A Little Background...
PRIDE month is observed each June to honor and celebrate; to protest and to mourn. The first PRIDE parade was held on June 28, 1970, exactly a year after the Stonewall Uprising in New York City to commemorate the 1969 uprisings when thousands of homosexuals demonstrated against historic discrimination, anti-homosexual laws, and abuse. The first PRIDE march had three to five thousand marchers. Now, millions march in New York City alone. Over time, more events were added, and the day of the march expanded to a month of workshops, concerts, lectures, and memorials for those lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. A coalition of educational organizations in the United States declared October as LGBT History Month in 1994 and the range of events have only grown from that time.
For more historical information and access to images, recordings and documents, visit the Library of Congress website: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month, opens a new window. There you will find collections such as the AIDS Memorial Quilt Records, the Aaron Copland Collection, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Collection, the Leonard Bernstein Collection, a video of the first march and much more.
Volunteers hoist one of the two original rainbow flags created for San Francisco Gay Freedom Day 1978. A segment cut from this flag was donated to the GLBT Historical Society in April 2021. Photograph by James McNamara, courtesy of Mick Hicks.
To learn about the development and evolution of the PRIDE flag read
Join us to Celebrate PRIDE at These Library Events
Attend a drag Storytime on Saturday, June 24 in West Marin at 10:30 am at the Point Reyes Library, opens a new window or at 1:00 pm at the Stinson Beach Library., opens a new window
Corte Madera Library, opens a new window invites you to contribute to the PRIDE Community Rainbow Chain! Create a vibrant chain that will snake throughout the library. This craft is perfect for families and people of all ages. It is a great activity for an individual or a group. Supplies will be available in the children’s room, teen area, and community room throughout June. Come in any time to create your links.
View Recordings of Two Prior PRIDE Presentations
Where to Celebrate Pride Month 2023 in California, opens a new window
This website links to events throughout the State. There’s a lot going on in the San Francisco Bay Area, including in Sonoma County and Sausalito.
A Few of the Many LGBTQ+ Resources Available in the S. F. Bay Area
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Historical Society, opens a new window, founded in 1985 and located in San Francisco, collects, preserves, exhibits and makes accessible to the public materials and knowledge to support and promote understanding of LGBTQ history, culture, and arts.
The Spahr Center, opens a new window in Marin County provides programs for youth, families, and seniors, services for people living with HIV, HIV prevention and testing services as well as trainings for organizations on LTBTQ+ cultural awareness and health equity.
The SF LGBT Center, opens a new window is a well-established community organization. They provide support, resources, programs, plus financial, employment, and small business services.
Transgender Law Center, opens a new window is based in Oakland and Los Angeles. Their Information Helpdesk provides basic information about laws and policies in the United States that affect transgender people across many areas, including employment, health care, housing, civil rights, immigration, prisoners’ rights, and identity document changes.
TurnOut, opens a new window is a nonprofit dedicated to recruiting volunteers, staff, and Board members for queer and trans nonprofits. They have a comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, opens a new window on their website.
Browse the Library!
Celebrate with the Pride Collection on kanopy
LGBTQ Cinema, opens a new window on kanopy, opens a new window
- Choose from romance, drama, comedy, short films and academy award winners.
- Streaming movies are instantly available! Check out up to 8 items a month with your Library Card
LGBTQ Book Lists
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