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June is Pride Month, and we’ve compiled some insightful and educational 2SLGBTQIA+ media for you to check out! Whether you’re into reading, watching, or listening, there’s sure to be something in this collection of media that piques your interest.

Books

The Gay Revolution by Lillian Faderman
“The sweeping story of the struggle for gay and lesbian rights—based on amazing interviews with politicians, military figures, and members of the entire LGBT community who face these challenges every day.”

Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez
“An essential and revelatory coming-of-age novel from a thrilling new voice, Rainbow Milk follows nineteen-year-old Jesse McCarthy as he grapples with his racial and sexual identities against the backdrop of his Jehovah’s Witness upbringing.”

Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution by Susan Stryker
“Covering American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to today, Transgender History takes a chronological approach to the subject of transgender history, with each chapter covering major movements, writings, and events. Chapters cover the transsexual and transvestite communities in the years following World War II; trans radicalism and social change, which spanned from 1966 with the publication of The Transsexual Phenomenon, and lasted through the early 1970s; the mid-’70s to 1990, the era of identity politics and the changes witnessed in trans circles through these years; and the gender issues witnessed through the ’90s and ’00s.”

The Last Time I Wore A Dress by Daphne Scholinski
“At fifteen years old, Dylan (born Daphne) Scholinski was committed to a mental institution and awarded the dubious diagnosis of “Gender Identity Disorder.” He spent three years—and over a million dollars of insurance—”treating” the problem…with makeup lessons and instructions on how to walk like a girl. Dylan’s story—which is, sadly, not that unusual—has already received attention from such shows as 20/20, Dateline, Today, and Leeza. But his memoir, bound to become a classic, tells the story in a funny, ironic, unforgettable voice that “isn’t all grim; Scholinski tells [his] story in beautifully evocative prose and mines [his] experiences for every last drop of ironic humor, determined to have the last laugh.” (Time Out New York)”

Pageboy by Elliot Page
“As he navigated criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, a past that snapped at his heels, and a society dead set on forcing him into a binary, Elliot often stayed silent, unsure of what to do, until enough was enough. Full of behind the scenes details and intimate interrogations on sex, love, trauma, and Hollywood, Pageboy is the story of a life pushed to the brink. But at its core, this beautifully written, winding journey of what it means to untangle ourselves from the expectations of others is an ode to stepping into who we truly are with defiance, strength, and joy.”

You can find additional curated collections of Trans & Gender Diverse Voices at Indigo here, and check out Pages (an independent bookstore located here in Calgary) for a list of their favourite books written by Gender Diverse authors!

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TV Shows

Sort Of | CBC Gem
“Gender fluid millennial Sabi Mehboob straddles various identities, from sexy bartender at an LGBTQ bar, to the youngest child in a large Pakistani family, to the de facto parent of a downtown hipster family.”

Heartstopper | Netflix
“Teens Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love in this coming-of-age series.”

Love, Victor | Disney+
“”Love, Victor” is set in the world of the groundbreaking movie, “Love, Simon”. The series stars Michael Cimino as Victor, who, like Simon, is on his own journey of self-discovery. Facing challenges at home, navigating the ups and downs of a new high school, and exploring his sexual orientation, Victor reaches out to Simon when things become too difficult.“

Sex Education | Netflix
“Socially awkward high school student Otis may not have much experience in the lovemaking department, but he gets good guidance on the topic in his personal sex ed course – living with mom Jean, who is a sex therapist. Being surrounded by manuals, videos, and tediously open conversations about sex, Otis has become a reluctant expert on the subject. When his classmates learn about his home life, Otis decides to use his insider knowledge to improve his status at school, so he teams with whip-smart bad girl Maeve to set up an underground sex therapy clinic to deal with their classmates’ problems. But through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realizes that he may need some therapy of his own.”

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Movies

Pariah
“Teenage Alike (Adepero Oduye) lives in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood with her parents (Charles Parnell, Kim Wayans) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse). A lesbian, Alike quietly embraces her identity and is looking for her first lover, but she wonders how much she can truly confide in her family, especially with her parents’ marriage already strained. When Alike’s mother presses her to befriend a colleague’s daughter (Aasha Davis), Alike finds the gal to be a pleasant companion.”

Stonewall Uprising
“In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City. Such raids were not unusual in the late 1960s, an era when homosexual sex was illegal in every state but Illinois. That night, however, the street erupted into violent protests and demonstrations that lasted for the next six days. The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.”

But I’m a Cheerleader
“Megan (Natasha Lyonne) considers herself a typical American girl. She excels in school and cheerleading, and she has a handsome football-playing boyfriend, even though she isn’t that crazy about him. So she’s stunned when her parents decide she’s gay and send her to True Directions, a boot camp meant to alter her sexual orientation. While there, Megan meets a rebellious and unashamed teen lesbian, Graham (Clea DuVall). Though Megan still feels confused, she starts to have feelings for Graham.”

Bohemian Rhapsody
“Freddie Mercury—the lead singer of Queen—defies stereotypes and convention to become one of history’s most beloved entertainers. The band’s revolutionary sound and popular songs lead to Queen’s meteoric rise in the 1970s. After leaving the group to pursue a solo career, Mercury reunites with Queen for the benefit concert Live Aid – resulting in one of the greatest performances in rock ‘n’ roll history.”

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Podcasts

Making Gay History
Host: Eric Marcus
“Bringing the voices of LGBTQ history to life with champions, heroes, and witnesses to history.”

Gayish
Hosts: Mike Johnson and Kyle Getz
“Gayish is an independent, award-nominated gay podcast where Mike Johnson and Kyle Getz talk about a different gay stereotype each episode.”

History is Gay
Host: Leigh Pfeffer
“Two queer nerds share their love for the past, hijinks, and all things gay, sharing stories of those of us in the unexplored corners of history who have always been there.”

Queer Collective Podcast
Hosts: Emily and Karbon
“The Queer Collective Podcast is A weekly show Co-hosted by Queer Collectives founders & couple Karbon & Emily. Each Thursday the duo releases a new episode that takes an informative & comedic approach to queer topics, current events & storytelling.”

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