Pride Month is a powerful opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ stories, history, and resilience through literature. For adult readers seeking authentic, thought-provoking voices, this curated list highlights novels and nonfiction that explore themes of identity, community, survival, and joy—often centered on BIPOC and trans experiences.
Each recommendation includes content notes to help you choose books that fit your readiness and interest, along with discussion prompts and activities designed to deepen your engagement with the stories and their real-world contexts.
Whether you’re looking for a gripping historical novel, a lyrical exploration of identity, or a visually rich history of queer activism, these books offer perspectives that challenge, inspire, and affirm.
The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara
Inspired by real figures from the 1980s New York drag and ballroom scene, this novel follows a chosen queer family of Black and Latinx trans and gay youth navigating love, survival, and self-expression during the AIDS crisis.
Themes: Found family, queer history, survival, trans and Latinx identity
Tone: Gritty but full of heart and beauty
⚠️ Content Notes: Adult content, substance use, trauma, sex work, and death. Suitable for mature adult readers.
Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta
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Set against the backdrop of the Nigerian civil war, this powerful debut novel follows Ijeoma, a young Igbo girl coming to terms with her sexuality and forbidden love amid a deeply homophobic society.
Themes: Queer identity, trauma, war, family, resilience
Why Read It: A lyrical, heartbreaking story that explores the intersection of culture, religion, and queer identity in a challenging environment.
⚠️ Content Notes: Mature themes including violence, sexual content, and trauma. For adult readers.
Nonfiction: We Are Everywhere by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown
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A visually rich, accessible history of queer liberation told through archival photographs and powerful storytelling. From early activism to the modern Pride movement, this book centers trans and BIPOC voices often left out of mainstream narratives.
Themes: Queer resistance, Pride as protest, intersectionality, community
⚠️ Content Notes: Includes references to police violence, homophobia, and the AIDS crisis.
Discussion Prompts
The House of Impossible Beauties
- How do the characters create community and family in the face of rejection and hardship?
- In what ways does the ballroom scene serve as a space of survival, expression, and resistance?
- What role does race and class play in the experiences of queer characters in the book?
- How does the AIDS crisis shape the tone and trajectory of the characters’ lives?
- How does Cassara balance joy and tragedy in his storytelling? What emotions linger with you after reading?
Under the Udala Trees
- How does Ijeoma’s journey reflect the tension between personal identity and cultural/religious expectations?
- What does the title symbolize in relation to Ijeoma’s experiences?
- How are silence and secrecy used as tools for both survival and oppression?
- How do characters express love in a society where queerness is condemned?
- What do you think the novel says about change—both personal and societal?
We Are Everywhere
- What historical figure or movement from the book were you most surprised to learn about? Why?
- How does the book challenge the mainstream narratives of LGBTQ+ history?
- In what ways do the visuals and photographs enhance your emotional or intellectual understanding of queer history?
- How does the book highlight the role of BIPOC and trans activists in movements often led by white gay men in public memory?
- What lessons from the past feel especially relevant to today’s struggles for queer justice?
Activities
Local Queer History Research
Research queer history in your local area and choose a figure or moment from your city or region’s LGBTQ+ history to share or present.
Queer Futures Collage
Create a visual or written piece imagining a hopeful queer future inspired by the themes of liberation, family, or joy found in the books. Dream beyond current constraints!
Soundtrack to Survival
Make a playlist reflecting themes from the books: survival, joy, resistance, love, grief, and pride. For each song, note which book(s) it connects to and why.
Actionable Step for Adults: Connect, Support, and Advocate
Use Pride Month to deepen your involvement with LGBTQ+ causes locally or nationally:
- Educate Yourself: Read recent LGBTQ+ history or rights books like We Are Everywhere to understand ongoing struggles and victories.
- Support Organizations: Volunteer, donate, or amplify work of LGBTQ+ groups, especially those led by BIPOC and marginalized queer folks.
- Engage in Advocacy: Attend city council meetings, school board forums, or Pride events. Speak up or listen with an activist mindset.
- Create Safe Spaces: Foster inclusion and equity conversations at work, home, or community groups. Share books, host discussions, or mentor queer individuals.
Reflect:
- “How can I use my privileges to support LGBTQ+ rights more effectively?”
- “What ongoing barriers do queer people in my community face, and how can I help remove them?”
Printable Version
Download a printable PDF of this Adult Pride Month Reading Guide on canva.
Thank you for reading! I hope these books and activities inspire meaningful reflection and action. Please share your thoughts or any local queer history you discover in the comments below.
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