Rosalie S.’s Post

—— 10,000 !!! 😳 —— This week, the U.S observes Banned Books Week, a time to celebrate the freedom to read and, sadly, also to reflect on the increasing challenges to that freedom. According to recent research by PEN America, over 10,000 (again TEN THOUSAND!!! 😫) book bans were recorded during the 2023–2024 school year alone—more than double the previous year’s total! Shockingly (or not!), nearly 8,000 of these bans occurred in just two states: Florida and Iowa. Most of the banned books focus on themes related to LGBTQ+ identities, race and racism, explicit sexual content, profanity, violence, or politically controversial ideas. Young adult literature that deals with sensitive topics like mental health or substance abuse is also frequently targeted. So much for freedom of speech and the press! Soooo…….if you're on the lookout for your next read, maybe check the top 10 most challenged books of 2023, compiled by American Library Association. Happy reading! https://lnkd.in/ebN5rHPB

Today is National Coming Out Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the belonging of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. “Coming out” is the process of recognizing and sharing one's sexual orientation, gender identity or romantic orientation with others. Coming out to others doesn’t determine someone’s queerness. People can understand their identity without sharing it, or they might choose to come out to some people or in certain situations while staying private in others. For many people, coming out can lead to being rejected by family or friends, or losing access to things like housing or jobs, which can make them more likely to face food insecurity. At Oregon Food Bank, we envision a world where not only hunger ceases to exist but also a world where queer people can be so openly themselves that there will no longer be a need for them to come out in the first place. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gUwwxSAr

📚 Happy Banned Books Week! A time to celebrate the freedom to read and the critical importance of access to information. For the LGBTQ+ community, banned books often include stories that reflect their identities, experiences, and challenges. When access to these narratives is restricted, it limits understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity—core values in the fight for equality. Banned Books Week was founded in 1982 as a response to the rising number of attempts to remove books from schools, libraries, and bookstores. This annual event highlights the fundamental right to free expression. It unites librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers to defend the freedom to explore ideas and engage with diverse perspectives. Banned Books Week reminds us of the dangers of censorship and limiting access to knowledge. The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of books that feature LGBTQ+ themes, which are often targeted for their portrayal of queer relationships, gender identity, and sexuality. 1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe 2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson 3. This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson 4. Melissa (previously titled George) by Alex Gino 5. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Eviso 6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 7. Flamer by Mike Curato 8. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 9. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins 10. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews 11. Let’s Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan 12. Sold by Patricia McCormick As LGBTQ+ author Audre Lorde once said, "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." Books have the power to bridge those gaps, fostering empathy and understanding across communities. At Radiant, we stand for the power of information, advocating for everyone’s right to access resources that promote equity, health, and well-being. We are committed to creating a world where people can learn, grow, and make choices based on truth and knowledge—not censorship. #BannedBooksWeek #FreedomToRead #LGBTQStoriesMatter #RadiantHealthCenters #KnowledgeIsPower #InclusionForAll #SetBooksFree

TIMELY COINCIDENCE: Most folks know that this past Sunday, March 31, 2024, was Easter. It's a holiday that falls on a different Sunday — on a different date — every year. However, March 31 of EVERY year, since 2009, is celebrated as #TransgenderDayofVisibility. And in case you missed it, I'm sure you can imagine the hullabaloo that ensued from the far-right, after The White House issued an official “Proclamation on Transgender Day of Visibility” last Friday, March 29th, signed by the President. Here's an excerpt (link to The White House website w/ Proclamation can be found below): “Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our Nation. Whether serving their communities or in the military, raising families or running businesses, they help America thrive. They deserve, and are entitled to, the same rights and freedoms as every other American, including the most fundamental freedom to be their true selves. But extremists are proposing hundreds of hateful laws that target and terrify transgender kids and their families — silencing teachers; banning books; and even threatening parents, doctors, and nurses with prison for helping parents get care for their children.” For nearly 10 years — until October 2023 — I worked with a mental health practice in the Los Angeles-area whose care is focused on transgender and gender nonbinary folks. The work I did on behalf of the client spanned multiple visual design applications and content development, including writing and editing. The fact that it connects with an ongoing, dynamic, socio-cultural phenomenon was extremely gratifying. More than that, I am proud to say that I am an ally, so the motivation/inspiration for my work emerged from multiple sources. The small sample of images accompanying this post were used on social media for my client and are a combination of stand-alone posts or ones connected to website content that I contributed to. I hope that, collectively, they reflect the positive and inclusive spirit that was so important to my client — and to me! **Link to The White House Proclamation: https://lnkd.in/gwyiu-9j - - #smallbusinessmarketing #marketingmentalhealth #transgenderawareness #humanity

Wayne C. Dees nails it with this story of a father and son—Dr. Joseph Ferretti and Alex—who are worlds apart in more ways than one. Their journey tackles everything from clashing ideologies to struggles for acceptance, all while giving us a front-row seat to the love and frustration that comes with family. It’s a timely reminder of how the things tearing us apart as a society are often the same issues driving wedges into our personal lives. The book doesn’t shy away from the big stuff—politics, social justice, economic fears—you name it, it’s all here. But what makes it stand out is how it blends these heavy themes with the very real, emotional journey of Alex, who’s not just dealing with his father’s disapproval but also his own path as a young LGBTQ+ man searching for connection. What’s even cooler is how the novel expands beyond just one family. Wayne takes on global issues like the rise of populism and cultural clashes, while keeping the story grounded in the heartache and hope that keep us turning the pages. It’s a perfect mix of love story, social critique, and a deep dive into how we can heal—both within ourselves and as a society. "Altered Perceptions" doesn’t just make you think; it makes you feel. It's a wake-up call to look at our own relationships and question whether we're letting our differences push us apart. If you’re looking for a read that’s as powerful as it is personal, this one’s for you.

I read an article from the Washington Post about 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 and how it has lead to an increase in book challenges. It is not new that LGBTQ+ themes are being banned in schools, so The Post analyzed the complaints in order to see who was challenging the books, for what reasons, and what kinds of books were objected the most. The article has great visuals and graphs that make it really interesting to spend time reading and learning about book bans, especially ones that are for LGBTQ+ reasons. Here are some points that stuck out to me: -About 𝟐𝟎% of challengers 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐲 stated that they wanted to 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬. Challengers believed that reading these books could cause children to 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 their sexuality or gender. -𝟒𝟐% of challenged books have LGBTQ+ characters or themes. -Out of the 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬, 2 feature LGBTQ characters and themes, 3 feature people of color and deal with race, and 2 feature both of these topics. -From the early 2000s-2010s, LGBTQ+ books were targets of banning between less than 1-3% in schools. In 2022, that number 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝟒𝟓.𝟓%. The article also does a great job of 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 LGBTQ+ books and why they should be featured in schools. There is a clear risk to removing queer books from school shelves because of the 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚 it creates which leads to 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬. Read more below! https://lnkd.in/eveFts33 #queerlitforkids #letthemread

Appreciated getting to present a session today for the Pride Justice Resource Center “Safe and Affirming Data Collection About Justice-Involved LGBTQ2S+ Youth Part 2.” The session was recorded so you should be able to view the recording soon through their site. www.pjrc.ncjfcj.org 🏳️⚧️🦄🌈 National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Session Description: Youth who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system and have unique needs and challenges, yet many juvenile justice professionals are unsure of whether there are any LGBTQ2S+ youth in their system. Ensuring all youth in the juvenile justice system feel safe, affirmed, and supported requires juvenile justice professionals to ask youth about all aspects of their identity. This webinar will share with programs what data points they should be collecting along with how to effectively use that data to improve their programming and yield better outcomes for the youth that they serve.

In reality, there are only two biological genders, but according to the theory of Duality, if something exists, its opposite also exists. There’s nothing inherently wrong with transgenders or other identities; what is concerning is how these identities and related concepts of sexuality are being shaped and promoted today - this is ill-mentallitty. The issue arises from the overwhelming content that seems to glorify and normalize what many consider unnatural. For instance, marriages have traditionally been a union meant to nurture growth, build families, and sustain societies. Yet, the focus today seems to be shifting disproportionately towards promoting same-sex and transgender marriages. Not every relationship needs to be the same. We share bonds of friendship across different relationships—be it between parents and children, siblings, or spouses. Each relationship is unique and serves a distinct purpose. Similarly, love between two individuals does not always need to culminate in marriage. The relentless push to redefine these fundamentals is a cause for concern. Human society needs a course correction before it becomes too fractured to repair. Otherwise, leaders like Donald Trump may feel compelled to take extreme stances, which could further polarize the issue instead of fostering understanding and balance. https://lnkd.in/gDRTi_hp

It's #TransAwarenessWeek, and Leela is reading When Aidan Became a Brother. This is a universal and relatable story for any child concerned about being a good big sibling. It also offers readers a glimpse into the everyday life of a trans child and his family. This LEE & LOW BOOKS award-winning picture book by Kyle Lukoff & illustrated by Kaylani Juanita tops our We Are Stronger than Censorship campaign list of known banned or challenged books. But this book needs to be readily accessible across communities. Gender is experienced by people in many different ways. It is important for children to see different gender identities reflected positively in order to affirm each child’s own identity and build respect across different identities. This creates empathy and understanding for gender diversity. This book provides an example of self-advocacy when it comes to a child’s gender identity. It also provides an example of the responsibility felt by a child as they become an older sibling and the consideration for the well-being of a new sibling. Follow the link to read the AmazeWorks discussion guide on When Aidan Became a Brother. #TransAwarenessWeek2024 #BannedBooks #PersonaDolls #WhenAidanBecameABrother

At Mx. Kelley Queer Education, we’re highlighting lesser-known LGBTQIA+ history that still impacts us today: * Lavender Scare (1950s-1960s): A Cold War campaign that led to the mass firing of LGBTQIA+ people from U.S. government jobs due to baseless security fears. * Pathologization of Homosexuality (Late 19th Century - 1973): Homosexuality was wrongly classified as a mental illness until 1973, fueling decades of stigma. * Colonial Legacies (19th - 20th Century): Anti-LGBTQIA+ laws from European colonial powers still impact many countries today. * Negative Media Portrayals (20th Century): LGBTQIA+ individuals were often portrayed negatively, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Understanding these histories helps us break down barriers and create more inclusive workplaces. Let’s educate ourselves, advocate for change, and support initiatives highlighting these stories. 🌍💜 #LGBTQHistory #InclusiveWorkplace #MxKelleyQueerEducation #TakeAction