A Book About Pride ... For Children

After posting about Caitlyn Jenner and her need for publicity at all costs this morning, I needed a real LGBT hero to pots about and luckily, as always, there’s Harvey and Gilbert.

A new picture book is set to be released that will introduce young readers to LGBT activists, icons, and heroes, Harvey Milk and Gilbert Baker, and their creation of the Pride flag.

“Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag” is written by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Steven Salerno:

“In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today’s world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders’s stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno's evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable—and undertold—story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride.”

Stuart Milk, Harvey’s nephew, Founder and President of the Milk Foundation, praised the upcoming book as “beautifully [telling] the history of both Uncle Harvey’s dream and his collaboration with Gilbert Baker to create a global symbol of equality and inclusion. The book tells a history that all children will cherish, and will inspire the next generation of hope givers, our world’s youth.”

Amit Paley, CEO and Executive Director of the Trevor Project, offered praise for the book:

“Harvey Milk and Gilbert Baker showed LGBTQ people that they should be proud of who they are and who they love. That is exactly what we do at the Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth in crisis. We’re thrilled that more young people will learn the story behind the original rainbow flag.”

Sure, there might be some who think this isn’t a good idea for children, but to those folks, I ask, why is a story of love and acceptance, of yourself and others, and pride in yourself for accepting yourself, a bad idea?

This is the kind of story that might have helped thousands upon thousands of us growing up; and might just save the life of a child.

And saving one child’s life is reason enough.

It’s a great thing.

NCRM