Why Queer Representation in Children's Books Is So Important

Why Queer Representation Matters

For queer youth, seeing themselves represented positively in media can be life-changing. Jonathan, a young queer man, shares, "Growing up, I didn't see a lot of positive representation of queer people in media. It made me feel like I wasn't normal or accepted."

Research by GLAAD shows that positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters in media can lead to greater acceptance and understanding in society (1). In addition, seeing diverse representation in media can help children develop empathy and understanding towards people who are different from themselves (2).

The Need for Queer Representation in Children's Books

While there has been progress in queer representation in media, there is still a significant lack of representation in children's books.

Michael, a father of two, laments, "It's challenging to find books that feature LGBTQ+ characters that I can read to my kids. I want my children to understand and appreciate diversity, but it's hard to do that when there are so few options."

Research by the Cooperative Children's Book Center shows that in 2020, only 2.7% of children's books featured LGBTQ+ characters (3). This lack of representation can be damaging to queer youth, who may feel excluded or invisible.

The Power of Positive Representation

When queer characters are represented positively in media, it can have a powerful impact on both queer and non-queer youth. William, a young non-queer man, shares, "Reading books with queer characters helped me develop empathy and understanding towards people who are different from myself. It's important for children to see that LGBTQ+ people are just like anyone else."

According to the Human Rights Campaign, positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters in media can help create a more accepting and inclusive society (4). In addition, seeing diverse representation in media can help children develop empathy and understanding towards people who are different from themselves (2).

See our list of the most influential gay books.

The Benefits of Queer Representation in Children's Books

There are numerous benefits to including queer representation in children's books. For one, it can help queer youth feel seen and valued. Steven, a young queer man, shares, "When I see queer characters in books, it makes me feel like I'm not alone. It's empowering to see characters like me living their lives and being happy."

In addition, queer representation in children's books can help promote diversity and inclusivity. Research by the Anti-Defamation League shows that exposure to diverse literature can help children develop more inclusive attitudes towards people who are different from themselves (5).

Creating a More Inclusive Future

To create a more inclusive society, it's important to advocate for queer representation in all forms of media, including children's books. By promoting positive representation and diversity, we can help create a world where all people feel seen and valued.

To learn more about the importance of queer representation in media, check out these resources and research studies:

GLAAD – GLAAD provides resources on LGBTQ+ representation in media: https://www.glaad.org
Common Sense Media – Common Sense Media offers resources on the importance of diverse representation in media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org
Cooperative Children's Book Center – The CCBC provides statistics on the diversity of children's literature: https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu
Human Rights Campaign – The HRC offers resources on the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in media: https://www.hrc.org
Anti-Defamation League– The ADL offers resources on the benefits of exposure to diverse literature: https://www.adl.org

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in Children's Books and Media

Queer representation in children's books and media is vital for promoting acceptance, inclusivity, and empathy towards people who are different from ourselves. By advocating for positive representation and diversity, we can help create a more accepting and inclusive society for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

As writer James Baldwin once said, "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." By promoting positive representation and diversity in media, we can set a positive example for future generations, creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.

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