Essential LGBTQ+ Reading for LGBT History Month
February marks LGBT History Month in the United Kingdom, a significant period dedicated to honouring the history, achievements, and ongoing rights movements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. This observance coincides with the anniversary of the 2003 abolition of Section 28, legislation that previously prohibited local authorities from promoting LGBTQ+ materials in schools.
While progress has been made since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales fifty-nine years ago, discrimination persists. Social media attacks and harmful rhetoric, particularly targeting transgender individuals, remain prevalent. For those seeking to celebrate through literature rather than engage with negativity, fiction offers a powerful avenue for connection and understanding.
Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or as an ally, the following seven books provide compelling narratives that centre queer experiences. These selections span decades and genres, from historical classics to contemporary horror, each offering unique perspectives on love, identity, and resilience.
1. Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (1956)
No discussion of queer fiction is complete without James Baldwin's seminal work, Giovanni's Room. Set in 1950s Paris, this novel follows David, an American man grappling with his identity while his girlfriend contemplates their future in Spain. His encounter with Giovanni profoundly challenges his worldview.
At under two hundred pages, this novel is a masterpiece of emotional intensity. Baldwin faced pressure not to publish this story, fearing it would alienate his audience. His defiance gifted the world a groundbreaking exploration of same-sex love, presented with raw honesty and profound tenderness. The narrative remains one of literature's most heart-wrenching portrayals of love and loss.
2. Don't Let the Forest In by CG Drews (2024)
This young adult novel transcends its target demographic, captivating readers well beyond teenage years. The story centres on Andrew Perrault, a high school student who writes dark fairytales inspired by drawings from his best friend, Thomas Rye. As Andrew navigates his burgeoning feelings for Thomas, he must also unravel the mystery behind Thomas's sudden withdrawal.
Don't Let the Forest In masterfully blends queer romance with gothic horror and fantasy elements. The emotional depth of Andrew's journey, coupled with a suspenseful plot, creates an immersive reading experience that resonates deeply with themes of self-discovery and acceptance.
3. Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle (2024)
Chuck Tingle's novel directly confronts the harmful bury your gays trope prevalent in media, where queer characters are often tragically killed. The story follows Misha, a successful horror scriptwriter, who is pressured by studio executives to kill off a lesbian detective in his popular television series. His refusal unleashes sinister consequences.
This horror-comedy offers a refreshingly uplifting take on queer narratives while cleverly subverting genre expectations. Misha's personal journey, including a touching coming-out scene, adds emotional weight to this inventive critique of Hollywood tropes.
4. My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen (2024)
A standout horror novel featuring a compelling sapphic romance, this book follows Roos Beckman, a woman who communicates with a ghost named Ruth. Their longstanding bond is tested when Roos escapes her abusive mother with the enigmatic Agnes Knoop.
The unusual love triangle between two women and a spirit is executed with remarkable skill. While the romance serves as a sub-plot, its representation of queer desire within a supernatural framework provides a unique and engaging narrative that challenges conventional relationship dynamics.
5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2011)
Madeline Miller reimagines Greek mythology through a queer lens in this celebrated novel. Narrated by Patroclus, the story explores his deep bond with Achilles, transforming their legendary friendship into a poignant romantic relationship. The narrative builds towards the tragic events of the Trojan War with exquisite emotional tension.
Miller's interpretation is historically informed, drawing on ancient sources that often interpreted the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus as romantic. This novel breathes new life into classical tales, offering a timeless story of love and sacrifice that resonates with contemporary readers.
6. The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum (2025)
This inventive novel explores supernatural possession through a queer romance. After making a fateful deal at a crossroads, Hollis Brown becomes possessed by the spirit of a boy named Walt. The narrative delves into their complex co-dependency as Hollis seeks to lay Walt to rest.
Ancrum tackles the challenging premise of a romance between two characters sharing one body with remarkable sensitivity. The story examines themes of identity, connection, and letting go, offering a fresh perspective on ghost stories and their emotional potential.
7. A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock (2024)
A Victorian-era reimagining of the Frankenstein story with queer themes, this novel follows a gardener and taxidermist living together in a botanical garden. Their experiment with a sentient plant implanted into a deceased woman's body leads them to create an unconventional family.
While lighter on horror elements than expected, the novel excels in character development and relationship building. The exploration of queer love and chosen family within a historical setting provides a rich, atmospheric reading experience that prioritises emotional depth over traditional scares.
These seven books offer diverse entry points into LGBTQ+ fiction, perfect for commemorating LGBT History Month. From Baldwin's classic exploration of forbidden love to contemporary stories blending romance with horror and fantasy, each work contributes to the vital representation of queer experiences in literature.
