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IMC Book Displays: Pride Month

What Is Pride Month?

“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.”

Source: Library of Congress

Presented annually, the Stonewall Book Award is presented to children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. See the IMC's book list of past Stonewall Book Award winners.

Recent Stonewall Book Award Winners

Love, Violet

Winner of the 2023 Stonewall Book Award for Children
By Charlotte Sullivan Wild
Recommended: Ages 6-8
Pages: 32
Summary: "Of all the kids in Violet's class, only one leaves her speechless: Mira. But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, Violet goes shy. As Valentine's Day approaches, Violet is determined to tell Mira just how special she is." --From Publisher's Description

Kapaemahu

2023 Stonewall Honor 
By Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu
Recommended: Ages 4-8
Pages: 32
Summary: "Four individuals of dual male and female spirit bring their healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, where they are beloved for their gentle ways and miraculous cures." --From Publisher's Description

Strong

2023 Stonewall Honor
By Rob Kearney
Recommended: Ages 4-8
Pages: 34
Summary: "This inspirational picture book memoir from the world's first openly gay professional strongman competitor speaks to the joyful power of discovering your strengths." --From Publisher's Description

Previous Stonewall Book Award Winners, Young Adult

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

2022 Stonewall Winner

Almost Flying

2022 Stonewall Honor

The Darkness Outside Us

2022 Stonewall Honor

You Should See Me in a Crown

2021 Stonewall Honor

Felix Ever After

2021 Stonewall Honor

Previous Stonewall Book Award Winners, Picture Books

Grandad's Camper

2022 Stonewall Honor

When Aidan Became a Brother

2020 Stonewall Winner

Julián Is a Mermaid

2019 Stonewall Winner

This Day in June

2015 Stonewall Winner

Featured Educator Resources

Reading the Rainbow

Drawing on examples of teaching from elementary school classrooms, this timely book for practitioners explains why LGBTQ-inclusive literacy instruction is possible, relevant, and necessary in grades K-5. 

LGBTQAI+ Books for Children and Teens

This resource gives school librarians, children's, and YA librarians the guidance and tools they need to confidently share these books with the patrons they support.

Reading and Teaching with Diverse Nonfiction Children's Books

The authors respond to the urgent need to advance scholarship on children's nonfiction literature that provides representations of traditionally marginalized populations.

Librarian

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Leigh Barnes
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Contact:
Belk Library and Information Commons
(828) 262-7578

LGBTQIA+ Book Lists