This Book Is Gay is a young adult (YA) self-help book. Self-help is a nonfiction genre written by an author who is an expert in one general area of life that others might be struggling with. For example, a marriage counselor might write a self-help book for people with marital issues. Young adult self-help aids young readers in navigating a confusing world that does not educate them properly on certain aspects of life. Topics explored in LGBTQ+ YA self-help include history and general definitions, as well as practical advice about coming out, engaging in safe sex, and cultivating safe relationships. LGBTQ+ issues are a popular subgenre of YA self-help because these topics are generally not covered at home or in school, even in cases where young people have access to sex education. These books are written by older LGBTQ+ community members, who oftentimes use their life experiences to educate younger people. Broader acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community has led to an explosion in the popularity of LGBTQ+ young adult self-help books since the 2010s.

These books often include the author’s account of their negative experiences as a young person. In This Book Is Gay,

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now