LGBTQ+ realities in modern litterature

Why diversify your readings?

Diversified readings are novels and books written by LGBTQ+ people, racialized people, people with handicaps, etc. Reading in a more diversified way broadens our horizons, and helps us understand new realities. Sometimes, it can also feel like reading about our own life, and that can lead to figuring out some important things about ourselves.

There is not only one story. Each person has their own, and that’s why portraying different people with different realities is necessary. We all have our own problems and questionings, but knowing about others’problems makes us more empathetic, and thus, stronger. What’s more, when the story is echoing our own life, we suddenly realize that we are not the only ones struggling. And that can help us cope with any situation.

It can be so reassuring to hear : «You are not the only non-binary person that exists.», «You are not the only one that doesn’t know how to deal with your coming out», «I, too, found it difficult to be a non-heterosexual immigrant person.». Diversity in medias is enabling people, that are often considered as invisible, to express themselves. Indeed, when we don’t hear about a community, we can feel like that group doesn’t exist. Let’s commit to diversify our readings to make all those realities shine!

During the Montreal Book Fair 2018 (Salon du livre 2018 de Montréal), there will be activities on the topic of LGBTQ+ realities. First, there will be a quiz on Wednesday 14 November at 11.00 am, by author Samuel Champagne, about LGBTQ+-related myths and realities. There will also be a discussion about gender identities and sexual diversity in youth litterature on Sunday 18 November at 11.15 am, with Stéphanie Boulay, Samuel Champagne, Simon Boulerice and Amélie Dumoulin.
Note: Those activities are in French only.