MONTPELIER-Fourteen independent bookstores across Vermont - including Everyone's Books in Brattleboro, Village Square Booksellers in Bellows Falls, and Bartleby's Books in Wilmington - have teamed up to hold the second annual Pride Readathon to raise money for Camp Outright.
Outright Vermont is a queer youth service organization and statewide advocacy center; Camp Outright is their residential summer program. Funds raised during the Readathon ensure that no camper is turned away due to financial need.
Each bookstore is encouraging booksellers, customers, and members of the public to join in the readathon. Participants will pledge to read a certain number of LGBTQ+ books during the month of June, seeking donations toward their goal. Others may opt to make a flat donation to the cause. Organizers say the goal "is to elevate queer authors and queer stories during Pride month and year-round, because representation matters and everyone deserves to see themselves in the stories they love."
"It's pretty special for Outright to participate in the Readathon," Dana Kaplan, executive director of Outright Vermont, said in a news release. "it provides a great opportunity to spotlight books that hold significance in queer culture and the journey of self-discovery. We have to see ourselves to believe ourselves! We're grateful and excited to be part of this, looking forward to delving into our summer reads along with everyone else."
Claire Benedict of Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, who hosted last year's Readathon, said "We had so much fun last year with the Pride Readathon. We're really looking forward to year two of promoting LGBTQ+ voices and supporting Outright Vermont."
For more information, visit Outright Vermont's Pride Readathon page at give.outrightvt.org/Pride2024.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.