Activism Fiction Books (with LGBT characters)
In no particular order. These are only books I've read and enjoyed. There are more out there and I will add them to the list as I make my way through them.
1. Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052–2072 by M.E. O'Brien and Eman Abdelhadi: speculative activism fiction written in the form of non-fiction, with many non-binary characters and two trans women.
12 interviews cover the political, economic, social, health and climate crises of the mid-21st century, then the insurrections that led to establishing communes all over the world, with a focus on NYC.
You can read additional short stories legally and for free here.
2. 2033: The Year Things Fell Apart by Rebecca Doll and James Gordon: speculative activism fiction, with a polyamorous lesbian protagonist + several trans/enby characters.
This 2024 release follows a woman with an IT job resisting fascism from the inside, while other characters are resisting it from the outside. Note that the plot gets really dark towards the end.
3. This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed: activism against book banning (mostly books by LGBT and/or POC authors), with some f/f + a probably aroace character (YA).
This 2024 release follows an Indian American Muslim girl who fights against the book bans in her high school library. It doesn't shy away from the possible retaliations of the fascist side.
4. Something to be Proud of by Anna Zoe Quirke: LGBT and disability/neurodivergence activism, with non-binary characters and a gay boy + some f/nb (YA).
This novel follows a chaotic bisexual on the autism spectrum who starts the Ardenpool Academy Activist Society in order to organise a fully accessible Pride festival. The group also works on getting gender-neutral bathrooms at their school.
5. [French] Tant qu'il le faudra by Cordélia: LGBT activism, with characters all over the LGBTQIAP+ spectrum + some m/m and f/f.
This is my favourite French series. It follows a group of diverse people who write a queer magazine. It's a brilliant mix of activism, romance, humour and drama.
6. Unbecoming by Seema Yasmin: abortion activism, with some f/f (YA).
This 2024 release follows an Indian American hijabi girl and a Palestinian American Muslim girl who decide to write The Texas Teen's Guide to Safe Abortion. Then, the former discovers that she's pregnant. Even with all this information, it's going to be a tough road getting the illegal pills she needs.
7. [French] Nos elles déployées by Jessie Magana: feminist activism, with some f/f + a non-binary character.
This novel follows three women over two time periods: in 1974, the fight for abortion in France, and in 2018, the demonstrations for economic justice, then against climate change in France, as well as the protests for Bouteflika's resignation from the presidency in Algeria.
8. [French] D'un trait de fusain by Cathy Ytak: ACT UP activism, with some m/m (YA).
This novel follows a French high school girl in 1992, who finds out that one of her gay friends is HIV+. Together, they will join ACT UP.
9. My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson: ACT UP activism, with many queer men and one lesbian (a lot of sex scenes).
This novel follows a gay Black man in 1980s New York City, who starts as an activist with a rent strike, then helps dying AIDS patients and becomes one of the original members of ACT UP.
2087
prguitarman
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
vaporwave
titsay
yousharknotpass
snowghoul
