Staff Picks: LGBTQIA+ Nonfiction

This techno-color pocket-sized guide is a great introduction to understanding gender and sexuality and navigating the world as a person under the LGBTQAI+ umbrella. This graphic novel answers questions like what "queer" means, what is gender, what is gender identity and gender expression, and what is sexuality? It also addresses the basics of what a healthy relationship should look like between two people of any orientation. This title is a great resource for both individuals who may be trying to figure out their own identity and those trying to understand the LGBTQAI+ experience better.

Anyone looking to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ experience

Tayla Cardillo

Though not the first of its kind, this is a well-built anthology of queer stories covering important moments in LGBTQ+ history, personal stories from the contributors, and jokes or satire stories, all at varying lengths, so some may be only a page while others are upwards of ten pages long. As usual with anthologies, not every story may be for everyone, but there's probably at least one story for everybody in here.

Anthologies are always great for people who prefer shorter stories or don't have time for longer options, and this one is especially great for those kinds of readers since it's such a mix of topics and lengths. Otherwise, this would likely appeal to readers of queer fiction comics such as Supermutant Magic Academy or Stone Fruit.

Shannan Prukop

Chii, a transgender Japanese woman, chronicles her transition, relationship, and eventual marriage in this adorable manga..

The Bride Was A Boy strikes a good balance between cute and informative; Chii is open about her experiences transitioning in Japan and the story of her relationship with her eventual husband. With plenty of heartwarming moments (aided by Chii's cute chibi artwork) and frank discussion of trans and LGBT topics, this will appeal to readers looking for a sweet love story or a story about the experiences of Japan's queer community.

Megan Rupe

In a quest to figure out their gender identity, Rhea Ewing begins to interview others about their definitions of gender and their experiences expressing themselves fully in American society. The result is a compelling documentary-memoir graphic novel that will spark a gamut of thoughts and reflections about gender in the world in which we live.

Readers interested in exploring gender through others' eyes will find much to enjoy here.

Brief discussion and portrayal of homophobia, transphobia, racism, depression, and suicide

Megan Rupe

Maia Kobabe went from a free-wheeling childhood that largely ignored gender, but with puberty came unwelcome changes and an increasing number of questions. It would take many years for Kobabe to find answers to eir questions, the words to describe eir feelings, and a growing community of friends. Now e works to educate others, even when standing in front of a classroom and explaining eir pronouns feels terrifying.

This is absolutely a great choice for anyone who has felt like their gender falls somewhere outside of the binary; Kobabe's experiences may resonate and provide answers. But it's also a well-written comic and story of eir life, making it great for fans of narrative nonfiction because the comic is drawn clearly and easy for people new to comics to follow.

There is some nudity, but not sexualized. There's also discussion of discomfort with sex and acts relating to gynecology.

Shannan Prukop

Rebecca is navigating a lot as a young adult: college, the job market, and her mental health. She also struggles to figure out why she does not seem to fall in love like other people. She discovers asexuality, and things start to fall into place.

Asexual readers will likely find validation in Rebecca's discussion of her experience with romance and the development of her relationship. Readers curious about asexuality and asexual people's experiences will find this an interesting look into life as an asexual.

Depiction of mental illness and acephobia

Megan Rupe

In this engaging, vibrant graphic novel, Sharon Lee De La Cruz describes her experience embracing her queerness as a woman of color under oppression.

With its concise, thoughtful discussions and vibrant, often humorous images, I'm A Wild Seed will appeal to readers looking to read about the intersection of queerness, race, and oppression.

Homophobia; racism

Megan Rupe

A look into the life of ND Stevenson, spanning from teens into early 20s, as he grappled with facets of his identity and career. The comics are from that time in his life, pieced together to form a narrative with notes and additions to give context, adding to the emotion of each moment. It's beautiful, sad, and hopeful, in a truly human experience.

If you're looking for an unusual autobiographical comic, pick this up! Not only is it just a portion of the author's life, but it's created using comics drawn in those times, so there's no distance of time to make things smoother. This is also a great choice for fans of Nimona or She-Ra and the Princesses of Power that want to know more about the creator of those series.

Shannan Prukop

In this graphic novel, the author shares their experience of coming to terms with their sexuality and coming out as gay (to themselves as much as to other people). In a black and white pencil style this title shows that coming out is not always one big event that changes your life forever, but a slow process where you slowly strip away everything others have told you that you should be in order to find your true self.

Lovers of graphic memoirists like Lucy Knisley will love this down-to-earth graphic memoir.

Discussions of eatting disorder like behaviors

Tayla Cardillo