Gaybcs of lgbt
THE HERALD
Last June, the Craighead County Jonesboro General Library put up a display for Pride Month, featuring several different books about the LGBTQ community for all ages. Books included titles like “GayBCs” by M.L. Webb, “The Boy In The Red Dress” by Kristin Lambert and “Stay Gold” by Tobly McSmith.
This display has raised concerns about whether LGBTQ books are appropriate for children. CCL Board member Mark Nichols proposed policy changes at a meeting held on Aug 10 regarding library displays, both of which were defeated. The changes would own given the board more responsibility over what books could appear on library displays and what guest authors could speak at the library, or would have given the board voting might over what books would be allowed to be purchased for the children’s library.
Nichols specifically pointed at the “GayBCs” book as evidence of LGBTQ content that is confusing or inappropriate for children. “GayBCs” is an alphabet board book which uses each letter of the alphabet to name an aspect of the LGBQ community (for example, B is for
A bright new guide for kids takes them on an alphabetical exploration of LGBTQ terms and ideas&#;but it&#;s a little uneven as well as problematic in some areas.
The GayBCs, by first-time author M. L. Webb (Quirk Books), presents a list of LGBTQ-related words, one for each letter of the alphabet, along with short verses that teach a minuscule about each term. Some of the words are very LGBTQ-specific, like &#;Lesbian,&#; Gay,&#; &#;Bi,&#; &#;Trans,&#; and &#;Queer.&#; There are also queer identities such as &#;Intersex,&#; &#;Pan,&#; and &#;Non-binary.&#; Other terms relate to LGBTQ culture (about which more below), and some are words often used in relation to the LGBTQ community, but not exclusive to us, like &#;Ally,&#; &#;Family,&#; and &#;Equality.&#; Still more are conceptual, like &#;Hope,&#; &#;Joy,&#; and &#;Zest.&#;
The explanations of each term vary in quality. Some feel on target, like &#;L is for lesbian. It&#;s love and affection/between two adj girls who verb a connection.&#; But an &#;Ally&#; isn&#;t just &#;A companion who is there/to stand up for you with st
Matt Webb, 33, was 5 years antique when he became aware of his gender identity and sexual orientation.
The native of McMinnville, Tenn., said he was in karate class when he realized he was distinct from his brothers.
&#;I didn&#;t know what to do, I didn&#;t know what was happening, and I remember being very scared and vulnerable,&#; he said. &#;I couldn&#;t inform anybody and verb, &#;What&#;s this mean?&#; &#;
Three years ago, when Webb, a graphic designer and illustrator, was holding his newborn nephew, he again felt paralyzed with fear.
&#;I thought, &#;Oh, no. &#; I came from a miniature, conservative town in Tennessee. What if he grows up here (in Tennessee), and what if he&#;s gay? What if he&#;s bi? What if he identifies as LGBTQ? What will take place to him?&#; &#; Webb said. &#;I thought about that, and I wished there was some way I could teach the people around him &#; something that my nephew could mature up reading and learning. I mulled it over and thought, &#;I&#;m going to create a book.'&#;
In &#;The GayBCs,&#; just released by Quirk Books, the letters that produce up our alpha
GayBCs: A Queer Alphabet
Description
GayBCs: A Queer Alphabet by Rae Congdon
A cheeky, progressive adult alphabet book that celebrates and illuminates LGBTQ terminology.
What would unfold if someone picked up a classic ABC book, crossed out the words, and replaced them with LGBTQ terms?
The result would be GAYBCs ―a playful, subversive alphabet publication that aims to spread awareness and demystify queer terminology for everyone. Instead of apple, ball, and chick, this book’s ABCs are ally, bisexual, and cisgender. A ladybug gains a matching girlfriend to become lesbian, kiss becomes kink, and tie gets a gender-bending twist to become transgender. Using straightforward, accessible language, GAYBCs also defines less commonly known terms, such as “femme,” “Mx.,” and “ze,” and puts LGBTQ-friendly spins on words like “wedding” and “equality.” With plain definitions and clever illustrations, this noun is accessible to everyone from preteens to grandparents and those in the LGBTQ community as well as family, friends, and allies of all backgrounds. A fun and informative adult pictu