June is Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, history, and contributions, with an origin deeply rooted in the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Just as there are so many diverse LGBTQIA+ experiences in life, the graphic novel and manga scene is expansive and truly feels limitless in the best of ways. Whether a graphic novel focuses on queer perspectives, has strong character representation, or often both, LGBTQIA+ voices can be found in so many graphic novels in whatever genre you can think of. Reading is critical for connecting with and uplifting voices and graphic novels with LGBTQIA+ perspectives are so important. Graphic novels (and manga, too!) are a great addition to your reading list to celebrate Pride Month and connect with queer creators and content.
Reading an anthology is a surefire way to dive into a wide range of viewpoints. The Out Side is an amazing anthology featuring 29 personal stories from trans and non-binary comics creators about their experiences with gender and identity. Featuring a wide range of illustration styles and storytelling techniques, this anthology is a great way to read a variety of comics from a wide range of creative voices. Every story opens with a short bio on each creator, and the anthology covers a wide range of tones. Many tackle some heavy topics and feelings, so be sure to give yourself space as you read. Focusing on self-love and affirmation, The Out Side is a moving graphic novel collection truly centered on LGBTQIA+ voices that might best be read one story a day in June.
Blackward, a YA graphic novel written and illustrated by Lawrence Lindell, follows a group of four Black queer best friends as they try to establish and grow their own community beyond their school lives. After getting banned from the local community center, Lika, Amor, Lala, and Tony move their club to their community's literary hub, Books 'n' Thangs. Lindell’s illustration style is vibrant and energetic and is a perfect pairing with the friend group. With nerdy and punk rock vibes, Blackwards is a great story about building community and self-identity while navigating life as a teen and it creates a unique future-forward reading experience with space for reflection.
Speaking of community, Our Work Is Everywhere highlights personal narratives as spoken by folx within diverse queer and trans communities through years of LGBTQIA+ history. Documenting firsthand stories and moments of resistance with a distinct surreal illustration style, writer and illustrator Syan Rose features a variety of perspectives from a wide range of queer voices. This non-fiction collection moves through so many different topics on life as a queer person, especially as it is in America, and the many ways communities show up and support each other. Rose puts each person front and center while blending their stories with prose, poems, essays, and other narrative components. It's worth noting that the style of this graphic novel is dynamic and includes handwritten text, so it may take a bit more time to follow along, but it is well worth it.
Satire is a very effective and entertaining art, and there is plenty of it in Nib cartoonist and Ignatz Award winner Mattie Lubchansky’s graphic novel Boys Weekend. If you are looking for a fiction read with plenty of humor and impact, this is it. Boys Weekend blends timely satire with horror and dystopian elements as it follows main character Sammie as they make their best attempt at reconnecting with an old college friend at the most ridiculous bachelor party. Sammie is a transfemme person at a time in their life of important self-discovery and transition navigating what it means to be queer in spaces that are overrun with toxic masculinity, tech bro vibes, and extreme capitalism. Lubchansky’s writing and illustration style is chaotic in the best way and, while full of laughs, leaves readers with a ton to think about, too. With an artistic style reminiscent of 90s cartoons, Boys Weekend is a fast-paced fiction read full of ah-ha moments. Be sure to check out the recording of our Mattie Lubchansky: Boys Weekend event from CPL’s 2024 Pride Month programming.
Finally, rounding out this list of graphic novels is a much-welcomed, grounding collection on how to approach daily life. In Special Topics in Being A Human, storyteller and activist S. Bear Bergman weaves together tender-hearted, yet very poignant and relatable anecdotes centered on how to be a better human. This read resonates more than ever and manages to touch on so many social situations that may seem simple, but in reality are complex and important to reflect on. From getting along with a partner to tips on apologizing in a cognizant and meaningful way, this touching collection illustrated by Saul Freedman-Lawson is filled with warmth and compassion. Special Topics in Being a Human is filled with plenty of advice, much of which springboards from real-life experiences, with ample space to think and question. If you were to take away only one read from this list, I would recommend this title. This is a great title to revisit from time to time, especially in small moments when a bit of uplift and reflection are needed.
Looking for more graphic novels with LGBTQIA+ experiences, or perhaps some manga titles to add to your reading list? Check out my LGBTQIA+ Experiences in Graphic Novels and Manga book list.
What are some of your favorite LGBTQIA+ graphic novel and manga titles? Let us know in the comments below.
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