GLBT Youth Literature Award captures media interest

For Immediate Release
Tue, 11/09/2010

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Jennifer Petersen

CHICAGO - Just hours after the Nov. 1 announcement of the American Library Association’s (ALA) addition of the Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award to the prestigious Youth Media Awards presentation, dozens of media outlets from across the country picked up this story.
 
The American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Information Office (PIO) reached out to the Associated Press (AP) to gauge interest. Within hours of the AP releasing the story, more than 230 news outlets such as Huffington Post, Newsday, The Advocate, ABC NewsWashington Post, AOL News, Forbes, MSNBC and many others picked up the story.
 
“Books for youth regarding the GLBT experience are critical tools in teaching tolerance, acceptance and the importance of diversity,” said ALA President Roberta Stevens. “Our nation is one of diverse cultures and lifestyles and it is important for parents, educators and librarians to have access to quality books that represent a spectrum of cultures.”
 
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 14 million children have a gay or lesbian parent, and the most current U.S. Census data shows that one-third of female partner households and one-fifth of male partner households include children.
 
The Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award, honoring English-language works for children or teens of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered experience, will join such prominent literary prizes as the Coretta Scott King Book Award, John Newbery Medal, Michael Printz Award, Randolph Caldecott Medal, Schneider Family Book Awards and 13 other distinguished awards for youth literature during the announcement. 
 

For more information on the ALA Youth Media Awards, including the Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award, visit www.ala.org/yma