It’s October! Which means it’s not only “Spooky Season” but it’s LGBTQ+ History Month! And, I don’t know about you, but since LGBTQ+ History has yet to be taught in schools, we supplement in our home and attend as many classes and museums as possible (when safe). LGBTQIAP+ is an important part of history, not just those a part of the community. It’s stories of diversity and fights for equality. Stories one hopes to have more represented in the classroom someday. Though, in the meantime, the least I could do is try to provide a list for your home.

A good mix of books for the young ones to teens. Interesting and informative books for even adults. A good place to start for your own little home library, to check out from your own local library, or to help your schools start their own library collection.

10 Recommended books for LGBTQ+ History Month.

*List is attempted to be in order from youngest to oldest reading levels.

1. Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart Ph.D. (Author), Anne Passchier (Illustrator)

A cute little book for the tiny tots about the color symbolism in the flag. (I really wish books like these were around when my kiddo was tiny!)

3. Sewing the Rainbow: A Story About Gilbert Baker by Gayle E. Pitman (Author), Holly Clifton-Brown (Illustrator)

The story is of Gilbert Baker, his journey from Kansas to the 1970s in San Francisco where he and friends sew and create the first Pride Flag. 

2. PRIDE: the Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders (Author), Steven Salerno (Illustrator)

Highly recommended across the board and even one of Amazon’s Top Children’s Books. Beautifully illustrated and a great introduction to Harvey Milk and the fight for LGBTQIA Rights.

4. Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution by Rob Sanders (Author), Jamey Christoph (Illustrator)

The story starts in the 1800s and continues the story to that of the 1960s in Greenwich Village ad the need and push for LGBTQ+ rights. A good introduction to the origin of PRIDE.

5. Gay & Lesbian History for Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rights by Jerome Pohlen

A good resource book (includes activities) and has a helpful perspective on LGBTQ+ Rights. Written for late primary school through middle school tweens.

6. Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From the Past & Present! by Annabelle Sicardi

Had to include this one! With a 2019 Publishing, it has Queer figures from all over that can help queer youth not only see the past but see some present-day influences, including the likes of Sia and Jazz Jennings.

7. Our Gay History Fifty States by Zaylore Stout

Published in October 2019 chronicling the highs and lows of LGBTQ+ history in the United States. (Pre-2020’s dilemmas.)

8. The Book of PRIDE: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mansoon Funk

Perspectives and stories from those at the Stonewall Riots. More of a teen and up reading style.

9. The Gay Agenda: A Modern Queer History & Handbook by Ashley Molesso and Chessie Needham (also known as Ash + Chess)

I love this book! It’s great for quick references and easy for tweens-teens to understand, plus their artwork style is everything! I honestly ordered my copy directly from them for an autographed version, plus some of their shop’s goodies.

10. A Queer History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning History for Young People) by Richie Chevat (Adapter), Michael Bronski (Author)

This is actually a 3 part book, because it spans over 400 years of stories! And covers many faces in time. I was actually gripped just in the “Prologue.” I was also happy to see such inclusion, not many have I seen Native Americans/First Nations mentioned, let alone a section devoted. Definitely written easy for the young people, but still entertaining and informative for adults.

Bonus Books-

David Bowie Made Me Gay, 100 Years of LGBT Music by Darryl W Bullock

Great for those really into music and musical influences. Plus, I have to admit, that title got me, hook line, and sinker!

Queer, There, And Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager (Author), Zoe More O’Ferral (Illustrator)

Another way to read of Queer Heroes because everyone has a different style they appreciate and I recognize that. also, you may be surprised who gets included here.

The Gay Rights Movement (Movements That Matter (Alternator Books ® )) by Eric Braun

Please ignore the cover if you also have “Ellen” hesitation, but this is a great resource book for advocacy and the movement for equal rights, but honestly, I probably only bumped the book out of top 10 for that reason, or maybe not? There’s just a lot of great books coming out…finally!

Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History by Sarah Prager

NEW BOOK ALERT! Okay, “newer.” Fun format and perfect for the tweens! Covers people across history and the globe. Extremely colorful, great artwork, and short little information bits.

Have a recommendation that didn’t make this list? Feel free to leave it in the comments below! I”m always in search of a book I missed or a new one! It’s definitely been time for some serious history text update. 😉