CONNECT with the CityLGBTQIA+ Library Services
San Diego Public Library’s LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee honors the diversity of our LGBTQIA+ community in a welcoming and inclusive library space that fosters connections to knowledge and each other. The library offers equitable access to all, through accessible materials and resources, in supportive spaces that provide cultural and educational experiences celebrating diverse identities.
For questions, program suggestions, etc. email: LGBTQIALibrary@sandiego.gov
Quick links:
Pride 2025 Library Card Contest
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Contest Winner Annie Alwine. Adult Category, College-Rolando Library.
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Finalist – Child. Claire Jones, Carmel Valley Library.
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Finalist – Teen. Avery Shultz, teen category, Clairemont Library.
The LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Pride Library Card Contest! Annie Alwine’s thoughtful and inspiring design will be featured on this year’s commemorative library card for San Diego Pride. We also extend our congratulations to this year’s semi-finalists and to everyone who participated and helped celebrate creativity, inclusion and pride in our San Diego community! We also thank San Diego Pride for their generous sponsorship and partnership.
- Annie Alwine (She/Her) – Adult, College-Rolando Library
- Avery Shultz (They/Them) – Teen Category, Clairemont Library
- Claire Jones – Child Category, Carmel Valley Library
The 2025 San Diego Pride commemorative Library card will be available at all 37 San Diego Public Library locations starting Monday, July 7, 2025, while supplies last.
About the Winning Design
Annie Alwine is a former marketing executive turned children’s book author of The Peaceful Outings series which prepares kids for real-life adventures with diverse, inclusive characters. Alwine lives in the College area with her husband and two children, and is passionate about fostering empathy, inclusion and meaningful connection through her work and daily life.
Alwine created a library card reserved for rebels, icons, and change-makers. Her vintage-style design honors LGBTQIA+ trailblazers. The stamped dates and names refer to historical figures whose lives have shaped the Pride movement and impacted the world in powerful ways.
“The dates aren’t random; they mark meaningful moments from each person’s story,” said Alwine. “I wanted it to feel like an Easter egg—inviting viewers to dig deeper, spark curiosity, and discover more about these bold, unbreakable voices whose recognition is overdue.”
Pride Library Card Collection
In partnership with San Diego Pride and with the support of Library Foundation SD, the Pride Library Card Contest is an annual spring tradition that engages the creativity and talent of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community and our allies. Every year a grand prize winner’s artwork is selected by committee and their design is printed onto the Pride library card that is made available.
Contest Winners
- 2025 - Annie Alwine
- 2024 - Jenn David Connolly
- 2023 - Claude Castañeda
- 2022 – Leslie Pagel
- 2021 – Clara
- 2020 – Jasmine Nguyen
Featured Events
Pride Storytime
With age-appropriate stories and songs, this family-friendly program recognizes and celebrates diversity and individuality.
Pride Storytime is sponsored by Mental Health America of California and Drag Queen Story Hour San Diego.
PRIDE Storytime with Lil Miss Hot Mess
July 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Rancho Peñasquitos
PRIDE Storytime with Friidae
July 15 | 5 p.m. | University Heights
PRIDE Storytime with Willow BeMine
July 17 | 10:30 a.m. | Mission Valley
Pride 2025 Pop-Up Celebration
July 17 | 10:30 a.m. | Mission Hills-Hillcrest
Everyone is welcome to celebrate Pride with SDPL! A special Pride Edition Dance Pants Party kicks off the day, followed by refreshments, themed crafts and goodies to take home, while supplies last.
Happy Pride from the San Diego Public Library.
Upcoming LGBTQIA+ Events
12am - 12am
Lambda Archives Intergenerational Exhibit
All Ages, Middle School Age, Teens
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Rainbow Spaces: Dungeons & Dragons /Calabozos y Dragones
Middle School Age, Teens
5pm - 6pm
Babies/Toddlers, Preschoolers, Elementary School Age
10:30am - 11:30am
PRIDE Storytime ft. Willow BeMine
Babies/Toddlers, Preschoolers, Elementary School Age
LGBTQIA+ History and Culture
Lambda Archives of San Diego collects, preserves, and shares the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in San Diego, Northern Baja California, and the Imperial County region. Research appointments may be requested via the Lambda Archives website.
Community Resources
Local
- San Diego Pride: San Diego Pride fosters pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally. Pride supports a number of programs for all ages that meet the diverse needs and interest of the LGBTQ community.
- The San Diego LGBT Community Center: The Center is the nation's second oldest and one of the largest LGBT community centers that provides direct program services to the many different facets of the LGBT community, including men, women, youth, seniors, families, LGBT Latino community members and their families, and those living with HIV.
- The Center’s Youth Services: The San Diego LGBT Center's Youth Centers in Hillcrest and South Bay offer services such as discussion groups, social activities, and HIV prevention, testing, and support.
- San Diego Black Pride: As the central hub for LGBTQ Black life, their primary focus is connecting you to resources, events, and outlets that support and enrich your life, and providing opportunities to strengthen the community in which we live in order to benefit Black LGBTQ individuals and families.
- San Diego QAPIMEDA Coalition: The Queer Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Desi American Coalition aims to build capacity and leaders within the LGBTQ+ Desi, Middle-Eastern, Pacific Islander, Asian community to promote connectivity, combat stereotypes and racism, discuss intersectionality, and mobilize our civic and economic power.
- San Diego LGBTQ+ Latine Coalition: The mission of the San Diego LGBTQ Latine Coalition is to strengthen the power of the LGBTQ Latine community’s family, culture, health, education, networks, economic stability, and political standing.
- PFLAG San Diego County: We PFLAG offers Support, Education, and Advocacy to LGBTQ+ persons, their families, friends, and allies. PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
- TransFamily Support Services: TransFamily Support Services saves lives by shaping a gender affirming and accepting Community, seeking a world where ALL genders are accepted & treated EQUALLY.
- San Diego Equality Business Association (SDEBA): SDEBA promotes and elevates LGBTQ+ businesses through advocacy, partnership and collaboration. By collaborating with members and sponsors, SDEBA creates opportunities through partnership, education and networking to empower LGBTQ+ businesses and professionals.
- San Diego Youth Services: Mental health services and drop-in centers for LGBT youth and their families.
- Stepping Stone of San Diego: Stepping Stone of San Diego has been helping save lives since 1976 as one of the nation’s only alcohol and drug treatment programs specializing in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community.
- The Gender Phluid Collective: A safer, supportive, and empowering home for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), Queer and Trans People of color (QTPOC), and those who identify within the African Diaspora in San Diego.
- Transgender Health and Wellness Center: Transgender Health and Wellness Center aims to be the preeminent provider of services and support for the Transgender diverse community and our allies.
- San Diego QAPIMEDA Coalition: The Queer Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Desi American Coalition aims to build capacity and leaders within the LGBTQ+ Desi, Middle-Eastern, Pacific Islander, Asian community to promote connectivity, combat stereotypes and racism, discuss intersectionality, and mobilize our civic and economic power.
- 2SLGBTQ: Puyamaangay Kiyam 2SLGBTQ Always Family provides information on two-spirit history and traditions, as well as statistics and resources for 2SLGBTQ individuals.
National
- BlackLine: BlackLine provides a space for peer support, counseling, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences to people who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens. 1 (800) 604-5841
- National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network: Advancing healing justice by transforming mental health for queer and trans Black, Indigenous and People of Color
- Transgender Law Center: Transgender Law Center changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization, grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.
- The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis and support hotline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth ages 13-24. Also offers text and chat services. 1-866-488-7386
- GLBT National Help Center: Free and confidential hotlines, chatrooms, and other resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people.
- Trans Lifeline: Hotline that offers support and resources to transgender people in need. Staffed by the transgender community for the transgender community. 1-877-565-8860