Hey, y’all! I am here with the continuation of the list.
But before I start with the recommendations, let’s see if you know some important facts about pride month. It is often assumed to be a celebration of queerness, which it is, but it is so much more.
In June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn in the United States and it is one of the darkest and most revolutionary parts of queer history. As much as it pains me to say this, queer people are denied their rights in almost all countries in some way or the other.
In June 1970, the first pride parade set off in the commemoration of one year of the Stonewall Riots. President Bill Clinton eventually declared June as the “Gay and Lesbian Month” and then June was adopted to be the official pride month.
But honestly? There is no celebration when each day a person belongs to the LGBTQIA+ acronym feels it's better to not exist than live with their identity. And hence, it is important to listen to queer voices, and understand their struggle while celebrating queer joy. You cannot do one without the other.
We should not stop reading content that shows us not-so-perfect queer characters.
1. Heartstopper
Yes, it will make you swoon to the next level. Aespa listeners, this webtoon is really on the next level. Dealing with heavy topics while being the cutest, this is one of the awesome picks for you!
Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?
2. Kiss it Goodbye
Just read this webtoon plsssss!
A slice of life, coming of age wlw webcomic about two girls in Japan, Aruka and Yukimi.
3. Gourmet Hound
Be prepared with a handkerchief along with a side of a good serving of food, because this webtoon will make you bawl your eyes out and make you super hungry.
With amazing life lessons and romance in the air, you need to read this!
Lucy, a woman with an uncanny sense of taste and smell, discovers that her favorite restaurant has changed kitchen staff--and she does not know the identity of the chef whose cooking she's loved for years. When a lucky accident leads her to two former chefs at Dimanche, she decides that she will do her utmost to track down each of their old colleagues in order to rediscover that "perfect taste".
4. Freaking Romance
Freaking Romance is literally that FREAKING romance. With its freakiness and meaningful plot, this will make you FEEL things.
A sexy supernatural story about being out on your own, finding your dream apartment and discovering that your new place is haunted by a handsome spectral stranger from another dimension. Sure, HE can’t see you and YOU can’t touch him, but who said every relationship starts out perfectly?
Diya Gupta is an about-to-be 20 year old human using she/they pronouns based in India. They love to research and write informative topics related to art, entertainment, society and books. She enjoys her time listening to songs, creating scenarios, reading, dancing or doodling while trying to keep up with college work. You can find them on Instagram @blithesquesttoread.