Inclusive by Design: Pride Programming in 2025
What did Pride celebrations and programs look like in libraries in 2025, in the midst of attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion work across the country? Specifically, President Donald Trump’s executive order 14151, issued on January 20, 2025, ordered leaders of specific federal government departments to terminate all “discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear.” Although the executive order applies to federal agencies, not local governments or public libraries, it has generated a chilling effect on equity work in some communities. Despite that climate, during Pride Month this past June, many public libraries reaffirmed their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. For many, this work was on full display in their 2025 Pride programming.
Although Pride is widely seen as a celebration these days, it originally started as a protest. Pride celebrations began as a commemoration of the Stonewall riots, when the NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan where gay, lesbian, and transgender customers were known to gather, on June 28, 1969. The raid led to riots and protests that lasted until July 2, attracting the attention of the mainstream public, and became a turning point in the gay rights movement. The first Gay Pride celebration, as it was known at that time, was held in June 1970.
Highlights from Library Pride Programs in June 2025
One of the most prominent Pride events this year was the WorldPride International Washington March and Rally, held on June 8, 2025, in the nation’s capital, the District of Columbia (DC). Organized by the Capital Pride Alliance, the festivities included a week of events and marked 50 years of Pride celebrations in DC. When David Quick, Adult Services Coordinator at District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL), heard about WorldPride coming to DC, he knew this was an opportunity to highlight the ongoing LGBTQIA+ advocacy, programs, and services that DCPL has been doing for years. Public libraries have to keep the doors open seven days a week, so rallying a group of staff marchers for the WorldPride parade involved gathering library staff from neighboring library systems, including Prince George’s County Memorial Library System in Maryland, Arlington, Fairfax, and Alexandria library systems in Virginia, and the Library of Congress in DC. District of Columbia school library media staff and members of the District of Columbia Library Association also joined the group. This team approach created a large group for the march and enabled library staff to share coordination and expenses. The event was a huge success despite the rainy weather.
Drag Queen Storytimes and Rainbow Storytimes are still staples of Pride programming, but the concepts have evolved and expanded to include creative programs for community members of all ages. Other popular Pride programs include gender-affirming clothes swaps, film festivals, art contests, craft programs, book clubs, and Pride escape rooms. These are just some examples of the variety of library programs offered during Pride month. Providing a safe space is just the beginning. Encouraging new friendships by creating opportunities for creativity and expression are the hallmarks of many programs for customers of all ages.
Many libraries recruit partners to provide free informational programs such as name change clinics or sessions about LGBTQ healthcare and intersectionality. Informal meetups to discuss LGBTQIA+ dating, parenting, religion, or other topics can provide a social support network that isn’t readily available in other settings.
Some unique Pride programs at libraries across the country this past June included:
Los Angeles Public Library’s TGI2+ Housing Resource Fair provides support and resources to TGI2+ customers at risk of “housing and economic insecurity.” TGI2+ refers to those who identify as transgender, gender diverse or gender non-conforming, intersex, 2 spirit, and other identities not specifically named. It is an inclusive term for people who are gender diverse and is often used in the context of advocacy, services, and community support.
New York Public Library’s Kweendom: A Night of LGBTQ Stand-Up is a free night of comedy hosted by Bobby Hankinson and developed out of his frustration with not being able to find truly representative and authentic all-LGBTQ comedy shows.
Chicago Public Library’s Youth-Led Sexual Health and HIV Workshop with Lurie Children’s Hospital is an opportunity for teens to learn from a health care expert and a youth co-facilitator.
Austin Public Library’s Country Fried Dance Lesson is a queer line dancing event for adults that welcomes the LGBTQIA+ community and allies who support them.
Keeping Pride Safe and Sustainable Year-Round
City, county, and statewide Pride celebrations are commonplace in many jurisdictions, and the library is usually a welcome and enthusiastic participant in such events. Pride flags are commonplace, and LGBTQ books are on display year-round in many libraries. However, there is still pushback in some communities.
In communities where controversy is possible, libraries continue to find ways to celebrate Pride while also prioritizing staff and patron safety. Protestors may appear, especially for programs such as Drag Queen Storytime and events for the trans community. Libraries that are well-prepared can protect the program experience while respecting lawful protest. Clear policies should be in place on how to deal with protests, videotaping, and doxxing staff. (Doxxing is the act of publicly sharing personal information about a person or organization, usually online and without their consent.)
Suggestions for preparedness include:
- Ensure all staff are familiar with the library’s Code of Conduct. It might be an extra challenging day, but the basic rules of the library are the same every day.
- Determine who is in charge on the day of the event and what the role is for each staff member.
- Ensure support from the library administration.
- Determine where protestors can stand and whether they may enter the building or bring signs inside.
- Define what actions would cross the line and require a protestor to be asked to leave.
- Clarify policies on staff masking or name tag removal to protect personal identity, and determine who is responsible for reporting harassment videos to platforms like YouTube for takedown if necessary.
The American Library Association website provides advice on how to ensure that controversial programs are well managed and align with legal restrictions and expectations. Additionally, libraries may consider the following:
Support from law enforcement may be needed. Ask whether responding officers are trained in de-escalation and crisis response. Does your police department have an LGBTQ liaison? If they do, reach out to them. If at all possible, make sure any law enforcement you invite understands their role is to keep the event safe and lawful — and that the library staff run the program, not the police.
Work with local Pride organizations and other groups that support LGBTQ rights. Allied organizations can offer physical and emotional support for staff and attendees and may help counter protestors if needed. For example, the Rainbow Defense Coalition in Maryland provides security for LGBTQIA+ events, from walking staff to their cars, to shielding windows with rainbow umbrellas to help customers feel safe.
Even after June, the spirit of Pride continues in public libraries. Whether it’s through year-round displays, inclusive programs, or community partnerships, library-hosted Pride initiatives remain creative, welcoming, and essential to fostering inclusion, joy, and connection.
Tags: inclusivelibraries, librarypride
