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LGBTQIA+ Library Services

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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

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Pride 2025 Library Card Contest

A white unicorn with a rainbow mane is wearing black square-framed glasses. In one hand they hold a pencil, and in the other hand they hold a clipboard, this is set against a rainbow background with white fluffy clouds.

San Diego Public Library needs YOUR help designing our PRIDE 2025 commemorative card! This contest is open to artists of all ages with a design that celebrates the theme of Unbreakable PRIDE and Unshakeable POWER!

Rise with PRIDE! Channel the spirit of Stonewall through your energy, voice, joy, and the power of community solidarity! Grand Prize winner receives a prize ($250 value) and their design printed on our PRIDE library card!

Rules

  • One entry per person.
  • Must be your own original artwork.
  • Artwork must fit within the template.
  • Design must include a keychain card version.
  • Artwork celebrates the theme of Unbreakable PRIDE and Unshakeable POWER.

Submit your entry by emailing LGBTQIALibrary@sandiego.gov or in-person at any of our 37 library locations. 

 

 

Download Pride 2025 Library Card Contest Submission Form

 

Contest Disclaimer: By submitting your artwork in the PRIDE 2025 Library Card Contest, you give the City of San Diego through San Diego Public Library (“SDPL”) permission to reproduce creative works resulting from your (or your child’s, if it was the child’s artwork submitted) participation. Other than the prize (valued at $250) for the Grand Prize Winner, the Grand Prize Winner understands and agrees that they are not entitled to any financial compensation for any use by the SDPL of their submitted artwork. The Grand Prize Winner grants the SDPL an exclusive, royalty-free license to commercially reproduce the Grand Prize Winner’s artwork for promotional material and merchandise purposes, including but not limited to the sale of t-shirts, keychains, wallets, and similar merchandise. The Grand Prize Winner grants the SDPL the right to modify their artwork for any such purposes and waives any right to object to such modifications and commercial reproductions. The Grand Prize Winner understands and agrees that they may not use their submitted artwork for commercial purposes without the prior written approval of the SDPL.

 

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
  • 2024 SDPL Pride Library Card: Bright Rainbow Colors spell out PRIDE on a pink background, in the foreground protest marchers have signs to fight for LGBTQ equality
  • Photo of 2023 Pride Card library winner
  • Photo of 2022 Pride Card library winner
  • Photo of 2021 Pride Card library winner
  • Photo of 2020 Pride Card library winner

 

LGBTQIA+ History and Culture

Gale Archives of Sexuality and Gender graphic
Research sexuality and gender in relation to LGBTQ+ history and activism, cultural studies, psychology, health, political science, policy studies, and other related categories.

 

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Lambda Archives of San Diego
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

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