Story Tags

Remembering Baldwin and Rustin

African-American Elders of the LGBTQ+ Movement

Pride Month is always a time to remember the elders of the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the fight they lead for a world where all people could live free, full lives no matter what their gender identity or sexual orientation. In 2020, it is particularly important for us to remember the lives of LGBTQ African-Americans who came before us. For Pride 2020, take some time to learn about Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin, gay Black men whose legacy of wisdom, truth and leadership continue to be a model for us all.

LGBTQ Pride

SciFi Pride

A Book List for Pride 2020 and Black in Space

Let's kick off Pride season by celebrating LGBTQ+ writers, especially works by African American writers. Here in D.C., the virtual event Black in Space will celebrate and uplift the Black LGBTQ+ experience across time and space. To join the celebration, here is a fabulous playlist of queer sci-fi, fantasy and horror for you to enjoy and dance across the universe.

Growing Up Different

We're no longer in an age that hides LGBTQ+ stories. In fact there are more and more stories that celebrate and illuminate LGBT+ lives with dignity and care. Here are five books that truly prove the power of representation.

Too Gay for America

Challenged books featuring same-sex content

Banned Books Week, which occurs every September, is a very important time for people who endorse reading without restrictions.

Fantasy PRIDE

Fantasy Novels Featuring LGBTQ+ Characters

Nerd culture is all the rage these days, and it’s never been cooler to be into science fiction, horror, and fantasy than it is right now. Fans are diving deep into mythologies and histories of invented worlds, finding themselves in the sword-fighting, spell-casting, dragon-riding, and laser-shooting heroes that dominate our media. But what if you’re a queer lover of space opera and epic fantasy and superhero smackdowns?

Is This Really Controversial?

Books about teens that have been challenged by parents, schools or libraries.

Banned Books Week is a very popular time for readers everywhere.

A Difference Book List

Children, Tweens and Teens

In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day/Week many will seek out opportunities to make their communities more inclusive. Some will give aid to the unseen. Some will make their feelings known through writing campaigns and protests. Others will learn more about those who are different from themselves. The following book list is in the spirit of inclusion through seeing and validating difference.

Washington Blade 1980s cover, December 29, 1989

Welcome to the '80s!

Washington Blade digitized archives 1969-1989 online

We've got the '80s covered -- The Washington Blade newspaper 1969 to 1989 is all now online! Work to digitize all of the nation's oldest still-publishing LGBT newspaper's archives by DC Public Library, Special Collections are ongoing.