"Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair." Mariame Kaba

This summer we are organizing Beyond the Ban, a summer book drop of texts by and about folks who are queer, trans, gender nonconforming, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, and Arab American. This is an invitation to read and learn in community. Along with our local bookstore partner, two youth fellows will help to co-create and celebrate community connected to reading, learning, and taking action that moves us closer to collective liberation.

We know the book bans, curriculum bans, and "don't say gay" legislation seek to ban the bodies, lives, and truths of historically marginalized people, along with our joy. We also know that this isn't the first time this has happened. We continue to draw from the ancestral well of elders, youth, and each other not just to "fight back" but to continue the work, just as we always have across generations and movements. As Jay Gillen of the Baltimore Algebra Project reminded us, we're winning! We're moving toward liberation.

We need your help in curating the booklist we'll release in July. Make your book recommendations now!

Stay tuned to this page for more details, including how you can request a book and get it delivered to you!

APPLY: BEYOND THE BAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP!

NOW CLOSED. PLEASE APPLY NEXT SPRING AND GET READY TO MEET OUR FELLOWS! Do you love reading, books, and being creative? If you're between the ages of 14-25, we invite you to apply for the paid Beyond the Ban Fellowship for youth! You'll help to coordinate the book drop, run our social media, and dream up some projects of your own! Apply! We'd love to have you.

*Young folks (ages 25 years of age and younger) who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, Arab American, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply.*