Have Pride: An inspirational history of the LGBTQ+ movement

Never has a book lived up to its title, or been as deserving of so many accolades, as Have Pride. The 2021 Winner of the School Library Association’s Information Book Award (13-16 category) is, as its subtitle suggests, "an inspirational history of the LGBTQ+movement" but it is so much more, too. Everything about this book is outstanding and cleverly designed to not only inspire but also to engage and empower young people; from the rainbow-bright, attention-grabbing, statement-making cover to the Foreword from celebrity actor Layton Williams and the direct, chatty writing style.

Those working in schools can be reassured by the credentials of the consulting team too: Sue Sanders is the Co-Chair of Schools Out UK and founder of LGBT History Month, committed to producing resources for teachers to "educate out prejudice and allow all young people to feel visible, proud and safe".

Have Pride takes a chronological and international approach, charting the changes, challenges and triumphs faced by those in same-sex relationships through history and throughout the world. Starting with the acceptance of the Ancient Greeks, this authoritative but highly readable guide charts the pivotal events and celebrates the progress of the LGBTQ+ movement, but doesn't shy away from describing the setbacks either: the growth of persecutions by Christians across Europe, the Inquisition, the witch-hunts of the Cold War, the Stonewall Riots, the Aids epidemic and the impact of Section 28 are all included but the punishments and persecutions are balanced by successes such as decriminalisation, equal marriage and global Pride parades and rallies.

The format of this hugely important book is equally outstanding. Double page biographies and 'have you heard of?' features introduce leading figures of the LGBTQ+ community drawn from the fields of film, literature, music, politics and sport who 'have fought against discrimination and prejudice to break down social barriers and change attitudes'. Timelines, quotations, key fact boxes, milestone charts, a comprehensive index and a glossary make this a perfect resource for research as well as a fascinating and eminently pickupable read.

Even a book as outstanding as this one can't cover everything but it can act as a jumping off point, sparking curiosity to find out more, and a list of online resources and organisations offering further information and support is usefully included. The unique appeal of this book, though, lies in the 'Why I Have Pride' features throughout, in which young people from across the LGBTQ+ community explain in their own words why they have pride and why every young person, LGBTQ+ or ally, should, in the words of Layton Williams in the foreword, "have pride in who they truly are and dare to live fabulously free".

We might still have a way to go but this positive, celebratory, inspirational book highlights how far we've come and offers hope for the future. Have Pride is, without a doubt, the most important book you will ever buy for your school library.

128 pages / Reviewed by Eileen Armstrong, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+