Letters to My Younger Queer Self

Inspiring, influential voices from the LGBTQIA+ community

By: Daniel Harding - editor

‘The compelling stories in this book are funny, uplifting and at times poignant and sad, but always honest. I learned such a lot.’ – Lorraine Kelly

‘A beautifully heartfelt and poignant collection of wisdom, wit, and reflection.’ – William Hanson, author of Just Good Manners

If you could write a letter to your younger queer self, what would you say? What advice would you share? And what would you have really wanted, or needed, to hear?

This heartfelt collection of letters written by eminent queer people across music, television, activism, comedy and politics, is a celebration of self-acceptance and an inspiring resource for anyone who has ever struggled with ‘growing up different’. Each letter is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a powerful reminder that love transcends all.

Contributors include comedian Suzi Ruffell, concert pianist Cyrill Ibrahim, Nadia Whittome MP, Olympic gymnast Andrew Stamp, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Alaska, HIV activist Philip Baldwin, TV personality Ella Morgan and gallery director Robert Diament, to name a few.

(P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

'The compelling stories in this book are funny, uplifting and at times poignant and sad, but always honest. I learned such a lot. Thank you Daniel.' – Lorraine Kelly

'A beautifully heartfelt and poignant collection of wisdom, wit, and reflection. It's a touching reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we can go. Daniel Harding’s words will resonate with anyone who has ever searched for belonging.' – William Hanson, author of Just Good Manners

' At times uplifting and inspiring, often sobering and heartbreaking, this collection of mini memoirs depicts the broad sweep, and instant relatability, of the queer experience – no matter your age and status, you’ll find fragments of yourself in here somewhere.’ - Justin Myers, The Guyliner