The PRIDE Book Project at Gardner Pilot Academy

Project Goal:

Gardner Pilot Academy (GPA) is seeking $5,000 to purchase current, relevant LGBTQ+ books to be distributed among each of our 20 classroom libraries, for almost 400 students in pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. 

Adding these LGBTQ+ inclusive books to our libraries will:

*Increase the frequency of natural exposure to the diversity of our community for all of our students, allowing students to see characters that reflect their own identities, or those of their friends, families, or members of their communities. 

*Show our students who are gender diverse and/or non-heterosexual that they are part of a long legacy of people who are LGBTQ+ and proclaim that they are important, valued, and seen.

*Enhance curriculum to be more inclusive to support the mental health of children and teens who are LGBTQ+.

Since 2019, the Pride Book Project (PBP) has been working with our community to introduce LGBTQ+ stories, characters, and histories into the classrooms at GPA. Our goal is to change the story of marginalization for LGBTQ+ students, staff, families, and community members.  The  PBP aims to increase our sphere of influence over the 2020-2021 school year by becoming a sustaining presence at GPA and by laying the groundwork to expand into additional schools.  This funding of $5,000 will be critical to our efforts to reach more students and to deepen our impact across the school community. 

Why LGBTQ+ books are needed: 

Representation matters.

Students who see themselves, their peers, or their families as an accepted norm have more success at growing into secure, healthy, and respectful community members.  These books are a crucial tool for educators as we work to reduce discrimination and victimization based on gender identity and/or sexual orientation.  

As a Boston Public School, GPA does not have a central library and we receive little money in the annual budget to supplement the texts in our school.  Instead, students utilize in-class libraries which are primarily developed by donations and by out-of-pocket purchases by the classroom educators.  This has resulted in a vast shortage of current books that reflect characters and stories from the LGBTQ+ community.

How the funds will be utilized:

A team of readers composed of educators and community members, including an independent Boston-based bookseller, will choose an exemplary selection of grade level texts for each library.  All labor is on a volunteer basis; 100% of funds raised will go to the purchase of books.  

About GPA:

Gardner Pilot Academy is proud to be one of only 18 schools in the country to have received the prestigious Seal of Excellence from the Human Rights Campaign.  This award reflects our commitment to being a LGBTQ+ inclusive school, to preventing bias-based bullying, and to supporting transgender and non-binary students.  It reflects years of professional development and passion, in addition to a readiness of our staff to learn, grow, and educate.

Gardner Pilot Academy is ready for the conversations that these texts will facilitate.  We are ready to support all of our students and families to be proud, strong, and healthy members of society.