June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honour the LGBTQ+ community. Through queer literature, we gain insight into the complexities and intersections of a queer identity, love, family acceptance and race. We also find comfort and connection with others who share our experiences.
Whether part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, we gain from exploring the rich and varied world of queer literature.
See also: Pride in writing: Sexuality and Asian representation in Lydia Lee’s works
Here are some book recommendations for Pride Month:
You’re That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself by Bretman Rock
This memoir by social media influencer Bretman Rock is a hilarious and heartwarming read. It is even more enjoyable when listened to as an audiobook because they narrate it! Rock’s witty and charming personality shines through as they share intimate details of their life and their journey to becoming the confident and empowered icon they are today. Through their story of self-discovery, body positivity, and love, Rock inspires readers to embrace their true selves. They encourages them to be unapologetic in doing so. Not serving as a guide to embracing your inner “bitch”, this book also provides valuable life lessons for life. By the time you finish reading this book, there will be no crumbs left as you devour their message of self-love and acceptance.
Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So
This collection of short stories explores the experiences of the Cambodian-American queer community in California. With a slice of life lens, you explore intergenerational trauma at a donut shop in Three Women of Chuck’s Donuts; an intimate view of a gay relationship and the tech sphere in Human Development; and So shifts as main character to minor across the stories to highlight his whole community in Afterparties. These stories are crude, comical, uplifting, heartbreaking and explore the relationships that So has with himself, his family,…
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