We have rounded up 20 of our favourite LGBTQ+ titles written by Black authors, with some spooky ones thrown in for the Halloween spirit. We think you’ll love reading some of these not only during Black History Month – but any month!
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo - A novel-in-verse about family, grief, anger, and letting go.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo - A cult favourite celebrating Black women in Britain.
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - Perfect for lovers of dystopian sci-fi who crave a post-apocalyptic world.
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett - A sweet slice-of-life YA about bisexuality, being HIV positive, and the power of familial, platonic, and romantic love.
Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann - Follow Alice on a journey of friendship, joy, and summer romances!
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon - A dystopian sci-fi exploring sexuality, gender identity, and slavery - in space.
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi - Monsters, mayhem, and disbelieving adults are all things found in this YA novel; delve into the magic and see what you find.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta - A novel-in-verse about finding your wings and the power of embracing your uniqueness.
White is for Witchling by Helen Oyeyemi - A gothic tale perfect to get you into the Halloween mood.
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron - A retelling of the classic Cinderella fairytale, but not quite as you remember it.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers - Grace Porter’s life plans start to fall apart when she meets her wife in this debut novel about fears, family, and the messiness of adulthood.
How to be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters - A feel-good YA following the journey of what it means to discover, and then re-discover yourself.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin - A classic of gay literature set in 1950s Paris
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender - A YA contemporary following a trans protagonist on a journey of self-discovery, falling in love, and recognising the love you deserve.
You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson - In a bid to win a scholarship to the college of her dreams, Liz Lighty takes on her worst nightmare: running for Prom Queen!
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson - A memoir made up of personal essays addressing gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy.
The Wicker King by K. Ancrum - For lovers of horror, this book merges the line between fantasy and reality.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James - The first in a fantasy trilogy, a must-read that draws on African history and mythology.
Eight Pieces of Silva by Patrice Lawrence - A British YA mystery with sisterhood and secrets at its heart.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker - A pinnacle for historical fiction, touching on loss, family, and the love afforded those on a harrowing journey.
LGBTQ+ history is synonymous with Black History, it cannot exist without considering that it owes much of its current freedoms and successes to its Black activists, and to argue otherwise would be to do a disservice to the core tenets of LGBTQ+ values.
From Marsha P. Johnson, a gay activist who spearheaded the first protests at Stonewall and remained an outspoken advocate for Gay rights during a tumultuous time in America, to Bayard Rustin, an LGBTQ+ Civil Rights activist, adviser to Martin Luther King.
The LGBTQ+ cause has always been supported, and with the current Black Lives Matter movement taking place across the globe, it is our duty to also support them in any way possible, from signing petitions to donating and protesting alongside.