20 LGBTQ Books to Help You Start the School Year Off Right

Get a head start on the new school year with 20 classic LGBTQ books we recommend!

There's nothing like reading a book by the LGBTQ community, for the LGBTQ community. And that's exactly what we're recommending you to do this school year! With the new school year already under way, why not sit back and celebrate the community with a good read?

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This Book Is Gay

This Book Is Gay explores "all the questions you ever wanted to ask" about being LGBT, from politics to sexuality. Both entertaining and educational, Juno Dawson, who came out as trans in 2016, explores queer life in uncompromising detail. Easily worth the purchase.

Black Wave

Michelle Tea returns with Black Wave, a novel about a queer woman's experience with the end of the world in 1990's San Francisco. Exploring the boundaries and limits of storytelling in relation to everyday life, Tea's novel is a perfect read for a world that seems to be unraveling in front of us in 2018

Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock's Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout

Laura Jane Grace is one of the most famous trans women performers in rock today. And in her new book, Tranny, Against Me!'s lead singer explores her gender dysphoria and struggle with coming out through the highs and lows of her life. Definitely a must-read for this year ahead.

Stone Butch Blues

Stone Butch Blues is a classic work of LGBT fiction. The story, written by trans activist Leslie Feinberg, follows a young lesbian's struggle with identity and belonging as both a lesbian and trans person. While out-of-print, Feinberg's website hosts the novel as a free PDF.

Chelsea Girls

Eileen Myles' Chelsea Girls, originally released in the 1960s, explores Myles' coming-of-age, queer sexuality, and sheer existence as a New York poet during the '70s. With the new edition released back in September 2015, now is the perfect time to give it a read.

Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School

High school can be some of the cruelest years to experience as a queer youth. In Dude, You're a Fag, CJ Pascoe works through masculinity by studying the use and understanding of the word "fag" and its concept as both a sexual and gendered word in youth.

Trans Bodies, Trans Selves

Trans Bodies, Trans Selves is the definitive guide for everything and anything to do with being trans. Featuring expert opinions from doctors and therapists, it's one of the most empowering resources for trans readers out there, covering everything from biology and sexuality to coming out.

The Collection

Edited by Tom Léger and Riley MacLeod, The Collection opened the door for Topside Press as a small press publishing trans fiction. From Imogen Binnie to Red Durkin, The Collection is a must-read for any reader or writer interested in trans short stories.

I've Got a Time Bomb

"The year is 286. The city of Morteville has been flooded by a devastating hurricane but Sybil D’Lye has never been happier. She’s making out with girls, squatting an abandoned mansion, and looting every pharmacy within wading distance. Everything’s going swimmingly until the night Sybil is beaten with a pipe and left for dead. Though doctors are able to reconstruct her skull, her mind is altogether another matter." So begins the journey through Sybil Lamb's work for Topside Press. Pick it up to read another great of trans fiction.

Nerve Endings: The New Trans Erotic

Trans erotica is largely missing from book shelves. But Nerve Endings looks to change that. The anthology was recently funded on Kickstarter. Set some money aside and prepare yourself for a hot and steamy look at trans sexuality!

Excluded: Making Feminist and Queer Movements More Inclusive

Julia Serano changed the landscape of feminism with her trans feminist work Whipping Girl. Excluded picks up where her book left off, looking at the tools of marginalization and how they pervert theories, activism, and communities by leaving people out. Definitely a must-read for all marginalized groups.

Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation

A sequel of sorts to Kate Bornstein's Gender Outlaw, Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation looks at the lives of trans and genderqueer people across society in our contemporary world. Although released in 2010, it's still a must-read.

The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For

Allison Bechdel's comic on the lives and struggles of American lesbians reached cult status during the late 20th century. Way ahead of its time, Bechdel's essential collection is most definitely worth the purchase for a fun start to 2018.

Internet Murder Revenge Fantasy

What's it like to grow up queer and trans on the Internet? That's what merritt kopas and her friends are interested in exploring in their online comic zine, Internet Murder Revenge Fantasy. Featuring art from Rory Frances, Jane Mai, and Mia Schwartz, the comic is available on itch.io, right here.

The State of Play

LGBT folks have been playing games for years, and The State of Play breaks down some of the aspects and experiences that queer and trans people come to the table with during play. Is it a perfect anthology? No, but works from merritt kopas and Cara Ellison are definitely must-reads.

Conflict Is Not Abuse

Sarah Schulman's Conflict Is Not Abuse looks at unhealthy dynamics found in community relationships and attempts to put forward new ways for communities to build accountability and healing. Why is it so perfect? Schulman's book reflects many problems the LGBT community experiences in group dynamics, perfect for any community looking to bond and improve.

Sweet Girlfriends Coloring Book

Looking for something to help you de-stress? Pick up the Sweet Girlfriends Coloring Book and line your apartment wall with adorable illustrations of girls being close together. Featuring 32 illustrations, it's absolutely perfect for the cold winter ahead.

Nevada

Imogen Binnie's Nevada was (and still is) one of the biggest works of trans literature in the 21st century. Binnie's writing looks at a 20-something trans woman's disillusionment with life while living in New York City in clever, funny, and tragic ways.

Queer: A Graphic History

What's the history behind being queer? Dr. Meg-John Barker and cartoonist Julia Scheele are interested in telling just that. Exploring pop culture, film, activism, and more, Queer: A Graphic History looks at where American culture has led queerness, up until today.

Love Is Love

Coming together to honor and memorialize those lost at the Pulse shooting in 2016, Love Is Love features artists and writers from across comics, celebrating our community in detail. Picking up this comic book is a must!