Queer Love Stories

Written By Paul Bouchey
These 12 stories feature main characters that are a gay or lesbian couple. Interestingly, these all either possess either fairytale style or have non-human protagonists. The only human gay love story I found is set to be published in December 2020. …

These 12 stories feature main characters that are a gay or lesbian couple. Interestingly, these all either possess either fairytale style or have non-human protagonists. The only human gay love story I found is set to be published in December 2020. You can find it in the “Soon-to-be-Released” section. There are 7 gay, 3 lesbian, and 2 gender non-specific stories. I found it difficult to find lesbian stories and I didn’t see any bisexual stories at all. There are 8 stories with human protagonists and 4 with animal or mythical creatures for protagonists.

There are 4 stories that feature rejection based on sexuality and 8 where it remains unquestioned. It is important to have both these types of books because the former acknowledges the struggle that queer kids may be facing and the latter normalizes diverse ways to love.

For each book, I link the Amazon plot summary, a youtube read-aloud if available, and write a mini-analysis. In no particular order:

Featured
Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian

    • Plot Summary: When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love, you know what happens next: They get married! But their friends want to know—who will wear the dress? And who will wear the tux? The answer is: It doesn't matter. Because worm loves worm.

    • Youtube read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A78frDhJsc

    • Featured by Horn Books as a top LGBTQ picture book in 2017, this is an adorably gender neutral book about two worms preparing their wedding. No one has pronouns and thus could be any gender. The worms end up being both bride and groom, wearing half the dress and half the tux each. The language is pretty simple in this book and thus easy for younger kids to understand.

Prince Henry by Olly Pike
Prince Henry by Olly Pike

    • Plot Summary: It is time for Prince Henry to find someone to marry, or so his parents think. Join Henry in his fairytale kingdom where certain laws apply when it comes to choosing who you can spend your life with. A fairytale romance intended for young readers, 'Prince Henry' delivers a positive message of both love and equality.

    • Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkAyo8KBeFw

    • A really funny story about a prince who just wants to marry his best friend (his servant, Thomas) when his father insists he must marry a prince(!) or a princess of his same social class. This book is notable because being gay is always an option and when the parade of princes and princesses gather to woo the prince, not only are they multiracial, but they are also differently abled. It is also worth noting that Olly Pike has several other LGBTQ fairytale video books: Jamie-A Transgender Cinderella, The Ice Queen and her Wife, and Princess Penny and the Pea

Prince and Knight by Daniel Haack
Prince and Knight by Daniel Haack

    • Plot Summary: In this modern fairy tale, a noble prince and a brave knight come together to defeat a terrible monster and in the process find true love in a most unexpected place. "Thank you," he told his parents. "I appreciate that you tried, but I'm looking for something special in a partner by my side." Once upon a time, in a kingdom far from here, there was a prince in line to take the throne, so his parents set out to find him a kind and worthy bride. The three of them traveled the land far and wide, but the prince didn't quite find what he was looking for in the princesses they met.While they were away, a terrible dragon threatened their land, and all the soldiers fled. The prince rushed back to save his kingdom from the perilous beast and was met by a brave knight in a suit of brightly shining armor. Together they fought the dragon and discovered that special something the prince was looking for all along.

    • Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFZgWbAQgns

    • Prince’s parents want him to get married and show him a bunch of princesses, none of whom the prince falls in love with. Then, when a dragon comes to destroy the kingdom, Prince races back to fight and together with the help of Knight (who appears to be a person of color), defeats the dragon. The two fall in love and get married. This one I thought was better done than King and King (see final section), although it falls into that same, instant acceptance trap.

Maiden and Princess by Daniel Haack and Isabel Galupo
Maiden and Princess by Daniel Haack and Isabel Galupo

    • Plot Summary: In this modern fairy tale, a strong, brave maiden is invited to attend the prince's royal ball, but at the dance, she ends up finding true love in a most surprising place. "The prince is smart and strong," she confided in her mother. "But if I'm being honest, I see him as a brother." Her mother said, "Just go! And have a bit of fun. The prince might not be right, but you could meet the one."

    • Youtube link: N/A

    • By the same author as Prince and Knight, this is a fun twist on the classic Cinderella ball. A warrior maiden reluctantly goes to the ball and falls in love with the princess. No one acts like this is weird or forbidden, and the book reads like a sweet love story. With its vibrant illustrations, multi-racial cast of characters, and the maiden’s cute pet dragon, this is an accessable, lesbian fairytale.

Square Zair Pair by Jace Peeples
Square Zair Pair by Jace Peeples

    • Plot Summary: In the magical land of Hanamandoo live fantastic creatures called Zairs. Zairs come in two shapes (round and square) and do all things in pairs, but always the same, one round Zair with one square Zair. One day, when two square Zairs pair for the first time, the village soon learns all pairs of Zairs are not the same and why their biggest differences are also their greatest gifts.

    • Youtube clip of the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8rC6iEc3f4

    • This book is fun because it builds a whole new fantasy world with cool purple main characters. This story sets up “square” and “round” as the two Zair genders without explicitly making that connection. The two square Zairs are rejected by their village, but ultimately are accepted back because of their new tree-climbing skill. Written by Jace Peeples, a gay man and former editor of the advocate, the story has the benefit of an own voice author, but runs the risk that the moral of the story will be taken as only exceptional gays are accepted.

The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived by Daniel Errico
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived by Daniel Errico

    • Plot Summary: Knights, dragons, and princesses are the things all good fairytales are made of, but what happens when the tale has an LGBTQ ending? Follow Cedric on his journey from his days on a humble pumpkin farm to the adventures that lead him to become a full-fledged knight. Once a knight, discover how he uses his cleverness and courage to vanquish a fire-breathing dragon and rescue a beautiful prince and princess. It is only then does Sir Cedric face his most difficult challenge. Will he follow his heart, and prove that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is choose for yourself how your fairy tale ends?

    • Youtube link to the hulu trailer for the show based on the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJQs_KIDkbU

    • A knight uses his pumpkin farming background to defeat a dragon and rescue a prince and a princess. Surprise! He falls in love with the prince. Cute gay ending to a classic dragon story.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

    • Plot Summary: At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo get the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.

    • Youtube read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyPjUa908hM

    • On the top 10 banned book list in 2018, this is a book about gay penguins raising a family. It is super cute with adorable penguin illustrations and a true story line. The text makes it very clear that being gay is not normal, but there is no discrimination or backlash depicted.

Rosaline by Daniel Errico
Rosaline by Daniel Errico

    • Plot Summary: The story of Rosaline incorporates LGBT themes in a fun, fairytale adventure through the woods. To find her sweetheart, Rosaline must first get by a tricky witch, a hungry wolf, and a well-intentioned fairy godmother! This picture book for children and adults alike emphasizes the value of being true to yourself.

    • Link to preview on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rosaline-Daniel-Errico-ebook/dp/B01GOOX5LG

    • This book is only online, but it tells a cute lesbian fairytale mash-up.

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss

    • Plot Summary: Meet Marlon Bundo, a lonely bunny who lives with his Grampa, Mike Pence the Vice President of the United States. But on this Very Special Day, Marlon's life is about to change forever…

    • Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbT8Kpj1k7M

    • This John Oliver parody of a book about the Pence family bunny, Marlon Bundo falls in love with a boy bunny. And all the animals join together to vote down the Stink Bug (who looks suspiciously like Mike Pence) who tries to say that different is bad and only heterosexual couples can get married. It is quite political in origin and therefore often banned, but the story itself isn’t tied to the specific political administration. It has spawned a lot of controversy, however.

Promised Land by Adam Reynolds and Chaz Harris
Promised Land by Adam Reynolds and Chaz Harris

    • Plot Summary: When a young Prince and a farm boy meet in the forest, a growing friendship between them blossoms into love. However, when the Queen re-marries, her sinister new husband seeks control of the enchanted forest and the land the farm boy’s family are responsible for protecting. In a Kingdom where all are considered equal regardless of what they look like or who they love, Promised Land is a brand new fairytale about friendship, responsibility, adventure and love.

    • Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEyuRd3fas&t=43s

    • This book is definitely on the longer side and has a more complicated story. Jack and Leo have a cute love story, simply laid out with no implications that it is abnormal or forbidden. There is another plotline about an evil sorcerer that enchants the queen (who is totally bad-ass with a sword) and yet another plotline about the tree spirit that lives on Jack’s farm. A cool, gay, multiracial fantasy picture book written for slightly older kids.

Santa’s Husband by Daniel Kibblesmith
Santa’s Husband by Daniel Kibblesmith

Plot Summary: Everyone knows that Santa Claus is jolly, but in Santa’s Husband, this cherished symbol of the holiday season is also black and gay, and married to an equally cheery man. In this witty and sweet illustrated Christmas tale, humor writer Daniel Kibblesmith introduces us to Mr. and Mr. Claus, and gives us a glimpse of their lives together. We see the Clauses sitting by the fire at their cozy North Pole home, vacationing at the beach, having an occasional disagreement, celebrating their wedding day, and comforting each other when some loudmouth people on television angrily dispute Santa’s appearance and lifestyle. In the weeks before Christmas, Santa’s husband helps with all the pre-Christmas work, from double-checking lists, to feeding the reindeer (organic gluten-free grains, of course), to negotiating labor disputes with the restive workshop elves. At the height of toy-making season, he even fills in for his busy hubby at the mall to ensure every child can meet the Big Guy in the red suit, and give him their wish list. As this charming book reminds us, Santa Claus can come in all shapes and colors and sizes—just like the children and families he visits all over the world each Christmas eve.

Paul Bouchey
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