June 2026’s Newsletter: “Graphic Novels with LGBTQ+ Representation for All Ages, Part 1”
I think graphic novels are lots of fun.
Their colorful pictures jump off the page. They’re quick to read. And at the same time, they can carry the same emotional weight and depth as a novel.
Some people are trying to erase the LGBTQ+ community from books and media right now, but we’re still here and we won’t be erased. So here are fourteen graphic novels in the middle grade, young adult, and (1) adult age groups that you can check out for Pride Month.
Middle Grade
“A-Okay” by Jarad Greene
Asexual main character, gay supporting character
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Jay’s self esteem has taken a nose dive since he broke out with acne that no over-the-counter ointment can treat. On top of that, he shares only one class with his best friend, and he seems to be the only kid who isn’t interested in dating. Between school and endless dermatology appointments, eighth grade isn’t going as planned. Will Jay find a way to be A-okay?
“Girl Haven” by Lilah Sturges and Meaghan Carter
Transgender main character, nonbinary supporting character
Genre: Portal Fantasy
Summary: After Ash’s mom disappeared three years ago, all she left behind were her stories of a magical, girl-only land called Koretris. Ash always assumed it was imaginary, until Ash’s friends recite one of her “spells” and they’re all transported to Koretris for real. The land is in trouble, and these four friends are the only ones who can save it— and maybe discover what happened to Ash’s mom in the process. But what does it mean that Ash was transported to this girl-only world when everyone always assumed Ash is a boy?
“Lunar Boy” by Jes and Cin Wibowo
Transgender main characters, gay main character
Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy
Summary: Indu was born on the moon, but raised by his adoptive mother on a space station. Now that he’s moving to live with their new blended family, he’s struggling with all the changes in his life. Overwhelmed and lonely, Indu begs the moon to take him back. And the moon agrees. But as Indu adjusts to his new life, he reconsiders his hasty decision. Can Indu find love and belonging on Earth, or will he give it all up to return to solitude on the moon?
“Tea Dragon” Series by K. O’Neill
Lesbian main characters, nonbinary main character, gay supporting characters
Genre: Cozy Fantasyl
Summary: Tea Dragons: a tiny species of dragon that grows tea leaves on their horns. The care of Tea Dragons is a dying art. Yet, as individuals stumble into to learning the craft from the older generations, they also find a home in the families that form around these adorable creatures.
“Unicorn Boy” by Dave Roman
Nonbinary supporting character
Genre: Comedic Fantasy
Summary: Brian was perfectly, completely normal until a singing unicorn horn grew on his head. Now he’s talking to black cats and muffins and developing magical powers. When his magical powers attract evil shadows and his best friend Avery is kidnapped while protecting him, Brian sets off with a rag-tag group of oddballs to rescue them. Brian will have to find the courage within himself to save his friend and escape the Underworld alive!
Young Adult
“Castle Swimmer” Series by Wendy Martin
Gay main characters
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Summary: In a world of merfolk, Kappa is the Beacon: a magical being meant to fulfil all prophecies. No matter how painful, draining, or frightening it is for Kappa himself. Soren is the beloved prince of a people suffering under a deadly curse, ignorant of his prophesied role of lifting that curse… at a price. When Kappa and Soren meet, they inspire each other to seek something beyond what’s written for them. But is it even possible to fight prophecy?
“Check, Please” Series by Ngozi Ukazu
Gay main characters
Genre: Comedic Sports Romance
Summary: Eric Bittle is a vlogger, pastry baker, and former junior figure skating champion. But playing college ice hockey presents a whole new challenge: checking. And there’s the moody (but handsome!) team captain, Jack, who doesn’t seem to like him very much. But as Bittle and Jack overcome their differences on and off the ice, their relationship might just grow beyond teammates…
“The Ghostkeeper” by Johanna Taylor
Gay main characters
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Summary: Dorian Leith is a ghost therapist who helps the deceased pass on. But when a little ghost girl steals the key to the afterlife, trapping all ghosts in the land of the living, Dorian pushes himself to his limits to help her and all his undead clients. Can Dorian help them find peace, or will he be dragged down with them?
“Hey, Mary” by Andrew Wheeler and Rye Hickman
Gay main characters, drag artist supporting character
Genre: Christian Fiction
Summary: When Mark— a devout Catholic teenager— develops feelings for another boy, he searches for guidance from his friends, a young priest, and even the Virgin Mary herself. He’ll find self-discovery in the stories of saints who are more similar to him than he ever imagined.
“Magical Boy” Duology by The Kao
Transgender main character, gay main characters, lesbian supporting characters
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Summary: Max is the heir to a legacy of Magical Girls tasked to defend the world from darkness. One problem: Max is a trans boy! Pulled between his heart and the demands of his mother– with his friends and a cat helper at his side– Max must protect his town from monsters that feed on negative energy. But can he defend the world when he’s fighting an internal battle of his own?
“The Prince and the Dressmaker” by Jen Wang
Genderfluid main character
Genre: Romance
Summary: By day, Prince Sebastian attends his parents’ marriage talks. By night, he dresses as Lady Crystallia and wears stunning dresses designed by his brilliant seamstress, Frances. But working as Sebastian’s personal dressmaker means Frances must remain a secret, and she soon discovers the cost is her own ambitions. What will Frances choose if she’s torn between her friend and her dreams? And how will Sebastian maintain his charade as the pressure from his parents mounts with each passing day?
“To the Stars and Back” Duology by Peglo
Gay main characters
Genre: Romance
Summary: Kang Dae is an introvert. His new next-door-neighbor Bo Seon is a bubbly extrovert. So it’s only natural they wouldn’t get along… except Bo Seon is dead set on being friends, and Kang Dae can’t seem to get him out of his head. Will these two university students be able to navigate their new emotions and their past traumas as they grow closer?
“Thief of the Heights” by Son M. and Robin Yao
Gay main characters
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy
Summary: In the city of Muqadas, young inventors Basem, Mustafa, and Aarfah have dreamed of climbing the social ladder out of the disease-ridden lowest level to a higher tier, where they can access resources to help their people. Yet, when they’re finally given the chance, they discover their level’s lack of resources might not be as accidental as they assumed. And the higher they climb, the easier it is to lose sight of where they started. When Mustafa and Aarfah choose allegiance to their people, Basem is torn between his loved ones and his dreams.
Adult
“The Adventure Zone” Series by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElory, and Carey Pietsch
Gay main character, gay supporting character, gender non-conforming main character
Genre: Comedic Adventure Fantasy Graphic Novel
Summary: Merle the dwarf cleric, Takko the elf wizard, and Magnus the human fighter are a team of rag-tag, not-quite-heroic adventurers. When a quest goes terribly wrong, they’re brought into a secret organization: The Bureau of Balance. The world is under attack by the Red Robed Wizards and their Grand Relics, and Merle, Takko, and Magnus may be the key to stopping them. But the bureau puts the “secret” into “secret society”, and the boys will have to uncover the truth of their pasts to protect the world from impending doom.
My local library has far too many lgbt q+ graphic novels to include in one article– at least, not without that article becoming super long. So, (as you may have guessed from the title) there will be a part 2!
Expect the sequel in a few months when I’ve read enough to fill a second article. In the meantime, I hope something on this list caught your eye. Keep reading queer books and supporting queer authors all year long, and Happy Pride!
Thanks for reading!
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