“As an LGBTQ parent and community advocate, I find it vital for my children to see families like theirs in the books they read, and for all children to read about the many types of families and people in our world today.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — January 17, 2018
NEW YORK — Family Equality Council today announced its support of Scholastic Inc., one of the world’s largest publishers and distributors of children’s books, for its continued representation of LGBTQ families in their books, as seen in their most recent book George, written by queer activist and author Alex Gino.
Following protests and criticism on the book by conservative group One Million Moms, an American Family Association division, Family Equality Council finds it more important than ever for our community to rise above negative campaigns like this one, that aim to dismantle progress made by significant organizations like Scholastic Inc.
“Every day, our kids are surrounded by a culture that does not reflect the make-up of their day-to-day life. When we find places where our family is represented, whether that be on TV, in books, in magazines, or out in the real world, it’s important we treasure and protect them,” said Amanda Hopping-Winn, Chief Program Officer, Family Equality Council. “As an LGBTQ parent and community advocate, I find it vital for my children to see families like theirs in the books they read, and for all children to read about the many types of families and people in our world today.”
Family Equality Council calls on all community members — the LGBTQ community, our families, friends and allies, our neighbors, and our elected officials — to stand up against organizations like One Million Moms, and support Scholastic Inc. as we work to oppose discrimination in all of its forms.
Family Equality Council supporters are taking action at fmeq.co/scholastic
About Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council connects, supports, and represents the three million parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer in this country today and their six million children of all ages. We are changing attitudes and policies to ensure that all families are respected, loved, and celebrated — including families with parents who are LGBTQ. We are a community of parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren and unattached youth that reaches across this country. For almost forty years we have raised our children and raised our voices toward fairness for all families. As we look to the next chapter of our work, we are also focused on LGBTQ youth needing families and the two million LGBTQ adults waiting to foster or adopt in our country.
Media Contact:
Ed Harris, Chief Communications Officer
646–880–3005 x117
media@familyequality.org