In case it isn’t clear, I love Pride Month! As a book lover and introvert who doesn’t have access to a lot of Pride Month events (ours are in November for some reason), I wanted to share some ways you can celebrate and enjoy the month of June with a rainbow twist.
Leave your recommendations in the comments. I’d love to hear more about how you celebrate!
1. Make some pride bookmarks
Simple and creative! Get crafty alone or with family and friends by making your own pride bookmarks. It’s a relatively low-cost way to have some pride themed merch. Will you do a rainbow? Yours or a friend’s flag? Will you make it punny? (“All Bi My Self” “I Have An Ace Up My Sleeve”) There are tons of jokes and examples online to draw inspiration from; Pinterest is a great place to start!
And it goes hand in hand with the next activity.
2. Read books that celebrate queerness
In the wake of mass book bans, you’re probably already familiar with a few titles. Gender Queer, All Boys Aren’t Blue, Prince & Knight. Whatever your preferred genre is, there is a queer book out there for you. Nonfiction, middle-grade, graphic novel, action adventure, mystery. Look for something about queer folx just being their normal happy selves.
Bonus: read about an identity or dynamic you aren’t too familiar with. Never read about queer platonic relationships? An intersex mc? Now’s your chance to learn something new.
3. Listen to a queer podcast
Too busy to read this June? That’s okay, sometimes weeks go by when I’m unable to read anything. But I still need something to fill the silence during my 40 minute commute. Podcasts are great for filling in those quiet moments. And there are some amazing ones out there!
I’m partial to fiction so shows like the Penumbra Podcast and Night Vale, but more niche productions, like Where the Stars Fell and King Falls AM, are also fantastic. Once again there is something for everyone!
4. Chat with some LGBTQ+ bookstagrammers
If you’re here you probably love stories and books (if you don’t you may be lost, but feel free to stick around). Finding some #lgbtbookstagrammers to follow and talk about books with will open your reading options exponentially! They are the best when it comes to book recommendations. It can be hard to connect with people irl, and finding a group of friends who can relate to the queer aspects of your life isn’t always possible. I joined bookstagram when I realized I’d found people I could be open with and I’ve been here ever since.
Best of all, most are very welcoming! Don’t be shy. Send someone a message to say hi!
5. Research!
I know this might not be everyone’s thing, but I love research! Studying history and culture is my jam. The queer community has a very long and very interesting history. It didn’t all start at Stonewall, although the contributions of that event have shaped the foundations of today. Queer people have always existed. Learning about some of the LGBTQ+ people who’ve contributed to the world we live in is a nice way to connect with the past, and serve as a reminder that we’ve always existed and will continue to exist.
A few ideas to start with: Harry Allen, Alan Turing, Josephine Baker, Emperor Ai of Han, Empress Elagabalus.
6. Donate to organizations fighting book bans
Recent book bans are disproportionately affecting books on the subjects of race and LGBTQ+. Large organizations from ALA to publisher Penguin Random House are fighting these bans in court, while smaller organizations and individuals are working on the ground to keep these books in the hands of children who need them. If you can, show your support by donating books or funds to these organizations to keep the fight going.
Alternatively: Not everyone can make a monetary donation and that’s perfectly fine. Write to your legislators about book bans. Something nearly everyone can donate is time. Find the information for your officials and let them know you don’t support censorship or book bans. These are elected officials meant to make decisions that represent the will of the people. Let them know what side the people fall on.
National Coalition Against Censorship | PEN America | Freedom to Read Foundation
7. Joing an LGBTQ+ Readathon
There are great readathons and reading challenges out there, and during pride month there are even more to encourage diverse reading and education. With some searching, you’re sure to find one that fits your reading style. Whether you’re looking to focus on biographies or lesbians or graphic novels or romances, there is a readathon out there for you.
Check #bookstagram on Instagram for ideas. ObscurePages hosts one every year, and BookwormPanda and NightReads have one as well. Goodreads is another great place if you like forum style posting and chatting about your books. If you still can’t find one, set a goal for yourself and work towards it! So long as you’re reading, you’re winning. And don’t forget to read queer all year!
8. Support Queer Bookstores
Pride Month is often a big month for queer owned businesses, finding ways to show your support can go a long way to the survival of these businesses. If you can’t afford a new book right now, check out their merch. I always find the best stickers in these places! Oftentimes their merch is curated by local artists which means you’ll have something unique and you’ll have supported two independents for the price of one!
Share their posts on social media, attend their events, let them know you care. And if you don’t have any near you don’t sweat it. Most shops have online stores these days so you can still support them even if it’s from far away. Or show the same support to your local library. Check out those banned books, see what the big deal is! Everything I’ve mentioned above counts here too. Those statistics and positive support let them know you care!
The Ripped Bodice | Meet Cute Romance Bookshop | Dog Eared Books
Fictional Wanderings 