'Being called gay was an insult at school - now I help people like me feel seen'

29 June 2023 , 11:05

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Harry Woodgate remembers being called 'gay' or 'trans' at school were "used as insults", mainly due to the lack of awareness and discussion available (Image: Supplied)

Growing up in British schools, there is a lack of LBTQ+ representation in the classroom - but one author is trying to provide representation for young kids on the path to discovering their identity.

Harry Woodgate remembers being called 'gay' or 'trans' at school were "used as insults", mainly due to the lack of awareness and discussion available.

"That’s not to say those stories didn’t exist," they said. "But unless you already knew what you were looking for, they weren’t readily available, and so I grew up with very few positive or value-neutral reference points for understanding what it meant to be LGBTQ+."

Now as an adult Harry, based in the South of England, is trying to remedy this through their series of inclusive books.

Having already received success with their debut picture book Grandad's Camper, they have just released Grandad's Pride - something Harry feels provides the representation every child deserves.

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Harry told The Mirror: "Having access to a book like Grandad’s Pride, as well as a wide range of other inclusive books, would have provided me the language to better articulate and understand my own experiences as well as the experiences of others, and I feel very strongly that this is something every child deserves."

Grandad's Pride is a follow up to Harry's debut book Grandad's Camper (Supplied)

Harry says their books "allow readers and families to feel represented" (Supplied)

Grandad's Camper follows the story of a girl called Milly visiting her grandad and hearing about his travels with his late husband, Gramps.

Harry said: "That book was partly an effort to increase positive representation of older LGBTQ+ characters in children’s books, and partly a means of exploring my own feelings around grief, family and the importance of sharing stories and spending time with loved ones."

The book received a number of accolades, including Best Illustrated Book at the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2022, to being named as a Stonewall Honor Book by the American Library Association and picking up Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year at this year’s British Book Awards.

But for Harry, it was the comments from every day people that mattered the most: "Above all I’ve treasured the many beautiful and heartfelt messages from readers, parents, teachers and librarians who related to or felt represented by the story."

With Grandad's Pride, Milly is once again back with her grandad, and the pair put on a Pride parade in his seaside town.

Harry said: "I wanted to continue to speak to and validate those readers, and to explore important moments in LGBTQ+ history and the Pride movement, such as Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, Act UP, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage, to show that where we are today is just another step in a long journey trodden by countless LGBTQ+ individuals, families, activists and allies – and that positive change is always possible if we fight for it.

Harry remains passionate in providing a platform where families can learn about people's differences (Supplied)

"What I love about children’s literature is how it allows us to imagine a better, kinder world, and I hope that Grandad’s Pride helps achieve this."

Harry explains that while the books are not intended as "a handbook to navigating identity", but "allows readers and families to feel represented and helps facilitate discussions around diversity, compassion and respect".

While the overall reception to the latest book has been positive, social media was quickly flooded with a wave of negativity after anti-LGBTQ+ groups claimed it was harmful to children.

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In a social media thread, a prominent gender-critical activist made a number of bizarre allegations about the book’s content, spuriously claiming it is damaging the gay community.

"It’s been incredibly distressing being targeted with hateful, baseless and derogatory messages simply for creating a book which is about encouraging compassion, community and empathy, and I find it very worrying how social media emboldens and amplifies these polarised, reactionary voices," Harry said.

"Nevertheless, I refuse to mirror those responses just because they have been projected on to me: that energy is far better placed creating books to the best of my ability, which I hope will continue to represent, entertain and inspire young readers."

Despite the backlash, Harry remains passionate in providing a platform where families can learn about people's differences - children and parents alike.

"A phrase which is often used is that children’s books are mirrors, windows and doors," they said.

"Every child, every parent, every family and every classroom deserves to have books which accurately reflect their own experiences, provide a platform to learn about those who may be different to them, and create a welcoming space for discovery and mutual understanding, and I hope Grandad’s Pride – and all my books – offer this."

You can purchase Grandad's Pride at all major book retailers. Pride Month runs from June 1 to June 30th.

Hannah Kane