LGBT Books to Prisoners is a trans-affirming, racial justice-focused, prison abolitionist project. They are a donation-funded, volunteer-run organization based in Madison, Wisconsin that sends books and other educational materials, free of charge, to incarcerated LGBTQ people across the United States.
Each package contains 3-5 books, educational materials, and LGBTQ resources. They’ve sent over 35,000 books to nearly 9,000 people in prison over the last three years.
They do this because:
They want to acknowledge, and work against, the oppressive functions of the prison system. Their project shifts some control back into incarcerated people’s hands.
Incarcerated persons have little access to reading material, and LGBTQ people behind bars have a particularly hard time finding resources that meet their needs and wants. LGBT Books to Prisoners is in a position to gather and distribute these resources.
LGBT Books to Prisoners believe that their work affirms the dignity of all individuals by providing access to knowledge of their choosing, so that they can learn and grow as they desire. They respond to individuals’ requests as directly as possible.
LGBTQ people behind bars face many hardships, including — but not limited to — isolation and physical violence. LGBT Books to Prisoners wants them to know that they have a supportive community on the outside that cares about their well being.
Want to get involved? LGBT Books to Prisoners is always looking for support. If you have some time to volunteer matching letters with books, wrapping packages, or restocking the library, contact them. If you have books, dictionaries, or other LGBTQ resources you’d like to donate, they would love to help make arrangements through the donation page. You should also visit the donation page if you would like to make a financial contribution, which helps purchase postage and packing supplies. LGBT Books to Prisoners would be grateful for donations in any amount and can provide a tax receipt for all donations.