As we are in the midst of LGBTQ Pride Month, chances are your timelines and dashboards are already filled with queer-themed films, shows, and, of course, literature. While there are some must-read classics (Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown, Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, and so on) here is a list of LGBTQ+ reads that you may be unfamiliar with but will tug on your heartstrings all the same.
Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
When the “earth shaker” hits Los Angeles, Pen’s home, family, and life are left in ruins. With only a withered copy of The Odyssey, Pen sets out to find her family and her dog, and uncover what remains of her city. During her journey, Pen comes face to face with giants, sirens, witches, and more magical creatures. In the midst of the chaos, she also meets a group of survivors, Hex, Ez, and Ash, who help her with her search for her family. Love stories develop between Pen and Hex as well as Ez and Ash.
Love in the Time of Global Warming is full of characters of different sexualities and gender identities. The novel is perfect for fans of Homer’s The Odyssey or fantasy enthusiasts.
Quote from the novel: “A true warrior isn’t immune to fear. She fights in spite of it.”
Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
Riley Cavanaugh is called many things: “punk rock,” “outsider,” and to some, “it.” But if there is one identity Riley is sure of, it’s that they are gender fluid. The hitch is, between going to a new school, dealing with the pressures of peers and the media, and having a father running for Congress in conservative Orange County, Riley sees too many risks in coming out.
Asking on the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to voice all their pent-up feelings about their identity and life in general. Just as Riley is starting to find a voice (even making a friend), the blog goes viral, and a mysterious commenter finds out Riley’s identity and threatens to out them. Riley is faced with the choice of walking away from the thing that finally put them at ease or risk everything and come out.
Quote from the novel: “The first thing you’re going to want to know about me is: Am I a boy, or am I a girl?”
Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran
This 1977 novel was characterized as the “gay Gatsby.” The protagonist, the handsome and charitable but reserved Malone, is navigating through the emerging gay scene in New York City on the search for love and companionship.
Malone comes across Sutherland, who is nearly his opposite. Sutherland is rambunctious and unpredictable and leads Malone through Manhattan’s nightclubs, parties, and deserted parks. The best description of Sutherland comes from a scene when, during a show, someone threatens to shoot randomly into the crowd. Sutherland replies, "Shoot me, darling. I'm on so much speed that the only thing that could possibly bring me down is to have you blow my head off.” Dancer from the Dance is full of passion, chaos, drugs, dancing, and love.
Quote from the novel: “The point is that we are not doomed because we are homosexual, my dear, we are doomed only if we live in despair because of it, as we did on the beaches and the streets of Suck City.”
From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson
Melanin Sun’s mother never brought home any of her dates before. So, one night when she announces she is bringing someone home to meet him, he is caught off guard. The shock continues when his mother brings home someone who is not only white, but a woman. Melanin struggles to find the courage to stand by his mother knowing he could lose the respect of his friends.
From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun tackles the themes of sacrifice, prejudice, and ultimately love.
Quote from the novel: “No one stops to think, though—that maybe there is a reason for the darkness. Maybe people have to be reminded of it—of its power. At night, we go to sleep against the darkness. And if we wake up before morning, a lot of times we're afraid. We need it all though—the darkness and the light.”
Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash
This graphic memoir depicts Maggie at 15-year-old at an all-girls camp called Bellflower. Her life is typically peaceful: She’s never kissed a guy but has a deep love for the Backstreet Boys. So, it is to her own surprise when she develops feelings for her older counselor Erin.
When it seems as if Maggie’s feelings are being reciprocated, it may be too much for Maggie and Camp Bellflower to handle.
Quote from the novel: “Not every moment has to happen.”
The Game Changer: A Memoir of Disruptive Love by Franklin Veaux
Franklin and Celeste had rules to their open marriage: no staying overnight, no falling in love, and either could ask the other to end an outside relationship if it becomes disruptive.
That worked for nearly two decades. Then Amber entered.
Amber begins to peel back the layers of fear within Franklin and Celeste’s relationship and becomes the first of Franklin’s polyamorous secondary partners. She is the game changer.
Quote from the book: “The thing about love is that it’s just as powerful as the fairy tales say. Love is awesome and terrifying, profound and transformative. It is not something that is easily contained. Love is disruptive.”