Transgender activist publishes kids books with positive stories of LGBTQ families

WhenS. Bear Bergmanstarted looking for LGBTQ-themed books to read to his youngson, he was a bit disappointed with what he found."Where's the joy?" he thought.

"A lot of the books featuring lesbian,gay andqueer-headed families are based on a narrative of bullying and harassment," noted the Toronto-based transgenderactivist.

"We need books that are celebratory, inclusive, funand engaging enough to be interesting to kids with straight or cisgender parents, too."

So, Bergman decided to do something about it: he and his husbandstarted theirown publishingcompany, Flamingo Rampant, through aKickstartercampaign.

The first hurdle was to write and publish the books.

There areare plenty ofkids with LGBTQ parents,Bergmannoted."I want those children to recognize themselves in well, happy, celebratory, loved characters, who get to do cool things."

Since 2014, the company has published six books that centreon diverse kids and families. For instance,Is That for a Boy or a Girl?is a book of short poems about gender-independent kids and what they like to do or wear. The message behind the book is that there aren't "boy things" and "girl things."

Another title,M is for Mustache,is an ABC book about a girl,her chosen family and how they celebrate Pride Day.

A second hurdle facing Bergmanwas getting thesebooksinto school systemsand public libraries. Because Flamingo Rampant is a small publishing house, its titles arenot carried by the large distributors from whichlibraries and schools order books. That means individual libraries and schools must order books directly from Flamingo Rampant.

So, in 2014, Bergmanbegandonatingbooksto every school in the Toronto District School Board. He alsoreliedon personal connections madewith librarians and teachers.

After a few years, the company is slowly seeingsome return:Bergmannotes orders haveincreased from 20 to 200.

'Children respond wellto good literature, regardless what it's about'

GordonNore, ateacher with the TDSB,feelsthe curriculum should reflect the diversity of society and that includes people who identify asLGBTQ.

Nore is enthusiastic about the emergence of this branchofliterature for children, adding thatit's helping teachers.

"Good literature helps teachers do what we have always done,which is to teach children about how people live in their own community and all over the world," Nore said.

"Children respond wellto good literature, regardless of what it's about," he added.

Librarian Marian Fultonof the Windsor Library, part of Nova Scotia'sAnnapolis Valley Regional Library region,carries Flamingo Rampantbooks. Shehasa personal interest in seeingmoreLGBTQ-themedbooks in libraries:her son istransgender.

"Ihave no decision powers on what is purchased and added to our collection, but I have been very persuasive over the years in getting the books I want to see added to our collection," said Fulton, who has also personally donatedtitles to the library and is delighted by its collection ofLGBTQbooks for all age levels.

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But how have parents reacted to these gay-positive stories?According to Fulton, there has only been one complaint at her library.

"The complaint came from an immigrant who was used to Russian laws and standards. We politely, but firmly, told her we do not censor books in our libraries and in Canada it is not illegal to be gay. This person stayed away for awhile but then eventually returned to be a regular borrower."

From another perspective,Nore noted that in his experience"sometimes parents are worried that their children are being exposed to stories ofdiscrimination too young, so it's not about being homophobic. Theparent isworried about the child being upset. Inreality, a kids' book about a child withtwo dads is not going impart content that is any more adult than a similar bookwith a dad and a mom."

For his part, Bergmansaid hehas received positive emails from readers of all ages.

"They feel grateful for books that reflect families like theirs, people who look like them," he said.

"It can be fine to have books that just show a person that looks like you, but it's so much more validating and affirming when that kid gets to be loved and, well, gets to have adventures and solve problems and enjoy life."