What Does LGBTQIA+ Mean?

LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive acronym representing a wide range of identities and experiences.

Lesbian – women attracted to women

Gay – people attracted to the same gender

Bisexual – attraction to more than one gender

Transgender – people whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth

Queer/Questioning – umbrella terms for identities outside traditional norms or for those exploring their identity

Intersex – people born with natural variations in sex characteristics

Asexual – people who experience little or no sexual attraction

+ – represents additional identities, including nonbinary, pansexual, genderfluid, and more

Pride Month celebrates identity, community, history, and the ongoing pursuit of equality and inclusion.

LGBTQ+ History & Pride

Pride Month is celebrated each June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a major turning point in LGBTQ+ rights history.

The rainbow Pride flag was created in 1978 by artist Gilbert Baker. The original flag featured eight colors, each representing values such as life, healing, sunlight, nature, and spirit.

Throughout history, LGBTQ+ people have contributed greatly to music, literature, activism, science, film, and the arts.

Notable LGBTQ+ Figures

Music & Entertainment

Elton John

Lady Gaga

Lil Nas X

Troye Sivan

Chappell Roan

Melissa Etheridge

Brandi Carlile

Sam Smith

Film & Television

Elliot Page

Laverne Cox

Neil Patrick Harris

Billy Porter

Sarah Paulson

Jodie Foster

Cynthia Nixon

Ian McKellen

Activists & Historical Figures

Harvey Milk

Marsha P. Johnson

Bayard Rustin

Sylvia Rivera

Cleve Jones

Recommended LGBTQ+ Books

History & Nonfiction

Transgender History — Susan Stryker

A Queer History of the United States — Michael Bronski

Making Gay History — Eric Marcus

When Brooklyn Was Queer — Hugh Ryan

The Stonewall Reader — The New York Public Library

Books for Children & Families

And Tango Makes Three — Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell

The Family Book — Todd Parr

I Am Jazz — Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag — Rob Sanders

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! — Joy Michael Ellison

Did You Know?

Same-sex relationships and gender diversity have existed throughout recorded history across many cultures.

More than 1,500 animal species have displayed same-sex behavior.

Illinois became the first U.S. state to decriminalize homosexuality in 1961.

Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.

Support & Resources

Mental Health & Crisis Support

The Trevor Project
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988

Educational Resources

Library of Congress LGBTQ+ Research Guides
https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/

National Park Service LGBTQ+ Heritage
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lgbtqheritage/index.htm

Human Rights Campaign Resources
https://www.hrc.org/resources

Happy Pride Month! Libraries are spaces for learning, inclusion, community, and celebrating every story

Pride Month Resources