Pride Month - Nonfiction
Learn more about the LGBTQ+ community with these books.
(All of these titles are available at the Westlock Library)
The bold world : a memoir of family and transformation
Patterson, Jodie, 1970- author
2019
Alphabet soup : the essential guide to LGBTQ2+ inclusion at work
Bach, Michael, 1971- author
2022
Diversity and inclusion expert Michael Bach breaks down everything you need to know about creating inclusive workplaces for people who don't fit squarely into the "straight" and "cis" box. With clarity and a healthy dose of humour, Bach lays out a road map on how to ensure your workplace is safe for LGBTQ2+ people. This is a critical guide to creating a truly inclusive workplace for all - regardless of sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression - as you'll come away armed with everything you need to know to create a safe, productive, and thriving organization.
Angry queer Somali boy : a complicated memoir
Ali, Mohamed Abdulkarim, 1985- author
2019
Writing from a homeless shelter in downtown Toronto, Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali chronicles how he ended up there in this powerful and often irreverent memoir of exile, addiction, and racism. Kidnapped by his father on the eve of Somalia's societal implosion, Ali was taken first to the Netherlands by his stepmother, and then on to Canada. With its promise of freedom, opportunity, and multiculturalism, his new home seemed to offer a new lease on life. But unable to fit in, he turned to partying and drugs. Interwoven with world history and sociopolitical commentary on Somalia, Canada, and Europe, the story of this gay Muslim immigrant is told with tenderness in a refreshing and welcome new voice. Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali lives in Toronto. This is his first book.
Coming out stories : personal experiences of coming out from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum
2021
"I accidentally came out whilst reaching for some brussel sprouts." - Karlton "I put my hands over my eyes as I told her, as I couldn't bear to see her reaction." - Olivia Based on the hugely popular Coming Out Stories podcast, this empowering, humorous and deeply honest book invites you to share one of the most important moments in many LGBTQ+ people's lives. From JP coming out to his reflection in the mirror, to Jacob coming out to their Mum over email, from Christine knowing she was trans as a young child, to Kerry coming out as a lesbian in her late thirties, all of the real life stories in this book show you there is no right or wrong way to come out, whatever your age and whatever your background. Whether you're gay, pan, queer, bi, trans, non-binary, or an ally, this uplifting go-to resource is filled with helpful advice and tips on what to expect, and inspirational quotes from leading LGBTQ+ figures, to help you live your very best self. Welcome to the family!"-- Provided by publisher
The gender creative child : pathways for nurturing and supporting children who live outside gender boxes
Ehrensaft, Diane, author
2016
Gender identity : beyond pronouns and bathrooms
Cook, Maria, author
2019
Readers explore the spectrum of the LGBTQ movement through the lenses of history, media, and culture, with a particular focus on transgender rights and rights of gender-variant people.
A girlhood : letter to my transgender daughter
Hays, Carolyn, author
2022
One ordinary day, a caseworker from the Department of Children and Families knocked on the Hays family's door to investigate an anonymous complaint about the upbringing of their transgender child. This book asks us all to love better, not just for the sake of Hays's child but for children everywhere enduring injustice and prejudice just as they begin to understand themselves. A call to action, an ode to community, a plea for empathy, a hope for a better future. This is a love letter to a child who has always known exactly who she is - and who is waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.
Here and queer
Ellis, Rowan, author
2022
Here and Queer is a book about living your best queer life, written for girls. This vibrant, inclusive guide, designed for all kinds of girls, is designed to help you be the strongest, proudest, happiest version of yourself! A celebration of the gift of queerness, it's packed full of heartfelt advice, comforting stories, and stylish illustrations, and will give you the tools you need to explore your own identity, on your own terms. Author and YouTuber Rowan Ellis uses her personal experience to take you through queer life, from coming out and dealing with tough stuff, right through to finding friendships and celebrating Pride. There are also brilliant guest essays from contributors across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The book opens with guidance on understanding how you feel as a queer girl. From choosing your pronouns to navigating different labels and identities, Ellis helps girls understand that they are in control of their own identity, and that it's ok to not be sure straight away. Moving onto a glossary of queer terms, Here and Queer helps introduce girls to the rainbow of definitions and terms which help queer people understand who they are and how they feel. The book then moves onto advice on coming out, for many one of the hardest steps to take on their journey to truly living their best lives. Following are chapters on sex and romance, including helpful advice about your first time, as well as guides on consent and knowing how to make sure you build a healthy and supportive relationship with your partner. There are also sections on dealing with bullies and stigma, finding your community, and looking after your mental health, including advice on how to help you find extra support if you need it. The book also has more information on queer ladies in history, and on the fight for equality undertaken by brave activists throughout history and today. Stylishly designed with cool illustrations, this helpful, friendly guide will help all queer girls navigate the challenges of discovering and embracing their identities and flourishing in their own skins!
The pride guide : a guide to sexual and social health for LGBTQ youth
Langford, Jo, author
2018
Jo Langford offers a complete guide to sexual and social development, safety, and health for LGBTQ youth and those who love and support them. Written from a practical perspective, the author explores the realities of teen sexuality, particularly that of trans teens, and provides guidance and understanding for parents and kids alike.
The Queens' English : the LGBTQIA+ dictionary of lingo and colloquial phrases
Davis, Chloe O., author.
2021
"The Queens' English was created by and for gays, queers, queens, and everyone in between : LGBTQIA+ folks of all walks of life, gender expressions, sexual identities, abilities, and beyond. It is a landmark reference guide to the LGBTQIA+ community's contributions to the English language. This playful, inventive lingo has had major influence on everything from pop culture to key moments in intersectional queer history like the Harlem Renaissance, Stonewall, ACT UP, Marriage Equality, and the globalization of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Queens' English is packed with information : an illustrated glossary of more than 800 terms and fabulous phrases, usage notes for understanding the origin and appropriate use for each term, history lessons, real-life examples, and a list of resources for LGBTQIA+ folks."-- Provided by publisher.
Queer : the ultimate LGBTQ guide for teens
Belge, Kathy, author
2019
Addresses some of the challenges faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender teens, offering advice on how to come out to family and friends, develop a social life, deal with homophobia, and other topics, and includes personal testimonies.
Rainbow history class : your guide through queer and trans history
McElhinney, Hannah, author.
2023
Rainbow History Class is your entry into LGBTQ+ history, sharing queer and trans stories from Ancient civilisations all the way up to the internet. So much of queer and trans history and culture has been erased, but Hannah McElhinney, writer and creator of Rainbow History Class (as seen on TikTok), is here to help us all with this crash course. This history lesson isn't dry and academic, nor is it glitter-soaked and reductive. It's a comprehensive and entertaining romp through queer and trans history, full of secret queer codes, gender-bending icons, pop-culture knowledge and incredible activists. More than anything, Rainbow History Class will make you feel connected to the stories of our rich and vibrant community. This knowledge will help spark conversations between your friends and family and be a source of comfort as you stand up for yourself and your community. This illustrated hardback book is a celebration for all LGBTQ+ people, and an invitation to the newly out that says, 'Welcome to the club, let's get you caught up!'
Seeing gender : an illustrated guide to identity and expression
Gottlieb, Iris, author
2019
Seeing Gender is an of-the-moment investigation into how we express and understand the complexities of gender today. Deeply researched and fully illustrated, this book demystifies an intensely personal--yet universal--facet of humanity. Illustrating a different concept on each spread, queer author and artist Iris Gottlieb touches on history, science, sociology, and her own experience. This book is an essential tool for understanding and contributing to a necessary cultural conversation, bringing clarity and reassurance to the sometimes confusing process of navigating ones' identity. Whether LGBTQ+, cisgender, or nonbinary, Seeing Gender is a must-read for intelligent, curious, want-to-be woke people who care about how we see and talk about gender and sexuality in the 21st century.
This one looks like a boy : my gender journey to life as a man
Shenher, Lorimer, author
2019
In this candid and thoughtful memoir, Lorimer Shenher shares the story of his gender journey, from childhood gender dysphoria to teenage sexual experimentation to early-adult denial of his identity - and finally the acceptance that he is trans. Along the way, he details his childhood in booming Calgary, his struggles with alcohol, and his eventual move to Vancouver, where he became the first detective assigned to the case of serial killer Robert Pickton. Residence: Vancouver, B.C.
Tomorrow will be different : love, loss, and the fight for trans equality
McBride, Sarah, 1990-, author
2018
What's the T? : the guide to all things trans and/or nonbinary
Dawson, Juno, author
2022
"Discover what it means to be a young transgender and/or nonbinary person in the twenty-first century in this frank and funny guide for teens"-- Provided by publisher.