It's our prom (so deal with it)

It's Our Prom (So Deal With It) and other YA LGTB books

Back in the day when lesbian, gay, transgendered, and bisexual relationships were hush-hush and not as socially acceptable as they are today, it was hard for teens to find books about girls in love with girls, and boys in love with boys.  First published in 1982, Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden was ground-breaking, but it was also challenged and/or banned from numerous public and school libraries.   Over the years since, there have been many authors who write about LGTB protagonists.  Today, teens who want to read about same-sex, transgendered, and bi-sexual relationships don’t have to look far to find a book they might enjoy.  Francesca Lia Block, Brendan Helprin, Alex Sanchez, Julie Peters, Lauren Myracle, Libba Bray, and David Levithan – to name a few – are authors who have written beautiful and thoughtful books about teens exploring not only their sexual identities, but family and friend relationships, school and job concerns.  They are just kids, with same concerns and issues as everyone else…except that they or their friends are lesbians, gay, transgendered, or bisexual.

Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez

Three high school seniors, a jock with a girlfriend and an alcoholic father, a closeted gay, and a flamboyant gay rights advocate, struggle with family issues, gay bashers, first sex, and conflicting feelings about each other.

Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle

Sixteen-year-old Lissa's relationship with her best friend changes after they kiss at a party and Lissa does not know what to do, until she gets help from an unexpected new friend.

Jump Start the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Sixteen-year-old Elle falls in love with Frank, the neighbor who helps her adjust to being on her own in a big city, but learning that he is transgendered turns her world upside-down.

-KF