↓ Similar Reading Experiences ↓

A woman struggles with her sex addiction as she recalls her last long-term relationship with an ex who experienced SA while they were together. Another protagonist watches their transgender nephew experience familial support that they never had. And a gay couple living in a city known for its history of homophobia is at odds when one wants a child and the other doesn’t.

These are just three stories within Lydia Conklin’s brilliant collection, Rainbow Rainbow: Stories. I am so thankful that I read this book because as beautiful and thoughtful the language is, it also felt informative, spreading awareness and giving a voice to communities still underrepresented on our screens, in our books, and in positions of power. My favorite stories, interestingly, featured the younger protagonists: “Pioneer” and “The Black Winter of New England.” I think this is because Conklin shows how we struggle even as children with topics like identity, gender and sexual orientation, self-loathing and self-love.

PSA: It’s critical to continue seeking out LGBTQIA+ voices after Pride month ends in a matter of days. Each of us should especially search for those voices we may know the least about. I am grateful for the insights this collection has given me regarding the emotional, mental, and physical battles that one goes through while transitioning. And I hope to continue to educate myself on non-binary identities as well. 

Please buy this book for yourselves, donate it to your local library, gift it to friends or family. Do anything to make this book more accessible to the world.