Writing Queer Stories in a World That Still Needs Them

When queer authors are under fire, we don't hide. We rise.

Being a queer author in 2025 means writing with both fire and tenderness. It means crafting stories that reflect lived truths, the messy, the radiant, the defiant, and offering them to a world that’s still learning how to listen. Even with so many who close their ears to the words of those of us sharing queer stories, there are many out there who do listen, and who are encouraging us.

For me, writing queer books isn’t just about representation. It’s about reclamation. It’s about creating space where queer voices aren’t just included; they’re centered. It’s about building worlds where queer love isn’t a subplot, it’s the heartbeat. Never before had I read about myself in a book. And not only that, so many books deal with the narrative of coming out instead the life a person leads, with all the things that come with it.

A Renaissance and a Reckoning

Queer literature is experiencing a literal renaissance. LGBTQ+ fiction sales have surged dramatically in recent years, with over 6 million units sold in the 12-month period ending May 2023. That’s a 200% increase since 2019. This growth spans genres: fantasy, sci-fi, romance, general fiction. Queer stories are no longer confined to niche shelves. Instead, they’re reshaping the mainstream. Many cisgender women, for example, read gay romance, an interesting trend that some find troubling, equating enjoying queer stories to fetishizing queer people. While I am sure there are those that do that, the vast majority of people who read queer stories do so for the experience of someone different than themselves.

Yet this renaissance exists alongside a troubling rise in censorship. In the 2023–24 school year alone, over 10,000 books were banned in U.S. public schools, with Florida leading the charge. A quarter of those banned books featured LGBTQ+ characters or themes. These bans don’t just target words; they target lives. They silence authors, erase identities, and deny readers the stories that help them understand themselves. While there are many arguments about how banning certain books from school is appropriate, there is one undeniable truth. Just because children can’t read about queer identities, they may still be queer. No amount of sheltering will hide someone’s truth, and one day, that truth will shine brightly.

Why Representation Matters

Queer literature offers more than visibility. It offers validation, possibility, and healing. As Mohsin Zaidi writes in his memoir A Dutiful Boy, “Stories help shape cultures, and if you hear no stories about something that is a part of you, then that part of you can't possibly develop and mature at the same pace as the rest”.

For many queer readers, the first time they see themselves on the page is a turning point. It’s the moment they realize they’re not alone. That their experiences, whether joyful, painful, or complex, deserve to be named and honored.

And for queer authors, writing these stories is an act of resistance and even a revolution of sorts. It’s a way to reclaim narrative space, challenge stereotypes, and build bridges across difference.

Crafting Queer Narratives with Intention

When I write, I’m not just telling a story. I’m building a world where queer people thrive. That means:

• Centering intersectionality: Queer characters of color, neurodivergent identities, and nonbinary experiences aren’t side notes. Instead, they’re protagonists. They stand at the front and center, proud and shining examples of what queer people can be when given the stage.

• Breaking tropes: Not every story needs to be a coming-out arc. Queer joy, queer rage, queer magic all deserve space. The token queer person trope needs to cease to exist, as do many other common tropes within non-queer literature that actually has a queer character in it.

• Writing with nuance: Queer lives are multifaceted. Our stories should reflect that complexity, not flatten it. From something as simple as telling the truth about their mixed-up family, to dealing with difficulties such as substance use, these stories do not shy away from tough issues and things that all people experience.

As The Publishing Post notes, diverse LGBTQ+ representation helps normalize queer experiences and challenge heteronormative standards. It’s not just about inclusion; it’s about transformation. When someone reads about anyone different than themselves, they are given a chance to peek inside a world they may not understand. This peek, while it isn’t enough to breed empathy for the population in the story, may be the start of it. People exposed to different types of people are more likely to be understanding and defend their existence when those people are not around.

Building Community Through Storytelling

One of the most powerful aspects of queer literature is its ability to foster connection. Whether through book clubs, online forums, or reader emails, I’ve seen firsthand how stories can spark dialogue, empathy, and solidarity. Many groups online celebrate different genres, but there are also groups of writers who get together to talk about the writing experience in the world today, and that includes queer groups.

In a time when some seek to erase us, storytelling becomes a lifeline. It becomes something that tells people we exist no matter who tries to eliminate us. It’s how we remind each other: You exist. You matter. You belong.

We, as queer writers, need to be loud and proud, and we need to speak out against atrocities and the fact that our rights are in danger every day. Many authors say they don’t want to get involved with politics because they’ll alienate potential readers. My opinion is that if my work to elevate queer people is enough to keep you from reading my books, so be it. I would rather be known by the world as someone who spoke my truth, than someone who hid behind a book in the hopes of selling some. This is a fight for our literal lives and our entire existence. As they try to erase us, we must grow more vibrant and louder.

A Call to Action

If you’re a reader: Seek out queer authors. Share their work. Defend their right to be heard. Don’t be quiet in the face of censorship. Demand that queer voices be heard, and support authors who are actually queer more than anyone else. Check websites and publisher’s pages for information about the writer or follow them on social media. Every follow in a world reliant on social media counts. If you really enjoy something, give the writer a message of some sort. We all love to hear from readers.

If you’re a writer: Tell your truth. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. Don’t give in to those that challenge us. Make the necessary stories that the world needs no matter what happens in this world. The incredible power of writing is that it is able to change minds, ignite hearts, and influence people.

If you’re an ally: Advocate for inclusive libraries, challenge censorship, and amplify marginalized voices. Take the time to learn the history of queer people, and celebrate queer lives before they’re gone. Share queer authors and follow them on social media. Support queer businesses and queer pages. Take a moment to really consider what effect your dollars have on the queer community.

Queer stories aren’t just literature. They’re lifeblood.

Citations

1. NPD BookScan Data on LGBTQ+ Book Sales

• Source: NPD Group. “LGBTQ+ Book Sales Surge 200% Since 2019.” Publishers Weekly, June 2023.

• https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/92756-lgbtq-book-sales-surge.html

2. Book Banning Statistics (2023–2024)

• Source: PEN America. “Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in Schools.” Updated April 2024.

• https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa/

3. Quote from Mohsin Zaidi’s Memoir

• Source: Zaidi, Mohsin. A Dutiful Boy: A Memoir of a Gay Muslim’s Journey to Acceptance. Penguin Books, 2020.

4. Publishing Post on LGBTQ+ Representation

• Source: The Publishing Post. “Why LGBTQ+ Representation in Literature Matters.” Issue 85, February 2024.

• https://www.thepublishingpost.com/home/why-lgbtq-representation-in-literature-matters

5. Goodreads Queer BookClub List

• Source: Goodreads. “2025 Recommendations for Queer BookClub.”

• https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/221996.2025_Recommendations_for_Queer_BookClub

6. Book Riot’s Best Queer Books of 2025 (So Far)

• Source: Book Riot. “Best Queer Books of 2025 So Far.” Updated July 2025.

• https://bookriot.com/best-queer-books-of-2025-so-far/

7. The Mary Sue’s LGBTQ+ Book Preview

• Source: The Mary Sue. “Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Books of 2025.” January 2025.

• https://www.themarysue.com/most-anticipated-lgbtq-books-of-2025/

Companion Reading List: Stories That Resonate

Whether you're seeking inspiration, representation, or simply a beautifully told tale, this curated list offers voices that echo transformation, resilience, and radical authenticity. These selections are perfect for readers who crave depth, diversity, and emotional resonance.

Fiction & Memoir

• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

A bold, funny, and deeply human exploration of gender, parenthood, and identity.

• The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

A poetic coming-of-age story about a mixed-race gay teen finding his voice through drag.

• All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

A powerful memoir-manifesto blending personal narrative with social commentary.

• Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

A genre-defying novel about identity, spirituality, and mental health from a nonbinary perspective.

Queer & Neurodivergent Voices

• The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang

Essays that illuminate the lived experience of mental illness with grace and precision.

• You’re Going to Be Okay by Madeline Dyer

A raw and affirming look at neurodivergence, trauma, and healing.

• Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia

A witty, heartfelt memoir challenging gender norms and celebrating fluidity.

Thought-Provoking Nonfiction

• Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown

Radical self-love meets social justice in this transformative guide to living fully.

• How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell

A meditation on attention, resistance, and reclaiming our time in a hyperconnected world.

• Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

A vital collection of essays on disability, interdependence, and community care.