June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in honor of the Stonewall Riots against police brutality of LGBTQIA+ folks in Manhattan in 1969, considered to be the tipping point of the LGBTQIA+ Civil Rights Movement. What began as a single day to commemorate the lives lost and celebrate the lives freed in those initial riots, is now a month-long celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community's successes and struggles, culminating in gorgeous displays of Pride with parades, parties, and unbridled joy. Pride is one of the few days, if not the only day for some, we can truly be ourselves and be seen for who we are; to be in a completely supportive and celebrated environment; to not have to justify our existence, our worth, our humanity for a weekend, a day, or even a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.
Pride allows us a moment to celebrate how far we've come, but remind us how much further we have to go to achieve the goals of radical justice and empathy, access to affirming healthcare, and the opportunity to thrive and live unabashedly as our true selves.
Check out our new LGBTQIA+ Resource Page!
Launched earlier in 2022, SJPL is proud to have a website dedicated to supporting our LGBTQIA+ patrons, and staff, with links to a variety of local and online resources, book lists for all ages curated by SJPL librarians, and a quick link to browse upcoming LGBTQIA+ centered programs. Keep an eye on this page, as we grow our collection of resources.
From all of us at SJPL, we see you and we are here for you. Happy Pride!
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