Happy Pride Month, Richmond! At Richmond Public Library we make sure that our collection reflects diverse identities and includes LGBTQIAP+ authors and characters no matter the month, but June is a great time to celebrate these books in order to spotlight relatable topics and amplify authors’ voices.

Our nonfiction collection focuses on real lives and issues. These types of books can be a lifeline for young adults who are just learning self acceptance or perhaps questioning their identity. Whether it’s a memoir discussing an author’s personal experiences, a history book discussing important LGBTQ+ figures, or a self-help guide geared towards young adult audiences, these books provide support, empowerment, and knowledge.

Transgender and nonbinary teens deserve to see themselves identified in fiction too. While we have a variety of LGBTQ+ experiences represented in our LGBTQ+ Voices booklist, this dedicated list centers trans and nonbinary characters and allows young adult readers to find affirmation in knowing they aren’t alone. These books reflect a wide range of trans and nonbinary experiences, including love stories, tales of friendship, and narratives of resistance and survival. Each one also affirms the joys of living authentically and finding self-worth.

Honest and authentic portrayals of some of our most vulnerable and historically marginalized youth helps provide these young adults with hope, representation, and affirmation. It also provides community members who are ready to learn with an opportunity to engage with these topics/identities with empathy and understanding. So whether you are a young adult looking for characters to identify with, characters that can help you navigate questions about yourself, or nonfiction that does the same, or someone just looking to learn, these books are worth the read.