The Bellingham Public Library celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride in June. As always, Library staff have great recommendations for books, dvds and music for all ages. 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. Visit us during the month of June and explore the Pride related materials on display or browse from the lists below from home!
Books for Adults
Adult Nonfiction
Recent titles about LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) life in the United States.
Library Staff Recommend:
The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes by Zoe Playdon
“Until the late 1960s, trans people in the UK could correct the gender on their birth certificate when they became an adult.
Part of the reason this changed was the lawsuit brought against Ewan Forbes, the heir to a Scottish barony that dated back to the 15th century. He was sued by a cousin who insisted that Ewan was not a man. This, of course, led to a vicious legal battle, but the heart of the story is this remarkable man, and the way his story resists the oversimplifications we love to heap upon the past.”
– Karen, Public Services Clerk
It Came From the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror, ed. Joe Vallese
“For fans of horror film, memoir, and film analysis this is a wonderful variety of personal essays.”
– Arbor, Public Services Clerk
Adult Fiction
Great novels featuring gay, transgender, asexual, and queer protagonists.
Library Staff Recommend:
“The only thing scarier than forced conversion therapy is demon possession. This book has both! Tingle deftly balances the horror with humor, resulting in an exciting, interrogative, and bitingly funny read.”
– Lark, Public Services Clerk
“This sequel to Night’s Edge continues to flesh out a world torn asunder by a vampiric virus. Mia sets out to confront the man who is responsible for her family falling apart, forming alliances along the way to get her revenge.
If you like reading about complex characters, familial dysfunction, and post-apocalyptic societies, this book might be perfect for you. A low-key sapphic vampire love story is a bonus!”
– Lark, Public Services Clerk
“The third in Atwater’s series of Regency Fairie Tales, Longshadow is a lovely end to this ‘trilogy’. The characters delight, the twists are satisfying, and the romance is so sweet. Reading the first two isn’t necessarily required, as each book is fairly isolated and can be read as a standalone adventure, but I’d probably recommended it if you don’t want to spoil yourself to the endings of the protagonists from the previous books, as they make appearances.”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat by Sakaomi Yuzaki
“I love these characters so much. They are SO sweet and fluffy! This series does such a good job of dealing with tougher topics and emotionally heavy subject while giving the characters a sense of care and safety with their new found family. Also, all the food looks delicious.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
This is How you Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar
“Poetical sci-fi love letters written by two of the most messed up, intensely talented, time-travelling assassins in the multi-verse. The writing is absolutely lyrical and I love the buildup to the seeker and what they’re about.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
Books for Teens
LGBTQ Fiction for Young Adults
Teen fiction with LGBTQ themes and characters.
LGBTQ Nonfiction for Young Adults
LBGTQ nonfiction books for teens.
Library Staff Recommend:
Devils Like Us by Lin Thompson
“Pirates! Found family on a ship! Occult mystery! What more does one need?”
– Arbor, Public Services Clerk
The Meadows by Stephanie Oakes
“This is a post-“huge regime change” story, where world governments have changed over and the Quorum (read: Men) in charge now claim that people’s “going against Nature” caused all the bad things in the world. Cameras all over the place: if you hold hands or kiss someone of the same gender, you get “invited” to a prestigious center, where “only special kids” get to go to further their education. Alas, the education is about keeping to gender roles.
Though the matrons insist everything is a choice for the girls there, in reality, it isn’t. Thankfully our protagonist makes it through graduation and out into the surreal world where she eventually finds like-minded folks and the ending is quite hopeful. Why do women put up with this in these stories? I’d like to read some where they don’t.”
– Brigid, Library Assistant
Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa
“This is a very cute reimagining of Pride and Prejudice. The cast and structure are close enough to the original that you can see the shape of the classic, but the characters and the drama feel like new. Also, most realistic reaction possible to Mrs. Bennet finding out that actually, she has a son.”
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire by Don Martin
“This book is a great choice for older fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service or books like Eva Evergreen, Semi-magical Witch. Set in turn of the century Appalachia, Verity Vox has a darkly enchanted tone, full of folklore and just a little tiny hint of cosmic horror. Verity is a gutsy and fun heroine, and the villain and all of his minions were the best kind of spooky. I enjoyed it a lot!”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Books for Children
Rainbow Reads for Young Readers
Check out these titles featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes for young children.
Chapter books, graphic novels and more for upper elementary and middle school students with LGBTQ+ themes and characters.
La biblioteca tiene libros que celebran el Orgullo para toda la juventud, desde l@s bebés hasta l@s adolescentes. Hay una nota que incluye las edades recomendadas para cada libro en esta lista.
Library Staff Recommend:
“A gritty, post-apocalyptic adventure. When their supplies run out, step-sisters Millie and Rose take their baby brother and go seek out Millie’s grandmother. A poignant story of identity, community, and resilience, even when things are at their most grim. Edgmon doesn’t talk down to his readers, and showcases the importance of remembering how to live, instead of just survive.” Recommended for ages 8 – 12.
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Love, Violet by Charlotte Wild
“Such a cute, very realistic depiction of a little kid trying to work up the courage to give the object of their affections a valentine. I remember witnessing instances just like this when I taught kindergarten and it was so sweet every time.”
– Lorena, Public Services Clerk
“Melissa is a children’s book addressing the amazingly difficult issue of transgender people. I can only imagine and read about trying to figure this out, and reading about a young person going through it was eye-opening. The author focuses on Melissa and her emotional roller coaster and not as much outside vitriol as I expected and guess trans people go through. Very positive story; I love how her friend reacts and supports her.”
– Brigid, Library Assistant
My Gender, My Rules by Andy Passchier
“Very cute! A nice primer for young kids on the feeling and vocabulary of gender expression, and most importantly—that your gender is yours, so you make the rules!” Recommended for ages 3 – 6.
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
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 Recommend:
Saving Face directed by Alice Wu (DVD Comedy)
“This film blends a thoughtful look into culture, tradition and identity with the hallmark levity of a 2000s rom com. ‘Wil’, a young Chinese American surgeon, is juggling a lot in her life. She is a workaholic who struggles to balance her career with her personal life, has had her windowed, middle-aged mother move in with her after she is kicked out for getting pregnant out of wedlock and refuses to name the father, and is carrying on an affair with the daughter of her boss who is dissatisfied with Wil’s insistence on keeping her a secret.
This film lovingly explores the importance of community and culture while championing the need to evolve and create inclusive societies which value authenticity and flexibility in addition to tradition and honor.”
– Lark, Public Services Clerk
Local LGBTQ Events
Whatcom Youth Pride Parade and Festival
Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Do you identify as a LGBTQIA+ youth in Whatcom County? Or a youth ally? Come march and celebrate!
Pride IN Bellingham
“Pride IN Bellingham attracts guests from all walks of life and of all ages who come together from Bellingham and across Washington State to celebrate the Pride Movement and LGBTQIA+ rights together.”
LGBTQ+ Resources
Bellingham Queer Collective builds community and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals through inclusive programs, affirming spaces, and collective care while intentionally working to expand access and equity across diverse and marginalized communities.
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.
You deserve a welcoming, loving world and so do the people you care about. At The Trevor Project you can reach out to a counselor if you’re struggling, find answers and information, and get the tools you need to help someone else.
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.
