Links to various webpages including author’s ‘blogs, other banned book lists, YouTube clips and LGBTQ+ youth resources and support.
one
Author of Last Night at the Telegraph Club (2021), Malinda Lo’s professional weblog is a selection of her personal thoughts on writing, cultural diversity, LGTBQ+ inclusion and her other novels, including A Line in the Dark (2017), Ash (2010) and A Scatter of Light (2022). Personable and informative, Lo discusses issues facing young adults in a way that is meaningful, enlightening and affirming.
two
As the Crow Flies – Melanie Gillman
A webcomic by non-binary cartoonist Melanie Gillman. As The Crow Flies is story about Charlie — a queer, Black thirteen year old girl who finds herself stranded in a dangerous place: an all-white Christian youth backpacking camp. The graphic novel version of this webcomic was published in 2017 by Iron Circus Comics and was named a Stonewall Honour Book by the American Library Association in 2018. Updates to this site usually happen once a week.
three
NCAC – LGBTQ Book Bans and Challenges
An extensive list of books and literature that have been banned and/or challenged for their LGBTQ+ content from the American National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC). This list contains forty-five titles and gives specific details of who challenged the title, when the challenge occurred and the reason(s) why it was challenged, and in some cases the outcome of the challenge.
four
A YouTube channel with various hosts discussing representation in young adult LGBTQ+ literature, as well as specific titles that fall under this banner. Hosts include librarians, educators, authors and other LGBTQ+ resource workers imparting their opinions and knowledge on topics at hand. A decent resource for anyone interested in virtual book clubs and specifically gay and lesbian literature.
five
An Australian website listing various national and state-based support services for LGBTQ+ youth, their parents and their schools. It also deals with other potentially troubling issues – everything from bullying to suicidal thoughts, and provides links to resources for professional and emergency assistance. There is also an interactive feature called NextStep that will guide youth to personalised support options. A variety of articles are available dealing with mental health and wellbeing, relationships and gender and sexual identity among other topics.