Elevating Queer Voices: LGBTQIA+ Writers in Community

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A Writing Barn Creative Connections Series

At The Writing Barn, we believe deeply that the purpose of publishing is to be seen and heard, to have the tapestry of human experience communicated from writer to reader, heart to heart. It is time for deep and lasting change, and we are committed to learning, listening, and developing equitable programs and inclusive and exclusive offerings when needed.

Thank you Aileen Johnson and Evan Griffith, members of our Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee, for co-moderating an energetic, revealing, and intimate conversation brimming with positivity, and for sharing the key takeaways below. 

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For the publishing industry to shift from the broken country-club model of the past to an inclusive and thriving industry where we can grow, separate and together, a community garden of varied voices, #ownvoice writers must meet in community to bond, share experiences, and contemplate the continued needed actions allies and other #ownvoice identities can take to move the publishing industry forward.

The Writing Barn’s Creative Connections panel series was conceived to facilitate just such conversations. Our third panel, Elevating Queer Voices: LGBTQIA+ Writers in Community, gathered on April 22. Our panelists were authors Jason June, Sara Ryan, and Adib Khorram and editor Diana M. Pho. Below are some key takeaways from their enlightening conversation, which are relevant to writers, publishing professionals, and allies: 

  • The increase in LGBTQIA+ representation in children’s publishing in recent years deserves celebration! That said, there is still work to be done, challenges to be faced, and gaps to be filled. We need more stories of queer joy. We need more queer reprsentation in picture books and chapter books for younger readers–ages when it’s critical for ALL children to be exposed to queer characters and stories. We need to honor and uplift intersectionality, and those of us in the queer community who have easier paths to publication or recognition because of certain facets of our identify (e.g. whiteness, cis-gendered) can work to uplift and advocate for those in our queer family who are facing more barriers to entry. 
  • Navigating the industry often requires us to think strategically about the market… But chasing the market can be dangerous, and our main responsibility is always telling our most authentic stories.
  • Queer kids need all kinds of stories! Often those who argue that there are too many types of a certain kind of story–for example, too many coming out stories–are speaking from the perspective of dominant cultural groups. Queer kids still need coming out stories, along with joyful/funny/whimsical stories where queerness is just a part of characters’ identity. So tell the stories of your heart and trust that it will find its readers.
  • YOU get to decide how public to be about your identities. It is not your responsibility to be public about your sexuality, gender identity, etc. in order to prove that a story is #ownvoices–especially because, for many writers, writing queer stories is a way of exploring and seeking to understand our own complex identities.

Panelists also discussed their favorite queer books and authors. They shared book recommendations from both debut and established writers. In addition to the works of our panelists, please consider purchasing and reading these lovely stories! 

  • Sara described Tove Jansson, best known as the creator of the Moomins, as a lifelong inspiration. Sara described Tove’s adult writing about her lifelong partner, the sculptor Tuulikki Pietilä, as beautiful, “spare and unsparing,” yet sprinkled with humor; writing that she returns to repeatedly. 

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Not part of a particular #ownvoices community but want to contribute to that community regardless?

Consider donating as an ally HERE. While you might not be able to attend the event itself, you can still make a meaningful impact for that community and show your support via a donation.

A donation to our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund will go towards the following:

  • Scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse and Disabled writers.
  • Funding DEI events and panels, including the Creative Connections Panel

Following Creative Connections Panel

Thursday, May 20th: Creative Black Joy for the Black/African American Writer

Upcoming Creative Connections Panel

Thursday, June 24: Writing While Latinx: Getting Past the Gatekeepers