The New York Public Library Marks LGBT Pride Month with a Packed Schedule of Programming
JUNE 5, 2017 - For the month of June, The New York Public Library will celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride with an exciting array of programs and initiatives for all ages across our 92 branches. The Library has long supported the LGBT community, including a flash display marking the Supreme Court’s historic decision on same-sex marriage in 2015 as well as holding one of the preeminent collections of LGBT material, with at least 100,000 volumes and over 300 archival collections from individuals and activist organizations
At the center of the Library’s Pride celebrations is #RainbowReading; a collection of book lists which shine a spotlight on the vast range of books written by, about, and for the LGBTQ+ community. Split into three categories: Kids, Teens, and Adults, the lists includes picture books, memoirs, fiction, graphic novels, poetry, and photography. Curated by librarians across the system, each list contains 30 books - one for each day of the month.
After kicking things off with an LGBT Pride Edition of The Schomburg Center's First Fridays series on June 2, the Library has a full calendar of LGBT-related programming spread across the month. Two major highlights include:
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6/16: Anti-Prom: Gods & Goddesses: Anti-Prom is a safe, alternative prom that welcomes all teens, regardless of sexuality, gender identity, the way you dress, or any other reason. Attendees can dance the night away at the landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building and check out the Gods & Goddesses-inspired fashions created by NYPL’s teen designers.
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6/30: The Library After Hours: The city’s most cerebral happy hour is back and celebrating LGBT Pride. Hosted at the Schwarzman Building, Library After Hours offers an evening of refreshments, activities, and fun. Must be 21+ years of age to attend.
In order to reach a broader audience beyond New York City, the Library will be hosting a weekly Facebook Live series featuring live reading recommendations, Drag Queen Story Time, a behind-the-scenes preview of local teen fashion designers' work for Anti-Prom, a curator sharing items from LGBT history in NYPL's collections, and more.
Additionally, there will be a packed schedule of free programming across the branches, ranging from workshops, author talks, performances and book talks. The full list is included below.
Events
All programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted
Thursday, June 8 @ 4 PM
67th Street Library
This workshop, presented by Working with Transgender Communities, aims to combat discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming persons through discussion of issues and challenges faced by those communities.
Saturday, June 10 @ 2:45 PM
Muhlenberg Library
This monthly meeting is for the LGBT community and its friends to gather and informally discuss important works of philosophy.
Monday, June 12 @ 2:30 PM
Library for the Performing Arts.
Jacqueline Jonee Presents: A Date with Liberace
Jacqueline Jonee, the world’s premier concert drag diva pianist, presents an up-close and personal screening of her 2009 video biography of Liberace.
Tuesday, June 13 @ 6 PM
Science, Industry and Business Library.
Shall We Wed: Financial Planning for Same-Sex Households: Financial planner Thomas Chu of PridePlanners – a national network of advisors specializing in serving the LGBT community – comes to the Library to discuss the financial and legal ramifications of marriage for same-sex couples.
Thursday, June 15 @ 4:30 PM
Mid-Manhattan Library
Build a Better World: Button Pride: In honor of Pride Month, celebrate your own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others by making custom Pride-themed buttons. Ages 13 to 18 years.
Thursday, June 15 @ 6 PM
Tompkins Square Library
Stories of Trans Resilience from the Front Lines: Listen to this discussion with a panel of trans movement organizers talk about trans history in New York in the 1980s and 1990s. Featuring Kiara St. James, Tanya Asapansa Johnson Walker, and Nicole Bowles.
Monday, June 19 @ 6 PM
Library for the Performing Arts.
Film Screening: Kinky Boots: Come to this free screening of the 2005 comedy Kinky Boots – which inspired the hit Broadway musical of the same name – about the owner of a struggling shoe factory who partners with a drag queen to save his family business.
Thursday, June 22 @ 7 PM
Inwood
Summer Film Series: Pariah: As part of Inwood Library’s multicultural film series, the library will screen Pariah (2011), which tells the story of a black Brooklyn teenager who embraces her lesbian identity, but struggles with how much she can confide in her parents.
Thursday, June 22 @ 7 PM
53rd Street Library
She He Me: Voyage Theater Company Reading Series: Attend this reading of She He Me, a documentary play based on interviews with transgender people in the Arab world.
Tuesday, June 27 @ 7 PM
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
6/27: Surpassing Certainty: Janet Mock in Conversation with Lisa Lucas: Janet Mock, the writer, TV host, and advocate, discusses her new memoir, Surpassing Certainty, with Lisa Lucas, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation.
PRESS CONTACT:
Sara Beth Joren sarabethjoren@nypl.org
About the New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.