New Picture Book Celebrates LGBTQ+ Pioneer José Sarria

A new picture book tells the story of José Sarria. He was a drag queen, activist, and historic political figure. The book is called What Kind of Queen? A Royal Biography of Drag Queen and Activist José Sarria.

Authors Kyle Casey Chu and Andrew W. Shaffer wrote the book together. It is a biography for young readers. The book uses colorful and joyful illustrations. It brings José Sarria's life to life in a fun way.

So who was José Sarria? He was a very important person in LGBTQ+ history. He was born in San Francisco in 1922. He became famous as a drag performer in the 1950s. He performed at a well-known gay bar called The Black Cat Café.

Sarria used his performances to send a message. He encouraged gay people to be proud of who they are. This was a very brave thing to do at that time. Being gay was dangerous and illegal in many places.

In 1961, Sarria made history. He ran for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in the United States. He did not win the election. But his campaign was still a huge milestone. It showed that LGBTQ+ people could participate in politics.

Sarria later founded a community organization called the Imperial Court System. This organization still exists today. It supports LGBTQ+ people and raises money for important causes. It has chapters in many cities across North America.

This new picture book is part of a growing collection of LGBTQ+ non-fiction for young readers. Books like this help children learn about important history. They also show LGBTQ+ kids that they have heroes too.

The book was highlighted by LGBTQ Reads as part of their Pride Month spotlight. It focuses on new non-fiction titles that celebrate queer lives and stories. What Kind of Queen? is a wonderful addition to any school or home library.

Pride Month is a great time to discover books like this one. José Sarria's story is one of courage, joy, and community.