Celebrate Pride with diverse reading – for free!

For Pride Month, we’ve compiled a list of free eBooks from our collection of Open Educational Resources (OER) to help you diversify reading lists without breaking the bank.

Read on to discover our top ten picks from non-fiction titles recently added to our platform!

What is Pride Month?

Pride Month, observed annually in June, celebrates and honours LGBTQ+ pride worldwide. Originating from the historic 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City, it’s a time for embracing LGBTQ+ identities and raising awareness of community concerns globally.

Why is it important in higher education?

Nearly 10% of UK students identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual in the 2021/22 academic year, according to the latest OfS data, while an additional 2.4% identified with other sexual orientations, and 1.4% of students didn’t identify with the gender assigned to them at birth.

While a UCAS and Stonewall report said that nine out of ten LGBTQ+ students have a positive or neutral experience in the UK education system, it suggested that areas for improvement remain.

The report’s recommendations include continuing to foster inclusive curriculums and learning environments to ensure a positive educational experience for LGBTQ+ students.

How can we help?

One way to achieve this is to diversify reading lists, with the inclusion of materials reflecting LGBTQ+ experiences.

However, with the sector facing widespread financial issues, finding money for new resources will be challenging for many libraries now and in the coming academic year.

Bearing this in mind, we’ve created a list of non-fiction eBooks on LGBTQ+ topics, all taken from our OER collection.

1. Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights: (Neo)colonialism, Neoliberalism, Resistance and Hope (2018) edited by Nancy Nicol et al.
This collaborative work explores the legacy of British colonial laws criminalising same-sex intimacy and gender identity, drawing insights from activists in India, the Caribbean and Africa. Combining research with documentary filmmaking, it addresses SOGI issues globally, appealing to activists, academics, and policymakers dedicated to social justice.

2. The Everyday Lives of Gay Men: Autoethnographies of the Ordinary (2021) edited by Edgar Rodríguez-Dorans and Jason Holmes
This text features personal narratives from 12 contributors across various fields, challenging traditional sexualised views of gay identity. By focusing on everyday experiences, it offers nuanced insights into gayness beyond sexual orientation. This innovative approach is valuable for students and scholars in gender, sexuality, sociology and mental health studies.

3. Queer and Trans People of Colour in the UK: Possibilities for Intersectional Richness (2022) by Stephanie Davis
Davis explores QTPOC activist groups in the UK, examining inclusion and belonging within LGBTQ+ and of colour communities. This book integrates decolonial, Black feminist and queer theories into critical psychology, exploring intersectional identities, racial melancholia and community building, providing a vital resource for scholars and activists.

4. Bisexuality in Europe: Sexual Citizenship, Romantic Relationships, and Bi+ Identities (2020) edited by Emiel Maliepaard and Renate Baumgartner
This offers a comprehensive overview of research on bisexuality in Europe, diverging from Anglo-American-centric perspectives. It explores themes such as bisexual citizenship, relationships and identities, featuring contributions from various European countries. Essential for gender, LGBTQ+ and sexuality studies, it addresses plurisexual orientations and diverse experiences.

5. Gender and Sexuality Diversity in a Culture of Limitation: Student and Teacher Experiences in Schools (2020) by Tania Ferfolja and Jacqueline Ullman
This text critically examines how contemporary education is shaped by political, social, and cultural influences regarding gender and sexual diversity. Utilising feminist poststructural and Foucauldian frameworks, it analyses global policies and their impact on curricula. It will be of interest to educators and policymakers in gender and sexuality education.

6. Sport, Identity and Inclusion in Europe: The Experiences of LGBTQ People in Sport (2022) edited by Ilse Hartmann-Tews
A critical examination of the challenges and experiences of LGBTQ people in European sports, with data and insights on policies, systems, anti-discrimination and inclusion. It draws on comparative surveys from eight countries, assessing policy effectiveness and future research needs. A key resource for sport sociology, policy, and LGBTQ studies.

7. Trans Health: International Perspectives on Care for Trans Communities (2022) edited by Max Nicolai Appenroth and María do Mar Castro Varela
This anthology highlights the under-researched position of trans individuals within healthcare systems, addressing their invisibility and discrimination. It offers transnational perspectives and practical solutions to improve healthcare access and quality for trans persons, predominantly written from lived experiences. Essential reading for healthcare practitioners and researchers.

8. Lesbians on Television: New Queer Visibility & the Lesbian Normal (2020) by Kate McNicholas Smith
The author examines the emergence of queer women characters on TV and their mainstream representation. It analyses five shows, including The L Word and Glee, highlighting a ‘new lesbian normal’. Combining queer theory and empirical research, it explores the social, political, and cultural impacts of increased LGBTQ+ visibility.

9. The Life and Afterlife of Gay Neighborhoods: Renaissance and Resurgence (2021) edited by Alex Bitterman and Daniel Baldwin Hess
This text traces the evolution of gay neighbourhoods from their formation in the 1960s to the present, marked by social and cultural shifts, gentrification, and generational differences. It explores their significance in LGBTQ+ rights movements and considers their future amidst changing preferences, including the impact of COVID-19.

10. Introduction to Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies (2017) by Miliann Kang et al.
A textbook introducing key feminist concepts and analytical frameworks used in interdisciplinary women, gender and sexualities studies, which explores the social construction of knowledge, power dynamics, and gendered labour globally. It highlights feminist sociological perspectives and empirical research, exploring the historical evolution of feminist movements.

We hope you enjoyed this selection. Comment below to share your favourite LGBTQ+ related learning materials. Happy Pride Month!

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