National Day of Reading
Every year, communities across the country join HRC's Welcoming Schools program for its annual National Day of Reading: A Celebration of Trans Stories.
Description & History
After a national anti-LGBTQ+ hate group bullied a young transgender girl in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, her community rallied behind her by hosting a community reading of "I Am Jazz" by transgender advocate Jazz Jennings. Every year, in honor of the Mount Horeb community’s allyship, communities across the country join HRC's Welcoming Schools program for its annual National Day of Reading: A Celebration of Trans Stories.
AASL Partner
Human Rights Campaign Foundation: Welcoming Schools is dedicated to actionable policies and practices. Provides a toolkit of resources to create an inclusive environment for students and families.
School librarian and AASL member Heather Horner attends the National Day of School & Community Readings on March 5, 2024.
Professional Learning Resources
Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries
This resource guide uses the AASL Standards framework as scaffolding to help users explore LGBTQ+ materials and needs in their communities. Use the accompanying infographic and applied framework in the guide to navigate the document more quickly.
Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries
During this webinar, the Defending Intellectual Freedom resource guide is unpacked. Ideas for using the guide as part of a school or district-wide professional development is explored, as well as ways a similar framework could be used to address other key
LGBTQIA+ Inclusive School Library Research: A Systematic Literature Review
A 2023 research study analyzing school libraries and their LGBTQIA+ literature. The study limited the dates from 2009-2021, making for an updated look at school libraries and their LGBTQIA+ literature.
LGBTQ Youth & Schools Resource Library
The ACLU’s LGBTQ Youth & Schools Library offers legal resources on GSA rights, anti-harassment, privacy, and trans rights. It features "Know Your Rights" guides, school templates, and links to partners like GLSEN and The Trevor Project.
Libraries Can Be LGBTQ Affirming Spaces
NCTE article about how to utilize LGBTQ literature as a way to create an affirming space. The author has good ideas on how to promote LGBTQ literature including not labeling them, but making sure they are present in each display.
Preventing Censorship of LGBT Information in Public School Libraries
Lambda Legal provides studies about having an inclusive school library with materials that are reflective of LGBTQ+ characters as well as legal guidance on providing literature for our students and not violating their first amendment rights.
Serving LGBTQ+ Students and Families in School Libraries
Resources and strategies for partnering with LGBTQ+ students and families are shared as well as providing multiple resources for selecting quality and representative literature for school libraries are shared.
Learner Engagement Resources
5 Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Students
The article provides solid and actionable ways for librarians to create a welcoming environment through visual cues, inclusive language and policy.
Jazz & Friends National Day of School & Community Readings: When Aidan Became a…
AASL President Kathy Carroll and other HRC invited guests read when Aiden Became a Brother for the 2021 Jazz & Friends National Day of Reading.
Lessons & Resources
Welcoming Schools offers lesson plans under four umbrella topics: gender, family, LGBTQ+ inclusive, and bullying. Together, these lesson plans help develop safe and welcoming classrooms and schools.
Book Lists
Drag Queen Story Hour
Drag Story Hour NYC (formerly Drag Queen Story Hour NYC) produces storytelling and creative arts programs. On their site, they share a peak at what they're reading.
LGBTQIA+ Booklists and Resources
The Children's Book Council (CBC) offers curated LGBTQIA+ booklists and resources for all ages, including a title spreadsheet. It links to Social Justice Books, GLAAD, and ALA, plus educational tools from GLSEN, the Library of Congress, and the ADL.
LGBTQ Reads
LGBTQ Reads offers vast booklists categorized by age, genre, and identity (race, disability, gender). It features unique filters for tropes, settings, and occupations, plus thematic guides linking books to movies, TV, and music for easy discovery.
Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Welcoming Schools offers recommendations for diverse books for schools, libraries and home. With Welcoming Schools lists, find books that reflect the rich diversity of people in your school and the world.
Rainbow Book List
The Rainbow Book List is created by the ALA Rainbow Round Table and it presents an annual bibliography of quality books with significant and authentic LGBQTIA+ content, which are recommended for people from birth through eighteen years of age.
Social Justice Booklists
Social Justice Books offers a curated LGBTQ+ list for kids through adults, sorted by age and genre. It features critically reviewed titles, diverse authors, and educational resources for parents and teachers to support inclusive learning.
Stonewall Book Awards
The first and most enduring award for LGBTQIA+ books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by ALA’s Rainbow Round Table (formerly the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table).
