Celebrating Pride Month With Destiny From DiscoverEd With Destiny

Pride Month is celebrated in the United States during June. This is to commemorate The Stonewall Uprising that took place in June of 1969. This event was pivotal in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and in the Gay Liberation movement. The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, and LGBTQ+ Pride Month events that 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.

While Pride Month is widely celebrated across the globe, LGBTQ+ stories and perspectives continue to be underrepresented in classroom curriculum, libraries, and more. Using LGBTQ+ books and stories is a great way to start conversations with your students and loved ones about Pride Month and its history.

In honor of Pride Month, I have teamed up with The Madison Reading Project to share some essential books to read during this month in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and Pride Month.

Help us share these books with our community by purchasing and/or donating from our Bookshop page!

Don’t miss our other posts on the importance of Affirming and Gender-Inclusive Books for Kids and Teens, and our kids book list to celebrate Pride Month all year long!

Elementary Level Books About Pride & LGBTQ+ History

Pride Puppy

by Robin Stevenson and Julie McLaughlin

This picture book is for PK-1 grade level readers that follows a family who participates in a Pride Parade and meets many different people and identities on the way to find their lost puppy.

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!

by Joy Michael Ellison and Teshika Silver

This illustrated book introduces children to Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, the two transgender women of color whose presence at The Stonewall Uprising was instrumental to the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. They both dedicated their lives to supporting those in the community. This book is suitable for K-3 readers and provides excellent visuals for learners.

Stonewall: A Building, An Uprising, A Revolution

by Rob Sanders and Jamey Christoph

This picture book for K-3 readers is a civil rights story that discusses the events of The Stonewall Inn Uprising for young readers to understand and learn about LGBTQ+ History. The story is told from the perspective of the building and recalls historical events and context prior to that night at The Stonewall Inn.

Gay & Lesbian History For Kids: The Century Long Struggle for LGBT Rights

by Jerome Pohlen

This collection of LGBTQ+ history, icons, and events that contribute to the rich and full history of the LGBTQ+ movement is suitable for readers in grades 4-6. This book also offers activities to complete with your readers.

The Stonewall Riots

by Gayle E. Pitman

This book is about The Stonewall Uprising that took place in response to the police raid that took place at The Stonewall Inn, in Greenwich Village, NYC in 1969. The book includes interviews of witnesses, or people involved and helps readers understand the history and legacy of the LGBTQ+ movement. This book is suitable for readers in grade 5 and up.

Middle School Level Books About Pride & LGBTQ+ History

Queer Heroes

by Arabelle Sicardi and Sarah Tanat-Jones

An inspirational book for readers in grades 5-10 that recounts the lives of 53 Queer Heroes from throughout history and all over the world. You and your reader can learn about artists, writers, activists, and more - all taking a look at their contributions and successes across the globe.

Rainbow Revolutionaries

by Sarah Prager

This is a celebratory book that examines the lives of influential LGBTQ+ people throughout history. It features biographies, timelines, and a glossary that all help feature LGBTQ+ community members from all across the globe and it is suitable for readers in grades 3-7.

Pride: The Celebration and The Struggle

by Robin Stevenson

This book explores LGBTQ+ history and activism in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It features many LGBTQ+ victories over the past 50 years and how we can continue to advocate for the community. There are stories, biographies, and events to dive into with your reader who is in grades 4-7.

High School Level Books About Pride & LGBTQ+ History

A Queer History of the United States for Young People

by Michael Bronski

Designed for readers who are in grades 7-12, this book explores the LGBTQ+ history of the past through narratives, poems, biographies, and more to explore the history of the LGBTQ+, even prior to The Stonewall Inn Uprising. This book offers insight into the rich and expansive LGBTQ+ history from precolonial times to now.

We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation

by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown

This high school reader level book examines Queer liberation through the lenses of protest, power, and pride. It offers meaningful context to the rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement throughout the 19th century, the monumental uprising at The Stonewall Inn, and the fight for inclusion today. It combines visuals and narrative storytelling to help readers understand the past and how it has impacted the future of LGBTQ+ rights.

I hope you found some reading recommendations to add to your own shelves to share the wonderful contributions to the world made by the LGBTQ+ community and the history of Pride Month. Please share any other LGBTQ+ titles that you use to discuss Pride and its history with your readers.

I would love to hear about your reading adventures and LGBTQ+ inclusion journey! You can reach me via Instagram @discoveredwithdestiny, my website discoveredwithdestiny.com, or learn more about LGBTQ+ History with me on my podcast @closetedhistory. I’d love to hear from you!

About Destiny:

Destiny is a LGBTQ+ Consultant and former middle and high school English Language Arts teacher. She helps others to become better allies for the LGBTQ+ community through resources, workshops, and coaching. She is committed to helping create more equitable spaces for all.