”I will not share or amplify the voices of hate and oppression against our takatāpui whānau (queer family members).
Auntie Anne
Instead, it is time to amplify, uplift, and celebrate LGBTQIA+, and allied, creators.
Let us sing.
So many books!
Some rainbow reads:
A few months ago, a hate group tried to invade a children’s Pride event in my city.
I had family there. They were SO excited!
One was excited to see someone who wasn’t part of the gender binary.
And, then the hatred invaded their special time.
Unlike many in the audience, my young family members weren’t preschoolers. They were old enough to know, and to fear.
For them, and for the grown-ups in my life, who never had an affirming Pride storytime – I hurriedly recorded one.
It is unrehearsed, recorded on my phone, and unedited.
E iti noa ana, nā te aroha. (Although it is small, it is given with love.)
Storytime outline:
- ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW by Rae White and Sha’an d’Anthes.
- THE SPECTACULAR SUIT by Kat Patrick and Hayley Wells.
- Rhyme: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear.
- BATHE THE CAT by Alice McGinty and David Roberts.
- Rhyme: Where did my caterpillar go?
- BE TRUE TO YOU by Maggie Hutchings and Hayley Wells.
Our blogposts:
”I exist in safer spaces than most. First, I'm Canadian. And I've never felt prouder to say that. We are not a patriotic people by nature. Generally, we acknowledge that Canada is a deeply flawed country. But lately I am reminded there is more good than bad. And so many of us are working to make it the beautiful and inclusive country. And to find truth and reconciliation on stolen land. Remembering that every child matters and so do the adults they grow up to be.
I never thought I would have Americans asking me about seeking asylum in Canada. And, yet, it's coming up more and more. These are hard times. But kindness and solidarity are the cure. Together as we work to make the world the kind place many of us thought it was. Before we learned it wasn't.
During hard times, we look for the helpers. (Thank you to Mister Rogers for the quote.) And those of us who are very lucky, get to be the helpers. If you are reading this, there is a very strong chance that you are one of the helpers. And we want to remind you that we and our resources are here for you. That the work you do matters. That your kindness is a balm. And that teaching little people that who they are matters and who everyone else is matters to is a prophylactic against hate and prejudice.
Ms. Kate, the Lavender Librarian.
All of you reading, thank you for being the helpers. And look to the little ones for inspiration. They are the future and their brilliant, beautiful, kind little brains give me hope that, when they take over the world, it will become a bright and happy place.
“With public hostility on the rise, caregivers and children need to know who they can trust. It’s us! We can be the world we want for our kids.”
T-shirt from Stevie’s Safe Spaces.
“
Library Joy is for Everyone 
“
~ Mr. Mychal.
“Love is greater than hate. But it needs to also be active. When there are so many sources of pain in the world we can’t keep track, we work together to replace as much as we can with kindness. And action.”
~ Kate, the Lavender Librarian.
T-shirt from Stevie’s Safe Spaces.
“I love you. I see you. You belong here. You are not alone. 
I’m so glad you are here!”
“Our queer / rainbow community are people whose existence shouldn’t be acknowledged just once a year. They, and their every day, normal lives, should be incorporated seamlessly into our every day services.”
~ Auntie Anne.
T-shirt from Stevie’s Safe Spaces.
