The wheels on this bus go ‘round and ‘round. A mobile library called the Rainbow Book Bus will stop in Baton Rouge March 12, to donate books about the LGBTQ+ community.
The Rainbow Book Bus is a mobile library working to achieve educational freedom for youth by opposing censorship of LGTBQ+ literature and promoting literacy. The bus donates books that have been targeted by anti-LGBTQ+ bans.
According to the Rainbow Book Bus’ website, “The Rainbow Book Bus aims to promote and protect access to representative books and media for queer communities and anyone impacted by anti-inclusive legislation.”
The bus will stop at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge’s parking lot from 4-6 p.m. on March 12.
At LSU, some students are keen to herald the Rainbow Book Bus’ arrival.
Annie Sheehan-Dean, a history, political science, and women’s, gender and sexuality senior, is the chair of LSU Student Government’s LGBTQ+ Caucus, which was reformed in December 2023 after having been previously disbanded.
Sheehan-Dean said the caucus is supporting and promoting the Rainbow Book Bus’ stop in Baton Rouge.
“I’m hoping that the goal of the Rainbow Book Bus will be accomplished,” Sheehan-Dean said. “Especially with their emphasis on queer youth, that there will be a good turnout of queer youth, and that individuals will feel safe and secure and proud to be who they are, and to discuss who they are and educate themselves about their identities and their experiences.”
In Louisiana, gender identity, sexual orientation and other LGBTQ+ issues have been political targets.
In June, the Louisiana Legislature passed a bill that would prohibit discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools
Former Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed that bill, and when lawmakers didn’t move to override the veto, it died in the Legislature.
LGBTQ+ activists have predicted a similar bill will be proposed in the next legislative session.
The Book Bus, a 22-foot-long school bus that has been painted with rainbow colors and adorned with portraits of LGBTQ+ icons, such as Audre Lorde and Harvey Milk, houses a rainbow-themed library. The craft made its debut at Los Angeles’ 2023 Pride Parade.
The bus was created by a partnership between Allstora, an independent bookstore co-founded by author and LGBTQ+ advocate Eric Cervini, drag performer and actor Adam Powell, television icon and author RuPaul, and nonprofit organization wayOUT, which supports LGBTQ+ youth programs across the country.
This is the bus’ first tour, and it will stop in cities throughout the South—including Atlanta, Birmingham and Memphis—to donate books.
On its tour, the bus will drive about 5,000 miles and donate over 10,000 books, according to the Rainbow Book Bus website.
The bus will also partner with local organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community, including Youth Oasis, a group that aids homeless youth in Baton Rouge. Many who Youth Oasis assists identify as a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Today, Youth Oasis remains true to its foundation of breaking the cycle of homelessness in our community and state by operating the foster youth shelter, transitional living center, and Diversity House,” Youth Oasis’ website reads.
READ MORE: Two bills proposed by Louisiana’s Legislature could threaten LGBTQ+ rights in schools
While the Bus is at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, there will be poetry readings, an open-mic section and a resource fair with information on healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. People of all identities are invited to attend the event and get a book.
“I think sometimes, especially when you have a marginalized identity such as being queer, where it feels increasingly dangerous to be a publicly-out queer person, it’s hard to kind of know where your community is, who your community is and things of that nature,” Sheehan-Dean said. “So, I’m hoping that this will kind of serve as an event to really foster community.”
