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. Visit the Central Library during the month of June and explore the Pride related materials on display or browse from the lists below from home!
Adult Nonfiction
Library Staff Recommends:
Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir by Nicole Georges
“One visit to a psychic changes Nicole Georges’ life. Suspecting her mother is hiding information about who her father was (or is…), she pursues the truth while navigating her lesbian relationship and queer friendships. A striking memoir that you won’t put down!” Adult Graphic Novel
-Audrey, Library Assistant
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
“In this incredibly forthright collection of poetry, Gibson writes on trauma, illness, grief, and love both personal and global; as well as the ever-present quest for radical queer joy.”
-Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
“This book offers practical and heartfelt advice on how to be a better human. A multitude of topics are covered, ranging from how to tell people things they probably won’t be happy to hear, to how to have a disagreement without having a fight, to how to be a useful ally. As an emotionally sensitive person who is cis, privileged, and white, I learned crucial tips from this approachable and truth-telling book.”
Miranda, Library Events Coordinator
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
“In the Dream House is the most creatively written memoir I’ve read detailing a toxic queer relationship, and the way you can easily slip into an abusive relationship without even realizing it. This book is haunting, lyrical, raw, and honest.”
-Sean, Library Assistant
Safe and Sound: a Renter-friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust
“Thorough and extremely helpful home maintenance information from the beloved Trans Handy Ma’am!”
-Arbor, Public Services Clerk
Close to the Knives by David Wojnarowicz
“Multi-media artist, activist, writer and general provocateur Wojnarowicz crafts a stunning portrait of his life as a gay man in New York City before and during the height of the AIDS crisis. His abrasive, haunting prose covers the neoliberal culture at large, the constant threat of violence hovering over the LGBT community, the impact of grief from personal losses, and so much more.” eBook
-Audrey, Library Assistant
Adult Fiction
Library Staff Recommends:
Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky
“Sammie had a tight knit group of friends in college, but since her transition she’s grown distant from the ‘boys.’ Now, her old friend Adam wants her to be his best man and she’s been invited to a bachelor party weekend on the ultra-hedonistic artificial island El Campo. But the island soon proves host to more sinister forces—and Sammie seems to be the only one who notices. This surreal satire from The Nib cartoonist Mattie Lubchansky is an irreverent look at capitalism, masculinity, and the complex joys of queer identity.” Adult Graphic Novel
-Miles, Public Services Clerk
All The White Spaces by Ally Wilkes
“On the heels of World War I, trans man Jonathan Morgan stows away on an Antarctic expedition in the hopes that he’ll finally be able to live his most authentic life and lay the ghosts of his brothers to rest. In the tradition of The Thing and At The Mountains of Madness, Wilkes’ novel is a haunting take on the horrors of a Polar night.”
-Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
“Published when McCullers was only 23 years old, this 1940 novel follows a cast of misfits in a small Southern town who find solace venting to a local deaf man, John Singer. Beneath the surface of his silence lies Singer’s clear affection for a male friend, mirroring the author’s own struggles with lesbian longing throughout her life.”
-Audrey, Library Assistant
“A funny, tender, honest graphic memoir about a queer couple’s experience with one of the partners coming out as trans.” Adult Graphic Novel
-Arbor, Public Services Clerk
Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella
“What if finding yourself in your 20s involved adjusting to being a werewolf and also maybe accidentally getting caught up in a werewolf pyramid scheme…”
-Arbor, Public Services Clerk
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:
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
“17-year-old Elatsoe, an asexual teen, has inherited her Lipan Apache family’s gift for summoning and communicating with ghosts. This proves to be of vital importance when her cousin Trevor, who died in an apparent car accident, visits her in a dream and tells her he was murdered. Accompanied by her best friend Jay and the loyal ghost of her dog Kirby, Ellie sets out to uncover the truth and protect her family”. Teen Fiction
-Miles, Public Services Clerk
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
“A story of finding the courage to be yourself with the power of love, friendship, and fabulous dresses.” Teen Graphic Novel
-Lorena, Public Services Clerk
“Illegal magic and secret broom racing in 1930s Mississippi.” Adult/Teen Graphic Novel eBook
-Arbor, Public Services Clerk
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:
Mr. Watson’s Chickens by Jarrett Dapier
“This zany picture books tells the tale of Mr. Nelson and Mr. Watson and their chicken crisis! The illustrations are so detailed and interesting. I notice something new to look at each time I read it.” Recommended for ages 6-9
-Mandee, Children’s Programming Specialist
It Feels Good to Be Yourself written by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni
“This book is a beautiful and informative celebration of the never-ending number of ways to be yourself in the world.” Recommended for ages 3+
-Ali, Children’s Librarian
Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff
“Sixth-grader Annabelle is excited when a new student joins her tight knit class. She quickly strikes up a friendship with non-binary Bailey, but this leads to big discoveries that make Annabelle see her family and herself in a new light. An excellent exploration on queer community, gender identity, and how kids and grown-ups can learn from each other to build a more equitable world.” Recommended for ages 10 and up
-Miles, Public Services Clerk
Grace Needs Space! by Benjamin A. Wilgus & Rii Abrego
“12-year-old Grace, whose parents are divorced, is looking forward to spending some time away from her isolated life on a space station with her engineer mother by tagging along with her other mother, Ba, on a long-haul freighter delivery. But the trip proves to be more boring than epic, and Ba is too distracted to spend any time with Grace. When the ship stops working on their return journey, will Grace be able to save the day?” Kids Graphic Novel – Recommended for ages 10 and up
-Miles, 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 Recommends:
Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story
“Though composer Glenn-Copeland has been working in the music industry for over 50 years, his acclaim has come somewhat recently. The film walks the viewer through his life as a black transgender man who not only persevered through the racial and homophobic prejudice of the 60’s, but also pioneered a genre of new age folk-electronica decades before its peak.”
– Audrey, Library Assistant
Paris is Burning directed by Jennie Livingston
“A gripping story of trans and queer youth in New York City in the mid 1980’s. This is an emotional and inspiring film that will keep you engaged from start to finish. A classic work of art everyone should see.”
-Briana, Library Assistant
Local LGBTQ Events
Whatcom Youth Pride Parade and Festival
Saturday, June 1, 2024 11:00 a.m.
Do you identify as a LGBTQIA+ youth in Whatcom County? Or a youth ally? Come march and celebrate! The fun begins at Bellingham High School.
Walk with BPL and WCLS in the Pride IN Bellingham Parade!
Sunday, July 7, 2024
11:00am – 1:00pm (parade lineup begins at 10:30am)
Waypoint Park, Bellingham
All library staff, family, friends, and library patrons are invited to walk with us! Well-behaved, leashed pets who enjoy lots of attention are also welcome. We will provide some signs and flags to carry, but participants are welcome to bring their own, and also wear colorful clothing featuring messages of acceptance, library love, and reading. Find us at the parade lineup at Waypoint Park or join us from along the parade route!
July 6 & 7, 2024
“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
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.
“A Lifeline for LGBTQ youth in crisis”. Providing information and support to LGBTQ youth 24/7, all year round.