Pride & Caribbean American Heritage Month: United In Pride, Rooted In Resilience
Recommended Reading & Films
Recommended Reading & Films for Pride & Caribbean American Heritage Month: United In Pride, Rooted In Resilience
June invites us to reflect on identity, resilience and liberation as we honor both Pride Month and Caribbean American Heritage Month. These observances celebrate the enduring strength of LGBTQ+ individuals and the vibrant cultural contributions of Caribbean Americans—communities whose stories have often been overlooked, but whose voices continue to shape history, art and advocacy. Literature and film offer powerful entry points into these lived experiences, illuminating personal truths, cultural intersections and the ongoing pursuit of equality. In a time of renewed resistance to inclusion and representation, these works remind us why storytelling matters. By amplifying authors and filmmakers from LGBTQ+ and Caribbean communities, we not only preserve legacies but create space for future narratives grounded in freedom, self-expression and joy.
Books
1. How to Live Free in a Dangerous World by Shayla Lawson - 2024
A powerful collection of essays that blends personal narrative and cultural critique while exploring what it means to find beauty in chaos. Moving across continents and identities, the author investigates the intersections of queerness, disability and race with clarity and boldness. This work disrupts expectations and offers a radical call for freedom and joy amid uncertainty.
2. Gay Science by Rob Anderson - 2024
Through sharp humor and clever analogies, this book deconstructs the myths, labels and assumptions surrounding queer culture. With wit and scientific metaphor, it unpacks how LGBTQ+ people have always been both part of and apart from mainstream society. The result is an insightful and disarming reflection on identity, expression and belonging.
3. Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde - 2009
A seminal collection of essays that challenges systems of oppression while asserting the power of difference. These deeply personal yet political writings explore race, gender, sexuality and power with unwavering insight. Each piece urges readers toward reflection, resistance and collective transformation.
4. Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins - 2025
A gripping novel of a woman seeking to reconcile her past and present across continents, exploring the complex ties of family, displacement and resilience within a Caribbean American context. The story delves into how identity and belonging are shaped by heritage and personal history.
5. Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince by Alliah L. Agostini - 2023
This evocative memoir charts the rise of a young man in Jamaica’s vibrant music scene, capturing the cultural rhythms, struggles and triumphs of life rooted in Caribbean tradition and modern expression. It celebrates the power of music as identity and resistance.
Films
1. Umjolo: There Is No Cure (2025 – Netflix)
After losing her title for publicly exposing a scandal, a former pageant queen works on a tell-all book—all while her love life remains unwritten. This romantic comedy-drama explores themes of love, identity, and resilience.
2. Good Grief (2024 – Netflix)
An artist grieving the loss of his famous writer husband takes his two best friends on a trip to Paris, where they unpack messy secrets and hard truths. This heartfelt dramedy delves into the complexities of grief, friendship and self-discovery.
3. The Wedding Banquet (2025 – in theaters, check local listings)
A reimagining of the 1993 classic, this film centers on two same-sex couples navigating cultural expectations and personal desires. When Min proposes a marriage of convenience to his lesbian friend Angela to secure a green card, they must convince Min’s traditional grandmother of their relationship's authenticity.
4. Mountains (2023- Apple TV)
A poetic exploration of identity and belonging, this film traces the journey of a Caribbean American woman returning home to confront her past and reconnect with her roots. It is a vivid meditation on family, memory and cultural heritage.
5. Fireburn the Documentary (2021- DVD available for purchase)
This documentary chronicles a historic labor revolt in the Virgin Islands, illuminating themes of resistance, empowerment and Caribbean history through powerful testimonies and archival footage. It highlights the intersections of cultural and political identity in the region.
The stories we read and watch shape our collective understanding of love, freedom and identity. Each of these selections offers a window into the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals across generations, geographies and genres—affirming both the universal and the unique. As we reflect during Pride and Caribbean American Heritage Month, these works remind us why representation matters and how storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools in the ongoing pursuit of equality. By uplifting diverse voices, we move closer to a world where every person can live openly, authentically and without fear. These films offer diverse narratives that highlight the multifaceted experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. From personal journeys of self-discovery to explorations of love and resilience, each story contributes to a richer understanding of their lives. Engaging with these works not only celebrates the progress made but also underscores the ongoing pursuit of inclusivity and equality.