A collection of true stories, memoirs, guides, and histories about LGBTQIA+ people and their lives. Books on this list might answer questions you're not yet brave enough to say aloud; give insight into lives, identities, and experiences that are similar to your own; or provide an opportunity to learn something new about the endless, changing, and diverse world around us.
World history has been made by countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals; and you've never heard of many of them. Queer author and activist Sarah Prager delves deep into the lives of 23 people who fought, created, and…
This is a big, bright and beautiful book. It features small chapters on a variety of topics to do with gender, feminism, sexuality, and equality, as well as profiles of famous people, creating an accessible and intersectional book that wouldn't be…
A short and charming comic where two friends come together to explain, in a witty and conversational style, how singular they/them pronouns work in a variety of settings. Fun, simple, and informative, it is a great little guide, suitable for many…
A collection of letters by well-known queer authors to their younger selves, "The Letter Q" provides queer and questioning readers with reassurance, hope, and encouragement by exploring the many unique, unexpected, and joyful directions these…
"Proud" is a celebratory and moving collection of stories, poetry, and art on the theme of 'pride' from a collection of writers and artists across the rainbow spectrum. There's a wide range of voices in this book, and the stories and poems move…
UK YouTuber Alex Bertie writes candidly about his experience of gender as a trans man, and the process of transitioning. Full of great 'trans 101' information, as well as a Q&A with his mum, this is an informative, relaxed, and easy-to-read…
"The Pride Guide" explores sex, dating, relationships, puberty, and both physical and online safety in one resource, written specifically for folks who are LGBTQ+. The go-to resource for making informed decisions, "The Pride Guide" is an…
This broad, funny, and informative book by Youtuber Riyadh Khalaf covers a number of topics to do with life, relationships, and identity, specifically written for gay, cis men. It includes profiles of well known gay men, a section for friends and…
In this frank and funny book, many aspects of life as a trans person are covered in an informative and inclusive way. Along with anecdotes from a range of trans young people, this book explores in depth the topics that are only given a small…
Jazz Jennings might be one of the most well-known young trans people in the world today, having appeared on Oprah, met President Barack Obama, and starred along with her family in a reality TV show about her life. In this book, she writes about her…
Miles McKenna is a vlogger and activist who came out as trans and began his transition process online. In his first book, he takes his learnings from this experience to encourage people to take charge of their own coming out stories. Full of…
"Tomboy" is a graphic memoir following the author through high school as she navigates what it means to 'be a girl' when you don't fit into society's expectation of that. With humour and honesty, big questions about gender are explored through…
This small book takes on a very big task - it attempts to provide inclusive and up-to-date information about everything LGBT+, from coming out, understanding gender and sexuality to navigating relationships. In a graphic novel format, this book…
A compelling and powerful memoir by Sarah McBride, a trans woman who has fought tirelessly for trans rights in the USA, even in the midst of deep personal tragedy. It follows her journey from college, as she fights to keep her identity hidden, to…
A warm, engaging collection of autobiographical stories about childhood and adolescence by Canadian storyteller and educator Ivan Coyote. Written in conversational way and with small diagrams and illustrations throughout, this is a beautiful book.…
In this memoir, Noelle Stevenson documents almost a decade of her young adult life as she navigates mental health, a growing career, coming out, and relationships. Episodic, sparse, and beautiful, "The Fire Never Goes Out" is a delight especially…
"Spinning" is a moving graphic memoir about the author's experience training as a figure skater for many years of her childhood and adolescence, and how the process of coming out and discovering art led her to pull away from the world of the rink…
A true story. Sasha is a white, middle-class and agender teen from a private school. Richard is a black teen from a crime-plagued neighbourhood who attends a public school. Each day their life overlaps on the bus ride home. But one afternoon, a…
At face-value, this is a book about the authors' experiences in childhood, adolescence and college - it includes stories of family, friendships, and relationships, of heartbreak and joy. But at a deeper level, it is a searing and bold investigation…
Shaun David Hutchinson is a popular author of YA fiction, but in "Brave Face" he turns to memoir to explore his past as a closeted gay teen, suffering from depression. It is a blunt and compelling story that shines a light on the impact of public…
