Welcome to Beyond the L&G: Reading Lists for the BTQIA+!

Please click the links above if you want to go directly to the lists.

LGBTQIA+ as an identity naming system developed sporadically amongst many small communities in the 70s and beyond, meant as a means to signal solidarity and shared experience amongst queerfolk. Adoption of the letter system was organic, accepted piece by piece at different paces all throughout the world until it became what it is today.

While the letter system connects all orientations and gender identities as a larger community, within each letter lies a thriving subcommunity with its own history and culture.

Representation in media has rapidly improved amongst each subculture, but challenges remain. Frequently, BTQIA+ characters are typecast, only put into minor roles, misrepresented, or erased. Even when we do find representation, it doesn't always mean that the book will be to our tastes.

That's why we put together this list. In "Beyond the L&G" we have carefully selected books, both fiction and nonfiction, that we think exemplify the gold standard in diverse media. Characters of every letter are cast in major roles, and each collection contains multiple nuanced perspectives. We also did our best to represent as many genres as possible.

So come with us, have a chat with your neighbors, and pick out a book that suits you. We have easy reads and deep dives, romance to horror to cozy and everything in-between. Let's take representation above and beyond.

While we have focused on the letter identity system, which encompasses the identities of many people, there is an alternate naming system worth mention. MOGAI (Marginalized Orientations, Gender Alignments, and Intersex) was a naming system created in the 2010s to promote validity, individuality, and to help discover niche communities on the Internet. It is most often used by younger generations. This list features mostly LGBTQIA+ terms, but some MOGAI terms may be mentioned when cultures intersect. For those who associate with MOGAI identities, it is an invaluable part of who they are. As we explore letters, we want to remind readers that there are countless more ways to name and define ourselves and our cultures.