As we enter Pride Month, in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community across the world, who historically endured and continue to endure discrimination and violence due to their sexual orientation, it is important to highlight tales in support of their stories and amplify their voices. No matter what choices people make about their personal lives, we leave all judgments to the Most High, and we are encouraged through all holy books to treat each other as we wish to be treated.
In this article, we will take a look at a selection of books you can read throughout Pride Month to explore this topic and occasionally directly support LGBTQ+ writers who were brave enough to share narratives often debated and silenced in African communities and beyond. While not every author on this list identifies as queer, they have mastered the ability to portray queer stories that speak to the hearts of numerous readers globally.
Where You Go, I Will Go by Christina Fonthes
Released on May 8th 2025, ‘Where You Go, I Will Go’ by Christina Fonthes is your perfect starter of this month! The book follows one family, yet two different generations; namely Mira in the 1980s and Bijoux in the 2000s. While one resides in the Congo, the other is part of the diaspora community abroad, and we get to observe how coming out as a lesbian in a country or a household can be as much of an internal as an external struggle. Not only are you supporting a queer emerging writer, but you get to dive into a tale that penetrates the historical context of queer Africans and how it has shaped into the identity of today.
Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh
Published in February last year, the debut ‘Blessings’ by Chukwuebuka Ibeh is still marked as a breakthrough in contemporary African literature. Entering in the world of a young Nigerian man growing in a society that prohibits his sexual orientation, one can truly envision what it takes to be true to oneself despite the sacrifices one must make. Moreover, the book really emphasizes on how much it is a life-long journey, at first having to face family members, classmates, to your very own government and your people as a result of set laws against homosexuality. This would make for a perfect reading adventure this particular month.
God’s Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu
Unveiled to the world in 2022, ‘God’s Children Are Little Broken Things’ by Arinze Ifeakandu is truly a national treasure. A collection described as "stories about the joys and tribulations of queer love in contemporary Nigeria," through intricate short-stories, Arinze retells the life of Nigerian men. And questions whether the heart can preserve its purity, while facing societal adversity. This book forces one to reflect through stories of its subject, making it understandable why it won the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2023. Surely, the choice of either following one’s heart or staying inside the closet is something we can all relate to and is one of the many reasons this book should make your list this month.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Known as a classic in the literary world and an even more renowned queer author at his prime, ‘Giovanni’s Room’ by James Baldwin takes you on a trip back in time, following the love story of an American man named David who lives in Paris and his affair with an Italian bartender Giovanni. Although engaged to a woman, David can not keep away from his secret desires, while trying to maneuver societal expectations. Even though this book takes place in a different time, its content is very much relevant and gives us insights into bearded marriages or relationships and why one may undergo this alternative.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Yet another all time favourite to readers around the world, ‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker is a tough read; however a life-changing one if you dare to take a leap of faith. First published in 1982, which makes it the second oldest book on our list, tackles themes still relevant today such as gender violence, forced marriage and more. In Particular, we get a glimpse into a transformative interaction between Celie and Shug Avery, both women that can be categorized as bixsexual, lesbians and non-binary identities. Their romance is short-lived, but so impactful that it causes drastic changes in each character. This is a great opportunity to read about queerness before it was forged into the strong voice it is today.
