Lopez resident Jan Crossen will release her latest book, “Colors of the Sky: A Memoir,” on Sept. 16. The rainbow is a symbol of hope following a storm. Crossen wrote this memoir with the hope of making connections, opening hearts and saving lives.

The book is Crossen’s story of self-discovery and hiding her true self as she struggled to live authentically in a disapproving world. Imagine you are a teenage girl living in a small midwestern Ohio town during the conservative 1960s. You’re a high school senior, a cheerleader and you’re running for homecoming queen. You have a steady boyfriend but are secretly in love with your best friend, a girl. And she feels the same way about you.

As long as you can remember, you’ve been attracted to girls. You are keenly aware that this is taboo; something you must keep secret. You know that you have to be straight, or at least act straight, in order to fit in and be accepted. During the 1950s, ’60s and ‘70s, gays were shamed, hated, blackmailed and bullied. “Colors of the Sky” chronicles Crossen’s life’s journey and is in part an LGBTQ+ history lesson.

“I wrote this book because representation matters and young LGBTQ+ people need to see themselves in all walks of life,” Crossen said. “They need to know that they are not alone. Every time someone in the community comes out, it reassures others that they are okay, that someone understands, and they are not alone in this journey. Young people need to feel loved, affirmed, valued, and celebrated for their beautiful uniqueness.

According to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to saving the lives of LGTBT+ youth, research shows that suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10-24. LGBTQ+ youth are five times as likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual youth. Lives are saved when even just one person is supportive of a young LGBTQ+ individual. The current administration has terminated the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which has served LGBTQ+ youth since 2022. “I felt I needed to take a stand and do something, so I wrote my story,” Crossen said.

“Too many people are not keeping up with science,” Crossen said. “Their knowledge and understanding are at an eighth-grade science level. They hold onto outdated, negative prejudices about the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone knows someone in this demographic, they are often people in their own families. I urge everyone to learn some science, do a little research. You’ll find that homosexuality is found in over 1500 species. Homophobia, however, is found in only one species, and the cure for homophobia is education! Along that same vein, most people aren’t aware that 5% of species can change gender. Male to female and back again, and having parts of both simultaneously. Fascinating, isn’t it?” Crossen continued.

She is a gold-level Mom’s Choice Award-winning author who has written over 20 books for children. She is a grandmother and has lived on a farm on Lopez with her wife for the past 20 years.

The book is available by order through your favorite independent bookstore.