LGBTQ People and Inclusive Books Belong

GLAAD is committed to celebrating LGBTQ authors and stories, as well as informing communities about the dangers of book bans and providing resources to defeat them.

Everyone deserves to see themselves in books on the shelves.

GLAAD’s work to ensure accurate and inclusive LGBTQ representation in books includes a partnership with Little Bee Books to create, elevate and integrate positive LGBTQ portrayals in children’s literature.

GLAAD is also working with news media to accurately cover and inform communities about the scourge of book bans targeting books by and about LGBTQ people, and about race, racism and all people of color.

LGBTQ people and inclusive books belong in schools, libraries and everywhere. Books are fundamental to understanding ourselves and each other.

Book Bans: Attacks against Rising LGBTQ Visibility and Acceptance

According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, 2022 saw the highest number of book censorship efforts, 1,269, since the association began tracking this data more than two decades ago.

GLAAD recognizes the importance for all readers to see themselves included, accurately reflected, and celebrated in books, and to find and share those stories.

GLAAD is committed to informing communities about the dangers of book bans, and providing resources to defeat them:

• Book Bans – A Guide for Community Response and Action: Created with resources from professional library and free speech advocates, GLAAD offers this toolkit to help communities organize and work with the media to defeat book bans.
• Book Ban Media Recaps: GLAAD publishes articles biweekly to identify book censorship threats in communities and around the country.
• Banned Books Week: GLAAD is among the sponsors of Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the freedom and constitutional right to read.
• Spirit Day: Observed on the third Thursday of October, Spirit Day is the world’s most visible anti-bullying movement inspiring LGBTQ youth, especially transgender and nonbinary youth to live their lives in their truth and authenticity. Those who take the #SpiritDay pledge are asked to wear purple to show their support to LGBTQ youth.

• GLAAD Spotlights LGBTQ Authors and Stories: LGBTQ-inclusive books and authors who are expanding understanding and accelerating acceptance of LGBTQ people.

• Eight Books from Trans Authors to Read for Trans Awareness Week

About Our Children’s Book Publishing Partnership with Little Bee Books

In 2018, GLAAD partnered with Little Bee Books (Bonnier Publishing USA) to integrate and elevate positive LGBTQ representation in children’s literature. Since then, GLAAD and Little Bee have released over a dozen titles across various genres and formats for children up to the age of 14. See below for titles currently available, and more information on this exciting and robust partnership.

Books Published in Partnership with GLAAD Series

Prince & Knight

• In this modern fairy tale, published in partnership with GLAAD, a noble prince and a brave knight come together to defeat a terrible monster and in the process find true love in a most unexpected place.

Jack (Not Jackie)

• In this heartwarming picture book, a big sister realizes that her little sister, Jackie, doesn’t like dresses or fairies-she likes ties and bugs! Will she and her family be able to accept that Jackie identifies more as ‘Jack’?

Maiden & Princess

• In this modern fairy tale, a strong, brave maiden is invited to attend the prince’s royal ball, but at the dance, she ends up finding true love in a most surprising place.

Our Rainbow

• In this beautiful, bold board book, children will learn about the colors of the iconic pride flag!

Except When They Don’t (adapted into Mini Bee Board Book)

• This rhyming picture book encourages children to celebrate their individuality and lets them know that it’s okay to play with whatever toys they want to!

Spirit Day

• In this beautiful, bold board book, children will learn all about Spirit Day and its mission to stop bullying.
  • Spirit Day Set For Thursday, October 17 When Millions Will Go Purple in a Stand Against Bullying and in Support Of LGBTQ Youth
  • Angelica Ross, Jameela Jamil, Adam Rippon, Karamo Brown, Paula Abdul, Patricia Arquette, Dan Levy, Jaboukie Young-White, Peppermint, And Nina West Speak out Against Bullying and Stand in Solidarity with LGBTQ Youth in Spirit Day Videos
  • October 15: Spirit Day Sends a Message of Support and Acceptance to LGBTQ Youth Around The World

Always Human: A Graphic Novel

• First serialized on the popular app and website WebToon, Always Human ran from 2015-2017 and amassed over 76,000 unique subscribers during its run. Now reformatted for a print edition in sponsorship with GLAAD, Always Human is a beautifully drawn graphic novel about a developing relationship between two young women in the near future. Always Human is drawn in a manga-influenced style and with an incredible color palette that leaps off the page!

The Fighting Infantryman: Albert D.J. Cashier, Transgender Civil War Soldier

• This beautifully written and timely story shows a transgender soldier’s personal bravery as he faced daring challenges on the battlefield and privately battled the restrictions and confines of gender.

Uncle Bobby’s Wedding

• Chloe’s favorite uncle is getting married, and she’s not happy about it. But after a magical day with Uncle Bobby and his boyfriend, Jamie, Chloe realizes she’s not losing an uncle, but gaining one.

Prince & Knight: Tale of the Shadow King

• This follow-up to Prince & Knight is an inclusive, modern fairy tale for young readers!

Grandad’s Camper

• Discover a wonderful grandfather-granddaughter relationship, as a little girl hatches the perfect plan to get her Grandad adventuring again.

Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding

• This is the story of Jack Baker and Michael McConnell and their inspiring journey becoming the first married gay couple in the US fifty years ago. Long before marriage equality was the law of the land, two grooms stood on a wedding cake with their feet firmly planted in fluffy white frosting. That cake belonged to Jack Baker and Michael McConnell, who were wed on September 3, 1971, becoming the first same-sex couple in America to be legally married. Their struggle to obtain a marriage license in Minnesota and their subsequent appeals to the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States is an under-told story of LGBT history. This beautiful book celebrates the love story of two pioneers of marriage equality for all through the baking of their wedding cake!

All Moms (adapted into Mini Bee Board Book)

• Moms are amazing! The care, support, and love they give make us stronger, smarter, kinder, and happier. Every mom is unique and special, so celebrate them with this beautiful picture book written by the married team of Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, and musician Kristen Ellis-Henderson.

Grandad’s Pride

• Grandad and Milly are back for another adventure, this time honoring the past and celebrating the future with a pride parade. This heartwarming tale continues to wonderful journey that began with the Stonewall Honoree and Waterstones Best Illustrated Book, Grandad’s Camper.

Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington

• This powerful and triumphant picture book biography tells the story of how openly gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin defied prejudice as he planned and organized the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Molly’s Tuxedo

• Molly wants to look her best for picture day at her school, and what looks better than a tux?

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