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LGBT children

Gay/lesbian teen novels? do they exist?

14 replies

purples · 22/07/2014 18:54

My wonderful daughter has gradually come out as gay. She is happy to talk to me about it and I just want her to be happy with whatever paths she chooses in life.
Being a teenager is not easy, there are alot of emotions to deal with, whatever your sexuality.
She loves reading, but is complaining to me that most teen novels don't have gay/lesbian characters.
Any ideas of novels with gay/lesbian characters suitable for a 14 year old?? (nothing too explicit!)

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bette06 · 22/07/2014 22:55

The Miseducation of Cameron Post:

www.amazon.co.uk/Miseducation-Cameron-Post-emily-danforth/dp/0062020579/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Annie on My Mind:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0374400113/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0KTCVHPBQ9KVXG4FYM19&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455333147&pf_rd_i=468294&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit (not really a teen novel but about a teenager - and I read it when I was about that age):

www.amazon.co.uk/Oranges-Are-Not-Only-Fruit/dp/0099935708/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406065865&sr=1-1&keywords=oranges%20are%20not%20the%20only%20fruit&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

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BlueberryMuffins76 · 23/08/2014 09:22

Days of Grace is a lovely book. It's not an overtly LGBT book but the main character is gay and it's really well written.

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letsplaynice · 19/10/2014 23:46

Sugar Rush was a teen book before channel 4 turned it into a tv programme both were great.

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JubJubBirds · 19/10/2014 23:54

I loved Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit as a teen, definitely second that suggestion. It had the benefit of introducing me to Winterson as an amazing author and therefore also a positive lesbian role model.

Rubyfruit Jungle is another good one this time with a very strong lesbian protagonist who fights against a male dominated 1950s America. Its not explicit necessarily but sex is a commom theme throughout so maybe read it yourself first then recommend it when you feel ready.

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Roseformeplease · 19/10/2014 23:58

Some of the Sarah Waters novels are adult but beautifully written - Tipping the Velvet etc

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Xarra · 03/04/2017 22:32

If she likes fantasy, try Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey (and other Valdemar novels) - or Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling (I think that's the first one)... Not teen, but normal adult fantasy (not in that sense! Stuff fades to black at most!) and very good. :) Both m/m based, but the Valdemar stuff has some female couples (and at least 1 female trio!) in as well. :)

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ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 03/04/2017 22:37

Nico eventually comes out in the Percy Jackson books. The teens all squeeee like mad.

(And Clarisse and Silena are totally bisexual).

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nooka · 04/04/2017 05:40

I bought my dd some books with lesbian and bisexual characters a couple of years ago at about the same age. It wasn't easy, lots of books about being a gay teenage boy or with gay teenage boys but rather fewer with girls. I think I got six or seven in the end, including Annie on my mind and the Miseducation of Cameron Post (which was excellent but at times very painful). If your dd likes fantasy then you could try Adaption/Inheritance by Malida Lo although we thought it started strong and faded a bit.

If you aren't so focused on girls then dd loves Rainbow Rowell's Carry On, Aristotle and Dante, Bill Konisberg (we have a few), David Levithan (especially Two Boys Kissing) and I really liked Patrick Ness's More Than This (although it is also painful). dd loves Nico too :)

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PrincessOnTheInternet · 25/04/2017 22:02

(Partly) closeted lesbian teenager here who loves nothing more than reading LGBT books (and daydreaming of being out one day) - I agree that there's not many female/lesbian representations in books. At least, all of the books I've seen have been male/male representations...

The LGBT books I've read that focus on females:

Cherry - this also focuses on a fair few heterosexual couples and the plot involves girls planning to have sex/having sex. Sex is described but pretty tamely - orgasms are called 'fireworks' lol!
But there is lesbian representation!

Unspeakable - LOVED this one!!!