#Library Programs For Queer Teens

[randomravager]

whats antiprom btw?

so it’s this event that the libraries did, it’s like prom but more accepting for queer people. doesn’t make it an inherently queer party,but it was fun for any teens who wanted to go!

they did it in the big library branch and there was music and an arts and crafts room and snacks and book giveaways! also booths for a free city art program, teen voter registration, and on consent/sexual violence. I went with some friends from elementary school and hung out with some people I knew from the library! also met new people which was cool <3

[luane-horlis]

This is long and I apologize but I don’t have any other social media and sometimes you’ve just gotta scream into the void.

My first job in a library was a tiny rural community college with an even tinier library. The collection was mostly academic but we did have a couple shelves of kids books for early childhood education majors. No kids were really ever in there, except for one or two bored middle schoolers tagging along with a parent who needed to do homework.

This was around 2008 or so, when I was in undergrad at a Big College in the city and between that and seeing Callie and Arizona on Grey’s Anatomy I was taking my first nervous step into “huh, maybe I am one of them queers…” I had no elder queer role models in my life and there were zero out gay kids in my tiny rural southern high school, so that was quite literally my first experience with sapphic love (and Sara Ramirez is still insanely hot, I’m very very gay for her to this day.) All of this is to set the stage of me as a painfully shy, extremely sheltered, very closeted 20-something with my first real job at a library, the thing I wanted to do When I Grew Up.

We had just gotten a copy of the book And Tango Makes Three, which if you don’t know, is about two male penguins who were pair bonded and raise a chick together. My boss, a middle aged white man, was debating on whether he should catalog it for the kids section or the adult section. I thought he was nuts.

“It’s a children’s story book, why would you want to put it in the adult section?”

“Well, it’s two male penguins…”

“So?”

“It’s inappropriate…”

“How? They’re not doing anything graphic in the book, they just raise a chick together.”

Having gone to grad school and completed my Masters I now know this guy was just a shit-ass librarian who needed to exit the profession, but at the time I was boggled he even had one second thought over cataloging a children’s book as a children’s book. I, again a painfully shy 5’3” 20 year old, almost got into a shouting match with my 6ft 50 something boss over a penguin book, but he ultimately put it in with the children’s books when the Dean of Libraries told him in no uncertain terms to fuck off with his bullshit.

When I got this job working with kids and teens I resolved to be the queer adult I really needed in my own teens so I didn’t have to endure such a horrible comphet upbringing. I have pride pins and pronoun buttons on my lanyard, I wear probably way too many rainbows, I make pride book displays, I’m in the library’s pride discord, and if the YA manager asks I’ll be at every teen pride cafe program to just stand there like “hey, I’m an Adult Queer and we’re here if you need us.”

All of the above is just to say that I’m tired. At my current library we now have an asshole county councilman demanding on behalf of “numerous complaints from concerned citizens” that we move all children’s materials about gender identity and sexuality from the children’s section to the adult section “to protect the kids” and I’m just so tired. It’s 2023.

Protect the kids from what, the same miserable anxiety-ridden tween and teen years I had thinking I was fucking wrong and abnormal for the way I felt? Of being so lonely with no one to talk to and nothing to turn to like, oh, an age appropriate book for information and comfort? I still deal with feeling absolutely worthless and like I’m unloveable now in my mid-fucking 30s from growing up like that so excuse me if I want kids to have access to things which help them grow up safe and knowing they have value without fear.

I’m not giving up, I’m still fighting every damn day to do what I can in my limited scope but fucking hell, I’m tired.

[batwynn]

Listen. I had teachers who treated me very badly, I mean openly and proudly mistreated me just because they could. I had teachers who outright abused me/physically hurt me. I’ve had these types of teachers through all of my childhood, and well into college. The American education system, itself, is a fucking mess and it needs a major overhaul. If anyone has a right to be angry about teachers, it’s me. But look. Not all teachers are the same, and we need to emphasize that rather than blame teachers like some kind of monolith.

We need to be more careful with these sweeping proclamations of ‘all teachers bad’, because there’s a distinct alt-right pipeline happening right there in front of us that not only relies on people turning their backs on education/educators but is literally packed with people spreading violent hatred for teachers and school. People are quite literally calling for teachers to be killed. This is a real thing that’s really happening, and people need to be careful about falling into these movements.

Teachers are important. Teachers are struggling to educate our kids in the worst systems, worst timelines, worst period of mass pandemic, just worst timing ever. Teachers are severely underpaid, mistreated, abused by staff and students alike, and have a very high chance of being shot and murdered. Are there bad teachers out there? Yes. But please, please, please try to avoid making statements that feed into the alt-right’s fight against eduction and teachers. They want people uneducated and angry. They prey on angry kids and teens who were let down by their parents, the education system, etc. That’s been in their game plan since their first rise to power, and they’re not changing it up all that much. It’s right there in our history.

So let’s try to remember the good teachers, people out there trying to keep education truthful and helpful. Teachers crying as they pack up their libraries in Florida because of the massive book bans. Teachers who want us to learn about our histories, even the bad parts, because it teaches us how to grow and be better. Teachers who use the right pronouns for their kids, who support their queer and questioning kids, who protect them the best they can. Teachers who support their Black students, and stand up for them in a system built against them. Teachers who want these kids to thrive, even in the face of literal life-threatening dangers from every side. Please remember them, and please try to avoid sweeping statements that feed into alt-right programming.

[meljwrites]

pls do give me gay book recommendations. and do expand on "i dislike most of the popular gay books for very specific reasons" what specific reasons? i love to share nitpicks. i imagine you have a low tolerance of rpe as you mentioned already? is it too dark for you? also, i never read aristotle and dante and the secrets of the universe, but i watched the adaptation recently, and i hated it surprisingly enough, and i had high expectations it was going to be good. i didnt feel any romance most of the movie and i have no idea why everyone seemed to know aristotle liked dante while he didnt show to know for most of the movie. so i guess will just throw my nitpick out there first: i hate when gay stories leave it to the end for the characters to show to like each other.

yeaaahhhh i'll give you a list of complaints and then some recs...

I didn't like aristotle and dante (i actually read it twice bc it was required reading in uni) because of the whole - doesn't realise that he's gay until his dad tells him he is, also i'm pretty sure someone literally just said that author is transphobic so yeahhhh - also i just dont like the rythm of the way he writes.

I didn't like the seven husbands of evelyn hugo because of the straight protagonist, managing to kill off every queer character by the end of the book, having a character chip her tooth on the tv and be fine (i chipped my tooth as a kid), and the line that goes something like "her breasts where what made her famous in this world and they were going to take her out of it". i also didnt pay for that one funnily enough, i got my uni library to order it.

I didn't love red white and royal blue because of the heavy focus on politics and the way it ends with everyone holding up signs to support them which i found unrealistic and the way they were discovered bc they didnt remember that the front of cars is see through 🙄. (but one last stop is like my second fave book and i liked the movie!!)

I do recommend:

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - a literary queer overlapping sea of stories and myths which is my favourite book

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston - a speculative sapphic romance novel about a girl lost in time and a group of queer friends rallying to save a local diner.

If you still recognise me by Cynthia So - a ya lesbian romance between childhood friends exploring chinese diaspora and culture, fandoms, and comic shops

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Voung - a poetic novel based on his life as an immigrant in america and his relationship with his mother and grandmother and gay identity.

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour - my fave book when i was a teen, this is a lesbian romance wrapped in a mystery with a focus on old hollywood and film sets.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender - a trans mlm ya romance about a summer art school program and shifting identites when faced with the cruelty of teenagers.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo- ya lesbian romance set in the San Francisco in the 50s against the backdrop of chinese diaspora and the cold war.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - a modern classic historical lesbian romance which the korean movie the handmaiden is based on.

Also "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up With Me", "spinning", "on a sunbeam", "Heartstopper" and "mooncakes" are good graphic novels

[nightlyponder]

I'm aware that my job requirements are for me to work in our library makerspace and its open hours. But that's 12 hours taken out of my day and what I really want to do is branch out into doing programming, programming that bridges the topics environmentalism and social justice. I want to do programming that discusses the beliefs and values of solarpunk and how people can and are already implementing those values into their everyday work.

I want to work more with cultural organizations that celebrate different ethnicities and religions, like when we had a Ramadan display but we didn't have any adult programming about the holiday. I want to work with our rainbow librarian to deliver LGBT programming that isn't geared toward children.

But there's no position that aligns with that here anymore. They gutted the department that was/is responsible for those kinds of programming and the new position they created acts more like a school liaison to support our teen department rather than someone who coordinates cultural events.

I have little space in my schedule to accommodate assisting coworkers with these programs and since they don't align with any makerspace type activities, I have to beg in order to do anything. I had to lowkey strong arm my supervisor into letting me assist the rainbow librarian with an event for a queer author and now I have to beg to assist a teen librarian with their DnD program.

I miss working at my university's LGBT resource center the most. If I'm able to get more programming experience under my belt, I could start looking into other places I could work doing that kind of work

[simplepotatofarmer]

Hello! I have a question if you have time/the inclination to respond. I'm interested in trying to do more activist work and it seems like you've had a lot more experience with it than I have :]

The issue I face is that it feels like the work is so Big and I don't know how to narrow down what I care most about/where my energy might be best suited. Like most people I have a very limited pool of energy (and attention... but I'm working on it) and can't support every cause I care about. Is there a pathway you went down when you were trying to figure your direction out?

For context I'm an adult because I know that changes things.

you know, this is so real.

it's so big and there's so much to be done that it can feel overwhelming.

my best advice is to sit down and think about what's super important to you. like, i'm extremely passionate about prison abolition and hunger. but prison abolition is very big and my talents don't lend themselves to it very well. i still do email campaigns and call campaigns and fold flyers or help write digital PDFs for flyers when i can but it's not my main focus, despite it being something i'm passionate about.

because my talents and abilities do lend themselves to helping hunger!

it can be something very small and niche, like working with your local community center to organize a free breakfast once a month for the elderly or lunch for school kids. think about what you're good at and then find out what your community needs! if you have a community center or library, etc. there's probably information there on programs that your city or neighborhood runs.

i focus on community a lot because while it's great to have these national campaigns, building a strong community is so vital as an anarchist and just like. as a human.

activism can literally be forming a group to help shovel snow for the elderly and disabled or running a once a month book club for queer teens at the library or helping your local food bank.

i think because the problems of the world are so big, sometimes we forget that the small things help. and the small things can build a strong foundation that supports a community that takes care of its people and in a world where capitalism and individualism says it's you against everyone else, sometimes the best activism is to show those around you that's not true. it's not you against everyone, it's not us versus them, it's us for the world, y'know?

[girderednerve]

WORKJOB COMPLAINTS

the library district is disallowing pride displays that are in entryways or serve as the "main" display—instead, we should have a main display which reflects the summer reading theme, "all together now," originally conceived of as an anti-racist/inclusivity theme but then watered down to be vaguely about 'teamwork'—and no pride displays are permitted in the children's or teen areas of the library. we also will be working to implement linked accounts, so parents will have direct control over their children's library cards. the talking points we received about pride displays emphasize the library's respect for parents' right to be involved in their children's media consumption. we will be suspending the program which granted access to library materials to all children who attend public school in the county, with less than two months' notice.

the library director & my new manager both emphasized that they feel personally uncomfortable with the current 'environment', but they are both straight, cis white women who are talking in general terms about threats to the profession. these changes were made preemptively, in order to shield the institution from reactionary complaints, which have not yet materialized here. i have been saying for literally two years that the library should proactively respond to the obvious and widespread turn towards attacking libraries as part of the profoundly homophobic & racist 'culture wars,' but what i meant by that is that we should advocate clearly & insistently for an inclusive library, not willingly cede ground in an effort to appease a small & loud group of bigots. there is, of course, no support plan for queer staff, but the library director did perform awkward apology at her only openly gay direct report, which we can all agree is prime managerial ethics. i just do not agree with any approach to protecting the library as an institution which involves vacating the mission of the library to serve our broad public, including children, whose information needs are independent from & as important to us as their parents'. if we aren't actively welcoming to & supportive of marginalized patrons then we are fundamentally failing to serve our community, and i would rather risk defunding (not even a current threat!) than silently carve away at our mandate in a doomed appeasement campaign.

fuck this place i hate it

[urban-orc]

Hey folks!

Just saying that Brazil is the first country to be accepting LGBTQ refugees from any country that criminalize our lives. Yes, this include USA.

This was announced yesterday (may 19).

So... We are here with open arms. This is not an easy country for a lot of things, but we have:

Universal public health

General practitioner, vaccines, AIDS treatment, most common medicines are free or cheap, specialists, dental treatment... Including gender affirming care - there are queues, but it exist.

We have one of the world best dentistry.

Its still starting, but a lot of cities already have veterinary public health, or subsided vets to at least spay/neuter your pets.

Birthing is complicated in general, but there are some free options that are really good.

We don't have an opium crisis and our government break patents of medicines when needed. Insulin is free in the public health system. Condoms too.

Abortion is a current fighting matter.

Public education and universities

Public schools are everywhere. And every school will grant you and kids the basic things like notebooks, pencils, pens, etc, and books. Every school have a library or reading room, the government send new fiction books to schools.

Food is free in public schools, and in the majority of the places, good food. Even if most schools have the kids for 4 or 5 hours, not the entire day, there will be free lunch.

Our educational system is universal, so by law, every child and teen must be studying, disabled kids included.

If you cannot pass the tests for a public college, there are paid colleges you can go with government subsidy, and no one left college with an absurd debt. I mean, really. There are special credit lines to grant that. And the prejudice against community colleges is minimal. Its absolutely common that people work at day and go to college in the night shift.

Black and indigenous people have further affirmative policies to go and stay at college.

Unions and workers rights

Our president used to be an union leader. Even with the recent shit show (we had our own trump/jonhson like asshole) , unions are very present and we have LAWS that protect workers. Including 30 days of paid vacation every year, paid weekend, 50% extra payment for working more than 8 hours day or Sundays, 30% more per hour worked at night, social security services, paid health leave, and retirement.

We have a lot of shit going on in work environment, but unions grant lawyers to help, and everything in our work conditions is better than in USA.

Leftist parties and an almost fair voting system.

Almost because Im an anarchist so, every voting system to me is flawed as fuck BUT how far a voting system can go, Brazilians have the best option.

We have a lot of parties, both left and right. You dont have only two options. We have not one, but two communist party. Our socialist party have a huge queer presence. The presidency now is at the Workers Party hands, a left-centered bunch. I think they are not left enough, but our left center party is still much more to the left than any american party.

Our democracy is direct, every vote have the same value, there are not delegates and caucus and such stuff. Every adult need to vote, so your work cannot stop you from voting. There is one election day, its a holiday because everybody votes in the same day, from 8 am to 6 pm. Since the system is electronic, the same night we have the results.

Also, States are not independent to decide most of things. The laws are federal, so there's a consistency in rights and such things.

The greatest variety of foods

And even if inflation because our last government is still a thing, so food right now is not exactly cheap, we don't have food shortages.

There are no food deserts. Fresh food is easily available, and our climate is good to grow food at home.

In general, Brazilians have much more healthier food accessible than USAians.

And in big cities we have government programs and the MST (our Liga campesina) to help.

Guns are mostly illegal

Yes, thats what you read. We have huge gun control.

There are no school shootings. We had a few school incidents (big part of it with mellee weapons and not guns) by alt right men, but every single one was treated as a national tragedy and there's a real effort so that it don't happen again. In 20 years, we didn't had the amount of shootings that happens in a week in the USA.

Federal investigations of hate groups are happening constantly.

I could go on and on. And yes, we have problems, as any other country. But if you have the chance, come. We have our xenophobes, but mostly is a country that receive well the refugees. We have several organizations that help people to get on their feet. Caritas have even Portuguese classes specially developed for refugees.

There is racism, a lot, but it's very different than in USA, so it will take sone time to figure out wtf.

And we have A LOT of affirmative actions for minorities. We have a strong and huge queer community (better saying, various huge queer communities).

São Paulo Pride parade receives more than 1 million people.

And 1 dolar = 4 or 5 reais. Even if you don't have much money, this will make easier to you start a new life here.

[sweetestberryofthebunch]

Unnamed new College/Academia AU featuring the girls from s12-14 (so far)

Originally, they signed up for the philosophy club for very different reasons. Rosé needs to redeem herself in the eyes of her teachers, Jan really just wants to impress Jackie. However, it turns out that the young philosophers are their very own microcosm, pulling them in faster than especially Rosé would have expected. Between ancient Greek translations and contemporary reality theories, the rebellious girl finds a pair of hazel doe eyes that pull her in more than Aristoteles ever could (sorry man). Meanwhile, her younger sister finds her heart first shattered, and then slowly, unexpectedly repaired.

A/N: This is what happens when I can’t sleep and have too much hot chocolate available. Loosely inspired by the Secret History, but without the murder and with more queerness. Also they’re in a Philosophy program instead of Greek, because my College degree in philosophy has to be good for something. Expect lots of stupid teen/young adult tropes, the dark academia aesthetic, flirting through philosophical discussions and lots of tea and libraries. This is also just part one of a three part set up, after that the story could go anywhere, I’d love asks or ideas about it! Also totally open to expand the story, add more ships, also from other seasons/franchises, whatever. Enjoy this messy ass passion project of mine, lovelies!

The one where Jan and Rosé join the Club

„I can’t believe I’m seriously dropping you off for this“, Lagoona sat on the drivers seat, one hand lazily hanging out the window, the other on the steering wheel. She already wore sweatpants and a comfortable looking shirt and Rosé wished she could wear the same. Her skin illuminated by the low autumn sun, Lagoona‘s eyes twinkled with amusement at Rosé‘s hanging shoulders. „I mean“, she continued on, the car coming to a halt, „out of all things, the fucking Philosophy Club?“ She chuckled, „No offense, but neither of you strike me as big thinkers.“

„Shut up!“, Rosé groaned, throwing her head back against the headpiece of her seat, „You know I don’t want to do this!“

„I do!“, Jan chirped gleefully from the backseat, grabbing her bag before hopping out of the car, „And anyways, if we’re stupid, so are you, Goona! Same genetics!“

Rosé and Lagoona exchanged a knowing glance, Rosé shaking her head at their youngest sister’s enthusiasm. „You only want to go cause you hope Little Jackie Miss Perfect will want to fuck you if you pretend to be smart.“

Jan gasped out loud, nearly dropping her bag in shock. „That is not true! I am genuinely interested in this! It has to be interesting if Jackie is committed enough to lead the Club!“

„That’s worse“, Lagoona whined from the drivers seat, „stop with those disgusting feelings.“ The affection written all over her face gave away that she didn’t actually mean it though, and Rosé rolled her eyes at her, earning herself a gentle shove against her shoulder.

„Get out“, Lagoona fake-whined, „You have places to be and stuff to learn!“ Rosé complied, however not without one last heavy sigh. „I guess…“

The look on Lagoona’s face softened and she mustered up a genuinely reassuring smile. „Come on, it’s just a little bit of Philosophy once a week. See it as a lesson not to do stupid things on campus again.“ Her face darkened at the memory of last years catastrophe, before trying her best to lighten up again, playing over the split second of faltering. Luckily for both of them, Jan jumped into the conversation just this moment.

„And I‘m with you too! You could’ve ended up in some boring club without anyone to keep you company.“

„Yeah“, Rosé grumbled, „Instead I’m in some boring club where I can watch my little sister drool over her crush, I’m so lucky.“

Lagoona chuckled at that, before pulling the car door closed after Rosé finally stepped out. She pulled the window down to look at them again, shaking her head at the visual of Jan basically beaming with excitement, wearing one of her favourite sweaters and a pair of Lagoona’s pants which had always fitted the younger one a little better. Meanwhile Rosé looked defeated, basically curled into herself, hands buried in the pockets of her ripped jeans and her leather jacket almost as brightly pink as her hair.

„Have fun you guys“, Lagoona whistled, starting the car engine.

„You can always join us, you know“, Jan pointed out, her proposition genuine. Lagoona chuckled, shaking her head. „I don’t think so. I’m not a hooligan and I also already have a man for myself. Speaking of which, now that you annoying burdocks finally left the house for once, Trevor is coming over, so this pretty head will be busy anyways.“

Jan’s nose curled up at that. „Ew, Goona, gross!“

Lagoona laughed at that, waving at them once more. „See you later. Don’t act too stupid!“

As the car drove off, Rosé turned to Jan, a sheepish smile on her face. „I guess we won’t have time for one smoke before, do we?“

„No!“, Jan shook her head with determination, „We’re already running short on time and we still have to find the room! I will not be late to our first meeting because you can’t quit those horrible things!“

Their school was a whole assemble of old buildings, connected by a few paths and perfectly mowed lawn. The main building was a gigantic, long building with stone stairways, huge columns and a heavy wooden door. The big hallway was guarded by a huge stone lion resting on a marble plateau. Rosé had always thought it looked a little derpy, if you looked close enough it’s eyes looked in different directions. Jan hurried past it, towards the next staircase that would bring them upwards to the classrooms and the library. If Rosé remembered correctly, the Philosophy Club held its meetings in a small side room of the library. She could only hope that it was at least clean. Huge parts of the library were coated in a thick mantle of dust, only proving further that no one used the books provided there. At least that’s what Rosé thought.

The two of them quickly paced the long hallway, their steps echoing uncomfortably loud in the empty building. It was odd to be here at this time. Usually, the hallway was always flooded with students and teachers alike, everyone had to be somewhere in the next few minutes, the rustling often almost overwhelming. Now, it was dead silent. Well, except for them. The overhead lights were turned off, all that illuminated the place were the long windows by the end of the hall, facing west so that the red of the sunset shined inside in all its glory. As much as Rosé disliked being forced into extracurriculars, even she had to admit that the school looked absolutely stunning at this time of day. Mystical, even …

Suddenly, Jan stopped so abruptly in front of a door, Rosé almost ran into her. Stumbling to a sudden halt, Rosé took a step backwards. She didn’t particularly want to fall into the room like this. Not that the club started to think she was motivated and held expectations for her.

Jan grabbed the doorknob, taking one, two deep breaths. „Ready?“, she whispered.

Rosé snorted. „Are you? You are obviously way more nervous about this than I am.“

„Shush!“, Jan hissed, „What if they can hear us?“

Another chuckle. „Only one way to find out.“ So at last, Jan pushed the door open.

Denali loved the Club room, especially when they met in at dusk. The shelves all around them were stacked with all different kinds of trinkets, not just books. Her favourites included a collection of delicate tea cups, an incredibly ugly porcelain cat and a single glass eye, which Crystal had advised her not to ask about. Apparently Professor Monsoon had quite the life story, and the eye was one of the less weird artifacts of that. If she was totally honest with herself, Denali didn’t want to know.

She sipped a bit from her tea, letting out a curse at how hot it still was. Nicky glanced over at her from across the table, trying to hide her laugh behind her hand. „Girl, you just brewed that!“

Before Denali could shoot back, the door suddenly flew open. Finally, the new girls had arrived!

Setting her cup down, Denali looked up. Her eyes were met with the brightest pop of colour she had ever seen, and she was sitting next to Crystal.

The first girl, a freshman she hadn’t seen before sported a long, lilac ponytail, a sweater in the same colour with wide bell sleeves and a tight pair of jeans. Her soft palette of pastels however completely crashed with the mess of bright pink and black entering right behind her. The second girl must be a little older, her hair was curly and dyed such an electric pink colour, it almost hurt the eyes. The taller ones eyes scanned the room casually, her hands in the pockets of her distressed jeans, a look of complete indifference on her face. When her gaze met Denali‘s, the pink haired girl shot her a wink. Denali furrowed her brows before quickly looking away.

The silence in the room was broken by the smaller one of the two giving the group a wide smile. „Hi, I’m Jan!“, her voice was cheery, but Denali saw the way she shifted her weight from one leg onto the other. She was definitely nervous.

Luckily for her, Jackie rose from her seat, a warm and welcoming smile on her face. „Hello Jan! We’re glad to have you here.“, she gestured to the two free chairs at the round table. „Have a seat wherever.“

Jan nodded eagerly, stalking over to the free seat between Willow and Olivia. The taller girl just stood for a moment, as if she were somewhere completely different in her mind. Only once Jackie sat down again herself did the pink haired girl seem to remember where she was and let herself fall onto the free chair next to Denali. The smell of cigarettes and some way too sweet perfume surrounded her like a cloud. As the conversations at the table slowly started again, the girl leaned back in her chair. Denali didn’t even have to look at her to know she was watching her. A shiver ran down her spine and she cursed herself for it, trying to shake it off as Jackie raised her voice.

„So“, the brunette had her hands folded tightly around her tea cup, eyes wandering over everyone assembled at the table, „As mentioned last week, Ms Monsoon is on excursion today“, her eyes landed on Jan, „but she will gladly welcome you next week. Today, we are just going to finish the discussion we started last week, but our newbies are always welcome to join in. Next week we’ll start with another theory, so you’ll be able to involve yourself more.“ If Jackie was bothered by the way the pink haired girl looked anywhere but at her, she didn’t let it show. Instead, she reached for the drawer behind her, taking out two more sets of tea cups, spoons and saucers. „We always have tea during our sessions“, she explained as she handed Jan a saucer. Their eyes met for a second and Denali could swear she saw the corners of Jackie‘s mouth quirk upwards. „You like peppermint?“ Jan nodded quickly, almost frantically. Her wide eyes watched Jackie‘s hands pour her a cup as if it was the most fascinating, artistic skill the younger girl had ever seen.

Her pink haired companion let out a little snort, shaking her head when Jackie went to pour her a cup as well. Denali immediately shot her a glare, only to be met with yet another wink. It took all she had to not roll her eyes.

Soon, different conversations arose from around the table. Nicky, Olivia and Jackie seemed to actually discuss what they had started last week, little Jan sitting next to them with wide eyes, listening to every word they said. Crystal and Willow stuck their heads together too, Denali heard Willow complain about an assignment, to which Crystal nodded. Denali gave them five minutes before Crystal would inevitably manage to bring up Gigi, and then all Willow could really do was nod and listen.

As for Denali, she didn’t really feel like hearing Crystals gushing today. She had only joined the club a few weeks ago, shortly after transferring over, and only because her roommate Olivia had insisted she should try it out. She was right, the atmosphere was lovely and it was nice to get to know more people, but Denali would lie if she said she didn’t still feel like an outsider sometimes. Especially in moments like this, where Ms Monsoon wasn’t there to lead the discussion and they ended up in separated little groups. And of course, the one time she ended up on her own was the time someone new joined. The pink haired girl was still watching her, she could feel her gaze like a deer felt danger approaching. Or in this case, probably just bad news and annoyance. „I can feel you staring by the way.“ Denali took a long sip of her tea before whipping her head around to face her.

The pink haired one smirked at her with satisfaction, pretty much the opposite of what Denali had wanted. „I would sure hope so“, her voice was darker than Jan’s, a little rawer. Why did Denali suddenly have the urge to swallow?

„I’m Rosé by the way.“

Denali nodded, folding her hands in her lap. If only to hide the way her thumbs had already begun to fidget. „Well, Rosé, why don’t you introduce yourself to everyone next time? Or has your mother failed to teach you any manners?“

Rosé chuckled, reaching upwards until her hands rested behind her head. „I would hope she did, Goona was the problem child.“

Denali had no idea what she was talking about, and started to feel a hint of annoyance. Why was she the one left to entertain the moody one? And why was Rosé so obviously entertained by her? She leaned over now, elbows resting on the table, slowly but surely creeping up into Denali’s space. „So who are you?“, she cocked her head to the side, chin resting on her hands. Her fingers were tattooed, but Denali couldn’t see what they said from this position. „I’ve never seen you around here before.“

Now that she was so much closer, Denali could decipher the fragrances of her perfume better. Vanilla, something sugary, something fruity, probably citrus. She let out a huff before answering, trying to collect her thoughts, which were already running wild.

„Denali Foxx. Just transferred from Alaska. I live in the dorms, you should’ve seen me at least once if you paid any attention.“

The slight jab didn’t make Rosé falter in the slightest. „I don’t live on campus.“

„So you’re from round here?“ The question slipped out before Denali could stop herself. Goddamnit, she didn’t even want to talk to her! Right?

Rosé shook her head again. „Renting a flat downtown with my sisters.“

Slowly, Denali nodded. She knew how high prizes were from Jackie, whose parents used to live right by campus but had to move due to living costs. Either, Rosé and her sisters worked their asses off day and night, or, and judging by the little designer back Jan had dropped to her feet when she sat down this was way more likely, this family was loaded. This time, Denali couldn’t help but swallow, the thought of her own room and shared showers in the dorms crossing her mind. She took another large sip of tea, sorting the carousel in her head. Rosé’s perfume must be so strong that it made her dizzy, usually she was way more collected, even around nauseating people. The next sessions were surely going to be fun.

Jan fumbled with the straps of her bag, shifting from one foot onto the other. Once everyone had left the room and went to leave, Jackie got out a key to lock the door behind them. Most of the others already sauntered down the hall, even Rosé. That was Jan’s chance! She took a deep breath before stepping closer to Jackie, awkwardly clearing her throat.

„Oh, hey!“, once Jackie was sure the door to the library was locked, she turned to face her. Jan smiled, hoping the nervousness wasn’t written all over her face. It was hard to remain cool next to Jackie though, the senior student wore a white shirt, knotted at the front to reveal just a small strip of her tan stomach before her striped dresspants began. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, a few free falling strands framing her face and she wore a pair of glasses with a thick, dark rim. It didn’t help that she was also a solid few inches taller than Jan.

„Heeey“, Jan answered after she realized she had been staring, her eyes quickly fixating on the ground. „So“, she stretched the words out like bubblegum, „I was wondering…“

Jackie laughed, „What, didn’t you like the session? You don’t have to come back you know, no one will be angry with you-“

„No!“, Jan quickly interrupted her. „I liked it! I really did! Actually, I really liked what you said there about that … green guy.“ God, she must sound so stupid.

But Jackie didn’t let that on. „You mean Epicurus? That’s a pretty difficult topic to start with, he went against a lot of the more well known Greek philosophers like Platon.“

„Yeah!“, Jan nodded enthusiastically. This was good, this was great even. Jackie didn’t think she was too stupid to understand her. „I was actually wondering what else he’s done“, Jan continued, „Like, do you have anything more on him? I liked that one thing Nicky mentioned …“

„Hedonism? Sure, you can ask Ms Monsoon next week if you want extra literature-“

„No!“, her answer was probably a little too fast and a little too loud. Jackie furrowed her brow, her glasses sliding down the bridge of her nose just a little. Heavens, Jan really needed to stop staring at her face.

„I mean, yes I could do that but …“ She took a deep breath, one long enough to come up with a halfway solid response, „I never took a philosophy class before but I don’t want to come off completely clueless. I … I want to impress Ms Monsoon!“ She finished with a hopefully convincing smile. Jackie stayed silent for a moment, pushing her glasses back up her nose absentmindedly.

„You know“, she started, „It’s not really a big deal that you have no prior experience, we’re open to anyone who’s interested. But if you really want to impress her, you could maybe look into the basics of reality theory, especially tied in with theology or spirituality, it’s kind of a passion project of hers.“

Jan nodded along to every word Jackie said. „And how do I do that?“

Jackie smiled. „Are you free on Tuesday afternoon? I’ll give you a crash course?“

Jan‘s heart almost leaped out of her chest. „Yes! Yes I am!“

[halflingkima]

Recent Reads

I'm not usually one for monthly wrapups or whatever – if i think a book is good, i'll recommend it; if i think i a book is bad i'll yell about it. most of my reads are middling so it's unworth it. but february was a struggle month so i figured i'd commemorate what i did indeed read cuz it feels like a read nothing and that is false. i haven't done any Official Storygraph reviews yet so instead of forgetting the entire experience, i thought i'd document it here in the meantime.

What's Your Vibe by Kat Majik: Milo is demisexual and works in a sex shop; Stevie is bisexual, agoraphobic, and a sex shop customer; the two negotiate a relationship while feeling out the edges of their own identities.

Best book I read this year so far. Cute fluffy romance with a queer friends group and without shying from the scrutiny (including self-inflicted) that demisexual & bisexual people handle on the regular. as a demi bisexual semi-agoraphobic, this spoke to me. Also, iirc, there was no sex in this, which was so deeply refreshing. the inciting incident is that the demisexual character experiences immediate physical attraction and has a bit of a crisis. were this not written by a demisexual, the focus would be on milo exploring sexual experiences, but it simply was not. as a nearly 30yo virgin, reading a book featuring a 30yo virgin was, to be frank, healing.

this is also the book i made a vaguepost about while i was reading it cuz i am lowkey afraid the author may find me through such vagueposts.

When You Get the Chance by Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson: Cousins Mark and Talia – both gay – find themselves in Ontario on pride weekend and take a spontaneous road trip to Vancouver pride.

This was my zipbook for the month (if you're in california, ask me about libraries' zipbook programs!), and ngl, I regretted it a little bit. This was pitched to me as a cousin/bff road trip and that is absolutely not the story here. This is a family drama centering on the queer teens of the family. It was clearly a hand-off where one author wrote each pov. The plot is strange and pointless. It is absolutely not a road trip book. Nothing interesting happens, glad i got it thru the library instead of buying it myself.

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral: Teenage piano prodigy Glory has gone missing from inpatient care, where she was admitted after uncontrollably playing Chopin's Chopsticks.

this was in the free bins at work and i found it intriguing. it was published in 2013 which i think is its downfall. the format is cool and innovative. it's like a graphic novel, but using photography and mixed media (like newspaper articles & report cards). the beginning implies a sorta mystery/thriller/missing person story, but it's more of a (traditional, played-out) romeo & juliet deal. i think it could've been produced today and it would've been way more interesting and better executed, given the general popularity of and respect for graphic novels in general.

Paper Girls, Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughn: With the girls split across the timestream, they must survive, find their way back to each other, and return home in one piece.

I powered through this in january and i gotta say, it's nothing special. the timeline got predictably confusing, but the narrative doesn't do anything to help you with it. i was also disappointed in the ending even though it wasnt as hopeless as it couldve been. still disappointing in general. i've also seen this on "good sapphic rep" lists and i'm not sure i'd agree with that. ngl, i think i've already forgotten most of the series, let alone what happened in which volume.

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy: Emmett wants a career as an openly gay country singer, and his first step is performing at a country superstar's amusement park; Luke was brought up hating country music, but his concerns over his mother's illness lead him to reluctantly take a job at the amusement park.

This was pleasantly better than i expected it to be. i thought it struck a perfect balance between pride & the gravitas of coming out, big dreams of stardom and small dreams of the future, young love and adult themes, and ultimately, realism & camp. there was a clear dolly parton insert character here, and yes, the characters meet her in person. but honestly, bc it's balanced with some southern-style casual homophobia, it didn't feel too outlandish for me. the fact that this book remained steadfastly YA while not shying from discussing things like terminal illness & coming out in the south really impressed me.

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce: Alanna of Trebond steals her twin brother's knighthood commission, disguising her gender, and uses her powerful healing to help her fellow knight, the prince.

i started this series (of series) in junior high and never finished it cuz it wasn't published yet lol. i've always wanted to revisit it so i finally began again and i gotta say. i had thought i'd forgotten most of what happened but no; not much happens at all in this book. the prince got sick and i was like aw hell yeah the story's getting started and then it was over. that was the climax. thank goodness it's in audio now cuz idk if i'd have the patience to reread the series otherwise.

Tea Leaves by Jacob Budenz: A collection of queer short stories leaning into the witchy, the horror, and the speculative.

I was so hoping this one would be a success, but it fell apart pretty quickly for me. Mostly, the stories just drag on far too long. There are promising premises and the writing style isn't untenable, but almost every story needed a heavy editing hand.

The Lawrence Brown Affair by Cat Sebastian: An agoraphobic inventor hires a new secretary and finds himself falling in love, not least because this secretary helps him cultivate a relationship with his young son.

I found myself moderately invested in this one. i liked the couple, but wasnt rly invested in the characters on their own outside of the relationship. this also felt a little piecemeal plotwise. single dads are in my tropebox but that doesnt rly come up until 60%ish. so far, i've largely preferred sebastian's sedgewicks series over the turner series.

Mister Invincible: Local Hero by Pascal Jousselin: Mister Invincible is the only true comic book superhero – his powers allow him to use the format of comics themselves to save the day.

This was a very cute read! It read just like a sunday comics strip, like beadle bailey or garfield, but elevated to an deliberately meta level. I picked it from a branch of my library knwon for artsy books and this one fulfilled.

Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children #3) by Seanan McGuire: Everything has returned to normal at Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children after the twins escaped; until a dissolving girl falls from the sky, demanding to see her mother Sumi – who is a recently murdered teenager.

I've seen this one talked about mostly as the most disappointing of the series - it's fine, but ppl tend to agree its the weakest. after i tricked my own damn self into disappointment with the previous one, i found this a delight! i especially loved that we visited multiple worlds.

Rizzio by Denise Mina: On the evening of March 9th, 1566, a conspiracy to assassinate David Rizzio, private secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots, took place.

I likely would not have been as disappointed had i known any specifics about this piece of history going in. i expected some espionage, a focus on rizzio as a main character. instead, he was dead by page 20, and the rest of the book sprawled on, debating how mary could keep her crown. had that been the book that was pitched to me, i likely wouldve still picked it up! but i wouldve had more accurate expectations.

Bloody Jack by LA Meyer: Orphan Mary Faber finds herself aboard a ship of Queen VIctoria's British navy, masquerading as a boy – Jacky.

I've been wanting to get through this series since junior high and after rereading this one... i remember exactly why i never did. its the driest piece of historical fiction wrapped in a difficult accent. most disappointing now is how tragically heterosexual it is. i dont need every genderbend story to be explicitly about transness but it does seem weird if its never addressed; and I'd also prefer if 15yos weren't swearing marriage vows ngl. I'm gonna read the second book, but i may throw in the towel after that.

[pashterlengkap]

Texas Gov. gives curt 6-word reply to proposed U.N. investigation of state’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a curt six-word response to media reports of LGBTQ+ advocates asking the United Nations to investigate the “deteriorating human rights situation” for queer people in the state. “The UN can go pound sand,” Abbott wrote in a post on X published on Sunday. He signed at least seven anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law last year. State Republican lawmakers have introduced at least 141 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation during the most recent legislative term. Related: GOP lawmaker calls LGBTQ+ people “filth” He was asked about a nonbinary teen’s death and he responded by calling LGBTQ+ people “filth” that a “Christian state” should keep out. In late January, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups filed a petition with the U.N. claiming that the state of Texas has violated international human rights law with its passage of seven anti-LGBTQ+ laws last year. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our daily newsletter. The letter of allegation – signed by GLAAD, the ACLU of Texas, Equality Texas, the Human Rights Campaign, and the University of Texas at Austin School of Law Human Rights Clinic – was submitted to 17 independent experts, working groups, and special rapporteurs at the U.N. The letter described the actions taken by state officials last year that were hostile to the human rights of LGBTQ+ people. “In 2023, the Texas Legislature targeted the LGBTQIA+ community through hostile laws that have disrupted (or will disrupt) the ability of LGBTQIA+ persons to effectuate their rights,” the letter stated. “Taken individually, the seven pieces of legislation discussed in this submission will disrupt the lives of LGBTQIA+ people of various ages and backgrounds. Put together, the Bills are a systemic attack on the fundamental rights, dignities, and identities of LGBTQIA+ persons that opens the gates for discrimination by both public and private actors.” “Considering the danger this represents, we humbly ask for you to make inquiries into this backsliding of human rights of LGBTQIA+ persons in the state of Texas, United States of America. Furthermore, the United States federal government has failed to adopt necessary and adequate measures to prevent these abuses. While some federal courts have placed injunctions on some of the Bills, the federal government has not adopted a proper response to the systemic attack on LGBTQIA+ persons living in the state of Texas,” the letter added. The UN can go pound sand. https://t.co/JpWguPHGHJ— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 25, 2024 The letter drew attention to S.B. 14, which was signed by Abbott in June 2023, a bill that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors and requires those already transitioning in the state to detransition. A federal court issued an injunction against the law. The letter also pointed to S.B. 17, passed last year, which banned diversity programs at public universities and precludes references to gender identity and sexual orientation – as well as other identities – during staff training. The law has been used to eliminate LGBTQ+ spaces at public universities and, the letter said, to eliminate HIV testing programs. Texas’s S.B. 15, signed in June 2023, banned transgender students from participating in school sports, and it’s also mentioned in the letter. The letter also mentions the state’s drag ban, S.B. 12; a bill allowing public schools to hire religious chaplains, S.B. 763; H.B. 900, a ban on “sexually explicit” materials in school libraries that is so vague critics say it can be used to ban any book mentioning sexuality at all, including the Bible; and H.B. 2127, which bans local governments from providing anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people that go beyond what state law already says. The letter asked the U.N. to investigate each of the bills and to ask Texas officials how… http://dlvr.it/T3HlrB

[sab-cat]

It's just what it sounds like! Storytellers using the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves! Drag Story Hour (DSH) was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions, under the leadership of Julián Delgado Lopera and Virgie Tovar, in San Francisco in 2015. It started out as drag queens reading stories to children in libraries and grew into a global phenomenon! DSH now offers literary and creative programming for kids and teens of all ages led by drag queens, kings, and all other royal beings! DSH is a national 501 c 3 non-profit with a global network of local organizations, each of which is independently managed and funded.

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Beanie Feldstein

full name: Iris Judith Xanthe

nickname(s) / goes by: Iris

pronouns & gender: cis woman she/her

sexuality: queer/lesbian

birth date: March 20th, 1994

birth place: Amherst, Massachusetts

arrival to merrock: 2021

housing: suburbs

occupation: librarian and grad student

work place: Memorial Library

family: n/a

relationship status: single

PERSONALITY

Raised as a sheltered kid, Iris likes to think she's more optimistic than naïve and wants to believe in the best in people. She's a warm person who likes to joke and laugh more than anything else and always does what she can to help others. In fact, her desire to help and let others shine can be her biggest fault, and what keeps her in her own head and waiting in the wings. Iris is one to seek out the experiences she feels she lacks but finds that she's often restricted by a strong desire to play by the rules.

WRITTEN BY: Lindsey (they/she), est.

BACKGROUND / BIO

Iris was the sort of little girl who was always raised to find her power and her voice. Her father is a classics professor who served as her primary caregiver growing up and her mother is a religious studies professor focusing on Judaism and part-time doula. She was always raised to be open minded while holding a deep respect for the beliefs of her family. Despite the expansive perspective of her mind, she was always just a little bit sheltered. Her parents were older and she was their only child, their special girl, and while they never intended to smother their girl, Iris was often too comfortable with, well, not going outside of her comfort zone.

As a teenager, Iris very quickly realized she liked girls and was very quickly accepted by her parents for who she is. It’s not easy for any teen to realize they’re against the norm, but her liberal Massachusetts community gave her a more opening environment than most places could. Besides, it took her another good four years until she was in undergrad to even work up the nerve to ask a girl out at all. While she was very confident about that part of her life, the diverse interests her parents instilled in her made it hard for her to find a focus in college. She graduated with high honors- just in six years instead of the usual four. During that time, she was in several clubs, studied abroad three times, and still couldn’t find a way to not be awkward around cute girls.

Afterwards, she settled back in at home for a few years. Her parents weren’t overly eager for her to fly the nest and she needed some time to explore options. Working at local library and then a local university library gave her a great passion for library sciences, the ability to classify and collect data and to have access to all the knowledge in the world. At long last, after several years, she had a pathway. Emboldened by this, and despite enrolling in an online program, Iris packed up, said goodbye to her parents, and drove off to Maine to a small town she’d read about once. It was a less than five hour drive, so she’s never been too far from home.

Since settling into Merrock and going through the broke grad student life, she’d taken up doing a variety of gig jobs around town; driving for Uber, walking dogs, helping with grocery orders, even assembling furniture or watering plants. Now, on the cusp of graduating and starting a new career at the local library, Iris feels the pieces are starting to come together.

[mplchameleon]

LGBTQIA+ Youth Summer Series: Weekly Prompt, August 16

Submit via our Padlet! Additionally, if you are attending either of the Affirmations Book Clubs, please feel free to submit book reviews, fan art, or anything related to the books discussed each month as additional creative content, even if it doesn’t relate to the prompt!

Reminder: You have through Friday to submit content! Details on what type of content to submit are here.

[richincolor]

Banned Books Week!

It’s Banned Books week and of course, we at Rich in Color couldn’t not let this week pass without sharing some book recommendations for you, or bringing you information and resources.

Book banning and challenges are nothing new, hence why we have this week in the first place, but for the past two years book bans/challenges have been particularly aggressive on a level not seen before. Some of these challenges/bans have come with personal attacks against authors, teachers and librarians. In Texas and Florida particularly, state legislatures have tried to ban books from school libraries, classrooms, and even created laws towards curriculum. It’s very nasty out there.

Today I looked at the 2021-2022 challenged/banned book list that Pen America put together and it broke my heart. Of all the books I've taught in my 19 years of teaching, 13 are on the list. Currently 1 book our 6th graders are reading, 3 books our 7th graders are reading, only 1 book I'm teaching is on the list. I'm not too sure why some of my other books are not there because they would fit the criteria (about LGBTQ kids, characters of color, racism, immigration) but still...that list is disturbing. They are really trying to silence us.

But they won’t! Not as long as we continue to fight back, to promote books with diverse voices, and vote. If you’re wondering what you can do to help, check out the resources we have below!

RESOURCES

Banned Books Week

Unite Against Book Bans

What Should a Queer Children’s Book Do?

United Against Book Bans

National Coalition Against Censorship

Resources for Banned Books Week and Beyond

WHAT YOU CAN DO

How to Support Diverse Books from We Need Diverse Books

From How to Support Diverse Books: “Myth #1: “You should buy copies of banned books.”

Reality: Purchasing banned books is usually our first instinct, but on its own, it’s nowhere near enough. As Karen Jensen of Teen Librarian Toolbox writes: “Buying the book will help keep it in publication, but it doesn’t necessarily help libraries, school or public.” Ultimately, it depends on what you’re planning to do with the books that you purchase, which leads us to Myth #2.”

Buying banned books may feel like a meaningful action – and it’s always great to support marginalized authors! – but fighting back against censorship and book bans takes more than that. It’s a systemic issue and requires systemic solutions, not individual or performative ones… Getting involved in your community is crucial.

Spread awareness

Share banned books on social media and in your community

Get involved in your local community and school board; support local librarians and teachers who are fighting back against book bans.

Donate to prison book programs

Haymarket Books’s Books to Prisons initiative

ALA resource guide for book donation programs for prison libraries

Prison Book Program

Books Through Bars

That's all for now. On Thursday we'll highlight some specific books and the challenges against them and how this current movement is more about silencing diverse voices than free speech.

[cowboyjen68]

Hey, I'm a nonbinary teen from Iowa. I'm also autistic, and have a hard time making friends. Do you have any advice on finding a queer community when you live in a place that isn't really accepting of LGBTQ+ people?

I know some parts of Southern Iowa are much more difficult for pretty much any minority than other parts of Iowa. Even though I am in rural Benton County I have experienced very few issues and I have been here 20 plus years. I grew up in Solon Iowa in the 1980's and it was in no way safe for me to come out if I wanted to "fit in" with my peers in school.

My first suggestion is your public library. Librarians tend to be socially neutral if they are any good at their job. Bascially they are passionate about supporting all sides of their community and nuetrality makes everyone feel comfortable in the public space. Ask them if they have a reading group or if they would help you start one.

I have found that I am most comforable and able to grow among lesbians who are most like me and share common stories. I suggest you find others who are most aligned with you. Contact a local or Iowa Autistic group and ask if they have any other teen/minor NB people who you can befriend. They are awesome community oriented people and will likely be happy to help you find some like friends

See if there is a local PFLAG. There is one in Mount Pleasant if you are near that location. Contact PFLAG National at www.pflag.org and ask if they have local connections or a group or resources. If you live near a larger city that has a pride reach out to them to see if they have resources or a FB or website or if they allow minor volunteers.

United Action For Youth and The Tanager Place LGBTQ+ Youth Center might be good places to contact for resources and ideas.