LGBTQ History

Sanders, R. (2018). Pride: The story of Harvey Milk and the rainbow flag (S. Salerno, Illus.). Penguin Random House. 

This book is about Harvey Milk and his dream of equality for all. Harvey had a dream that gay people would be treated just like everyone else. He advocated for equality and became one of the first openly gay people to hold a political position in 1977. He decided that gay people needed a symbol and something to carry while marching, so the pride flag was created with the help of Gilbert Baker. The flag was first carried on June 25, 1978, in San Francisco. Harvey was murdered along with George Moscone, the mayor of San Francisco, on November 27, 1978, by someone who did not agree with them. However, that was not the end of Harvey’s flag. The flag has changed colors and designs, but more and more people started carrying and advertising it. In 1994, a mile-long flag designed by Gilbert Baker was carried through New York City. In 2015, the White House was lit with the colors of the flag. It has grown and grown, all because of Harvey’s dream. At the end of this book, there are photos, notes, resources, and timelines of Harvey Milk and his flag. This book is targeted towards children ages 3 to 9. Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it tells an inspiring story about the history of the Pride Flag and how Harvey’s dream came true, despite receiving hate from others who disagreed.  

Activity Idea 

Find the stories of other flags, such as the history of the US flag. Why do we choose symbols to represent our history? What is the importance of a flag? What would your own flag look like?  

More resources found on the Teaching Books page.

Related Titles 

Pride: Desmond is Amazing. (2020). Be Amazing (D. Glynn, Illus.). Farrar Straus Giroux. / McClintick, J. (2022). ‘Twas the Night Before Pride (J. Medina, Illus.). Candlewick Press.  / Neilson, E. (2022). The rainbow parade. Dial Books for Young Readers. / Pitman, G. E. (2014). This day in June (K. Litten, Illus.). Magination Press.  

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Sanders, R. (2021). Two grooms on a cake (R. Cathro, Illus.). Little Bee Books. 

Told from the perspective of the two grooms that sat on top of the wedding cake, this book tells the story of Jack and Michael, the first same-sex couple to be legally married in the United States. It compares the journey of getting legally married to baking a cake – recipes are like laws, ingredients in a cake are like love in a marriage, mixing the ingredients is like the process of getting to know each other, and baking takes time just like love. To get a legal marriage license, Jack changed his name to Pat. Once they got their marriage license, they had a wedding on September 3, 1971. They have been married for over 50 years now. At the end of the book, there are photos of the real-life couple and a timeline of marriage equality. This book is targeted towards children ages 6 to 9. Two Grooms on a Cake is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it tells the story of the first legal same-sex marriage. 

Activity Idea 

Resources found on the Teaching Books page.

Related Titles 

LGBTQ weddings: Brannen, S. (2020). Uncle Bobby’s Wedding (L. Soto, Illus.). Little Bee Books. / Love, J. (2020). Julian at the wedding. Candlewick Press.  

Normalized Representation: Woodgate, H. (2021). Grandad’s Camper. Little Bee Books. 

History: Pride: Desmond is Amazing. (2020). Be Amazing (D. Glynn, Illus.). Farrar Straus Giroux. / Sanders, R. (2018). Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag (S. Salerno, Illus.). Penguin Random House.