Spotlight PR’s Pride Month Reading List
In honor of Pride Month, we compiled a list of books we believe everyone should read. We include writers who illuminate the many experiences of the many LGBTQ+ identities through fiction and biography, poetry and prose. We note some of our favorite authors, understanding no reading list is exhaustive.
It is impossible to include every writer in the LGBTQ+ community in a single list. Instead, we hope our list inspires you to think about the many faces of queer identities and the writers who share them.
1. Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America by Dr. Daniel Black.
This collection of essays tackles the survival, representation, and strength required within marginalized identities. Dr. Black, one of the foremost voices of our time and a prolific author, has previously written on the inspiration and experiences of Black communities. He offers a powerful perspective on the intersection of race, sexuality, and the many other identities that form who we are.
2. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin.
Written by the renowned and openly queer writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin, this book consists of two letters to make an appeal. In the context of the centennial anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Baldwin urges every reader to fight against the legacy of racism. Using personal experiences and social analysis, these essays are a compelling read in the fight against injustice.
3. Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt by Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson.
The Rev. Dr. Jackson is a foremost healer, teacher and advocate for reproductive justice. She is a prolific writer, whose words inspire and transform. As the former director of Spiritual Care and Activism for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Jackson’s work is as groundbreaking as it is revolutionary. Jackson uses psychology, spirituality, and personal experiences to illuminate how communities can heal from “love-hurt.” Jackson describes this concept of being hurt by a loved one in a conversational and accessible manner. In this meaningful work, she navigates the difficulties and complexities of relationships and offers wisdom on healing, reconciliation and growth.
4. Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde.
This collection of essays and speeches addresses many injustices and prejudices in a push for social change. Lorde, an esteemed Black lesbian writer, tackles racism, homophobia, sexism, and more in her efforts to advocate for action and progress. “Sister Outsider” depicts the struggles and hope that are ubiquitous in the fight for justice.
5. Fire Shut Up in My Bones by Charles Blow.
Written by journalist Charles M. Blow, this memoir reflects on growing up and reckoning with the forces of abuse and power. With his mother as a core figure in his life, Blow takes the reader through his childhood into adulthood to understand the complex background and influences on his identity. The book examines violence, sexuality, and the ever-present legacy of slavery and racism.
6. Ayiti by Roxane Gay.
This collection of stories takes form to give an account of the Haitian diaspora. Gay, a bisexual voice in literature and the daughter of Haitian immigrants herself, examines themes of identity, belonging, and sacrifice through the eyes of her characters. Throughout the book, “Ayiti” takes on difficult topics to share the search for a new life.
7. Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde.
Set in and centering the city of Lagos, this novel explores the identities and lives of people whom society has othered. Osunde casts our sights to witness tenderness in hard times and the lives behind labels. With the city itself as a figure in the array of characters, this book is a complicated and joyful perspective on living through social rejection.
8. Tar Hollow Trans: Essays by Stacy Jane Grover.
This book, told through autobiographical essays, shares the intersecting experiences of growing up in Appalachia and identifying as transgender. It describes the struggles of transition and appropriate medical care, and places the author’s identity in the context of her surroundings. Grover reflects on the role of cultural ties and traditions in one’s identity.
9. The Membranes by Chi Ta-Wei.
In a near-future dystopian setting, Chi delves into a cyberpunk reflection on loneliness and connection. This novel examines the concepts of gender and sexuality, as well as the social constructs that impact them. Translated to English from its original Complex Chinese, “The Membranes” incorporates LGBTQ+ identities into its broader story of a flawed, changing society.
10. Essential Poems by Pat Parker.
Pat Parker was a revolutionary voice for the LGBTQ+ community, imbuing her poems with her experiences as a Black lesbian woman. Parker authored five collections of poetry: Jonestown & other madness, Movement in Black, Woman Slaughter, Pit Stop, and Child of Myself. These works are hard-hitting, touching on difficult topics such as racism, violence, and identity.
11. Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg.
In this autobiographical novel, Feinberg explores the identities and experiences of the lesbian community, particularly from the perspective of a butch lesbian. This book explores the role of gender and expression in addition to sexuality. It is a story of survival, violence, and the complexities of liberation.
Bonus: The Coming by Dr. Daniel Black.
This novel, also written by Dr. Black, follows the story of a people’s capture, enslavement, and transport through the Middle Passage. It examines the trauma, resolve, and fortitude of the Africans who underwent these extreme conditions and haunting experiences. Though difficult, this book is powerful and moving while paying homage to the roots and cultures that persist.
Sophia Shannon is a media relations associate for Spotlight PR. Be sure to check out our other blogs and subscribe for regular communications updates.