LGBTQ+ Book Recommendations: Wellbeing & Relationships
Looking after our wellbeing can involve understanding ourselves, building supportive relationships and finding ways to navigate experiences that others may not always understand. These books explore LGBTQ+ mental health, self-acceptance, gender, sexuality, relationships and identity, offering a mixture of practical guidance, reflection and accessible information.
Queer Up — Alexis Caught
A supportive guide to growing up LGBTQ+, covering identity, coming out, relationships, discrimination and mental health. It combines practical advice with personal experiences to help readers feel more confident navigating LGBTQ+ life.
The Queer Mental Health Workbook — Dr Brendan J. Dunlop
A practical workbook created specifically around LGBTQ+ mental health. It contains exercises and reflections designed to help readers explore emotions, self-esteem, identity, relationships and some of the pressures queer people may experience.
The Queer Mental Health Workbook for Teens — Dr Brendan J. Dunlop
A youth-focused companion exploring emotional wellbeing alongside LGBTQ+ identity. It provides practical activities to help younger readers understand their feelings, develop coping strategies and build greater self-acceptance.
Queer Sex — Juno Roche
Drawing on conversations with trans and non-binary people, this book explores bodies, sexuality, intimacy, desire and relationships. It challenges assumptions about what sex and intimacy are supposed to look like and offers space for different experiences.
The Trans Self-Care Workbook — Theo Lorenz
An interactive workbook designed to encourage reflection, creativity and self-care for trans and gender-diverse readers. Activities explore identity, emotions, supportive relationships and ways of looking after yourself.
How to Understand Your Gender — Alex Iantaffi & Meg-John Barker
A thoughtful guide for anyone wanting to explore gender, whether questioning their own identity or hoping to better understand others. It uses exercises and accessible explanations to explore how gender is experienced personally and socially.
How to Understand Your Sexuality — Meg-John Barker & Alex Iantaffi
An inclusive exploration of sexuality, attraction and relationships that encourages curiosity rather than trying to fit people into predetermined boxes. Readers are invited to reflect on their own experiences, desires and identities at their own pace.
Rewriting the Rules — Meg-John Barker
Examines some of the unwritten rules society gives us about love, sex, relationships, gender and commitment. It encourages readers to question these expectations and consider what healthy and fulfilling relationships might mean for them personally.
Queerly Autistic — Erin Ekins
Explores the intersection between being autistic and LGBTQ+, including identity, coming out, relationships, gender and finding community. It combines personal experience with contributions from other queer autistic people.
The Velvet Rage — Alan Downs
Focuses particularly on the emotional experiences of gay men and examines how shame, social expectations and the pressure to seek validation can affect wellbeing. It considers ways of developing greater self-acceptance and a more fulfilling sense of identity.
Bi the Way — Lois Shearing
An accessible exploration of bisexuality and the experiences of bi+ people. It discusses stereotypes, relationships, attraction, visibility and some of the challenges that can arise when an identity is misunderstood or dismissed.
How to They/Them — Stuart Getty
A friendly illustrated introduction to non-binary identities and gender-neutral language. It explains pronouns, terminology and respectful communication in an approachable way for readers who want to better understand and support gender-diverse people.
This Book Is for Gay People — Owen Jones
A guide exploring different aspects of gay life and identity, including relationships, community and the experiences gay people may encounter. It provides an accessible entry point into conversations around sexuality and contemporary LGBTQ+ life.
The LGBTQ+ Youth Book — Kathy Belge & Marke Bieschke
A resource aimed at younger LGBTQ+ readers covering identity, coming out, relationships, community and navigating everyday life. It is designed to provide information and reassurance while helping young people explore who they are.
A little note for readers
These books vary considerably in approach. Some are practical workbooks, some encourage personal reflection, and others offer education or perspectives on relationships and identity. A book can be a useful tool for understanding yourself and feeling less alone, but it does not need to provide all the answers.
Books and workbooks can complement professional mental health support, but they are not a replacement for individual care when someone is struggling or needs additional help.
Find a story that speaks to you.
By Gemma Learoyd MNCPS
Therapist & Coach | Space to Breathe Therapy
