Rural Queer Kidlit Access: Gay it Forward!

Ash Van Otterloo is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

**update** In light of the recent anti-trans legislation pushes and queer-targeted book bannings in many states, this fundraiser is expanding to also support public librarians and educators in need from areas experiencing heavy discrimination as requests come up. Thank you so much for your continued love and support. I'll keep updating with appreciation photos as I can, with the understanding that many recipients may need to remain anonymous for the safety of themselves and their students.

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Hello friends!

Red State LGBTQIA+ young people are often less likely to receive support/affirmation for their fully expressed selves at home.

Often, this is compounded by overarching local cultural bias and negativity. Queerphobia and transphobia are damaging to children especially and put them at higher risk for trauma, self-harm, depression, anxiety, and suicide. The presence of positive media can be a huge factor in a positive outcome for many young lives.

Unfortunately, it's tough to access queer kidlit books without funds, and while libraries are wonderfully diligent in filling the void, it can be nice to have your own copy of a book to wear to tatters!

This spring, I'm celebrating a much-awaited step in nonbinary self-affirmation, and many of my friends have generously offered to crowdfund the event in support. However, I've been lucky to have already saved up for a while, and I'd like to do this instead, to celebrate:

I'm reaching out to rural southern libraries, classrooms, and indie bookstores and asking them to start a community-funded queer kidlit free-to-take-box (inspired by the "Gay it Forward" box at Second Star to the Right Books in Colorado pictured below.)

Having a book that resounded with me would have made a huge positive impact on me when I was young, and it would mean the world to make sure a few copies land in the hands that might hugely benefit. I'll keep the fundraiser going until September, when A Touch of Ruckus is released, and then purchase/donate the copies from/to the participating bookstores.

(At that point, I'll post updates and receipts to maintain transparency! THANK YOU!!)

photo: a basket of books with a rainbow sign that reads "These books have been paid for by members of the community to give away to LGBTQ+ youth who aren't otherwise able to access books with LGBTQ characters. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TAKE ONE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED."