Preparing to come out, but don’t feel quite prepared enough? Fed up with having quotes for the Bible thrown at you as you’re told you’re evil for being gay? Feel you want to learn more about what makes you gay or just want to understand transsexualism and bisexuality better? Whichever it is, you’re going to find the answer amongst these 10 must have LGBT books:

1. True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism – For Families, Friends, Coworkers and Helping Professionals

Exploring the range of conflicts that transsexuals are forced to face every day, this book acts to give those of us outside the transsexual community an insight in to not only the challenges that transsexuals face, but also the courage and bravery with which they face them.

Made up of a mix of real life stories and letters, alongside other examples and advice, this is book is definitely one worth picking up if you’re looking to learn and understand more about transsexualism.

Available to order online from Amazon.

2. Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out

Coming out as a bisexual puts you at risk not only of discrimination from the heterosexual community, but also the homosexual community.  “Bi  Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out” is a book that not only explores these struggles, but also deals with coming to terms with your bisexuality and recognising through the essays that are contained in the book that you are far from alone.  A great read for bisexuals, but also those in the LGT community who want to learn more and have greater understanding of bisexuality.

Available from Amazon.

3.  The Velvet Rage: Overcoming The Pain Of Growing Gay In A Straight Man’s World

Exploring whether gay men are really any better off in today’s society, this book by Alan Down explores how growing up gay in a predominantly straight world still leads to an internal shame for many men, including the author. Questioning whether this leads men to try and obscure this shame through a facade of beauty, creativity and material success, Down explores ways in which gay men can act to stop this cycle of shame.

Available from Amazon.

4. What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

Fed up with having the Bible quoted at you when people act to condemn you for being gay? “What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality” is a great introduction to understanding what the Bible really says on the issue. Written in a straightforward way that you can dip in and out of easily, this book doesn’t go into the depths that others do,  focusing more on the author’s views than comparing wider views, but will act to give you the basics that you can then go on to research in more detail.

Available from Amazon.

5. In The Eye Of  The Storm – Gene Robinson

Becoming Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003 saw Gene Robinson make history. Why? Because his appointment marked the first appointment of a gay man to the position. Facing huge controversy and criticism since that appointment, this book sees Robinson explore how he balances his faith and his sexuality, the reason why he feels people react the way they do to his sexuality, and the LGBT community in general, as well as more general insights into this lfe.

Available at Amazon.

6. Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the 14th Century – J Boswell

Written by John Boswell, this award winning book takes a look at the history of attitudes to homosexuality and is definitely one for all you history buffs. First published 25 years ago it was seen as a ground-breaking piece of work then, and still is by many for it’s strong argument that the Christian church hasn’t, as many would assume, always had an anti-gay sentiment to it.

Available at Amazon.

7. Living it Out: A Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Christians and Their Friends, Families and Churches – Rachel and Sarah Hagger-Holt

Trying to balance your religious views with your sexuality can be a difficult thing for many people. This book by Rachel and Sarah Hagger Holt acts to offer guidance on how you can embrace both and live with integrity.

Featuring stories, reflections, prayers and a range of tips from people from all denominations, this guide offers many personal insights into how others have dealt with the issue and is a must read for anyone struggling with the religion / sexuality issue.

Available at Amazon.

8. Born Gay: The Psychobiology of Sex Orientation – Glenn Wilson and Qazi Rahman

Exploring the issue of sexual attraction, this book looks to explore the question of whether people are really born gay or not. Coming to the conclusion, via the exploration of academic research, that sexual orientation is largely innate, Wilson and Rahman also act to dispute sociological causes exist.

Available at Amazon.

9. Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics – Jennifer Baumgardner

Exploring the increased visibility of gay and bisexual issues, characters and performers on the national cultural. Baumgardner argues that bisexuals are still being marginalised by both the straight and gay community. Using her own experiences, as well others, this book explores how the impact this has on bisexuals and how whilst many still live hidden bisexual lives there are still many who refuse either/or paradigm defended by both gay and straight communities.

Available at Amazon.

10. Outing Yourself – Michelangelo Signorile

If you’re thinking of coming out to friends and family then this book is definitely one you’re going to want to pick up. Breaking the process down into steps, Signorile’s advice acts to not only prepare you for potential reactions, but also food for thought on the things you need to consider before you do.

Available at Amazon.

Photo by somegeekintn

Talking to the Guardian at the 2010 Hay Festival, author Jeanette Winterson has said that “it breaks my heart that we can still out anyone as gay“.

Saying that she felt it made her feel sad that people still felt the need to hide their sexuality away because they didn’t feel it was acceptable in the society,  Winterson also spoke of how she this indicates there is still much to do to achieve equality in society.

Also speaking honestly about the fact that there are just as many “corrupt, unpleasant, nasty gay people” in the world as there are straight people, Winterson acted to distance the comment from being specifically about David Laws, the former Chief Treasury secretary who resigned this weekend after it was revealed he had claimed MPs’ expenses to sublet rooms in homes owned by his partner James Lundie, but did say that if your actions made you feel that you couldn’t trust the world and needed to be secretive then something must be wrong.

On the subject of being called a “lesbian author“, Winterson said she disliked not only it but all labels in general as they stop people having to make decisions or think beyond what they believe these mean.

You can watch the interview in full on the Guardian website.

Some people are far too nice, talented and gorgeous for their own good and one such woman who undoubtedly  falls into that category, and makes the rest of us look bad,  is Jennifer Beals.

A woman who could make you forgive her for anything with those puppy dog eyes of hers, she is also someone who definitely  knows how to act, and as is apparent with the soon to be released photographic journal, The L word Book, has an amazing talent behind the camera too.
But why has Jennifer decided to release the book? Has she become short of money? Does she just want to cash in on the L Word era whilst people still remember it?

If it was anyone else we’d probably have said it was something to do with the latter, but then we’re talking about Ms Beals here. The same woman who put herself through the living hell that is the Vancouver Triathlon for charity, so it’s probably going to come as no surprise to you that it’s neither of these reasons. It’s that once more Jennifer wants to use her fame and profile to  try and help out the charities that have become such passionate about, and in this case the proceeds from the book, these four charities are the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Mia Kirshner’s I Live Here Projects, a Project of ETINA and The Pablove Foundation.

So what exactly is this photographic journal going to comprise of? Well being a photographic journal, the main thing is of course going to be the never seen before photos taken by Jennifer. However this is much more than just a photo book with cast commentary and a great selection of ephemerea that made up the everyday life of being on the L Word set which includes script excerpts, callsheets and even production memos, all adding to make this a very special and unique journal/

But that’s not all. Jennifer didn’t want the book to just be about everyone involved in the L Word. She wants it to be as much about you and what it meant to you, which has lead to her creating the book in a way that will allow you to add your own photos to hers, meaning when you look at it it’s not just full of memories of what they were doing during the time the L word was on, but also what was happening in your life.

And if that all wasn’t enough, Jennifer also plans to release a number of large format prints and limited edition prints for you to buy too, with the proceeds of course going to charity.

But what made her decide to start this journal all these years ago when the L Word first started? Well there’s no one better to answer that than the woman herself:

During the six years we were shooting The L Word, I kept a photographic journal of the cast and crew, born out of a profound desire to create a bulwark against my rapidly eroding memory. It was an era of my life I was eager to preserve: I wanted to remember the cast, the readthrus, the dinners, the rehearsals — everything. I took pictures and saved my scripts, callsheets, and memos and organized them every year. I used them for reference as the seasons moved on, but frankly I held onto them because I knew I would get a kick out of looking at them as the years passed. Mostly, I wanted to remember the joy, because no matter where the storylines went, we always managed to have fun.
Years ago, I started a tradition of making a photo book, to give as a gift to the cast and crew, after completing projects that were near and dear to my heart. As I started working on my cast-and-crew present for The L Word, I realized this wouldn’t be like the others. The L Word was about the power of storytelling. And it was particularly unique because there were two streams of stories being told. Clearly we were telling your stories, but in some way we were telling our stories — the story of a group of colleagues who became friends while endeavoring to make something worthwhile. Somewhere along the line there was a kind of convergence. Somewhere underneath the plotlines of The L Word ran our own stories of friendship and struggle. These photographs evoke the various bonds and battles we as a cast endured.
The L Word as a series was, at its core, about community and that played out behind the scenes as the cast formed its own community. But the series also was about all of you who made our collective journey possible. That is why I wanted to make the book available to fans of the show.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Beals

You can find out more about the book and it’s release, at The L Word Book website.

Produced by Geoffrey King and, Sunny Angulo with an introduction from San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Such A Bittersweet Day brings together stunning photography with oral histories to provide a powerful look at the marriage equality movement in California.

Telling the stories of a wide range of people from LGBT activists to working people, politicos, people of faith and transgendered leaders and families, the combination of oral histories and photograph allows the book to offer a very powerful and unique way of telling individual stories whilst not losing focus on the bigger issue of marriage equality.

Having photographed political protests across the United States and Britain, as well as travelling to Iraq, Geoffrey King was the perfect choice for the photography for a book of this kind and he certainly hasn’t disappointed with each of his photos managing to capture the emotions of the subjects which range from defiance to determination and disappointment. And with Sunny Angulo, filmmaker, political organizer, designer and journalist, at his side to bring together the oral histories, there is not only a lot of passion behind behind this project but also a whole lot of experience and talent too.

Available for £25.57, Such A Bittersweet Day: The Marriage Equality Movement In The Wake Of Prop 8 can be ordered online from Blurb with 100% of the net proceeds from the regular edition of this book will go to organizations fighting for civil rights, equality and health.

Well how about supporting your fellow lesbian and give one of these authors a go. Ranging from the well known to the not so well known, these ten lesbian authors have the power to scare you to death, make you laugh out loud and a couple might even make you cry.

1. Val McDermid – Fever Of The Bone

Author of over 20 bestselling novels that have sold over 10 million copies, the award winning Val McDermid returned with a new novel this year – Fever Of The Bone.

Featuring Tony Hill as the central character in the book, this  novel sees Hill become involved in an investigation of  the murder and mutilation of a teenager Jennifer Maidment. Soon realising this isn’t a one off, but an evil and twisted campaign that seems to be targeting random youth, Tony must find out who is doing this, but doing so whilst struggling with ghosts from his past that have risen to haunt him doesn’t make it easy….

(Available from Amazon)

2. Sarah Waters – The Little Stranger

Set in post war Warwickshire, The Little Stranger is a story focused around a Ayres family who have been living in Hundreds Hall House for over two centuries.

Now falling into decline it is inhabited by a mother, son and daughter, a family who struggle not only to keep up their house in one piece, but to keep up with the changing society around them.

Entering into their lives in the The Little Stranger is Dr Faraday who is called to tend to one of the family. Recognising that the Ayres family aren’t your normal family, he soon begins to question if there is something more sinster goin on in this house…

A chilling tale from one of the UK’s top authors, this is the type of book that will make you want to go to sleep with the lights on.

(Available at Amazon)

3. Jeanette Winterson – The Stone Gods

Putting more focus on her writing for children  this year has seen nothing released in the adult market by Winterson, but there’s still plenty of classics to chose from, including The Stone Gods. Something of a departure from Jeanette, this book  has a sci-fi angle to it and explores how we as a society seem to feel the need to destroy all that we have.

Written in a poetic style in four parts, you are guided through the story by Billie Crusoe, a disillusioned scientist in parts 1,3 and 4, and a sailor in part 2. Sound confusing? Well that’s because this isn’t an ordinary story written in an ordinary way, but if you’re after something a bit different then this could be the book for you.

(Available at Amazon)

4. Ali Smith -The First Person And Other Stories

If there’s one thing that stands out about Ali Smith it’s her ability to pick out those powerful moments from what to everyone else seems mundane and ordinary. And this collection of stories is no different featuring everything from a middle aged woman having a conversation with herself to a supermarket shopper finding a beautiful looking but foul mouth child in her trolley.

Diverse in their content, these stories are all tied together by a common thread of love, warmth and humanity.

(Available from Amazon)

5. Stella Duffy – The Room of Lost Things

Set in a railway arch in Loughborough Junction, South London, The Room of  Things follows Robert Sutton as he hands over his thriving dry cleaning business to it’s successor, East Londoner Akeel. Seeing him explain to Akeel how it is less a shop and more of a heart of a community, Robert reveals the secrets and lies hidden with the contents of his customers’ pockets alongside his deep love for a city that he has known all his life.

Full of love not just for people but for the world around him, The Room Of Lost Things is a truly heartwarming read.

(Available from Amazon.)

6. Charlotte Mendelson – When We Were Bad

Another author who didn’t get round to releasing anything this year was Charlotte Mendelson, but we’re going to forgive her that because she’s got some darn good books out there that are definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.

And top of our list is When We Were Bad : A Novel.

Featuring Claudia Rubin, a wife, mother, rabbi and occasional moral voice to the nation, as the main character, this story is focused around the wedding of her older son, and how everyone wants to be by her side.

Well that is until he becomes a bolter and the whole family quickly starts to fall apart.

(Available from Amazon)

7. Jackie Kay – The Lamplighter

Taking up on a journey right to the heart of slavery, The Lamplighter is not only an epic poem but also a radio play that comes included as a CD.

Following four women and one man, this is a book that leaves nothing out, going from the fort to the slave ship, exploring life on the plantations, the growth of the British city and the industrial revolution that followed. Seeing the characters have to sell their children, their bodies and be beaten to within an inch of their lives, this book may not be an easy read, but is definitely an enlightening one.

(Available from Amazon)

8. Manda Scott – The Crystal Skull

Ancient wisdom is predicting the world, with uncanny precision, is coming to an end. However there is one thing that can stop this apocalypse – a crystal skull that has been found by Stella Cody. Inheriting not only it, but the legacy of secrets, intrigue and murder, Stella and her lover Kit must work to crack the code before time runs out for them, and the world as a whole.

Taking them on a journey from Cambridge University to the wilderness of England’ prehistoric stone circles, this book has hooked many a reader before you and we’re pretty sure it’s going to do the same for you.

(Available from Amazon)

9. Karen McLeod – In Search Of The Missing Eyelash

Definitely deserving of the wackiest book title ever, this book follow Lizzie, a lonely woman whose parents have gone and whose brother (who thinks he’s a woman) has gone missing. Missing them deeply, there is however someone she misses more – her former lover Sally who has gone off with a fat necked man.

Deciding the best cause of action is to stalk Sally and steal everything from bathroom fluff to dust and pubes from her bed, Lizzy only aims to reveal to herself that life is going on, and it’s only her standing stell.

Heartbreaking and hilarious this is a book guaranteed to take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.

(Available from Amazon)

10. Gerri Hill -  No Strings

Police chief Reese Daniels has been moved from the busy world of Winter Park to the sleepy Lake City in Colorado. Always one to give 100%, Daniels promises to give nothing less, but it’s clear this for her is nothing but a blip in her life.

And she’s prepared to stick to it, even after meeting  M Z Morgan,  a forest ranger who is quite content with the lack of dating material because it’s all about the place and people for her.

Well that’s what they try to tell each other as they strike a “no strings” bargain. I mean what does it matter if it’s the best sex they’ve ever had, and it’s only getting better. It’s only temporary isn’t it…

(Available from Amazon)

Created by Martin Eden, Spandex is a brand new comic book series that brings a fresh angle to the superhero world because instead of being made up of super powerful heterosexuals, this is an all gay super team.

Telling the Metro that he “…felt that a gay super-team was something that hadn’t been done before. It just felt very fresh and original”, Eden’s Spandex series follows transvestite Liberty and her team of gay heroes on a range of adventures including battles against gay enemies such as the Pink Ninjas and the 50ft Lesbian.

The first edition of Spandex is now available from selected comic stores and the Spandex Comic website and acts as an introduction to both the characters, which include Diva, a beautiful lesbian who you definitely wouldn’t want to get into a fight with, Glitter, a superhero with the very useful talent of turning himself into light, Mr Muscles and Butch, rock hard skinned twins, one who is invulnerable, the other super strong, Prowler, who has the ability to absorb the skills and ability of any gay person, Indigo, an energetic young thing with teleportation skills and Liberty, the transvestite with her own Gaydar and power suit that gives her strength and flight, as well as their Brighton headquarters.

Titled “The Attack of the 50 Foot Lesbian”, this first story is an impressive 23 pages long, with 17 pages of extras, and took Eden a whole year (he’s created it alongside a full time job) to complete, showing his commitment to getting it just right.

The Spandex comic series  is aimed at mature readers and is already proving popular with both gay and straight readers.

Spandex is available to order online from the Spandex Comic website.

If you’re a fan of leading West End musical star and Torchwood and Doctor Who actor, John Barrowman, then his latest book, I am What I am definitely needs to be on your Christmas book list this year.

Written in a style that makes it feel as though you can almost hear his voice as you read, this book takes you behind the scene not only of Doctor Who, I’d Do Anything”, I Am What I Am and Torchwood, but also of the life of the man himself.

Filled with stories of his family, as well as the impact that fame has had on John and those around him, this book really has been something of a family affair having been put together in collaboration with his sister, Carole E Barrowman, a professor of English and a journalist.

I am What I am is definitely one of those books that you can pick up to and dip in and out of as you feel like it and whilst it’s not a book not one that’s going to challenge you intellectually it is very likely to put a smile on your face after a long day at work.

The hardback version of I an What I am is currently available for the reduced price of £8.00 (usually £20.00) at Amazon.

When he was publicist based in New York City, Robert Rave spent his days (and many an evening too) working on public relation campaigns and putting on some of the biggest profile events in the lifestyle, nightlife, entertainment and fashion industries. Now though things are very different from Robert. The publicist title has been neatly packed away and he has a whole new one – full time writer, with 2009 seeing the publication of this first novel,  Spin.

Featuring Taylor Green, a young ambitious guy from the Midwest as the dominant character in the book, Spin begins with Green working for a friend of his grandmother, Ethel, in New York City.  Then one evening the unbelievable happens – Taylor is offered his dream job – to work for Jennie Weinstein, one of the biggest names in the  public relations world.

Definitely at the top of the PR game, Taylor is soon to discover that she’s at the top of the diva game too, with rudeness, obnoxiousness and downright deviousness  just some of Jennie’s better qualities, and one’s she expects her employees to have to, that and being at her beck and call whatever the hours of the day.

Working his way up from being the new boy stuck in the broom cupboard, Taylor becomes Jennie’s most trusted assistant and confidant, which causes him to find himself right in the center of both the glamourous side of the  PR world, that includes opening, fashion shows and a whole lot of gossiping, and the rather darker side of drugs, sex, fame and greed, all of which seem to have one character at the centre – Jennie Weinstein.

A fast learner, Taylor soon discovers any situation in the PR world can be spun to benefit a client, but that’s not all his time in the PR world reveals. Discovering the perks of free gifts and rubbing shoulders with big name celebrities come at a price – his own sanity,  Taylor soon feels his life start to slip out of control, leaving him having to make the difficult decision of whether the rewards of working in such a business really justify the ends he has to go to to get them.

Made up of 352 pages this is a book that sounds like it could keep you going for a while, but I can promise you it won’t. Robert Rave may have taken his publicist hat off but he still manages to make this a book so addictive that once you’ve started, you may as well tell everyone to go out and enjoy themselves for the day because you’re not going to be putting it down.

Definitely not your average first time writer,  the quality of the writing of Spin shows that Robert Rave is an author you’re going to want to keep an eye on, with the book taking you on a journey that find you having to keep closing your mouth as it drops open in shock, and apologising to everyone around you as you laugh uncontrollably over some of the scenarios Taylor finds himself in.

A brilliantly balanced piece of writing, Rave doesn’t allow his book to get too wrapped up in the harshness of the PR world or the impact it can have on those involved, but at the same time has written something that’s far from a fluffy story. This is good  stuff. Very good stuff, and here’s hoping there’s a whole lot more to come from Mr Rave.

Spin is available to order online from Amazon.