The Bellingham Public Library celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride in June. As always, our staff have great recommendations to get you started.
Books for Adults
From biographies and memoirs to fiction written by LGBTQ authors or featuring LGBTQ characters, you can look forward to some great reading this month! Library staff are happy to help you find what you’re looking for on our shelves or from another location. Come down to the Central Library during the month of June and explore the Pride related materials on display or browse from the lists below from home!
Library Staff Recommends:
Seeing Gender by Iris Gottlieb
“This artist and author excels at taking complex concepts and relaying them through simple, thought provoking images. There are so many ways to walk this earth. This book invites curiosity and safe exploration of gender identity at your own pace. Take a moment or take weeks; it’s your choice.” – Suzanne, Public Services Librarian
“We live in an era when LGBTQ youth are under attack simply for being who they are. This guide to raising allies is a vital resource for parents and caregivers seeking to instill both basic and advanced compassion in their own families. Tompkins lays out step by step processes for dealing with bullies, having open and authentic conversations, and increasing LGBTQ visibility.” – Rob, Public Services Librarian
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
“The veil between life and death is thin and penatrable, and a disatisfied lost soul is tasked with helping others cross into their next life with no regrets, though he himself is full of them. Like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ but in a cabin and with a sweet LGBTQIA+ romance.” – Siena, Library Assistant
Books for Teens
Our Teen Libriarian has put together YA book lists of both fiction and nonfiction, centered around this month’s PRIDE theme!
LGBTQIA Fiction for Young Adults
LGBTQIA Nonfiction for Young Adults
Library Staff Recommends:
“A small book packed with a vast amount of information about the author’s experience as a deaf, transgender, gender queer, Jewish POC. The message behind this book is that identity lies on a continuum and is continuously evolving.” – Kian, Library Assistant
Almost Flying by Jake Maia Arlow
“This summer, 13-year-old Dalia’s priorities are simple: finally ride a roller coaster and make a new best friend. But when her father reveals that he is getting remarried, Dalia finds herself on an unexpected road trip with Alexa her new, college-age step-sister and Rani, a girl from her swim-team whose tentative friendship may be growing into something more.” – Maggie, Public Services Clerk
Recommended for ages 10-14
Books for Children
So many great books to read and stories to hear! Visit the Children’s Department at the Bellingham Public Library to find these great titles and more.
Library Staff Recommends:
Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford and Kayla Harren
“Calvin has always known he was a boy, but his family and friends don’t know that yet. This heartwarming story shares how he introduces himself to his family and friends as Calvin.” – Bernice, Children’s Librarian
Recommended for ages 4 to 8
Rainbow Hands by Mamta Nainy and Jo Loring-Fisher
“You won’t want to miss this colorful, joyful and tender story about a young boy celebrating something he loves – painting-my-nails time.” – Julie, Children’s Services Specialist
Recommended for ages 4 to 8
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Tercerio
“A graphic novel that is an engaging and modernized twist on the classic Little Women.” – Mandee, Children’s Services Specialist
Recommended for ages 9 and up
The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill
“Cozy cottagecore fantasy about the bonds between people and nature. Whimsically crafted and overbrimming with heart.” – Siena, Library Assistant
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callendar
“After the sudden death of his older brother Khalid, 12-year-old Kingston “King” Reginald James and his parents have become lost in grief. When local boy Sandy—King’s ex-best friend and son of the local sheriff—disappears, King finds himself caught in the intersections of his own identity.” – Maggie, Public Services Clerk
Recommended for ages 10 to 14
Films and Documentaries Featuring LGBTQ+ Stories
The Bellingham Public Library has a great selection of films to choose from, and also provides access for you to stream films from Kanopy! To find eFilms and eDocumentaries, use your library card to sign up with Kanopy, the Library’s source for free online videos. Access them on your computer, mobile device or TV.
Kanopy has great films centering the LGBTQIA experience for Pride Month. To explore these titles, visit Kanopy Pride Month selections. The Library’s DVD collection also features some fantastic movies that are available for you to browse in person!
Library Staff Recommends:
“An exploration of young love and self acceptance in the lush countryside of the Netherlands. Earnest and uplifting, this movie will make you want to spend your days riding bikes and swimming in forest pools.” – Siena, Library Assistant
God’s Own Country directed by Francis Lee
“Two young men find solace with one another on a sheep farm in the countryside of Yorkshire. This film explores some challenging themes, but it ends in a good place. And there are some nice sweaters.” – Siena, Library Assistant
Local LGBTQ Events
LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration at WWU
Join the Western community on Wednesday, June 1 at 4 p.m. for a celebration of LGBTQ+ people and culture at Western. Free t-shirts for the first 200 people.
The Celebration will start at the flag poles near the Rec Center and will include a program with remarks from student and faculty leaders and President Sabah. LGBTQ+ student club leaders will raise the Pride flag. We’ll honor LGBTQ+ students who are graduating, giving them rainbow cords to wear at Commencement. Then we’ll head to the Comm Lawn for food, fun, and resources. If it rains we’ll be in the MAC Gym in the Rec Center.
Whatcom Youth Pride Parade and Festival
Do you identify as a LGBTQIA+ youth in Whatcom County? Maybe a youth ally? Come march and celebrate on Saturday, June 4. The fun begins at 10:30 a.m. at Bellingham High School.
Trans Women, Non-Binary Fem, and Intersex Support Group
Every Tuesday; 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Inner Child Studio, 715 W Orchard Dr. Suite 2
An opportunity to connect and share your unique experience with other humans who have their own stories from which we all can learn. Offer support, friendship, affirmation, and kindness to each other and yourself.
LGBTQ+ Resources
PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed. We are working to make PFLAG Whatcom a haven of unity and acceptance through community collaboration. Because together we are strong.
Washington State LGBTQ Commission
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission works to improve the state’s interface with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, and intersex community, identify the needs of its members, and ensuring that there is an effective means of advocating for LGBTQ equity in all aspects of state government.
NW Youth Services Queer Youth Project
The Queer Youth Project (QYP) is a support system and community advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ+) youth across our region.
Whatcom Pride is a new organization led by community professionals dedicated to advancing the ideals of Pride year-long across Whatcom County.
“A Lifeline for LGBTQ youth in crisis”. Providing information and support to LGBTQ youth 24/7, all year round.
“CASCADIA’S MOST INCLUSIVE ALTERNATIVE-LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT TABLOID”
Did you know the Bellingham Public Library carries up to 6 months of back issues of The Betty Pages? Visit our newspaper section or ask at the Help Desk at the Central Library to read the most current issue. You can also visit their website at the link above for online-only articles and more!