Today marks the launch of the 2019 Ottawa Capital Pride Festival, from August 18th to 25th. This year is also the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that took place on June 28th 1969. Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York City. The raid was followed by a six-day uprising by members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, a pivotal moment in the modern 2SLGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
According to Stonewall:
The Stonewall uprising took place in the context of broader civil rights movements. The Revolutionary People’s Constitutional Convention in 1970 was a key moment in which activists from Black Power, feminist and gay liberation movements came together, saw common cause and learned from each other.
On June 28th 1970, thousands of people returned to Greenwich Village for the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March, the first gay pride march. Today, people march in Pride Parades all across the world.
The contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ people to history should never be forgotten. Books are a window to the world; a way to preserve history, raise awareness, and create connections between people.
Parents for Diversity has compiled a list of 20 children and young adult books in honour of Capital Pride. Our selection focuses on own voices and intersectional identities, as well as Canadian content. We know how essential it is for all children to see themselves represented in the books they read. Whether it is a seventeen-year-old Iranian girl in love with her best friend to the representation of a biracial transgender boy becoming a big brother, we want books to represent the breadth and depth of our society. Check out our diversity library for even more books with 2SLGBTQ+ characters.
Rainbow: A First Book of Pride
Written by Michael Genhart | Illustrated by Anne Passchier
Ages 3 to 5
This Day in June
Written by Gayle E. Pitman | Illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Ages 4 to 8
Sewing the Rainbow: A Story About Gilbert Baker
Written by Gayle E. Pittman | Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
Ages 4 to 8
When Aidan Became a Brother
Written by Kyle Lukoff | Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Ages 4 to 8
I am Jazz
Written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings | Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Ages 4 to 8
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution.
Written by Rob Sanders | Illustrated by Jamey Christoph
Ages 5 to 8
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
Written by Rob Sanders | Illustrated by Steven Salerno
Ages 5 to 8
Princess Princess Ever After
Written by Katie O’Neill
Ages 7 to 11
Hurricane Child
Written by Kheryn Callender
Ages 8 to 12
Alan Cole Is Not a Coward
Written by Eric Bell
Ages 8 to 12
George
Written by Alex Gino
Ages 8 to 12
Synchro Boy
Written by Shannon McFerran
Ages 12+
Canadian content
Little & Lion
Written by Brandy Colbert
Ages 12+
Just Julian
Written by Markus Harwood-Jones
Ages 13 to 18
Canadian content
Rez Runaway
Written by Melanie Florence
Ages 14 to 18
Canadian content
If You Could Be Mine
Written by Sara Farizan
Ages 14 to 18
The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
Written by Sabina Khan
Ages 14+
Canadian content
None of the Above
Written by I. W. Gregorio
Ages 14+
This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story
Written by Kheryn Callender
Ages 14+
Juliet Takes a Breath
Written by Gabby Rivera
Ages: Young Adult
