Rainbow Reads
Books for teens that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
Find books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, and resources for rainbow rangatahi. We recommend resources that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community (LGBTQIA+ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual).
Rainbow Reads - Graphic Novels - Teens
Recommended reading
Booklists
Horror and Thriller - Rainbow Reads - Teens
Science Fiction and Fantasy - Rainbow Reads - Teens
Classics - Rainbow Reads - Teens
Historical - Rainbow Reads - Teens
Rainbow Reads - Manga - Teens
Rainbow Reads - Books Featuring Trans Characters - Teens
Rainbow Reads - Non-Fiction - Teens
Rainbow Reads - Graphic Novels - Teens
Rainbow Reads in the catalogue
Fiction
Non-Fiction
LGBTQIA+ stories and resources at the library
If you like... Rainbow reads
Out on the Shelves
Out on the Shelves is an online resource that lists books with rainbow themes and characters, with the aim of supporting rainbow young people to find stories that represent their identities in positive and affirming ways.
Out on the Shelves is run by InsideOUT, a national charity with the vision for all young people of minority sexualities, genders and sex characteristics in Aotearoa New Zealand to have a sense of belonging and safety in their schools and communities.
- Browse the Out on the Shelves booklists
- Youth Resources | Ngā Rauemi
- Read Ky's blog post about Out on the Shelves
Literary Prizes
Lambda Literary Award winners announced
Stonewall Book Awards - Children's and Young Adult
More LGBTQIA reading for teens
The Rainbow Book List
The Rainbow Book List
The List is a curated bibliography highlighting books with significant gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning content, aimed at children and youth from birth to age 18. Rainbow Books is a joint project of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association (ALA).
LGBTQIA+ New Zealand organisations for teens
- Qtopia provides support for rainbow young people in Ōtautahi Christchurch and the wider Waitaha Canterbury area.
- RainbowYOUTH, opens a new window is a charitable organisation established in 1989 that works with queer and gender diverse youth as well as their wider communities to ensure that Aotearoa is a place where all young people can thrive.
- InsideOUT, opens a new window is a New Zealand-wide organisation that works to make Aotearoa a safer place for all young people of minority sexualities, sexes and genders to live and be in.
- OUTLine offers face-to-face counselling specialising in gender and sexuality. You can also call them to talk to a trained member of the LGBTIQ+ community. This service is free and confidential.
