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:
Featured Events
2024 Pride Library Card Winner
SDPL is proud to announce the winner of the 2024 Pride Library Contest: Jenn David Connolly. Keep an eye out for Jenn's design, it will be available at all SDPL locations starting on Saturday, July 13, while supplies last.
On their 2024 winning design, Jenn states, “The first San Diego Pride parade was in celebration of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion in NYC, and it’s estimated that there were approximately 25 people who participated in that march. The Stonewall Inn had a brick front, so the brick texture is an homage to the Stonewall Rebellion. The silhouettes of people in the design could be seen as rebelling or celebrating, or both. In the first few San Diego Pride marches, some wore paper bags over their heads to conceal their identity, fearful of retaliation. The confetti and festive elements celebrate all the progress that has been made for Pride in San Diego since that first march, and for all the progress that continues forward in the future. The hearts and rainbow colors celebrate love of all kinds." (Source: https://sdpride.org/year1974/)
San Diego Pride Parade
Saturday, June 20th at 10 am
The San Diego Pride Parade begins at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Ave. and Normal St., proceeds west on University Ave., turns south on 6th Ave., turns left onto Balboa Dr. and ends at Quince Dr.
Did you hear? San Diego Pride has announced the Spirit of Stonewall Awardees! Our region’s LGBTQIA+ & Allied Educators and Library Workers, which includes SDPL, have been named the Pride 2024 Community Grand Marshal for ongoing efforts supporting the LGBTQIA+ community! Join the fun and come watch your San Diego Public Library march!
Lit Café
Saturday & Sunday, July 20 & 21
San Diego Pride Festival is located at Marston Point in Balboa Park.*
San Diego Public Library presents the 5th annual Lit Café within the PRISM: Art, Literacy, and Legacy section at the San Diego Pride Festival! The PRISM section, a collaboration between SDPL, Art of Pride, and Lambda Archives of San Diego, has been thoughtfully re-developed this year. Throughout the weekend, enjoy interactive workshops, fun activities, pick-up a limited edition SDPL PRIDE fan, and meet the community members and allies supporting you at your local libraries and organizations throughout San Diego and beyond!
* Entry into the festival requires paid admission tickets for adults, for more info click here! Youth (high-school age and younger) will be able to enter the festival for free, however, school ID is required! For more info, click here!
Upcoming Events
6pm - 7pm
All Ages
11am - 11:30am
Babies/Toddlers
11am - 12pm
Book Club: Poetry on the Patio @ Point Loma
Emerging Adults, Adults, Older Adults
11am - 11:30am
Babies/Toddlers
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Rainbow Spaces: Dungeons & Dragons /Calabozos y Dragones
Middle School Age, Teens
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 community and their design is printed onto the Pride library card that is made available.
Contest Winners
- 2024 - Jenn David Connolly
- 2023 - Claude Castañeda
- 2022 – Leslie Pagel
- 2021 – Clara
- 2020 – Jasmine Nguyen
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
- 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. - San Diego Youth Services
Mental health services and drop-in centers for LGBT youth and their families. - The Trevor Project | 1-866-488-7386
24/7 crisis and support hotline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth ages 13-24. Also offers text and chat services. - GLBT National Help Center
Free and confidential hotlines, chatrooms, and other resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people. - Trans Lifeline | 1-877-565-8860
Hotline that offers support and resources to transgender people in need. Staffed by the transgender community for the transgender community. - 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. - Rainbow Book Month™ | Round Tables (ala.org): Rainbow Book Month™ is a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, and asexual community. Originally established in the early 1990s by The Publishing Triangle as National Lesbian and Gay Book Month, this occasion is an opportunity for book lovers and libraries with the very best in LGBTQIA+ literature.