LGBTQIA+ topic guide for teens

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

A collection of graphic novels spanning a wide range of styles and topics, all with characters that fit somewhere on the rainbow spectrum.

Booklists

Horror and Thriller - Rainbow Reads - Teens

Take a step into the dark with these stories of murder, mystery, and the supernatural.

Science Fiction and Fantasy - Rainbow Reads - Teens

Imaginations go wild in these fantasy and sci-fi books featuring characters from across the rainbow spectrum

Classics - Rainbow Reads - Teens

This list celebrates some of the trailblazing work of those authors who started writing diverse characters into their books for teens.

Historical - Rainbow Reads - Teens

LGBTQIA+ folk have always existed, but many stories throughout history are only now being told. Here's a list of YA fiction set in the past.

Rainbow Reads - Manga - Teens

Discover manga with LGBTQIA+ representation in them.

Rainbow Reads - Books Featuring Trans Characters - Teens

A selection of books featuring characters of diverse genders, by writers who (mostly) identify as LGBTQIA+.

Rainbow Reads - Non-Fiction - Teens

A collection of true stories, memoirs, guides, and histories about LGBTQIA+ people and their lives.

Rainbow Reads - Graphic Novels - Teens

A collection of graphic novels spanning a wide range of styles and topics, all with characters that fit somewhere on the rainbow spectrum.

Rainbow Reads in the catalogue

Fiction

Non-Fiction

LGBTQIA+ stories and resources at the library

We help you find LGBTQIA+ books and resources in our collection.

If you like... Rainbow reads

Stories about relationships, family, romance, activism, and struggle with a range of LGBTQIA+ characters. Printable author list (405 KB pdf)

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.

 

Literary Prizes

Lambda Literary Award winners announced

The Lammys (US) celebrate the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender books of the year.

Stonewall Book Awards - Children's and Young Adult

Awarded by the American Library Association for books examining the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.

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.

LGBTQIA+ reading for adults

LGBTQIA+ reading guide

Read the rainbow with fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and graphic novels.
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