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LGBTQ+ Non-Fiction Books (Day 7 of Living Beyond a Label!)

User Profile: EmotionsListener
EmotionsListener June 7th, 2025

Today we delve into the world of LGBTQ+ non-fiction books!  There are a plethora of great books out there that explore the various aspects of LGBTQ+ identity, history and experience. Some focus on helping others learn, others focus  on helping ourselves navigate the world in which we live.


Here is a quick, and far from complete list of some books you can find in the LGBTQ+ non-fiction section:


“Sister Outsider” Audre Lorde - In a series of essays, Lorde highlights the importance of embracing intersectional identities. Empowering and insightful, her work gives readers valuable insights into the complexities of both identity and activism.


“Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay Male World 1890-1940” George Chauncey  - Learn about history and shatter  the myth that before the 1960s gay life existed only in the closet. This book draws on a collection of diaries, legal records, and other unpublished documents, to construct a portrait of a vibrant and cohesive gay world that is not supposed to have existed.


“Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality” Dr. Julia Shaw - In this book Shaw explores attraction beyond the binary. Covering topics and unique experiences related to bisexuality, it’s a look into the complexities of the human sexual experience. 


“Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community” Laura Erickson-Schroth (Editor)  - A valuable resource for transgender individuals and allies alike. Offering practical advice and support navigating topics ranging  from medical and legal issues to personal experience and social networks. 


“The Trouble with Normal: Sex, Politics, and the Ethics of Queer Life” Michael Warner - Examining societal norms and the politics of queer life, Warner contends the pursuit of normalization can ultimately hinder the diversity of queer experiences.


“The Ace and Aro Relationship Guide” Cody Daigle-Orions - This guide strives to help Ace and Aro individuals address the unique aspects of  navigating their identity  within social relationships, from friendships to romantic partners and beyond. 


“We Can Do Better Than This: 35 Voices on the Future of LGBTQ+ Rights” Amelia Abraham (Editor) - This book asks the question “How can we create a better world for LGBTQ+ people?” Olly Alexander, Peppermint, Owen Jones, Beth Ditto, Holland, and more share their stories and visions for the future. 


There are many places online to explore more great LGBTQ+ books, such as https://lgbtqreads.com/


Do you have a favorite story from LGBTQ+ non-fiction? Share it with us.


Part of 30 Days of Pride - Living Beyond a Label!

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User Profile: Aayla
Aayla June 7th, 2025
@EmotionsListener lots of what I've read in LGBT+ nonfiction is by Italian authors and hasn't been translated, but among the ones here, I am particularly fond of Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality.
The implications of living as a bisexual are often misunderstood or ignored, Dr. Shaw helps putting the bisexual experience into perspective in historical, scientific and social terms. She also covers lots of the challenges and obstacles that bi people face in life, which are unique to the bisexual identity and not simply "misdirected homophobia" as someone claims.

Any book by Judith Butler is also very relevant for queer people, as she focuses on the concept of "gender as a social construct", a notion that has a deep impact on the understanding of queer experiences.