LibGuides: LGBTQIA+: Queerying the Stacks

Sexuality in the Stacks

Our libraries are dedicated to inclusivity and diversity, and we are continuously working to make sure that our collections reflect that attitude. If you ever need help locating a particular topic, we will try our best to find the information that you need whether it is on our shelves or located elsewhere.

If you prefer to browse on your own, here is a handy guide to help you search.

Non-fiction

306.76 - Sexual orientation
306.762 – Asexuality
306.764 - Heterosexuality
306.765 - Bisexuality
306.766 - Homosexuality (in general)
306.7662 - Male homosexuality (gay men)
306.7663 - Lesbian
306.768 - Transgender

Fiction and Media

Fiction is sorted by the author's last name. This can make it a little tricky to locate materials that feature LGBTQ+ characters and themes. However, if you go into the library catalog and search by "tag" rather than "keyword", you can look for either "lgbt", "lgbtq", or "lgbtq+" and pull up a list of materials related to those subjects.

Subject Headings

Subject headings can help lead you to other topics related to your original search. They are also a great way to get started when you have a subject in mind, but don't know a particular book you are looking for. Here are some LGBTQ+ subject headings you can use to find books. Simply change your search from "keyword" to "subject" and plug these into the search bar:

Lesbians — Fiction

Gays — Fiction

Bisexuals — Fiction

Sexual Orientation — Fiction

Transgender People — Fiction

Sexual Minorities — United States — History

Gay Rights — United States

Bisexuality

Juvenile Books Subject Headings

Homosexuality - Juvenile Fiction

Gender Non-Conformity - Juvenile Fiction

Gay Teenagers - Juvenile Fiction

Gender Identity - Juvenile Fiction

Lesbians - Juvenile Fiction

Coming Out (Sexual Orientation) - Juvenile Fiction

Recommended Reading

LGBTQ+ Reading Lists

Queer Love
Love is love is love. From sweet to steamy these titles look at the ups and downs of romance, and no matter who you love, it is there to be found.
LGBTQ+ Authors
Despite the sometimes stormy world outside, many queer authors preserved worlds of their own between the covers of books. Take a look at some of these works penned to reflect experiences, observations, and visions held by writers who also identified as members of the LGBTQ+ family.
LGBTQ+ Audiobook Fiction -- Quarantine Edition
No need to go outside to listen to these LGBTQ+ stories!
LGBTQ+ Fiction -- Quarantine Edition
No need to go outside for these LGBTQ+ stories! All are available as eBooks.
LGBTQ+ in Mystery
You can't have a rainbow without a storm. These mysteries featuring queer characters prove even Family has its secrets.
Queer History
We're queer and we've been here. A looooong time. Check out some of these reads on LGBTQ+ history.

Queer YA Book Lists

#PRIDE: New LGBTQ+ YA Fiction
These are only a few of the YA LGBTQ+ titles published in 2019 and 2020!
#PRIDE: LGBTQ+ YA Fantasy
Fantasy reads with queer heroes
Teen Pride: Digital Edition
A collection of digital young adult items representing and honoring LGBTQ+ experiences - including Stonewall Book Award and Honor Award winners!
Teen Pride: Graphic Novels
Teens, celebrate Pride Month with one of these graphic novels for teens that feature LGBTQ+ characters and experiences! All titles are available physically; some are also available digitally.
Closets are for Clothes!
Stories about the complexities of figuring out and coming out as who you are.
YA - Queerly Historical
Historical queer fiction! Read these titles whose settings span across time.

Queer Children's and Tween's Books

LGBTQ+ Picture Books for Kids
Picture books exploring LGBTQ+ themes and what it means to be different.
LGBTQ+ Tween Reads
We can fall in between in all kinds of ways. Here are books for those between ages!

Queer Literary Awards

Check out the below for books that have earned awards for queer writing.

Stonewall Book Awards
The first and most enduring award for GLBT books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table. Since Isabel Miller's Patience and Sarah received the first award in 1971, many other books have been honored for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.
Lamda Literary
For over 30 years, Lambda Literary has championed LGBTQ books and authors. No other organization in the world serves LGBTQ writers and readers more comprehensively than Lambda Literary. We believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer literature is fundamental to the preservation of our culture, and that LGBTQ lives are affirmed when our stories are written, published, and read.