A bookstore in Denver is stepping up to support LGBTQ+ individuals facing challenges accessing books that reflect their identities. Texas saw the highest number of book bans nationwide in the 2022-2023 school year, leaving many students in rural areas without access to certain books, as reported by Pen America. 

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Second Star to the Right, an independent children's bookstore in Denver, offers an extensive selection of the latest releases, including both your cherished childhood favorites available in board books and young adult novels.

As stated in its Inclusivity Statement, the bookstore aims to embrace fairness, equality, and social justice for everyone. It values inclusion, recognizing that diverse skills, talents, and perspectives create a culture of belonging, innovation, collaboration, and respect. It aims to empower and involve our community in actions that benefit each person and the community as a whole.

Sophie Nogar, the store manager, expressed her dismay over the situation, emphasizing the unfairness of having books taken away. In response to this need, Second Star partnered with Carabiner Collections, a group based near College Station, to contribute to their efforts to create a community library of LGBTQ+ books. Upon learning about Carabiner Collections' initiative to establish this library, Nogar expressed that they felt compelled to lend support. It is a cause they deeply believe in and consider highly significant.

Carabiner Collections, Inc. is an LGBTQIA+ community-run library serving the Brazos Valley of Texas. Its mission is to allow everyone to find themselves represented in stories, fostering imagination for bright futures and offering non-LGBTQIA+ individuals the chance to become better allies. 

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Books, Dreams, and Community

Dea Lavoie and her husband, Marc, founded Second Star to the Right, a local store specializing in books and toys for kids, teens, and educators. Their inspiration stemmed from their dissatisfaction with the scripted curriculum in their previous roles as elementary school teachers. Wanting to connect with children on a more personal level, they envisioned a bookstore tailored to young readers.

Peter Pan inspired the store's name, mirroring their aim to establish a fantastical and enchanting environment for children. Initially situated in the Tennyson corridor back in 2014, the store relocated to South Pearl in 2019 to facilitate expansion.

Despite facing challenges during the permitting process and subsequent moves, Second Star to the Right remains committed to its mission. The store actively supports the LGBTQ+ community through initiatives like Drag Queen Storytime and the 'Gay It Forward' program, which provides free queer literature to children.

According to Pen America, Texas banned 438 books during the 2022-2023 school year. Nogar emphasized the importance of everyone having the Right to access books that reflect their experiences and identities.

Second Star has already donated around 30 books to Carabiner Collections and continues to collect more at their store. Customers can also purchase books online to donate to the cause. The donated books ranged from children's to adult literature, including resources for parents.

Nogar believed that access to these books could be transformative, not only for LGBTQ+ individuals but also for those who seek to understand and empathize with diverse experiences. Nogar confidently expressed that reading books, even if one does not identify as queer, can help understand others. She emphasized their commitment to filling up the library.

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