LBGTQ+

Celebrate LBGTQ+ History

LBGTQ+ October 13, 2022 10:00 am

October is LBGTQ+ History Month. The American Psychological Association publishes award-winning books for kids and teens exploring LBGTQ+ history and features biographies that focus on pioneering figures who fought for diversity and acceptance. Explore our collection: The Mother of a Movement: Jeanne Manford—Ally, Activist, and Co-Founder of PFLAG by Rob Sanders This is a true story of parental support and unconditional love. When the son of Jeanne Manford, the cofounder of PFLAG, was beaten by New York City officials for handing out pro-gay leaflets, Manford wrote a powerful letter that was published in the New York Post. She came out as the mother of a gay son. Morty invited his mother to march with him in the June 1972 Christopher Street Parade. While marching, she had the idea to form a group to help parents and families of LGBTQ+ people. That was the beginning of PFLAG. Check out the book. “In the tradition of picture books centered on a parent-child bond, rhythmic repetition reinforces messages of love and acceptance in this biography of PFLAG cofounder Jeanne Manford (1920–2013).” – Publisher’s Weekly Hear 13 celebrities read The Mother of a Movement aloud. Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX by Jen Barton Title IX was designed to fight injustice based on gender. Today its protections extend to the transgender community. This lively, engaging biography drives home the message that it doesn’t take a person with power to make a difference. More often, it takes determination. When confronted with injustice, regular people can effect change. This book includes extensive backmatter about how to be an activist. Check out the book. Read an interview with the author. Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt by Rob Sanders Mentored by Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones first had the vision for what became the AIDS Memorial Quilt during a candlelight memorial for Milk in 1985. Along with friends, Cleve created the first panels for the quilt in 1987. The AIDS Memorial Quilt grew to be one of the largest public arts projects ever and helped grow awareness of HIV and AIDS. The Quilt is an iconic symbol of hope and remembrance and is Jones’ shining achievement. It has since toured the world and been seen by millions. Check out the book. ★ “Its story is beautifully captured in the book’s smooth pacing and brief paragraphs. Readers will follow its journey from that march as it becomes both a monument to mourning and a means of changing the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS…the book is pretty darn impressive. Storytelling and history, beautifully stitched together.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW Read an excerpt from the discussion guide. Hear Stitch by Stitch read aloud. Evelyn Hooker and the Fairy Project by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD This evocative biography tells the story of Evelyn Hooker, the extraordinary woman behind the research, advocacy, and allyship that led to the removal of the “Homosexuality” diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Celebrate LBGTQ+ History Eileen Hanning 2022-10-12T14:42:02-04:00

Be Like Jeanne: Allies and LBGTQ+ History

families October 12, 2022 1:38 pm By Rob Sanders

When her son Morty was beaten by New York City officials for handing out pro-gay leaflets, Jeanne Manford wrote a powerful letter to the New York Post to complain about how Morty was treated. In the letter, which was published, she came out as the mother of a gay son. Morty invited his mother to march with him in the June 1972 Christopher Street Parade. While marching, she had the idea to form a group to help parents and families of LGBTQ+ people. That was the beginning of PFLAG. The Mother of a Movement: Jeanne Manford–Ally, Activist, and Co-Founder of PFLAG, by Rob Sanders, is a true story of parental support and unconditional love. Here’s an excerpt from the Discussion Guide at the end of the book. She could listen. She could love. She could learn and lead. She could speak up. She could show support. That's what Jeanne did. Activist—someone who speaks out and protests about a cause or issue, especially a political or social cause. Ally—a person or group who works with others for a common cause or purpose, especially a supporter of a marginalized group, who is usually not a member of the group. To Think About and Discuss Use the open-ended questions below to begin conversations with the children in your family, class, club, or organization. When was a time you were an ally to someone? Why did you do it? How did it feel to stand up for someone else? Has there been a time when someone was an ally to you? Do you think it’s important to be an ally to others? Why or why not? What is an ally and how can I be one?** In the LGBTQ+ community, an ally is supportive of LGBTQ+ people, behaves in supportive ways, and invites others to be allies, too. While Jeanne Manford is a famous ally, throughout history there are people just like you who have been willing to provide support, encouragement, and help. Here are some simple ways YOU can be an ally: START BY LEARNING Allies are always learning so they can do more and help educate others. You won’t always have all the answers, and that’s okay! If you make a mistake, apologize and learn how to do better next time. DON’T LET FEAR STOP YOU There are lots of reasons why people might be afraid to be allies. Maybe they’re nervous about speaking up. Maybe they aren’t sure where to start. Listen to what others tell you. Figure out what feels scary to you. Then you can figure out how to take action. BE ACTIVE Start with something simple, like putting a rainbow sticker on your backpack and telling friends why it’s there. Use what you learn from books like this one to talk about why you care and help others be allies. Most of all, treat others with kindness and respect. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO BE AN ALLY There’s no

Be Like Jeanne: Allies and LBGTQ+ History Rob Sanders 2022-10-12T14:32:13-04:00

Celebrate Banned Books Week: READ!

Children's Books September 22, 2022 10:00 am

In recent months there has been a resurgence of book banning, especially books for children and teens that depict a diversity of experiences. Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country. The theme for Banned Books Week is Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us. These Magination Press books have been challenged recently: Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP, Marietta Collins, PhD, and Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP is included on the Top 10 Challenged Books of 2020. It was challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views. Something Happened in Our Town follows two families — one White, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children's questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. It includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues. Hear Something Happened in Our Town read aloud by the authors. This Day In June by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD was Named one of the Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2018 by American Library Association and is included in the American Library Association’s”Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books of the Past Decade. In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, This Day In June welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united. Also included is a Reading Guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways. This Day In June is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart, PhD A positive tool for celebrating a wide range of human diversity and all kids of familial love. —Booklist A must-have primer for young readers and a great gift for pride events and throughout the year, beautiful colors all together make a rainbow in Rainbow: A First Book of Pride. This is a sweet ode to rainbow families, and an affirming display of a parent's love for their child and a child's love for their parents. With bright colors and joyful families, this book celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and reveals

Celebrate Banned Books Week: READ! Eileen Hanning 2022-09-17T19:50:51-04:00

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