NAAFA Webinar Series: Fat Representation in Middle Grade Lit with Alex Gino
Monday, September 23, 2024
5pm PT / 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET
Duration: 60 minutes
[Image Description: On a white background with light orange and blue shapes is the following text in dark gray and blue font: "NAAFA WEBINAR SERIES 2024. Fat Representation in Middle Grad Lit Featuring Alex Gino (they/them). Sept 23, 5pm Pacific. Free! For fat community and fat positive friends. Registration Required. NAAFA.org/events. Hosted by Tigress Osborn (she/her) ASL by Pro Bono ASL. Black and white photos of the guest and host are included along with NAAFA's logo]
In this episode of the NAAFA Webinar Series, host Tigress Osborn (she/her) is joined by acclaimed kid lit author Alex Gino (they/them) to discuss fat representation in books for middle grade readers. We will also discuss Alex's author origin story, how appearance and identity impact authors as they build their careers, and the importance of libraries and librarians for young readers. In honor of Banned Books Week (September 22-28), we'll also talk about what it's like to be among the most banned authors in the USA today.
NAAFA virtual events are for fat people and fat-positive friends of all sizes. Our virtual events are offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of our community of NAAFA donors. To support this work and other NAAFA programming, make a donation today at naafa.org/give.
This event is presented via Zoom, in English, and with English auto-captions by Otter.ai. ASL Interpreting by Pro Bono ASL (@probonoasl).
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is a 501(c)3 charitable organization with a mission to change perceptions of fat and to end size discrimination through advocacy, education, and support. Learn more at naafa.org.
Image Description (provided by guest): Headshot of Alex Gino, nonbinary white femme with blondish long hair, pulled back and a goatee. They are smiling and wearing a purple scarf. Greenery and brick building in background.
GUEST BIO:
Alex Gino writes queer and progressive middle grade novels, including the Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning Melissa. They love glitter, ice cream, gardening, wordplay, and stories that reflect the complexity of being alive, and they would take a quiet coffee date with a friend over a loud and crowded party any day. Alex grew up on Staten Island, NY, where they started telling stories before they could hold a pencil. After thirteen years in Oakland, California, they now live in Western Massachusetts with Thunder the Wonder Cat. They are excited to continue to write stories for and about young LGBTQIA+ people. At least, that’s the plan. Writing is hard.
Find more information at alexgino.com or follow them on Bluesky @alexgino.
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