Public Library
Accessibility Tools
- Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
- Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
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 2023 Library Card Contest Winner
For 2023, we received 89 submissions for the Pride Library Card Contest. This year's winning card design, created by Claude Castañeda, will be available at all 36 SDPL locations beginning Saturday, 7/8/2023.
On their winning design, Claude states, “Find your voice, to me, means being authentically yourself. I’d like this artwork to remind everyone to continue to be true to themselves in the face of adversity and find their own voice and space within our community. While the tone of my piece is one of joy, the current push to vilify trans people, drag performers, and people of color, inspired me to take a lot of the anxiety that surrounds those negative thoughts into showcasing someone who embodies all of that to the forefront. By being visible, genuine, and by continuing to fight, I know we’ll persist in instilling change and further action for a place where we can all be ourselves and thrive.”
Miyu Iwasaki (Teen Finalist) on her design: “When I first heard the phrase “Find Your Voice”, I had to think about what that meant to me. There were many possible interpretations of “Find Your Voice”, but eventually I decided that the meaning behind this was discovering a way to show what’s really inside of you in a creative way. That was the inspiration behind this piece; expressing yourself through your passion– more importantly, empowering yourself– in a world where you are silenced. It’s a message to all people of all identities; athletes, musicians, artists, activists, writers, and more – don’t be afraid to reveal the true you. Find your voice.”
Dagny Tang (Children Finalist) on her design: "As an artist, my art is my voice. My design voices my support for the LGBTQIA+ community as well as our broader community of peoples of diverse backgrounds. As a proud San Diegan, I am also hoping this year's card design can finally have some local flair! I've incorporated Balboa Park's California Tower & animals from San Diego Zoo; San Diego's skyline with the iconic Manchester Grand Hyatt towers; Coronado Bay Bridge with fighter jet flyby and Ocean Beach Pier. My drawing was made on the library's paper template using pens, markers and color pencils. Thank you for the opportunity to create art for our library!"
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
- 2023 - Claude Castañeda
- 2022 – Leslie Pagel
- 2021 – Clara
- 2020 – Jasmine Nguyen
Featured Events
Pride Storytimes
Join San Diego Public Library as we celebrate San Diego Pride 2023. Pride Storytime is a family-friendly way of recognizing and celebrating our diversity and individuality through age-appropriate stories & songs.
Join San Diego Public Library as we celebrate San Diego Pride 2023. Pride Storytime is a family-friendly way of recognizing and celebrating our diversity and individuality through age-appropriate stories & songs.
- Pride Storytime ft. Barbie Q and Raquel Ita
Kensington Branch Library
Saturday, July 8, 2023 | 10:30 – 11:30 am - Pride Storytime ft. Beans
Oak Park Branch Library
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 | 10:30 – 11:30 am
She Fest Outreach 2023
Saturday, July 8, 2023 | 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Come meet LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee members at San Diego's Pride week kickoff event SheFest at the Hillcrest Flag Pole (intersection of Normal St. and University Ave). Receive your own copy of the Pride 2023 Library Card, learn about library resources and celebrate in community!
San Diego Pride Parade
Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 10:00 am
Come see the San Diego Public Library’s marching contingent in the 2023 San Diego Pride Parade. At 10 am, the parade will begin at the Intersection of Normal Street and University Ave heading west, turning south on 6th street, and ending on Balboa Drive at Marston Point (also the location of the Pride Festival).
Lit Café
Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday, July 16, 2023 | 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
San Diego Public Library, in partnership with San Diego Pride, the San Diego County Library, and the Library Foundation SD, invites you to join us at the 3rd annual Lit Café, our outreach booth inside the San Diego Pride Festival at Marston Point in Balboa Park. When you visit our booth, you have a chance to pick up the special edition 2023 Pride Library Card, can learn more about your local libraries and community organizations, and enjoy interactive workshops and activities that celebrate this year's Pride theme: "Thrive!"
*Entrance into the 2023 San Diego Pride Festival requires paid admission at the gate, or visit here to buy pre-paid tickets.
Upcoming Events
Sep 284pm - 5pm
All Ages
Sep 3010:30am - 11:30am
Babies/Toddlers, Preschoolers
Oct 74pm - 6pm
Middle School Age, Teens, Emerging Adults, Adults, Older Adults
Oct 95:30pm - 7:30pm
Rainbow Spaces: Dungeons & Dragons
Middle School Age, Teens
Oct 141pm - 3pm
Film Screening: San Diego's Gay Bar History
Teens, Emerging Adults, Adults
LGBTQIA+ History and Culture
Research sexuality and gender in relation to LGBTQ+ history and activism, cultural studies, psychology, health, political science, policy studies, and other related categories.
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.