Voices of our LGBTQIA+ Community

Here at Sephora, we love nothing more than celebrating the identities of our family. Though we know one month - and one round-up - will never be enough to amplify and share the voices of our LGBTQIA+ community, we can try. If you’d like to learn, laugh, and cry with some wonderful humans, check out our proud edit of LGBTQIA+ books, films, tv shows and accounts to follow. You’ll be warmed from the inside out in no time - we just know it.

Books

Diary of a Drag Queen by Crystal Rasmussen

You could say Crystal Rasmussen is a Northern powerhouse, and we’d agree. In this heartfelt memoir, we learn all about their life - from growing up as Tom in a gritty, confined, Lancastrian environment, to blossoming into the iconic drag queen we all know and love today. As someone who always knew they were a drag queen, you’ll ride the rollercoaster of lows and highs on every page of this LGBTQIA+ trailblazer’s diary.

Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez

A fearless debut if there ever was one, this semi-autobiographical coming of age story hits us right in the feels, every single time. Set in the Black Country in the 1950s, follow Jesse - a young black man in a time of political turmoil - as he explores the limits of sexual freedom. Tackling race, class, sexuality and, of course, freedom, it’s an inspiring tale that’ll have you reaching for your own stars.

What it Feels Like for a Girl by Paris Lees

A Nostalgic, debauched, and heartwarming all at once, Lees’ unforgettable debut begins with her early years living as a boy called Byron. She delves into the challenges of navigating the world as a trans woman - but also her triumphs and ambitions. Written entirely in Nottinghamshire dialect, it has an honesty that’s impossible to match, and has long been seen as a book that lends a voice to the often unheard trans community. It’s powerful stuff, and a total must-read.

Unicorn by Amrou Al-Kadhi

Unique in truth but not in sentiment, Al-Kadhi takes us on a heartbreaking but hilarious journey through their life in a strict Iraqi-Muslim household and as a fearless drag queen. We laugh at their defining childhood moment, where they announce their love for Macaulay Culkin family-wide. We also ride the waves of the fallout. A story about understanding, forgiveness, and about the ever-changing relationship with their mother, but most of all, one about Amrou’s fight to live their truth. As Amrou, as Glamrou - as themselves. Major fans will be pleased to know Unicorn is now in the works for a stunning TV adaptation.

Queer Intentions by Amelia Abraham

Asking the questions many of us are scared to delve into, this book is one for the ages. Mixing honesty, comedy and, as Waterstones says, ‘a little bit of magic’, we go on a thought-provoking journey through today’s challenges as a member of the queer community. More rights and options might be available in some corners of the world, but who is left behind, and what are the modern issues they’re facing? Just a taste of what Abraham tackles, you’ll find these questions asked to the backdrop of a gripping personal memoir.

Rosewater by Liv Little

Described by critics as ‘deliciously gritty and strikingly bold’, Liv Little’s debut novel is anything but ordinary. Following Elsie - 28 year old poet living in South London - this is a tender tale of healing, home and intergenerational love. Featuring the poetry of Kai-Isaiah Jamal, each page takes us on Elsie’s journey as she finds her place in a changing world, realising her feelings for her best friend along the way. 

Transitional by Munroe Bergdorf

From writer and activist, Munroe Bergdorf comes a powerhouse memoir about - you guessed it - transitioning. Defined as the alignment between the invisible and the physical, Munroe delves into how integral transitioning is to every single human being - no matter who we are. Drawing on theory from experts and activists alike, this life-changing book is infused with Munroe’s personal experiences and reflections - culminating in a truly phenomenal book.

Films and TV Shows

Heartstopper

Earlier this year, Heartstopper burst onto our small screens in a big way. Just about exploding with joy, teenage angst and hope, it’s a show that explores the lives of teenage members of the LGBTQIA+ community in a way we haven’t really seen before. Based off the bestselling graphic novel, follow Charlie and his friends as they navigate the challenges teenagers face under the modern binaries of today’s world. None of us could stop smiling when we watched this as each tender moment is brought to life beautifully, and never unrealistically. When you sit down to watch, we challenge you not to cry at this deliciously nostalgic tale of first love.

Booksmart

Not your typical coming of age, high school drama, this touching tale of two seniors just about to head off into the big, wide world resonated with many of us - and for good reason. We see Amy conquer challenge by challenge to let her true self shine by the end, and we couldn’t be happier watching it unfold. Sure, there are some difficult moments to watch, but the natural, three-dimensional way each character is woven into the tale makes us all laugh and cry with them at each moment. A story about sexuality, confidence, and ultimately, friendship. We know you’re smiling already.

120BPM

It’s hard to articulate exactly how devastating the AIDS epidemic has been to the gay community - not least because of the horrific stigmatisation that followed. This French masterpiece in cinema does a pretty good job, though. Centered around the activism of AT UP Paris in the 1990s, we see a group united in turmoil and hope against a government who doesn’t care about their plight enough. As the story unfolds, we delve into the lives of each member of the group to see how HIV has affected each of them. Critically acclaimed across the board, it’s touching, harrowing and funny in equal measures.We couldn’t recommend it enough.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

No documentary has shed light on the transgender rights movement as this hard-hitting documentary. Though it centres on Victoria Cruz’s harrowing investigation of Marsha P. Johnson’s death, it’s not your usual true-crime flick. This complex piece explores the lives of drag queens of colour and activists, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries in New York from the 1960s through to the 1990s, and exposes the ongoing battle the community faces for equality - both in the past and today.

Pride

No-one knows how to tackle important topics with humour quite like British filmmakers, and Pride happily fits into this category. Based on a true story, we begin the film in a time of political turmoil, in the heart of the London miners’ strikes of 1984. In a tale of struggle, class, community and hope, we watch as Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) are formed to help families affected by the strikes. A hard watch at times, but miraculously hopeful at others, the winding road to solidarity has never been portrayed better. One always worth watching in our books.

Where Have All the Lesbians Gone?

Doing what Channel 4 does best, this nostalgic documentary shines a light on the politics that surround what it means to be a lesbian in 2022. Directed by Brigid McCall and captured by Vic Lentaigne - both lesbians - it’s a series of intimate portraits of exactly what it means to be a lesbian today. Exploring lesbian pop culture moments that display an array of experiences, alongside personal anecdotes from a group of women across generations, each part of this beautifully filmed documentary culminates in a moving and celebratory masterpiece we’d all do well to watch.

Feel Good

Drawing on the experience of everyone’s favourite queer comedian, Mae Martin, this semi-autobiographical comedy drama is far more than your average romance tale. Encompassing addiction and queer love, it’s undeniably funny - but also captures intimate moments with an incredible tenderness. Making us laugh, cry and everything inbetween, it’s impossible not to fall in love with Mae’s character. Following their romance with George, and spotlighting Mae coming to terms with their identity, don’t blame us when you hit repeat the second it’s over.

Accounts to follow

@charlie_craggs (She/Her)

It’s impossible not to add award-winning activist, author and media personality, Charlie Craggs to our too-small list of people to follow on Instagram. Among other trailblazing traits, she is known for her pioneering campaign, Nail Transphobia, which aims to smash any misconceptions and reduce hate against the trans community. Dubbed ‘voice of a community’ by Vogue, we can see exactly why she’s made waves for all the right reasons.

@glamrou (They/Them/Theirs)

Insta handle sound familiar? Any eagle-eyed readers are sure to spot writer, author, filmmaker further up on our list for their stunning debut, Unicorn. Known for their acerbically witty drag performances, Glamrou is a voice we just love to celebrate. With plenty of exciting projects in the works, we can’t wait to see more of them coming up. If you’d like to catch this iconic voice in the flesh, make sure to catch their self-titled, one person show Glamrou: From Qran to Queen at Soho Theatre while you can.

@tomglitter (They/Them)

Another familiar face - Tom Rasmussen is an author, musician and all-round incredible human, who you may sometimes spot as vibrant drag artist, Crystal Rasmussen. Unapologetically northern, those who meet Tom always say one thing: you fall in love immediately. Now swimming, writing and performing in the concrete waters of London, you can catch their words in Vogue, or in their beautifully touching memoir, Diary of a Drag Queen.

@fancyshews (She/Her)

We love nothing more than a bold, 80s vibe, and Fancy Shews, aka Georgie Bee delivers in spades. Describing herself as shoe designer by day, drag queen and DJ by night, there is far more to her than meets our glittered-glam eyes. Known for her unmatched attention to detail and unforgettable appearances in numerous music videos, art films, and press publications, you can catch her in her element performing as nightlife’s official professional nudist - from Ibiza to London to Beirut.

@char_bailey_ (She/Her/They)

You may recognise Char as one of our Sephora family - and we feel nothing but pride including her on this must-follow list. Writer, Autism advocate, model and forever a champion of Otherness, she exudes warmth in a way not many people do. Proudly a black woman, a lesbian and neurodivergent, her prescence is nothing but infectious. To see her own each of her intersectional identities with nothing but joy, read her words in Diva Magazine, or on each tenderly worded Instagram post - the choice is totally up to you.

@meganjaynecrabbe (She/Her)

Bestselling writer, presenter *and* host, there isn’t anything Megan Jayne Crabbe can’t do. With body love at the heart of what she does, you might know Megan from her bestselling book, Body Positive Power - which recounts her own winding journey with her body. Bringing the same energy to her account, you’ll find an uplifting and empowering space that encourages all of us to take up the space we deserve. As she says, we don’t make ourselves smaller here.

@tanyacompas (She/They)

Touted as one of the most inspiring people to follow on Instagram, Tanya Compas is a British youth worker and LGBTQIA+ rights activist. Starting out at the Albert Kennedy Trust working with homeless LGBTQIA+ homeless people, they drew on their own experience of being made homeless after bringing a girlfriend home and has chanelled this compassion endlessly since. Going on to found Exist Loudly - a space committed to creating care and community for queer black people - they’re all about documenting their joy, and we love to see it.

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