Skip to Main Content
Research Guides

Why Reading Lists

These reading lists are meant to help you look at books within the Recommended Reads for Equity collection that have a shared topic or theme.

LGBTQIA+ Community Representation

These books are those in the Recommended Reads for Equity Collection that have LGBTQIA+ community representation. This list includes multiple genres but is predominantly fiction and graphic novels. If there is something included on this list that should not be, please let us know. 

Non-Fiction

Anna Lauren Hoffman, Faculty UW Seattle, iSchool

"Serano has always been at the forefront of thinking about trans inclusion in feminist and other movements and this book is representative of that. I actually first encountered her through her book "Whipping Girl" (which is also great!), but I think Excluded has the potential to speak to a broader group of people interested in the collection you're developing."

 

 

Anonymous, Faculty UW Seattle, UW Libraries and iSchool

"Goes through many periods of American history and focuses on fascinating individuals. Opened my mind about gender & sexual orientation history like few other books."

 

Recommended by: Micha Cardenas, Faculty UW Bothell, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

"This book deals with the specific violence that transgender people of color face."

 

Drama

Recommended by: Sumyat Thu, Student UW Seattle, English

"It's one of the most revered plays in the U.S. that powerfully weaves together personal and social conditions of being a gay, queer, or racial minority person under the neoliberal political environment seen in Reagan and Bush eras."

Fiction

Recommended by: Jose D Sanchez Frugone, Student UW Seattle, Bioengineering

"This book is a very personal, honest coming to age novel about teenage love. At moments poetic and romantic, at moments messy and starkly real. With a backdrop of lgbt and minority themes which add context but do not overpower the beautifully written experiences of a character in conflict with himself; this book explores identity, family relations, friendship, and love in a way that is relevant to all."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Student UW Seattle, College of Engineering

" I would recommend this book to others because it possesses a predominant theme which is “love is becoming closer with your best friend.” Two individuals explore their sexuality to find out that regardless of their gender, love can still be attained. If not that, I recommend this book because it is relatable in a sense that regardless of who we are, we face a common struggle of confusion in our life; whether it be sexuality, finding a sense of self, or not knowing what our future hold - enduring these periods of uncertainty and facing adversity can bring us closer to embracing who we are."

Michelle H. Martin, Faculty UW Seattle, iSchool

"Every day A, the protagonist wakes up, A is in a different person's body. An interesting study in diversity. A says that whether or not A likes the body A is inhabiting, they must respect it, regardless. Written by a while male but offers lots of great food for thought. Also a movie now."

Recommended by: Nicole Gustavsen, Staff UW Bothell, UWB/Cascadia College Library

"This one is on our list as a potential future Community Reads book. A novel about a young queer Iraqi man's coming of age during the Iraq war. Another difficult read in terms of content. In my experience there's a real dearth of readily available literature both by and about queer and trans Muslim folks, so I'm excited that this book could make it into your collection! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25074253-god-in-pink "

 

Recommended by: Caitlan Maxwell, Staff UW Bothell, UWB/CC Library

Recommended by: Madeline, Staff UW Seattle, UW Libraries

"I've read two mystery novels by Nina Revoyr and both struck me as being really gripping and engaging thrillers that take into account the dynamics of difference and power that shape our world and that so many mystery/thriller authors gloss over."

 

Recommended by: Anonymous

"This book increased my understanding of the experience of transgender/non-binary children and their families. I am a better person for having read this book, and I believe that whole-heartedly."

 

Graphic Novels

Recommended by: Aydin Kwan, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

"Bingo Love is a romance comic about two black girls who fall in love in the 60s, are separated, and reunite half a century later. As elderly black women, the protagonists represent populations that are largely missing from LGBTQ romance. The story also takes great advantage of its visual medium by depicting body diversity and a range of skintones among its black characters."

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"This Manga explores the issues deaf & hearing impaired people face in Japan. The story is told through an individual perspective - one of the main characters is hearing impaired, and a big-picture perspective - his boyfriend (spoilers!) begins working for a company that provides support services to deaf people, but not to hearing impaired people. He tries to change this!"

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"Kim is a cheerful, chaotic, impulsive, tough, trans, and imaginative bounty hunter. Her partner Kim, a queer, POC, who's a little more level headed & practical (but just barely), and does some necromancy on the side. They're lives are a bit of a mess - but not because of their identities. Being a bounty hunter is hard!"

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"It's a graphic novel set in late 19th century Paris, about a cross-dressing prince & a career-focused woman. Even though both main characters face obstacles, and that time period would have been friendly to neither of them, they are both able to create the life they want for themselves. It's a positive & hopefully message to anyone who identifies with either character."

Think something is missing? Recommend a Book!