A picture book for both children and caregivers, Shane Jordan and Rick Hendrix’s The Rainbow Parade: A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identities and Allies (Sourcebooks, 2024) is a beautifully illustrated story of love and self-acceptance. Following a father and child going to a Pride parade, the book encourages conversations between adults and kids around the magic of pride, confidence, and gender.
In conversation with Sabir Sultan, Director, World Voices Festival & Literary Programs, Shane Jordan discusses the inspiration behind the children’s book, how crucial parental support is to LGBTQIA+ children, and what having a book like the Rainbow Parade would have meant to him growing up. (Bookshop; Barnes & Noble)
The Rainbow Parade tells the story of a father and child going to a Pride parade on a rainy day. What inspired you to write this story?
This inspiration for The Rainbow Parade came from a desire to celebrate love, inclusion and the beauty of self-expression. I fight for and support LGBTQIA+ people and causes every day through my social activism, so this book felt like a natural extension of what I already do. It was important to me, as a person who did not receive parental support, to have the main character of the story celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community with a parental figure. I saw a recent statistic that stated that over half of the queer kids in our country do not receive parental support when they come out. So, as much as The Rainbow Parade was written for children, I hope it also influences parents to treat their queer children with love and acceptance, just as the dad in our book did.
The text in the book speaks about pride and self-acceptance with the plot of the story conveyed through the illustrations by illustrator Jieting Chen. How did you and Rick Hendrix, your co-author, work with Jieting to combine image, text, and narrative to tell the book’s story? How do text and image interact with each other?
We received samples from several talented illustrators, each offering something unique, but one stood out to me immediately. It was an illustration of two children standing side-by-side, draped in a rainbow flag, with the colors stretching upward into the sky. That illustration made me pause. It made me smile. It perfectly captured the essence of what we wanted this book to convey — how a child’s true color, their authentic self, can shine so brightly that they touch the world around them, even extending into the far reaches of the sky. We wanted children to feel that being their authentic self not only matters for their own self-expression but that it also brightens the world around them in a profound way.
In the story, the main character, a child, meets another child during the Pride Parade who appears sad. Can you share a bit more about this encounter and what you wanted to convey through them befriending each other?
The encounter between the main character and the sad child is part of the core message of the book and the spirit of the Pride Parades that I have participated in. It’s a moment of vulnerability, kindness, and connection. When the main character befriends the other child, it provides an example of empathy and shows the transformative power of inclusion. It’s a reminder that pride isn’t just about celebrating oneself, but also uplifting others and including them in the community, especially those who might feel out of place or unseen.
We wanted children to feel that being their authentic self not only matters for their own self-expression but that it also brightens the world around them in a profound way.
Characters in the picture book are depicted with a range of gender expressions and gender identities, they are people with and without disabilities, and of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. How did you approach ensuring the book was inclusive of a range of people?
Inclusivity was non-negotiable. We were mindful of depicting a spectrum of gender expressions, abilities and cultural backgrounds in the characters making the story be directly reflective of the diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. It wasn’t just about representation but about authenticity because pride really does belong to everyone. We took many proactive steps and drew on our own life experiences to ensure that our portrayals were both respectful to all communities and genuine to our narrative.
The Rainbow Parade encourages parents to ask their children questions as they read including; How does it feel to share what you love? When do you feel the most pride? Have you ever felt like you couldn’t show your rainbow? What conversations did you hope would be generated by these questions?
One of the purposes of the book was to be a resource. The questions invite reflection and dialogue between adults and children. The questions are intended to open that authentic, sometimes difficult dialogue that develops into real conversations. They are meant to encourage a safe relationship between adults and children. If adults take the time to ask the children they love these questions, they will find they are able to open up a space to discuss moments of suppression or fear that the kids may have experienced. It will provide a platform for children to ask the questions they may have been too timid to voice. The conversations will build empathy and an understanding of identity, not only for the children who are discovering themselves, but for the adults who are guiding them.
We normally think about picture books as being for children, but much of The Rainbow Parade is aimed at the adult reading the picture book and asking them to engage in conversations around identity and gender with the child they are reading too. Why was it important to involve the adult readers in this manner?
I believe we have entered a new era in our society regarding how the LGBTQIA+ community is viewed and accepted and because of the newness and frailty of the advancements we’ve made, I feel that it is important to educate the adult population as well as children. The understanding of identity and inclusion often begins at home. By engaging adults, the book becomes a tool for intergenerational learning and awareness. It empowers caregivers to approach complex topics like gender and pride with openness and curiosity. These conversations lay the groundwork for raising empathetic, informed and accepting individuals who respect diversity in all its forms.
The questions invite reflection and dialogue between adults and children. The questions are intended to open that authentic, sometimes difficult dialogue that develops into real conversations. They are meant to encourage a safe relationship between adults and children.
At the end of the picture book, you include a note for caregivers from Dr. Christy L. Olezeski, Director Pediatric Gender Program at the Yale School of Medicine, activities for readers that engage with questions of gender stereotypes, confidence, and definitions of terms related to LGBTQIA+ identity. Why was it important to you to include these resources for caregivers?
Caregivers are the first influencers in a child’s life and play a crucial and critical role in shaping children’s understanding of the world. The resources, including Dr. Olezeski’s note and activities, provide tools for addressing questions about identity, stereotypes and confidence -in an age-appropriate way. They also offer reassurance to caregivers who might be discussing these topics for the first time. We hope that these resources offer a supportive environment for all our readers.
What would it have meant to have access to a book like The Rainbow Parade when you were a child?
It would have been life changing to have a book like The Rainbow Parade at my disposal when I was a young, vulnerable child. Growing up without visual affirmation of diverse identities leaves a child feeling isolated. A book like this would have shown me that self-expression and authenticity are not just valid but celebrated. It would have instilled a sense of pride in being a part of a community that thrives on acceptance and love. Growing up in a very conservative part of Texas, I could have still found my tribe, no matter how small it may have been. I could have found those who would have been compassionate towards me and accepting of who I am. Who knows, If I had found a book like this, I might have been able to join the cheer squad that I always wanted to be a part of.
How do you feel about the book coming out in a time when there is a rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and books that speak about LGBTQIA+ identity are being banned and removed from libraries and public schools?
The timing makes this book even more essential. In an era where anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and censorship are on the rise, stories like The Rainbow Parade act as a counterbalance, championing visibility and inclusion. They remind us of the importance of standing firm against oppression and advocating for a world where every child feels seen and valued. It is both an act of celebration and resistance.
By engaging with a younger audience, you can help influence the adults in their lives to create more inclusive talks and spaces.
You have a varied background in activism, business, politics, media, and philanthropy – what led you to turn to writing a children’s picture book? How do you see it fitting in with your career trajectory?
My career and life journey have been incredibly colorful and wonderful. Reflecting on all those paths, the common thread has always been a desire to make a positive impact on the younger generation. My history of activism and philanthropy has always focused on amplifying marginalized voices and promoting positive change. I remember years ago, when I was working in music, promoting an artist or song such as Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb,” we made sure to incorporate a message of hope and inclusivity, especially for the youth who may feel different. It felt like a natural extension of that mission to write a children’s book. By engaging with a younger audience, you can help influence the adults in their lives to create more inclusive talks and spaces. This project was driven by personal motivation; if it can help even one child feel seen, heard, and understood, the entire process will have been worth it. I remember being that scared and confused young child. Storytelling is a powerful tool for cultural transformation and The Rainbow Parade fits in perfectly with my broader personal and career goals.
Shane Jordan is an American bestselling author, philanthropist, consultant, digital media strategist, & businessman. He has worked in the entertainment industry, marketing artists such as Mariah Carey, U2, Whitney Houston, Vince Gill, and Fantasia, among others. He is the co-author of the bestselling book “Wear the Damn Mask”, published by Gallery/Simon & Schuster, and co-author of “The Rainbow Parade; A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identities and Allies,” published by Sourcebooks. Shane served on the National Finance Committee for Hillary for America and Harris for America and currently serves on the Board of Directors at The Victory Institute to help elect more LGBTQ politicians and the Advisory Board for the Stonewall National Monument Visitors Center.
