Compiled by PTM educators, what follows is a series of resources for educating parents and families on LGBTQIA+ topics and how to talk to young children about identity. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Instead, think of this as a place to get started, with prompts to start a conversation on these topics with your child.
Educational Resources
Glossary of Terms: The Human Rights Campaign has compiled this glossary of terms to help people better understand identities and issues in the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.
It Gets Better Project: A nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.
Sesame Street in Communities: Resources and activities on different kinds of families for caregivers to share with their young children.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.
Philadelphia Family Pride: Organization that has a mission to build community for LGBTQ+ parents, prospective parents, grandparents, and our kids of all ages – including adults, youth, kids, toddlers and infants. They support families in the greater Philadelphia region through advocacy, education, and family-centered events.
Community Resources
The Attic – “The Attic Youth Center’s mission is to create opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community and to promote the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society.”
The Peer Counseling Program of the William Way LGBT Community Center – The William Way LGBT Center strives to provide new and innovative programs for the LGBTIQA+ communities throughout Greater Philadelphia.
GALAEI – A queer Latinx social justice organization supporting the empowerment and leadership development of queer Latinx and black youth.
Books for Parents:
Rainbow Parenting: Your Guide to Raising Queer Kids and Their Allies by Lindz Amer
The Gender Creative Child: Pathways for Nurturing and Supporting Children Who Live Outside Gender Boxes by Diane Ehrensaft
Raising LGBTQ Allies: A Parent’s Guide to Changing the Messages from the Playground by Chris Tompkins
LGBTQIA+ Identities in Books & Media
Sometimes, it can be hard to know where or how to start a conversation. A book, TV show, or movie can serve as a great jumping off point to talk with young children about these topics.
Children’s Books
- One by Kathryn Otoshi: A story about accepting people for their differences, exploring themes of standing up for what you believe in and the power of influence that one voice can have.
- It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn
- Be Amazing: A History of Pride by Desmond Is Amazing
- Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
- The Hips on the Drag Queen by Lil Miss Hot Mess
- The Prince and The Knight by Daniel Haack
- Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer
- Julian Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love
- Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love
- When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
- Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah Hoffman
- Annie’s Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids
- They She He Me: Free to Be! by Maya Christina Gonzalez
- Neither by Airlie Anderson
- Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton
- Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña
- Not He or She, I’m Me by A.M. Wild and illustrated by Kah Yangni
- Pink Is For Boys by Robb Perlman
- Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart PhD
- Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
- The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague
- The Bravest Knight Whoever Lived by Daniel Errico
- Red a Crayon Story by Michael Hall
- My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart
- My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart
Movies
Turning Red (2022): Suitable for all ages, this Pixar film includes representation of queer characters, and is a kid-friendly exploration of navigating trauma, with a strong theme of finding your chosen family and supporting your friends through change.
In a Heartbeat (2017): Suitable for all ages, this Pixar short film depicts a boy who has his first crush on another boy and how he navigates those feelings.
Strange World (2022)
Lightyear (2022)
Television Series & Episodes
Sesame Street on Netflix & PBS
Rugrats on Paramount+
Pinecone + Pony on Apple TV+
Dino Ranch’s “Adoptosaurus Rex” episode on Disney Now
Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City’s “The Mint Gala” episode on Netflix
Arthur’s “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone” episode on PBS
Clifford’s “The Big Red Tomato/Dogbot” episode on PBS
Firebuds’ Family Recipe episode on Disney Junior
Out Disney Plus short telling the story of Greg, a man struggling to come out when his parents come to visit. This short uses fun vibrant colors to explore themes of self-discovery and acceptance in a creative way.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Disney Plus
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Netflix episode ‘The Last Crusade’
Chip and Potato Season 2 episode 8 (ages 7 and under)
Ridley Jones Season 3 episode 8 ‘Happy Herd Day’ explores gender identity as her friend, a bison named Fred, comes out as Nonbinary.
Doc Mcstuffins Disney Plus season 4 episode “The Emergency Plan”
The Bravest Knight Hulu based on The Bravest Knight Whoever Lived book