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vqlibrary.bsky.social
Virtual Queer Library
@vqlibrary.bsky.social
110 followers 76 following 44 posts
A semi-virtual bookshelf of LGBTQ+ stories, knowledge, and history. 🍉 #BlackLivesMatter #ProtectTransKids
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vqlibrary.bsky.social
Remy is having a very happy problem today, as three books they had on hold all came in at once!!!!
…they’re going to prioritize the next book in @tkingfisher.com “Sword Soldier” series.
The cover of “What Stalks the Deep” which features a half decayed bear skull.
November 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Due to inclement weather, the Toms River Pride Parade has been canceled this weekend. Stay tuned for the rescheduled date! We will be there- and so will our transgender mice!!!
A knitted plushie mouse in trans pride colors with emoji thunderclouds hovering over it.
June 13, 2025 at 10:54 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Sadly, MerMay has come to an end. But we’re finishing with a splash- with an interview with @morgandante.bsky.social about their sapphic Lovecraftian horror/ romance “Providence Girls”.
Read our full conversation here:
vqlibrary.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-me...
Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon Book Recommendation “Providence Girls” by Morgan Dante -sapphic romance -Lovecraftian horror Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon “Providence Girls” “Cosmic horror isn't meant to concern itself with the insignificant relationships of humans. Understandably, this is an irreconcilable combo for some. But for me, I think the connections we form are ways we can combat the cynicism and horror of what we cannot control. It doesn't make the world less scary, but it makes it less lonely.” -Morgan Dante (they/them) Read our full conversation with Morgan Dante on our blog, vqlibrary.blogspot.com
May 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
We were so excited to talk with Jason June about his book “Out of the Blue” for MerMay! Read our full conversation here!

vqlibrary.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-me...
Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon Book Recommendation “Out of the Blue” by Jason June -nonbinary main character -gender/ sexuality exploration -fake dating Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon “Out of the Blue” “Crest, our protagonist, is a merperson who loves the ocean. Along the way, they have to come to terms with falling in love with a human and facing the conundrum of how to choose between their love for a person or a place when they literally can’t choose both.” -Jason June (he/him) Read our full conversation with Jason June on our blog, vqlibrary.blogspot.com
May 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Our next #Mermay interview was with Ann Claycomb (she/her) author of “The Mermaid’s Daughter”, a modern look at the Little Mermaid story.
Read the full conversation here:

vqlibrary.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-me...
Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon Book Recommendation “The Mermaid’s Daugher” by Ann Claycomb -sapphic romance -reimagined fairy tale -opera Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon “The Mermaid’s Daugher” “Women with power(s) of their own, who don’t need/want men, have historically been suspect for all kinds of reasons, and I wanted it 100% clear that the sea witches are not evil.” -Ann Claycomb (she/her) Read our full conversation with Ann on our blog, vqlibrary.blogspot.com
May 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
We’re celebrating the final week of MerMay with mini interviews from some of the authors featured on our MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon list! First up is @rosesantoriello.bsky.social and “Haunt Me, Baby”! Read the full interview here:
vqlibrary.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-me...
Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon Book Recommendation “Haunt Me, Baby” by Rose Santoriello -sapphic -monster romance Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay LGBTQ+ Readathon “Haunt Me Baby” “Monster Romance kind of has two subcategories—scary and cozy. The scary monster romances often feel like a Romantasy, just with a very non-human love interest. The other size is much more cozy! And reads a lot like contemporary, but with cute monsters.” Rose Santoriello (they/ them) Read our full conversation with Rose on our blog, vqlibrary.blogspot.com
May 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Here’s a template you can use to tell us what you’re reading for the MerMay 2025 LGBTQ+ Readathon!!!
Background: pastel rainbow fish scales. Dark blue text reads “MerMay 2025 LGBTQ+ Readathon. Currently Reading. In the center is a book-shaped lavender square with a dark blue border. At the bottom are silhouettes of two mermaids holding Pride flags.
May 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Let’s Go!!!!! MerMay 2025!!!!
Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text in dark blue script reads “Let’s Go !!!”
May 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
We had so much fun at @trreadathon.bsky.social that we’re doing it again! …kind of.
We’re hosting a MerMay reading event where we encourage people to read LGBTQ+ books featuring merfolk/ sea creatures! Signup form and suggested reading list in our 🌲!! #MerMay #MerMay2025
linktr.ee/vqlibrary
Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Text: MerMay 2025 LGBTQ+ Readathon Hosted by the VQ Library In the center of the image is our logo, which shows a book with rainbow pages lying open, a small pink heart floating out of the book. Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Heading: How MerMay Works Text: During the month of May, we are going to read books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and merpeople! You can join us! Make a pledge to read LGBTQ+ merperson themed books during May and to donate money to an LGBTQ+ organization for each book you finish. (You decide what amount to pledge.) Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Heading: How MerMay Works Text: Sign up via our Google Form (link in bio) so we know how many readers have joined our pod. We also have a list of Merfolk themed LGBTQ+ books! Tell your friends! Encourage them to swim along with us on this journey or ask them to match your pledge! Background: a pastel rainbow gradient in the pattern of fish scales. The silhouette of a mermaid holds a Progress Pride flag. Text is dark blue script. Heading: Suggested Organizations Text: You can fundraise for any LGBTQ+ organization but here are two suggestions: Mermaids UK- Aside from their on-theme name, “Mermaids has been supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995.” Virtual Queer Library- A small organization dedicated to making sure LGBTQ+ stories- real and fictional- are accessible to all. We offer a free mail-order library service of LBGTQ+ books, as well as lectures and discussions on LGBTQ+ themes in media.
April 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
In this time of increasing censorship, it is more important than ever that trans people are represented in the stories we tell and trans histories are preserved and taught.
But visibility is not enough. Here’s to the Trans Day of Safety, of Belonging, of Equality, of Joy.
A white plushie bunny with pink and blue accents and the trans symbol on its chest. This is the Trans bunny from American McGee. She is reading a copy of “The Spirit Bares Its Teeth” by Andrew Joseph White.
March 31, 2025 at 11:50 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
A recap heading into the final weekend of the Trans Rights Readathon!!! @trreadathon.bsky.social Thirteen books read and $325 raised for @transrescue.org.web.brid.gy Three days left- LET’S GO!!!!!!
A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below are five rectangles with a thick blue border. All are filled in, with the covers of “Hell Followed With Us” “Survival & Other Surprises” “Sisters of the Lost Nation” “I Feed Her To the Beast” and “I Am The Dark…”. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “ A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below are five rectangles with a thick blue border. All are filled in, with the covers of “Survival & Other Surprises” “Compound Fracture” “Peter Darling” “Most Ardently” and “Sir Callie and the Champions of Hellstone”. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “ A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below are five rectangles with a thick blue border. Three are filled in, with the covers of “Old Wounds” “The Trauma Cleaner” and “The Thirty Names of Night”. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “ A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below, text reads “I’m fundraising for” and “Currently raised”, with dotted lines beside them for people to fill in the answers. Pink lettering states that we have raised $325 for Trans Rescue. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “
March 29, 2025 at 3:32 AM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
The first weekend of Trans Rights Readathon is over, and here’s how we’ve done so far! Four books read and $100 raised for @transrescue.org.web.brid.gy !!!!
@trreadathon.bsky.social
A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below, text reads “I’m fundraising for” and “Currently raised”, with dotted lines beside them for people to fill in the answers. Pink lettering states that we have raised $100 for Trans Rescue. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “ A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below are five rectangles with a thick blue border. Four are filled in, with the covers of “Hell Followed With Us” “Survival & Other Surprises” “Sisters of the Lost Nation” and “I Feed Her To the Beast”. They are in the shape of book covers. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “
March 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Remy is so excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC of “Survival and Other Surprises” as part of their Trans Rights Readathon!! #trr2025 #transrightsreadathon @casperfalls.bsky.social
Background- a swirling gradient of pink and light blue. A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below is a large rectangle with a thick blue border in the shape of a book cover. Inside is the cover of “Survival & Other Surprises”, which shows a plushie leopard wearing an N95 mask and a hospital gown. Below, large letters read “Currently Reading”. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “
March 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
TOMORROW is the start of the Trans Rights Readathon!! @trreadathon.bsky.social We made these graphics to keep track of the books we read and the funds we raise. Feel free to copy them and use them too! #trr2025 #transrightsrradathon
Background- a swirling gradient of pink and light blue. A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below, text reads “I’m fundraising for” and “Currently raised”, with dotted lines beside them for people to fill in the answers. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “ Background- a swirling gradient of pink and light blue. A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below are five rectangles with a thick blue border. They are in the shape of book covers. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “ Background- a swirling gradient of pink and light blue. A heading of blue text reads “Trans Rights Readathon”. Below is a large rectangle with a thick blue border in the shape of a book cover. Below, large letters read “Currently Reading”. At the bottom, blue text says “ #trr2025 @transrightsreadathon Graphics by @vqlibrary “
March 21, 2025 at 2:37 AM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Next week is Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week!
We’re so excited to celebrate alongside Aubri Lancaster (Bri/she) of @acesexeducation.bsky.social !
On Monday, February 17th, at 7pm EST, we will be joining Aubri on Instagram Live to talk about two books featuring Aromantic representation.
Background: A gradient representation of the colors of the Aromantic flag: dark green, light green, white, grey, and black. Text: The Aromantic Bookshelf- A conversation on aromantic representation in both fiction and nonficton books. Monday, February 17th, 7pm EST Featuring Aubri Lancaster (Bri/ she) of AceSexEducation and the team of the Virtual Queer Library. Design: In the bottom corners are two circular graphics. One is a photo of Aubri, a light-skinned Jewish Demi-Femme person wearing a teal headscarf with a tail to the side, a necklace, and a blue collared shirt. The other is the VQ Library logo, which shows an open book with rainbow pages and a pink heart floating above it. Background: A gradient representation of the colors of the Aromantic flag: dark green, light green, white, grey, and black. Text: “The Bruising of Qilwa”; Naseem Jamnia Design: The cover of “The Bruising of Qilwa”. A background of red and purple swirling designs frame a drawing of a red and tan city within yellow walls. A hand hovers over the scene. Background: A gradient representation of the colors of the Aromantic flag: dark green, light green, white, grey, and black. Text: “The Other Significant Others”; Rhaina Cohen Design: The cover of “The Other Significant Others” which features a light blue gradient background and a stack of brightly colored teacups and saucers.
February 13, 2025 at 6:25 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Celebrating Black Queer History w/ @iamgmjohnson.bsky.social ‘s “Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known”. This book introduces young audiences to some of the central figures of the Harlem Renaissance, and how their queerness played an integral role in their lives and works.
The cover of “Flamboyants”, featuring a painting of a dark skinned woman wearing a jeweled tiara and many feathers, dancing.
February 4, 2025 at 10:24 PM
vqlibrary.bsky.social
Our first read for Black History Month explores an episode of Black history- and of labor history- that is not talked about nearly enough. The Port Chicago 50, by Steve Sheinkin.
Read Black History. Celebrate Black History. Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise.
The cover of “The Port Chicago 50” by Steve Sheinkin. The cover features art of five Black men in Navy uniforms from the 1940s.
February 2, 2025 at 2:46 AM