Top 15 Best LGBT Books in the UK 2021

Juliet Jacques explores the ways her life as a critic and journalist have been shaped by the fact she is transgender woman. In this book, she highlights the propensity of editors to encourage her to write about gender, over the brilliant things she had to say about film, fiction and the economy

From the straightforward realities of gender transition, to the elements of popular culture that made the process joyful and provided hope, Jaques eloquently discusses a range of topics, including medical transition through the framework of capitalism - an expensive privilege not all transgender people are able to afford. 

Slicing straight to the heart of familial love and despair, this beautiful and truly unique book is an ode to the author's teenage self. Written by an award-winning poet, the prose is rhythmic, musical and captivating. 

From fraught family ties to teenage love affairs, relatable lived experiences are treated with a gently poetic touch. Vuong's references to smells, sensations and tastes bring the words on each page to vivid, twinkling life in a story of political power, presented with a lyrical touch. 

Glamrou is truly a modern day icon! The drag alter-ego of author Amrou Al-Kadhi, this true story is sure to provide belly-laughs and tear-stained cheeks in equally measure. Flying a proud flag for gay and queer Muslims everywhere, it's an absolute must-read no matter how you identify. 

Read about Amrou's relationship with his unfathomably glamorous mother, whose natural campness provided inspiration, but whose traditional values caused extreme pain. Amrou is a joyful narrator, blazing the trail for young gay Iraqis and pointing out the Koran's 'queer potential'.

The Color Purple celebrates companionship, sex and love between two women connected by one man. It's a powerful exploration of abuse survival, and the struggle to escape poverty and find self-acceptance, that has since been adapted into a film and a musical. 

This novel is bitingly clever and sharp, with a tenderness that sticks with you even when the last chapter is long finished. For added poignancy, this edition also includes an introductory letter from the author Alice Walker. 

Alex Bertie approaches the telling of his transition with a frank fondness and a warm sense of silliness. Based on his real-life experience as a transgender man, this book provides a relatable read that can be equally illuminating for those wanting to better empathise with trans stories and the trans-masculine experience. 

Going through puberty is pretty stressful, even if you're not transgender. The lighthearted tone of this book makes it an uplifting read, even through the darkness and difficulty.

Listed as one of the BBC's 'Top 100 Books that Shaped Our World', Virginia Woolf's Orlando is the story of a character we first meet as a man and then, generations later, as a woman. In this book, the matter of gender fluidity is simply stated as a fact, rather than the subject of scrutiny.

Virginia Woolf's highly evocative writing style seductively captures the magic of an English winter, with its chilly tone infiltrating the segments set in the much hotter climes of what was once 'Constantinople'. A brilliant and timeless read, interwoven with themes of exoticism and mystery.

This heart-wrenching memoir weaves together the themes of religion, personal identity and family relationships to create a touching, and at times horrifying, read. 

An account of a fundamentalist Christian childhood in a drab, oppressive Arkansas. The book explores Conley's personal terror at his own sexual desires, his experience of sexual assault and his parents' ultimatum; undergo conversion therapy or be ousted from the family and the community. 

Kate Bornstein's book is one that has inspired millions of readers who don't feel any more at home on one side of the gender binary than the other. Kate's wit and warmth are celebrated in the trans community and this book gives voice to the experiences she has lived.

It's partly a coming-of-age tale and at the same time an uplifting and inspiring call to arms. With emphasis on trans and non-binary joy, it's a powerful and thought-provoking manifesto for gender equality and freedom. 

This book is an excellent choice if you're after a sumptuously-told novel with vivid descriptions, multiple plot-lines and memorable characters. The story is set between London and Whitstable in the 1890s, telling the tale of a woman who develops a relationship with a male impersonator.

This book is thrilling at times, hilarious in others and explicit regarding the sexual relationship between its main characters. It toys with the notion of gender identity, and is ultimately a cracking good read!

For readers who love a true story, you can't get much better than this! Pride is a fun, frolicksome read with an intensely powerful message. Prepare to be deeply moved by the beauty of two marginalised communities coming together to support one an other at a time when breaking from the 'norm' was punishable with violence and hatred. 

The campaign of 'Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners' shows solidarity between the queer community and the miners striking against Margaret Thatcher's plans, inspiring feelings of togetherness and friendship, regardless of cultural and class background. 

It's been 51 years since the Stonewall uprising kickstarted the gay pride movement in the USA, the effects of which are now seen and celebrated around the world. Yet, more than 70 countries still criminalise and punish homosexuality with imprisonment and death. 

This book is a curated collection of essays, diary accounts and news articles from the years leading up to the riots, and those that followed. It turns the spotlight onto the less-loudly-celebrated figures from the queer liberation movement, like Ernestine Eckstine, an openly gay activist who was one of few Black women demanding LGBTQ rights in the 1960s. 

Queer: A Graphic History, is a top choice for visual learners and fans of comic books and graphic art. Packed with clear statistics, memorable quotes and infographics, the bite-sized information will help readers to digest facts. 

A useful and informative read, this book is a well-rounded exploration of queer theory and the lived experience of the LGBTQ+ community. It's written by activist and academic Meg-John Barker and brought to life with drawings from illustrator Jules Scheele. 

Schools are a brilliant place to start when it comes to helping young LGBTQ+ people have the confidence to live their truest lives. Maybe you're a teacher hoping to centre queer stories in the classroom, or know someone working in education who has similar goals. 

This far-reaching and practical guide tackles the task of making classrooms LGBTQ+ friendly, with simple suggestions and bold ideas you can easily achieve in your own school and community. A top pick for heads of year, or those wanting ways to inspire their management team.

Alok Vaid-Menon is a powerhouse when it comes to owning one's gender identity and this book is a glorious pocket-sized guide to both understanding your own and respecting others. This is a hugely important read, particularly in light of the current UK government's questionable approach to transgender and non-binary rights. 

Recommended by artists such as Sam Smith and Billy Porter, this book encourages the reader to see gender as a magnificent rainbow spectrum, rather than in black and white. It is truly a mood-boosting read that will inspire readers to embrace fluidity in themselves and others. 

This wonderful book was put together by the creators behind the Instagram account @lgbt_history. It's a smashing read, giving even total novices a solid background on queer activism, with European roots reaching back into the 1800s. 

The narrative weaves a compelling tale and the high-quality photographs illustrate the story marvellously, making this a pertinent choice of book if you're the kind of reader who enjoys visual stimulation to supplement your learnings. Heartwarming, uplifting and fierce!