June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honour the LGBTQ+ community. Through queer literature, we gain insight into the complexities and intersections of a queer identity, love, family acceptance and race. We also find comfort and connection with others who share our experiences.
Whether part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, we gain from exploring the rich and varied world of queer literature.
See also: Pride in writing: Sexuality and Asian representation in Lydia Lee’s works
Here are some book recommendations for Pride Month:
You’re That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself by Bretman Rock
This memoir by social media influencer Bretman Rock is a hilarious and heartwarming read. It is even more enjoyable when listened to as an audiobook because they narrate it! Rock’s witty and charming personality shines through as they share intimate details of their life and their journey to becoming the confident and empowered icon they are today. Through their story of self-discovery, body positivity, and love, Rock inspires readers to embrace their true selves. They encourages them to be unapologetic in doing so. Not serving as a guide to embracing your inner “bitch”, this book also provides valuable life lessons for life. By the time you finish reading this book, there will be no crumbs left as you devour their message of self-love and acceptance.
Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So
This collection of short stories explores the experiences of the Cambodian-American queer community in California. With a slice of life lens, you explore intergenerational trauma at a donut shop in Three Women of Chuck’s Donuts; an intimate view of a gay relationship and the tech sphere in Human Development; and So shifts as main character to minor across the stories to highlight his whole community in Afterparties. These stories are crude, comical, uplifting, heartbreaking and explore the relationships that So has with himself, his family, his lovers and his goals.
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
This remarkable and electrifying young adult debut transports readers to a world of colossal mechas, where a tyrannical regime threatens the very existence of humanity. The novel follows two girls—Eris and Sona—each fighting on opposite sides of an epic war, as they gradually come to realize that they share a common purpose. As they come together in their quest for freedom and justice, they find themselves drawn to each other in ways they never imagined. Will their love be enough to overcome the obstacles in their path, or will the forces of darkness prevail?
The Groom Will Keep His Name by Matt Ortile
Throughout The Groom Will Keep His Name, Ortile shares his personal experiences as a Filipino immigrant trying to find a place to call home in New York while navigating the intricacies of being a Vassar Girl and an American Boy. By weaving together various tales of self-discovery, Ortile highlights the importance of storytelling in shaping our identities and relationships. Indeed, as we meet and mate, we often tell stories about ourselves to others, revealing not just who we are, but who we aspire to be. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring reconnecting with their roots and history, understanding how they were a model minority out of survival and how discovering one’s identity shapes the relationships of their lives.
Love & Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura
In Love & Other Natural Disasters, you will follow two Japanese-American girls as they navigate the complexities of falling in love and its sapphic messiness. The author, Sugiura, masterfully explores the ups and downs and awkwardness of teenage romance with humor and heart, truly bringing the characters to life. If you are a fan of romance, you will absolutely love the way Sugiura explores the various complexities that come with same-sex relationships. Moreover, the main character and the other three characters are all people of color, making this book a page-turning exploration of the intersection of race and queerness. By subverting the tropes of this genre, Sugiura creates a truly unique read that is sure to stay with you long after you finish the last page.
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Support LGBTQ+ authors and learn about their perspectives by reading and sharing their work. Happy Pride Month!
Feature Credit: HCDSB
