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Iowa City Public Library celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community in a welcoming and inclusive library space that fosters connections to knowledge and each other. We celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride with a variety of programs, events, and displays throughout each year.
Staff lists
Staff recommend
Family is family
Melissa Marr
jE Marr
Picture Books, Kids, LGBTQ+
When Little Chick starts school, he discovers that there are lots of different kinds of families, all of them full of love.
Glenn Burke, game changer : the man who invented the high five
Phil Bildner
j796.357092 Burke
Sports, LGBTQ+, Kids, Nonfiction
"An inspiring picture book biography about Glenn Burke, the first Major League Baseball player to come out as gay, and the story of how he created the high five, the world's most...
Ever thought about who might have invented the high five? It was 1970s pro baseball player Glenn Burke! This biographical picture book follows Glenn Burke's brief but illustrious career in the major leagues, including the moment he and fellow player Dusty Baker spontaneously invented the high five. For Burke, a unique individual who was always joking, cheering, and dancing in the dugout, it was a natural progression. Burke also happened to be a Black gay man in the 1970s, and, heartbreakingly, he was pushed out of the league and later struggled with homelessness and substance abuse, dying of AIDS-related illness at only 42. These topics are dealt with sensitively but honestly in this picture book biography. I hope readers think of Burke every time they high-five someone after reading this story - a man who only now is being recognized for his legacy, not only in inventing such an iconic gesture, but in paving the way for LGBT+ athletes. If you want more on Burke, there is a middle-grade fiction title also by Phil Bildner that ties together the stories of Burke and a modern-day LGBT+ young male baseball player, also an excellent book. -Anne W
Chain Gang All Stars: A Novel
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
OverDrive Audiobook
Diverse Characters, Fiction, LGBTQ+, Dystopian
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD IN FICTION • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR • A READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK • NATIONAL BESTELLER • Two top women gladiators fight for their freedom...
A very informative and gripping dystopian novel that will make you think about the U.S. prison system and how we consume modern-day professional sports. -Annie
Carmilla : the first vampire
Amy Chu
GRAPHIC NOVEL Chu
Diverse Characters, Fantasy, Horror, LGBTQ+, Graphic Novels, Mystery
"Before Dracula, before Nosferatu, there was...CARMILLA. At the height of the Lunar New Year in 1990s New York City, an idealistic social worker turns detective when she discovers young,...
A cool reimagining of the 1872 classic "Carmilla" that takes queer vampire murder mystery to a new level by incorporating Chinese folklore in the heart of 1990s New York. Perfect for the dark season! -Annie
We could be so good : a novel
Cat Sebastian
FICTION Sebastia Cat
Romance, LGBTQ+
Nick Russo has worked his way from a rough Brooklyn neighborhood to a reporting job at one of the city's biggest newspapers. But the late 1950s are a hostile time for gay men, and Nick knows...
From an author that primarily writes regency-era romance, I was so excited to see this historical romance set in a 1950s newsroom. Sebastian captures the time and place perfectly of 1950s New York City--the twinge of nostalgia post-WWII, mixed with the sense that big social change is on the horizon. I loved the banter between the love interests, Nick and Andy, and the way they work to create a life together and push against the boundaries society has created for them. It's quite emotional, but manages to also be funny and light-hearted throughout. If you enjoy the banter and tenderness of Emily Henry or the historical setting of Patricia Highsmith's The Price of Salt, I highly recommend checking out this romance. -Bailey
Beating Heart Baby
Min, Lio, author.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Min Lio
LGBTQ+
Seventeen-year-old Santi Arboleda finally feels settled in his new life in Los Angeles with a growing found family and a relationship with musical prodigy Suwa--until Suwa is offered the chance to...
This is without a doubt one of the best YA novels I've ever read and it definitely deserves more readership! Perfect for lovers of music, art, anime and friends-to-lovers arcs, -Bailey
Grandad's pride
Harry Woodgate
jE Woodgate
Picture Books, LGBTQ+, Diverse Characters, Kids
"After Milly discovers a pride flag in Grandad's attic, this adorable pair are motivated by the past to start a pride parade in their small town. Activism and celebration go hand in hand as...
Harry Woodgate continues the story of Grandad's Camper in their second picture, Grandad's Pride. Grandad and Milly are back for another adventure, this time honoring the past and celebrating the future with a pride parade in their community. Woodgate's artwork is vibrant and colorful, making the characters bright and heartwarming. -Angie
Home field advantage
Dahlia Adler
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Adler Dahlia
Romance, LGBTQ+
Amber McCloud's dream is to become cheer captain at the end of the year, but after the football team's quarterback dies in an accident and is replaced by a girl, Amber knows she should work...
This book gave me all the feels! I love a sapphic spin on the cheerleader/star player trope and this one did not disappoint! Amber and Jack had amazing chemistry and banter that had me completely invested in their relationship! While this book does tackle heavy themes of homophobia and misogyny, it does so while still remaining lighthearted and fun. -Bailey
The fiancée farce : a novel
Alexandria Bellefleur
FICTION Bellefle Alexandr
Romance, LGBTQ+
Running her family's bookstore while fending off questions about her love life, Tansy Adams invents a girlfriend, Gemma, inspired by the cover model on a bestselling book, but when the real-life...
This book was pure fun with a modern spin on the marriage-of-convenience trope. I loved the bookstore setting, nods to the romance industry, and best of all, all the hidden taylor swift references! If you love rich people drama, great communication, and over-the-top shenanigans, I recommend picking this one up! -Bailey
The Tea Dragon Society
O'Neill, Katie (Cartoonist), author, illustrator.
jGRAPHIC NOVEL O'Neill
Graphic Novels, LGBTQ+
After discovering a lost Tea Dragon in the marketplace, apprentice blacksmith Greta learns about the dying art form of Tea Dragon caretaking from the kind tea shop owners.
This adorable graphic novel series is ultimate spring vibes--full of whimsy, bright colors, and beautiful stories of friendship, reading it feels like a late-spring picnic. -Bailey
The secret lives of church ladies
Philyaw, Deesha, author.
FICTION Philyaw Deesha
Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+, Short Story
"The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The nine stories...
Every single story in this collection is beautifully crafted, emotionally impactful, with characters you'll feel connected to even in just a few pages. This was truly a delight to read, perfect for taking a pause between weekend errands. -Bailey
Gideon the ninth
Tamsyn Muir
SCIENCE FICTION Muir Tamsyn
LGBTQ+, Science Fiction
Muir's Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cutthroat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The...
This was unlike anything I've ever read before and left me thinking every time I put it down. Not only is this about lesbian necromancers in space, it's hilarious and full of twists as Gideon finds herself part of deadly challenges amidst a suspicious cast of characters. You can expect not to fully understand what's going on to start, but your understanding of the world and the plot grows as time goes on, much like the characters themselves begin to shift perspectives as the nature of the challenges they face become more apparent. -Bailey
Ellen outside the lines
Sass, A. J., author.
jFICTION Sass, A. J.
Diverse Characters, LGBTQ+
"Ellen, an autistic thirteen-year-old, navigates a new city, shifting friendships, a growing crush, and her queer and Jewish identities while on a class trip to Barcelona, Spain"--
This middle grade novel is such a charming, wholesome book that perfectly captures the inner struggles of so many autistic teens: the desire to be seen as "normal" as peers, even when the energy to do so it is to the individual's detriment. Reading about Ellen making new friends and exploring a new place is so much fun to encounter for kids, and was so delightful to read as an adult. -Bailey
The many half-lived lives of Sam Sylvester
MacGregor, Maya, author.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION MacGregor, Maya
LGBTQ+, Young Adult, Thriller, Suspense
An autistic nonbinary eighteen-year-old moves to a new town and school with the support of their loving father and finds friends in an LGBTQ-plus club, but they all must come together to solve the...
This YA thriller blends mystery with contemporary as Sam navigates life at a new school and works with new friends to solve a decades-old murder. I adore the way Sam's autism is such an integral part of their life or experience without overshadowing their personality or driving the plot. The mystery was intriguing and left me guessing until the end! -Bailey
Man O' War
Cory McCarthy
YOUNG ADULT FICTION/Mccarthy Cory
Young Adult, LGBTQ+
On a field trip to SeaPlanet, seventeen-year-old Arab-American high school swimmer River McIntyre has a chance encounter with Indy, a happy, healthy queer person, which sets off a wrenching journey...
This book is an exploration of internalized homophobia, dysphoria, and keeping your head above water. It follows a teenage swimmer struggling to explore themselves and remain competitive in the sport they love. -Bailey
Beating Heart Baby
Lio Min
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Min Lio
LGBTQ+
Seventeen-year-old Santi Arboleda finally feels settled in his new life in Los Angeles with a growing found family and a relationship with musical prodigy Suwa--until Suwa is offered the chance to...
This book broke my heart and pieced it back together. This is an intense and beautiful love story, but it's not a romance: it's an ode to internet friendships, the power of art, and the endurance of love across time and space. -Bailey
If you're a drag queen and you know it
author Lil Miss Hot Mess
jE Lilmissh
LGBTQ+, Picture Books
Drag queens sing verses of this popular song that encourages everyone to express their fabulousness by singing, posing, and twirling along.
I love both of the sing-along picture books by Lil Miss Hot Mess! They are so fun to act out and sing and the illustrations are colorful and so fun to look at! This one was an absolute hit sung and performed by local drag queen Valencia, especially her dramatic twirling of her dress! This book is a staple for Drag Storytimes and an absolute blast to read at any time! -Mari
Sandor Katz and the tiny wild
Jacqueline Briggs Martin
j641.61 Martin
Biographies, Health, LGBTQ+
Welcome to Sandor Katz's no-desk, new-ways school! There are no tests, no rules - just happy, hungry people learning how to make fermented food. All they need are their favorite vegetables, salt...
A cookbook, a history book, a science book, and a biography rolled into one! Sandor Katz is an American food writer, DIY food activist, Jewish LGBT+ man, and haver of cool facial hair who started a school that teaches people how to ferment foods. If you're not sure what fermentation is, then you definitely need to read this book! Learn about Sandor Katz's life and inspiration, how fermentation works, why fermented foods are so healthy for you, get the instructions to try it for yourself, then grow up and start a radical commune in the woods just like Sandor! -Anne W
Miss Rita, mystery reader
Sam (Fashion designer) Donovan
jE Donovan
Picture Books, LGBTQ+, Diverse Characters
"Daddy is the Mystery Reader at Tori's school today, and he's coming dressed as Miss Rita! Tori helps Daddy gloss, glitter, glamour, and glimmer to get ready. It takes time-because...
A great read together story that is reassuring to kids whose families may not fit gender norms or who might be navigating their own feelings about gender identity and affirmation. There is plenty of sparkle and fun to engage all ages throughout the story. The author note at the end is in inclusive language, talkable and presented in an approachable way to learn more about gender and drag queens. -Angie
The chosen and the beautiful
Nghi Vo
SCIENCE FICTION Vo Nghi
Fantasy, LGBTQ+
Immigrant. Socialite. Magician. Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society-she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most...
A fantastical reimagining of "The Great Gatsby"— told from the perspective of Jordan Baker, a queer Vietnamese American. Read while you wait for Nghi Vo’s new novel, “Siren Queen.” -Becky
Meet cute diary
Emery Lee
YOUNG ADULT FICTION/Lee Emery
Diverse Characters, LGBTQ+, Young Adult
(T) "Noah Ramirez thinks he's an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever afters. There's just one problem; all the...
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Delightful and whimsical illustrations fill the pages along with wonderful text from a child's point of view about how a family is a family no matter what yours may look like. -Angie