October is Queer History Month, a time to celebrate the stories, struggles, and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community. This month provides librarians and teachers an opportunity to expand upon their collections, highlight diverse voices, and foster a welcoming environment for all students. In this post, we’ll share book recommendations that honor LGBTQIA+ history and role models that empower young readers to see themselves and others in the pages of books.
Megan Rapinoe
From the Series Athletes Who Made a Difference
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
In addition to winning an Olympic gold medal, two World Cups, and the FIFA player of the year award, Megan Rapinoe is an outspoken advocate for equal pay for women and LGBTQIA+ rights, for which she earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Hidden Heroes in Technology
From the Series Who Else in History? (Alternator Books ®)
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
Tech is everywhere! Learn more about the innovators who created the technology world. These innovators are women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are ready to be recognized.
Biphobia
From the Series Lorimer Deal With It
Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 9
Prejudice and discrimination affect people with different sexual identities than the standard poles of “gay” and “straight.” This reader-directed exploration of biphobia/bierasure helps readers identify biphobia and start a conversation about how to deal with it.
No Way, They Were Gay?
From the Series Queer History Project
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
History has often ignored men who loved men, women who loved women, and people who lived outside gender boundaries. Lee Wind examines primary source letters, poems, and more to rethink the lives and loves of historical figures.
The Gender Binary Is a Big Lie
From the Series Queer History Project
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
Author Lee Wind takes readers on a journey to examine gender identity and representation throughout history—from ancient burial sites to people identifying as gender fluid today. Learn how cultures past and present debunk the idea of a gender binary.
Queer, 2nd Edition
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
Teen life is hard enough, but for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) teens, it can be even harder. This updated, revised edition will help make everything, from crushes to coming out, a little easier.
LGBTQ+ Athletes Claim the Field
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
Today, LGBTQ+ athletes are everywhere. But it hasn’t always been this way. Social attitudes, institutional policies, and laws have been slow to change, but now LGBTQ+ athletes are finding opportunity and success.
Transgender Lives
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
Meet seven transgender individuals and learn how they came to understand, accept, and express their gender identities, as well as the sorrows and successes they experienced.