It's Pride Month 2022! Here are the best books, podcasts and TV shows to explore

Pride Month 2022 is upon us.
Running annually every June, this is a time of vibrant celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies, with parades, parties, events and talks thrown globally.
For those struggling where to start with their continued education around LGBTQIA+ issues throughout time, as well as connecting with real life issues still facing the communities today, we're got just the thing: a list of LGBTQIA+ books, podcasts, TV shows and documentaries about the queer community, sexuality, and the ongoing battle against homophobic and transphobic aggression.
Our cross-medium guide contains brilliants novels like Douglas Stewart's Young Mungo and Laura Kay's The Split, plus for non-fiction lovers there's Jack Guinness' new essay anthology, The Queer Bible.
There are newly-released, feel-good rom-coms including Fire Island and My Fake Boyfriend, both available to stream on Amazon Prime.
We've also got the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, which has unexpectedly taken a deep dive into the nuances of queer sexuality and non-binary gender identity. Then there's Feel Good – the semi-autobiographical romantic-comedy show from comedian Mae Martin.
Support all year round.

Podcast-wise, there's Out With Suzi Ruffell, presented by the eponymous comedian. We've included Homo Sapiens – presented by Alan Cumming and Chris Sweeney – which features a whole sparkling line-up of LGBTIQA+ icons, and the new show from queer author/illustrator Florence Given.
So without further ado, here's your comprehensive cultural guide for Pride Month.

Young Mungo
Written by the Booker Prize winning author of Shuggie Bain, this 2022 coming of age novel tells the story of a sensitive, gay teenage protagonist, 15-year-old Mungo, who is forced to hide his sexuality while living in a Protestant family in Glasgow, and falls into an illicit love affair with James, a Catholic boy living on the same housing estate.
Available to buy or download now from all good booksellers.

Out With Suzi Ruffell
Now in its fifth season, this is a podcast “all about the inspiring lives of LGBTQIA+ people", hosted by comedian Suzi Ruffell. Previous guests include singer Self Esteem and This Is Going To Hurt author Adam Kay.
Out With Suzi Ruffell is available to stream on all good podcast platforms.

My Fake Boyfriend
Starring Dylan Sprouse and Sarah Hyland, this Amazon Originals LGBT rom-com is the laugh-out loud, feel-good high school drama you'll want to have on your to-watch list this Pride Month.
My Fake Boyfriend is available to stream on Amazon Prime from 10 June.

Fire Island
Another LGBT rom-com, this time set on a gay holiday destination – the fictional Fire Island – off Long Island, and involves two best friends (Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang) enjoying rosé a-plenty with their pals. The story is also inspired by Pride & Prejudice – so Jane Austen fans, have this on your radar.
Fire Island is available to stream on Amazon Prime from 3rd June.
Randy HolmesGetting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
For fans of Jonathan Van Ness' podcast of the same title, this Netflix spin-off is the treat you didn't know you needed. As with its namesake audio show, the Queer Eye star interviews experts and special guests about everything he's curious about. One particularly enlightening episodes, ‘Can We Say Bye-Bye to the Binary?’, takes a deep dive into gender nonconformity – and the power structures threatened by it.
Available to stream now on Netflix.
Mark BosterRuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World
A spin-off of RuPaul's Drag Race, this is a spin-off of the drag queen television franchise fronted by Michelle Visage. In it, nine queens go international, facing contestants from around the world. Like its critically-acclaimed forerunner, this show has been praised for bringing awareness to the drag community, this time in an array of different countries.
Available to stream now on BBC Three.
NETFLIXPray Away
This 2021 American documentary film juxtaposes accounts from survivors of so-called “conversion therapy” with former leaders of the movement. It brings necessary attention to the immense suffering caused by the idea that being can be “prayed away” – and the institutions that perpetuate this.
Available to stream now on Netflix.
HBOAnd Just Like That
Did we expect the Sex and the City reboot to provide an in-depth exploration of sexuality, gender nonconformity and queer identity? No – we did not. And yet, just like that… it has delivered. Reportedly it's down to the influence of actor Cynthia Nixon aka Miranda, who identifies as queer, and has served as executive producer on the show.
Available to watch on Now TV.

Nanette
Released as a Netflix special in 2018, comedian Hannah Gadsby's Nanette is social commentary disguised as comedy, providing a tragi-comic insight into the themes of gender, sexuality and regional prejudice as experienced in her own life. One that will stick with you long after it's over.
Watch now on Netflix.

Feel Good
While it only ran for two seasons, this Channel 4 romantic comedy drama chronicles the story of Mae (played by Mae Martin), who is navigating addiction at the same time as falling in love with a woman, George, who has repressed her sexual identity. It's semi-autobiographical from Mae (hence the character names) and hits at some hard LGBT themes, such as the pressures associated with coming out to loved ones. Oh and Lisa Kudrow's in it – as Mae's mum.
Watch now on Netflix.

Las Biuty Queens
This vibrant short story collection from Chilean American author Ivan Monalisa Ojeda centres around a group of Trans Latinx sex workers living in New York City. It draws on the author's own experience of life as a trans performer, sex worker and undocumented immigrant.

The Art of Being Normal
A refreshing, unforgettable story about a boy named David who wants to be a girl.

Detransition Baby
This bestselling novel from Torrey Peters takes a sensitive exploration into the lives of three women, both transgender and cisgender, whose world collide through an accidental pregnancy.

The Pink Line
From trans women in Russia to refugees in South Africa, this book tells the stories of individuals and communities across the world, to show 'how LGBTQ+ Rights became one of the world's new human rights frontiers in the second decade of the twenty-first century'.

The Split
This is a feel-good romantic-comedy novel from Laura Kay about a lesbian couple navigating the complications of a break-up, and splitting their lives together – including who gets custody of the cat.

The Transgender Issue
Shon Faye's powerful non-fiction book takes a look at “what it means to be trans in a transphobic society” – looking at trans lives across institutions such as the prison system, healthcare, housing and in the workplace. An important read.

The Queer Bible
Compiled by model and activist Jack Guinness, this is a new collection of essay written by queer icons, from Elton John and Russell Tovey to Munroe Bergdorf, which celebrates a combination of personal memoir and social history of queer figures throughout time. Each essay is accompanied by illustrations – making this a particularly beautiful and rich reading experience.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
The true story behind Jeanette Winterson's first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, in which Winterston reflects on her experience of growing up gay and working class with her adoptive mother. In the memoir's second part, Winterston searches for her biological mother with the help of her parter.

Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More
In this New York Times bestseller, Janet Mock recounts her experiences of growing up young, multiracial, poor and transgender in the U.S.

Becoming A Man: Half a Life Story
One man's account of growing up in 1950s New England and his struggle, for half his life, to come out.

The Dictionary of Homophobia: A Global History of Gay & Lesbian Experience'
An encyclopaedic deep-dive into the history of homosexuality around the world.

Exactly With Florence Given
Her debut book, Women Don't Owe You Pretty, an illustrated non-fiction feminist call to arms, is still topping bestseller charts – and now Florence Given has launched her first podcast. Exactly With Florence Given is hailed as a deep dive into “sex, social media, feminism, relationships and body image” – and with that we can expect much exploration of LGBTQIA+ topics. Florence - who identifies as queer – interviews Megan Barton-Hanson on bisexuality in one of her first episodes – and will subsequently be speaking to the likes of pansexual comedian Sofie Hagen.
Available to stream wherever you get your podcasts.

Homo Sapiens
Homo Sapiens is the “smash hit podcast where Queer people talk about life”. Originally co-hosted with Will Young, later seasons feature actor Alan Cumming alongside creator Chris Sweeney – and they interview a whole array of well-known LGBTQIA+ names including Simon Amstell and Paris Lees.
Available to stream wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN:
Tan France's Queer Icons
This new eight-part Audible Original podcast hosted by Tan France from Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye highlights and celebrates LGBTQIA+ icons from across the world.
Listen on Audible
Channel 4WATCH:
It's A Sin (2020)
Russell T Davies's heart-shattering drama of a group of friends in London battling the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s.
Watch on 4oD
NetflixWATCH
Special
Ryan O’Connell, the creator and star of Netflix’s Special, is a gay disabled person both on the show and IRL. We see him play Ryan, who suffers from mild cerebral palsy and decides to rewrite his identity and finally go after the life of independence…
Watch on Netflix
LISTEN:
Two Twos Podcast
Two black lesbians living in London speak their unapologetic truth whilst creating a safe space for people like themselves and bridging the gap between LGBT+ and Cis gendered people.
Listen on Spotify and Apple
ShutterstockWATCH:
Boy Erased (2018)
Starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, Boy Erased tells the story of a young man who is sent to conversion therapy by his Christian parents.
Watch on Netflix
NetflixWATCH:
Disclosure (2020)
This documentary sees leading voices in the trans community share heartfelt perspectives and poignant observations on Hollywood's depiction of transgender people, and how this influenced society.
Watch on Netflix
WATCH:
Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
When black gay rights activist and Stonewall veteran Marsha P. Johnson was found dead in the Hudson River in 1992, it was ruled a suicide. But many believe she was murdered. In this documentary, trans activist Victoria Cruz investigates using archive footage and new interviews.
Watch on Netflix
LISTEN:
Busy Being Black
Created, hosted and produced by Josh Rivers, Busy Being Black explores 'how we live in the fullness of our queer Black lives'.
Listen on Spotify
WATCH:
A Secret Love (2020)
A former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, Terry Donahue, keeps her relationship with her female partner a secret from her family for almost seven decades.
Watch on Netflix

LISTEN:
Food 4 Thot
A multiracial mix of queer writers talk sex, relationships, race and identity.
Listen on Spotify
WATCH:
Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashanu Story (2017)
The first – and only – openly gay man to have played professional soccer, this is Justin Fashanu's tragic story, chronicling how his decision to come out affected his career and his personal life.
Watch on Netflix
LISTEN:
Throwing Shade
Hosted by Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi, this is a weekly comedy podcast featuring discussions on women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, politics and pop culture.
Listen on Spotify
LISTEN:
Queery with Cameron Esposito
Host and stand-up comic Cameron Esposito speaks to guests from the queer community about everything from identity to civil rights.
Listen on Spotify

WATCH:
Behind The Curtain: Todrick Hall (2017)
Charting Todrick's rise as a black queer artist and YouTube sensation, Behind The Curtain follows Todrick as he launches a full-scale, original musical about growing up gay in Texas and finding showbiz success.
Watch on Netflix
WATCH:
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin (2017)
This documentary traces the life of author Armistead Maupin, from his conservative upbringing into an LGBTQ+ pioneer, whose work changed the lives of so many.
Watch on Netflix
LISTEN:
On The Latch
With new episodes every Tuesday, On The Latch is a thought-provoking pod hosted by gay men Ben, Rahiem, Josh, David, Awyas, John and Guy, where no topic is off limits.
Listen on Spotify
WATCH:
Jewel's Catch One (2016)
Owned by Jewel Thais Williams, Jewel's Catch One was the longest running black gay dance bar in Los Angeles. This is the story of how Jewel defied discrimination for 42 years.
Watch on Netflix

