Vancouver Island, Canada — Rebel Goose Books is releasing a read-along video featuring Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Alexandra Billings, and others to support It Gets Better’s end-of-year fundraising campaign for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

The video brings together over 20 queer icons, Emmy- and Juno-winning artists, beloved children’s entertainers, celebrated librarians, acclaimed comedians, and It Gets Better Youth Voices ambassadors, each reading a single line from Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants by Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias. The video will debut publicly during It Gets Better’s live Queerathon stream on Twitch on December 17, 2025.

“This book is about the joy of being exactly who you are,” says Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias, author-illustrator of the book. “As a queer kid, I never had stories like this. Seeing queer icons, performers, and youth reading these lines together makes me wish my younger self could have watched something like this. I hope it gives today’s kids even a fraction of the affirmation they deserve.”

Recent studies show 90% of 2SLGBTQIA+ young people have seen their well-being negatively affected by current politics. By placing queer youth alongside well-known public figures, the read-along offers a counterpoint to the hostility of today’s political climate. “The Queerathon is about visibility, hope, and community,” adds Susan Pi, publisher of Rebel Goose Books. “Bringing these voices together is our way of showing 2SLGBTQIA+ kids that they are surrounded by people who believe in them.”

Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is a whimsically joyful picture book that celebrates individuality across the rainbow-hued spectrum. It is the debut title from Rebel Goose Books and available in June 2026 wherever books are sold throughout Canada and the USA.

Rebel Goose Books and Farias will donate 2 percent of all pre-sales of the book to It Gets Better to support its storytelling, education and global community building programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

About Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias

Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias is an award-winning creative strategist, storyteller, and online creator with hundreds of thousands of followers. They first went viral after asking a local bakery for “the gayest cake ever” to celebrate their marriage to husband Jared. Chris is the founder of Unicorn Rebellion, a creative branding agency, and speaks with students, educators, and organizations about creativity, identity, and happiness. Chris was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for philanthropy and advocacy for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

About Rebel Goose Books

Rebel Goose Books is an independent publishing house located on Vancouver Island, Canada. Their mission is to champion stories requiring courage to tell, stories reflecting the vibrant, complex world children and teens live in today—where challenges are met with resilience, differences are celebrated, and every experience offers a chance to grow.

About It Gets Better 

It Gets Better is the world’s largest storytelling organization for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, offering uplifting content, community support, educational resources, and leadership programs that help young people feel seen and affirmed. Its annual end-of-year fundraising campaign brings together creators, educators, and community leaders to raise awareness and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth around the world.

For More Information

Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants: www.guineapigsdontwearpants.com
Rebel Goose Books: www.rebelgoosebooks.com
It Gets Better: www.itgetsbetter.org

It Gets Better Queerathon Event Details

Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Time: 11:15 a.m. PT / 2:15 p.m. ET
Format: Live telethon-style stream
Fundraising Goal: $150,000 USD
Donate: itgetsbetter.org/donate
Watch Live: It Gets Better’s Twitch: www.twitch.tv/itgetsbetter