The National Book Foundation has launched BookUp LGBTQ, a new BookUp site for LGBTQ teens at the Hetrick-Martin Institute. Taught by Cave Canem fellow and poet t'ai freedom ford, the site will provide books and activities tailored to young LGBTQ readers, who will choose from a booklist curated by influential LGBTQ authors, including Naomi Jackson, Garth Greenwell and Megan Kruse. Students will also go on field trips to the New York Public Library's Gay and Lesbian Collections, queer bookstores and historic and literary sites throughout the five boroughs. BookUp LGBTQ will be run in partnership with Lambda Literary.
"I am very excited about the partnership between HMI and the National Book Foundation," said Juan Williams, HMI's director of academic enrichment. "I believe that this opportunity will empower our readers and budding writers to build on their strengths and flourish in their communities."
NBF's program manager Amy Gall added: "Books give us our humanity and tell us we are not alone. BookUp LGBTQ creates a space where LGBTQ youth can see themselves as part of a dynamic community with a rich past and limitless future. We want to empower them to become the new generation of world changing readers and writers."
