June is Pride Month, and this year, to celebrate its diversity and inclusiveness, Teach Away compiled a list of books, TV shows, and educational resources to help teachers empower students, celebrate diversity, and create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ youth.
Check out the resources below:
- Listen to Teach Away’s teacher podcast episode on LGBTQ+ inclusive classrooms, featuring teacher Ace Schwarz.
- Browse books and TV shows that explore LGBTQ+ identities, as well as books and TV shows that explore the concepts around diversity and inclusion.
- Bookmark and download educational resources that can assist you in creating more inclusive learning environments.
Happy learning!
(Please note that all books and TV shows listed are suitable for kids 12 and up. We recommend reviewing the content first before sharing it with your students to ensure that it aligns with your expectations.)
Teach Away’s podcast episode on LGBTQ+ inclusive classrooms
Listen to it here: Teach Away’s School Of Talk Teacher Podcast: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Classrooms With Ace Schwarz
Episode Highlights:
- Ace breaks down their definition of LGBTQ+ inclusive education as well as the intended goal or purpose of LGBTQ+ inclusive education.
- Ace gives advice to teachers who are making LGBTQ+ inclusive education a focus this year, including how teachers can adjust their language, content, and the physical environment to support all students.
- Ace share’s their personal experience with how creating a safe space has impacted their school community.
- Ace explains what they see schools doing well and where improvements can still be made. Plus, they tell us one thing schools could do to make schools more inclusive.
Books that celebrate LGBTQ+ identities
For Youth
- “I Am A Rainbow” by Mark Kanemura: Mark, a boy who loves dressing up and dancing, faces teasing at school for his unique interests, but his parents gift him a cape that gives him confidence and the freedom to be himself, until it goes missing, leading him on a journey to rediscover his shine and celebrate self-acceptance.
- “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell: A heartwarming true story about two male penguins who form a loving family and raise a baby penguin together.
- “The Great Big Book of Families” by Mary Hoffman: A diverse and inclusive exploration of different types of families and the love and support they share.
- “It’s Okay to be Different” by Todd Parr: A colorful book that celebrates diversity and teaches children to embrace their uniqueness and accept others.
- “The Family Book” by Todd Parr: A joyful book that celebrates all types of families, showcasing the idea that families come in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
- “Red: A Crayon’s Story” by Michael Hall: A story about a blue crayon mistakenly labeled as red, teaching the importance of self-discovery and embracing one’s true identity.
- “Julián Is a Mermaid” by Jessica Love: A beautifully illustrated tale about a boy who expresses his love for mermaids and discovers the acceptance and support of his abuela.
- “I Am Jazz” by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings: Based on the true story of Jazz Jennings, this book shares the experiences of a transgender girl and promotes understanding and acceptance.
- “Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship” by Jessica Walton: A heartwarming story about a teddy bear named Teddy who opens up about their true gender identity, emphasizing friendship and acceptance.
- “Worm Loves Worm” by J.J. Austrian: A delightful story about two worms who want to get married, challenging traditional gender roles and celebrating love in a simple and inclusive way.
- “The Boy & the Bindi” by Vivek Shraya: A story of a young boy who becomes fascinated by his mother’s bindi and explores gender, identity, and self-expression in an Indian cultural context.
For Tweens/Teens
- “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli: A heartwarming story about a gay teenager navigating friendship, love, and coming out, which inspired the film “Love, Simon.”
- “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: This award-winning novel explores the deep bond between two Mexican-American boys as they navigate their identities and relationships.
- “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson: A compelling story of sibling relationships, self-discovery, and LGBTQ+ themes, told from the perspectives of fraternal twins.
TV shows that celebrate LGBTQ+ voices
- “Steven Universe”: This animated series features a diverse cast of characters and explores themes of love, acceptance, and identity, including LGBTQ+ representation.
- “Adventure Time”: While not solely focused on LGBTQ+ themes, this animated series includes several instances of LGBTQ+ representation and explores relationships and identity in a whimsical and adventurous world.
- “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” (2018 version!): This animated series includes LGBTQ+ characters and relationships as part of its storyline, highlighting themes of love, friendship, and acceptance.
- “The Prom”: This movie adaptation of the Broadway musical features a star-studded cast and tells the story of a group of Broadway actors who rally behind a lesbian student who wants to take her girlfriend to the prom.
- “Love, Simon”: This movie follows the journey of a gay high school student named Simon as he navigates coming out and finding love while dealing with the challenges of adolescence.
Movies that celebrate LGBTQ+ stories
- “Luca”: This is a full length Disney Pixar feature film that tells the story of Luca, a young sea monster who disguises himself as a human boy while exploring the Italian Riviera. The movie celebrates friendship, self-discovery, and acceptance, making it an enjoyable watch for all audiences.
- “ParaNorman”: This animated film features a young boy named Norman who can communicate with the dead. It subtly addresses LGBTQ+ themes through a character’s coming-out moment, highlighting the importance of acceptance and understanding.
- “The Book of Life”: This colorful animated movie centers around a young man named Manolo who embarks on a journey through the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten. It includes a character named Joaquin, who challenges traditional gender roles.
- “Kubo and the Two Strings”: This stop-motion animated film stars Kubo, who embarks on a quest to find his late father’s armor. The film showcases diverse relationships, including a lesbian couple, in a positive and inclusive manner.
- “My Life as a Zucchini”: This stop-motion animation tells the story of a young boy named Zucchini who is placed in an orphanage after the death of his mother. The film touches on themes of family, friendship, and acceptance, including a transgender character.
Educational resources to create more inclusive learning environments
- Teaching Outside The Binary: Resources, blog posts, and reading lists to help you deconstruct the gender binary, support LGBTQ+ students in your classroom, and create a more inclusive environment for students.
- Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Resources and support for creating safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ students.
- Stonewall: Creating An LGBT-Inclusive Secondary Curriculum: Guide for embedding an LGBT-inclusive secondary curriculum at your school- e.g. using LGBTQ+ inclusive statistics for math.
- Action Canada Gender Galaxy: Classroom activity
- How To Ask Students Gender Pronouns In The Classroom: Blog
- Welcoming Schools by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation: Provides resources for educators to create LGBTQ-inclusive schools and promote respect and understanding.
- Teaching Tolerance by the Southern Poverty Law Center: Offers classroom resources, lesson plans, and professional development materials focused on diversity and social justice.
- PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Offers resources and support for families, friends, and allies of LGBTQ individuals.
- Safe Schools Coalition: Provides resources and tools to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ students.
- It Gets Better Project: Offers support, resources, and stories to inspire LGBTQ youth and provide hope for the future.
Create a safe and inclusive school for LGBTQ+ youth
Sharing LGBTQ+ stories and voices with those who need them helps everyone, and creates the building blocks for a safe and inclusive school.
Join Teach Away on our mission to create a world where every student experiences the power of a great teacher and realizes their full potential because of it.
