American Library Association creates award for children’s gay and lesbian literature

The American Library Association issued a statement saying that an award for gay and lesbian literature will be included in the ALA’s annual announcement of children’s prizes. The Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award has been added to the ALA’s Youth Media Awards, watched closely by educators and librarians as they decide which books to add to their collections.

The Stonewall prize honors “English-language works for children and teens of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered experience.”

Stonewall awards for adult books were started nearly 40 years ago, but the children’s category only now.

(AP)