Rainbow Reading

One of the things we always ask educators to consider when assessing how safe and welcoming their schools are for LGBTQA students and families is the availability of resources and materials with an LGBTQA focus.  "Check the school library," we say.  "Does it have books or magazines or other media that inlcude LGBTQA themes and characters?"  All too often lately, the response we get is something like, "Ummmmm, what school library?"  Or, "Our school library hasn't gotten new materials since 1977. Seriously. 1977. I checked."  While we think it's a travesty that so many school libraries and media centers are underfunded, understaffed, or have been completely dismantled, and we could probably work ourselves into quite a rant about it, we want to look today at some ways that educators and students in GSAs have been taking matters into their own hands. 

Building a GSA Library

If you don't have a school library, or if your school's library is unable to order new materials, think about starting a GSA library in the advisor's classroom or office. Ms. Gentry, the GSA advisor at Mastery's Shoemaker campus used Donors Choose, an on-line charity that connects public school educators and donors.  Within a week of posting their request, 6 separate donors helped them build a GSA library containing $250 worth of books! 

You can also try talking to your principal, Home and School Association, or other school administrators.  Though money's tight everywhere, there might be some extra in the budget for extracurricular activities or classroom supplies.  That's how Mr. Tatro, the GSA advisor at Saul High School, was able to purchase the books for his GSA's new library.  The books, he says, are flying off the shelves.  GSA members stop by his classroom throughout the day to browse or exchange reading materials (with the understanding that Mr. Tatro is not a "normal" librarian).  "I will come to your house and search under your bed to get my books back," he jokes.

Try holding a fundraiser, too.  Many local extracurricular clubs are now facing much stricter fundraising rules, and are only allowed to do school-based fundraising for specific club projects, rather than just for basic supplies or general operating costs.  Build a list of books and magazines that your club members want, see how much it will cost, and hold several fundraisers throughout the year until you reach your goal.

Which books?

There a TON of books out there that include LGBTQA characters, themes, and perspectives, and many of them are written specifically for young people.  If you're not sure where to start looking for titles, check out the American Library Association's Rainbow Project list.  Each year, the ALA's GLBT Roundtable, a group of librarians focusing on the needs of LGBTQ library users and staff, recommends a list of books for LGBTQ youth. GLSEN and California's GSA Network also have decent book lists that you can explore.  And if you want to shop locally, visit Philadelphia's own Giovanni's Room, the country's oldest LGBT bookstore.

Where else?

Whether or not you're able to start a GSA library of your own, don't forget about all of the great materials at the Free Library of Philadelphia.  The Independence branch of the library holds the Barbara Gittings Collection, the country's second largest public library collection of LGBTQ-themed books.  And don't forget about the new section for LGBTQ youth on the Free Library's website.