When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 1557 (commonly referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill), it took away children’s rights to have open conversations about self-identity in the classroom.
Ron DeSantis was excluding LGBTQ youth from education. To fight for more equitable learning opportunities, we put the same youth at the front and center of our campaign.
With the ChangeMakers - a group of LGBTQ Youth Activists from The Alliance for LGBTQ Youth - we wrote a children’s book called “The Courage to be Truly Free”, and launched it on the same day. The book serves as an educational tool for kids—and lawmakers alike—to learn about love, acceptance, and embracing who you truly are., giving a voice back to the youth DeSantis silenced.
Their lessons were brought to life- while aiming to create change - in words that not only kids, but lawmakers, can understand.
The story follows a zebra named CoCo on a journey of self-discovery, with every page brought to life, illustrated, and donated by LGBTQ artists. Along the way, CoCo meets various animal friends who help them be brave by teaching them about self-reliance and community.
Visit TheCourageToBeTrulyFree.com for your free copy of a children’s book that fights the oppression faced by LGBTQ youth.
Illustrations donated by LGBTQ Artists of Beuren Studio