Montpelier’s Bear Pond Books is encouraging readers to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices in literature during Pride Month in its first-ever Pride Readathon.”What better way to celebrate with joy than through reading,” said Jess Turner, with Bear Pond Books.The event will last the entire month of June.”There’s no rule, you pick whatever number of books you want to read and you read whatever you want, as long as it celebrates an LGBTQ+ author’s voice,” Turner said. “So, graphic novels, memoirs, novels, fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, all the genres within that, anything goes.”Plus, the readathon has a goal to raise $40,000 for scholarships to Camp Outright, a summer camp with a “queer twist” for teens run by Outright Vermont.”They want to ensure that no camper is turned away due to financial need,” Turner said.In a statement given to NBC5, Outright Vermont’s executive director, Dana Kaplan, said in part that “all kids deserve to have access to safe and inclusive spaces that support their self-discovery and encourage connection.”Kaplan said Camp Outright gives them that safe space.Plus, Kaplan said the focus on queer books and authors during the readathon helps the community overall. “There is a national movement to ban books by LGBTQ+ authors or that include LGBTQ+ characters,” Kaplan said. “These bans are not only an attempt to erase us from shelves nationwide, it’s an attempt to erase us from society.”Participants set their own reading and fundraising goals online and can share a link on social media.Plus, Turner said a generous family is providing a donation match.”They are matching everything that’s raised up to $20K and it’s thrilling,” Turner said.Turner said that Bear Pond has created a list of recommended books by LGBTQ+ authors to inspire readers and they’re not alone.”There are bookstores throughout Vermont who are participating as well,” Turner said.She added that you don’t have to be an avid reader to participate either, there’s something for everyone.”It’s so important for people to celebrate all different kinds of voices in literature and we think it’s very important for readers to be able to see themselves in the books and the stories that they read,” Turner said.Turner said you can join the Pride Readathon or donate online through the end of June.
Montpelier’s Bear Pond Books is encouraging readers to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices in literature during Pride Month in its first-ever Pride Readathon.
“What better way to celebrate with joy than through reading,” said Jess Turner, with Bear Pond Books.
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The event will last the entire month of June.
“There’s no rule, you pick whatever number of books you want to read and you read whatever you want, as long as it celebrates an LGBTQ+ author’s voice,” Turner said. “So, graphic novels, memoirs, novels, fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, all the genres within that, anything goes.”
Plus, the readathon has a goal to raise $40,000 for scholarships to Camp Outright, a summer camp with a “queer twist” for teens run by Outright Vermont.
“They want to ensure that no camper is turned away due to financial need,” Turner said.
In a statement given to NBC5, Outright Vermont’s executive director, Dana Kaplan, said in part that “all kids deserve to have access to safe and inclusive spaces that support their self-discovery and encourage connection.”
Kaplan said Camp Outright gives them that safe space.
Plus, Kaplan said the focus on queer books and authors during the readathon helps the community overall.
“There is a national movement to ban books by LGBTQ+ authors or that include LGBTQ+ characters,” Kaplan said. “These bans are not only an attempt to erase us from shelves nationwide, it’s an attempt to erase us from society.”
Participants set their own reading and fundraising goals online and can share a link on social media.
Plus, Turner said a generous family is providing a donation match.
“They are matching everything that’s raised up to $20K and it’s thrilling,” Turner said.
Turner said that Bear Pond has created a list of recommended books by LGBTQ+ authors to inspire readers and they’re not alone.
“There are bookstores throughout Vermont who are participating as well,” Turner said.
She added that you don’t have to be an avid reader to participate either, there’s something for everyone.
“It’s so important for people to celebrate all different kinds of voices in literature and we think it’s very important for readers to be able to see themselves in the books and the stories that they read,” Turner said.
Turner said you can join the Pride Readathon or donate online through the end of June.
