June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQ+ individuals and their struggles and accomplishments. Pride parades started as a way to remember the Stonewall Riots of 1969. LGBTQ+ patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, fought back against police attempting to close the bar. Starting in 1970, Pride became a protest for LGBTQ+ rights, and has now morphed into a celebratory time for LGBTQ+ people. Now, Pride spans the whole month of June and is celebrated in numerous countries. Click on the Pride flag to learn more about the history of Pride.
Read on to learn about what LGBTQ+ stands for, resources for the LGBTQ+ community, and YDL and community events surrounding Pride.
What does LGBTQ+ Stand for?
LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The plus represents those in the LGBTQ+ community whose letters aren’t recognized in the acronym. Some LGBTQ+ individuals take issue with using “queer” as a term due its history as a slur towards the community, but many are reclaiming the term in modern times.
Library Events
In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month and First Fridays, Ozone House’s PrideZone will have an inclusive celebration of LGBTQ+ culture for teens and young adults, ages 12-24.
PrideZone is a social and support group for teens 12-17 years old who identify as LGBTQ+.
PrideZone is a social and support group for young adults 18-24 years old who identify as LGBTQ+.
June 18 will be Pride Storytime at the Market, where we’ll have songs, crafts, and stories of diversity, acceptance, love, friendship, and all the colors of the rainbow.
Pride Month display
Join us in the Youth Department to celebrate Pride. With this display, you can learn about important LGBTQ+ figures and read about the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Community Pride Events
From June 3-24, celebrate LGBTQ+ art at The Gallery by Stone and Spoon. This exhibition is located on the second floor of Stone and Spoon, at 110 W Michigan Avenue. You can attend the opening night reception on June 3 from 5-8pm.
Self-care is important! Zion Well will be holding an all-levels yoga event at Riverside Park on June 5. A mental health fair for LGBTQ+ individuals looking for resources or LGBTQ+ yoga practitioners will be available. Tickets sales benefit Ozone House.
Celebrate Pride at Vibe UPP’s Pride event at Bridge Community Café. There will be two DJs playing a variety of music. Dancing is encouraged. This event takes place on June 8 at 6:45, with an admissions price of $3. Part of the proceeds will go to Vibe UPP’s outreach program.
Common Flags
Click on any of these flags to learn more about its meaning and the meanings of other common Pride flags.
Progress Pride Flag
Lesbian Pride Flag
Nonbinary Pride Flag
Transgender Pride Flag
Asexual Pride Flag
Bisexual Pride Flag
Notable LGBTQ+ People
Below are 3 of the many notable members of the LGBTQ+ community. You can find library materials about them by clicking on the image.
For more reading materials about the LGBTQ+ community, including notable figures and issues facing the community, click here.
For information on discussing gender and sexuality with young readers, click here.
Harvey Milk was one of America’s first LGBTQ+ elected officials. Milk identified as gay. He served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and fought for LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination, low-income housing, and tax-code reform. Milk was in office for less than 1 year before he was assassinated by a former board colleague.
Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender and gay rights activist in her lifetime; she herself identified as a trans woman and as gay. Johnson was present at the Stonewall riots. However, Johnson wasn’t just an LGBTQ+ activist; she also protested against police oppression, fought for better rights for prisoners, and was an AIDS activist. Johnson died in 1992.
RuPaul Charles is a gay drag queen best known for his TV competition show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. He is also an actor, singer, and activist. RuPaul’s activism includes supporting voter registration efforts, especially encouraging LGBTQ+ individuals to register and vote.
RESOURCES
Ozone House has resources available to homeless and struggling youth, as well as LGBTQ+ youth-specific assistance. A crisis line, counseling, housing, and school and job assistance are available. Ozone House also has Pridezone every Thursday.
The Trevor Project is national resource for LGBTQ+ individuals. There is a crisis line with LGBTQ+-educated counselors, as well as LGBTQ+-specific information regarding identity, mental health, and resources.
The Jim Toy Community Center is a local organization focused on sharing information about local LGBTQ+ events and groups. Information about legal assistance for LGBTQ+ individuals can also be found on their website.
U of M’s Spectrum Center has information and tips for the general LGBTQ+ community, as well as events and resources that U of M students and staff can take advantage of.
The Human Rights Campaign is a national resource for information about health, coming out, laws and legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community, and resources for allies.