Stonewall Book Award

About

The Stonewall Book Awards are a set of prestigious literary honors that recognize books of exceptional merit related to the LGBTQ experience. Sponsored by the American Library Association's Rainbow Round Table, these awards aim to promote inclusivity and highlight significant contributions to LGBTQ literature. The awards were first presented in 1971, with Isabel Miller's novel Patience and Sarah being the inaugural recipient. Over the years, the awards have evolved to include three categories: the Barbara Gittings Literature Award, the Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award, and the Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award. These awards are announced annually in January and presented at the American Library Association's Annual Conference in June or July. Winners receive a commemorative plaque and a cash prize of $1,000. The selection process involves a panel of librarians who choose finalists and winners based on literary merit and relevance to the LGBTQ community. Anyone can suggest titles for consideration, provided they are English-language works published in the preceding year. The Stonewall Book Awards play a crucial role in promoting diverse narratives and fostering greater understanding and inclusivity in literature.