Celebrating Pride Month: Reading Recommendations, Activities, Events, and More

Every June, LGBTQAI+ communities across the United States celebrate Pride Month. Now known for joyful celebrations like parades, festivals, and parties, Pride began as a political demonstration. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, violence broke out during a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay nightclub in New York’s Greenwich Village. Raids were common at gay bars at the time, but this one was different.

The 250 patrons inside the bar refused to cooperate, and a crowd quickly formed outside. By the time a police wagon arrived to transport them to the police station, hundreds of people were outside the Stonewall Inn, most in solidarity of the men and women being arrested.

The tension in the crowd came to a boil when an officer hit a handcuffed woman in the head with his baton. The woman fought back, and while reports from the night vary, multiple accounts recall her shouting at the onlookers, asking them why no one was doing anything. From there, the crowd became a mob and the riots officially began.

Though she was never officially identified, many people believe it was Stormé DeLarverie, a biracial, lesbian, drag king from New Orleans.

Now known as the Stonewall Riots, the five days of unrest is widely considered the beginning of the gay rights movement. Across the nation, LGBTQ groups were forming and becoming more vocal, laying the foundation for what would become a decades-long fight for rights. On June 28, 1970 –– the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots –– the U.S. saw its first Gay Pride marches. In addition to the Christopher Street Liberation Day assembly at the site of the riots, demonstrators marched in Los Angeles and Chicago, starting the tradition that we know today as Pride.

Pride Events & Giveaways

The Library aims to be a safe space for all people, regardless of age, race, sexual or gender identity, or socioeconomic status. We believe in access for everyone, and make it our mission to be a welcoming and helpful place for all. Look for the Library at Longue Vue House & Garden Family Equality Day on May 31. Staff will be handing out books, limited-edition “read the rainbow” fans, and more.

Library staff will also be at Pride Prom, a free event for LGBTQ+ and supporting youth, ages 16-20 on May 5.

Throughout the month, Library locations across the city will also be hosting a wide variety of free Pride-themed events for all ages. From drag queen storytimes to teen hangouts, crafting sessions to author talks, we’ve got something for everyone. Check out our Pride events below, or browse our full programming calendar for even more great, free events this month at events.nolalibrary.org or by downloading the NOLALibrary app.

Limited-edition Read the Rainbow fans will be given out at all Library Pride Month programs.

Want the swag but can’t make it to a program? Come visit any Library location in the month of June for free Read the Rainbow buttons and bookmarks, while supplies last.

Pride Reading Recommendations

The Library has dozens of books, movies, and more celebrating the lives, legacies, and impacts of the people who forged the way for equality, and the LGBTQIA individuals and communities still fighting today.

Find suggestions for all ages to read the rainbow this month:

Pride Streaming Recommendations

If you’re looking for something to watch, explore Kanopy’s Pride Collection. From LGBTQ cinema and biographies to relevant histories and current affairs, Kanopy’s streaming collection is a great way to celebrate queer filmmakers and understand more about the issues facing LGBTQIA communities past and present.

Pride Activities

Take & Make Craft Kits

Pick up a craft kit for children to take and make at home. All Library locations have a limited number of craft kits containing an instruction sheet and items to create a craft. New crafts are available on the first Monday of each month. Additional supplies may be required and will be noted on the instruction sheet.

This June, we’re celebrating Pride Month by making inspirational hand-lettered art inspired by artist Lisa Congdon.

Congdon is a queer artist, writer, and activist who is self-taught and didn’t start pursuing a career as an artist until she was in her late 30s. Her style is bold and colorful, taking influence from folk art traditions, and her work often features hand-lettered text and inspirational quotes.

For this Take & Make, practice making block letters in a simple but fun style, then create your own hand-lettered Pride art. The kits include a list of inspirational quotes or messages, but kids are encouraged to come up with their own.

Share your creations with us by tagging our social accounts @nolalibrary or email impact@nolalibrary.org.

Exploring Pride History

With gay and lesbian social clubs dating back to the 1940s, New Orleans has a rich LGBTQAI history and culture. The Library’s City Archives & Special Collections holds a robust catalog of historic records, publications, newspapers, and more that can help researchers understand the culture, politics, and social foundation of New Orleans’ queer communities.

Archives staff recommend exploring the below collections this Pride:

To see these and other collections in person, please contact the City Archives & Special Collections staff at 504-596-2610 or archivist@nolalibrary.org.