Julie Anne Peters was an American author known for her influential and groundbreaking young adult novels that explored the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. Peters passed away on October 20, 2021, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and empower young people for generations to come.

Peters began her writing career in the 1990s, at a time when there were few books for young readers that featured LGBTQ+ characters. Her first novel, “Define ‘Normal,'” was published in 2000 and quickly became a bestseller. The novel tells the story of two girls, one of whom is struggling with her sexuality, and their unlikely friendship.

Peters continued to write novels that tackled important issues facing LGBTQ+ youth, including coming out, family acceptance, and discrimination. Her work helped to bring greater visibility to the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people, and she became a champion for the community.

One of Peters’ most notable works is “Luna,” which tells the story of a transgender teenager and her family. The novel was groundbreaking in its portrayal of a transgender protagonist, and it has been widely praised for its sensitive and nuanced handling of the subject matter.

Peters’ impact on young adult literature extends beyond her own writing. She was an advocate for diverse voices in publishing and was instrumental in mentoring and supporting other LGBTQ+ writers. She also served as a faculty member for the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she helped to inspire the next generation of YA authors.

In 2016, Peters was awarded the Lambda Literary Foundation’s Visionary Award for her contributions to LGBTQ+ literature. Her legacy continues to be felt in the world of YA literature and beyond, as her work has helped to pave the way for greater representation and inclusion for LGBTQ+ youth.

As we mourn the loss of Julie Anne Peters, we can also celebrate the impact she had on the literary world and the lives of countless young readers. Her novels will continue to inspire and empower readers for years to come, and her legacy as a champion for LGBTQ+ voices in YA fiction will not be forgotten.