๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฌ:
In response to the Iowa Legislatureโs 2025 repeal of gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, Annieโs Foundation introduces ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐, a trauma-informed, community-powered literacy project delivering banned and affirming books directly to trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming youth, their families, and allies across Iowa. This initiative is grounded in the belief that representation in literature is both life-affirming and lifesaving.
Leveraging our extensive banned book inventory and grassroots network, we will distribute curated kits and book baskets to individuals, educators, shelters, and community hubsโcreating quiet resistance, joyful affirmation, and radical visibility in a state now hostile to LGBTQ+ youth.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ญ’๐ฌ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ:
๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ + ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ: Marginalized youth in Iowa are facing erasure. This project affirms their identity and right to learn.
๐๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐-๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐: Research shows representation in media mitigates mental health risks. These books are a soft but powerful intervention.
๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: These books donโt just tell storiesโthey tell young Iowans: ๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐. ๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
How to find out more:
We’ll be putting a request form on the website in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, if you want more information or would like to request a ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ kit for someone, please message us here or send an email to contuctus@anniesfoundation.com
Pictured above are our very first kits sent out just this week! ย Kits include 4-6 books curated by age and identity, fun stickers and bookmarks from AbstractbyRabrams, and a handwritten note from Annie’s.
