Resources for Finding LGBTQ+ Rep in Romance
My directories for romance books, bookstores, and podcasts let you easily filter for LGBTQ+ representation
Happy Pride Month, everyone!! 🏳️🌈
In honour of Pride, I’m sharing resources to help you find LGBTQ+ representation in romance.
Books
Looking for LGBTQ+ romance book recommendations? I’ve got you covered with my Best Romance Books Directory. The directory has all the books from my Best of the Best romance lists and you can filter them for LGBTQ+ representation!
The definition I use for LGBTQ+ representation in books is: at least one of the main characters is identified as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, or Asexual, or another diverse gender identity) on the page.
Check out this video for a quick overview of how to filter the directory.
There are currently 30 books with LGBTQ+ representation in the directory (one appears on two lists), spanning a number of different lists including Best of All Time, Best of 2024, Best Hockey, Best Fantasy, and Best Holiday.
This Instagram post highlights all the LGBTQ+ books in the directory.
The purpose of the Best Romance Books Directory is to help romance readers find their next five-star read by providing a curated list of top romance books that can easily be searched and filtered by many different criteria like subgenre, spice level, representation, Kindle Unlimited eligibility and more. It’s based on my analysis of 225+ published best-of lists.
Bookstores
In her excellent Substack post, Publishing’s DE&I Problem(s), author Nisha Sharma provides some practical suggestions for supporting those who are trying to disrupt the publishing industry in intentional ways. Third on her list of recommendations is buying books from bookstores that are owned and operated by marginalized people.
Since I manage the Romance Bookstore Directory, Nisha’s post inspired me to add filters to indicate which bookstores are owned by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. Currently, the following have been identified:
10 LGBTQ+-owned romance bookstores
15 BIPOC-owned romance bookstores
This includes all types of open bookstores (physical, pop-up, and online).
These numbers will likely increase as I verify bookstore listings with the owners.
Podcasts
I also manage a Romance Book Podcast Directory, which includes filters for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation as well (listed under Theme). Among both active and inactive podcasts, there are:
4 romance book podcasts with an LGBTQ+ theme
8 romance book podcasts with a BIPOC theme
I hope these resources help you read diversely throughout the year. 💜
Happy reading!
Trump admin has removed LGBTQ assistance from the Biden created National Suicide Prevention hotline. Text or call 988 24/7.
Trump specifically stated Transgenders are not humans! And the whole 988 line will be eliminated if ANY LGBTQ - they specifically left out T in their press release— assistance is given!!!
It could go thru the courts because ONLY CONGRESS can appropriate and give conditions on the funds. But most all cases end up in a trump leaning ANTI- LGBTQ majority scotus.
Enclosed is GIFTED NYT article.
Please reach out to TRUMP LOVING LGBTQ celebs. Caitlyn Jenner who STILL ENDORSES TRUMp! Amber Rose who spoke at RNC! Richard Grenell- openly gay billionaire in trump cabinet. Peter Theil- openly gay billionaire big donor and now chief consultant on policy to trump. Why are they STILL supporting trump who thinks THEY ARE SUB HUMAN?! Caitlyn stated trump will create WORLD PEACE!
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/10/you-wont-believe-these-10-lgbtq-figures-who-have-endorsed-donald-trump/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/well/lgbtq-988-suicide-prevention.html?unlocked_article_code=1.P08.IUqR.qVgq6uXawDuk&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare