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Looking for a steady supply of lgbtq+ short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

150+ Lgbtq+ Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Discover incredible works of queer fiction right here, on this page of fresh new LGBTQ+ stories.

Lgbtq+ Short Stories – Page 2 of 10

A Beginner’s Guide to Dying Just Enough

Submitted to Contest #307

I’m not a very brave person, naturally. I’m what they called a “good girl,” a “poor soul,” a “miracle baby.” My mother died in childbirth. I was a C-section, and—like they so often do with Black mothers—the doctors let her die from something as simple as ignoring her blood pressure, despite my dad’s pleas for help.Knowing this growing up made me paranoid about doing anything that could kill me, whether the danger was real or imagined. My dad, with his kind, sad eyes and ever-ready hugs, did not share my fear. He tried fruitlessly to get me o...

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The Portraits of Camasmere Academy

Submitted to Contest #307

Cassandra Montague was tucked into the corner of Camasmere Academy’s grand library, halfway through Villette by Charlotte Bronte, when she heard a commotion by the stairs. She didn’t need to look up to recognise the sharp, honeyed sting of Portia Lavinia Cavendish, Year 12’s undisputed Queen Bee, her usual lackeys flanking her like guards. Fleur Wynthorpe, who looks down her nose at everyone, despite her parents barely keeping their business afloat. And Briony Harrington, their shadow and Cassie’s former friend, standing behind them like alw...

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Glass Unicorn

Submitted to Contest #307

I wandered aimlessly around the museum, trying to settle my racing heart. I had a mission, a purpose for this little visit- to find the White Family Bible and uncover any secrets or revelations I could about our family’s generational curse and the raven mocker. However, a nostalgic part of my brain also just wanted to walk around the East Tennessee History Center and breathe in the history. It was strangely grounding and cathartic to surround myself with stories from the past. I entered the exhibit entitled Voices of the Past. My steps quive...

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Possession

Submitted to Contest #307

The crimson glow of the neon sign painted the dive bar in hues of danger and desire. Hazel, a creature woven from shadows and centuries, watched from her shadowed booth. Her eyes, the color of ancient sapphires, fixated on a woman perched at the bar, nursing a cheap beer. The woman, plump and unsuspecting, exuded an aura of naïve sweetness. Hazel craved her, deeply. Not just her blood, though that was a given, but her very essence. To claim her as her own- body, blood, and soul was a hunger Hazel hadn’t felt in decades.As Hazel moved, a pred...

8 likes 2 comments 2
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The Bell Beneath Caldera Street

Submitted to Contest #307

They say if you walk Caldera Street just past midnight, the air itself leans in to listen.A cracked bronze bell hangs from the archway of a long-abandoned church at the street's end. It hasn't run in decades--not since the fire--but those who know, say it never stopped sounding. You just have to hear it right. You have to listen with your bones.Lenn never believed in stories like that. Not until the night Emri slipped him the key. It started at a gallery. The kind where everyone pretends they know what paint is trying to say. Lenn was there ...

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Straight to Voicemail

Submitted to Contest #306

(Content warning: This story is about homophobia! It doesn't feature slurs or violence, but be warned.) CHLOE <3 – OUTGOING CALL – June 13, 2025 5:23 PMHi, this is Chloe! Sorry I missed your call. You can try again later or leave a message. That, or you can join us in this century and text me. I'll make sure to get right back to you!(A beep.)JESSHey. I haven't heard from you all week so I wanted to make sure you're alive. I guess you could've actually died, or lost your phone, but I don't think that's it. (Pause.)Okay, I also wanted to ma...

8 likes 1 comment 1
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Between the Lines

Submitted to Contest #306

Part 1: The Revelation VOICE NOTE TRANSCRIPT – From: Cait – To: Bestie (Unsent)Cait: (Voice is a raw, ragged whisper, laced with barely contained panic) Oh my God. You are not going to believe this. Ali’s laptop. She left it open. I shouldn't have looked, but she’s been so distant. I’m desperate to understand. And it’s worse than I thought.(Pause, a shaky breath)It’s all about Sam, an old friend. Pages about their "connection"—things unsaid, moments that clearly meant the world to her. It reads like constant yearning. She describes Sam’s sce...

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Come What May

Submitted to Contest #307

They come to the village at sunset, the bard and her companion. The bard is a white-haired woman with a warm voice, Tecima; she's broad-shouldered, strong, ready to laugh, and it's obvious that she wields her guitar as easily as the long knife on her belt. She offers to sing and to share news for supper, and the village immediately agrees. They're a bit away from the traditional trading pathways, and both news and songs are always hard to come by. Maryam's father is in charge of the food stores and festivities, and Maryam always lurks when...

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Dear Diary, Tell Me Who To Be

Submitted to Contest #306

September 17, 2015Dear Diary,This is my very first entry in my brand new diary!! Ema got it for me for my b-day since I love to write. I can’t wait to write about my life in here every day. I have soccer practice soon so I have to stop but I will write more tomorrow. Bye!!!-Lilah September 18, 2015Dear Diary,Something interesting happened today. A boy in my class, Oliver, told me that another boy in my class, Henry, like-likes me. I just moved here so I don’t really know Henry that well, but people seem to like him. Mia told me I’m real luck...

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Fresh Start Cake

Submitted to Contest #306

Fresh Start CakeServes 6-8 I discovered this recipe by accident when I was in my early-30s. I’ve since tweaked the ingredients and steps now that I know what I’m doing. Enjoy! Ingredients:- A repressed queer identity. Store bought is fine, but it’s best if it is sourced from a religious upbringing.- A husband. Doesn’t matter where you found him, his quality is irrelevant to the final product.- A new living space. Must be as fresh as possible.- Friends. Best if sourced from the queer community.- A new life goal, preferably one you previously...

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Egan's Creek Simulator

Submitted to Contest #306

CONTENT WARNING FOR HOMOPHOBIA [ Play the game here —> https://jaythefirst.itch.io/egans-creek-simulator ]Rosie’s Diner and Bakery is world-famous for their cakes, shakes, and being the restaurant where Harry and Giselle broke up during the season finale of Project A-List, a trivia tidbit that places your otherwise unremarkable Midwest hometown on a smattering of road trip maps.Your father liked to joke that nobody drives to Egan’s Creek, only through Egan’s Creek. And he’s right, which is why you only agreed to stop here since you’re hea...

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A Journal for Melanie

Submitted to Contest #306

April 30th, 2014 Hello, diary 2.0! It’s been too long since I talked to one of you. Mom took forever getting you after I filled the first. You might be surprised to hear that I already filled one of you up, but you’ll soon understand why. There is only one thing that I need you for, and it’s not to tell you about friends or boys (EW). What filled the pages before yours was my sister, Melanie. The singular worst thing to exist. I don’t know why sisters were invented. All mine does is stalk the hallways in the morning hours, raid the kitchen...

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The Blue Devil

Submitted to Contest #306

6-10-25 Dear Diary, It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I haven’t felt the need to write anything in a long time. My distant relative, Tennessee Williams, was once asked why so many great writers come from the South. His answer was superficial at best- very uncharacteristic of him. However, I know exactly what he wanted to say now- it’s because of the pain. Haunted memories of torture and agony seep into every nook and cranny of this region. Trauma is the South’s most addictive stimulant, especially for writers. Maybe that’s why I have finally de...

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The Loneliest Island

Submitted to Contest #305

I stared at the crowd and told the biggest lie of my life. “I wasn’t there.” The “there” I was talking about was a lake. Ferring Lake, to be exact. Ferring Lake is a 200 square-mile dynamic body of water, with strong central currents, pockets of picturesque clear-water beaches, and areas so full of thick mud that even the most durable wading boots don’t stand a chance. The beautiful clearings were once home to secret hammocks hung between shady trees and a plethora of old furniture dropped off by high school students. In one area, there was ...

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Completely and Utterly Lost

Submitted to Contest #305

In high school I was voted most likely to succeed. I was in all the AP classes. I was valedictorian. I was a cheerleader, who dated the star quarterback. I was voted Prom Queen. I hung out with everyone. Really, though. I hung out with the jocks and the nerds and punks and the potheads and the skaters and techies. I liked everyone in my class, and I enjoyed getting to know what everyone liked, what everyone was passionate about. In high school I knew that I wanted to be a nurse. My mom was a nurse. My abuela was a nurse. My tías. were nurses...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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