Indie Bookstores Celebrate Pride Online

This year, bookstores are taking to social media to celebrate Pride month in a way that's both socially distant and in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, which includes posting book lists and recommendations, sharing resources, and hosting virtual events. Here are just some of the ways indie bookstores are celebrating this year:

Bluestockings Bookstore in New York City is holding a virtual event with Kacen Callender and Ashia Monet.

Indy Reads in Indianapolis, Indiana, posted a throwback to last year’s Pride parade. The store shared on Instagram: “Though we certainly find ourselves missing the feel good, full-of-love energy the Pride parade brings every year, and being amongst our friends and family and allies adorned in rainbow colors, let us never forget it was trans women of color who led the riots at Stonewall, bringing about a much needed national movement. This year we feel as proud as ever before.”

Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina, is holding a virtual reading and Q&A with Palestinian-American writer Zaina Arafat for her new novel, You Exist Too Much.⠀

Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., featured the 2020 Lammy winners on its Instagram.

Women & Children First in Chicago, Illinois, posted a list of books by Black trans authors to read all year long.

Secret Garden Books in Seattle, Washington, posted to Instagram: “In celebration of the latest Supreme Court decision and Pride month!”

Firestorm Books & Coffee in Asheville, North Carolina, posted to Instagram: “Out today! — A Quick & Easy Guide to Sex & Disability by A. Andrews. This is the third installation in Limerence Press' guide series, which previously covered nonbinary pronouns and queer/trans identity. We love these #ownvoices comics and are really excited to see them stretch into new territory. This installment introduces disability sexuality, smashes some myths, and offers practical suggestions for both disabled and able-bodied readers.”

R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, Connecticut, posted to Instagram: “These are just a few of the books we recommend if you are celebrating Pride with a nonfiction book or two!” The store is also hosting a virtual event with Richie Jackson, author of Gay Like Me, and Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown, authors of We Are Everywhere.

Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, posted to Instagram: “Check out our Pride Month endcaps! We have many, many books by LGBTQIA authors or about the history of Pride in the store, so if you're looking for something specific, just send us a message or give us a call.”