LGBT History Month

October is LGBT History month and there are many ways to show your support. It can be as simple as making a book display (I know you have some David Levithan books on the shelf) or printing out some resources for your teens to take home. You can also wear purple on October 16th for #spiritday. Check out what Sachem Library did to support National Coming Out Day on October 11th. 

Andrew Bollerman from Sachem writes, "We did the bags along with LIGALY and their National Coming Out Day Prep Workshop as a community service project. LIGALY did a talk about their campaign and services then we created the bags with info from HRC, and LIGALY, there is also a LGBT book list. We created coming out day pins, some general LGBT pride pins, there is a package of skittles in there (taste the rainbow!), and a rainbow marker/pen thing to create some art or whatever they wanted. It was a fun easy project and the kids really got into in as well! They actually went right into the school and created their own GSA and had 40 teens attend the first meeting. So its nice to know there is an audience in this district and look forward to continuing programming with the LGBT community!"

I love that their teens were inspired to take their community service and transform it into community activism!

Below is a little more about Spirit Day!

"Millions go purple on Spirit Day in a stand against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Observed annually since 2010, individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, and public figures wear purple, which symbolizes 'spirit' on the rainbow flag." You may even notice profile pictures on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks going purple in support of Spirit Day.

You can be an ally at your library and make it a safe space for our LGBT youth by checking out some of these resources:

National Coming Out Day

Spirit Day

LGBT History Month

Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth

Now I have to make sure my purple shirt is ready to go for October 16th!