June is LGBTQ Pride Month: a time celebrate and recognize the impact that LGBTQ people have in the world. June was chosen for Pride Month as a way to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots that have been seen as the landmark event that propelled the movement for LGBTQ civil rights.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and to honor this milestone, here is a list of new nonfiction titles for teens to be sure to promote with pride:
The Book Of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mason Funk
Chronicles the personal and political story of the gay rights movement from the 1960s to present focusing on the many stories of LGBTQ revolutionaries and activists.
Brave Face: A Memoir by Shaun David Hutchinson
Best Fiction for Young Adults author of We Are the Ants and The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza’s ultimately hopeful memoir of growing up in the 1990’s battling depression, and coming into his own awareness of his sexuality at a time when the world was deeply homophobic, and the AIDS crisis dominated the American psyche.
The Great Nijinsky: God of Dance by Lynn Curlee
The biography of dance and choreography superstar Vaslav Nijinsky explores the music and ballet of the early 20th century. Nijinsky has been celebrated as a gay icon, and this book explores his bisexuality through the lens of the time period.
The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford
This reference covers many topics – coming out strategies, dating and relationships, safety online and IRL, information on transitioning like binding, medical transition, hormone therapy or blockers, minority stress, and ultimately answers a lot of questions with the goal of optimal sexual and social health.
A Queer History of the United States for Young People by Michael Bronski
Bronki’s adaptation of his book published for adults looks at the last 400 years of U.S. history through a queer lens. It shows the impact of the LGBTQ+ community on culture covering the contributions and lives of many known and unknown heroes, and shows impact on the LGBTQ+ community by U.S. laws, regulations, and culture.
A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities by Mady G and J.R. Zuckerberg
An #Ownvoices graphic novel covering topics such as gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, asexuality, dysphoria, the word queer, healthy and toxic relationships among other things. Backmatter includes worksheets and writing responses.
A Quick & Easy Guide to They/them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson (Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2019, Rainbow Book List – Young Adult Nonfiction 2019)
A nonfiction guide to using gender neutral pronouns that emphasizes the importance of inclusive and respectful language. Highlights the impact of misgendering, and models how to ask someone for their pronouns.
She/he/they/me: For the Sisters, Misters, and Binary Resisters by Robyn Ryle
Formatted as a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, this heavily researched but concisely presented compendium on gender has clear definitions, and explores the harmful impact of a culture based in gender binary thinking.
Sissy: A Coming-of-gender Story by Jacob Tobia
Memoir from TV producer and performer Jacob Tobia charts their journey as a closeted gender-nonconforming teen to a genderqueer LGBTQ activist. Funny and frank they tell about their first pair of high heels as a teen, coming out to their youth pastor, and the freedom to explore their gender identity while at college.
The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out In The Streets by Gayle E. Pitman
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969 that sparked the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, this gives the history leading up to, and the movement after, using photos, interviews, and objects . A great pairing to Ann Bausum’s 2015 Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights.
Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride
McBride made history when at the 2016 Democratic National Convention she was the first out transgender person to speak at a national political convention. Her memoir chronicles her youth and political career from her internship in the Office of Public Engagement at the White House during the Obama administration, to her work advocating for the passage of Delaware’s Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act of 2013, as well as personal love story and marriage with Andy, a trans man and fellow activist, who passed away too soon from cancer.
Trans Mission: My Quest to A Beard by Alex Bertie
Popular Youtuber and Britsh trans icon Bertie’s new title is part memoir of his youth transitioning and part informational guide for other transgender and transitioning teens.
Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl Fisher and Fox Fisher
An #OwnVoices handbook for transgender and nonbinary teens by the Fishers, a non-gender-binary couple. Friendly and funny guide with first-hand accounts this serves as a guide to transitions, coming out, dating, and much more.