The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival (19 Feb - 7 March) is an opportunity to celebrate the individualism, creativity and bravery of the LGBTQI+ community.
While the community should be celebrated all year round, Mardi Gras can be chance to learn more about the LGBTQI+ community and their history. As always, we're here to help. Here is a list of books in celebration of the festival, for juniors, young adults and adults alike.
Junior non-fiction:
Have pride: an inspirational history of the LGBTQ+ movement, Stella A. Caldwell
Delve into the inspirational history of the LGBTQI+ movement and explore just how important it is to have pride in yourself and others, whatever their sexuality.
Be amazing: a history of pride, Desmond is Amazing
Throughout history, courageous people like Marsha P. Johnston and RuPaul Charles have paved the way for a safer, more inclusive society for LGBTQI+ individuals where they can be who they really are.
The Art of Drag, Jake Hall
Explore the ancient beginnings of drag, to present day and beyond in this must-have documentation of all things drag.
Little People, Big Dreams series, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Discover the lives of extraordinary people such as David Bowie, Alan Turing, Elton John and many more in this beautifully illustrated series.
Young adult fiction:
Taking down Evelyn Tait, Poppy Nwosu
This is a story about family, friends and embracing who you are. Even if that person is kind of weird.
Felix Ever After, Kacen Callender
Felix Love, a transgender seventeen-year-old, attempts to get revenge by catfishing his anonymous bully but lands in a quasi-love triangle with his former enemy and his best friend.
You should see me in a crown, Leah Johnson
Follow Liz Lighty along her journey of discovery to realise young, black, queer girls can be anyone they want to be.
The Extraordinaries, TJ Klune
Instead of stopping villains, Nick must contend with starting his junior year, a father who doesn't trust him and a best friend named Seth, who may or may not be the love of Nick's life.
Biographies:
Over the top: a raw journey to self-love, Jonathan Van Ness
The funny, poignant and inspirational memoir from Queer Eye's loveable connoisseur of hair and style.
More fool me, Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry invites readers to take a glimpse at his life story, in this eloquent account from a man driven to create and entertain.
Me, Elton John
In a voice that is warm, humble and open, this is Elton John on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes.
How we fight for our lives: a memoir, Saeed Jones
In this memoir, Saeed Jones tells the story of a young, black, gay man from the South as he fights to carve out a place for himself, within his family and country.
Adult non-fiction:
Art after Stonewall: 1969-1989, edited by Jonathan Weinberg
This book explores the impact of the LGBTQI+ civil rights movement on the art world during the period after the Stonewall Riots.
The gay revolution: the story of the struggle, Lillian Faderman
The story of the struggle for gay and lesbian rights, based on interviews with politicians, military figures and members of the entire LGBTQI+ community who face these challenges every day.
David Bowie made me gay: 100 years of LGBT music, Darryl W Bullock
From the birth of jazz in the red-light district of New Orleans, through the rock n' roll years, Swinging Sixties and disco days of the '70s, to modern pop, electronica and reggae, the LGBTQI+ community has played a crucial role in modern music.