Why do we celebrate Pride in June?
Pride events are held in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969, opens a new window. 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 2024, 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 to 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. This year, we hope that everyone can stay vigilant to protect the rights of the queer community, while also finding joy in Pride Month. There is no better time than the present to support LGBTQ+ rights, whether you're a member of the queer community or an ally!
Want to celebrate Pride? Below are some ideas for how you can participate!
Pride Month at Alameda County Library:
Stop by AC Library throughout June for Pride events and activities:
- Spill the Tea Pride Party at Dublin Library on June 11
- Fremont Pride Fair at Fremont Main Library on Saturday, June 15
- Family Pride Storytime & Parade at Fremont Main Library on Thursday, June 20
- Rainbow Family Stay & Play at San Lorenzo Library on Tuesday, June 25
- Musical Bingo: Pride Edition at San Lorenzo Library on Thursday, June 27
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Pride Giveaways:
- Celebrate LGBTQ+ authors and voices! Pick up a free book, available while supplies last.
- Pick up our Sustainable Pride Craft Kit at any AC Library location. Kits are available only while supplies last!
- Participate in Summer Adventure 2024: Engaging the Senses and complete an activity surrounding your sense of PRIDE! Visit our calendar for more events to come!
Celebrate Pride in the Bay Area:
- Participate in San Francisco's Annual Trans March on June 28
- Attend San Francisco Pride on June 30, a popular event that's been going on for over 50 years
- Take in a concert and see the SF Gay Man's Chorus
- Visit the site of the Compton's Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco and learn more about LGBTQ+ history
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 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Reading Together
Take a look at AC Library's Pride booklists:
My favorite books to read during Pride month (level goes from infant to adult)
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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