Rochester Pride to host author whose book was removed from elementary school shelves

Embracing Inclusivity: “The Rainbow Parade” Brings dialog to Rochester

rochester’s thriving LGBTQ+ community will gather on February 24th at Peace United Church of Christ for a special event centered around the children’s book “The Rainbow Parade”.hosted by Rochester Pride, the event promises a reading and discussion of the book, offering a platform for important conversations about LGBTQ+ portrayal in literature and society.

Rochester Pride,the institution behind the city’s annual Pride festival,has purchased 250 copies of “The Rainbow Parade” to distribute at the event.BJ Gangestad-Birk, vice chair of Rochester Pride, expressed their enthusiasm for Emily Neilson’s visit, stating, “We are thrilled to have Emily come to Rochester to share her experience writing and illustrating a book based on her own life.” Gangestad-Birk continued, “Books like ‘The Rainbow Parade’ help normalize LGBTQ+ families, bodies and events, which is ultimately why we invited Emily to Rochester.”

The event stems from a recent controversy surrounding the book’s availability in Rochester Public Schools. In December, Franklin Elementary School removed “The Rainbow Parade” from its media center after concerns were raised about its depictions of public nudity and bondage apparel. Superintendent Kent Pekel explained that while he supports inclusive literature, the book’s imagery made it unsuitable for a space where children could access it without adult supervision.

“The Rainbow Parade” tells the story of a child attending an LGBTQ+ parade with her two mothers. The book portrays diverse expressions of identity and celebrates the joy and vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community. While acknowledged for its positive representation, the book’s illustrations have sparked debate about the appropriate level of explicit content in children’s literature.

Rochester Pride strongly challenged the school district’s decision, stating in a statement: “Removing ‘The Rainbow Parade’ perpetuates the idea that being openly LGBTQIA+ and expressing yourself as such should still be considered widely shameful and only take place behind closed doors.” The organization emphasized the importance of normalizing LGBTQ+ experiences and providing children with diverse and inclusive stories.

“The Rainbow Parade” has sparked important conversations about censorship, representation, and the role of literature in shaping young minds. The upcoming event in Rochester promises to continue this dialogue, bringing together community members to celebrate diversity and explore the power of inclusive storytelling.

Given Emily Neilson’s focus on diverse depiction in children’s literature, particularly LGBTQ+ families, what specific challenges did she encounter in getting her book published?

Archyde News – exclusive Interview

Embracing Inclusivity: Spreading Awareness Through Children’s Literature

Join us as we discuss the power of inclusive storytelling with Emily Neilson, author and illustrator of the thought-provoking children’s book, The Rainbow Parade. Emily will be joining us at Peace United Church of Christ on February 24th,hosted by Rochester Pride,to spark important conversations about LGBTQ+ representation in literature and society.

Welcome, Emily! Let’s dive right in. Can you tell our readers about the inspiration behind The Rainbow Parade?

Emily Neilson: thank you for having me. The Rainbow Parade is based on my own experiences growing up with two mothers. I wanted to create a story that reflects the joy and acceptance I saw in our community, and also addresses the unique challenges we faced.

Your book has sparked some engaging debates about censorship and explicit content in children’s literature. Can you share your thoughts on this?

Emily Neilson: Absolutely. I believe that children’s literature should reflect the diversity of the world we live in. That includes diverse families, but also diverse expressions of identity and self-expression, like those seen in LGBTQ+ parades. Of course, it’s important to consider age-appropriateness, but I think we should err on the side of inclusive storytelling rather than censorship.

How have you seen your book impact the LGBTQ+ community, especially the younger members?

Emily Neilson: It’s been incredible to see the positive response, especially from kids and families. I’ve heard stories of children feeling seen and understood for the first time, and parents feeling proud to share their families’ stories.That’s why I write – to build empathy, understanding, and pride.

BJ Gangestad-Birk, Vice Chair of Rochester Pride, shares his enthusiasm for your visit. What message do you hope to convey during your time in Rochester?

Emily neilson: Thank you, BJ. I’m thrilled to be coming to Rochester.I hope to evoke thoughtful conversations about the importance of inclusivity in literature and society. I want kids to understand that it’s okay to be themselves, and it’s okay if others are different from them. Books like The Rainbow Parade can definitely help make that a reality.

Final Thoughts

Emily Neilson’s visit to Rochester promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging event. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the conversation about inclusivity in children’s literature. For more data, visit the Rochester Pride Events page.