- The Stonewall Reader
This book is a collection of historical documents from the eras before, during, and after the Stonewall Riots. It’s a really good insight to the real thoughts and feelings of those who were living through so much of the history that has gotten us where we are today.
- This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
Written as a guide to queer youth, this is probably the best book of its sort that I’ve ever reaad. It’s a fantastic explanation of all of the questions young people may have when they are growing up and trying to discover their identities. I cannot imagine how much I would have benefitted from having read this when I was younger.
- Pride: The LGBTQ+ Rights Movement
This was one of the first books I read about queer history. It begins in the early 1900s and moves through to modern day. I learned so much about history from this book, even about Harvey Milk, who is now my favorite figure of queer histroy. It takes the history that has been covered up for a very long time and brings it to light with documents, pictures, and facts that honestly surprised me.
- Birthday by Meredith Russo
For those who love fiction, I highly recommend this one. It’s the most emotional LGBTQ+ fiction book I have ever read. It follows a transgender girl through her life and self-discovery. My favorite part of this was the setting: Tennessee. When we read queer fiction, it’s usually set in those places where it’s not as marginalized. The reality of being queer in the south is that our experience is very unique, and this book does a fantastic job of painting a picture of that in a raw and emotional way.
- Butch Heroes by Ria Brodell
I picked this one up at a bookstore in the Castro district of San Francisco. The cover wasn’t much to look at, but the content really caught my attention. Admittedly, I’m still in the middle of it, but I really love it. It starts off with a woman from 1477, which was so interesting to me. I absolutely love delving into the history of queer people before our modern time because they obviously did not have the voice or ability to be preserved as we do.
I hope that this list has inspired you to read some of the books I’ve included. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to seek out other titles as well!
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