Welcome to The Active Voice! My name is Gayle Pitman. By day, I teach Psychology and Women/Gender Studies at Sacramento City College. By night, I write children’s books and engage in other forms of subversive creativity. My debut picture book, This Day in June, won the 2015 ALA Stonewall Award, was a Rainbow List Top Ten pick, and won the IRA’s 2014 Notable Books for a Global Society Award. How’s that for my first shot at writing children’s books! My books, teaching, and general commentary have been featured in various publications, including the Huffington Post, School Library Journal, and The Advocate. I’ve also been interviewed on National Public Radio, the BBC News, “Good Day Sacramento,” and various podcasts.
All of my books can be purchased through all major online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powell’s. However, I encourage you to purchase books from your local independent bookstore. If your bookstore doesn’t stock the books you want, you can order them from IndieBound, and they will ship them to your bookstore. Here’s what IndieBound has to say about why you should shop Indie:
When you shop at an independently owned business, your entire community benefits:
The Economy
Spend $100 at a local-owned business and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43.
Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
More of your taxes are reinvested in your community–where they belong.
The Environment
Buying local means less packaging, less transportation, and a smaller carbon footprint.
Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money to beautify your community.
The Community
Local retailers are your friends and neighbors—support them and they’ll support you.
Local businesses donate to charities at more than twice the rate of national chains.
More independents means more choice, more diversity, and a truly unique community.
Now is the time to stand up and join your fellow individuals in the IndieBound mission supporting local businesses and celebrating independents.
Learn more about my books and my work at gaylepitman.com. Thank you for visiting The Active Voice!
gaylepitman
The Active Voice 
I like people that “go against the grain” and stand up for what they believe in. I go against it myself, not with sexuality but with the learning and growing process……
Dont give up the fight…. Its never over!!
Thanks so much!
I know you write about all kinds of issues, but I put a link to your blog on my blog. You have some great pieces here that will really help people.
Thanks so much, transparentguy! I appreciate it.
Gayle, I have been super busy lately. Too busy to respond intelligently to your posts in a few weeks. However, I am reading them. You are as thoughtful as ever.
You might want to see what I have been blogging about as well:
http://garyhollander.wordpress.com.
Hope your semester is starting off well.
It’s good to hear from you, Gary! I know all about being busy, believe me. I’ll check out your blog for sure, Whether you comment or not, it’s good to know you’re out there reading.