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Gayle E. Pitman

ゲイル・イー・ピットマン

Gayle E. Pitman

Profile

Gender
Female
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Grew up in New Jersey → San Francisco Bay Area (moved in early 1990s) → Sacramento, CA (moved in 2001) → Hartnell College (professional residence)

Career

Occupations
Professor, Children's book author, Researcher, Academic administrator
Active Years
1998-
Affiliations
Sacramento City College (faculty), Hartnell College (Vice President of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness, and Success)

Education

California School of Professional Psychology (Alameda)
Psychology
Degree: Ph.D.
Year of Graduation: 1998
Country: United States
Dissertation completed in 1998 on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and internalized homophobia in lesbians.

Awards

Stonewall Book Award — Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award
2015
Work: This Day in June
Category: Children’s & Young Adult Literature
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: 受賞
ALA Top Ten Choices
2015
Work: This Day in June
Category: Top Ten Choices
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: 選出
Notable Books for a Global Society
2015
Work: This Day in June
Organization: Children's Literature & Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG)
Result: 選出
Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019 (ranked)
2020
Work: This Day in June
Organization: American Library Association — Office of Intellectual Freedom
Result: 2010–2019年のトップ100にランクイン（42位）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

This Day in June

2014 Children's picture book 32 pages

A picture book that celebrates LGBTQ+ families and diversity through a day at a pride parade, using colorful illustrations to introduce inclusion to young readers.

LGBTQ+ visibilityfamily diversitypridetolerance

When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community

2017 Children's non-fiction

A children's non-fiction account of how Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin built community and contributed to LGBTQ+ activism.

historical educationLGBTQ+ communitygrassroots organizing

Feminism from A to Z

2017 Introductory children's non-fiction

An introductory book that explains basic feminist concepts and terms in an accessible A-to-Z format for younger readers.

gender equalityeducationawareness

A Church for All

2018 Children's picture book / non-fiction

A children's book that conveys the value of inclusive communities and a church that welcomes everyone.

inclusionreligion and diversitycommunity

Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag

2018 Children's non-fiction / biography

A children's biography of Gilbert Baker, focusing on the creation and meaning of the rainbow flag.

symbols and identityhistoryLGBTQ+ movement

The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets

2019 Children's historical non-fiction

A children's history book that explains the Stonewall Riots and their role as a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

protest movementscivil rights historysocial change

My Maddy

2020 Children's book

(Contributor) A children's story focusing on family and intergenerational relationships.

familyintergenerational bonds

Evelyn Hooker and the Fairy Project

2021 Children's biographical non-fiction

A children's biography that introduces psychologist Evelyn Hooker and the impact of her research on scientific understanding of homosexuality.

science and societyLGBTQ+ historycombating prejudice

Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities Behind Sexual Orientation Research

2011 Scholarly non-fiction

A scholarly work examining the politics and personalities behind sexual orientation research, surveying the history and controversies.

history of researchscience and politicssexual orientation research

Bibliography

  • This Day in June (2014)
  • When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community (2017)
  • Feminism from A to Z (2017)
  • A Church for All (2018)
  • Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag (2018)
  • The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets (2019)
  • My Maddy (2020, contributor)
  • Evelyn Hooker and the Fairy Project (2021)
  • Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities Behind Sexual Orientation Research (2011)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, child-friendly proseExplains historical and social issues in accessible ways for young readersLanguage that emphasizes inclusion and diversity
Recurring Motifs
LGBTQ+ community and identityhistory of rights and protestsymbols (flags, parades)diverse notions of family

Legacy

Gayle E. Pitman is recognized as an author and scholar who brought LGBTQ+ history and diversity into children's literature. Her flagship book, This Day in June, won awards but was also frequently challenged and banned in the U.S., becoming a focal point in debates about free expression and diversity in children's books.

In Popular Culture

  • 'This Day in June' has been frequently challenged in the United States and is repeatedly cited in discussions about censorship of children's books.

Trivia

  • 'This Day in June' ranked within the Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books of 2010–2019 (ranked 42).
  • Taught psychology and women/gender studies at Sacramento City College and served as a dean in planning, research & institutional effectiveness.
  • Serves as Vice President of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness, and Success at Hartnell College.