Embracing gay-themed children’s books

The Independent Florida Alligator reports on increased interest in books aimed at an audience of children aged 3 to 6 years old, such as Tango Makes Three, The Different Dragon, Daddy’s Roommate, and Arwen and
her Daddies.

The publication of similar books has increased along with mainstream acceptance of lesbian and gay parents, but the popularity helps create a deeper divide between tolerant people and those who aren’t, said Linda Lamme, a professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at University of Florida.

“Many churches preach against homosexuality, which causes their members to avoid gay people,” Lamme said, “causing segregation where it makes it virtually impossible for them to become educated on the subject.”

Some academics, librarians and teachers consider these books to be highly beneficial despite other libraries’ censoring of them.

“As parents, they have a right to choose what they read and what their children read,” said Debbie Lewis, librarian supervisor for the Youth Services Department at the Alachua County Headquarters Library in Gainesville. “But it’s not our job to limit access to material to children.”