Why Do We Celebrate Pride in June?
Pride events are held in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969. At that time, LGBTQ+ people often faced criminalization and harassment for their sexual orientation and were subject to frequent raids and even violence at the hands of law enforcement. Prominent leaders like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy worked to turn this rebellion into a lifelong revolution for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Nearly a decade ago, June became another banner month for the queer community. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court held in a 5–4 decision (Obergefell v. Hodges) that the Fourteenth Amendment requires all states to grant and recognize same-sex marriages. Unfortunately, in 2025, the voices and liberties of the queer community are still being suppressed. Many states are proposing and even passing legislation that restricts the rights and speech of LGBTQ+ students, teachers, and their families. Some states are even proposing bills that criminalize offering certain books, to the point of threatening jail librarians and teachers.
The American Library Association has been tracking censorship attempts, but these laws are becoming more common. At Alameda County Library, we honor the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community and oppose the censorship attempts of books. Whether you're a member of the queer community or an ally, there is no better time than the present to support LGBTQ+ rights while also finding joy in Pride Month.
Join the 2025 celebration! Below are a few ways you can take part in Pride.
Pride Month at Alameda County Library:
Stop by AC Library throughout June for Pride events and activities:
- Musical Bingo: Pride Month at the San Lorenzo Library on Monday, June 2 at 5:30 pm
- Homemade Flags and Banners for Pride Month at the San Lorenzo Library on Sunday, June 8 at 3:00 pm
- Light Up the Night Pride Party at the San Lorenzo Library on Tuesday, June 10 at 1:00 pm
- Pride Storytime (Early Birds) at the San Lorenzo Library on Wednesday, June 11 at 10:30 am
- Party Storytime (Later Gators) at the San Lorenzo Library on Wednesday, June 11 at 11:30 am
- Rainbow Princess Storytime at the Centerville Library on Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 am
- Juneteenth Pride Festival at the San Lorenzo Library on Saturday, June 14 at 12:00 pm
- Fremont Pride Storytime & Parade at Fremont Main Library on Wednesday, June 18 at 11:15 am
- Film Screening: Milk at the Albany Library on Sunday, June 15 at 1:30 pm
- Rainbow Family Stay & Play at the San Lorenzo Library on Wednesday, June 18 at 2:00 pm
- Fremont Pride Fair 2025 at the Fremont Main Library on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 am
- Drag Storytime at the Fremont Main Library on Saturday, June 21 at 10:30 am
Pride Giveaways
- In partnership with the Garden Center, pick up a free Lavender Seed Kit, available while supplies last.
- Participate in Summer Adventure 2025: Imagine & Build! Complete fun activities that you can build around Pride! Visit our calendar for events throughout the summer.
Celebrate Pride in the Bay Area:
- Queer Love Youth Pride at REACH Ashland Youth Center on Friday, June 6 at 3:00 pm
- San Francisco's Annual Trans March at Dolores Park on Friday, June 27 at 6:00 pm
- Friday Nights at OMCA celebrates Pride Month at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) on Friday, June 27 at 5:00 pm
- San Francisco Pride on Sunday, June 29 at 10:30 am
Resources from the American Library Association (ALA):
- Check out the American Library Association (ALA)'s stance on censorship, racial justice and free speech, and affirming the rights of transgender people.
- Fight censorship by reading banned books! Many of the books from the American Library Association's awarded "Rainbow List" are under attack, with some seeking to move or even ban them from schools, and libraries. Read books from the ALA Rainbow List in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Reading Together
Explore AC Library's Pride booklists:
Offers authentic books from queer authors who are queer and disabled or neurodivergent (or both!). Includes #actuallyautistic books.
LGBTQ+ History reading list
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