Julie Schanke Lyford

Julie Schanke Lyford is an award-winning author and lifelong activist for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Trained by Minnesota United for All Families, Julie has traveled throughout Minnesota to deliver speeches, working to rally the vote for Marriage Equiy in Minnesota. Julie's activism has been recognized with the Lavender Community Award and featured in NPR, Publishers Weekly, the Star Tribune, West St. Paul Reader, and The Bay Area Reporter.

As the author of Katy Has Two Grampas and Adi's Animal Adventures, Julie believes in the power of representation in children's literature to create a better, more inclusive world.

Julie lives in West Saint Paul, Minnesota with her husband, two kids, and their rescue dog, Wallace. To learn more, visit julieschankelyford.