University Libraries

By Zachary Lewis

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, reflect on the LGBTQ+ rights movement and look toward a future that affords all individuals equal rights and protection under the law, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The first Pride Month in the U.S. was held in 1970 in commemoration of the Stonewall uprising, a year after the 1969 riot prompted by the constant raiding and policing of the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The brave individuals involved in the Stonewall uprising, particularly Black trans women, jump-started the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Learn more about the history of Pride from the Library of Congress.

Despite progress since 1970, the fight for equality is far from over. The LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination due to inconsistent protection under the law, which varies from state to state. For instance, several states legally allow housing discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression. The folks at the University Libraries created a module that spotlights gaps in equity and includes resources on how to support the LGBTQ+ community. Check out the module to see what protections are afforded to the LGBTQ+ community in your area and to learn more about LGBTQ+ activism.

Lastly, check out the Library’s leisure reading collection and explore these and other books written by queer, trans and nonbinary authors or featuring queer and trans characters:

• Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo 
• They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott and Harmony Becker (illustrator)
• Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
• How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
• The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
• The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya (available via SearchOhio)
• Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon (available via OhioLINK)

Happy Pride!

— Zachary Lewis is an assistant professor and the student success librarian in the University Libraries.