BOOKS
partner Reverend David Coles in 2019, and sadder still when he revealed that he lost him to alcohol- ism. One of the most expressive and best-loved media personalities in the country with a powerfully moving meditation on grief, loss and addiction.
Children’s picture books
Bernadette Green Who’s Your Real Mum? Scribe, June 2022, £6.99, 9781913348137 A Big Issue “book of the year” pick, this charming picture book explores non-traditional families; pointing out that if you have the key factor at the heart of all happy homes—love—then you can’t go wrong. Perfect for kids with two mums.
Category Spotlight LGBTQ+ Publishing
All Frankie wants to be is fabulous, but he’s surrounded by lots of other flamingos and doesn’t know how to stand out. The latest book celebrating difference from talented YA author Simon James Green, who has branched out with his recent hit Llama Glamarama.
Peter Brown Fred Gets Dressed Templar, 4th May, £6.99, 9781787419506 Bestselling and beloved American author Peter Brown returns with a story inspired by his own childhood, about a boy exploring the multiple ways to express oneself through clothes. In the vein of the popular Julian is a Mermaid.
Gareth Peter,
Garry Parsons (illus) My Daddies Puffin, out now, £6.99, 9780241405772 Picture books seem to be an invaluable resource for kids growing up in unconventional families. This one shows the adven- tures of a family with two dads, with illustrations by Garry Parsons, who illustrated The Dinosaur That Pooped... series.
Anna Wilson, Jenny Lovlie (illus) The Wide Wide Sea Nosy Crow, 1st July, £11.99, 9781788006439 Published with the National Trust, this story intends to raise aware- ness among children of plastic pollution. The child protagonist is non- gendered throughout the story, with the intention of being relatable to all kids, regardless of gender.
Kat Patrick The Spectacular Suit Scribe, November 2021, £12.99, 9781913348793 Another children’s picture book for kids who may be gender-nonconforming. It’s Frankie’s birthday and she has lots of party dresses to choose from, but what she really wants is a spectacular suit to wear. Will she get what she dreams of?
boyfriend Jamie… A book that reflects the fact that lots of kids have gay and lesbian aunts and uncles.
Rachel Davis, Beatrix Hatcher (illus) I am Not a Prince Hodder Children’s, January 2022, 9781408362259 Billed as a fairytale that encourages children to be proud to be themselves, I am Not a Prince is about Hopp the frog who, unlike the others on the magical lake, does not want to become a Prince and is just happy as he is, thank you very much…
Tracey Turner, Åsa Gilland (illus) We Are All Different Kingfisher, 19th October, £12.23, 9780753477090 A vibrant inclusive picture book which shows that people are all different, from race, gender, religion, ability, body type and sexual orientation. It shows kids that everyone has some- thing to offer, and we are all valid. Who could argue with that?
General non-fiction
Viking, 28th October, 9780241543573
Although she didn’t win “Drag Race”, Bimini was the breakout star and here presents her first book of musings on what makes a good life, from a drag queen and non- binary personality who is super popular with young LGBTQ+ people. Bound to be a hoot.
Sink the Pink is the revo- lutionary multi-gender east London party troupe that has evolved from its nightlife origins to become a way of life for pushed- to-the-margins people who want to put on some lurex and shout about it. Here their leading lights present their manifesto for life. Brace yourself.
Salamishah Tillet, Gloria Steinem (foreword) In Search of the Color Purple Abrams, Jan 2022, £12.99, 9781419735363 The Color Purple has become one of the most iconic and best-loved stories about the African American struggle against racism, gender inequality and poverty—and to LGBTQ+ people because of its lesbian aspects. Tillet investigates its cultural, political and artistic significance.
Harry Woodgate Grandad’s Camper Andersen Press, 6th May, £12.99, 9781783449835 A picture book from the illustrator of How to Build a City about a young girl’s road trip with her grandpa, who regales her with stories of his younger life with his partner, before he passed away. Touching and tender, this is a delight for all readers, regardless of age.
Simon James Green, Gary Parsons (illus) Fabulous Frankie Scholastic, 6th May, £6.99, 9781407197043
14 30th April 2021
Sarah Brannan, Lucia Soto (illus) Uncle Bobby’s Wedding Hodder Children, 13th May, £6.99, 9781444960945 Modernised and updated from its 2008 edition, when gay-themed kids’ books caused significant controversy, this tells the story of Chloe, who is worried that she is going to see less of Uncle Bobby when he marries his
Matthew Todd Pride Welbeck, 13th May, £20, 9781787396869
One to Watch
A smaller- format version of my book about the
history of the LGBTQ+ movement, from the early days of the prosecutions of Alan Turing and John Gielgud, through to the cultural and political fight for modern rights around the world, with contribu- tions from some of those who helped make history.
Dom & Ink Queer Power Harper Collins, 13th May, £9.99, 9780008434168 From the talented and popular social media star and official illustrator of UK “Drag Race” comes a beautifully illustrated book celebrating the queer icons and figures of history. Perfect for young LGBTQ+ people trying to understand some of the movers and shakers of our shared history.
Emma Goswell & Sam Walker (eds) Coming Out Stories Jessica Kingsley, out now, £12.99, 9781787754959 Coming out will always be difficult for some. Based on the popular “Coming Out Stories” podcast, this great book features some of the most moving, inspiring and helpful stories about a key part of LGBTQ+ people’s lives. Something that many of us wished we’d had when we were younger.
Bimini Bon Boulash A Drag Queen’s Guide to Life
Sink the Pink Manifesto for Misfits White Lion Publishing, May 2022, £14.99
Stuart Hillard Bags for Life Pavillon, 2nd September, £18.99, 9781911663409 A sewing book with 21 projects to make, custom- ise and love forever, Stuart Hillard is another welcome gay voice at the front of the revolution to move away from fast fashion and its inherent waste in these troubling environ- mental times.
it happened.
Kathryn Bond Stockton Gender Mit Press, 31st August, £12.99, 9780262542609 The latest in MIT Press’ Essential Knowledge series, Bond Stockton takes a deep dive into the subject of gender, arguing that it is strange and queer for everyone, and that race and money affect everyone’s expres- sion and understanding of gender.
Various authors Queer Life, Queer Love Muswell Press, Nov 2021, £8.99, 9781838110161 This is a great initiative from GoInoosh Nour and Matt Bates, who formerly led a ground-breaking LGBTQ+ initiative at W H Smith Travel, this is an anthology from various LGBTQ+ writers, new and old, from marginalised communities across the world. Created in tribute, after the death of Lucy- Jack Reynolds, a trans woman who died aged 20.
Bruce Owens Grimm, Miguel M Morales & Tiff Ferentini (eds) Fat and Queer Jessica Kingsley, 21st May, £14.99, 9781787755062 LGBTQ+ people suffer disproportionately with body image issues for complex reasons, not least the body fascism common among the community. This anthology from diverse LGBTQ+ voices celebrates fat queer bodies and aims to inspire and support.
Lois Shearing Bi the Way Jessica Kingsley, 21st June, £12.99, 978178775495 Bisexual people are perhaps one of the most left-out groups, and writer Lois Shearing addresses this in her book of collected thoughts and advice on bi life, biphobia and what being bisexual in the world today means.
Sasha Issenberg The Engagement Pantheon, 1st June 2021 £30, 9781524748739 In June 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that state same-sex marriage bans were unconstitutional, making marriage for gay and lesbian Americans legal. This monumental advance in civil rights occurred after decades of activism, blood, sweat and tears. This in-depth book tells the story of how
Finlay Wilson Wild Kilted Yoga Yellow Kite, 4th November, £14.99, 9781529377149 In this Tartan-tastic tome, Scottish yogi star Finlay Wilson takes us on a journey through the amazing sites of beautiful Edinburgh and teaches us all about the best yoga moves to refresh mind, body and spirit.
Rachel Ricketts Do Better Gallery Books, pb, Feb 2022 9781398503489 Queer anti-racist educa- tor and lawyer Rachel Ricketts produces a guide for how white people
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