Pride month is celebrated annually every June to commemorate the Stonewall Riot that took place in Manhattan, New York on June 28, 1969. Police regularly raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular hangout for queer individuals, to arrest transgender and gender non-conforming people. However, on that fateful night in 1969, patrons fought back, resulting in an uprising that would fundamentally change LGBTQ+ history forever. America’s very first Pride gathering took place on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in 1970. These marches served as a demonstration for equal rights post-Stonewall, and in 1999 former President Bill Clinton officially declared June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, renamed to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month in 2009.

In the years since Stonewall, Pride Month has allowed queer people of all backgrounds to come together and celebrate themselves and the people who fought for the rights we share today. For many, Pride is still a continued measure to push for equality and anti-discrimination policies. For others, it’s a joyful celebration of community, identity, and belonging. 

To honor this annual celebration, Richmond Public Library is proud to provide a curated list of materials written by and for the queer community. We hope you enjoy our ever-growing queer-friendly collection and the fantastic representation found in these stories and histories. For even more suggestions, check out our booklists for Adults, Teens, and Families!

Additionally, Richmond Public Library will be hosting several curated Pride programs throughout the month of June for crafting, community, and legal concerns. For a deep-dive on all events offered, chat with library staff to find out more!

Happy Pride Month!