They provided characters I could relate to since their experiences were so much like my own. They were founts of knowledge where I could learn more about LGBTQ experiences and the history of the rights movement. The less stringent censorship found in the publishing sphere allowed writers to explore a multitude of LGBTQ characters and themes through the lens of diversity.įor me, as for many LGBTQ folks, books were a source of validation and connection. I came of age in an era when there were no drag queen reality shows, before Will and Jack were making us laugh, and before playing LGBTQ roles became Oscar bait for straight actors.īooks provided representation that was sorely lacking in the media. With the flip of a page I could be whisked away to the Court of Versailles, attend classes at Hogwarts, visit Middle Earth, or travel to the far reaches of the galaxy to worlds I had never heard of.Īs a teenager, books took on even greater meaning as I questioned my sexuality. Growing up in a fairly small, conservative and economically depressed town, reading offered me an escape to places I otherwise could not go. For me, reading isn’t just a hobby or a way to kill a rainy Sunday afternoon, it’s something far more personal.
It may not come as a surprise to you since I write for a living, but I love to read! If I’m being honest, there are days when I prefer books to people.
