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15+ LGBTQ+ Inclusive Fiction for Tweens, Teens and Young Adults (12+)
I’ve always enjoyed reading Teen Fiction, more so nowadays now that I’m in my thirties. As well as the fact that protagonists and characters are more diverse, I just find ...
Lesbemums is an award-winning LGBT Family, Travel and Lifestyle blog created by Kate & Sharon.
Established in 2012, Kate & Sharon share what it’s like to be an LGBTQ family, as well as their adventures around the UK and beyond.
![Happy Pride! 🌈🌈🌈
"But, Kate. Pride Month was last month!?" Well, silly goose, despite the state of brand avatars and shop windows, for LGBTQ people, every month is Pride Month.
I was going to write something timely when June rolled round but I really wasn't feeling it this year. Too often #LGBT people are asked to promote something or share trauma in the name of #PrideMonth, however it often lacks any meaning or sustenance. Don't get me wrong, charities still need their £££ but I'm tired of this. What are these brands doing outside of June? The UK is a mess for LGBTQ folks at the moment. Conversion "tHeRaPiEs" still exist and Trans people are at risk to abuse & violence on a daily basis. Countries around the world are not too dissimilar either. Trans athletes have recently banned from participating in sports and suggestions are being made that same-sex marriage is now at risk following Roe v Wade. There was a shooting in Oslo that targeted an LGBT venue, and a Disney movie featuring a blink-and-you'll-miss-it same-sex kiss has been BANNED in several countries around the world.
My son got called "Gay" the other day in school after telling another kid that he loves his (male) best friend. They were stood in the lunch line. They're seven years old. I probably won't talk much on that as we're still dealing with the after-effects, but don't tell me that langauge like this means something different at his age or in 🙃 2022 🙃 because it sure as hell meant something when this kid heard it from their siblings and/or parent(s).
My heart is breaking at the moment, therefore I need to make it abundantly clear that #Pride is not just something that is "celebrated" once a year in June. We need #LGBTQ allies to step up all year round. We need our voices amplified (and not just the ones you find attractive or palatable) and we need to be invited to conversations, and not debates. We need signatures on petitions and letters to MPs, and we need difficult conversations to be had in our workplaces, schools and in your own home. Right now.
I won't ever stop talking about this, and if it makes you uncomfortable; good, because I am so tired y'all.
[ID in alt-text]](https://i0.wp.com/lesbemums.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/291035703_3386883458198640_2312205437701694378_n.webpfull.jpg?ssl=1)
![This pretty much sums up what after-school looks like at the moment, and although evenings are chaotic as a result we are totally making the most out of this gorgeous weather. ☀️
On a separate note, T appears to have sprouted again, both mentally and physically. It's hard to describe exactly what it is that's different, but I can tell that he's had "upgrade" recently; mainly in the negotiation department, mind you.
The other day, he said that he was "done" with his wooden train track, which - as most long-standing followers will know - has been a staple item of play for the best part of 6 years. So, as you can imagine, the pain in my heart when it went into a box ready for the loft (we're not quite ready to part with it just yet!) was immense. That being said, he's recently got into some new hobbies and interests which are a bit more up my street so silver linings and all that!
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[ID: A picture of T on top of a wooden climbing frame at the park. The sky is bright blue and the weather is sunny. T is a 7 year old white boy. He is wearing a blue baseball cap that said "BHAFC" (which relates to Brighton Albion Football club) in rainbow letters. He's also wearing a pink tie-dye t-shirt and blue denim shorts.]](https://i0.wp.com/lesbemums.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/289084316_130685652973089_435617385019219182_n.webpfull.jpg?ssl=1)
![A Sunday Photo-Dump! 🕶️☀️🌻
We're still here, folks! Just trying to keep our heads above water whilst we're going through a change in routine. I don't know about you, but it takes AGES for me to adjust; much to my annoyance. I just want to get on with it but my brain is like "nope". This has resulted in a few balls dropped and an ever growing washing pile! We're getting there, though.
How are you?
Today we dedicated our day to rest, featuring Sunday lunch at a local pub with daisy chains, and then a mooch around a new garden centre. I've even managed to catch the sun! 🤦
We've been spending a lot of time outside recently, dedicating ourselves to our garden in an attempt to relax, and it's coming along nicely. I've snapped a few photos from today's efforts and I'm so pleased.
Hope you're all okay - service will resume shortly!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
[Image description in alt-text]](https://i0.wp.com/lesbemums.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/287117594_176090378098311_3788074388445213670_n.webpfull.jpg?ssl=1)
![We took a trip to Birmingham yesterday to visit the @ukgamesexpo today and top up our nerdy alteregos.
I'm going to be writing a blog post about our visit soon, as well as sharing some of our favourites from the day, but if you're interested in visiting #UKGE here's a few things we enjoyed about our day:
🎲 Families welcome! As well as a dedicated family area, there are lots of opportunities for children to try out some of the games on offer. Everyone is also super friendly.
🎲 The community. Before we even entered the Expo we were already talking to people who have been visiting for years. People clearly use the expo to meet up with friends, but it's so easy to make new ones.
🎲 Plenty of time to play. No matter where we were in the expo, there was always an opportunity to play. Whether it was trying out a brand new Kickstarter, trying games before you buy, or playing the ones you'd just bought, playing was absolutely a priority.
🎲 Variety. As well as board games, there were also places to learn and play tabletop games and RPGs, tile games and card games, as well as buy merchandise and fan art. There was so much to see and immerse yourself into.
Although it's a whole weekend extravaganza, with talks and tournaments to see as well as the main stalls, we decided just to dip our toes in and visit the one day to check out some new games as well as play some of our old favourites. By the time we were leaving the show though, we'd already decided that we're definitely going to bring the boy with us next year and, hopefully, stay the whole weekend! It was brilliant!
If you were there today, or you're visiting this weekend, let us know your thoughts! If you fancy going, but want to ask some questions, pop them below!
[Image description in alt-text]](https://i0.wp.com/lesbemums.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/285000718_2328646320770177_3134380134556182690_n.webpfull.jpg?ssl=1)
![A good start to Half Term, I'd say.
We've finally reached that point in the year where evenings look like visits to local beaches to throw stones in the sea and pebbles get stuck in your sandals. Where you're constantly checking tide times to catch that one hour where the tide is out and you can find sand to walk on. Where evenings (and bedtimes!) are longer, and shorts replace jackets.
This is the boy's last half term before ending Year 2, and moving into year 3 after the Summer Holidays. In comparison to Year One, Year Two has really taken its time which means I feel more ready for what Year Three is about to bring. You can tell he's ready as well. Whilst there are aspects to him that remind me of his age, there have been so many occasions over the last few weeks that have shown me how mature he is and what a brilliant human he's growing up to be. I can't wait to hang out with him this week.
If you've reached Half Term, we hope you have a good one!
[Image description in alt-text]](https://i0.wp.com/lesbemums.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/283852965_547667143557567_1767100718374460205_n.webpfull.jpg?ssl=1)
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