June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month
Foster Parenting in Henrico: An Inclusive Effort
A particular sexual orientation or gender identity is not a prerequisite for becoming a foster parent in Henrico County — just a big heart. Henrico Social Services is looking for families who can provide a loving and affirming home for young people in the county’s foster care program.
Resources
Bolt.StraightforEquality.org Guide to Being an Ally
GLSEN Championing LGBTQ issues in K-12 education
GLSEN There’s More to Allyship Than Pride and Rainbows
Virginia Pride Vision and Mission
Engagement | Events
History
June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month. This month-long celebration demonstrates how LGBTQ Americans have strengthened our country, by using their talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill. The first Pride March in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months. National Coming Out Day (October 11), as well as the first “March on Washington” in 1979, are commemorated in the LGBTQ community during LGBT History Month.
Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Traditions
By all estimates, there were three to five thousand marchers at the inaugural Pride in New York City, and today marchers in New York City number in the millions. Since 1970, LGBTQ+ people have continued to gather together in June to march with Pride and demonstrate for equal rights.
Library of Congress. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/
Celebrate Pride Month with Henrico County Public Library
Henrico County Public Library Celebrates Pride Month – Library News
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! What originally began as a day to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising (Gay Pride Day) has since evolved into an official month-long celebration that recognizes the impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (questioning), intersex and asexual identifying people have had on history (Library of Congress). We are marking the occasion with a list of titles that celebrate authors and characters belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. Read on for recommended books for children, tweens, teens and adults!
YOUNG CHILDREN
- Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson
- They, She, He, Me: Free to Be by Maya Gonzalez
- I am Jazz by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel
- Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty
ELEMENTARY
- People of Pride: 25 Great LGBTQ Americans by Chase Clemesha
- Melissa by Alex Gino
- Too Bright To See by Kyle Lukoff
TWEEN
- Felix Yz by Lisa Bunker
- The Pants Project by Cat Clarke
- Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Gus Allen and ND Stevenson
- Martin McLean, Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek
TEEN
- Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
- Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
- Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
- Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
- The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
ADULTS
