I first heard about A Dutiful Boy when I was listening to an episode of Homo Sapiens. It was absolutely fascinating listening to Mohsin and what it was like growing up in a Muslim household as a gay person.

A Dutiful Boy follows Mohsin’s journey through family life, love and being authentic to yourself; even if you’re faced with several challenges along the way.

Another Podcast find, this time via Out with Suzi Ruffell, Mama’s Boy is a memoir by Dustin Lance Black. For me and many others, he is best known for writing the Oscar-winning screenplay for Milk as well as being an LGBTQ Activist, Producer and Director. He also happens to be Olympic Gold Medallist, Tom Daley’s, husband!

Mama’s Boy follow’s Black whilst growing up in a conservative Mormon household in Texas, and then later when he comes out to his family. This book shares topics on religion, identity and politic, and is a fascinating read.

Deborah Anne Dyer, better known by their stage name ‘Skin’, is a British singer, songwriter and DJ and is the lead vocalist for Skunk Anansie.

If you were anything like me in the 90’s and 00’s you would have grown up listening to Skunk Anansie.

It Takes Blood and Guts explores Skin’s early years, growing up in a working class, Jamaican family as well through the 1990’s Britpop years. Expect conversations around intersectionality and microaggressions.

“It’s not supposed to be easy, particularly if you’re a woman, you’re black or you are gay like me.“

Recommended to us by our friends 2 Dads and a Little Lad, I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves “will educate twentysomethings (or other adolescents-at-heart) on what NOT to do if they ever want to become happy fully functioning grown-ups with a 401k and a dog.” The book has even made it’s way onto Netflix, which aired in 2019.

The book talks honestly and earnestly about being a gay man and the complexities of having cerebral palsy, while also making politically incorrect jokes as seen on his blog; Thought Catalogue. Ryan O’Connell is a writer, director, comedian, as well as an LGBT Activist and Disability Advocate.

Unless you’ve had your head in the sand, you will probably know who Jonathan Van Ness (aka JVN). If not, then you should at least know the show Queereye.

JVN is a gorgeous, flamboyant bundle of pure joy, and Over the Top details the “pain and passion it took to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today”.

As well as an author, JVN is also an American hairdresser, podcast host, activist, actor, and television personality. In 2020, Van Ness also released a children’s picture book titled Peanut goes for the Gold.

Although better known for being the first winner of Pop Idol, Will Young is now a multi-platinum recording artist and Olivier-nominee, as well as Actor and Podcast co-host.

This book takes you back to pre-Pop Idol and talks about Young’s life when being called “gay” in school came with long-term internal shame and low self-esteem throughout childhood and beyond.

“Here you will find a friend, champion and mentor, breaking taboos with frank honesty, and offering invaluable practical advice on overcoming the difficult issues too often faced within the LGBTQ+ community.“

What is there to say about Elton John?

This book starts from the very beginning and takes you on a wild journey through childhood, his career and addiction, all the way to marriage and parenthood with husband David Furnish.

The book is everything you’d expect.

It’s fun, racy, candid and honest.

Our only biomythography (narrative that combines myth, history, and biography) on the list is by American poet Audre Lorde.

Lorde writes that “Zami” is “a Carriacou name for women who work together as friends and lovers“. Carriacou is the Caribbean island from which Lorde’s mother immigrated. Lorde begins Zami writing that “she owes her power and strength to the women in her life, and much of the book is devoted to detailed portraits of other women“.

A more detailed plot summary can be found here.

Jamie Windust is an award-winning non-binary writer, model and speaker from London, and has been named as one of London’s most influential people.

In Their Shoes is Jamie’s first book and details life as a non-binary person; sharing stories from their childhood to ones about fashion, dating and mental health. Within the book they also address some of the many challenges faced by trans people. A must-read.

“Frank, funny, and brilliantly feisty, this must-read book is a call to arms for non-binary self-acceptance, self-appreciation and self-celebration.”

Miriam Margoyles (OBE) is a National Treasure, and a hilarious one at that.

Whether you know her as Professor Sprout (Harry Potter) or The Nurse from 90’s flick Romeo & Juliet, you’re bound to know Miriam Margoyles. Thanks to shows such as The Real Marigold and Miriam & Alan, she’s become quite the icon and is subject of several Tik Tok videos!

This Much is True is an invitation into Miriam’s world; sharing some of the most bizarre, outrageous encounters you’ll ever read about; from one involving The Queen to posing nude as a teenager.

“From the moment a doctor put ‘male’ on Jacob Tobia’s birth certificate, everything went wrong. Alongside ‘male’ came many other, far less neutral words: words that carried expectations about who Jacob was and who Jacob should be, words like ‘masculine’ and ‘aggressive’ and ‘cargo shorts’ and ‘SPORTS]’ Naturally sensitive, playful, creative, and glitter-obsessed, as a child Jacob was given the label sissy“.

Through Jacob’s lens, this story invites you to challenge all that you know about Gender. Revisit Jacob’s childhood to their visit to the White House. This heartwarming, candid book will make you laugh and cry.

Even if you’re not into The Olympics or Diving, Tom Daley should be a recognisable name to most. Following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Daley is now the most decorated British diver of all time.

Married to screenwriter and LGBTQ Activist Dustin Lance Black, Daley is also a father and avid crochetier.

Coming Up for Air is a Sunday Times Best Seller and offers a unique insight into Tom’s life as a father, a husband, activist and athlete.

Captain of the Welsh Rugby team as well as the British Lions, Rugby allowed Gareth Thomas to lead men and be everything; apart from himself.

In 2009, Gareth Thomas (CBE) came out as Gay; making him the first openly gay professional rugby union player. In 2019, he announced that he is HIV positive. Since then, he has actively campaigned to “break the stigma” around the illness.

Proud details “the story of a man with a secret that was slowly killing him”.

Our final book and sportsperson featured in this list is All In by Billie Jean King; a detailed reflection of Jean’s tennis career and activism within the social justice world.

Famous for her watershed defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous “Battle of the Sexes”, King spent six years as the top-ranked woman in the world, with twenty Wimbledon championships under her belt as well as thirty-nine grand-slam titles.

“[Billie Jean King] offers insights and advice on leadership, business, activism, sports, politics, marriage equality, parenting, sexuality, and love“