Support for

Teens

"While all states must implement anti-bullying programs, they differ in scope and sequence; there is no uniformity in curricula or implementation. many states have mandated lgbtq topics within various grade levels and subjects."

(2)

"LGBTQ youth, just like heterosexual teens, must have opportunities for self-affirmation and socialization if they are to develop into healthy adults. Many local, state, and national organizations provide LGBTQ youth with opportunities to connect with other LGBTQ youth and to interact with positive gay adult role models, but locating these programs is often difficult for teens."

(5)

"Including LGBTQ-themed literature in the school library can also open a world of understanding and tolerance to other students, to teachers, to administrators, and even to the broader community, increasing the likelihood that more members of the school community will become allies and advocates for LGBTQ teens."

(5)

"and, while we are seeing lesbian and gay characters emerge in the field of young adult literature, both as main and secondary characters, the trans characters are few and far between."

(10)

"Miss Virginia Teagan needs to win one last pageant to have enough scholarship money for college, but she lives in fear of her sexuality being uncovered, thus hurting her chances of becoming Miss Cosmic Teen USA. Meanwhile, Kaylee is scared that no one will enjoy their original writing as much as their fan fiction but is determined to use GreatCon as a means of exploring their gender and sexuality. With the two events taking place in the same Florida hotel, the pair meet and form an instant attraction when Teagan sneaks out after curfew to explore the convention. Unfortunately, they encounter a mutual enemy in Miss North Carolina Madison, who will stop at nothing to sabotage Teagan and humiliate Kaylee.

This novel wonderfully explores the alienation and confusion felt by many LGBTQ+ teens without slipping into hopelessness; Teagan and Kaylee experience heartwarming and immensely relatable character growth. Evocative and witty prose will ensnare readers and keep them engaged. Central characters are White; there is diversity in the supporting cast, and the book discusses racism in the pageant system.

Delves into both the wonderful communal spaces and the toxic minefields presented by pageants and fandom."

(4)

"Kai never intended to come out of the closet—at least not until going off to college. But when detention presents a surprising opportunity, Kai kicks “the closet door open” and asks his classmate Bryson out. Because of a dare, Bryson must date a new person each week. He says yes to Kai. The catch? Each relationship only lasts from Monday until the final bell on Friday. Kai decides to keep everything a secret—even from his best friends, Priya and Donny. The more time Kai and Bryson spend together—rehearsing their drama scene, seeing their favorite band in LA—the more the boys’ fake relationship starts to feel very real. But will it last after Friday? Or will Bryson move on to the next dare date?

Like Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014), this #ownvoices debut is scrupulously romantic. The plot is deliciously heavy on fluff, but it also delves into more complex subjects like faith, racism, and homophobia. Kai’s lighthearted first-person narration and the lovable cast of characters keep the momentum going. Kai is mixed race, with a white mother and a biracial (black/white) South African dad who occasionally slips in Afrikaans phrases. Bryson, who is white, may be the poster child, but his questioning sexuality and family troubles add dimension."

(13)

"When 17-year-old Giovanni Zander came out to his pastor father as bisexual, it didn’t go well. His best friends and stepmother are supportive, but his often drunk, very religious dad’s rejection of who Gio really is just exacerbates how he’s been feeling ever since his mother rejected their whole family and left when he was little. Gio’s never gotten over it, so when his birthmother finally reaches out, a lot goes through his head. This high-stress situation for a queer, Black pastor’s kid facing almost comically insensitive teachers in a tough Indiana neighborhood is complicated even further by meeting David, a new White student who plays with him on the basketball team—and who may just be the one. David helps Gio through the bumpy ups and downs of his mother’s reinsertion of herself into his life, but even as this new romantic relationship flourishes, old wounds prove hard to overcome.

There’s not much subtlety in Gio’s narration, in which heartbreak and hurt continually erupt from the seams of his mind and home, school, and community lives. Still, a bright spot for Gio and readers alike is the unlikely pairing of two boys who share music, basketball glory, and some desperately needed moments of intimacy."

(3)

"The only two brown girls in their year, Hani and Ishu, while both Bengali, are hardly friendly—and worlds apart. Hani is Bangladeshi Irish and in with the popular crowd, her Muslim faith brings comfort, and she is out to her family as bisexual. Ishu is Indian Irish and a studious, prickly misanthrope; an atheist from a Hindu family, she’s queer and closeted. Being friendless and living in the shadow of her perfect older sister, Nik, are difficult for Ishu. Hani’s two White best friends, Aisling and Dee, make her feel like she must hide her true self or be rejected. When Nik announces, to their parents’ horror, that she’s leaving medical school and getting married, Ishu seizes the chance to score points by running for Head Girl. Meanwhile, Hani comes out to her friends, who disdainfully dismiss her bisexuality as theoretical. Distressed, Hani blurts out that she is dating Ishu—who agrees to go along with the ruse if Hani helps her become popular enough to win the Head Girl vote. Deception, reflection, revelation, and hard-won growth ensue. Jaigirdar’s layered exploration of the many identities and relationships that make up our messy, complex, lovable selves is handled with a deft touch against the background of a delightfully romantic storyline enhanced by perfect pacing and well-rounded characterization."

(6)

"After being snubbed by her best friend, Jordan, in favor of his new football friends on the first day of high school, Liz Lighty felt acute shame about being herself and all the things that made her different: her height, being Black and queer, and not having enough money. She began wearing her hair pulled back, chose less colorful clothing, and did her best to blend in so no one would notice her. But now, as a senior, Liz has to put herself in the spotlight to secure her future. Because despite doing everything right—excellent grades, solid extracurriculars, and playing first-chair clarinet—she doesn’t win a much-needed scholarship at her dream school. When her brother convinces her that running for prom queen—with its $10,000 scholarship prize—is the answer, she enters the competition. The race for the crown gets complicated when Liz falls for one of the other competitors, Jordan tries to rekindle their friendship, and a friend urges her to change everything about herself in order to win. While the hullabaloo around prom seems far-fetched, the lead-up to the dance is pitch-perfect rom-com. Johnson does an excellent job of portraying the anxiety and internalized self-hatred from being different in a mostly White, affluent small town. "

(7)

"In a Baltimore cemetery one Wednesday afternoon, Linus drops a bomb on Harrison: His father is moving them from Baltimore to South Carolina. On Sunday. He’s known for a few weeks but couldn’t bring himself to tell his best friend until then. Logical, steady Linus turns down the idea of a going-away party, but dramatic Harrison, who is anxious about the future, comes up with the perfect way to say goodbye and cement their friendship. Inspired by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, his father’s family-movie-night pick, he comes up with Ferris Day. With limited time to plan, Harrison recruits Aparna, his detailed-oriented stage manager friend from school, to bring his idea to fruition and help them evade being tracked by their strict parents via GPS apps on their phones. The day before Linus’ departure, their epic adventure gets off to a rough start, with weird friction between the two and plans that fall apart. Salvaging the rest of their day, though, they attend their first Pride, do things that scare them, and ultimately find their truths.

Using third-person omniscient narration, the author deftly explores the weight and the joys of being Black boys, being queer, and being young. Harrison, Linus, and their colorful cast of friends bring heart and humor that will leave readers rooting for the success of their harebrained scheme."

(12)

"This affirming guide covers a wide range of topics, educating readers and helping them become better advocates for themselves. Using the acronym LGBTQ and the word queer, this updated and revised third edition includes updated data and emphasizes evolving concepts and understandings of gender and sexuality, advances in LGBTQ rights, cultural shifts and changing attitudes, and a look at a wider range of experience and identity. With information from experts, advice from advocacy groups, and stories from teenagers, chapters tackle accepting and questioning identity, trans and nonbinary teens, what to consider when coming out, harassment and bullying, finding community, dating (including a look at relationship violence), sex and sexually transmitted infections, mental health, and religious life. The part about work and college life contains details on rights and discrimination and tips on finding the right company or college. Pull quotes, text boxes, and subheadings break up the dense text. Some identities, such as intersex, asexual, aromantic, and others along those spectrums, receive less space than the LGBTQ identities of the title. This useful resource is aimed at queer teens, but those seeking to provide a welcoming, affirming environment for LGBTQ youth will also find this indispensable."

(9)

"In this unusual, useful resource, sociology professor Ryle (Questioning Gender: A Sociological Exploration) explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, culture, and history in the form of a choose-your-own-adventure book. Each chapter presents a different aspect of a gender-based experience; as readers make their way through, they might choose to see what happens when one is born intersex or discovers they are nonbinary or transgender. Ryle defines such terms as compulsory heterosexuality and gender socialization, explaining why some people might not be accepting of deviations from the gender binary: “For some people, gender matters a lot. It is a system that they’re deeply invested in, and a set of rules they believe everyone should follow, including children like you.” Ryle explores various cultures’ genders, discussing the South Asian third gender label hijra, the “sworn virgins” of the Balkans, and masculine archetypes of 18th-century America. She argues that a rigid binary gender system hurts everyone. Though the chapters are short, often about a page, together they form an expansive account of gender that reflects exhaustive research. With its unique format and accessible language, the text is perfect for readers of any age who are questioning their genders, generally curious about gender, or interested in better understanding a loved one’s identity. "

(11)

"This frank, conversational, and often humorous look at sex, sexuality, gender, and expression is aimed at teens who identify as something other than heterosexual and cisgender. Langford, a bisexual therapist, sex educator, and parent, presents a wide range of information in short, if somewhat dense and visually unappealing, sections. Chapters tackle biology; puberty; body image (with a heavy emphasis on trans teens and dysphoria); intersex conditions; gender identities such as transgender, genderqueer, and agender; transitioning; dating and relationships; consent; and more. Sexual expressions and orientations covered include asexual, demisexual, gray-asexual, and bisexual, with conversations about erasure. A final chapter aimed at parents offers tips, a discussion of what not to do when one’s child comes out, and more. Sidebars go into more depth on other subjects (tucking and binding, the singular “they,” homophobia). Langford also discusses outdated terms and slurs. This inclusive, thorough resource respectfully presents information relevant to many queer teens and adults raising LGBTQIA+ kids. "

(8)

"The vision of EDGE is to empower those we serve to achieve a healthy, safe and self-sufficient life, therefore gaining the resources to positively influence their community."

Programs offered by EDGE:

• Social Services Coordination
  
• Behavioral Health
• Residential
• Prevention (safer sex and lifestyle practices)
• Primary and Psychiatric Care
• Education and Training
• Tru2U Mentorship Program
• Affirming Library

https://edgenj.org