My Rainbow
DeShanna Neal
About this book
A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal. Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day, playtime leads to an important realization:Trinity wants long hair like her dolls. She needs it to express who she truly is. So her family decides to take a trip to the beauty supply store, but none of the wigs is the perfect fit. Determined, Mom leaves with bundles of hair in hand, ready to craft a wig as colorful and vibrant as her daughter is. With powerful text by Trinity and DeShanna Neal and radiant art by Art Twink, My Rainbow is a celebration of showing up as our full selves with the people who have seen us fully all along.
Why it was banned
Challenged in Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland, in the broader Mahmoud v. Taylor dispute over LGBTQ-inclusive elementary storybooks and parental opt-out rights.
Censorship history
My Rainbow was banned or restricted in United States in 2025 for its LGBTQ+ themes and positive depiction of queer identity. This case is part of a global pattern in which LGBTQ+ representation in literature faces disproportionate legal and institutional pressure. United States school ban context: My Rainbow was one of the LGBTQ-inclusive children's books introduced into Montgomery County Public Schools' elementary curriculum and later named in reporting and case materials around Mahmoud v. Taylor. The conflict centered on whether families with religious objections had to receive notice and opt-out opportunities when such books were used in class. MCPS later removed My Rainbow from the approved curriculum while keeping it available in school libraries, showing how schools may restrict classroom use without fully removing a book from access.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | LGBTQ+ |