Please join Garden State Equality, Make it Better for Youth, New Jersey Association of School Librarians and Westfield Memorial Library for this riveting discussion showcasing LGBTQ orientated and Allied authors, Robyn Gigl, Jamie Bruesehoff, Julio Roman and Tony Ardolino surrounding a discussion with inclusive books, representation, and how you can get involved with inclusive Book Advocacy!

Robyn Gigl, Author of By Way of Sorrow, Survivor's Guilt, and Remain Silent

Robyn Gigl (pronounced Guy-gull), is an author, attorney and advocate. Her novel, Survivor's Guilt, was selected by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 best Mystery and Thriller books of all time. Robyn’s first novel, By Way of Sorrow, was published by Kensington Books in March 2021. It was called “quietly groundbreaking” by the NY Times and named one of the best crime novels of 2021 by CrimeReads. In addition to its selection by TIME Magazine, her second novel, Survivor's Guilt, published in January 2022, was named as one of the best crime novels of 2022 by the NY Times, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and won the Joseph Hansen Award for LGBTQ+ Crime Writing. Robyn’s third novel, Remain Silent, was published in May 2023.

Jamie Bruesehoff, Author of Raising Kids Beyond the Binary

Jamie Bruesehoff (she/they) is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate. She is an openly queer woman married to a Lutheran pastor and mom to three spirited children, including a fifteen year old transgender daughter. She is passionate about sharing her family’s story, because she believes our stories are bridges to understanding, compassion, and celebration.

Jamie writes and speaks about LGBTQ identities, policies and practices, inclusion, advocacy, anti-bullying, parenting and faith. Jamie strives to live and lead with love, grace, and courage. 

Julio Roman, Author of Out of Space: Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Spaces

Julio C. Roman is the author of the successful book Out of Space: Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places, and the founder of Organizing Unique Transformations, OUT a social impact company that that partners with organizations and leaders to create a conscious and inclusive workplace and community where collaboration and growth thrive.

​Julio has dedicated over twenty-four years to creating LGBTQIA+ safe spaces. He has represented the LGBTQIA+ community on Capitol Hill, to the US State Department, the World Monetary Fund, and the United Nations. He continues to be featured in Insider NJ's " OUT 100: The LGBT Power List" for his leadership in community organizing and HIV/AIDS work.

Tony Ardolino, Mr. Gay World USA 2022 and Author of Gill the Merboy

Born and raised in New Jersey, Tony Ardolino was named Mr. Gay World USA in 2022, a not-for-profit organization and the official national preliminary to the Mr. Gay World Pageant. He is also the author of Gill the Merboy, which features topics of anti-bullying, sharing, and self-worth, as well as cognitive learning with problem solving stories interact the reader to find the treasure. Gill the Merboy celebrates what it is that makes us each unique. Especially for LGBTQ youth who need an extra boost that being true to themselves is the greatest treasure of all.

Registration is required.