MLM Literary Fiction
Some classic, popular, and lesser-known books about the lives and relationships of men who love men. Recommendations welcome---I'm specifically in search of more books centering trans men! [Created Sep '25]
created by Loyaute
last updated July, 2026
Comments
I haven't read it yet, but Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas would fit here. I read one review that didn't make this clear for some reason, but it is actually about a young gay trans man. For context: https://themillions.com/2023/09/james-frankie-thomas-found-himself-in-idlewild.html
LoyauteOP
Oh cool, I'll add it! Thank you :D
Awesome, thanks! Tbh I didn't expect to find much, but I was surprised by how difficult it was to track down something, anything
LoyauteOP
Right?? I felt like trans MLM litfic would be a small but still existent niche, but there just doesn't seem to be much out there. I'm really looking forward to checking out your suggestion!
I want to add a qualifier that the more I look at it, it's an egg story, which is I think why a lot of people read it and don't realize that he's trans and gay and reflecting on the time in his life when he didn't realize it either. I'm probably going to come back to this after I've read it and confirm that, or not if that's helpful
LoyauteOP
Leaving a comment here because I've made a lot of additions to this list in the last week or so---it was very sparse when I first created it last year. I'm still on the hunt for books centering trans men*, though, so if y'all have any suggestions please send them my way.
*Specifically looking for books with characters who identify as men (who love men) rather than transmasc nonbinary people.
I recommend Blackouts by Justin Torres
LoyauteOP
I haven't heard of that one! Thanks for the suggestion.
Book recc: A Fine Bromance by Christopher Hawthorne Moss đđ©”đ
LoyauteOP
That looks interesting, thanks for the rec!
