Fade to Black

By alex flinn.

By Adam Garnet Jones

The God Box

Growing Up Gay / Lesbian: A Literary Anthology

By bennett l. singer (editor).

By A. M. Homes

Juliet takes a breath *, by gabby rivera.

Keeping You a Secret

By julie anne peters, keya das's second act, by sopan deb, by bessie flores zaldívar.

The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali

By sabina khan.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

By emily m. danforth.

Music of What Happens *

By bill konigsberg.

Only This Beautiful Moment

By abdi nazemian, queens of geek *, by jen wilde.

Rainbow Boys

By Lauren Myracle

By Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki (Illustrator)

Survive The Dome

By kosoko jackson.

We Deserve Monuments

By jas hammonds.

Will Grayson

By john green, david levithan, ya nonfiction.

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives

By dashka slater.

All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto

By george m. johnson.

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out

By susan kuklin.

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

By alison bechdel.

Gender Queer: A Memoir

Maia kobabe.

The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle

By lillian faderman.

Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws

By kate bornstein, sara quin (foreword by), ma and me: a memoir, by putsata reang.

One Life: Young Readers Edition

By megan rapinoe.

Our Work Is Everywhere: An Illustrated Oral History of Queer and Trans Resistance

By syan rose, foreword by   leah lakshmi piepzna-samarasinha .

Pedro and Me: Friendship, Loss, and What I Learned

By judd winick.

A Queer History of the United States for Young People

By michael bronski.

Troublemaker for Justice The Story of Bayard Rustin the Man Behind the March on Washington *

By jacqueline houtman, walter naegle, michael g. long, adult biographies, memoirs, & collected writings.

Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama

Becoming a Visible Man

By jamison green.

I Must Resist: Bayard Rustin's Life in Letters

By michael g. long (editor), bayard rustin, julian bond (foreword by).

Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin

By john d'emilio.

Mama's Boy, Preacher's Son

By kevin jennings.

The Other Side of Paradise: A Memoir

By staceyann chin.

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches

By audre lorde, cheryl clarke (foreword by).

Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings of Bayard Rustin

By bayard rustin, devon w. carbado (editor), donald weise (editor).

Warrior Poet: A Biography of Audre Lorde

By alexis de veaux.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

By jeanette winterson.

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name: A Biomythography

By geraldine audre lorde, adult poetry & literature.

Afrekete: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Writing

By catherine e. mckinley.

Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes

By tony kushner.

Brother to Brother: New Writing by Black Gay Men

By essex hemphill (editor).

The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde

By audre lorde.

Diaries of a Terrorist

By christopher soto.

The Essential Dykes to Watch Out for

By Shyam Selvadurai

Giovanni's Room

By james baldwin, growing up gay/lesbian: a literary anthology.

In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology

By joseph beam (editor).

M. Butterfly: With an Afterword by the Playwright

By david henry hwang.

Memory Mambo: Big Sur Pioneers

By achy obejas.

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

Our Caribbean: A Gathering of Lesbian and Gay Writing from the Antilles

By thomas glave (editor).

Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns

By andrea gibson, anis mojgani (illustrator).

Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo

By ntozake shange.

So Many Ways to Sleep Badly

By mattilda bernstein sycamore.

Stone Butch Blues

By leslie feinberg.

There Are Trans People Here

By h. melt download a study guide for there are trans people here : download ..

The Torturer's Wife

By thomas glave, adult nonfiction.

And the Band Played on: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic

By randy shilts.

And They Were Wonderful Teachers: Florida's Purge of Gay and Lesbian Teachers

By karen l. graves.

Big Big Love: A Sex and Relationships Guide for People of Size (and Those Who Love Them)

By hanne blank.

Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity

By c. riley snorton.

Come Out and Win: Organizing Yourself, Your Community, and Your World

By sue hyde.

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports

By cyd zeigler.

Gay Rights at the Ballot Box

By amy l. stone.

Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation

By kate bornstein, s. bear bergman.

Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity

By judith butler.

The Gloria Anzaldua Reader

By gloria anzaldua, analouise keating (editor).

Histories of the Transgender Child

By jules gill-peterson.

It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living

By dan savage (editor), terry miller (editor).

My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You, or Something Else Entirely

By kate bornstein, kate bornstein.

Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity

By matt bernstein sycamore (editor).

Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America

The Politics of Sexuality in Latin America: A Reader on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights

By javier corrales (editor), mario pecheny (editor).

Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States

By joey mogul, andrea ritchie, kay whitlock.

Queer America: A People's Glbt History of the United States

By vicki l. eaklor, queer and trans migrations: dynamics of illegalization, detention, and deportation, edited by eithne luibheid and karma r. chavez.

Queer Indigenous Studies: Critical Interventions in Theory, Politics, and Literature

By qwo-li driskill (editor), chris finley (editor), brian joseph gilley (editor).

Sexuality and Socialism: History, Politics, and Theory of LGBT Liberation

By sherry wolf.

Spirited: Affirming the Soul and Black Gay/Lesbian Identity

By g. winston james (editor), lisa c. moore (editor).

Stand by Me: The Forgotten History of Gay Liberation

By jim downs.

Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Hetrosexuality

Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South

By e. patrick johnson.

That's Revolting!: Queer Strategies for Resisting Assimilation

By mattilda bernstein sycamore (editor).

Transgender 101: A Simple Guide to a Complex Issue

By nicholas m. teich.

Transgender Warriors: Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman

Travels in a Gay Nation: Portraits of LGBTQ Americans

By philip gambone.

Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity

By julia serano.

Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots?: Flaming Challenges to Masculinity, Objectification, and the Desire to Conform

The Women's House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison

By hugh ryan.

Always My Child

By kevin jennings, pat shapiro (with).

Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is

By abigail garner.

Gay Parents/Straight Schools: Building Communication and Trust

By virginia casper, steven b. schultz, the transgender child: a handbook for parents and professionals supporting transgender and nonbinary children, by stephanie a. brill, rachel pepper.

Beyond Tolerance Resource Guide

Gay parents / straight schools: building communication and trust, lgbtq+ history in high school classes in the united states since 1990, by stacie brensilver berman, lgbtq youth and education: policies and practices, by cris mayo and james a. banks (editor).

LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children's Librarianship: Policies, Programs, and Practices

By lucy santos green, jenna spiering, vanessa lynn kitzie, and julia erlanger.

Reading the Rainbow: LGBTQ-Inclusive Literacy Instruction in the Elementary Classroom

By caitlin l. ryan and jill m. hermann-wilmarth.

Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality

By kim cosier (editor), rachel harper (editor), jeff sapp (editor).

Transgender Justice in Schools

Edited by linda christensen and ty marshall.

Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History

Edited by susan k. freeman and leila j. rupp.

• Big Reactions to Small Steps: One Teacher’s Story About Using Inclusive Children’s Literature
• Trans Kids Deserve to See Themselves in Children's Books

Not recommended

• Stonewall  by Rob Sanders
• The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
• Ziggy, Stardust and Me  by James Brandon

Learn about our criteria for selecting titles at Social Justice Books. Feedback on these lists and suggestions for additional titles are welcome.

Most of the books on these lists are linked for more information or purchase to Bookshop (an indie bookstore platform) and / or Powells.com (an independent, unionized bookstore). A small percentage from book sales through these links goes to Teaching for Change.

If you value this book list, please help us promote it and create more book lists.

Donate Today

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curricula

In November 2023, the Movement Advancement Project reported six states explicitly require LGBTQ inclusion in curricular standards. One state, Connecticut, requires the state education department to develop LGBTQ-inclusive model curricula, but does not require the schools to use it. Four states restrict how ”homosexuality” can be discussed in curricula. Five states require advance parental notification of any LGBTQ-related curricula and that seven states censor discussion of LGBTQ people and issues throughout all school curricula. Data on the status of book banning was not available as this is a more recent and growing development that primarily plays out at the district and community level.

Inclusive school curriculum standards legislation would require the inclusion not only of LGBTQ+ people, history, and culture, but also Black, Native, and Indigenous people and people with disabilities. School environments with inclusive curricula are safer learning environments for all youth and have better educational outcomes (GLSEN, 2020).

Anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum legislation would restrict or prohibit discussing LGBTQ+ people or topics. Rosky (2017) suggests that there are five types of anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum legislation: “don’t say gay,” “no promo homo,” “anti-homo,” “promo hetero,” and “abstinence until marriage.” While these laws stem mostly from HIV-epidemic-era homophobia, they also center narrow views of sexual and reproductive health that have been used to systematically discriminate against poor people, people of color, and people with disabilities (see Barcelos, 2020; Betts, 2021). Taking this a step further are laws that allow for discriminatory content in curricula. For example, Florida is allowing PragerU content to be used in schools, which includes transphobic content.

While anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum laws and legislation are often intended to apply only to a single aspect of educational curriculum—most often sexual health—their vague nature can be misapplied to limit inclusive education, programs, and policies.

Suggested discussion points

• LGBTQ+ youth are not often taught about LGBTQ+ history, culture, and people. The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (2019) found that only 19.4% of schools taught positive representations of LGBTQ+ history, culture, and people to youth; further, 17% of schools taught negative representations, which reinforced negative stereotypes. Only 21.4% of Black youth were taught positive representations of LGBTQ+ history, culture, or people at school (GLSEN, 2020).
• LGBTQ+ youth do not have school-based access to LGBTQ+ history, culture, and people. GLSEN (2019) reports that only 48.2% could find LGBTQ+ relevant content at the school library, and only 55.9% could access LGBTQ+ content from school computers.
• School environments which are inclusive of LGBTQ+ history, culture, and people are safer learning environments for LGBTQ+ youth and have better educational outcomes. Students at schools with inclusive education reported hearing fewer slurs, lower levels of victimization, felt safer, missed fewer days of school, and had a higher GPA in comparison to students whose schools did not cover LGBTQ+ topics in education (GLSEN, 2019). LGBTQ+ students whose schools had inclusive curricula also reported feeling safer and more accepted in their community (GLSEN, 2019). Similar patterns have been found for Black LGBTQ+ youth (GLSEN, 2020); further, Black LGBTQ+ youth who attend schools with LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum also felt their race or ethnicity was more supported at school (GLSEN, 2020). Similarly, Snapp et al. (2015) found that LGBTQ+ youth who attend schools which included LGBTQ+ youth in anti-harassment curricula reported lower harassment, less victimization, and felt more safe and supported in their school.

Anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum laws rely on outdated information and harmful stereotypes that not only create hostile environments for LGTBQ+ people, but also limit access to cutting-edge information intended to promote public health. These laws are problematic because they are intended to discourage minors from developing same-sex attraction, being in same-sex partnerships, or identifying as LGBTQ+ (Rosky, 2017).

Discussion points for inclusive sex-ed

• Very few LGBTQ+ youth have access to inclusive sex education. A 2019 study by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that only 8.2% of LGBTQ+ youth had access to inclusive sex education at school. A systematic review of the literature found that LGBTQ+ youth perceive their sex education as inadequate (Pampati et al., 2020). Gay and bisexual adult men (Currin & Hubach, 2020) and trans people (Hobaica, Schofield, & Kwon, 2019) both retrospectively report a desire for more comprehensive and inclusive sex education.
• LGBTQ+ youth experience more negative sexual health outcomes, which sex education seeks to mitigate. LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than their heterosexual and cisgender peers to engage in risky sexual activities such as having a younger age at first intercourse and multiple partners (Bodnar & Tornello, 2019; Institute of Medicine, 2011). As a result, LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk for experiencing unplanned pregnancy (Herrick et al., 2010) or contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDs. LGBTQ+ youth are also at increased risk of experiencing dating and intimate partner violence (Kann, 2016).
• Sex education promotes heteronormative stereotypes that exclude and marginalize LGBTQ+ youth (Bible et al., 2020; Gowen et al., 2014; Hobaica, 2017). In some instances, sex education that is not inclusive of LGBTQ+ youth’s needs is associated with increased reports of sexual violence and risky sexual behaviors among LGBTQ+ youth (Hobaica, 2017) as well as increased risk of pregnancy among lesbian and bisexual women (Bodnar & Tornello, 2019).
• There is broad public support for inclusive sexual education. Eisenberg et al. (2018) found that regardless of religious identity, regional demographics, or political affiliations, there is huge public support for comprehensive and inclusive sexual education. One study found that most parents (89.3%) support comprehensive sexual education (sexual education that includes both abstinence and contraception, STI education, consent, healthy relationships, etc.), with 66.6% of parents supporting sexual orientation education being taught in sexual education courses (Eisenberg et al, 2008). Another study found that among likely voters in 2018, 69% of people believed that sexual orientation education should be taught in middle schools, and that 79% believed that sexual orientation education should be taught in high schools (SIECUS, 2018). Additionally, inclusive sex education is supported by the American Medical Association, the National Education Association, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Inclusive sex education benefits all youth, including but not only LGBTQ+ youth. Research finds that schools which offer sex education that is inclusive of LGBTQ+ people subsequently have improvements in school climate, in part because youth are more likely to intervene when witnessing bullying (Baams et al., 2017; Proulx et al., 2019). LGBTQ+ youth who attend schools with inclusive sex education curriculum have lower levels of depression and suicidality (Proulx et al., 2019). And because cisgender and heterosexual youth can be targets of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying, the improvements to school environments which inclusive sex education brings are beneficial for all students (Fisher et al., 2012; McCarty-Caplan, 2013). Finally, sex education that is inclusive of LGBTQ+ people helps prevent dating and intimate partner violence, fosters the formation of healthy intimate relationships, helps prevent child sex abuse, improves social and emotional learning, and improves media literacy (Goldfarb & Lieberman, 2021).

Baams, L., Dubas, J., & van Aken, M. A. G. (2017). Comprehensive sexuality education as a longitudinal predictor of LGBTQ name-calling and perceived willingness to intervene in school. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46 (5), 931-942. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0638-z

Barcelos, C. A. (2020). Distributing Condoms and Hope: The Racialized Politics of Youth Sexual Health . The University of California Press.

Betts, D. (2021). Who gets to be a #TruvadaWhore: Promiscuity, race, and queer politics. Radical History Review, 140 , 157-163. https://doi.org/10.1215/01636545-8841742

Bible, J., Kaplan, A., Lieberman, L., & Goldfarb, E. (2020). A retrospective analysis of sex education messages received by lgb youth. Journal of LGBT Youth [Online advance publication] https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2020.1819509

Bodnar, K., & Tornello, S. L. (2019). Does sex education help everyone?: Sex education exposure and timing as predictors of sexual health among lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual young women. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation, 29 (1), 8-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10474412.2018.1482219

Currin, J. M., Hubach, R. D., & Croff, J. M. (2020). Sex-ed without the stigma: What gay and bisexual men would like offered in school based sex education. Journal of Homosexuality, 67 (13), 1779-1797. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2019.1616429

Eisenberg, M.E., Bernat, D.H., Bearinger, L.H., & Resnick, M.D. (2008). Support for comprehensive sexuality education: Perspectives from parents of school-age youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 42 (4). 352-359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.019

Fisher, S. K., Poirier, J. M., & Blau, G. M. (2012). Improving emotional and behavioral outcomes for LGBT youth: A guide for professionals . Paul H Brookes Publishing.

Goldfarb, E.S., & Lieberman, L.D. (2021). Three decades of research: The case for comprehensive sex education. J ournal of Adolescent Health, 68 (1), 13-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.036

Gowen, L. K., & Winges-Yanez, N. (2014). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youths’ perspectives of inclusive school-based sexuality education. Journal of Sex Research, 51 (7), 788-800. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2013.806648

Herrick, A. L., Matthews, A. K., & Garofalo, R. (2010). Health risk behaviors in an urban sample of young women who have sex with women. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 14 (1), 80–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/10894160903060440

Hobaica, S., & Kwon, P. (2017). “This is how you hetero:” Sexual minorities in heteronormative sex education. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 12 (4), 423–450.  https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2017.1399491

Hobaica, S., Schofield, K., & Kwon, P. (2019). “Here’s your anatomy…Good luck”: Transgender individuals in cisnormative sex education. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 14 (3), 358-387. http://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2019.1585308

Institute of Medicine. (2011). The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people: Building a foundation for better understanding. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.

Kann, L., Olsen, E. O., & McManus, T., et al. (2016) Sexual identity, sex of sexual contacts, and health-related behaviors among students in grades 9–12 — United States and selected sites, 2015. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Surveillance Summaries, 65 (9), 1–202.

McCarty-Caplan, D. M. (2013). Schools, sex education, and support for sexual minorities: Exploring historic marginalization and future potential. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 8 (4), 245–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2013.849563

Pampati, S., Johns, M. M., Szucs, L. E., Bishop, M. D., Mallory, A. B., Barrios, L. C., & Russell, S. T. (2020). Sexual and gender minority youth and sexual health education: A systematic mapping review of the literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68 (6), 1040-1052. [Advance online publication]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.09.032

Proulx, C. N., Coulter, R. W. S., Egan, J. E., Matthews, D. D., & Mair, C. (2019). Associations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning-inclusive sex education with mental health outcomes and school-based victimization in U.S. high school students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64 (5), 608-614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.11.012

Rosky, C. J. (2017). Anti-gay curriculum laws. Columbia Law Review, 117 (6). https://columbialawreview.org/content/anti-gay-curriculum-laws/

Snapp, S. D., McGuire, J. K., Sinclair, K. Q., Gabrion, K., & Russell, S. T. (2015). LGBTQ-inclusive curricula: Why supportive curricula matter. Sex Education, 15 (6), 580-596. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2015.1042573

• America’s Censored Classrooms : PEN America tracks state legislative efforts to restrict teaching about topics such as race, gender, American history, and LGBTQ+ identities in K–12 and higher education. PEN America, August 2022
• Psychologist Natasha L. Poulopoulos, PhD, advocates against the 2022 Florida "Don't Say Gay" legislation in print and broadcast news: -  The Deleterious Impact of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill -  So-Called ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ Scheduled To Go Before Florida House Judiciary Committee
• LGBTQ+ visibility in the K-12 curriculum Phi Delta Kappan Journal for professional educators
• GLSEN 2019 School Climate Survey (executive summary) (PDF, 2.50MB)
• Erasure and Resilience: The Experiences of LGBTQ Students of Color, Black LGBTQ Youth in U.S. Schools (PDF, 2.02MB) GLSEN & the National Black Justice Coalition, 2020
• On Our Side: Public Support for Sex Education (PDF, 187KB) Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
• LGBT-Inclusive Sex Education Means Healthier Youth and Safer Schools Comprehensive sex education is critical to young people’s sexual health and benefits all students, including LGBT youth. Center for American Progress, June 2013

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LGBT History Month: Books for Kids

October is LGBTQ+ History month! In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history. He gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.

The LGBT History Month website highlights a different person each day during the month of October. Click here to see who is nominated this year and what they did for the LGBTQ+ community.

Queer History A to Z is an alphabet book for older readers that is packed full of information. Readers will be able to relate to youth activists and children’s issues as well as learn about all those change makers who came before.

Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are two of the most well-known people in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the 1960’s and 1970’s. In Sylvia and Marsha Start A Revolution! , young children can learn about their lives and their activism.

As part of the popular History Comics series, The Stonewall Riots follows three fictional teenagers as they are magically teleported to the Stonewall Inn in 1969. While there, they witness the homophobia of the time and the infamous Stonewall Riots firsthand.

The adult edition of A Queer History of the United States for Young People won the Stonewall Award in 2012. This adaptation for tweens and teens includes pictures, sidebars, and short chapters. Queer history is explained not only through explanatory history, but also through letters, drawings and poems.

The rainbow flag is the most common and recognizable symbol of the queer community. But how did that happen? Find out more about its creator and his life in Sewing the Rainbow , a picture book biography.

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24 LGBTQ Books to Help You Better Understand the Queer Community

June is Pride month, but you should read these LGBTQ+ books year-round.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Woman's Day editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

There is never a bad time to read about the history and experiences of minority groups. But if you've needed a little extra motivation to pick up an LGBTQ+-focussed book, June is the perfect time, as it's Pride Month — a time when members and allies of LGBTQ+ communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves.

Whether you prefer fiction, nonfiction, or a combination of both, this list of LGBTQ+ books includes a variety of genres that dive into the experiences and history of LGBTQ+ people. It has serious, highly researched books and fun, lighthearted summer beach reads. So there's something on this list that will suit any occasion. A huge step in being an ally is actively learning more about communities of which you may not inherently be a part. Educating yourself through books, and by supporting LGBTQ authors and authors who are Black and people of color, is a way that white readers can learn more and begin to better understand other communities.

'Redefining Realness' by Janet Mock

Writer, producer, and transgender rights activist Janet Mock's debut memoir touches on topics of gender, race, class, and family.   

Susan Stryker 'Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution' by Susan Stryker

Susan Stryker's book covers transgender history in America from the mid-20th century through modern times. It includes quotes from major texts and speeches on being transgender, as well as an introduction to key players in the transgender community.  

James Baldwin 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin

This James Baldwin classic takes place in 1950s Paris, where a young man grapples with his own desire and society's ideas of how he should be.  

Casey McQuiston 'Red, White & Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston

This lighthearted romance tells the adventurous love story of the American president's son falling for the Prince of Wales. 

Saeed Jones 'How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir' by Saeed Jones

Winner of the 2019 Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction and the 2020 Stonewall Book Award-Israel Fishman Nonfiction Award, this coming-of-age memoir packs a punch. It tells the story of a young, Black, gay man who grew up in the South and is trying to find his place in his community and the wider world. 

Alvin Orloff 'Disasterama!: Adventures in the Queer Underground 1977 to 1997' by Alvin Orloff

Alvin Orloff shares his experiences as a young man in a post-Stonewall American queer culture of the 1970s. The book includes tales of adventure, friendship, love, sex, and free-spirited life. 

'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo

This Booker Prize-winning book is about the interconnected lives of Black British women. It touches on the legacy of Britain's colonial history in Africa and the Caribbean and shows the intersection of the characters' identities through race, age, sexuality, and class.  

'Queer: A Graphic History' by Meg-John Barker and Julia Scheele

This cartoon-centric book tells the history of queer thought- and LGBTQ action and advocacy. It looks at the different worlds of film, academia, and pop-culture to show the people and events that have shaped queer history. 

Samra Habib 'We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir' by Samra Habib

This exploration of art, faith, love, and queer sexuality includes a journey around the world and an examination of the self in many contexts. It's the story of many intersecting identities including that of a small Muslim sect, a refugee, a queer woman, and a woman trying to make and find her own way in the world despite all she's been told about what her identities make her. 

Andrew Sean Greer 'Less' by Andrew Sean Greer

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows a struggling novelist as he travels the world to avoid attending a wedding that would be far too awkward to show up at. This love story is full of bumps and mishaps along the journey that make it a fun read, but one that is much deeper than any old jaunt around the world. 

Michael Bronski 'A Queer History of the United States for Young People' by Michael Bronski

LGBTQ history isn't often taught in school. Or if it is, it's glossed over. So this book is here to step in and teach young people about the role LGBTQ+ people have played in American history. From Indigenous tribes who embraced same-sex partnerships, to Emily Dickinson writing about her desire for women, to Bayard Rustin's role as a civil rights organizer, this book covers the gamut. 

Richie Jackson 'Gay Like Me: A Father Writes to His Son' by Richie Jackson

In this love letter to his son, Broadway, TV, and film-producer Richie Jackson shares his experiences as a gay man in America. Jackson shares how far the LGBTQ+ community has come since Stonewall, but also the continued bigotry in America and the need to continue to fight for equality. 

Matthew Bernstein Sycamore 'Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity' by Matthew Bernstein Sycamore

This anthology explores the idea of "passing," which is about an individual's ability to be accepted as the "right" gender, race, class, sexuality, etc. in society. It's about the notion of belonging and the intersections of identity as seen by individuals about themselves and as seen by others. 

Julia Serano 'Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity' by Julia Serano

This book by lesbian transgender activist and professional biologist Julia Serano shares her experiences in the way fear and dismissiveness towards femininity shape societal attitudes towards trans women. She focuses on biological and social ideas about gender and sex and dismantled deeply held beliefs about the topics. 

Alan Downs 'The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World' by Alan Downs

Psychologist Alan Downs looks at the psychology of being gay, why there's shame associated with the identity, and how to overcome that shame. It draws on the author's own experiences with shame and anger as well as contemporary research and patient stories. 

Ocean Vuong 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous' by Ocean Vuong

Poet Ocean Vuong's debut novel touches on family, first love, and the power of storytelling. It's framed as a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. It also addresses the ideas of race, class, love, and masculinity. 

Alexander Chee 'How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays' by Alexander Chee

This highly buzzed about book is a collection of essays exploring the author's education as a man, writer, and activist, and how individuals form their identities in life and in art. 

Andrea Lawlor 'Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl' by Andrea Lawlor

This exciting work of fiction evades a singular drama just as the main character can't be confined within a single gender. Set in the early '90s, and taking place across the country, this wild ride of a book will be as insightful and thought-provoking as it is endlessly entertaining. 

Mariner Books 'Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic' by Alison Bechdel

Alison Bechdel's genre-bending take on memoir writing tells the story of her complicated relationship with her late father, as told in the form of a graphic novel. It looks at Bechdel's own sexuality as well as that of her father and the mystery he left after his death for her to sort out. 

Picador 'Call Me by Your Name' by André Aciman

Set during an Italian summer in 1983, this novel tells the story of forbidden love between a young man and the doctoral student who spends the summer working for the young man's father. Part coming-of-age story, part summer love, part exploration of identity, and part 1980s Italian nostalgia, this book has everything to make it the perfect summer read. 

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Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens Paperback – Illustrated, October 1, 2019

Teen life is hard enough, but for teens who are LGBTQ, it can be even harder.

When do you decide to come out? Will your friends accept you? And how do you meet people to date? Queer is a humorous, engaging, and honest guide that helps LGBTQ teens come out to friends and family, navigate their social life, figure out if a crush is also queer, and challenge bigotry and homophobia. Personal stories from the authors and sidebars on queer history provide relatable context. This completely revised and updated edition is a must-read for any teen who thinks they might be queer or knows someone who is.

"A delightful collection of trustworthy and accurate information that tweens and teens need today, all told in a sort of quirky, sometimes goofy, and always approachable tone...a fun, easy to read, and occasionally hilarious guide that should be available on a shelf in every high school library." ―Diane Anderson-Minshall, Editorial Director, The Advocate magazine "Not every queer kid has easy access to a family member, teacher, counselor, or friend who can help them through the coming-out process. Even when they do, NEWSFLASH, most of us don't have all the answers! Queer is a great way for a teen, or someone who is trying to mentor or understand a queer teen, to gain some knowledge from a thoughtful, cute perspective."―Honey Mahogany, Activist, RuPaul's Drag Race Alumnus, Cofounder of the Compton's Transgender Cultural District "I learned more than a few things about our fabulously diverse queer culture, and especially the younger generation, that everyone should know."―Terry Beswick, Executive Director of the GLBT Historical Society Archives and Museum

• Reading age 11 - 18 years
• Print length 208 pages
• Language English
• Grade level 6 - 12
• Lexile measure 1030
• Dimensions 5.75 x 0.63 x 8.5 inches
• Publisher Zest Books ™
• Publication date October 1, 2019
• ISBN-10 1942186487
• ISBN-13 978-1942186489
• See all details

From the Publisher

Lots of teens have questions about their sexuality. It doesn’t always feel clear-cut from the start. Have you ever asked yourself any of the questions below?

• I am a girl and I have a boyfriend. But I fantasize about kissing my best girlfriend. Does that make me bisexual?

• I think anyone can be sexy, regardless of gender. What does that make me?

• I am a girl and sometimes I feel more like a guy. Does that mean I’m transgender?

• I am a guy and I keep having dreams about my girlfriend’s brother. Am I gay?

• I don’t feel I fit into any gender box. What does this mean?

If so, you probably want answers. Well, here’s the good news: You don’t need an answer to this today. Don’t ever feel you need to rush when it comes to matters of sexuality or romance.

Editorial Reviews

"This updated title gives teens the information needed to navigate their world, but, more important, it also helps them understand and accept themselves."― School Library Journal

"A must-read for curious queer teens, the book is also of potential interest to adults interested in the subjects addressed."― Booklist

"A delightful collection of trustworthy and accurate information that tweens and teens need today, all told in a sort of quirky, sometimes goofy, and always approachable tone. . . a fun, easy to read, and occasionally hilarious guide that should be available on a shelf in every high school library." ―Diane Anderson-Minshall, Editorial Director, The Advocate magazine

"Not every queer kid has easy access to a family member, teacher, counselor, or friend who can help them through the coming-out process. Even when they do, NEWSFLASH, most of us don't have all the answers! Queer is a great way for a teen, or someone who is trying to mentor or understand a queer teen, to gain some knowledge from a thoughtful, cute perspective."―Honey Mahogany, Activist, RuPaul's Drag Race Alumni, Cofounder of the Compton's Transgender Cultural District

"Reading this new edition today I learned more than a few things about our fabulously diverse queer culture, and especially the younger generation, that everyone should know."―Terry Beswick, Executive Director of the GLBT Historical Society Archives and Museum

About the Author

Product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zest Books ™; 2nd edition (October 1, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1942186487
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1942186489
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 11 - 18 years
• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1030
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 6 - 12
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.63 x 8.5 inches
• #22 in Teen & Young Adult LGBTQ+ Issues
• #46 in Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Dating & Intimacy
• #8,575 in LGBTQ+ Books

About the authors

Marke bieschke.

Marke Bieschke, aka Marke B., is an award-winning journalist, editor, publisher, and writer specializing in protest and cultural movements, LGBTQ and youth issues, and music and nightlife history. He is the publisher of San Francisco daily news and culture site 48hills.org and legendary alternative newspaper the Bay Guardian. As part of the Stud Collective, he co-owns San Francisco's oldest LGBTQ nightclub, The Stud. Originally from Detroit, Marke lives in San Francisco's Lower Haight neighborhood with his husband David.

Kathy Belge

Kathy Belge is a professional writer specializing in LGBTQ issues. She is the co-author of Lipstick & Dipstick’s Essential Guide to Lesbian Life (Alyson, 2007) and Queer: The Ultimate Guide for LGBT Teens (1st and second editions). She wrote the lesbian advice column Lipstick & Dipstick in Curve magazine for 11 years and was Guide to all things lesbian on About.com for 13 years. Kathy has more than ten years experience counseling and advocating for LGBT youth and their families. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her Alaskan malamute Olive.

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Who’s getting hurt most by soaring LGBTQ book bans? Librarians say kids.

Samantha Laine Perfas

Harvard Staff Writer

Experts note challenges across nation being pushed by vocal minority, reflect backlash to recent political, social advances

When Schuyler Bailar was a child, he didn’t see many books that reflected his identity. Not his mixed-race identity, and especially not his developing gender identity. It’s one of the reasons the first openly transgender NCAA Division I swimmer decided to write “Obie is Man Enough,” a 2021 novel about a transgender middle school swimmer.

“I wanted to write about kids like me because kids like me exist,” said Bailar, a 2019 graduate of the College. “Writing this story would be a way to help remind other kids like me that they’re not alone.”

But getting books about LGBTQ issues into the hands of young readers is becoming more difficult with the recent rise of book bans across the nation. PEN America recorded more school bans during the fall 2022 semester than in the prior two. The American Library Association documented 1,269 attempts to ban or restrict books in libraries last year. This is the highest number since the group began tracking the issue two decades ago and nearly doubles the previous record set in 2021. Nearly half — 45.5 percent — of 2,571 unique titles challenged were written by or about LGBTQ people.

“My book isn’t allowed in a lot of states right now that ban talking about gender identity,” Bailar said. One teacher in Charles City, Iowa, resigned after being placed on administrative leave for teaching a short story by Bailar about his first time swimming for Harvard on the men’s team.

“These book bans absolutely affect authors, but I think they affect the children more,” he said. “Our stories are not getting out to the kids who need to be reading them.”

Michael Bronski, Professor of the Practice in Media and Activism in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, said the challenges reflect political and social tensions due to the rapid change in acceptance of LGBTQ people.

“We’ve had enormous progress [for LGBTQ rights],” Bronski said. “These book bans — along with the bans on drag shows, along with the attacks on abortion, along with the attacks on trans youth — are really a last-ditch effort, almost magical thinking [from conservatives], to stop this push.”

The number of targeted titles may be increasing, but it appears to be less a matter of growing disapproval of parents and others and more about a shift in tactics by groups. Historically, requests for censorship or restriction focused on single books. In 2022, the majority involved multiple titles, with 40 percent of cases calling for bans of 100 books or more.

Lesliediana Jones, associate director for public services at Harvard Law School Library, refers to this new practice as “copycat challenging,” where one group compiles a list of books then shares that list — sometimes through social media — with others to mount challenges at their local schools and libraries. This is a primary driver in the rapid increase in calls for censorship.

“You didn’t have the mechanisms and the media methods you have now,” Jones said. “[Book challenging has] escalated because these groups have become a lot more well-funded and a lot more organized.”

The primary reason cited in many LGBTQ book challenges involves sexual content; however, many are also explicit in their intent to prevent children from reading about LGBTQ people and their lives, according to an investigation by The Washington Post . The Post also found that while book challenges have become many, the challengers themselves are few, with only 11 people responsible for 60 percent of filings nationwide.

“I think it is a small and very loud minority that is weaponizing — I sort of hate the word weaponizing — but they are weaponizing and passing these laws” on book restrictions, Bronski said, referring to legislation in states like Florida, Utah, and Missouri . He doubts any of the legislation will withstand scrutiny by the courts, but that’s not to say that “grave damage” isn’t being done.

“The main intention of all of these laws is to actually — an impossible task ­— eradicate the visible presence of queer people,” Bronski said. “If we think of the world as the legal sphere and the social sphere, the social sphere has actually evolved pretty quickly, and some people … are uncomfortable with that, and they’re using legal tactics to stop that.”

But Bronski said these efforts can foster uncertainty and doubt in society and affect how the LGBTQ community is perceived. In a recent Gallup poll , acceptance for LGBTQ people dropped 7 percent across both Democrats and Republicans, with only 41 percent of Republicans supporting LGBTQ people, down from 56 percent a year ago.

Jones, who is also the chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee for the ALA, said that as a librarian, their job is to provide content that can reflect the entire community. Parents are within their right to help decide what their child can or cannot read, but removing a book from a library makes that decision for all patrons. In recent years, librarians who have refused to remove certain books from their shelves have come under attack by parents who say they don’t want their children exposed to content they view as sexually inappropriate. Jones said that’s simply not the reality.

“You’re not putting ‘Gender Queer’ next to ‘Pat the Bunny,’” Jones said, referring to the top banned book in 2022 . “I trust that the librarians at whatever library have looked at the books and put them in the appropriate section.”

Alex Hodges, director of the Gutman Library at Harvard Graduate School of Education, said it’s important for parents who have concerns about what their children are reading to communicate with their librarians, but it must be in a way that is respectful and appropriate. Professional librarians use criteria to vet books, and parents are free to challenge the process. However it should be part of a dialogue, one that allows both parties to voice specific, concrete concerns.

Illinois recently became the first state to ban book bans; Bronski and Jones agree that it’s a step in the right direction, but not enough.

“I think that banning book bans is great. I’m all for it, but it doesn’t address the real problem,” Bronski said. “You have to change the hearts and minds of Americans.”

For Bailar, whose latest book “He/She/They: How We Talk about Gender and Why It Matters” will be available this fall, hopes society will move to a wider acceptance of LGBTQ experiences. He says when he makes visits to education settings some people he meets are “stunned” to discover they can connect with him, that he’s a real person deserving of “universal human empathy.” He wants this same acceptance extended to trans youth.

“We know when kids aren’t allowed to be who they are until they’re adults — or if they have to hide their identity — it’s harmful to them,” he said. “When we affirm children’s identities, we can actually save their lives.”

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NIU College of Education

Corrine Wickens to complete analysis, book on LGBTQ young adult literature during her Senior Faculty Fellowship

Coming of age in the ’80s as part of a “very Catholic” family located in a “white, conservative town just north of Indianapolis,” Corrine Wickens had yet to realize that she was a lesbian.

That comprehension would surface in college, says Wickens, a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

But under different circumstances – or maybe with the masses of LGBTQ young adult literature now readily obtainable but not then – she acknowledges that she might have understood or pondered her sexuality earlier than adulthood.

“Learning about diversity there was primarily learning about racial diversity, and it would have been enlightening for me as an individual. It might have made life easier,” Wickens says.

“Even though I could read basically anything I wanted, it would have been really difficult for me to have that kind of freedom, and access is essential,” she adds.

“When we go outside the greater metropolitan area of Chicago, which includes our region, going much further, whether it’s rural Indiana or rural Illinois, things are much different than they were in the 1980s in relationship to books being available to young people and their being able to understand, whether they are aware, questioning or not. Being able to understand the broader world is something that we take for granted.”

She knows well.

Named the College of Education’s Senior Faculty Fellow for 2024-26, Wickens is devoting her tenure (and its release from teaching) to completion of her book, “ ‘Dreams of Justice’: Shifts in Contemporary Realistic LGBTQ Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century.”

Her work will analyze around 50 books published from 2000 to 2020, all of which are award winners, highly rated in reviews and, of course, somehow connected to LGBTQ themes.

Given constantly evolving styles of writing, narratives and narrators throughout the traditional to the postmodern storytelling after World War II to the “post-postmodern” that appeals to millennial and Generation Z readers, Wickens found her theoretical framework.

“In the book I’m rereading now, one of the chapters is an anti-romance. The character is so despondent, and it’s in some way teenage angst, and it’s like, ‘My god, how can I get through this book?’ In that way, it’s differently postmodern,” she says.

Or, she says, “a couple of the books talk to the reader directly, as if you’re the audience – that’s called ‘break the frame.’ ”

“Post-postmodern might be some of the intersections of elements. Whereas in postmodern, he just happens to be gay, this maybe is gay and dealing with depressions, or is gay and Iraqi American,” she adds. “We have these multiple identities at play because we all have them. That is new in the literature, and those are just a few of the kinds of things I’m exploring in the book.”

Also new – and where Wickens derives the “Dreams of Justice” terminology that she’s borrowed from another researcher – is an altered conception of adolescence as traditionally glimpsed in fiction as from the perspective of “outsiders” or other teens.

“What is being articulated in our contemporary era is that these identities are directly connected with hope for and dreams of justice. It’s not just all about oneself and resolving this identity conflict. It’s about self – and other selves in the world,” Wickens says. “That’s particularly timely as we’re in this election cycle and through the last several years. We’ve always known that young people are the ones to take up social activism, and that’s being taken up in the literature.”

“Thomas becomes a spokesperson for Black Lives Matter in that context. Young people in the text are doing what lot of young people are actually doing,” Wickens says, “and that’s taking up social activism – dreams of justice. Dreams of justice is not just dreams of one’s life and caring what one will be, which is traditional identity-conflict-resolution stuff, but, ‘How can I make things better?’ ”

FOR WICKENS, WHO AS a member of Generation X is not the intended audience of the books she is analyzing, the process is “first and foremost about connecting with oneself and connecting with others.”

“It’s a way of gaining understanding and gaining empathy, and that’s something that has been integral to me forever – as a young person wondering how I could learn about others through literature,” she says.

“The other key element that I am bringing that is unique is the notion of constructions of children and childhood as an ideology. We think about ideology related to race, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality – all of those things – but we don’t consider is how we frame individuals younger than 17,” she adds.

“And so then we don’t actually think about young people as people . This becomes a part of why a lot of books with LGBTQ content become censored and banned because they are constituted as ‘not age-appropriate,’ and all of that connects to a distinction of what is considered appropriate for adults and what is appropriate for children.”

Her sample group of books, meanwhile, coincides with major changes in society.

“One of the things that I remind people is that it wasn’t until 2003 that Lawrence v. Texas happened,” Wickens says of the Supreme Court ruling that U.S. state laws criminalizing sodomy between consenting adults are unconstitutional, “so my analysis begins right before and continues after, and after Obergefell v. Hodges, when same-sex marriage became legalized.”

In between those decisions, she adds, the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy ended.

“We have had huge legislative gains in the past 20 years that people now take for granted,” she says. “The millennials and Generation Z might have some awareness, but all of that is mostly part of their early history.”

And publishers clearly have taken note of the resulting lucrative market, Wickens says, not just from government but also as “more young people are coming out earlier and earlier. Young people are transitioning through gender expression changing; through pronouns changing; through names changing; through using beta blockers to prevent puberty. That’s all radically still new, relatively speaking.”

“The publishing industry is about making money, and they think that if it’s published and will sell, then they will publish and sell,” she says.

“You can see it in the rates,” she adds. “In a single year, there will be more books published related to LGBTQ literature than there were for the 30 years from 1970 to 2000. That’s just how much legislation has shifted and enabled this.”

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The 27 Best LGBTQ+ Books to Read (or Revisit) This Pride

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Trying to list the very best LGBTQ+ books—or even the LGBTQ+ authors who have changed my life—is, it turns out, a near-painful task. As a lifelong book nerd who came out in my mid-20s and promptly set out to devour every book I’d missed about queer and trans culture, I can attest that it is, in fact, impossible to read everything. That said, it’s a lot easier to be out and proud when you have some of the greatest writers and thinkers in literary history figuratively holding your hand.

To that end, Vogue has rounded up 27 of the greatest books of all time by queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming writers. Whether you’re an queer-fiction pro revisiting old favorites or a newly out member of the community looking to brush up, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll find at least one book on this list to treasure.

Orlando by Virginia Woolf (1928)

Not only was this book inspired by the tumultuous life of Woolf’s longtime lover Vita Sackville-West, but it’s also considered to be one of the earliest examples of trans fiction. In the novel, a British nobleman undergoes a sex change, and proceeds to live for more than 300 years without aging. (Nonbinary actor Emma Corrin starred in a London stage adaptation of the book in 2022, bringing new life to Woolf’s century-old tale.)

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith (1952)

The Price of Salt

If you tend to watch Todd Haynes’s 2015 film Carol each Christmas, you a) are most definitely gay and b) probably already have some familiarity with the source material: Highsmith’s 1950s romance novel follows two women in what one might call an age-gap relationship as they take a cross-country road trip and try to figure out what they mean to one another.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin (1956)

Giovanni's Room

Arguably the best-known and most enduring portrait of Black queer masculinity in Western literature, this novel concerns itself primarily with the life of David, an American who becomes entangled in an affair with an Italian man he meets at a Parisian gay bar. (Anecdotally, one of my all-time favorite quotes about the nature of belonging comes from Giovanni’s Room : “Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.”)

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions by Larry Mitchell (1977)

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions

Part gay manifesto, part collection of fantasitcal vignettes, Mitchell’s book is one of the defining pieces of 1970s queer literature. Originally self-published, it was out of print for years before its first republication in 2016. (It’s worth trying to track down a copy of the 2019 reissue, however, which was put out by Nightboat Books and features a stunning preface by artist Tourmaline .)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982)

The Color Purple

If you’ve only ever seen the 1985 Spielberg film of the same name (or the 2023 version , directed by Blitz Bazawule), it’s definitely worth reading Walker’s original depiction of the long-standing and richly, gorgeously queer bond between protagonist Celie and her fiercely independent, wildly rebellious “friend” Shug Avery. (Spielberg has admitted that he could have depicted Celie and Shug’s relationship more thoughtfully onscreen, but at least we’ll always have the book.)

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde (1982)

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name

This biomythography by Lorde—one of history’s leading Black lesbian and feminist thinkers—takes its name from a Caribbean word for what Lorde describes as “women who work together as friends and lovers.” The author’s description of pursuing queer love and finding her community amid the lesbian scene of Cuernavaca, Mexico, during the Cold War era is impossible to forget.

Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison (1992)

Bastard Out Of Carolina

The Southern queer experience (if, indeed, there is such a unified thing) often gets short shrift in the dominant literary fold, but Allison’s semi-autobiographical novel—a moving and often painful coming-of-age story about surviving poverty, violence, and familial abuse—is richly worth reading for its depiction of the lesbian struggle in 1950s South Carolina.

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg (1993)

Stone Butch Blues

The proof of Feinberg’s staunch commitment to social justice and queer and trans liberation is, in some ways, encapsulated by the fact that hir autobiographical novel is available for free on Feinberg’s own website, making this story about the often-simultaneous violence and joy faced by gender-nonconforming individuals available to the young members of the LGBTQ+ community who might most need to read it.

Chelsea Girls by Eileen Myles (1994)

Chelsea Girls

“Apart from the fact of trying to figure out if Chelsea Girls is a novel or a memoir or a collection of stories (or whether it’s really even a book at all), I think I mainly want to tell you that in the time of the writing of Chelsea Girls —which was long: 1980 to 1993 was the actual time of the composition of the thing—I mainly needed to say what I thought was real,” Myles has written of this groundbreaking work about queerness, lust, violence, and desire in the East Village.

Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai (1994)

This Sri Lanka-set coming-of-age memoir has a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction to its name, and rightfully so; Selvadurai’s depiction of gay protagonist Arjie Chelvaratnam’s journey toward personal and societal acceptance within his wealthy Tamil family against the backdrop of the anti-Tamil “Black July” pogroms of 1983 is intensely affecting.

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (2006)

If you’ve ever heard a rendition of “Ring of Keys” at queeraoke and wanted to know the story behind it, look no further than Bechdel’s graphic memoir, which finds her younger self trying to work up the courage to come out and find queer love and creative fulfillment while grieving the unexpected loss of her father—himself a closeted gay man—to suicide.

Nevada by Imogen Binnie (2013)

Described by author Isle McElroy as “a novel that made the trans experience a human experience, showing that we are just as lovable and maddening and real as any other complicated subject in fiction,” Nevada —Binnie’s chronicle of a trans woman living in Brooklyn who embarks on a West Coast road trip—has been widely credited with ushering in a sea-change in trans literature.

Redefining Realness by Janet Mock (2014)

Redefining Realness

Queer and trans memoirs are a booming genre today, but when Mock first released Redefining Realness in 2014, it stood apart as one of the few mainstream personal literary narratives centered around a Black trans woman's journey toward self-discovery and the healing power of a like-minded community. (Luckily, it has since been joined on its shelf by Raquel Willis’s memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom , among others.)

Mean by Myriam Gurba (2017)

Gurba’s identity as a queer, mixed-race Chicana permeates her fascination with meanness as a cultural trope, an art form, and a kind of saving grace, leading to such delicious observations as: “Being mean to boys is fun and a second-wave feminist duty. Being rude to men who deserve it is a holy mission. Sisterhood is powerful, but being a bitch is more exhilarating. Being a bitch is spectacular.”

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi (2018)

Igbo religious deities, modern-day sexual trauma, splintered selves, and anxiety-riddled spirals come together in this debut novel from Emezi, one of Nigeria’s best-known and most widely read nonbinary authors. A TV adaptation is allegedly in the works from FX , suggesting that protagonist Ada’s story may soon transcend the page.

How to Write An Autobiographical Novel , Alexander Chee (2018)

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel

Chee paints an unforgettable portrait of his life as “a son, a gay man, a Korean American, an artist, an activist, a lover, and a friend” in this collection of essays, which touches upon everything from grieving the loss of too many friends to AIDS to tarot-reading to attempting to make it in New York City by cater-waitering at conservative cocktail parties (and much more that you’ll have to crack the book’s bright red spine to discover for yourself).

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (2019)

Gender Queer

In a world where trans and gender-nonconforming identities are still criminalized , Kobabe’s illustrated account of their life as a nonbinary person living in contemporary America balances deeply necessary social context with narrative specificity and visual appeal. (If the execrable hate group Moms For Liberty is trying to ban it , you know it must be worth reading.)

The Stonewall Reader , ed. New York Public Library and Jason Baumann (2019)

The Stonewall Reader

The Stonewall riots of 1969 are frequently cited as a flashpoint in American queer and trans history, but this deep dive into the vibrant LGBTQ+ culture that led to Stonewall adds a new layer of complexity to the event with first-person accounts and diary entries from activists representing groups including the Mattachine Society NY, the Gay Activists Alliance, and the Gay Liberation Front.

In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (2019)

In the Dream House

In this lyrical and deeply moving memoir, Machado plumbs the depths of lesbian and bisexual history to find context for her own experience falling in love and attempting to build a life with an erratic and increasingly abusive female partner. Her story feels full of potential to help fellow queer sufferers of intimate partner violence know that they aren’t alone with their pain, no matter how great it may be.

We Both Laughed in Pleasure: The Selected Diaries of Lou Sullivan, ed. Ellis Martin and Zach Ozma (2019)

We Both Laughed in Pleasure

Sullivan’s meticulously maintained journals (in which he first began recording the details of his life at age of 11) serve as the basis for this unmissable and wide-ranging collection, which paints a vivid portrait of a trans gay man’s quest for love, revolution, and self-understanding in San Francisco across the second half of the 20th century. If you’ve ever wanted to better understand transmasculine identity, this is most definitely the book for you.

Las Malas by Camila Sosa Villada (2019)

“I think [ Las Malas ] is a masterpiece,” Love the World or Get Killed Trying author Alvina Chamberland told Vogue in May, and it’s not hard to see why. The fairytale-slash-horror-story revolves around a group of Latin American trans women who perform street-based sex work in an Argentinean park, weaving magical realism into a biting portrait of the modern world.

Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Lin (2021)

Gay Bar: Why We Went Out

If you’ve ever heeded the band Muna’s call to “dance in the middle of a gay bar,” this expert combination of memoir and cultural history—which is at once a response to the closure of many LGBTQ+ establishments across America and a joyful reminder to keep patronizing the remaining physical places that make us feel most queer and most alive—might just be your ideal going-out book.

You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat (2021)

You Exist Too Much

A young Palestinian-American woman makes her way from Bethlehem to Brooklyn and delves into her first serious queer romance in this gorgeously written debut novel that deals expertly with its protagonist’s exploration of love, lust, bisexual identity, internalized homophobia, disordered eating, healing from trauma, and so much more.

Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan (2022)

Sullivan’s protagonist, Malaya Clondon, is a fat Black girl in a rapidly gentrifying New York City that would prefer her smaller. This central tension—as well as the schism between her mother’s strict food rules and Malaya’s own growing appetite for food, community, and queer love—animates the book thoroughly and unforgettably, leaving this fat, queer reader wishing she’d come across Big Girl much earlier in life.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H (2023)

Hijab Butch Blues

Two decades after the publication of Leslie Feinberg’s Stone Butch Blues , author Lamya H provides a memoir-in-essays that speaks to a different, though no less vital, facet of queer and trans identity. Hijab Butch Blues is steeped in the author’s experience as a gender-nonconforming, queer and nonbinary young person studying the Qu’ran in an attempt to find a place for themselves and their various identities within Islam.

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor (2023)

The Late Americans

Chosen family can get short shrift in mainstream American society, but it’s long been one of the animating forces of LGBTQ+ life. Taylor places it at the front and center of this crackling campus novel that interrogates the ways in which young people live—together, separately, and everything in between—when the question of who they will become looms larger than almost anything else in their day-to-day existences.

A Short History of Trans Misogyny by Jules Gill-Peterson (2024)

A Short History of Trans Misogyny

Anyone hoping to gain a greater understanding of the heavy and systemic sociocultural forces that make this world deeply unsafe for trans women, and particularly trans women of color, would do well to spend some time with A Short History of Trans Misogyny. In this recently released yet already culturally indelible book, Gill-Peterson surveys trans communities around the world and provides a history of anti-trans hatred that is both unique and vital in its specificity.

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LGBTQ+ book clubs bring lit-loving queers together

"Book clubs create an opportunity for queer people in particular...to access stories about our realities that are similar to us and access stories about people in our community that are different from us," one book club manager told The Advocate .

The ever-evolving membership of the Little Gay Book Club in Austin, Texas, gathers several times a month to read together, to celebrate their love of literature, and of course to debate the latest selections. They're one of a small, but growing number of LGBTQ + book clubs springing up across the United States—from Philadelphia to Richmond, Virginia, among others—that meet regularly to share books and dish about their lives.

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I first met Lex Loro, the genderqueer manager of the Little Gay Book Club , in the sumptuous roof garden on top of Austin Public Library's main headquarters during a book fair. We spoke under the shade of solar panels as Loro took a break from slinging books on behalf of their employer and the book club's sponsor, the Little Gay Shop. Lex was dressed in a casual-yet-fab Barbie-pink-themed outfit, complete with dangly earrings declaring her pronouns: 'They' down one ear, and 'She' down the other. In addition to managing the shop's book club and other literacy programs, they're also the director of community health at the San Antonio Pride Center.

"Book clubs create an opportunity for queer people in particular, or just any minoritized people, to access stories about our realities that are similar to us and access stories about people in our community that are different from us," Loro told me.

Related: Book bans nearly triple in 2023-2024 school year: PEN America report

Loro, who became the club manager last year, is responsible for greatly expanding its offerings. Over the course of each month, the Little Gay Book Club reads, and meets to discuss, a fiction book, a nonfiction book, a banned young adult book, and a fourth wildcard selection. In addition, one of the books gets a repeat discussion through a Zoom-based meeting of the club. Some discussions are intimate gatherings of five to ten folks, while the most popular books can draw dozens. Occasionally, the authors drop in.

She half-jokingly described the group as consisting of a lot of "awkward, socially anxious weirdos, and I say that about myself, with pride." While Austin is still blessed with a thriving bar scene, those kinds of settings don't work for everyone to socialize in, they said, and added that bars also aren't great for serious conversations. "There needs to be intentionality and creating programming where the goal is to talk to each other."

As a socially awkward, anxious weirdo, the group welcomed me enthusiastically to their gatherings. Beyond the book discussions, the group meets for a regular "not-so-silent reading" session — which started as a quiet opportunity to read, but transformed when the members admitted that queers have trouble keeping our mouths shut. They also get together just to socialize, like at the pizza party I attended in May, held after the group collectively read 100 books about trans people in honor of Trans Day of Visibility. Unlike the middle school pizza parties you may remember, no one is checking to make sure you did the reading: Everyone's welcome at the Little Gay Book Club's events, whether you've read every page of every selection, or none at all.

"My hidden agenda in the book club is to get people excited about reading stories about members of the LGBTQ+ community who are different than them," Loro told me. "It's been really fun the things that people share with me that they have learned about other people in the queer community that they didn't know until they read the book we read together. I love that."

Loro continued, "I would really encourage people who don't think they are big readers, who don't seem interested in reading, to think critically about why that might be, and what systems may have kept them from accessing the stories that they deserve."

For others, the Little Gay Book Club has helped them rediscover their love of reading and explore their own identities through the pages. Teddy, a trans man and member of the club, told me he got burnt out on reading after college, only to rediscover how important it can be during his transition. "I would really like to read about people that look a lot more like me and have similar experiences and kind of figure out where I sit," he recalled thinking. "And so that ignited that within me again."

A few other LGBTQ+ book clubs have begun to pop up in the South and elsewhere in the United States. Loro cited Richmond's RVA Queer Book Club and the book club operated out of Giovanni's Room in Philadelphia as inspirations for their work.

Anna Raby, the lesbian founder of the RVA Queer Book Club, said she started the group in January 2022, not long after moving to the area. Originally from England, she said she found herself missing her LGBTQ+ community, especially her book-writing and reading friends from across the ocean. Although Richmond, like Austin, is a queer-friendly city nestled in the American South, she still struggled to make connections through the bar scene. Books became the perfect icebreaker for her and her new circle.

"I had never actually even been to a book club before I started this group," she said. "So it's not like a formal structure with talking points. It's very casual. We end up talking about all types of queer media or things that are going on in Richmond."

Raby told me she believes books help us access stories that wouldn't be told by Hollywood or other big media producers. "You kind of lose some of the intricacies of queer love stories or backgrounds or the diversity that you can get from books or short stories that you don't really see anywhere else."

National advocacy groups like GLAAD have noticed the potential of LGBTQ+ book clubs to have a positive impact on queer folks' lives.

"Every LGBTQ person needs to see themselves in stories about their lives, to let them know they belong just as they are, and that they're not alone," GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement to The Advocate . "Book clubs provide a space for additional learning, solidarity and support."

They can also be a way of showing up to oppose the growing wave of censorship, especially in the South. "Despite dangerous rhetoric and legislation from lawmakers, LGBTQ folks and allies will continue to find these safe spaces and expand their understanding of themselves and each other," she added.

GLAAD has grown so concerned that it released a guide on community response to book bans .

Back in Austin, Loro told me their book club has been a source of queer joy, even as our political opponents would like to see us "cower in fear."

"The reality is we have a lot of work to do in South Central Texas to make this environment safe and comfortable for people, but we don't have to wait until we reach a certain point in that fight to do things for queer people that are fun," they said with a laugh.

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