I'd like to sometime make a bigger post talking more about stuff, but while reading a lot of yuri (and some yaoi) I've started maintaining a list for myself of manga that has "actual LGBT themes", to distinguish it from stories that are more just interested in gay romance from a purely entertainment perspective. to be clear, this isn't casting any judgement or ascribing any particular value to either - sometimes you do just wanna read about some girls kissing without the Realities getting involved. this is also just stuff I've personally read, and the bar for inclusion here is entirely my own vibe of the work, so not definitive or anything - but lemme know if there's more you like that I've missed, because dang I probably wanna read that too!
Some LGBTQ+ Manga I Liked:
- Our Dreams At Dusk/Shimanami Tasogare
- This manga is one of the most visually beautiful and moving things I've read, and it's a very real and believable queer coming of age story. A high school boy coming to grips with his sexuality finds a home at a local LGBT community center. Incredible stuff, huge recommendation. The author, Yuhki Kamatani, is X-gender and ace.
- She Loves To Cook, And She Loves To Eat
- I was (pleasantly) surprised at how real this one gets, because it definitely presents itself initially as just a sort of "food themed yuri". Deals with realistic themes of sexuality from its lesbian leads, as well as the way food (its consumption and production) is often caught up in gendered expectations.
- Boys Run The Riot
- Has a transmasc lead, much of the story is about expressing himself through fashion while spinning up a streetwear brand with his friends. Deals a lot with the intersection of gender and clothing as a result. As a story I wish it had a little more time to cook, but it's a overall a good time. The author, Keito Gaku, is a trans man, and apparently the localization was done by an all-trans team?
- The works of Shūzō Oshimi (Welcome Back, Alice, Inside Mari)
- I can't give these a universal rec, but they are extremely powerful and fascinating stories that are heavily pulling from a lot of the author's own struggles with gender dysphoria. Neither of these stories fit neatly into clear established queer labels - rather, they're extremely raw, often painful explorations of the idea of being trapped within the confines of one's gender. Welcome Back, Alice does this by working within the trope of the "cross-dressing best friend", and Inside Mari via the "gender/body swap" story.
- X-Gender
- Autobiographical manga - the author, Asuka Miyazaki, is X-gender. Talks about exploring their sexuality and gender identity. At times pretty graphic! But I enjoyed it. I've only read the first volume so far.
- The Girl That Can't Get A Girlfriend
- Autobiographical manga - the author, Mieri Hiranishi, is a lesbian woman and the manga deals a lot with her struggles in finding love/connection. Does get a little "tfw no gf" as the name might imply, but it's a good read.