Pride Month is over, but Disability Pride Month has just begun! In recognition, I’ve gathered together some of the queer books about disabled people that have come out this year (or are coming out later this year). One thing I’ve been glad to see is the increase in representation of autistic people, including queer autistic people. I hope we continue to see many more books like this in years to come. I also hope that other disabilities also get represented more; it was difficult for me to locate queer books that included disability representation other than autism.
While we still have a long way to go, I’m happy to see more books about queer disabled people coming out than in previous years, including an anthology about being trans and disabled, a picture book about a Deaf witch with two moms, YA about Seasonal Affective Disorder and autism, and more.
This isn’t a complete list! If you’re looking for more, regardless of publication date, check out the LGBTQ Reads page for Disability/Neurodivergence. That’s where I found many of these!
Notes from a Queer Cripple: How to Cultivate Queer Disabled Joy and Be Hot While Doing It! by Andrew Gurza
Self help, wellness, and dating advice doesn’t often take into account what it’s like to navigate life as a queer disabled person. In this how-to book, Andrew Gurza—the host of the Disability After Dark podcast—gives advice on dealing with ableism, advocating for accessibility, cultivating a queer disabled sex life, practicing self care, and more.
Trans and Disabled: An Anthology of Identities and Experiences edited by Alex Iantaffi
It’s worth pointing out that this and the above title were both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers! Try browsing their catalog if you’re looking more like these. In this anthology, trans and disabled contributors write about ableism in trans communities and transphobia in disabled communities—as well as the connection and support from fellow trans and disabled people. It includes essays, poems, drawings, plays, and stories.
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Swept Away at Witch Camp by Erin Vanessa
This is a fantasy picture book about a child who uses a hearing device who is excited to go to Witch Camp… except that she’s scared for the other kids to find out that she can’t ride a broomstick. Her two moms assure her that there’s more to being a witch than flying well, and she learns about the importance of trying her best.
Hardly Creatures: Poems by Rob Macaisa Colgate
In this experimental poetry collection, the book is laid out as an accessible art museum, with sections as gallery rooms. The reader is led through sensory rooms, seating options, and tactile exhibits. The poems themselves include familiar formal structures and new styles. They reference pop culture and social media while exploring queer friendship and relationships. This comes highly recommended by respected poets like Chen Chen and Claudia Rankine.
You Weren’t Meant to be Human by Andrew Joseph White (September 9)
You might recognize Andrew Joseph White from his YA novels like Hell Followed with Us and The Spirit Bares its Teeth, which also feature trans and autistic characters. This is his debut adult novel. Appalachia has been invaded by aliens, and the world as we know it is over. For autistic trans man Crane, it’s a fresh start, an opportunity to reinvent himself. He’s also just met and started to fall for Levi. But then Levi gets Crane pregnant, and in the face of the end of humanity, Crane must make a difficult choice that goes against what the rest of the world might want from him.
Star Fruit by Kamryn Kingsberry
Ari is a gay autistic teenager who is best friend with Atlas, a trans man, and Ya, a cishet ally. When Ari’s play starring queer people of color is turned down by the student theater committee, Ya convinces the principal to put it on anyway—as long as they raise the money themselves. Against all odds, they seem to be pulling off organizing and fundraising for this production—until a parent starts a hateful, homophobic and transphobic online campaign against them, and the strain of it all threatens to tear their friendship apart.
Sad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirke (September 4)
This YA novel is a UK release, so it might be a little more difficult to find in North America, but it looks fantastic. Saffron is in university to be an astrophysicist, but Seasonal Affective Disorder is threatening her chances in the program. Nell is an autistic poet who loves autumn and winter. She decides to show Saffron the beautiful parts of these seasons. Soon, romance blossoms between them, but with Saffron struggling with her mental health and Nell still working out her sexual identity, they aren’t sure how to navigate this new stage of their relationship.
The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes (September 16)
If you loved The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, check out this upcoming companion novel! Cesar is 17 years old and has just come out—both as queer and as bipolar. He’s in therapy, taking his meds, and doing well… if it wasn’t for the Catholic guilt. As he tries to win back his ex-boyfriend, he begins to doubt whether he really deserves to be with Jamal again. Then a manic episode put his fragile new life at risk of falling apart. He has to choose whether to push everyone away or ask for help: “But is the mortifying vulnerability of being loved by the people he’s hurt the most a risk he’s willing to take?”
Looking for more books about queer disabled people? Check out 10 2SLGBTQ+ Disabled Authors to Read This Disability Pride Month.
English (US) · 