Generation Queer

Activism. Art. Community care. Education. These are the hallmarks of the work done by the youth highlighted in this collection featuring LGBTQ+ leaders working to make our world more inclusive.

Civil Rights activist Marian Wright Edelman once said, "You can't be what you can't see."

In this collection of short biographies, readers will see the example of thirty young trailblazers representative of a generation that values intersectional, collaborative social justice and who are working to build a world that values everyone.

Meet leaders who founded organizations for their liberation as teenagers, leaders who brought Black transgender representation to people's television screens, and leaders who successfully advocated for access to restrooms for transgender students. Meet the first transgender athlete to compete in Division I sports, and artists advocating for inclusiveness through poetry, film, fashion, and other mediums.

Whether their work involves protesting, working with policymakers for change, or just existing in the world as their creative selves, each of these young leaders shares what brings them joy and keeps them motivated to do the work they do-- even when it's hard--and their hope for better things to come.

Kimm Topping, Ed.M. (they/them) is an educator, historian, and artist. As the founder of Lavender Education, they lead a national initiative that celebrates LGBTQIA+ history through arts, education, and youth organizing. Their extensive collaborations with educational institutions and organizations focuses on promoting the well-being and leadership of queer and trans youth. Prior to founding Lavender Education, Kimm managed the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students in Massachusetts. They currently serve as a Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, specializing in gender and sexuality studies. In 2023, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition awarded Kimm the inaugural In-Service Award in recognition of their significant contributions to the transgender community across Massachusetts. Generation Queer is Kimm's first full-length book. Residing in the Boston area, Kimm also leads historical tours highlighting queer and feminist landmarks. Find them online at kimmtopping.com.

Anshika Khullar (they/them) is a nonbinary artist, video creator, and speaker based in Southampton, England. They are an ALA Stonewall Book Award winner, Renaissance Accelerated Reader Award winner, and CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal longlist nominee for their work on The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta. They also published a coloring and activity book, Color Me Queer, and focus their work on identity and culture, including queerness, body neutrality, South Asian diaspora experiences, immigration, mental illness, and trauma. Find their work online at aorists.com.