“Books hold the promise of a journey. That journey can take you to places you never imagined.”
On March 5, THE MJ PROJECT donated the country’s first fully LGBTQ+ themed pride library to the classroom of San Pedro High School’s English and Social Media/Journalism teacher, David Crowley.
Crowley, who founded SPHS’s Pride Club 20 years ago and is the current advisor, was joined by several student members as they reflected on the club’s success and the impact they’ve had on the school community, including its first Pride Day during this school year’s spirit week.
“In Pride Club we like to make progress, and we like to make history,” Crowley said.
With the help of Steven Rowley, author of 2016 novel Lily and the Octopus, Crowley and students selected a classroom library that included Rowley’s novel, everyone’s interests, and many YA novels, LGBTQ classics and history books.
Crowley thinks these books will benefit not just the Pride Club members but every student that enters into his classroom.
“LGBTQ books are great for all of my students. My LGBTQ students have spent their whole lives reading books with straight or cisgendered protagonists and characters as have all my kids, and now these books that we’re getting today will send a message of tolerance, a message of passion, and especially a message of hope…” Crowley said. “A good story is a good story no matter what.”
As the books help his students along their journey to learning more about themselves and others, Crowley feels the impact will reach much further than the safe space he and students have created in his room.
“This library will make my school an even more welcoming and safer place for all students here,” Crowley said. “These books…will create open and honest conversations that in my opinion will open doors and create acceptance, and thank you very much, save lives.”
Check out the classroom Pride Library book list below.