So right, there's a bit of a cultural divide, here, but speaking as a Westerner, I don't particularly see much fragile beauty in an undefined, temporary, chaste relationship that it's implied the participants will look back on with bittersweet sighs while caring for their husbands. I'm into the struggles of identity, place in society, and self-concept... and a good coming-out story helps, too.

So, let's make a list of the best yuri stories that are actually about being homosexual or otherwise LGBT. Ones where it's either explicitly stated, or identity questions are at least wrestled with.

Pretty much everything by Jin, Shuninta and Akiko.

Edit: Well, reading the question again, maybe not all of their stuff is about identity but there's till quite a lot from those authors about that.

last edited at Mar 1, 2016 3:26PM

Are you looking for Manga/Comics specifically?

If not then I'd go with Emily Fields from Pretty Little Liars as my top pick. She's probably the best treated lesbian fictional character out there. It really goes a long way and it's never really the main focus of her character but it's taken as so granted in the show. I really appreciate it.

We have a list of a few at: http://www.lililicious.net/doc.php?id=category#queer
I also recommend Rica 'tte Kanji by Rica Takashima.