Indies Celebrate Pride From Coast to Coast

From parade floats and story times to reading lists and open mics, take a look at just a few of the many ways independent bookstores are celebrating Pride this June:

Women & Children First in Chicago, Illinois, shared its events calendar for the month of June, which is filled with Pride programming. The month kicked off with a Sappho’s Salon Open Mic on June 10.

The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, posted to Instagram: “Overheard at the bookstore: Mom: It means Pride. 3-year-old: It means love!”

WORD Bookstore, which has locations in Brooklyn, New York, and Jersey City, New Jersey, posted to Twitter: “Extra all the time for our #lgbtqia+ selves and allies. We’re showing our #pride all over both stores. Feel free to let us know your fav book in the canon!”

The Ripped Bodice in Culver City, California, posted to Instagram: “Happy Pride! What an absolutely joyous occasion to celebrate!”

Indy Reads Books in Indianapolis, Indiana, had a float in the Indianapolis Pride parade that featured a Drag Queen Story Hour.

Doylestown Bookshop in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, posted to Instagram: “Are you reading with Pride this month? We are! During the month of June, we will be sharing some of our favorite #LGBTQIA+ titles for young adult readers to celebrate June as Pride Month. Share your favorite books with LGBTQIA+ themes in the comments section below.”

Bright Side Bookshop in Flagstaff, Arizona, is recommending LGBTQ authors on Instagram all month long.

Books & Books, which has locations in Florida, showed off its Pride-themed display on Instagram.

Charis Books and More in Decatur, Georgia, highlighted some of its staff’s favorite LGBTQ authors on Instagram.

Books Inc. in San Francisco, California, hosted a “Love In” celebration.

BookPeople in Austin, Texas, posted to Instagram: “Say hello to bookseller MK, who put together this gorgeous #pride display in the Teen section! With intersectionality in mind, MK says they tried to include as many facets of the spectrum as possible. ‘I chose books based on what my fellow booksellers recommended, books I love, and young queer literature I feel everyone should read.’”

Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago, Illinois, posted to Instagram: “Happy Pride Month from your local LGBTQ bookstore!”

Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine, hosted Lisa Bunker, author of Zenobia July. The store posted to Instagram: “Can’t wait to welcome Lisa Bunker at 4PM today (6/9). Her own voices middle grade novel, ZENOBIA JULY, is about a young transgender girl moving to Portland, ME and finally living as her true self.”

Common Language Bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan, attended the Kalamazoo Pride Festival on June 8. The store also suggested local LGBTQ+ organizations that are accepting donations, including the Jim Toy Community Center, Transgender Michigan, and Affirmations.

Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia, posted to Instagram: “Happy Pride Month ‘When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.’ -Barack Obama”

Redisovered Books in Boise, Idaho, posted to Twitter: “It’s June, which means it’s time to take #pride in who you are no matter who you love or where you come from!”

Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, posted to Twitter: “Happy Pride Month! Check in with us all June as we share store displays, reading recommendations, original essays, and more to celebrate LGBTQ+ authors and the international LGBTQ+ community.”