San Mateo County Libraries welcomes you to join us for Jazz & Friends Community Readings in person and online on Thursday, February 24. We're offering in-person community readings and one virtual in support of transgender and nonbinary youth. The goal of this national event is to ensure every child has the support needed to thrive and be their whole self in their school and community.
In 2015, a young transgender girl's community in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, rallied behind her, opens a new window after a national anti-LGBTQ hate group bullied her based on her identity. Allies in the community hosted a public reading of I Am Jazz! by transgender advocate Jazz Jennings.
Every year, in honor of the Mount Horeb community’s allyship, communities across the country join the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools, opens a new window program for its annual Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings.
For those who can't make it to one of our in-person community readings, register now to join us virtually on February 24.
This year’s featured books are From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, Born Ready: the True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson, Calvin by Ronald Martin Ford and I Am Jazz! by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings. Following our in-person community readings, children are invited to explore friendship with an art activity.
Find more children's titles in our Jazz & Friends School & Community Readings list and visit Welcoming Schools, opens a new window for further resources on ways to support gender identity in youth.
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