Books for Pride 2023

As a straight, cis woman Pride will also mean something different to me than those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Even though I will never know what it is like to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community, thankfully there are books that can help open my eyes to their experiences.

Here are some books that I have read that have LGBTQIA+ characters and my main take away from each book. 

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar. This young adult book tells the story of Nishat, a Bangladeshi teenager who comes out as a lesbian while in high school. The reader sees Nishat navigating coming out to her Muslim family as well as bullying at school all the while experiencing her first step into a romantic relationship. 

Besides being a fun read, this book reminds us that we are all humans and we have a lot more in common than we have differences. Many experiences are universal, like falling in love as well as wanting to be accepted for who we truly are. No matter our sexual orientation, or identity, we can unite together as humans. 

Don’t Cry for Me by Daniel Black. While dying of cancer, Jacob begins to write letters to his estranged son, Isaac, who is gay. Through the letters Jacob tries to explain his traumatic family history and life experiences and how it came to be that he is not accepting of Isaac. 

At the center of the book is a broken relationship. Unfortunately, many in the LGBTQIA+ community have broken relationships because people can’t get past how they identify or who they love. This is a  burden that many of us do not have to face because of who we truly are. 

Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Green. This true crime book focuses on a string of murders committed by a serial killer who preyed on gay men in New York City in the 1990s. Unlike many other true crime books, Green focuses on the victims and does not make the killer the main focus.

These tragic stories serve as a reminder that members of the LGBTQIA+ community face an increased risk of being a victim of violence. UCLA’s Williams Institute School of Law estimates that “LGBT people (are) nine times more likely than non-LGBT people to be victims of violent hate crimes” (UCLA Williams Institute School of Law). It is sad that so many have to live in fear for who they love. 

I really enjoyed these books, not just as stories, but the reminders and lessons they offer me. I hope by sharing these books they help others learn more about the LGBTQIA+ experience.