This article uses the word “queer”  interchangeably with “LGBTQ+,” never in a derogatory way.

The Pasco High Library has new LGBTQ+ books! From magical fantasy with fairytale aspects like In Deeper Waters, to a con artist surviving a bank robbery in The Girls I’ve Been, check out what the library has located by the Main Entrance. These books, and many more, are very important for PHS students, staff, and visitors.

Mr. Bishop, the advisor for the Loud and Proud Club says that “especially for queer people who don’t always find people they can connect with, it helps to have a representation somewhere, where they can read a book and say, ‘I understand how this person feels.’”

Books can help queer people feel validated and find themselves. One student at PHS says, “queer media has made me feel like I’m normal, and not some weirdo for having many overlapping identities … I was reading this book where the main character was a lesbian and she really helped me face my fears in trying to discover that part of myself even if it was difficult.”

Another student says, “growing up I didn’t see lots of queer people, I think maybe only queer coded characters that were supposed to be funny for their queerness. Never any real representation I could connect with ‘till I was older.”

Not only does representation make a huge impact in how LGBTQ+ people see themselves, like most diverse media, it also helps everyone better understand experiences outside of their own. There are so many people in the world and so many stories being told. Mr. Bishop says, “you can’t just have one stereotype of a person and put it in a hundred [books], because yes you have representation but you’re just seeing one thing over and over, and that one stereotype is not going to be representative of everyone.” As understanding and acceptance of gender and sexuality grows, books should continue to represent varying experiences.

At the Pasco High Library, variety is in process. In the twelve years she’s worked here, Ms. Lecompte, the PHS librarian, says the content has changed a lot. Though there’s still a long way to go, the school currently has over 130 LGBTQ+ books, across all genres.

However, lots students and staff aren’t aware of most of these books. When asked why, Ms. Lecompte says, “teachers don’t bring [their students] down to the library … teachers have a huge impact in what students will read or do.” She also says students are incredibly busy and reading just isn’t a priority, they don’t have the time to check out what the library has.

This doesn’t mean efforts aren’t being made, the library is trying to expand their LGBTQ+ selection. The collection is limited, featuring only around four books in Spanish and very few ebooks. Out of over 15,000 books in the PHS library, about 130 feature or center around queer characters or themes. Of the 130, about 40% are BIPOC stories while the rest are white. The printed selection has grown a lot this year: of the books published in 2021, PHS has 17 new queer books total, including 6 fiction books with a queer BIPOC protagonist.

Ms. Lecompte says, “I don’t think books at Pasco High are reaching enough anyone that needs anything in their life.” Everyone should have access to books and stories, especially stories that can offer comfort, new perspectives, and deeper understanding of themselves and others.

This is only a part of how Pasco High is working to support its LGBTQ+ students, staff, and visitors.

In the next few days, Wasco will include a list of all LGBTQ+ books in the Pasco High Library under the “School Info” tab.