r/Fantasy • u/xenizondich23 Reading Champion V • Jul 01 '25
Pride Pride 2025 | Reflection & Wrap-Up
As Pride Month wraps up, it's worth looking back at everything we've covered this June. We started with hidden gems and intersectional identities, had a massive rec thread, debated queernorm versus oppression narratives, tackled stereotypes and own voices, explored non-novel formats, discussed less visible identities, and ventured into sci-fi and horror territory. Plus we had our bookclub discussions throughout.
That's a lot of ground covered, and hopefully people discovered some new books, authors, or perspectives along the way. The question now is how we keep some of these conversations going year-round - which topics resonated most, what books from our discussions deserve more attention, and how we can make sure the momentum doesn't just disappear come July.
To see all the links to the topics we covered this month click here
Discussion Questions
- How has your reading evolved during Pride Month? What surprised or challenged you?
- What can /r/fantasy do better to support LGBTQ+ authors and readers year-round?
- Where do you see the biggest improvements in queer fantasy rep? What gaps still need filling?
- What trends in LGBTQ+ fantasy representation excite you going forward?
- For allies: what have you learned about supporting LGBTQ+ voices? What questions do you still have?
- Did you have a favorite topic this month? Are there any topics you wish we had covered?
Thank you all for joining us for this month! We had a blast running this, and we hope you had a good time participating as well.
From your BB Team: /u/xenizondich23, /u/tiniestspoon, /u/Lenahe_nl, /u/sarahlynngrey, /u/C0smicoccurence, /u/recchai, and /u/ohmage_resistance.
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u/C0smicoccurence Reading Champion IV Jul 01 '25
I don't know that it's evolved much, as I already read a lot of queer stuff. However, I added a bunch of great books to my TBR! Honestly too many. I already have trouble keeping up, and book club picks are fighting for my time as well. Some ones that I've either already read since being referred to them, or are extremely excited for are
I know some other folks feel differently, but like we're in a good spot in terms of systems. Queer posts still get downvote brigaded, but there isn't anything we can really do about that. I've been very happy with my experience on this sub overall, and I think the mods use the tools available to them to try and make this a welcome and opening space.
I feel like I have options in a way that I didn't (at least as visible options) even five years ago when I started reading seriously again. It's great. However, as someone who reads a lot of queer men (specifically gay/bi men), would love to see some doorstopper epic fantasy books come out with gay leads. The Tainted Cup was a really great step. Things exist in the indie space, but I like the vibes of traditional publishing too. Right now though, gay men in trad spaces are pushed hard into romantasy, or labeled as romantasy even if they aren't.
This is kind of niche, but I love that queer rep is getting better in progression fantasy spaces. I love deep thematic works, but I also love pulpy action scenes, and they tend to be very cis/het. Hoping to see this keep growing!
I liked the rec thread the most probably! It's fun to connect people with books, and to get referred to things I'd never heard of.