The International Day of Pink takes place this year on April 8, 2026. Millions of people will wear pink to stand against bullying, discrimination, and hate, and to stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Part of the mission is to empower youth to challenge social norms. As such, most of the curated works for this month’s display come from our Educational Curriculum Resources Centre and are aimed at children and young adults.

Queer Love, Romance & Friendship

Belonging & Cultural Intersectionality

Part of the International Day of Pink’s mission is to stand up to discrimination based on race, age, ability, gender, or sexuality. As such, this month’s book display also features works that poignantly and creatively mix race, culture, gender, and sexuality. The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, by Sonora Reyes, is a sharp, funny, and heartfelt novel about a queer Mexican American teen balancing strict Catholic school rules, family pressures, and the courage to come out. Patricia Park’s Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim is a witty, thoughtful exploration of identity as a Korean‑Argentinian American teen navigates cultural expectations and academic pressures. My Paati’s Saris, by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, is a picture book celebrating culture and gender expression as a child finds joy and affirmation in wearing their grandmother’s saris. 

Bullying & Resilience

At its core, the International Day of Pink stands against bullying, discrimination, and hate. Many featured works tackle these difficult subjects through different styles: fiction, nonfiction, verse novels, and graphic novels. First is Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone, by Tae Keller, which is a mystery novel where a group of middle schoolers search for a missing classmate. Accountable, by Dashka Slater, is a nonfiction narrative examining a racist social media account created by teens. C. G. Moore’s Trigger is a verse novel depicting a teen’s experience with trauma, bullying, and chronic illness. Weirdo, by Tony Weaver, is a graphic novel about a socially anxious teen who must navigate school pressures, identity, and the journey toward embracing one’s unique self. 

Gender Identity, Expression & Trans Experiences

Many books in this month’s display are nonfiction works that examine 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences in childhood, such as Free to Be: Understanding Kids & Gender Identity, by Jack L. Turban This work is a supportive, research-based guide that helps young readers and their families explore gender identity and expression. Athlete Is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports, by Katherine Locke et al., features a collection of real stories highlighting LGBTQ+ athletes who challenge gender norms and redefine inclusion within competitive sports. 

Memoirs

Perhaps the most affecting works in this month’s display are the many memoirs of identity and 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences. Pageboy: A Memoir, by Elliot Page, is a deeply personal account of Page’s life, career, and coming out as trans. Dan Santat’s A First Time for Everything is a humorous graphic memoir that reflects on adolescence, travel, and the awkward but formative moments that shape who we become. From Here: A Memoir, by Luma Mufleh, tells the inspiring story of the author’s journey as a queer Syrian immigrant in the U.S., with a focus on advocacy. Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer: A Memoir is a graphic memoir tracing Kobabe’s journey of discovering their nonbinary and asexual identity.

To learn more about the International Day of Pink, please visit https://www.dayofpink.org/

Our Favourite Season is Awards 

As Moira from Schitt’s Creek would say, her favourite season is “Awards”. McGill Libraries has nearly every award-winning film from the Oscars, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Director’s Guild Awards. This month’s display includes a selection of winners from the past five years, in DVD and as evideos. 

Family drama and relationships 

Many award-winning films explore complicated relationships and stories withing families. These are for viewers looking to get lost in character-driven stories about human connections. The Whale is the story of reclusive English teacher who seeks redemption by reconnecting with his estranged teenage daughter. In A Real Pain, two cousins embark on a Holocaust history tour of Poland, with moments of joy while coming to terms with grief and loss. Past Lives chronicles childhood friends, Nora and Hae Sung, over 24 years and several countries.  

Stories of Women 

For patrons looking for women’s stories, Barbie uses satire and fantasy to explore the pressures placed on women. The Eyes of Tammy Faye reframes a public figure long reduced to caricature, in a male‑dominated religious empire. In contrast, Women Talking offers a stark, intimate look at women confronting systemic harm and reclaiming their power. 

Power in True Stories 

Documentary films open a window into real lives and moments that shape our world. Our collection spans decades, genres and tone – from vibrant to harrowing, providing something for everyone who wants to take a closer look at a given subject. Summer of Soul is directed by Questlove, and showcases the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which celebrated Black history, music, and fashion over six weeks.  For a look into the Russian siege of Mariupol in 2022, check out 20 Days in Mariupol. In 1991, French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft captured their lives and romance on stunning 16mm footage; Fire of Love explores their passion. 

Films for Mini-Movie Lovers 

Children’s films are also included in our award winners. Flow is a dialogue-free, animated adventure about a solitary cat navigating a flooded, post-apocalyptic world. For those who like more of a sing-along, Encanto follows the stories of a magical family in Columbia called The Madrigals, and in particular, the ups and downs of Mirabel.  Soul looks at big questions like “what is the meaning of life” and “what is our purpose” when a middle-school teacher ends up in the “Great Before” and teams up with a soul-in-training.  

Check out the Redpath Book Display in the McLennan-Redpath and our virtual display to see other titles that you may enjoy. Happy viewing!