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LGBTQ Writers in Schools

LGBTQ Writers in Schools is a virtual and in-person program that brings reading to life by connecting K-12 students with working LGBTQ+ authors. LGBTQ Writers in Schools provides critically necessary, safe spaces for youth to talk about books, queer life, and how to thrive as an LGBTQ person. As we build for expansion, we aim to serve LGBTQ+ students nationally. Through curricular and extra-curricular visits, mini-poetry workshops, and writing workshops, this program:

  • validates and affirms LGBTQ+ students through reading and writing
  • helps educators and students to realize that LGBTQ literature is relevant and important for all students and 
  • allows students to make connections between literature and contemporary issues in students lives

Our passionate and committed community of writers values the impact of students finding  LGBTQ+ voices in books. They strive to create stories that reflect the positivity and vibrancy of LGBTQ+ lived experiences. This rich representation of the multiple voices of the LGBTQ community also serves to build empathy among all students. For all students, direct contact with writers and receiving personal, signed copies of their books can spark a lifetime love of reading with its enrichment of heart, mind, and imagination. 

Our Impact

Since 2015, the LGBTQ Writers in Schools program has brought LGBTQ books and authors to thousands of students in New York City.

Students reached
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Schools across every borough
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Books delivered
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Serving all grade levels
K- 12
It's so magical to see students engaged and excited to talk about queer literature. My favorite moments are when a student has been quiet the entire class visit, only to emerge from their shell at the very end of Q&A (or maybe even just privately to me in the signing line!). That is the power of writing books for and about the LGBTQ community—letting students know their stories are worth sharing and celebrating.
a mixed-raced Black & white person stands in front of a lilac wall. They have short curly hair and translucent green glasses. They are wearing a black button-down shirt with a white floral design. They’re looking off to the side, smirking.
JAS HAMMONDSAuthor of WE DESERVE MONUMENTS
"I have participated in this program for the last 4 years, and each experience tops the last. The reality is that being LGBTQ in the community (primarily black, and Caribbean), intersects with a multitude of complexities, and it's really important to me that my students are able to see themselves as successful adults. Participating in this program has always allowed us to create additional space for the kids here at the school, and each visit has been so profoundly meaningful."
Light-skinned woman with dark curly hair smiling with a tree in the background
NICOLE MOSKALTeacher, High School for Medical Professions, Brooklyn, NY
"I've been collaborating the Writers in Schools program for the past three years. It has and will impact our school community in many ways. I've had more students feel safe enough and respected enough to come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender in the past two years than I ever have. My LGBTQ+ identified students have felt more respected and celebrated by their peers and even by their teachers. Last year, I started the very first GSA at 303! I think this program that been essential in the culture shift in my community."
Smiling white woman facing the camera with a bookshelf in the background.
EMILIE JONESTeacher, Bronx, NY
"LGBTQ Writers in Schools needs to be in every school in the country."
GARRARD CONLEY
GARRARD CONLEYAuthor of BOY ERASED
"Being given the opportunity to hear students' stories of heartbreak, bullying, and not being accepted by family members, helped me see that though there has been change, there’s still so much more that needs to be done."
Black woman smiling with grass and trees in the background
KACEN CALLENDARLambda Literary Award-winning author of HURRICANE CHILD
“This program has truly helped to change the whole culture of our school into one that is more inclusive and accepting."
Black man sitting down signing a book. He is surround by standing black and brown students.
SHELLEY CUNNINGHAMTeacher/GSA Advisor, M.S. 51 William Alexander
Yellow title Empowered with a string of blue paper people upside down. One person is right-side up and colored yellow. THe background is hot pink.

Empowered: Cultivating Voices for Liberation and Unity

Lambda Literary Writers in Schools offers a safe and necessary space for LGBTQ+ high school students to express themselves through creative writing. In our 8-week writing workshops, young LGBTQ+ writers learn the craft of writing from queer teaching artists, read illustrative texts by contemporary LGBTQ+ authors, and explore themes of liberation, connection, and queerness in today’s world.

Our anthology also features poems by LGBTQ+ students who participated in our second LGBTQ+ Youth Poet Laureate Residency, led by Poet-in-Residence Kearah-Armonie. Over 4 months, students from high schools across NYC learned about various elements of poetry and wrote towards liberation and unity.

Available Now!

Participating Titles For 2025-26

Participating books and authors for the 2025-26 school year coming soon!

Our titles range from various genres including elementary, middle grade, and YA fiction and non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels, memoirs, and adult fiction.

Children’s: Looking for a picture book that explains important moments and people in LGBTQ+ history? Or an uplifting story that explores acceptance and diversity? The carefully selected children’s books are our featured titles for the LGBTQ Writers in Schools 2023-24 school year. Full of history, fun, and LGBTQ+ joy, these books introduce are perfect for young readers.

Middle Grade: Whether it’s a trans student advocating for a statue of LGBTQ+ photographer Alice Austen, fighting school bullies, or transracial adoptees discovering their heritage, these middle-grade LGBTQ+ titles celebrate discovering and being who you are.

Young Adult: The YA book market is exploding and LGBTQ+ titles are a major reason because of their diversity, honesty, and creativity. This year’s titles cover varying issues like the effects of generational trauma, racism, or immigration and deportation. Then there are escapist stories like a rom-com set at a music festival or Mexican-inspired epic fantasy featuring a trans semidios. 

Adult Crossover: These are adult literary novels and memoirs featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists full of depth and sensitivity. From coming-of-age stories to transformational cyberpunk, these books are immersive and transformative.

Participating Authors For 2025-26

Our authors have won prestigious literary honors including Lammy Awards, Stonewall Awards, National Book Awards, Pura Belpré Awards, Coretta Scott King Awards, and many others.

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Schools Resources

Offering LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum: Lesson Plans & Instructional Support for Educators

At Lambda Literary, we believe all students should have access to LGBTQ literature, so we also give educators the tools they need to address such barriers to powerful books. In this collection, you'll find lesson plans to support students of many ages across the many places readers may find themselves—including wondering why they have to read about gay people, what they can do for peers who are LGBTQ+, and how to talk to family members reluctant to support learning.

Inclusivity in the Classroom: A Guide for Book Challenges

Teachers, librarians, and school administrators are significant figures in the lives of students and young learners. They also have their hands full meeting the basic demands of their jobs. With book challenges and book bans on the rise in the United States (American Library Association 2023b), the pressure to always be available can seem insurmountable. This guide has been created to help shoulder some of the burden placed on school staff, while providing education on how to help your LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students feel valued and heard.

Request Guides Here

Connect with Us

We’d love to keep you informed about LGBTQ Writers in Schools. We send occasional updates about our work including visit pictures, program progress, positive moments, application information, and book recommendations. Don’t worry, the program news updates are sent every quarter so we won’t be overloading your inbox. Looking forward to welcoming you to our community to support LGBTQ+ students!

 

SUBSCRIBE

Are you a district leader, school administrator, school counselor, or parent wanting to learn more about our program and how you can support LGBTQ+ students? Are you an educator or school librarian interested in bringing our program to your school? As we look towards bringing this successful program to schools and districts across the nation, we’d love to hear from you! If you’re interested in working with us, contact us so we can continue the conversation!

 

CONTACT US

Interested in Participating as an Author or Teaching Artist?

Are you interested in work with us as a teaching artist or an author? The LGBTQ Writers in Schools program would love to hear from you. Fill out our application form and we will be in touch. We look forward to connecting with you! 

Apply Here

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E-newsletters run on the first Thursday of every month, though you may receive additional communications from our programs. We promise not to spam you!

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