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Books to Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month

Alex Kohn, YA Information Assistant, Mulberry Street Library — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 12:46:07 -0400

October is LGBTQ+ History Month and while you may know about the AIDS epidemic and subsequent activism and the Stonewall Riots of 1969, did you know the LGBTQ+ community has a long and storied history before those events? Our history is fascinating and colorful, so given that we've been around for quite a while there's a lot of history to explore.

Separated into books for kids, teens and adults, and within that by fiction and nonfiction, this list is a way to engage with queer history or just read some good fiction, set at various points in history, that features queer characters, themes, and identity.

Kids Nonfiction

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders; illustrated by Steven Salerno

In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders's stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno's evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable—and undertold—story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride.

Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past and Present! by Arabelle Sicardi; illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones

This beautiful, bold book celebrates the achievements of LGBT people through history and from around the world. It features full-color portraits of a diverse selection of 53 inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies that focus on their incredible successes, from Freddie Mercury's contribution to music to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution by Rob Sanders; illustrated by Jamey Christoph

In the early-morning hours of June 28, 1969, the Stonewall Inn was raided by police in New York City. Though the inn had been raided before, that night would be different. It would be the night when empowered members of the LGBTQ+ community—in and around the Stonewall Inn—began to protest and demand their equal rights as citizens of the United States. Movingly narrated by the Stonewall Inn itself, and featuring stirring and dynamic illustrations, Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution is an essential and empowering civil rights story that every child deserves to hear.

Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets by Gayle Pitman

This book is about the Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous, often violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBTQ+) community in reaction to a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The Riots are attributed as the spark that ignited the LGBTQ+ movement. The author describes American gay history leading up to the Riots, the Riots themselves, and the aftermath, and includes her interviews of people involved or witnesses, including a woman who was ten at the time. Profusely illustrated, the book includes contemporary photos, newspaper clippings, and other period objects. A timely and necessary read, The Stonewall Riots helps readers to understand the history and legacy of the LGBTQ+ movement.

When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community by Gayle Pitman; illustrated by Christopher Lyles

When You Look Out the Window tells the story of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, one of San Francisco's most well-known and politically active lesbian couples. Describing the view from Phyllis and Del's window, this book shows how one couple's activism transformed their community—and had ripple effects throughout the world.

Kids Fiction

Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley

After Mama Lacy’s death, Fella was forced to move in with her grandmother, Mrs. Madison. The move brought Fella all sorts of comforts she wasn't used to at home, but it also meant saying goodbye to her sister Zoey (a.k.a. Zany) and her other mother, Mama Shannon. Though Mama Shannon fought hard to keep Fella, it was no use. The marriage act is still a few years away and the courts thought Fella would be better off with a blood relation. Already heartbroken, Fella soon finds herself alone in Mrs. Madison's house, grieving both the death of her mother and the loss of her entire family. Then one night, Zany shows up at Mrs. Madison’s house determined to fulfill Mama Lacy’s dying wish: to have her ashes spread over the lawn of the last place they were all happy as a family. Of course, this means stealing Mama Lacy’s ashes and driving hundreds of miles in the middle of night to Asheville, North Carolina. Their adventure takes one disastrous turn after another, but their impulsive journey helps them rediscover the bonds that truly make them sisters.

The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor

Aware of the racial tumult in the years after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Mei tries to remain blissfully focused on her job, her close friendship with the camp foreman's daughter, and telling stories about Paul Bunyan‚reinvented as Po Pan Yin (Auntie Po), an elderly Chinese matriarch. Anchoring herself with stories of Auntie Po, Mei navigates the difficulty and politics of lumber camp work and her growing romantic feelings for her friend Bee. The Legend of Auntie Po is about who gets to own a myth and immigrant families and communities holding on to rituals and traditions while staking out their own place in America.

Goldie Vance, Vol 1 written by Hope Larson; illustrated by Brittney Williams; colors by Sarah Stern; letters by Jim Campbell

Move over Nancy, Harriet, and Veronica. There's a new sleuth on the block! Sixteen-year-old Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place. Her mom, who divorced her dad years ago, works as a live mermaid at a club downtown. Goldie has an insatiable curiosity, which explains her dream to one day become the hotel's in-house detective. When Charles, the current detective, encounters a case he can't crack, he agrees to mentor Goldie in exchange for her help solving the mystery.

My Mixed-up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari

Twelve-year-old June Farrell spends the summer at her Vermont home getting used to the woman her mother is planning to marry and practicing her pie-baking skills, as she hopes to win the blue ribbon at the fair.

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E.L. Konigsburg

Amedeo Kaplan seems just like any other new kid who has moved into the town of St. Malo, Florida, a navy town where new faces are the norm. But Amedeo has a secret, a dream: More than anything in the world, he wants to discover something—a place, a process, even a fossil—some treasure that no one realizes is there until he finds it. And he would also like to discover a true friend to share these things with. William Wilcox seems like an unlikely candidate for friendship: an aloof boy who is all edges and who owns silence the way other people own words. When Amedeo and William find themselves working together on a house sale for Amedeo's eccentric neighbor, Mrs. Zender, Amedeo has an inkling that both his wishes may come true. For Mrs. Zender's mansion is crammed with memorabilia of her long life, and there is a story to go with every piece. Soon the boys find themselves caught up in one particular story—a story that links a sketch, a young boy's life, an old man's reminiscence, and a painful secret dating back to the outrages of Nazi Germany. It's a story that will take them to the edge of what they know about heroism and the mystery of the human heart.

Young Adult Nonfiction

A Queer History of the United States for Young People by Michael Bronski, adapted by Richie Chevat

Queer history didn't start with Stonewall. This book explores how LGBTQ people have always been a part of our national identity, contributing to the country and culture for over 400 years. It is crucial for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth to know their history. But this history is not easy to find since it's rarely taught in schools or commemorated in other ways. A Queer History of the United States for Young People corrects this and demonstrates that LGBTQ people have long been vital to shaping our understanding of what America is today. Through engrossing narratives, letters, drawings, poems, and more, the book encourages young readers, of all identities, to feel pride at the accomplishments of the LGBTQ people who came before them and to use history as a guide to the future.

Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager

World history has been made by countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals' and you've never heard of many of them. Queer author and activist Sarah Prager delves deep into the lives of 23 people who fought, created, and loved on their own terms. From high-profile figures like Abraham Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt to the trailblazing gender-ambiguous Queen of Sweden and a bisexual blues singer who didn't make it into your history books, these astonishing true stories uncover a rich queer heritage that encompasses every culture, in every era.

Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke by Andrew Maraniss

On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history without even swinging a bat. When his teammate Dusty Baker hit a historic home run, Glenn enthusiastically congratulated him with the first ever high five. But Glenn also made history in another way—he was the first openly gay MLB player. While he did not come out publicly until after his playing days were over, Glenn's sexuality was known to his teammates, family, and friends. His MLB career would be cut short after only three years, but his legacy and impact on the athletic and LGBTQ+ community would resonate for years to come. In Singled Out, Andrew Maraniss tells the story of a little-known but monumentally important sports pioneer, Glenn Burke: from his childhood growing up in Oakland, his journey to the World Series, and his joy in living free at a time of gay liberation, to more difficult times: facing injury, addiction, and the AIDS epidemic.

Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausman

That’s the Stonewall.
The Stonewall Inn.
Pay attention.
History walks through that door.

In 1969 being gay in the United States was a criminal offense. It meant living a closeted life or surviving on the fringes of society. People went to jail, lost jobs, and were disowned by their families for being gay. Most doctors considered homosexuality a mental illness. There were few safe havens. The Stonewall Inn, a Mafia-run, filthy, overpriced bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, was one of them. Police raids on gay bars happened regularly in this era. But one hot June night, when cops pounded on the door of the Stonewall, almost nothing went as planned. Tensions were high. The crowd refused to go away. Anger and frustration boiled over.

The raid became a riot.

The riot became a catalyst.

The catalyst triggered an explosive demand for gay rights.

Viral: The Fight Against AIDS in America by Ann Bausman

Thirty-five years ago, it was a modern-day, mysterious plague. Its earliest victims were mostly gay men, some of the most marginalized people in the country; at its peak in America, it killed tens of thousands of people. The losses were staggering, the science frightening, and the government's inaction unforgivable. The AIDS Crisis fundamentally changed the fabric of the United States. Viral presents the history of the AIDS crisis through the lens of the brave victims and activists who demanded action and literally fought for their lives. This compassionate but unflinching text explores everything from the disease's origins and how it spread to the activism it inspired and how the world confronts HIV and AIDS today.

Young Adult Fiction

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation forever. Now laws like the Native and Negro Education Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. But it's not a life Jane wants. When families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy... and the restless dead are the least of her problems.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

Chicago, 1893. For Alter Rosen, this is the land of opportunity, and he dreams of the day he’ll have enough money to bring his mother and sisters to America, freeing them from the oppression they face in his native Romania. But when Alter’s best friend, Yakov, becomes the latest victim in a long line of murdered Jewish boys, his dream begins to slip away. While the rest of the city is busy celebrating the World’s Fair, Alter is now living a nightmare: possessed by Yakov’s dybbuk, he is plunged into a world of corruption and deceit, and thrown back into the arms of a dangerous boy from his past. A boy who means more to Alter than anyone knows. Now, with only days to spare until the dybbuk takes over Alter’s body completely, the two boys must race to track down the killer—before the killer claims them next.

The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath

It is 1904 and the partially deaf Asta Hedstrom is engaged to Nils, but she does not want to marry him: she would rather spend her time with her best friend Gunnar Fuglestad and his secret boyfriend, Erlend, who belongs to the wealthiest family on their Norwegian island; so when Nils gravely injures Gunnar, she shuns her marriage and moves in with Gunnar and Erlend in a secluded cabin above town--and the three misfits set out to win the annual Christmas sleigh race, and prove to that they belong together, in spite of the villages prejudices.

Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian

An Iranian youth who hides his sexual orientation from his family, an openly gay photographer and an aspiring fashion designer with an HIV-positive uncle fall in love and find their voices as activists during the height of the AIDS crisis in New York City.

Adult Nonfiction

Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton

The story of Christine Jorgensen, America’s first prominent transsexual, famously narrated trans embodiment in the postwar era. Her celebrity, however, has obscured other mid-century trans narratives—ones lived by African Americans such as Lucy Hicks Anderson and James McHarris. Their erasure from trans history masks the profound ways race has figured prominently in the construction and representation of transgender subjects. In Black on Both Sides, C. Riley Snorton identifies multiple intersections between blackness and transness from the mid-nineteenth century to present-day anti-black and anti-trans legislation and violence.

Charity and Sylvia: A Same Sex Marriage in Early America by Rachel Hope Cleves

Conventional wisdom holds that same-sex marriage is a purely modern innovation, a concept born of an overtly modern lifestyle that was unheard of in nineteenth century America. But same-sex marriage is hardly new. Born in 1777, Charity Bryant was raised in Massachusetts. A brilliant and strong-willed woman with a clear attraction for her own sex, Charity found herself banished from her family home at age twenty. She spent the next decade of her life traveling throughout Massachusetts, working as a teacher, making intimate female friends, and becoming the subject of gossip wherever she lived. At age twenty-nine, still defiantly single, Charity visited friends in Weybridge, Vermont. There she met a pious and studious young woman named Sylvia Drake. The two soon became so inseparable that Charity decided to rent rooms in Weybridge. In 1809, they moved into their own home together, and over the years, came to be recognized, essentially, as a married couple. Charity and Sylvia is the intimate history of their extraordinary forty-four year union and a significant contribution to our limited knowledge of LGBTQ history in early America.

How to Survive a Plague: The Inside Story of How Citizens and Science Tamed AIDS by David France

In this descriptive narrative for general readers and others, AIDS journalist David France interweaves his own life story and friendships as he chronicles the growth, impact, and legacy of activist groups such as ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and TAG (Treatment Action Group) as they fought for more funding for AIDS research and lower prices for treatment drugs. France introduces the personalities and ideals of key activists who reacted to the losses in the gay community by lobbying, protesting, fighting against pharmaceutical companies, and creating buyers’ clubs for treatment drugs.

We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown

Through the lenses of protest, power, and pride, We Are Everywhere is an essential and empowering introduction to the history of the fight for queer liberation. Combining exhaustively researched narrative with meticulously curated photographs, the book traces queer activism from its roots in late-nineteenth-century Europe—long before the pivotal Stonewall Riots of 1969—to the gender warriors leading the charge today. Featuring more than 300 images from more than seventy photographers and twenty archives, this inclusive and intersectional book enables us to truly see queer history unlike anything before, with glimpses of activism in the decades preceding and following Stonewall, family life, marches, protests, celebrations, mourning, and Pride. By challenging many of the assumptions that dominate mainstream LGBTQ+ history, We Are Everywhere shows readers how they can—and must—honor the queer past in order to shape our liberated future.

When Brooklyn Was Queer by Hugh Ryan

A groundbreaking exploration of the LGBTQ history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the queer women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. Not only has Brooklyn always lived in the shadow of queer Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Harlem, but there has also been a systematic erasure of its queer history—a great forgetting. Hugh Ryan is here to unearth that history for the first time. In intimate, evocative, moving prose he discusses in new light the fundamental questions of what history is, who tells it, and how we can only make sense of ourselves through its retelling; and shows how the formation of the Brooklyn we know today is inextricably linked to the stories of the incredible people who created its diverse neighborhoods and cultures.

Adult Fiction

Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison

Greenville County, South Carolina, is a wild, lush place that is home to the Boatwright family—a tight-knit clan of rough-hewn, hard-drinking men who shoot up each other’s trucks, and indomitable women who get married young and age too quickly. At the heart of this story is Ruth Anne Boatwright, known simply as Bone, a bastard child who observes the world around her with a mercilessly keen perspective. When her stepfather Daddy Glen, “cold as death, mean as a snake,” becomes increasingly more vicious toward her, Bone finds herself caught in a family triangle that tests the loyalty of her mother, Anney—and leads to a final, harrowing encounter from which there can be no turning back.

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.

Two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation find refuge in each other while transforming a quiet shed into a haven for their fellow slaves, before an enslaved preacher declares their bond sinful. The Prophets masterfully reveals the pain and suffering of inheritance, but is also shot through with hope, beauty, and truth, portraying the enormous, heroic power of love.

Fire From Heaven by Mary Renault

Alexander the Great died at the age of thirty-three, leaving behind an empire that stretched from Greece and Egypt to India and a new cosmopolitan model for western civilization.In Alexander's childhood, his defiant character was molded into the makings of a king. His mother, Olympias, and his father, King Philip of Macedon, fought each other for their son's loyalty, teaching Alexander politics and vengeance from the cradle. His love for the youth Hephaistion, on whom he depended for he rest of his life, taught him trust, whilst Aristotle's tutoring provoked his mind and Homer's Iliad fueled his aspirations. He killed his first man in battle at the age of twelve and became the commander of Macedon's cavalry at eighteen - by the time his father was murdered and he acceded to the throne, Alexander's skills had grown to match his fiery ambition

The Book of Salt by Monique Truong

The Book of Salt serves up a wholly original take on Paris in the 1930s through the eyes of Binh, the Vietnamese cook employed by Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Viewing his famous mesdames and their entourage from the kitchen of their rue de Fleurus home, Binh observes their domestic entanglements while seeking his own place in the world. In a mesmerizing tale of yearning and betrayal, Monique Truong explores Paris from the salons of its artists to the dark nightlife of its outsiders and exiles. She takes us back to Binh's youthful servitude in Saigon under colonial rule, to his life as a galley hand at sea, to his brief, fateful encounters in Paris with Paul Robeson and the young Ho Chi Minh.

Maurice by E.M. Forster

Maurice Hall is a young man who grows up confident in his privileged status and well aware of his role in society. Modest and generally conformist, he nevertheless finds himself increasingly attracted to his own sex. Through Clive, whom he encounters at Cambridge, and through Alec, the gamekeeper on Clive's country estate, Maurice gradually experiences a profound emotional and sexual awakening. A tale of passion, bravery and defiance, this intensely personal novel was completed in 1914 but remained unpublished until after Forster's death in 1970. Compellingly honest and beautifully written, it offers a powerful condemnation of the repressive attitudes of British society, and is at once a moving love story and an intimate tale of one man's erotic and political self-discovery.

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

Woman or man? That’s the question that rages like a storm around Jess Goldberg, clouding her life and her identity. Growing up differently gendered in a blue collar town in the 1950’s, coming out as a butch in the bars and factories of the prefeminist ’60s, deciding to pass as a man in order to survive when she is left without work or a community in the early ’70s. This powerful, provocative and deeply moving novel sees Jess coming full circle, she learns to accept the complexities of being a transgender person in a world demanding simple explanations: a he-she emerging whole, weathering the turbulence.

Jam on the Vine by LaShonda K. Barnett

Ivoe Williams, the precocious daughter of a Muslim cook and a metalsmith from central-east Texas, first ignites her lifelong obsession with journalism when she steals a newspaper from her mother's white employer. Living in the poor, segregated quarter of Little Tunis, Ivoe immerses herself in printed matter as an escape from her dour surroundings. She earns a scholarship to the prestigious Willetson College in Austin, only to return over-qualified to the menial labor offered by her hometown's racially-biased employers. Ivoe eventually flees the Jim Crow South with her family and settles in Kansas City, where she and her former teacher and lover, Ona, found the first female-run African American newspaper, Jam! On the Vine. In the throes of the Red Summer—the 1919 outbreak of lynchings and race riots across the Midwest—Ivoe risks her freedom, and her life, to call attention to the atrocities of segregation in the American prison system.

The Price of Salt (or Carol) by Patricia Highsmith

Based on a true story plucked from Highsmith's own life, The Price of Salt tells the riveting drama of Therese Belivet, a stage designer trapped in a department-store day job, whose routine is forever shattered by a gorgeous epiphany—the appearance of Carol Aird, a customer who comes in to buy her daughter a Christmas toy. Therese begins to gravitate toward the alluring suburban housewife, who is trapped in a marriage as stultifying as Therese's job. They fall in love and set out across the United States, ensnared by society's confines and the imminent disapproval of others, yet propelled by their infatuation.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

"A small and quite unimportant sect of perfect people": Oscar Wilde, Charles Ricketts & Charles Shannon

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:33:41 -0400

Publishers' bindings from the turn of the twentieth century have experienced a resurgence of popularity in recent years. Although books bound in publisher's cloth have been in production since at least the 1820s, it is the bindings from the late nineteenth century—after publishers began turning book decoration over to established artists and designers—that continue to capture our attention today. In a previous blog post, I took a look at how the study of American publishers' bindings can provide a window into how women working in the male-dominated field of book publishing supported each other both personally and professionally. As a follow up to that discussion, today we will be considering the books that English artist Charles Ricketts and his partner Charles Shannon designed for Irish author and dramatist Oscar Wilde and the insight they can offer about a similar network of support between gay men in the publishing industry in the United Kingdom.

English artists and romantic partners Charles Ricketts and Charles Shannon first befriended Oscar Wilde in 1889, two years before the publication of The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) when he was still known as "a young English versifier and aesthete." They sent a complimentary copy of the premier issue of their little magazine The Dial: An Occasional Publication (1889-1897) to Wilde, who so enjoyed it that he visited the couple at their home in London. The three men developed a lifelong friendship; Ricketts and Shannon would be among the few who maintained their support for Wilde when he was imprisoned at Reading Gaol for his homosexuality—then punishable by law as a crime of "gross indecency"—from 1895-1897.

Trade issue (left) and large paper issue (right) of The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891)

But let's get back to the bindings: the first book that Charles Ricketts designed for Oscar Wilde was The Picture of Dorian Gray, the Faustian story about a man who trades his soul for earthly pleasures. The book was issued in two different formats, and each had a variation of the same binding design. The trade issue (intended for a general audience) featured ten gilt-stamped decorations (bibliographer Stuart Mason describes them as "butterflies," while Wilde called them "tiny gold marigolds") on gray boards, but the large paper issue (of which only 220 copies were produced) has fifty-five.

At first glance, the design on the large paper copy may appear as just a more elaborate version of the trade issue's cover, but placing these designs within the context of the novel's publishing history seems to suggest otherwise. Dorian Gray was first published serially in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in July 1890, and it was quickly deemed scandalous. This prompted Wilde to pen a particularly memorable preface for the first book edition of 1891 in defense of his work:

A House of Pomegranates (1891)

"Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated… They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty."

With this in mind, the large paper copy seems intended for those "who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things," which puts the trade issue in a different light; although it, too, is lovely, the clearly pared down version of the design seems to have been intended be more palatable to those who might seek to criticize.

Wilde enunciated a similar defense for his collection of fairy tales A House of Pomegranates (1891) after a review in The Speaker admonished Ricketts's binding design as "grotesque" and unappealing. Wilde was quick to assert his support for Ricketts in a letter he wrote to the magazine's editor shortly thereafter, noting that:

"It is the spectator, and the mind of the spectator, as I pointed out in the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, that art really mirrors. What I want to indicate is this: the artistic beauty of the cover of my book resides in the delicate tracing, arabesques, and massing of many coral-red lines on a ground of white ivory, the colour-effect culminating in certain high gilt notes, and being made still more pleasurable by the overlapping band of moss-green cloth that holds the book together."

Poems (1892)

Not only does this letter underscore the emphasis that Wilde placed on the physical appearance of his published works, but it also demonstrates that Ricketts—and, by extension, Shannon—were part of the same "cultivated" few that Wilde referred to in his preface for Dorian Gray.

It is hardly surprising, then, that Oscar Wilde went to great lengths to keep the 1892 edition of Poems —one of his and Charles Ricketts's most avant-garde collaborations—out of the hands of literary critics. This so-called "author's edition" of Poems (first published in 1881) was created from the sheets of leftover copies of the fifth edition of Poems, together with a new title page and a signed limitation page. The whole thing was dressed up in lavish binding that marked "a striking departure from high Victorian norms" by challenging their "assumption, widespread until the end of the 1880s, that bookbinding was merely a 'decorative' art." Publishers Elkin Mathews and John Lane even gave the binding its own title: "The Seven Trees."

Wilde preemptively defended the 1892 Poems, arguing that it was meant "not for reviewers but merely for lovers of poetry, a small and quite unimportant sect of perfect people... Its raiment, gold smeared on tired purple, might attract attention in the Strand, and that would annoy it, books being delicate and most sensitive things, and, if they are books worth reading, having a strong dislike for the public."

Wilde's shift from describing his intended audience as an "elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty" to "a small and quite unimportant sect of perfect people" is notable; instead of merely asserting the validity of his audience's opinion, Wilde seems to be creating safe space in which the beauty of both his verse and Ricketts's design can be appreciated without mainstream critique.

Lady Windemere's Fan (1893) and A Woman of No Importance (1894)

To confirm this, we need only look at the bindings that Charles Shannon created for Wilde's plays, including Lady Windemere's Fan (1893) and A Woman of No Importance (1894), which were intended for public consumption. Both of these bindings feature similarly placed gilt-stamped decorations (Wilde called them "gold petals" in an 1898 letter to Leonard Smithers), but compared to Ricketts's more elaborate designs, Shannon's bindings echo the (relative) conservativeness of the trade issue of Dorian Gray.

The Pageant (1896)

So, what can we learn from this understanding of the significance Wilde attached to the appearance of his works? Is this really so surprising from one of Victorian England's most notorious dandies? For one, we can gain a deeper appreciation of how Wilde's defense of Charles Ricketts's designs was not just a rebuke of criticism of his own books, but the championing of a gay artist at a time when homosexuality was considered a crime. (Even if the three men never discussed their sexual preferences, it is unlikely that Wilde would not have recognized that Ricketts and Shannon were a romantic couple).

This understanding also sheds different light on the binding design that Ricketts and Shannon chose for the inaugural issue of their magazine The Pageant (1896). Many of Wilde's friends and collaborators distanced themselves after the arrest, but Shannon and Ricketts remained steadfast, even knowing they could be found guilty of the same crime for which Wilde was imprisoned. This considered, it is hard to see the binding of The Pageant, which is reminiscent of A Woman of No Importance, as anything but a pictorial statement of support for their friend. Indeed, the dust jacket for the second volume (1897) appears to show the binding's dove device surrounded by bars, much like Wilde himself. Knowing the affection and support Wilde, Shannon, and Ricketts had for one another, the physical appearance of the The Pageant seems nothing short of a defense of Wilde—and perhaps even homosexuality—as being a type of beauty that the masses simply could not appreciate.

The books shown here are part of the Oscar Wilde collection held by the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, but publishers' bindings can be found in collections across The New York Public Library. To continue reading about publisher's bindings at NYPL, please see Designing Women: The Art of Cloth Bindings by Meredith Mann and “Do you think Betty is a Chrysanthemum?” Sarah Wyman Whitman & Sarah Orne Jewett by Julie Carlsen.

Resources consulted for this blog post:

Capelleveen, Paul van. Charles Ricketts & Charles Shannon. URL: http://charlesricketts.blogspot.com/.

Frankel, Nicholas. The Decorated Books of Oscar Wilde. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2000.

Kooistra, Lorraine Janzen.Yellow Nineties 2.0 . URL: https://1890s.ca/.

Mason, Stuart. Bibliography of Oscar Wilde. London: T. Werner Laurie, Ltd., [1914].

Wilde, Oscar. The Letters of Oscar Wilde. Edited by Rupert Hart-Davis. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1962.

12 Great LGBTQ YA Books You Haven't Read Yet

Alex Kohn, YA Information Assistant, Mulberry Street Library — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:34:49 -0400

Ready to move on from LGBTQ YA Classics? There's no better time than Pride Month to discover a new favorite book. Below are some fantastic queer YA books that you probably haven't read yet. Almost all of these books are available in a variety of formats such as large print, e-books, and audiobooks.

Dreadnought by April Daniels

Until Dreadnought fell out of the sky and died right in front of her, Danny was trying to keep people from finding out she’s transgender. But before he expired, Dreadnought passed his mantle to her, and those secondhand superpowers transformed Danny’s body into what she’s always thought it should be. Now there’s no hiding that she’s a girl. It should be the happiest time of her life, but Danny’s first weeks finally living in a body that fits her are more difficult than she could have imagined. Between her father’s dangerous obsession with “curing” her girlhood, her best friend suddenly acting like he’s entitled to date her, and her fellow superheroes arguing over her place in their ranks, Danny feels like she’s in over her head. Dreadnought’s murderer—a cyborg named Utopia—still haunts the streets of New Port City, threatening destruction. If Danny can’t sort through the confusion of coming out, master her powers, and stop Utopia in time, humanity faces extinction.

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

In the former United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro wakes up in a hospital bed, the sole survivor of the viral magic that killed his family and made him a technopath. His ability to control technology attracts the attention of the minister of defense and thrusts him into the magical elite of the nation of Carolinia. The son of undocumented immigrants, Noam has spent his life fighting for the rights of refugees fleeing magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia routinely deports with vicious efficiency. Sensing a way to make change, Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, secretly planning to use it against the government. But then he meets the minister’s son—cruel, dangerous, and achingly beautiful—and the way forward becomes less clear. Caught between his purpose and his heart, Noam must decide who he can trust and how far he’s willing to go in pursuit of the greater good.

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

The Borderlands aren’t like anywhere else. Don’t try to smuggle a phone or any other piece of technology over the wall that marks the Border—unless you enjoy a fireworks display in your backpack. There are elves, harpies, and—best of all as far as Elliot is concerned—mermaids. Elliot? Who’s Elliot? Elliot is thirteen years old. He’s smart and just a tiny bit obnoxious. When his class goes on a field trip and he can see a wall that no one else can see, he is given the chance to go to school in the Borderlands. It turns out that on the other side of the wall, classes involve a lot more weaponry and fitness training and fewer mermaids than he expected. On the other hand, there’s Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle, an elven warrior who is more beautiful than anyone Elliot has ever seen, and then there’s her human friend Luke: sunny, blond, and annoyingly likeable. There are lots of interesting books. There’s even the chance Elliot might be able to change the world.

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

The Larkin family isn't just lucky—they persevere. When the Lyric sank off the coast of Maine, Violet and Sam's great-great-great-grandmother didn't drown like the rest of the passengers. Fidelia swam to shore, fell in love, and founded Lyric, Maine. But wrecks seem to run in the family. Tall, funny, musical Violet can't stop partying with the wrong people. And, one beautiful summer day, brilliant, sensitive Sam attempts to take his own life. Shipped back to Lyric while Sam is in treatment, Violet is haunted by her family's missing piece—the lost shipwreck she and Sam dreamed of discovering when they were children. Desperate to make amends, Violet embarks on a wildly ambitious mission: locate the Lyric. She finds a fellow wreck hunter in Liv Stone, an amateur local historian whose sparkling intelligence and guarded gray eyes make Violet ache in an exhilarating new way. Whether or not they find the Lyric, the journey Violet takes may be the start of something like survival.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker, art by Wendy Xu

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Welcome to Andover… where superpowers are common, but internships are complicated. Just ask high school nobody, Jessica Tran. Despite her heroic lineage, Jess is resigned to a life without superpowers and is merely looking to beef-up her college applications when she stumbles upon the perfect (paid!) internship—only it turns out to be for the town’s most heinous supervillain. On the upside, she gets to work with her longtime secret crush, Abby, who Jess thinks may have a secret of her own. Then there’s the budding attraction to her fellow intern, the mysterious “M,” who never seems to be in the same place as Abby. But what starts as a fun way to spite her superhero parents takes a sudden and dangerous turn when she uncovers a plot larger than heroes and villains altogether.

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden. Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine—called Mare—the sister of her betrothed. When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two become closer, Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. And soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

Once and Future by A.R. Capetta and Cori McCarthy

When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind. No pressure.

Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry

Abandoned by a single mother she never knew, 16-year-old Raya—obsessed with ancient myths—lives with her grandmother in a small conservative Texas town. For years Raya has been forced to hide her feelings for her best friend and true love, Sarah. When the two are outed, they are sent to Friendly Saviors: a re-education camp meant to “fix” them and make them heterosexual. Upon arrival, Raya vows to assume the mythic role of Orpheus to escape Friendly Saviors, and to return to the world of the living with her love—only becoming more determined after she, Sarah, and Friendly Saviors' other teen residents are subjected to abusive "treatments" by the staff.

Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve

When genderqueer fourteen-year-old Z Chilworth wakes from death after a car crash that killed their parents and sisters, they have to adjust quickly to their new status as a zombie. Always a talented witch, Z can now barely perform magic and is rapidly decaying. Faced with rejection from their remaining family members and old friends, Z moves in with Mrs. Dunnigan, an elderly witch, and befriends Aysel, a loud would-be-goth classmate who is, like Z, a loner. As Z struggles to find a way to repair the broken magical seal holding their body together, Aysel fears that her classmates will discover her status as an unregistered werewolf. When a local psychiatrist is murdered in an apparent werewolf attack, the town of Salem, Oregon, becomes even more hostile to monsters, and Z and Aysel are driven together in an attempt to survive a place where most people wish that neither of them existed.

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

At the Medio School for Girls, distinguished young women are trained for one of two roles in their polarized society. Depending on her specialization, a graduate will one day run a husband’s household or raise his children, but both are promised a life of comfort and luxury, far from the frequent political uprisings of the lower class. Daniela Vargas is the school’s top student, but her bright future depends upon no one discovering her darkest secret—that her pedigree is a lie. Her parents sacrificed everything to obtain forged identification papers so Dani could rise above her station. Now that her marriage to an important politico’s son is fast approaching, she must keep the truth hidden or be sent back to the fringes of society, where famine and poverty rule supreme.

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

In Asalin, fae rule and witches like Wyatt Croft…don’t. Wyatt’s betrothal to his best friend, fae prince Emyr North, was supposed to change that. But when Wyatt lost control of his magic one devastating night, he fled to the human world. Now a coldly distant Emyr has hunted him down. Despite transgender Wyatt’s newfound identity and troubling past, Emyr has no intention of dissolving their engagement. In fact, he claims they must marry now or risk losing the throne. Jaded, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy, hoping to escape Asalin forever. But as he gets to know Emyr, Wyatt realizes the boy he once loved may still exist. And as the witches face worsening conditions, he must decide once and for all what’s more important—his people or his freedom.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

12 Classic LGBTQ Titles for YA Readers

Alex Kohn, YA Information Assistant, Mulberry Street Library — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 12:53:59 -0400

Happy Pride Month! Every year I wait for June so I can talk about these classic LGBT YA books, but you can enjoy them any time of the year. Almost all of these books are available in a variety of formats such as large print, e-books, and audiobooks. Also, check out our Staff Picks: Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC reads for Teens.

This is one of only two books to make me cry in public.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship--the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Malinda Lo is a staple of any queer YA list.

Ash by Malina Lo

In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy cursed to love her and the King's Huntress whom she loves.

Like Malinda Lo, you can't have a list of queer YA classics without this author.

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance. When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

Originally a webcomic that captured hearts, this story helped launch the genre of sports-themed LGBTQ manga.

Check, Please! Book 1: Hockey! by Ngozi Ukazu

Eric Bittle may be a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and very talented amateur pâtissier, but being a freshman on the Samwell University hockey team is a whole new challenge. It is nothing like co-ed club hockey back in Georgia! First of all? There's checking (anything that hinders the player with possession of the puck, ranging from a stick check all the way to a physical sweep). And then, there is Jack— his very attractive but moody captain

A relative newcomer, but still a classic in my eyes.

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life.

Also a newcomer to the classic list, but it absolutely deserves to be here.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Felix Love has never been in love, painful irony that it is. He desperately wants to know why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. He is proud of his identity, but fears that he's one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender. When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix's deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. He didn't count on his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi-love triangle.

Another newcomer to our shelves, but this book about a nonbinary teen is already a classic.

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

After coming out as nonbinary, Ben must leave home and goes to live with their estranged sister and her husband to finish the last year of high school.

One of the first books by a trans author to also have a trans model on the cover.

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school in Lambertville, Tennessee. Like any other girl, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. There's a reason why she transferred schools for her senior year, and why she's determined not to get too close to anyone. And then she meets Grant Everett. Grant is unlike anyone she's ever met—open, honest, kind—and Amanda can't help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself ... including her past. But she's terrified that once she tells Grant the truth, he won't be able to see past it. Because the secret that Amanda's been keeping? It's that she used to be Andrew.

One of the first queer books I ever read and still one of the most important ones on my shelf.

The Letter Q : Queer Writers' Notes to Their Younger Selves edited by Sarah Moon

If you received a letter from your older self, what do you think it would say? What do you wish it would say? That the boy you were crushing on in History turns out to be gay too, and that you become boyfriends in college? That the bully who is making your life miserable will one day become so insignificant that you won't remember his name until he shows up at your book signing? In this anthology, sixty-three award-winning authors make imaginative journeys into their pasts, telling their younger selves what they would have liked to know then about their lives as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgendered people. Through stories, in pictures, with bracing honesty, these are words of love and understanding, reasons to hold on for the better future ahead. They will tell you things about your favorite authors that you never knew before. And they will tell you about yourself.

Another author that a classic LGBTQ list would be remiss to not include!

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona, a young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy, and Lord Ballister Blackheart, a villain with a vendetta, set out to prove that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his friends are not the heroes everyone thinks they are, but Lord Blackheart soon realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past, and her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Albertalli took the world by storm with this sweet romance that got turned into the movie Love, Simon.

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised. With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

The only other book to make me cry in public.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper—despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

Celebrate Pride with Short Story Collections by LGBTQ Authors

Desmond Hunnighen, Library Information Assistant, Hamilton Grange Library — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 15:26:23 -0400

Happy Pride Month! Celebrate Pride with these short story collections that show some of the many dimensions of LGBTQ life. Join the Library in celebrating Pride Month throughout June with book recommendations, free online events, resources, and more.

I Know You Know Who I Am by Peter Kispert

In the linked and tightly thematic stories of I Know You Know Who I Am, Kispert explores deception, performance, and the uneasiness of reconciling a queer identity with the wider world, with characters who try to navigate that dissonance by acting like another person for someone else. Throughout the collection we meet gay characters who have created sometimes elaborate falsehoods and who now must cope with the way that those deceptions eat at the very fabric of their lives and relationships.

The Bigness of the World by Lori Ostund

In Lori Ostlund's award-winning debut collection, people seeking escape from situations at home venture out into a world that they find is just as complicated and troubled as the one they left behind. In prose highlighted by both satire and poignant observation, The Bigness of the World contains characters that represent a different sort of everyman; men and women who poke fun at ideological rigidity while holding fast to good grammar and manners, people seeking connections in a world that seems increasingly foreign.

We Had No Rules by Corinne Manning

A defiant, beautifully realized story collection about the messy complications of contemporary queer life. Spanning the years 1992 to 2019, and moving from New York to North Carolina to Seattle, the eleven first-person stories in We Had No Rules feature characters who feel the promise of a radically reimagined world but face complicity instead.

Stella Maris & Other Key West Stories by Michael Carroll

When Cuban fishermen first spotted the Key West lighthouse floating in Florida waters, they called her Stella Maris, Star of the Sea. It’s a beacon that draws people from everywhere seeking the end-of-the-line bohemian oasis that can still be found amidst the condo share towers, chain stores, and Redneck Riviera clientele. And it’s a mecca for gay men and the women who love them. Stella Maris is about the verities of illness and death. The past and its prisoners, AIDS, the young and not so young man’s realization of his own mortality. It’s about the unpredictable nature of life, and of survival. It’s about new beginnings and final recognitions.

Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado

In this electric and provocative debut, Machado bends genre to shape startling narratives that map the realities of women’s lives and the violence visited upon their bodies .Earthy and otherworldly, antic and sexy, queer and caustic, comic and deadly serious, Her Body and Other Parties swings from horrific violence to the most exquisite sentiment. In their explosive originality, these stories enlarge the possibilities of contemporary fiction.

100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell

Transgressive, foulmouthed, and brutally funny, Brontez Purnell’s 100 Boyfriends is a revelatory spiral into the imperfect lives of queer men desperately fighting the urge to self-sabotage. As they tiptoe through minefields of romantic, substance-fueled misadventure—from dirty warehouses and gentrified bars in Oakland to desolate farm towns in Alabama—Purnell’s characters strive for belonging in a world that dismisses them for being Black, broke, and queer. In spite of it—or perhaps because of it—they shine.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

Pride Month Recommendations for Kids by the Teen Reading Ambassadors

Rachel Roseberry, Youth Literacy Programs — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 16:28:13 -0400

NYPL’s Teen Reading Ambassadors program brings together 10th–12th grade students from across New York City to learn about the Library and help further its mission to inspire lifelong learning in others, particularly young children. Below are book recommendations for kids ages 5–12 selected by Ambassadors that affirm and celebrate LGBTQ+ identities. These titles emphasize love and acceptance above all, as they explore family relationships, gender, and more. We hope you carry these stories and messages with you through Pride Month and beyond!

Stella Brings the Family written by Miriam B. Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Julianna R.

The sweet, heartfelt story Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer tells of the hardships faced by a little girl named Stella when Mother’s Day comes around. Stella’s class is hosting a party where every student can bring their mother for the day. However, Stella doesn’t have a mom, she has two dads! What will she do? Read this book to not only find out what Stella does next, but to also learn about the values of love, community, family, and diversity. If you’re looking for a realistic and endearing story that teaches about family differences and helping others, then this is the perfect book for you!

My Rainbow written by Trinity and DeShanna Neal and illustrated by Art Twink

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Norah B.

My Rainbow written by Trinity and DeShanna Neal is a gem unlike any other. It follows the real-life story of a mother who works to create the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter. The book showcases a diverse character for a diverse audience using beautiful art, touching words, and the genuine love and acceptance of a mother. If you’re looking for something a bit different from what you’ve read before, I would definitely recommend this book.

Julián is a Mermaid written and illustrated by Jessica Love

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Izabell M.

Do you love mermaids? Well, Julián does. Julián loves the mermaids he sees on the trains, with their bright hair and colorful tails. He loves them so much, he even wants to be one! Then Julián has a great idea: he should become a mermaid too! Julián shows you how he becomes a mermaid at home, using what he has around the house. Soon though he becomes worried about what his Abuela thinks about Julián the Mermaid, but she surprises him with something super exciting. Read the book to swim with all the bright mermaids Julián loves, to feel free with the flowy illustrations, and to find out what Abuela’s fun surprise for Julián is!

The Boy and the Bindi written by Vivek Shraya and illustrated by Rajni Perera

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Simran H.

The lyrical words and beautiful illustration in this heartwarming children’s book follow a young boy as he discovers the importance of a bindi. What is a bindi you ask? Well, it is an adornment used by many women in South Asian cultures. A bindi on the forehead has symbolized the identity of South Asians for generations. In the book, the boy is enchanted by his mother’s bindi and when Ammi explains its significance, he wants to wear one himself. The book is an artistic spin on the idea that boys can wear whatever they want even if it is considered feminine. The bindi allows the boy to truly express himself and his uniqueness.

This Day in June written by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Kristyna Litten

Ages 5–8
Recommended by Victoria S.

The streets are lined with confetti and sprinkled with love in the picture book This Day in June. This story, written by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Kristyna Litten, shows people in the LGBTQ+ community celebrating in fancy clothes and walking in a parade of rainbow colors. Everyone is dressed their very best, with skirts and shorts and lots of different shoes: high heels, flats, and even boots.

This book is all about the colorful month of June, also known as Pride Month! These vibrant illustrations show people proudly and happily expressing themselves. Feel free to ask a trusted adult if you have any questions about images or text—there’s certainly a lot of hidden symbols! And if there are any adults reading, this story is perfect for starting a conversation about the LGBTQ+ community. Created with the American Psychological Association, this picture book clearly outlines how to help kids learn more about people and themselves. Ultimately, this book teaches that love is love and equality is for all!

When Aidan Became a Brother written by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Ages 5-8
Recommended by Jessica W.

Ever since he was little, Aidan always felt something wasn’t quite right… everyone thought he was a girl, but he knew that didn’t fit him. Aidan sees girls wearing pants and playing with bugs. Why can’t he do that? As he grew older, things became more clear: he is really a boy! When mom announces that she’s pregnant, Aidan becomes excited, but he soon becomes worried. Will the baby love him? Has he picked the right name? Will the baby have to go through the struggles he did? In When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, Aidan learns that no matter who you are, it is always important to love someone the way they are. He learns to accept that everyone is special and that everyone makes mistakes. Join Aidan on a loving adventure to reveal his true colors!

Heather Has Two Mommies written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Laura Cornell

Ages 5-8
Recommended by Yuneydy P.

Do you sometimes feel like your family is different from everyone else’s? In Heather Has Two Mommies, Heather does all the time. Initially, when she goes to school and says she has two mommies, everyone finds it strange. However, together, we all find out that every family is unique in its own way. Join Heather as she learns about how her classmate’s families are different from her own. Nothing is wrong with two mommies, daddies, or even a grandma!

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Ages 12 and up
Recommended by Jade M.

Note: This title is best for young adult readers. As a child of immigrants, young Tien struggles to communicate with his parents. Tien overcomes the language barrier and connects with his mother through the fairytales they read together. Tien, however, has things that aren’t easily communicated, like the crush he has on his best friend, and how he wants to look good for the school dance. Not only that but is there a book that tells your mother that you’re gay? This graphic novel is a universal experience for all first-generation children, with the addition of the difficulty and fear there is to come out and having to explain who you are.

Celebrating Jewish LGBT Pride

Amanda Seigel — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 11:36:07 -0400

In honor of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Pride Month in June, the Dorot Jewish Division recognizes the achievements of LGBT Jews in history and in the Library’s collection. Here are some key moments and figures.

Jewish Pioneers in LGBT Rights

Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) was a German Jewish doctor and author who fought to decriminalize homosexuality in Germany.

E-book: Magnus Hirschfeld: The Origins of the Gay Liberation Movement by Ralf Dose; translated by Edward H. Willis.

“What the people must know about the third sex” was a 1901 publication of Magnus Hirschfeld’s Scientific-Humanitarian committee

Jeanne Manford, mother of a gay son, was a co-founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) in 1973.

Miriam Ben-Shalom, an openly lesbian sergeant in the U.S. Army, spent decades fighting for LGBT rights in the military.

Retired Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts served as the first openly gay member of the U.S. House of Representatives, coming out in 1987.

Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage by Barney Frank
Barney Frank: The Story of America's Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman by Stuart E. Weisberg

Joy Ladin, a poet, author, and Yeshiva University professor, is the first openly transgender person employed at an Orthodox Jewish institution.

The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective by Joy Ladin
Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders by Joy Ladin

Harvey Milk was a pioneering leader and one of the the first openly gay people elected to public office, and was assassinated a year after taking office.

Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death by Lillian Faderman

Faygele ben Miriam, also known as John Singer, together with Paul Barwick, attempted to get the first same-sex marriage license in Seattle in 1971.

Author Leslea Newman’s often-banned Heather Has Two Mommies was the first children’s book to portray lesbian families in a positive way.

Edie Windsor successfully sued the U.S. government for recognition of her Canadian marriage to her late wife, Thea Spyer, ultimately overturning the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) with her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan.

A Wild and Precious Life: A Memoir by Edie Windsor; with Joshua Lyon
Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the defeat of DOMA by Roberta Kaplan with Lisa Dickey

LGBT Achievements in Judaism

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST), established in 1973, is the world’s largest LGBT synagogue, led by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum since 1992.

Rabbi Rebecca Alpert and Dr. Judith Plaskow have advocated through scholarship for feminist and LGBT-inclusive liturgy and ritual.

Rabbi Steven Greenberg, educated at Yeshiva University and author of Wrestling with God and Men, is considered the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi.

Trembling Before G-d, a 2001 film by Sandi Simcha Dubowski, was the first film to explore the lives of LGBT Orthodox Jews.

Rabbi Reuven Zelman became the first openly transgender rabbinical student in 2003, and in 2006, Rabbi Elliot Kukla became the first openly transgender rabbi, both at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Congregation Shaar Zahav of San Francisco published Siddur Shaar Zahav, the first Jewish LGBT prayer book, in 2009.

In 2015, Rabbi Denise Eger became the first openly gay or lesbian rabbi to head the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Georgette Kennebrae and Sandra Lawson are both African American, openly lesbian rabbinical students at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, with ordination set respectively for 2017 and 2018.

On the shelves

Activist and author Joan Nestle co-founded the Lesbian Herstory Archives, the world's largest collection of materials by and about Lesbians. NYPL Digital Collections Image ID: 1661019

Evelyn Torton Beck edited Nice Jewish Girls: A Lesbian Anthology and published other works in Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies.

Warren J. Blumenfeld writes and speaks about social justice, intersection of oppressions, and bullying prevention..

Kate Bornstein writes, speaks and performs about transgender and gender identity issues.

Judith Butler’s work concerns feminism, gender, and queer theory.

Carol Conaway writes and researches on African American women's intellectual traditions.

Scholar and author Martin Duberman’s archives are held at NYPL, which also has a research fellowship in his name for LGBT Studies. NYPL Digital Collections Image ID: 1661034

Lillian Faderman’s works highlight lesbian history in America.

Leslie Feinberg was an author and pioneer in the field of transgender studies.

NYPL blog post: Why Is It So Hard To Find Leslie Feinberg’s "Stone Butch Blues"?

William Finn, a composer and writer, creates works for the American musical theater.

Allen Ginsberg was an innovative and openly gay poet of the Beat movement. NYPL Digital Collections Image ID: 483443

Warren Hoffman’s work addresses Jewish and queer identity and race.

Jonathan Ned Katz’s works deal with gay history and African-American Studies, and NYPL’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture holds some of his manuscripts and research materials.

Melanie Kaye-Kantrowitz’s works focus on Jews and whiteness; racism, history (including women’s history), anti-Semitism and class.

Irena Klepfisz addresses lesbian-feminism, the Holocaust and social justice in her work. NYPL Digital Collections Image ID: 1661039

Tony Kushner’s works address homophobia, AIDS, and racism through a dramatic lens.

Walter Moseley is a prolific and award-winning author known for his best-selling works.

Adrienne Rich was a renowned poet, essayist and scholar.

David Schneer’s work concerns Jewish history and culture, while Caryn Aviv’s work deal with sociology and anthropology; together, they edited the anthologies Queer Jews and American Queer, Now and Then.

Want to learn more?

Check out these recommended books and resources on LGBT Jewish topics.

Visit NYPL’s Digital Collections for historical portraits of LGBT writers, artists and activists, including those pictured here.

Great Board Books & Picture Books to Celebrate Pride Month

Kaitlin Rotella, School Outreach Librarian, Youth Educational Services — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 12:50:21 -0400

June is Pride Month! As we celebrate LGBTQ+ history, and honor gender identity and self-expression, it is essential for young readers to learn about Pride so that they, too, can celebrate! Below are a recommended selection of board books and picture books that help show young readers the meaning behind the Pride celebrations they see around them today.

Board Books

A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing and illustrated by Paulina Morgan
Daddy, Papa and Me by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Carol Thompson
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Mommy, Mama and Me by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Carol Thompson
Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson

Picture Books

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Donovan’s Big Day by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by by Mike Dutton
The Family Book by Todd Parr
Ho'onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale and illustrated by Mika Song
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, with pictures by Shelagh McNicholas
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
My Rainbow by DeShanna Neal and Trinity Neal and illustrated by Art Twink
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Steven Salerno
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Jamey Christoph
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Kukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Pride Reading Recommendations for Young Children

Early Literacy — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:03:55 -0400

Happy Pride Month! Join the Library in celebrating Pride Month throughout June with book recommendations, free online events, illuminating resources, and much more—for all ages! As part of our celebrations, we are thrilled to recommend several of our favorite LGBTQ-themed picture books for families with young children.

First up, From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, illustrated by Wai-Yant Li and Kai Yun Ching, is a lyrical poem about a child who can transform into anything. In Ho’onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale, illustrated by Mika Song, Ho'onani doesn't see herself as wahine (girl) or kane (boy); she's happy to be in the middle. But will she be allowed to lead the all-male hula chant? This book is based on the real-life experiences of a brave young dancer.

Call Me Tree/ Llamame arbol by Maya Christina Gonzalez, translated by Dana Goldberg, is a bilingual story about a child who is free to grow and be anything they wish. Another bilingual favorite, One of a Kind, Like Me / Único como yo by Laurin Mayeno, is about a young gender nonconforming boy who is excited to find the perfect princess costume for the school parade.

For stories about children with two moms or two dads, we recommend Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio, illustrated by Leo Espinosa. This true story about a man finding an abandoned baby on a subway and adopting him with his partner (and later husband) is the perfect feel-good picture book. In Bao Phi’s imaginative Our Footprints, illustrated by Basia Tran, a young Vietnamese-American girl who is bullied at school imagines herself and her two mothers as different strong creatures. Very young readers will delight in Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Kate Alizadeh, which follows a toddler and two moms on a sunny day.

Families looking for young romance will find it in Jerôme by Heart by Thomas Scotto, illustrated by Olivier Tallec and translated from the French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick and Karin Snelson. This simple story sees a young boy expressing his love for his friend. Maiden & Princess by Daniel Haack and Isabel Galupo, illustrated by Becca Human, follows a princess who is supposed to find her husband at a ball, but picks a young woman to marry instead.

Finally, picture books can be excellent forays into LGBTQ history. Stonewall: A Building, an Uprising, a Revolution by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Jamey Christoph, tells the true story of the Stonewall uprising, which took place here in New York City, and its legacy. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Christopher Lyles, explores how a lesbian couple built their own community in San Francisco.

You can view our online Storytimes that feature these titles during the month of June at nypl.org/storytime. New Storytimes are posted Mondays through Thursdays at 10AM. Wishing you all a happy Pride Month—and happy reading!

Staff Picks: Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC Reads: Accessible Version with BARD & Bookshare Links

NYPL Staff — Fri, 28 May 2021 10:24:16 -0400

Join the Library in celebrating Pride Month throughout June. As part of our celebrations, our expert librarians have curated a new reading list of 100 titles for adults, kids, and teens that highlight transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming voices.

If you find it hard to read standard print, The New York Public Library's Andrew Heiskell Library provides free access to talking books, talking book players, braille, a talking book download website, and a free talking book and e-braille app for mobile devices. Learn more and apply.

Most of the books on the Staff Picks: Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC Reads list are available in one or more accessible formats. Find links to them below.

DB = available on BARD in talkingbook format and as a mailable talking book, available via the link or by mail (call us at 212-206-5400 to order a physical copy).

BR = available on BARD in braille format and as mailable physical braille, available via the link or by mail (call us at 212-206-5400 to order a physical copy).

BK = available through Bookshare via the link. All Heiskell members can gain access to Bookshare for free.

Adults

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon: DB, BK

Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman by Abby Chava Stein: DB, BK

Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton: BK

Captive Genders: Trans Embodiment and the Prison Industrial Complex by Eric A. Stanley & Nat Smith (eds.): BK

Fairest: A Memoir by Meredith Talusan: DB, BK

Funny Boy: A Novel by Shyam Selvadurai: BK

Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation by Kate Bornstein & S. Bear Bergman (eds.): BK

Grease Bats by Archie Bongiovanni: BK

Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents (Second Edition) by Irwin Krieger: BK

Hold Me (The Cyclone Series, Book #2) by Courtney Milan: DB, BK

I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya: BK

Lost Boi: A Novel by Sassafras Lowrey: BK

Man Alive: A True Story of Violence, Forgiveness and Becoming a Man by Thomas Page McBee: BK

Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity by Micah Rajunov & Scott Duane (eds.): BK

Rocket Fantastic: Poems by Gabrielle Calvocoressi: BK

Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story—A Memoir by Jacob Tobia: DB, BK

Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place—A Transgender Memoir by Jackson Bird: BK

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg: BK

Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me by Janet Mock: BK

The Best Bad Things: A Novel by Katrina Carrasco: DB

The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang: BK, DB

The Gender Creative Child: Pathways for Nurturing and Supporting Children Who Live Outside Gender Boxes by Diane Ehrensaft, PhD: BK

The House of Impossible Beauties: A Novel by Joseph Cassara: DB, BK

The Thirty Names of Night: A Novel by Zeyn Joukhadar: BK

The Voice Book for Trans and Non-Binary People: A Practical Guide to Creating and Sustaining Authentic Voice and Communication by Matthew Mills & Gillie Stoneham: BK

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel: DB, BK

Tomboy Survival Guide by Ivan Coyote: BK

To My Trans Sisters by Charlie Craggs (ed.): BK

Trans*: A Quick and Quirky Account of Gender Variability by Jack Halberstam: BK

Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians by Austen Hartke: BK

Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution by Susan Stryker: BK

Unmasked by the Marquess: The Regency Impostors by Cat Sebastian: BK

You and Your Gender Identity: A Guide to Discovery by Dara Hoffman-Fox, LPC: BK

Teens

Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon: BK

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas: DB, BK

Dreadnought: Nemesis—Book 1 by April Daniels: DB, BK

Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp: DB, BK

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender: DB, BK

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo: DB, BK

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver: DB, BR, BK

Love Beyond Body, Space & Time: An Indigenous LGBT Sci-Fi Anthology by Hope Nicholson, Erin Cossar & Sam Beiko (eds.): BK

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee: BK

Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve: BK

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi: DB, BK

Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secret Life of a Transgender Teen by Arin Andrews: BK

Spy Stuff by Matthew J. Metzger: BK

Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith: BK

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin: DB, BK

The Art of Being Normal: A Novel by Lisa Williamson: DB, BK

The Brilliant Death by A. R. Capetta: DB, BK

Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir by Liz Prince: BK

Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl and Fox Fisher: DB, BK

When the Moon Was Ours: A Novel by Anna-Marie McLemore: DB, BR, BK

Kids

Ana on the Edge by A. J. Sass: DB, BR, BK

George by Alex Gino: DB, BK

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee: DB, BK

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan: DB, BR, BK

My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal, illustrated by Art Twink: DB

Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-li Jiang: DB

The Boy & the Bindi by Vivek Shraya, illustrated by Rajni Perera: DB

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith: BK

The Moon Within by Aida Salazar: DB, BK

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag: BK

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita: BR

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller: DB, BK

Zenobia July: A Novel by Lisa Bunker: DB, BK

Libros infantiles y juveniles: voces transgénero, no binarias y de género disconforme

NYPL Staff — Thu, 27 May 2021 13:15:43 -0400

Únase a la Biblioteca para celebrar el Mes del Orgullo a lo largo de junio con recomendaciones de libros, eventos gratuitos en línea, recursos, y más. Como parte de nuestras celebraciones, a continuación compartimos títulos infantiles y juveniles que destacan las voces transgéneros, no binarias y de género disconforme para que todas las personas jóvenes puedan ser vistas y celebradas.

Cuentos ilustrados

Único como yo por Laurin Mayeno; ilustrado por Robert Liu-Trujillo; traducción, por Teresa Mlawer

Mañana es el desfile escolar, y Danny sabe exactamente lo que será: una princesa. Mamá le apoya al 100%, y corren a la tienda de segunda mano para encontrar su traje. ¿Es casi hora de cierre Danny encontrar el traje de sus sueños en el tiempo?

Rojo: historia de una cera de colores texto e ilustración, Michael Hall; traducción del inglés, Roser Rimbau

Rojo es una cera de colores azul con una etiqueta donde pone «rojo». Su maestro intenta ayudarla a pintar de color rojo (¡vamos a pintar fresas!), su madre intenta ayudarla a ser de color rojo enviándola a jugar con una compañera de color amarillo (¡Id a pintar una bonita naranja!), y las tijeras intentan ayudarla a ser de color rojo cortando un poco la etiqueta para que pueda respirar con más libertad. Pero Rojo no es feliz. No hay manera de que pinte rojo, por mucho que se esfuerce. Pero un día una nueva amiga la invita a pintar un océano y entonces Rojo descubre lo que los lectores ya sabían todo el rato: ¡Ella es azul!

Soy Jazz por Jessica Herthel y Jazz Jennings; ilustrado por Shelagh McNicholas; traducido por Raquel (Lucas) Platero

Jazz siempre supo que era diferente a otras niñas y niños de su edad. Desde muy joven fue consciente de un fuerte sentimiento, de ser una niña, y luchó para que su entorno la aceptara y reconociera. Desde la tierna edad de los dos años, Jazz sabía que era una niña, a pesar de que la consideraron niño al nacer. Le encantaba el color rosa, disfrazarse de sirena y no estaba cómoda en la ropa de niño. Esto sumía a su familia en la confusión, hasta que entendieron que Jazz era trans y decidieron apoyarla. La historia de Jazz es una experiencia real.

Ahora me llamo Luisa : una tierna historia sobre el género y la amistad por Jessica Walton; ilustraciones de Dougal MacPherson; traducción por Algar Editorial

Martín y su osito Luis juegan cada día. Muchas veces los acompaña su amiga Ada. Pero un día, el osito está triste. ¿Niño o niña? Solo uno mismo sabe qué es y cómo se siente, y ante eso, lo más importante de todo es la amistad. Una historia conmovedora, dulce y tierna sobre ser uno mismo.

Para infantes

La luna dentro de mí por Aida Salazar; traducción por Alberto Jimenez Rioja; ilustrado por Joe Cepeda

La vida de Celi Rivera es un torbellino de preguntas... por los cambios en su cuerpo, por sentirse atraída por un chico por primera vez y por la exploración que hace su mejor amiga de lo que significa ser género fluido. Pero, sobre todo, por la insistencia de su madre en hacerle una ceremonia lunar cuando le llegue su primer periodo. Se trata de un ancestral ritual mexica que Mima y su comunidad han rescatado, pero Celi se promete a sí misma que NO participará en él. ¿Encontrará dentro de sí la fortaleza necesaria para defender quién quiere ser?

George: simplemente sé tú mismo por Alex Gino; traducción por Noemí Sobregués

Cuando la gente ve a George, cree que es un niño. Pero ella sabe que no es verdad. George sabe que es una niña. George cree que jamás podrá decirle a nadie que ella, en realidad, es una niña. Un día, su profesora anuncia que su clase va a representar una obra de teatro. Y George desea con todas sus fuerzas el papel de la niña protagonista, Charlotte. Pero su profesora le dice que ni siquiera puede hacer la prueba para el papel... porque es un chico. Con la ayuda de Kelly, su mejor amiga, George traza un plan. No solo para poder ser Charlotte en la obra, sino para que todo el mundo sepa, de una vez por todas, que es ella en realidad.

La espada del tiempo por Rick Riordan; traducción por Ignacio Gómez Calvo

Magnus Chase ha vivido solo en las calles de Boston esquivando tanto a la policía como a los ladrones. Un día, una nueva sombra se suma a sus perseguidores: su misterioso y hasta entonces desconocido tío Randolph, que le revela un secreto imposible: Magnus es en realidad el hijo de un dios nórdico. Los dioses de Asgard están preparándose para la Gran Guerra. Trolls, gigantes y criaturas horrendas se entrenan para el Ragnarok, el fin del mundo. Magnus viajará por los nueve mundos en busca de la única arma que puede detener el Ragnarok: una espada legendaria perdida hace miles de años...

Para adolescentes

Birthday porMeredith Russo; traducido por Sylvia Elena Rodríguez Valenzuela

ERIC: Morgan y yo nacimos el mismo día, a la misma hora, en el mismo lugar. Recuerdo el instante en el que decidimos ser amigos para toda la vida. Hemos estado ahí el uno para el otro: cuando murió su madre, cuando se mudó al otro lado de la ciudad, cuando entré al equipo de futbol americano, cuando mis padres comenzaron a pelear. A veces me preocupa que no exista él por siempre, que en un minuto o en un segundo todo se evapore y no haya vuelta atrás. Un cumpleaños debería sentirse como un nuevo comienzo, pero este cuerpo y esta vida me asfixian. Mi padre se preocupa más por el equipo de futbol americano que por mí, extraño a mi madre más que a nadie y tengo un secreto que no le puedo confesar a mi mejor amigo. Quizás algún día pueda ser la persona que quiero ser y por fin pueda mostrarme al mundo tal cual soy, como ella y no como él.

Tomboy: una chica ruda por Liz Prince (memoria gráfica)

Al crecer, Liz Prince no era una niña muy femenina que digamos, no se ponía tutús rosas ni jugaba a ser una dulce princesa como las demás niñas de su vecindario. Pero tampoco era exactamente uno de los chicos. Era más bien algo en medio. Pero con las presiones de la secundaria, la preparatoria, los papás, la amistad y el romance empujándola hacia todos lados, ese "en medio" no era precisamente un lugar fácil en el cual estar.

Qué nos hace humanos: ¿Chico o chica? Sí por Jeff Garvin; traducción por Roxanna Erdman

Síntesis: Lo primero que querrás saber de mí es si soy un chico o una chica. A veces, me siento un chico. A veces, me siento una chica. Créanme, tener un padre congresista que está en medio de una campaña para la reelección y vivir en uno de los condados más conservadores de los Estados Unidos no es nada fácil para gente como yo. ¿Qué soy? Un ser humano. ¿Cómo me ven? ¿Por qué no me lo cuentas tú...?

Mi nombre es Violeta por Santi Anaya

Violeta es la chica nueva del instituto. Sus nuevos compañeros no conocen nada de su pasado. Y eso ya le va bien. Porque significa que nadie sabe que hasta los cinco años fue Nacho y todo el mundo la trató como aquello que no era: un niño. Sin embargo, todo eso se vuelve un problema cuando Violeta conoce a Andrés. Por primera vez le gusta un chico y siente que tiene que explicarle la verdad. Pero cada vez que lo intenta es incapaz porque tiene miedo de que salga corriendo lejos de ella.

Máscara de sombras por Linsey Miller; traducción de Cristina Martín

Una novela de fantasía protagonizada por un personaje muy especial.

Asesinos, ladrones, amor y... una despiadada lucha por la supervivencia.

Un grupo de asesinos.

Una audición para convertirse en el nuevo asesino de la Reina.

Y Sal, criminal de género fluido en busca de venganza.

¡Suscríbase a NYPL en Español! Descubra los servicios, programas, recursos, libros gratis y más que la Biblioteca ofrece en español para todas las edades.

Los resúmenes de libros provienen del catálogo de NYPL, el cual los obtiene de múltiples fuentes. Haga clic en el título de cada libro para obtener más información.

Kickstart Summer With These Young Adult LGBTQ Reads

Ariel Birdoff, MyLibraryNYC — Thu, 27 May 2021 11:10:19 -0400

June is finally here. It’s the end of the school year and the start of the summer. And as always, June is the month of PRIDE! Join the Library in celebrating Pride Month throughout June with book recommendations, free online events, illuminating resources, and much more—for all ages! For young adults and lovers of young adult titles, kickstart your summer with these fabulous books written by and/or featuring members of the LGBTQIA+ and queer community.

A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson

When Noa closes his eyes on Earth and wakes up on a spaceship called Qriosity just as it is about to explode, he's pretty sure things can't get much weirder. Boy, is he wrong. Also trapped aboard Qriosity are DJ and Jenny, neither of whom remember how they got onboard the ship. Together, the three face all the dangers of space: murder, aliens, a school dance, and one really, really bad day. But none of this can prepare Noa for the biggest challenge—falling in love. And as Noa's feelings for DJ deepen, he has to contend not just with the challenges of the present, but also with his memories of the past. Also available as an e-book.

Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson

After a liver transplant, Andre suddenly becomes a time traveler, but is his soulmate Michael, who lives in 1969, or Blake, his donor's brother, who is training him in 2021? Weeks ago, Andre Cobb received a much-needed liver transplant. He passes out and wakes up somewhere totally unexpected...in 1969, where (when?) he connects with Michael. Just as suddenly, he slips back to present-day Boston, where the family of his donor is waiting to explain that his new liver came with a side effect—the ability to time travel. And they've tasked their youngest son, Blake, with teaching Andre how to use his unexpected new gift. Andre splits his time between the past and future, between Michael and Blake. Now Andre has to figure out where he belongs—and more importantly, who he wants to be with. Also available as an e-book.

Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

Nora O'Malley's been a lot of girls. As the daughter of a con-artist who targets criminal men, she grew up as her mother's protégé. But when her mom fell for the mark instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con: escape. For five years Nora's been playing at normal. But she needs to dust off the skills she ditched because she has three problems: #1: Her ex walked in on her with her girlfriend. Even though they're all friends, Wes didn't know about her and Iris. #2: The morning after Wes finds them kissing, they all have to meet to deposit the fundraiser money they raised at the bank. It's a nightmare that goes from awkward to deadly, because: #3: Right after they enter the bank, two guys start robbing it. The bank robbers may be trouble, but Nora's something else entirely. They have no idea who they're really holding hostage.... Also available as an e-book and digital audiobook.

She's Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard

When seventeen-year-old Veronica's photograph of her introverted girlfriend goes viral, they are sent into a spiral of fame and lethal danger as they navigate the turbulent waters of their relationship, secrets, acclaim, and the underground San Diego artscene. Also available as an e-book

Aetherbound by E.K. Johnston

After escaping her abusive family's interstellar merchant ship, seventeen-year-old Pendt lands on a remote space station run by the Brannick twins, and together they make plans to thwart the destinies they never wanted. Also available as an e-book and digital audiobook.

Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

Creating a drag-show audition tape that culminates in an unkind nomination for prom queen, an overweight and openly gay teen partners with a girl who has been nominated for prom king to embrace their true selves. Also available as an e-book.

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

In Darius the Great is Not Okay clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life. Also available as an e-book and digital audiobook.

The sequel, Darius the Great Deserves Better, is another excellent book. In the second book, Darius has everything he thought he wanted—a new boyfriend, a new internship, and a spot on the soccer team—but growing up makes him question everything. Also available as an e-book and digital audiobook.

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

Snap's town had a witch. At least, that's how the rumor goes. But in reality, Jacks is just a crocks-wearing, internet-savvy old lady who sells roadkill skeletons online--after doing a little ritual to put their spirits to rest. It's creepy, sure, but Snap thinks it's kind of cool, too. They make a deal: Jacks will teach Snap how to take care of the baby opossums that Snap rescued, and Snap will help Jacks with her work. But as Snap starts to get to know Jacks, she realizes that Jacks may in fact have real magic--and a connection with Snap's family's past. Also available as an e-book.

Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon

Poet, artist, and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Alok Vaid-Menon deconstructs, demystifies, and reimagines the gender binary. Also available as an e-book and digital audiobook.

The New Queer Conscience by Adam Eli

LGBTQIAA+ activist Adam Eli argues the urgent need for queer responsibility—that queers anywhere are responsible for queers everywhere. Also available as an e-book and digital audiobook.

The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends...who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl.Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore.But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface...whether Morgan is ready or not.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

Immigrant. Socialite. Magician. Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society-she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She's also queer and Asian, a Vietnamese adoptee treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her. But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire,and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how. Nghi Vo's debut novel The Chosen and the Beautiful reinvents this classic of the American canon as a coming-of-age story full of magic, mystery, and glittering excess, and introduces a major new literary voice.

For more information, resources, and events about Pride, check out the links below:

Full schedule of NYC Pride events, including a virtual version of Youth Pride on Saturday, 6/26
Upcoming Library Events for Pride
Stonewall and Beyond: Researching LGBTQ History with NYPL's Online Resources
Stonewall: Core Reading for the Past, Present, and Future
Also, make sure to check out Biography in Context for information about Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie and other Stonewall icons!

Written in collaboration with Thomas Knowlton, School Outreach Librarian.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

Recent LGBTQ Reads From Both Familiar and Fresh Voices

Reader Services — Thu, 27 May 2021 10:44:26 -0400

Join the Library in celebrating Pride Month throughout June with book recommendations, free online events, resources, and more.

In the last few years, we have been blessed with a cornucopia of amazing LGBTQ voices, some familiar and many debuts that are fresh and new. Below is a selection of fiction, memoir, poetry, essays, short stories, romance, and more—enjoy the rainbow!

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
A debut novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence.

How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang

An electric debut novel set against the twilight of the American gold rush, two siblings, one gender-nonconforming, are on the run in an unforgiving landscape, trying not just to survive but to find a home.

My Autobiography of Carson McCullers by Jenn Shapland
This debut, a finalist for the National Book Award, draws on an intimate correspondence between McCullers and a woman named Annemarie to share previously unknown insights into the novelist's private life. As Shapland reckons with the expanding and collapsing distance between her and McCullers, she sees the way McCullers's story has become a way to articulate something about herself. The results reveal something entirely new not only about this one remarkable, walleyed life, but about the way we tell queer love stories.

. .

This Town Sleeps by Dennis E. Staples

Engaging in a secret affair with a closeted white man, an Ojibwe man from a northern Minnesota reservation navigates small town discrimination before a ghost leads him to the grave of a basketball star whose murder becomes linked to a local legend.

100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell

Transgressive, foulmouthed, and brutally funny, this story collection is a revelatory spiral into the imperfect lives of queer men desperately fighting the urge to self-sabotage. As they tiptoe through minefields of romantic, substance-fueled misadventure, the characters strive for belonging in a world that dismisses them for being Black, broke, and queer.

A History of My Brief Body by Billy-Ray Belcourt

This debut essay collection invites us to unpack and explore the big and broken world Belcourt inhabits every day, in all its complexity and contradiction: a legacy of colonial violence and the joy that flourishes in spite of it; first loves and first loves lost; sexual exploration and intimacy; the act of writing as a survival instinct and a way to grieve. What emerges is not only a profound meditation on memory, gender, anger, shame, and ecstasy, but also the outline of a way forward.

. .

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

A whipsmart debut about three individuals—transgender and cisgender—whose lives collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires around gender, motherhood, and sex.

Memorial by Bryan Washington

Japanese American chef Mike and Black daycare teacher Benson begin reevaluating their stale relationship after Mike departs for Japan to visit his dying father and Benson is suddenly stuck with his visiting mother-in-law, who becomes an unconventional roommate.

Fiebre Tropical by Juliana Delgado Lopera
Lit by the hormonal neon glow of Miami, this heady, multilingual debut novel follows a Colombian teenager's coming-of-age and coming out as she plunges headfirst into lust and evangelism.

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

A lighthearted holiday romance inspired by Pride and Prejudice depicts the experiences of a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to a fake relationship with a no-nonsense actuary to appease their respective families.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Luc's rock-star father's comback leads to unwanted attention, so he fabricates a respectable relationship with a man with whom he shares nothing in common. Their publicity-friendly dates become complicated, of course, when all-too-real feelings get in the way.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

After completing her Ph.D. in astronomy, a young, straightlaced, Type A Black woman goes on a girls' weekend to Vegas to celebrate and gets drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn't even know. What surprises her is that this rash decision might be exactly the change she needed in her life. And what's more, she might actually love her new wife.

Bestiary by K-Ming Chang

Transforming into a manifestation of a tiger character from her Taiwanese heritage, Daughter falls in love with an equally remarkable girl while translating mysterious letters from female relatives who embody mythical archetypes.

Wound From the Mouth of a Wound by Torrin A. Greathouse

This collection of evocative poems are a testament to persistence, even when the body is not allowed to thrive, teaching us that fragility is not synonymous with flaw. There is power and beauty in Greathouse's intersectional awareness of the body through the lenses of both transness and disability.

Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans

With echoes of Gwendolyn Brooks and Sonia Sanchez, Mans writes to call herself—and us—home. Each poem explores what it means to be a daughter of Newark, and America—and the painful, joyous path to adulthood as a young, queer Black woman.

Let the Record Show by Sarah Schulman
A comprehensive political history of ACT UP and American AIDS activism. Based on more than two hundred interviews with ACT UP members and rich with lessons for today's activists, this book is an exploration and long-overdue reassessment of the coalition's inner workings, conflicts, achievements, and ultimate fracture. Schulman, one of the most revered queer writers and thinkers of her generation, explores the how and the why, examining, with her characteristic rigor and bite, how a group of desperate outcasts changed America forever, and in the process created a livable future for generations of people across the world.

Last Call by Elon Green
This true crime book documents the decades-long effort to capture the "Last Call Killer" of 1980s and 1990s New York City, discussing how he took advantage of period discrimination to prey upon gay victims against a backdrop of the AIDS epidemic.

Funeral Diva by Pamela Sneed
In this collection of personal essays and poetry, acclaimed poet and performer Pamela Sneed details her coming of age in New York City during the late 1980s. Funeral Diva captures the impact of AIDS on black queer life, and highlights the enduring bonds between the living, the dying, and the dead.

. . .

Tomboyland by Melissa Faliveno
A fiercely personal and startlingly universal essay collection about the mysteries of gender and desire, of identity and class, of the stories we tell, and the places we call home.

Love is an Ex-Country by Randa Jarrar
A gay, Muslim, overweight, Arab-American woman describes her road trip from California to Connecticut to reclaim her autonomy and explore everything she has survived in life, schooling a rest stop racist and destroying Confederate flags in the desert along the way.

Mouths of Rain : An Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought edited by Briona Simone Jones
Black lesbian writers and theorists have made extraordinary contributions to feminist theory, activism, and writing. Here, Jones traces this long history of intellectual thought spanning the nineteenth century through the twenty-first century.

Thinking Again: A Diary by Jan Morris
A final memoir from a queer elder who transitioned in the 1960s and died last year at age 94. This book is a whimsical yet deeply affecting volume on her life as a redoubtable nonagenarian, in which she waxes on the ironies of modern life in all their resonant glories and inevitable stupidities.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

The Fight Continues: Schomburg Archival Collections to Explore for Pride Month

Bridgett Pride, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:29:23 -0400

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and a great opportunity to explore archival collections documenting the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals. NYC Pride’s theme this year, The Fight Continues, "reflects the multitude of battles we’ve been fighting as a country and as a city. With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, issues of police brutality, the alarming murder rate for trans POC, economic hardship, climate disasters, violent efforts to disenfranchise voters, our rights as a community being questioned at the level of the Supreme Court, and more, we are in the midst of many different fights."

In honor of the many battles faced by Black LGBTQIA+ individuals specifically, Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books Division Librarian Bridgett Pride and Digital Archivist Zakiya Collier are spotlighting materials created by and about Black LGBTQIA + individuals within the Schomburg Center's collections.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed some inequities and highlighted many others in our healthcare systems and society overall especially as they relate to Black and LGBTQIA+ communities. The Schomburg Center has used its unique perspective and web-archiving framework to chronicle the Black experience of COVID-19 including websites that document racial disparities in health outcomes and access, the impact on Black-owned businesses, mutual aid efforts, educational resources, and cultural production.

One such website archived in the COVID-19 web archive collection is an article on the African American Intellectual History Society’s blog, Black Perspectives. In "Teaching HIV and Black Queer Studies During Crisis," Wake Forest University Professor William Mosley connects the COVID-19 pandemic to the HIV/AIDS epidemic which continues to disproportionately affect Black LGBTQIA+ communities. Mosley writes, “those of us teaching in the wake of this newer pandemic would do well to consider the struggle of Black queer peoples as pedagogically significant.”

Police Brutality

Police brutality is defined as the excessive and unwarranted use of force by law enforcement. Unfortunately, it can be exacerbated when members of the police force interact with minority communities, including communities of color, or LGBTQIA+ communities. One example can be located in the Stormé DeLarverie Papers. DeLarverie, a male impersonator with the Jewel Box Revue, is often credited as the person who threw the first punch igniting the uprising at the Stonewall Inn.

Located in the Stonewall Veterans Association folder is a letter written by former New York City Mayor, Edward I. Koch on March 29, 1996. In the letter, Koch recalls the Stonewall Riots as a unique incident that “involved an unwarranted police assault directed at the gay community.” In this letter, Koch calls on his readers to remember the night of June 29, 1986, when, on his watch, “those in positions of authority at the police department decided that they would harass gays in private clubs.” Koch authored this letter to praise the bravery of the victims of Stonewall, and to draw attention to his own legislative efforts to “end discrimination based on sexual orientation.” At the end of the letter, he provides a list of 15 pieces of legislation from 1945–1970 that were designed to provide the LGBTQIA+ community with dignity and protection under the law.

Koch letter, page 2.

Edward I. Koch letter to Stonewall Veterans Association, March 29, 1996.

Black lesbian poet, writer, critic, scholar, and activist, Cheryl Clark participated in and advocated for a number of groups and organizations against injustice, which is documented in the Cheryl Clarke papers. One such organization was the Assata Shakur Defense Committee, which advocated for the release of political activist turned political prisoner, Assata Shakur. Clarke visited with Shakur while she was incarcerated and corresponded with the Defense Committee. In a letter dated August 1, 1978, from Sharon Krebs on behalf of the Assata Shakur Defense Committee, Krebs invites Cheryl Clarke to support a campaign against abusive conditions at Trenton State Prison where Assata Shakur’s co-defendant, Sundiata Acoli, was serving a life sentence.

Letter dated August 1, 1978, from Sharon Krebs to Cheryl Clarke.

Krebs letter, page 2.

Anti-Transgender Violence

In 2020, the Human Rights Campaign recorded at least 44 violent fatal incidents against transgender and gender non-conforming people in the United States, deeming it the most violent year against transgender people on record. The majority of victims have been Black or Latinx transgender women. While there have been many successful efforts for legislative and social change for LGBTQIA+ communities, there have also been legislative efforts to further marginalize and harm transgender and gender non-confirming such as a series of recently proposed anti-trans bills.

There have been several efforts to combat anti-trans violence and legislation through collective organizing and resource and information sharing. Some of the resource lists produced as a part of these efforts are archived in the Schomburg Center’s #Syllabus web archive collection.

#TransJusticeSyllabus, Sociologists for Trans Justice – web archive
#BlackTransLivesMatter: Actions and Resources for Solidarity – web archive
#PulseOrlandoSyllabus – web archive
Anti-Trans Bills Teach In—Public Syllabus – web archive

Economic Hardship

Due to sexual orientation-based discrimination, members of the LGBTQIA+ community disproportionately struggle with economic hardships. This can force members of the community into lower-paid, and often unsafe lines of work. Two archival collections show this struggle for better, fairer wages, and creative ways that the community banded together to help.

First, in the SAGE Harlem Legend in My Living

Shelley Montrose transcript

Room transcripts, Shelley Montrose discusses participating in strikes and walking out on the job for equal pay. “I know gentlemen were paid more,” she said.

“Right now we’re in the capitalist environment and we need money. We need money to live. Need money to get married. Need money for everything. You need money.” During the interview, she expressed that she was encouraged by the collective action of her co-workers and her community because they were able to enact real change through more equitable payment practices.

Rent Party to benefit Stormé DeLarverie flyer

In the Stormé DeLarverie papers, there is evidence of DeLarverie being harassed by the Chelsea Hotel because she was unable to pay her rent on time. In this case, her community banded together to throw her a Rent Party on Tuesday, December 21, 1997 at the Rubyfruit Bar and Grill. SAGE, (Senior Action in a Gay Environment) along with several other organizations and elected officials sponsored the event on DeLarverie’s behalf. Through this archival collection are a mass of letters from the LGBTQIA+ community speaking to DeLarverie’s role as a community elder, talented performer, and person in desperate need of compassion. The collection focuses on her later years documenting tribute concerts, awards she was presented with, book chapters she was mentioned in, and even her leather jacket and motorcycle helmet.

Rights of the LGBTQIA Community

We celebrate Pride month to remember the battles we have won, and those we continue to fight. The Jamaica Gay Freedom Movement was founded in 1977 as the first publicly gay organization in Jamaica and one of the first gay rights organizations in the Caribbean. Its records include two documents that spell out some important facts to carry with us as we celebrate.

The Gay Freedom Movement Fact Sheet highlights facts about the LGBTQIA+ community that, while simple, are sometimes forgotten by people we interact with, including “Gay people are normal, healthy people,” and “Gay people are moral, constructive, law-abiding citizens,” and “Gay people are just like everybody else.” The purpose of the fact sheet was to educate people and create pathways for acceptance.

Gay Freedom Movement Fact Sheet

Gay Rights are Human Rights

The second document, Gay Rights are Human Rights, was created to celebrate International Gay Pride Week (June 21–27), and to remind people that “As members of the human family, we are entitled to the same fundamental rights accorded [to] other human beings.”

Additional Resources

To learn more about Black LGBTQIA+ individuals and organizations at the Schomburg, view our research guide, Exploring Black LGBTQ Studies in the Schomburg Center's Archive.

Other relevant archives worth exploring:

Joseph Beam Papers
In The Life Archive
Bill Gunn Papers
Jewelle Gomez papers

El legado de Sylvia Rivera

Vilma Alvarez, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:43:01 -0500

Sylvia Rivera a la orilla de una fuente recostada sobre una capa y el agua de la fuente rociando detrás de ella. NYPL Colecciones Digitales, imagen número: 1605885 Foto por Diana Davies

Por Aimé Casillas (Biblioteca de la Calle 67) y Vilma Álvarez (SNFL)

Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002) nació en el Bronx, de padre puertorriqueño y madre venezolana. Su vida refleja las magníficas cualidades de un ser de gran fuerza interior, donde el rechazo y la injusticia son eclipsados por su sublime labor, y la aceptación y amor de su comunidad. Luchó intensamente contra la discriminación por identidad de género, no solo por ella sino que también por esa comunidad a la que tanto quería y respetaba. En 1970, co-fundó el grupo militante y de refugio juvenil STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), que luego se llamó Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries, con la activista transgénero afroamericana Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992). Esta organización proporcionaba casa, comida y ropa a adolescentes trans vulnerables y sin hogar.

Se dice que Sylvia Rivera jugó un papel trascendental en los disturbios de Stonewall, también llamados el Levantamiento de Stonewall, que comenzaron en las primeras horas del 28 de junio de 1969 cuando la policía hizo una redada en el Stonewall Inn, un club gay situado en Greenwich Village, en la ciudad de Nueva York. En esa época, la policía rutinariamente hacía redadas por supuestos crímenes a establecimientos conocidos como lugares de refugio para la comunidad LGBTQ+. En dichos lugares la comunidad LGBTQ+ podía expresarse abiertamente y socializar sin preocupaciones. Luego de hacer arrestos, la policía publicaba en los periódicos los nombres de las personas arrestadas para avergonzarlas y que consecuentemente perdieran sus trabajos. En ese día en particular, la gente se resistió a ese trato, y aunque el Levantamiento de Stonewall no fue el primero, fue uno de los momentos en que la colectividad gay alza su voz.

Sylvia fue una figura prominente en el Gay Liberation Front -GLF (Frente de Liberación Gay). Este frente se distinguió por ser la primera organización que se declaró abiertamente como revolucionaria en el confrontamiento por la liberación de las personas gays y lesbianas. Esta institución formó la base para todos los movimientos subsecuentes de la lucha por los derechos de identidad de género. Sylvia también estuvo involucrada y comprometida con el Gay Activists Alliance que se delimitaba como "una organización homosexual militante (pero no violenta) a favor de los derechos civiles".

La comunidad LGBTQ+ siempre ha existido y siempre existirá. Siempre se ha resistido a la invisibilidad que se les ha querido imponer. El legado de Sylvia continúa y la resistencia continúa.

Sylvia Rivera ha cambiado el rumbo de la historia de la humanidad en su lucha por los derechos de las personas transgénero, y en su honor la intersección de las calles Christopher y Hudson de la ciudad de Nueva York fue renombrada "Sylvia Rivera Way" en 2005

¿Cómo sería un mundo más inclusivo y respetuoso?

Podríamos comenzar educándonos. ¿Qué les parece esta lista? Compártanos sus recomendaciones en la sección de comentarios.

Fotos históricas de Sylvia Rivera en la Colección Digital de la Biblioteca

Sylvia Rivera con un amigo, 1970
NYPL Digital Collections, imagen número: 1605888. Foto por Kay Tobin Lahusen

Las siguientes bases de datos de la Biblioteca también proporcionan valiosa información acerca de Sylvia Rivera y del movimiento por el que ella luchó con tanta braveza:

Archives of Sexuality and Gender Database (Archivos de sexualidad y género) disponible desde casa con una tarjeta de biblioteca válida
El Proyecto de Historia Oral de la Comunidad de la NYPL, donde la Biblioteca se ha unido al Proyecto de Historia Oral Trans de la ciudad de Nueva York para recopilar, preservar y compartir las historias orales de las comunidades transgénero y no conformes con el género de nuestra ciudad.

Para personas adultas

Para edades de 0-12 años

Recursos para la comunidad LGBTQ+ en la ciudad de Nueva York

Las bibliotecas son para todas las personas

Sylvia Rivera Law Project (Proyecto Legal
The Bronx LGBT Center (Centro LGBT en el Bronx)
Brooklyn LGBT Center (Centro LGBT de Brooklyn)
Callen-Lorde Guía Trans NYC
The Center (El Centro)
Pride Center of Staten Island (Centro Orgullo de Staten Island)

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Favorite Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC Titles of 2020

NYPL Staff — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 15:57:55 -0500

2020 might have been a roller coaster of a year but there was still time to enjoy new books. Here's a spotlight of new titles by or about TGNC (transgender and gender non-conforming) folks.

This post was a collaborative effort by the TRANSform NYPL team, including Alex Kohn, Alexandra Nader, Ellen MacInnis, Je'jae Daniels, Katie Loucks, and Stephanie Whelan. Be sure to check out TRANSform's comprehensive list of trans, nonbinary, and GNC titles and our printable guide of trans and GNC resources in NYC.

Children's Books

Ana on the Edge by A. J. Sass

Twelve-year-old Ana-Marie Jin, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating champion, is not a frilly dress kind of kid. So, when Ana learns that next season's program will be princess themed, doubt forms fast. Still, Ana tries to focus on training and putting together a stellar routine worthy of national success. Once Ana meets Hayden, a transgender boy new to the rink, thoughts about the princess program and gender identity begin to take center stage. And when Hayden mistakes Ana for a boy, Ana doesn't correct him and finds comfort in this boyish identity when he's around. As their friendship develops, Ana realizes that it's tricky juggling two different identities on one slippery sheet of ice. And with a major competition approaching, Ana must decide whether telling everyone the truth is worth risking years of hard work and sacrifice.

Be Amazing: A History of Pride by Desmond is Amazing; pictures by Dylan Glynn

In Be Amazing, drag kid Desmond is Amazing walks you through the history of the LGBTQ community, all while encouraging you to embrace your own uniqueness and ignore the haters. Desmond is amazing—and you are, too. Throughout history, courageous people like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and RuPaul have paved the way for a safer, more inclusive society for LGBTQ individuals, and it's thanks to them that people just like Desmond can be free to be who they really are.

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith

After a terrible political coup usurps their noble house, Hawke and Grayson flee to stay alive and assume new identities, Hanna and Grayce. Desperation and chance lead them to the Communion of Blue, an order of magical women who spin the threads of reality to their will. As the twins learn more about the Communion, and themselves, they begin to hatch a plan to avenge their family and retake their royal home. While Hawke wants to return to his old life, Grayce struggles to keep the threads of her new life from unraveling, and realizes she wants to stay in the one place that will allow her to finally live as a girl.

Rick by Alex Gino

Rick's never questioned much. He's gone along with his best friend, Jeff, even when Jeff's acted like a bully and a jerk. He's let his father joke with him about which hot girls he might want to date even though that kind of talk always makes him uncomfortable. And he hasn't given his own identity much thought, because everyone else around him seemed to have figured it out. But now Rick's gotten to middle school, and new doors are opening. One of them leads to the school's Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities congregate, including Melissa, the girl who sits in front of Rick in class and seems to have her life together. Rick wants his own life to be that . . . understood. Even if it means breaking some old friendships and making some new ones. As they did in their groundbreaking novel George, in Rick, award-winning author Alex Gino explores what it means to search for your own place in the world . . . and all the steps you and the people around you need to take in order to get where you need to be.

Young Adult Books

Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon

In Beyond the Gender Binary, poet, artist, and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Alok Vaid-Menon deconstructs, demystifies, and reimagines the gender binary. Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. In this installment, Beyond the Gender Binary, Alok Vaid-Menon challenges the world to see gender not in black and white, but in full color. Taking from their own experiences as a gender-nonconforming artist, they show us that gender is a malleable and creative form of expression. The only limit is your imagination.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him. When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he's painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it's like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What's worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he's one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after. When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix's deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn't count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi–love triangle.... But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself. Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you deserve.

T he Girl of Hawthorn and Glass by Adan Jerreat-Poole

Even teenage assassins have dreams. Eli isn't just a teenage girl—she's a made-thing the witches created to hunt down ghosts in the human world. Trained to kill with her seven living blades, Eli is a flawless machine, a deadly assassin. But when an assignment goes wrong, Eli starts to question everything she was taught about both worlds, the Coven, and her tyrannical witch-mother. Terrified that she'll be unmade for her mistake, Eli seeks refuge with a group of human and witch renegades. To earn her place, she must prove herself by capturing the Heart of the Coven. With the help of two humans, one motorcycle, and a girl who smells like the sea, Eli is going to get answers—and earn her freedom.

Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith

Pony just wants to fly under the radar during senior year. Tired from all the attention he got at his old school after coming out as transgender, he's looking for a fresh start at Hillcrest High. But it's hard to live your best life when the threat of exposure lurks down every hallway and in every bathroom. Georgia is beginning to think there's more to life than cheerleading. She plans on keeping a low profile until graduation...which is why she promised herself that dating was officially a no-go this year. Then, on the very first day of school, the new guy and the cheerleader lock eyes. How is Pony supposed to stay stealth when he wants to get close to a girl like Georgia? How is Georgia supposed to keep her promise when sparks start flying with a boy like Pony? Funny and poignant, clear-eyed and hopeful, Stay Gold is a story about finding love—and finding yourself.

Adult Books

Fairest: A Memoir by Meredith Talusan

Fairest is a memoir about a precocious boy with albinism, a "sun child" from a rural Philippine village, who would grow up to become a woman in America. Coping with the strain of parental neglect and the elusive promise of U.S. citizenship, Talusan found childhood comfort from her devoted grandmother, a grounding force as she was treated by others with special preference or public curiosity. As an immigrant to the United States, Talusan came to be perceived as white. An academic scholarship to Harvard provided access to elite circles of privilege but required Talusan to navigate through the complex spheres of race, class, sexuality, and her place within the gay community. She emerged as an artist and an activist questioning the boundaries of gender. Talusan realized she did not want to be confined to a prescribed role as a man, and transitioned to become a woman, despite the risk of losing a man she deeply loved. Throughout her journey, Talusan shares poignant and powerful episodes of desirability and love that will remind readers of works such as Call Me By Your Name and Giovanni's Room. Her evocative reflections will shift our own perceptions of love, identity, gender, and the fairness of life.

The Four Profound Weaves by R. B. Lemberg

The Surun' nomads do not speak of the master weaver, Benesret, who creates the cloth of bone for assassins in the Great Burri Desert. But aged Uiziya must find her aunt in order to learn the final weave, although the price for knowledge may be far too dear to pay. Among the Khana in the springflower city of Iyar, women travel in caravans to trade, while men remain in the inner quarter, as scholars. A nameless man struggles to embody Khana masculinity, after many years of performing the life of a woman, trader, wife, and grandmother. As his past catches up, the nameless man must choose between the life he dreamed of and Uiziya—while Uiziya must discover how to challenge the evil Ruler of Iyar, and to weave from deaths that matter. In this breathtaking debut set in R. B. Lemberg's beloved Birdverse, The Four Profound Weaves offers a timeless chronicle of claiming one's identity in a hostile world.

Little Fish by Casey Plett

It's the dead of winter in Winnipeg and Wendy Reimer, a thirty-year-old trans woman, feels like her life is frozen in place. When her Oma passes away Wendy receives an unexpected phone call from a distant family friend with a startling secret: Wendy's Opa (grandfather) — a devout Mennonite farmer — might have been transgender himself. At first she dismisses this revelation, but as Wendy's life grows increasingly volatile, she finds herself aching for the lost pieces of her Opa's truth. Can Wendy unravel the mystery of her grandfather's world and reckon with the culture that both shaped and rejected her? She's determined to try. Alternately warm-hearted and dark-spirited, desperate and mirthful, Little Fish explores the winter of discontent in the life of one transgender woman as her past and future become irrevocably entwined. Bespeak Audio Editions brings Canadian voices to the world with audiobook editions of some of the country's greatest works of literature, performed by Canadian actors.

Note: While the hardback was published in 2018, the audiobook was released in 2020 and therefore included in this list.

The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho

Zen Cho returns with The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water, a found family wuxia fantasy that combines the vibrancy of old school martial arts movies with characters drawn from the margins of history. A bandit walks into a coffeehouse, and it all goes downhill from there. Guet Imm, a young votary of the Order of the Pure Moon, joins up with an eclectic group of thieves (whether they like it or not) in order to protect a sacred object, and finds herself in a far more complicated situation than she could have ever imagined.

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Dragons. Art. Revolution. Gyen Jebi isn't a fighter or a subversive. They just want to paint. One day they're jobless and desperate; the next, Jebi finds themself recruited by the Ministry of Armor to paint the mystical sigils that animate the occupying government's automaton soldiers. But when Jebi discovers the depths of the Razanei government's horrifying crimes—and the awful source of the magical pigments they use—they find they can no longer stay out of politics. What they can do is steal Arazi, the ministry's mighty dragon automaton, and find a way to fight...

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

When Paul enters university in early 1970s Pittsburgh, it's with the hope of moving past the recent death of his father. Sensitive, insecure, and incomprehensible to his grieving family, Paul feels isolated and alone. When he meets the worldly Julian in his freshman ethics class, Paul is immediately drawn to his classmate's effortless charm. Paul sees Julian as his sole intellectual equal—an ally against the conventional world he finds so suffocating. Paul will stop at nothing to prove himself worthy of their friendship, because with Julian life is more invigorating than Paul could ever have imagined. But as charismatic as he can choose to be, Julian is also volatile and capriciously cruel, and Paul becomes increasingly afraid that he can never live up to what Julian expects of him. As their friendship spirals into all-consuming intimacy, they each learn the lengths to which the other will go in order to stay together, their obsession ultimately hurtling them toward an act of irrevocable violence. Unfolding with a propulsive ferocity, These Violent Delights is an exquisitely plotted excavation of the depths of human desire and the darkness it can bring forth in us.

Note: While this title doesn't include explicit TGNC content, the author is TGNC and therefore included in this list.

Queer Adolescence by Charlie McNabb

In this accessible book, personal accounts mingle with factual information and sensitive analysis to provide a snapshot of the joys and concerns of American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual adolescents. Whether you're a parent, a clinician, a teacher, or a queer person, this book will answer many questions and offer a way forward.

Personal narratives and discussion about the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth in adolescence; Concrete action plan for parents, teachers, and clinicians to better support the queer youth in their lives; Vital glossary of up-to-date LGBTQIA+ and puberty terms; Highly recommended queer-inclusive sex education materials.

We Are God's Children Too by Rona Matlow

The following passage is from the Preface, written by Kara Raphaeli, PhD: What of the queer Jew? Even as more and more Jewish communities emphasize inclusivity and find a place for queer congregants, Jewish stories do not. The Bible offers no queer lessons, leaving queer Jews split in two; a Jewish heritage and a queer present. Enter Rabbah Rona Matlow, with hir queer midrashim. Midrashim are stories which approach Biblical texts from new perspectives, often exploring areas of confusion or possible contradiction within the Bible. Unlike Torah, they are not presented as factual, but as possibilities. Fictions which might yet be possible alternate histories. Midrashim bridge gaps. Rona’s queer midrashim bridge the gap between the contemporary queer Jew and the (seemingly cisgender and straight) Bible, offering a way for us to see ourselves in our Jewish tradition.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

An Anti Prom LGBTQ Sci-Fi & Fantasy YA Booklist

Jennifer Gaeta, New Dorp Library — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 15:59:08 -0400

NYPL's Anti Prom events provide alternative, safe spaces for teens regardless of their sexuality, gender identity, culture, financial status, the way you dress, or any other reason! This summer explore the Teen After Party through the fun-filled book lists, playlists, challenges, adventure games, scavenger hunts, and more as we bring you a futuristic prom experience! Below is a list put together by Staten Island's Anti Prom of sci-fi and fantasy reads for you to enjoy. All are available in our collection as e-books.

LGBTQ SCI-FI & FANTASY BOOKLIST

Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi

Alana Quick is the best damned sky surgeon in Heliodor City, but repairing starship engines barely pays the bills. When the desperate crew of a cargo vessel stops by her shipyard looking for her spiritually-advanced sister, Nova, Alana stows away. Maybe her boldness will land her a long-term gig on the crew. But the Tangled Axon proves to be more than star-watching and plasma coils. The chief engineer thinks he's a wolf. The pilot fades in and out of existence. The captain is all blond hair, boots, and ego ... and Alana can't keep her eyes off her. But there's little time for romance: Nova's in danger and someone will do anything—even destroying planets—to get their hands on her!

[sci-fi]

Ash by Malinda Lo

[fantasy, fairytale retelling]

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

Alex is a bruja and the most powerful witch in her family. But she's hated magic ever since it made her father disappear into thin air. When a curse she performs to rid herself of magic backfires and her family vanishes, she must travel to Los Lagos, a land in-between as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland, to get her family back.

[fantasy]

Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz

Fifteen-year-old bender Kivali has had a rough time in a gender-rigid culture. Abandoned as a baby and raised by Sheila, an ardent nonconformist, Kivali has always been surrounded by uncertainty. Where did she come from? Is it true what Sheila says, that she was deposited on Earth by the mysterious saurians? What are you? people ask, and Kivali isn't sure. Boy/girl? Human/lizard? Both/neither? Now she's in CropCamp, with all of its schedules and regs, and the first real friends she's ever had. Strange occurrences and complicated relationships raise questions Kivali has never before had to consider. But she has a gift—the power to enter a trancelike state to harness the "knowings" inside her. She has Lizard Radio. Will it be enough to save her?

[sci-fi]

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona is an impulsive young shape-shifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are. But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

[fantasy]

Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve

Genderqueer fourteen-year-old Z Chilworth has to adjust quickly to their new status as a zombie after waking from death from a car crash that killed their parents and sisters. Always a talented witch, Z now can barely perform magic and is rapidly decaying. Faced with rejection from their remaining family members and old friends, Z moves in with Mrs. Dunnigan, an elderly witch and befriends Aysel, a loud would-be-goth classmate who is, like Z, a loner. As Z struggles to find a way to repair the broken magical seal holding their body together, Aysel fears that her classmates will discover her status as an unregistered werewolf. When a local psychiatrist is murdered by what seems to be werewolves, the town of Salem, Oregon, becomes even more hostile to "monsters," and Z and Aysel are driven together in an attempt to survive a place where most people wish that neither of them existed. Rarely has a first-time author created characters of such immediacy and power as Z, Aysel, Tommy (suspected fey) and Elaine (also a werewolf), or a world that parallels our own so clearly and disturbingly.

[fantasy, monster]

Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller

As Opal, Sal now has the power, prestige, and ability to exact revenge, but must first identify the murderers while ignoring the fact that Elise is a virtual prisoner and the queen may have ulterior motives. The thrilling conclusion to the Mask of Shadows duology that weaves a tale of magic, shadows, and most importantly, revenge.

[fantasy, dark fantasy]

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

In the town of Fairfold, where humans and fae exist side by side, a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives awakes after generations of sleep in a glass coffin in the woods, causing Hazel to be swept up in new love, shift her loyalties, feel the fresh sting of betrayal, and to make a secret sacrifice to the faerie king.

[fantasy, modern]

Willful Machines by Tim Floreen

In a near-future America, a sentient computer program named Charlotte has turned terrorist, but Lee Fisher, the closeted son of an ultraconservative President, is more concerned with keeping his Secret Service detail from finding out about his developing romance with Nico, the new guy at school, but when the spider-like robots that roam the school halls begin acting even stranger than usual, Lee realizes he is Charlotte's next target.

[sci-fi, robot/ai]

Follow along for all the upcoming out of this world content brought to you by your favorite librarians on our social media: Instagram: @siantiprom , Twitter: https://twitter.com/teenafterparty and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siantiprom/

Summer Reading

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Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

Highlighting Black LGBTQ Voices at the Schomburg Center

Bridgett Pride, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 15:20:07 -0400

Marsha P. Johnson and women of the Gay Liberation Front demonstrate at City Hall, New York. Photo by Diana Davies. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 57365865

Are you interested in learning more about authors, activists, filmmakers, and performers who are Black and LGBTQ? Have you struggled with finding the right search terms, or archival documents that tell the story of these marginalized voices? The new LibGuide, Exploring Black LGBTQ Studies in the Schomburg Center's Archive can help you find answers. This LibGuide is designed to highlight collections focused on Black LGBTQ voices within the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. It is also a good starting point for conducting research in other New York Public Library collections and other archives that collect materials created by and for LGBTQ people.

Conducting Research

The first tab of the guide includes an introduction to preliminary research that can be done using online searching tools and a list of relevant subject terms. Learn how to go beyond the catalog search with digitized collections, finding aids, and web archives.

Schomburg Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books Division

This tab provides details on how to locate finding aids and catalog records for the Queer Studies Collection in the Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books Division of the Schomburg Center. By reading through finding aids, researchers can create a research plan including which specific parts of each archival collection they want to view during a research appointment. With over 20 collections spanning almost 100 years, there is quite a bit of material to comb through.

Assotto Saint (Yves Lubin). NYC. 1987. Photo by Robert Giard. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 1661025

Schomburg Archival Media

Both the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division and the Photographs and Prints Division of the Schomburg Center have additional resources outside of the manuscript collections. While a few films, and photograph collections have been identified in the guide, more suggestions may be discovered after contacting the division with your research question.

More Schomburg and NYPL Resources

The Jean Blackwell Hudson Research and Reference Division can provide access to published books written by Black LGBTQ people. Here, as well as at other NYPL research libraries, researchers can access periodicals, databases, and suplemental LibGuides that discuss LGBTQ lives.

Jewelle Gomez. Jersey City, NJ. 1987. Photo by Robert Giard. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 1661099

Other Resources

The Schomburg Center is just one of many institutions that collects materials created by and about LGBTQ people. The guide includes a list of other LGBTQ archives and links to open access online resources for anyone looking to learn more.

>>> Go to the LibGuide

Poems of Protest by Black LGBTQ Poets

Sutana Riley, 96th Street Library — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 16:22:36 -0400

Words are powerful

Regardless if its written or spoken

Words are powerful

It can cause a woman to laugh, a man to cry, a child to fight

Words are powerful

Black Queer Poets, oh how they dare

Their words are powerful

I encourage you to read their words, to think about their words, to understand their words

Because their words are powerful

—Sutana Riley

As Pride month wraps up, I want to take time to celebrate Black LGBTQ poets. I invite you to cry, smile, laugh, and resist in solidarity with the Black community. All of these poetry collections are also available as digital e-books.

The New Testament by Jericho Brown

In the world of Jericho Brown's second book, disease runs through the body, violence runs through the neighborhood, memories run through the mind, trauma runs through generations. Almost eerily quiet in even the bluntest of poems, Brown gives us the ache of a throat that has yet to say the hardest thing—and the truth is coming on fast.

The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde

"The first declaration of a black, lesbian feminist identity took place in these poems, and set the terms—beautifully, forcefully—for contemporary multicultural and pluralist debate."—Publishers Weekly

The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes

Nearly ninety years after its first publication, this celebratory edition of The Weary Blues reminds us of the stunning achievement of Langston Hughes, who was just twenty-four at its first appearance. Beginning with the opening "Proem" (prologue poem)—"I am a Negro: / Black as the night is black, / Black like the depths of my Africa"—Hughes spoke directly, intimately, and powerfully of the experiences of African Americans at a time when their voices were newly being heard in our literature.

Directed by Desire: The Collected Poems of June Jordan

Directed by Desire is the definitive overview of June Jordan's poetry. Collecting the finest work from Jordan's ten volumes, as well as dozens of "last poems" that were never published in Jordan's lifetime, these more than six hundred pages overflow with intimate lyricism, elegance, fury, meditative solos, and dazzling vernacular riffs. As Adrienne Rich writes in her introduction, June Jordan "wanted her readers, listeners, students, to feel their own latent power—of the word, the deed, of their own beauty and intrinsic value."

Jimmy's Blues and Other Poems by James Baldwin

Known for his relentless honesty and startlingly prophetic insights on issues of race, gender, class, and poverty, Baldwin is just as enlightening and bold in his poetry as in his famous novels and essays.

The Collected Poems of Ai

"Ai is a truthteller picking her way through the burning rocks of racial and sexual lies."—Joy HarjoBefore her untimely death in 2010, Ai, known for her searing dramatic monologues, was hailed as "one of the most singular voices of her generation" (New York Times Book Review). Now for the first time, all eight books by this essential and uniquely American poet have been gathered in one volume.

The Malevolent Volume by Justin Phillip Reed

Subverting celebrated classics of poetry and mythology and examining horrors from contemporary film and cultural fact, National Book Award winner Justin Phillip Reed engages darkness as an aesthetic to conjure the revenant animus that lurks beneath the exploited civilities of marginalized people.

The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni: 1968-1998

For the first time ever, the complete poetry collection spanning three decades from Nikki Giovanni, renowned poet and one of America's national treasures. When her poems first emerged during the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s, Nikki Giovanni immediately took her place among the most celebrated, controversial, and influential poets of the era. Now, more than thirty years later, Giovanni still stands as one of the most commanding, luminous voices to grace America's political and poetic landscape.

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.