LGBT Literature: Stories, Books, Guides, Publications

Updated/Revised Date: 21st Sep 2022
Author: Sexual Diversity | Contact: SexualDiversity.org
Additional References: Literature Publications

Synopsis: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and related sexual diversity literature including fact sheets, books, publications and guides.

Definition

LGBT Literature

LGBT literature covers a vast array of themes and concepts. LGBT individuals have often turned to literature as a source of validation, understanding, and beautification of same-sex attraction. In contexts where homosexuality has been perceived negatively, LGBT literature may also document the psychological stresses and alienation suffered by those experiencing prejudice, legal discrimination, AIDS, self-loathing, bullying, violence, religious condemnation, denial, suicide, persecution, and other such obstacles.

Main Section

This section of SexualDiversity.org provides articles and lists relating to books, periodicals, publications, printed magazines, journals, and newspapers, with a focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

LGBT Literature Categories

• Lesbian literature: A subgenre of literature addressing lesbian themes. It includes poetry, plays, fiction handling lesbian characters, and non-fiction about lesbian-interest topics. Fiction that falls into this category may be of any genre, such as historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance.
• Gay literature: A collective term for literature produced by or for the gay community which involves characters, plot lines, and/or themes portraying male homosexual behavior.
• Bisexual literature: A subgenre of LGBT literature that includes literary works and authors that address the topic of bisexuality or biromanticism. This contains characters, plot lines, and/or themes portraying bisexual behavior in both men and women.
• Transgender literature: A collective term used to designate the literary production that addresses, has been written by, or portrays people of diverse gender identity.

Probably the most comprehensive list and an extensive collection of Canadian and international LGBT periodicals is at the ArQuives in Toronto. The most comprehensive holdings of Australian LGBT periodicals are found at the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives; their holdings are listed in ALGA Periodicals Collection Catalogue.