Croatian kids can now read stories about same-sex families
What's the story
There's more than one special thing about My Rainbow Family. A children's picture book in Croatia, it has two different stories meeting in its middle, which means it can be read both from the front and the back. More importantly, it is arguably the first Croatian book for kids to feature same-sex families, normalizing homosexuality in the European nation battling rising conservatism. Here's more.
Opposition
Croatia voted against same-sex marriages in 2013
Though the book's release is being celebrated among Croatian homosexuals, it is receiving flak from conservative establishments, reports BBC. Vigilare, one such outfit, has called the book "homosexual propaganda" and requested the Croatian education minister to ban it in schools. Notably, 90% of Croatia's 4.4 million population, which is Roman Catholic, voted in favor of banning same-sex marriages five years ago.
Optimism
Despite backlash, hope prevails
The book's publishers, however, are hopeful. My Rainbow Family was first released with only 500 copies. They thought they'd not find many takers beyond the LGBT community. However, they were wrong. Their book is already sold out and has received great support from people of all walks of life wanting to teach their children about equality, tolerance and diversity.
Others
Books introducing children to LGBT issues at young age
My Rainbow Family isn't the first book that wants to normalize LGBT for children, and aims to raise them in a more equal, inclusive world. Horse and Master, a children's book on trans issues, was launched in Sweden in November 2017. Another book, Santa's Husband, released last month ahead of Christmas and was widely slammed for portraying Santa as a gay, married black man.