By Kassandra Ferguson

Finding time to sit down and read for pleasure these days can feel impossible, but remember: it’s good for your soul. Just like deep-diving into the beautifully complex history of literature for the LGBT+ community. And with the holiday break coming up, we finally have a few weeks to breathe and burn through some books. Queer lit is finally starting to have its time in the limelight, but what are some Irish options to check out?

*What Love Looks Like*

by Jarlath Gregory

One of the newest books in this genre, this YA novel published by O’Brien Press follows the story of seventeen-year-old Ben as he tries to navigate the gay dating scene following his graduation from secondary school. All the old familiar troubles - from AWOL friends to old school bullies - ensure that Ben’s quest for a boyfriend will be anything but easy. A perfect comfort book for the holidays.

In a stream-of-consciousness style compared to James Joyce, O’Neill tells the deeply emotional story of two friends, Jim and Doyler, as their bond grows leading up to the events of the 1916 Easter Rising. Published in 2001, this novel is seen not only as an established fixture in LGBT literature, but in Irish literature generally.

The first comprehensive survey of gay and lesbian-themed literature in Ireland, this book analyses a variety of novels and short stories published in Ireland since the 1970s which challenged discriminatory, religious, or otherwise heteronormative views throughout the decades. Throughout, the book covers topics like lesbian invisibility, same-sex parenthood, sexual subcultures, HIV/AIDS, and the liberalisation of Ireland, among many others. For anyone with an interest in the role of LGBT+ literature in modern Irish culture, this is a stellar option.

This book of poetry is a fresh, dynamic, and engrossing collection by Fryatt, a transgender professor currently teaching at DCU. They recently spoke at the Dublin Book Festival in collaboration with the Small Trans Library. Check out www.smalltranslibrary.org for their collections of queer Irish literature and more!

*Queer Love*

by John Boyne, Emma Donoghue, Mary Dorcey, Neil Hegarty, James Hudson, Emer Lyons, Jamie O’Connell, Colm Tóibín, Declan Toohey, and Shannon Yee

For those seeking a collection of short reads, as well as the opportunity to discover numerous writers in one go, those behind this new anthology strive to carve out a space for LGBT+ work in an otherwise traditional (heterosexual) literary landscape. It features pieces from new and emerging writers, as well as published authors.

In Ireland specifically, there is still a noticeable lack of LGBT+ literature, but we have the power to change this! Seeking out works such as these (preferably from indie bookshops, but mainstream stores will do) helps let publishers know what we’re looking for. If you’ve got writing to publish, seek out local literary journals - there are always some accepting submissions!

Irish LGBT+ Book List

On Writing and Reading Diaries

Project Six