Highlights
• Queer fiction enhances empathy by helping readers connect emotionally and cognitively with diverse queer experiences.
• Reading queer YA literature supports self-understanding and validates personal identity for queer readers.
• Exposure to queer narratives motivates activism by inspiring readers to challenge stereotypes and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
» 5 mins read
Reading fiction is one of life’s simple pleasures. But not all stories are created equally—especially when it comes to representation. Many books still overlook the lives of socially marginalized groups. This can limit how literature supports diverse readers. Although various posts in different platforms have highlighted the broader benefits of fiction—such as its potential to reduces prejudice or reclaim queer identities and histories through queer historical fiction—there is still a need to more explicitly address how queer fiction affects its queer readers (cf. The Healing Power of Queer Coming-of-Age Stories). Understanding the emotional and social impact of these stories requires a closer look at the readers themselves. How do queer readers engage with queer fiction? And can these stories foster empathy—or even inspire activism?
A new study by Herb and Betts (2024) explores exactly that. Their research looks at how queer readers respond to queer young adult (YA) literature and how these stories shape emotional and social growth.
What Is Queer Fiction?
Queer fiction centers the experiences of people who identify outside traditional gender norms and sexual orientations. This includes individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, non-binary, genderqueer, or genderfluid. The stories often feature queer protagonists and focus on themes such as identity, acceptance, coming out, and relationships that challenge mainstream norms.
These narratives go beyond entertainment. They offer readers a mirror to see themselves and a window into others’ lives—especially for those who rarely see their stories reflected in books.
Inside the Study: How Queer Fiction Was Explored
Herb and Betts (2024) conducted a qualitative study using focus groups1 to explore how queer individuals engage with queer YA literature. Focus groups are ideal for capturing rich, in-depth insights, as they allow participants to express personal thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a shared setting.
The study involved 23 queer participants, all between the ages of 18 and 30. To encourage open discussion and ensure every voice was heard, the researchers divided participants into three smaller focus groups. These groups met once a month over an eight-month period to discuss a series of pre-selected novels featuring queer protagonists.
The selected books reflected a wide spectrum of queer identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, intersex, genderqueer, genderfluid, and non-binary characters. The novels were chosen not only for their literary quality but also for their thematic focus. Specifically, the researchers prioritized stories that included positive or hopeful resolutions and explored themes such as pride, resilience, social justice, empathy, and challenging stereotypes.
By engaging with these narratives over an extended period, participants were able to reflect deeply on both the texts and their own identities, creating a dynamic space for personal growth and shared understanding.
Queer YA Literature Can Enhance Empathy
The findings were striking. Across the groups, participants reported that by reading about characters from various queer backgrounds, they felt more connected to experiences different from their own.
Herb and Betts found queer fiction helps build empathy in multiple ways—emotionally, cognitively, and socially. These stories give readers the opportunity to inhabit perspectives that may be similar to, or different from, their own. For queer readers especially, engaging with queer characters and narratives can validate personal experiences, while also broadening their understanding of the diverse experiences within the queer community. If you’re interested, there’s also an article exploring which neural pathways in the brain are activated when we read fiction. It offers insight into how fiction affects the brain.
Extra Benefits of Espousing to Queer Fiction
In addition to boosting empathy, researchers also found other benefits of engaging with queer fiction. They discovered that queer fiction helped participants:
- Cultivate self-understanding: Many readers saw parts of their own experiences reflected in the stories, which encouraged them to think more deeply about their identity and emotions. This process helped foster greater self-empathy, allowing participants to be kinder and more accepting toward themselves.
- Challenge stereotypes: The books actively countered common harmful stereotypes and negative portrayals of queer people often seen in media and society. Instead, they offered positive, nuanced, and realistic representations of queer identities. This helped participants feel validated and empowered, while also expanding their understanding of the diversity within queer communities.
- Motivate activism: Reading these stories sparked a sense of purpose and social responsibility in several participants. They reported feeling inspired to become more engaged in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and increasing visibility for queer issues within their communities.
Queer fiction doesn’t just reflect reality – it has the power to reshape it. The study showed that when queer individuals engage with stories that mirror their own identities, they don’t just feel seen – they also feel more connected to others. In this way, queer YA fiction is more than just a genre; it’s a crucial resource for emotional growth, exploring identity, and building social connections. Herb and Betts’ research highlights how literature can create a space where empathy flourishes and personal transformation begins.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not offer recommendations, endorse specific practices, or serve as a basis for educational or therapeutic decisions.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not offer recommendations, endorse specific practices, or serve as a basis for educational or therapeutic decisions.
This post is a summary of a peer-reviewed article published in a rigorous scientific journal. For full details, methodology, and context, please refer to the original publication cited here: Herb, A., & Betts, D. (2024). Queering the Book Club: Empathy Development Through Young Adult Literature in Australian Discussion Groups. Children's Literature in Education, 55(3), 432-448. DOI: 10.1007/s10583-022-09512-w.
- A qualitative research method involving guided group discussions used to collect in-depth information on participants’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences about a particular topic. ↩︎