Summary of LGBT Literature Set

For my final project, I decided to focus on LGBT children’s literature because of the controversy surrounding its inclusion in schools and the importance of addressing LGBT issues in elementary, middle, and high schools. I chose three books that depicted three totally different situations in the LGBT community: a child with two lesbian mothers, a child of divorced parents whose father is gay and living with another man, and a middle school boy who realizes he is gay. I had a hard time trying to figure out which books to include in this project because there is such a small selection of LGBT books to choose from. While there are many LGBT books written each year, very few of these books are actually chosen to be on the shelves at bookstores and libraries. I believe that LGBT literature should be included as a part of diverse children’s literature just as much as other multicultural groups like African Americans and Native Americans.

From researching issues in the LGBT community for this project, I have found that the main reason LGBT children’s literature is not included in many bookstores and libraries is because parents have concerns with their children having access to these types of books. Parents seem to think that being gay is an “issue” that needs to be addressed instead of recognizing that homosexuality as a part of one’s identity. David Levithan, author of several pieces of LGBT literature says, “Being gay is not an issue, it is an identity. It is not something that you can agree or disagree with. It is a fact, and must be defended and represented as a fact.” It is important to include a variety of books in libraries and bookstores so that students can address their individual differences and feel included and accepted in their community. This way, children can compare their own lives and experiences to those of the characters in books, helping to promote high self-esteem and a positive sense of self. Because children are searching for their own identity as they go through elementary and especially middle and high school, it is important that they have access to books of all kinds so they don’t feel as if they are the only one experiencing the things they are feeling. It is imperative that questioning children have access to LGBT literature and other media for reassurance and support. The three books that I have chosen for this project portray homosexuality as a beautiful, natural, and loving thing; all three books are excellent examples of quality LGBT literature that should be included in schools, bookstores, and libraries. These books can help to educate children who know little or nothing about LGBT issues as well as serve as a resource for students who are questioning their sexual identity or have family members who are part of the LGBT community. Besides being good resources and quality books in terms of LGBT issues, these three books are also exemplary pieces of children’s literature in the general sense and should be included in children’s/young adult sections in libraries, schools, and bookstores.