Celebrate Pride month with some queer stories! The month of June marks a celebration of LGBTQ+ voices, culture, and communities. For those looking for queer writers to support this Pride month, we’ve compiled a list to get you started with books that reflect the diverse imaginations and identities of the writers who created them.
Queer and Fearless by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Harry Woodgate
Kicking it off with one of our kidlit favs, Queer and Fearless is a collection that merges poetry and biographies, and it’s the perfect way to familiarize your kids (and yourself!) with the impacts of these seventeen featured heroes from the queer community. Acclaimed author Rob Sanders will also be at The Writing Barn teaching his 6-session class Picture Book Biographies II: Creating a Standout June 10 – July 22, so be sure to check that out!
Kenzie Kickstarts a Team by Kit Rosewater and illustrated by Sophie Escabasse
Kenzie Kickstarts a Team features fifth graders and best friends Kenzie and Shelly, who are trying to start a five-person roller derby team to join the junior league in Austin. This riveting read showcases LGBTQ+ representation throughout the team and the adult cast of characters. Younger middle grade readers won’t be able to put down this story of confusing friendships, first crushes, and good competitive fun!
Out of the Blue by Jason June
This YA fantasy rom-com makes for a perfect summertime read! Crest isn’t super enthusiastic about having to spend a month on land and needing to help some planet-polluting human by performing a selfless act before they can return home. In pursuit of finishing this task, they meet Sean, a human lifeguard who’s just been dumped by his boyfriend and is looking for a little revenge. Crest’s feelings about humans start to change as his fake relationship with Sean escalates, and…well, if you want to know how it goes, pick up a copy here.
This is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves
Enrique “Quique” Luna is set on using this summer to get over his crush by exploring not one, not two, but three dating prospects. In the process, Quique struggles with anxiety, identity, and authenticity. This YA romance is equal parts funny and earnest, and it definitely needs to be on your TBR.
The Heartbreak Bakery by A. R. Capetta
Syd is a baker at The Proud Muffin, a queer bakery in Austin. When Syd copes with a break-up through baking, the result is magical brownies that cause everyone who eats them to break up, too. The only person who believes Syd about the break-up brownies is Harley, and with their (or his, depending on the day) help, Syd sets out to fix things. A sugary sweet YA romance, The Heartbreak Bakery is sure to warm your heart.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
A contemporary romance with speculative fiction elements, One Last Stop tells the story of twenty-three-year-old August as she moves to New York, becomes entrenched in the world’s sweetest friend group, and unravels the mystery of her peculiar subway crush, Jane. This book is as fast-paced and funny as it is big-hearted, and it makes for an awesome Pride month read.
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
Detransition, Baby is a complex, witty, and messy story about three women–transgender and cisgender–who become entangled when an unexpected pregnancy complicates their relationships and forces them to explore their own ideas about gender, motherhood, and sex. An introspective and vulnerable novel, this promises to be a deeply moving read.
Upcoming: Like a Mother Bear by Mary E. Cronin and illustrated by J Yang
Keep an eye out for the release of Like A Mother Bear, a picture book biography of Jeanne Manford. Jeanne founded PFLAG, an organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones. Like a Mother Bear will be published by Atheneum/Simon & Schuster in 2027.
Let us know what you think of these reads, or share some of your own favorite LGBTQ+ stories with us on social media!
About the Author
Megan Aune is a recent University of Texas graduate with a BA in English and a certificate in Creative Writing. She currently works as a writing consultant at UT’s Writing Center. She loves working with stories and the writers who create them, and is looking forward to taking that passion into the publishing industry. In her spare time, Megan can be found reading (a lot), biking, baking, and exploring Austin’s coffee shops.