Keeper of the Lost Cities is a very popular middle grade book series, and is one of my personal favorites. However, I am currently in the process of coming out as bisexual and genderfae. This being true, it is very important that I, as an LGBTQ+ young person, have proper representation in the media. Keeper of the Lost Cities is not an example of this vital ingredient in my upbringing.

Romance is an important element in Keeper, yet the series is yet to include a confirmed LGBTQ+ person. This hurts me and other LGBTQ+ fans, as well as allies.

It tells me "Your identity is not important enough to be recognized." It tells me "People hate you for loving who you love and authors decide to listen to them. It tells me "You will never be accepted by society."

On the other hand, LGBTQ+ representation is what helps us fight that internalized homophobia and self-hatred. LGBTQ+ representation tells me "You are not alone." It tells me "You are important." It tells me "You deserve to be here, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

A common reason authors don't include LGBTQ+ characters is that it might offend their readers. This mindset can be really harmful, because it holds implications that our identities are something to be seen as offensive, or that they need to be hidden. It says it's okay to dislike queer people, and that the prejudices of one group are held in a higher regard than the identities of another.

Representation doesn't just benefit queer people, too. Studies have shown that cishet people who watch/read things with LGBTQ+ characters are more likely to accept the community, advocate for our rights, and just generally be allies. However, if people grow up with the mindset that LGBTQ+ is something unimportant, or inappropriate for kids' books, or weird and bad, then they're going to grow up to be homophobic.

Please help fight for our right to have equal representation in Keeper of the Lost Cities, and sign this petition.

When I reach 500 signatures, I will send this petition to Shannon Messenger and Keeper's publishers, Simon & Schuster. Your signature could help dozens of underrepresented LGBTQ+ preteens and teens who need accurate representation in the media.