LibGuides: LGBTIQA+ Resources: Books

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Living and loving in diversity

Colouring the rainbow: Blak queer and trans perspectives

Nothing to hide: Voices of trans and gender diverse Australia

Transgender Australia: A history since 1910

Sex, gender and identity: Trans rights in Australia

LGBTQ+ discrimination

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Selection of books

Colouring the rainbow: Blak queer and trans perspectives [ebook] by Dino Hodge (Editor)
Twenty-two First Nations people reveal their inner reflections and outlooks on family and culture, identity and respect, homophobia, transphobia, racism and decolonisation, activism, art, performance and more, through life stories and essays.
Growing up queer in Australia by Benjamin Law (Editor)
Compiled by celebrated author and journalist Benjamin Law, Growing Up Queer in Australia assembles voices from across the spectrum of LGBTIQA+ identity. Spanning diverse places, eras, genders, ethnicities and experiences, these are the stories of growing up queer in Australia.
Nothing to hide: Voices of trans and gender diverse Australia [ebook] by Sam Elkin, Alex Gallagher, Yves Rees, Bobuq Sayeed (Editors)
Nothing to Hide is Australia's first mainstream anthology of trans and gender-diverse writing. While there has been unprecedented trans visibility in Australia in the last decade, this visibility has not always been positive, shadowed at every step by transphobic misinformation and extremist rhetoric. As a counter to the harmful chorus of anti-trans voices, this collection features the work of thirty trans and gender-diverse people across the spectrum of age, race, geography and circumstance.
Transfamily: Australian stories from loved ones of trans and gender diverse people. Volume 2 by TransFamily Victoria
This book is a collation of contributions from members of the Transfamily group. It presents the diverse perspectives of people assisting their gender diverse or transitioning family member. This book offers insight into the experiences of those who play a supportive role including grandparents, partners, parents, friends, children or siblings. The central focus of this book is on the various stages of transitioning and each contribution takes a standpoint from a very personal perspective, at a particular moment in time for reflection, as part of the journey. It is a valuable resource for family members who may be challenged by the changes in their family dynamic and the process as a whole. Supporting a trans and gender diverse person can often be isolating and challenging. It is our hope that by telling these stories other families who are facing similar challenges know that they are not alone.

Positive by David Menadue
An uplifting story of resilience and activism, the memoir of David Menadue, one of the longest surviving people with AIDS in Australia.
Naked by David Sedaris
A riotous collection of memoirs which explores the absurd hilarity of modern life and creates a wickedly incisive portrait of an all-too-familiar world. This collection of essays won the Randy Shilts Award for Gay Non-Fiction from Publishing Triangle in 1998.
As nature made him: The boy who was raised as a girl by John Colapinto
The true story about the "twins case" and a riveting exploration of medical arrogance, misguided science, societal confusion, gender differences, and one man's ultimate triumph.
Love that story: Observations from a gorgeously queer life by Jonathan Van Ness
The Emmy-nominated host of Netflix's Queer Eye follows up his New York Times-bestselling memoir, Over The Top, with this collection of thought-provoking essays on grief and healing, cannabis reform, LGBTQIA+ rights, imposter syndrome, personal style, the HIV safety net, and of, course, how to make your hairdresser love you.
Uncomfortable labels: My life as a gay autistic trans woman by Laura Kate Dale
In this candid, first-of-its-kind memoir, Laura Kate Dale recounts what life is like growing up as a gay trans woman on the autism spectrum. From struggling with sensory processing, managing socially demanding situations and learning social cues and feminine presentation, through to coming out as trans during an autistic meltdown, Laura draws on her personal experiences from life prior to transition and diagnosis, and moving on to the years of self-discovery, to give a unique insight into the nuances of sexuality, gender and autism, and how they intersect. Charting the ups and downs of being autistic and on the LGBT spectrum with searing honesty and humour, this is an empowering, life-affirming read for anyone who's felt they don't fit in.

From camp to queer: Re-making the Australian homosexual by Robert Reynolds
In the 1960s and 1970s many Australians began thinking about some radical questions. Who are we as homosexuals? Who might we become? How are we to act politically? In short, how are we to live? In lively prose Robert Reynolds looks at how these men and women undertook what is now a universal task- the reinvention of the self in an era of uncertainty and change, where old answers no longer suffice, and where sexuality is a core preoccupation.
Queering architecture: Methods, practices, spaces, pedagogies by Marko Jobst and Naomi Stead (Editors)
Queering Architecture explores what it means to "queer" architecture, challenging the methods and methodologies of architectural discourse and subverting disciplinary power structures.
Queer spaces: An atlas of LGBTQIA+ places and stories by Adam Nathaniel Furman and Joshua Mardell (Editors)
In this lavishly illustrated volume a community of contributors share stories of spaces that range from the educational to the institutional to the re-appropriated, and many more besides. Featured spaces include: Black Lesbian and Gay Centre, London; Category Is Books, Glasgow; Christopher Street, New York; Coppelia, Havana; New Sazae, Tokyo; ONE Institute for Homophile Studies, Los Angeles; Pop-Up spaces, Dhaka; Queer House Party, online (Zoom); Santiago Apóstol Cathedral, Managua; Trans Memory Archive, Buenos Aires; Victorian Pride Centre, Melbourne.
Ten by ten by Robert Mapplethorpe
Famous for his early 1970s leather scenes with an explicitly homosexual symbolism, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe's work became more varied over the years.
Transgender Australia: A history since 1910 [ebook] by Noah Riseman
Transgender Australia is the first book to chart the changing social, medical, legal and lived experiences of trans and gender diverse people in Australia since 1910. Drawing on over a hundred oral history interviews and previously unexamined documents and media reports, it highlights how trans people have tried to live authentically while navigating a society that often treated them like outcasts. It charts the history of gender diverse Australians, exploring both progress and ongoing battles, and celebrates ways that transgender participation has enriched our lives in all its cultural diversity.

Culture, diversity and criminal justice [ebook] by Alex Workman (Editor); Ranya Kaddour (Editor); Patricia M. Griffin (Editor)
This ground-breaking textbook engages readers in conversation about responding to the effects of diversity within formal criminal justice systems in Westernized nation-states. Moving past a binary concept of diversity that involves only race and gender, this book elaborates upon a wide variety of other forms of diversity, including sexuality, disability, mental health, gendered identity, refugees, the young and the ageing, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) peoples, with an awareness of how intersecting identities make some people more vulnerable than others.
Pride and prejudices: Queer lives and the law by Keio Yoshida
Internationally acclaimed human rights lawyer Keio Yoshida uncovers the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ rights, how far we've come, and how much further we have to go.

Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas
Barracuda explores themes of identity, sexuality, and social class through the character of Danny Kelly, a talented swimmer striving for Olympic success.
Red, white & royal blue by Casey McQuiston
A big-hearted romantic comedy in which the First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends
The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
A novel about the relationships between children and adults, and the new Australian multicultural middle-class.

Sexual identity and gender diversity by Justin Healey
This book explores a range of issues across the sexual identity and gender diversity spectrum, including issues such as coming out and disclosure, being an ally to LGBTQIA+ people, and addressing the human rights of the LGBTQIA+ members of our community.
It tastes better by Kylie Kwong
Embarking on a journey around Australia to meet the people behind the sustainable produce she is so passionate about, Kylie learns about the care they take to produce food that literally tastes better. Kylie was named one of Sydney WorldPride’s 10 Rainbow Champions in 2023 for her contributions to the Australian LGBTQI+ community.
She shapes history: Guided walks and stories about great Australian women [ebook] by Sita Sargeant
She Shapes History is a series of walking tours and vignettes that celebrate the accomplishments of women who made an impact on the small towns and big cities of Australia. Author Sita Sargeant was a winner of Out for Australia's 30 under 30 in 2023.

And Tango makes three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a non-traditional family is now available in a sturdy board book edition. At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.
Be who you are by Todd Parr
This modern classic encourages kids to be proud of who they are inside. It promotes a message of love and acceptance that is inspiring, empowering, and accessible with nods to everything from race to gender expression to economic background.
The family book by Todd Parr
This picture book details the daily lives of all kinds of families while celebrating their diversity of family structures, including single-parent, same-sex parent, and adoptive families.
Julian is a mermaid by Jessica Love
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julian notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julian gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julian sees himself?
Love makes a family by Sophie Beer
Whether you have two mums, two dads, one parent, or one of each, there's one thing that makes a family a family... and that's love.
You're fabulous as you are by Sophie Beer
This beautiful board book embraces the gender spectrum and encourages self-expression, regardless of labels.

The pride atlas: 500 iconic destinations for queer travelers by Maartje Hensen
This is the ultimate guidebook for LGBTQ+ travelers - whether you're planning your next getaway, daydreaming from the comfort of your armchair, or seeking to learn about queer culture in other parts of the world.
Sassy Planet by David Dodge; Nick Schiarizzi; Harish Bhandari; Braulio Amado (Illustrator)
Drawing on their own extensive travel experiences, as well as the perspectives of local DJs, artists, activists, drag performers, DIY historians, and long-time residents, the authors of Sassy Planet offer up the latest on what's hot in 40 cities around the world for LGBTQ travellers.

Beat gender bias: How to play a better part in a more inclusive world [ebook]
It is possible to beat gender bias when you understand how bias works and why it happens. This practical book outlines an approach for minimising the impact of bias in organisations.
Counselling skills for working with gender diversity and identity
For any student or practitioner needing to gain a sound understanding of the complex fields of gender variance, gender identity and gender dysphoria, this book provides the ideal starting point for the knowledge and skills that you need.
Diversity, inclusion and engagement
Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement presents a clear, socially oriented approach to understanding and developing inclusive education. It prepares pre-service teachers for diverse classrooms and helps them develop strategies to engage students with varying backgrounds, needs and abilities. Chapter 5 specifically covers gender, inclusivity and engagement.
Essentials about LGBTQ+ care for nurses: How to deliver culturally competent and inclusive care
Written specifically for nurses-focuses on the unique health needs and inequities affecting LGBTQ+ patients and discusses how to provide them with safe, respectful, and holistic care.
Inclusive practice for health professionals
This text introduces students to the socio-political implications of the work they will be doing within the Australian healthcare sector. Chapter 12 covers sexuality and gender.
Pride & progress: Making schools LGBT+ inclusive spaces
Pride & Progress began as a podcast created to amplify the voices of LGBT+ educators and allies. The book combines academic theory and the lived experiences of our guests to explore ten key themes to provide the knowledge, language and strategies that schools need to make their educational spaces inclusive for all.
Queer social work: Cases for LGBTQ+ affirmative practice
This collection of case studies that model LGBTQ+ affirmative social work practice offers real-life scenarios from a range of social work scholars, educators, and practitioners, representing diverse sexualities, genders, and intersectional identities.
Sexuality and intellectual disabilities
This book provides a concise overview of sexuality and gender identity in clients with intellectual disabilities for therapists, social workers, educators, and healthcare providers.
Supporting transgender and non-binary people with disabilities or illnesses
By drawing on the experience of trans people who are affected by physical disability, chronic illness and mental illness, this book is the definitive guide on providing best practise in approaches to health and care policy.
Supporting transgender autistic youth and adults
Providing advice on how professionals working with autistic trans youth and adults can tailor their practice to best serve their clients and how parents can support their trans autistic children.

O'Reilly online reading list

O'Reilly for Higher Education features thousands of IT and business ebooks, videos, expertly curated courses and interactive learning environments at all levels of learning. Learn more about O'Reilly.

View playlist of books, chapters and audio clips about LGBTIQA+ topics