11 Awesome LGBTQ+ Friendly Books

In Heroes, artist Doug Meyer honors 50 innovative pioneers from the worlds of art, design, film, and dance whose contributions may be unknown to a younger generation. Proceeds benefit SF AIDS Foundation and other local and national AIDS organizations. It’s the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and this book is a really interesting and educational look at the history of those amazing artists who were lost to this horrific disease.

From Freddie Mercury’s contribution to music, Emma González’s brave and powerful message, Leonardo da Vinci’s artistic legend, Harvey Milk’s refusal to stay quiet and so many more inspiring queer heroes and icons and their tapestry of stories. Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, this extraordinary book will show children that anything is possible.

Through voicing his own difficulties, such as coming out to his Iraqi-born, Muslim father, Riyadh shares valuable life lessons that he wishes he had known sooner. The book has LOADS of hilarious, embarrassing and moving stories from gay boys from around the world and exclusive content from inspirational gay men who share the advice they would give to their younger selves.

The epic Book of Hats follows decades of Ida’s life from her unbearable home life to the New York world she escapes to, becoming more surreal as her life unfolds. Filled with memorable characters, aching relationships, heartbreaking turns of events, beautiful imagery, and the colorful dialogue of Old New York, it is no wonder that the American Library Association put Book of Hats on its recommended Over the Rainbow list for 2019.

Sweet Neighbors Come in all Colors is designed for parents to help their children – ages 2-5 – explore what makes neighbors different, the same and lovable, through the delightful colorful, medley of fruit. And, Sweet Neighborsis a great way to introduce early learners to colors of the rainbow!

Did you know that Apple (the largest tech company in the world) is run by Tim Cook, an openly gay man? Did you know one of the biggest blockbuster sci-fi movie franchises was directed by the Wachowskis, two transgender women who also happen to be siblings? Did you know that Icelands first female prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir, was also the world’s first openly gay head of government? We set trends in fashion, film, music, art, and technology.

We’re Academy Award winners, Grammy Award winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympic Gold medalists. We’re doctors, lawyers, judges, politicians, and religious leaders. We run businesses and we run countries. You’ll be inspired to take PRIDE in your community as you learn about some of the LGBTQ heroes who have done all of this and more.

Discover LGBTQ community stories that will stir you and reveal why Tony Kushner quit cello and how Colm Toibin found his voice; why Emma Donoghue calls her experience a fluke and the best advice Bill T. Jones got was from his mother; how being an inaugural poet changed Richard Blanco’s life and how Ugandan activist Long Jonesescaped death threats and gained asylum. Award-winning writer and longtime LGBTQ activist Kathleen Archambeau tells the untold stories from diverse LGBT community voices around the corner or around the world. Not like the depressing, sinister, shadowy stories of the past, this book highlights queer people living open, happy, fulfilling and successful lives.

It covers topics like how to find LGBT-friendly pediatricians, how to find LGBT- friendly schools, how to childproof your home with style, how to answer awkward and prying questions about your family from strangers, examples for what two-dad families can do on Mother’s Day, and much more. The book also includes parenting tips and advice from pediatricians, school educators, lawyers, and other same-sex parents. Bestselling author and gay dad Eric Rosswood covers every aspect of fatherhood for gay men in this essential guide to growing your family.

Ashley Mardell, one of the most trusted voices on YouTube, presents a detailed look at all things LGBT+ in this remarkable book. Along with in-depth definitions, personal anecdotes, helpful infographics, resources, and more, Mardell’s LGBT book is proof that it does get better every day in a world where people are empowered by information and understanding. In Mardell’s own words.

This book is also for allies and LGBT+ people simply looking to pack in some extra knowledge a critical part of acceptance. Learning about new identities broadens our understanding of humanity, heightens our empathy, and allows us different, valuable perspectives.”