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Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride at Madison Public Library

Each year Madison Public Library celebrates Pride month in June with events, books and resources. However, we also have LGBTQ+ events happening year-round. See below for more information about how Madison Public Library celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride. 

Madison Public Library provides free and equitable access to cultural and educational experiences. The library celebrates ideas, promotes creativity, connects people, and enriches lives, with an emphasis on promoting literacy and equity in library collections, services, and programs.

Upcoming events:

Make Art with Pride at Meadowridge Library with artist Rita SalmMake Art with Pride

Join a 4-week series of creative art-making for teens and tweens at Meadowridge Library! Rita Salm is a local artist and illustrator who will lead teens and tweens through different Pride Month-themed art projects during the month of June.

No registration is required.

First Friday Films at Lakeview Library: Twilight's KissFirst Friday Film: Twilight's Kiss

Friday, June 2, 6-8PM | Lakeview Library

Twilight's Kiss [Suk Suk] presents the story of two closeted married men in their twilight years. One day Pak, 70, a taxi driver who refuses to retire, meets Hoi, 65, a retired single father, in a park. Despite years of societal and personal pressure, they are proud of the families they have created through hard work and determination. Yet in that brief initial encounter, something is unleashed in them which had been suppressed for so many years. As both men recount and recall their personal histories, they also contemplate a possible future together.

Rating: NR | Romance/Drama | 92 minutes

Unable to attend this month's feature? Find it on Kanopy!

Lakeview Library hosts a movie night on the first Friday of each month. SEE THE LINEUP

Bernie and zuzu is Pinney Library's Artist-in-Residence for 2023Fabric-Dyeing Rainbow Flags (2-Day Workshop)

  • Part I: Tuesday, June 6 | 6-7:45PM
  • Part II: Wednesday, June 7 | 6-8PM

During Pride Month, come dye your own Rainbow Flag at Pinney Library. This 2-day workshop is intended for older teens and adults. Registrants must commit to attend the entire 2 hour session on both days. Breaks will be included; bring your own snacks and beverages. Registration opens 2 weeks prior to the event.

Friday Night Flicks at Pinney Library Spoiler AlertFriday Night Flicks: Spoiler Alert

Friday, June 9, 6-8PM

Based on Michael Ausiello's best-selling memoir "Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies," the film is a heartwarming, funny and life-affirming story of how Michael and Kit's relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them falls ill.

Directed by: Director: Michael Showalter

Starring: Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge

Pinney Library hosts Friday Night Flicks the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. SEE THE LINEUP

Elliot Page will appear at the Wisconsin Book Festival for his debut memoir PageboyWisconsin Book Festival Presents: Elliot Page for Pageboy

Monday, June 12, 7PM | Barrymore Theatre

In partnership with A Room of One's Own Bookstore. This event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is by general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m. Pre-signed copies of Pageboy will be distributed for free to all attendees courtesy of a gift from the Cheryl Rosen Weston Estate.   

The Oscar-nominated star who captivated the world with his performance in Juno finally shares his truth. 

With Juno’s massive success, Elliot became one of the world’s most beloved actors. His dreams were coming true, but the pressure to perform suffocated him. He was forced to play the part of the glossy young starlet, a role that made his skin crawl, on and off set. The career that had been an escape out of his reality and into a world of imagination was suddenly a nightmare.

As he navigated criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, a past that snapped at his heels, and a society dead set on forcing him into a binary, Elliot often stayed silent, unsure of what to do, until enough was enough. Full of behind the scenes details and intimate interrogations on sex, love, trauma, and Hollywood, Pageboy is the story of a life pushed to the brink. But at its core, this beautifully written, winding journey of what it means to untangle ourselves from the expectations of others is an ode to stepping into who we truly are with defiance, strength, and joy.

Past events:

We Will Always Be HereWe Will Always Be Here Interview

Youth Services Librarians Rachel Lavender and Savannah Carr worked with the Wisconsin Book Festival to put on an event about the book "We Will Always Be Here", written by local authors Jenny Kalvaitis and Kristen Whitson. The event had 98 virtual participants, and teens gathered at the Lakeview and Goodman South branches to have watch parties. Kalvaitis and Whitson talked about using primary and secondary sources in their work, and they also discussed  the LGBTQ+  activism of Black and rural communities in Wisconsin. The book is available for checkout at Madison Public Libraries in both physical and eBook formats. Click here to watch the interview!

 

Resources: 

LGBTQ+ Wellness GuideLGBTQ+ Wellness Guide 2021 from Madison Public Library
In 2021, Youth Services Librarian Savannah Carr worked with community partners to create an inclusive LGBTQ+ Wellness Guide for Madison and the surrounding area. The guide includes a list of providers and resources for mental health, physical health, sexual health, and more with an emphasis on queer-owned or queer-run sources. This pocket guide will be available at local businesses and healthcare clinics for people to take with them. 

From the guide: Madison Public Library welcomes and supports the LGBTQ+ community of Dane County and understands that the fight for LGBTQ+ equity in America is far from over, especially for transgender people and queer folx of color. We also understand that support goes well beyond rainbows, flags or even books. We hope this guide informs and empowers users to access the services they need. You are loved, supported, and seen by Madison Public Library during Pride and throughout the year.

Notary Services are available at Goodman South Madison LibraryNotary Services for Name Changes

The Goodman South Madison and Alicia Ashman libraries offer a free notary service, as well as free faxing service. If you are in the process of changing your name or gender marker and need either of these services, please call the library location to make an appointment.

Change Your Name on Your Library Card

We have updated our library card application process to help support our trans and non-binary users whose names may be different than what's listed on their IDs. Madison Public Library requires a photo ID to get a library card, but if your name is different than the name on your photo ID, we can list your name in the primary name field of your account so that any holds and notices sent out will use the correct name. We can also replace your library card if the name listed is no longer that name you go by. We want to make sure all library users have a positive experience, so if you'd like to make this change, please reach out to us by calling or visiting your local library or by emailing madcirc@madisonpubliclibrary.org with your library card number and the name (first name, middle initial, and last name) you would like to use for your account.

LGBTQ+ Book Lists

Stay in touch and learn more about LGBTQ+ programs, book lists and community work happening at the library throughout the year by signing up for our LGBTQ+ Insider Newsletter.

 

Pride In the Community

The Moth Madison StorySLAM: Pride

Monday, June 5, 7:30-9:30PM | High Noon Saloon

PRIDE: Prepare a five minute story about being proud. The confidence and glory of owning your talents, embracing your identity or, perhaps, flying too close to the sun. Lion-hearted valiance for a job well-done or the stubborn sting of unburied hatchets or unspoken apologies. Staying faithful to values, swallowing pride or admitting you ain’t too proud to beg.

Tickets will be available at the door. This venue is 18+. *Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the show. All sales final. Media Sponsor: WPR

PBS Wisconsin Presents: Wisconsin Pride

Saturday, June 17, 7PM | Barrymore Theatre

Experience Wisconsin history through a new lens in the all-new PBS Wisconsin documentary, Wisconsin Pride. The film brings hidden LGBTQ+ stories forward, and reconsiders our state’s history in that light. The two-hour documentary is a groundbreaking collaboration between PBS Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

LGBTQ+ history is Wisconsin history. Learn about trailblazing Wisconsinites who, when faced with intolerance, responded by creating community, living authentically, fighting for rights and having pride in themselves. Wisconsin Pride also features and celebrates R. Richard Wagner’s work as a historian and author. Wagner, a Madisonian who passed away in 2021, is featured in the documentary. His two-volume history from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press provided guidance and inspiration. Wagner was an activist, historian, gay rights leader, elected official, and public servant who worked for the state of Wisconsin for 33 years. Free admission. Seating is general admission.

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber's Pride Business Showcase

Tuesday, June 20, 5:30-7:30PM | Best Western Plus InTowner Madison

You're invited to join the award-winning Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce for their 2023 Pride Business Showcase.

Join a fun evening to celebrate Pride and business - you won’t want to miss this free signature event, which is an opportunity to celebrate Pride Month, as well as to network with different businesses and individuals that support the LGBTQ community. All are welcome so please bring a friend or colleague along with you to this exciting event!

If you are interested in being an exhibitor or a sponsor, please contact jack@wislgbtchamber.com for more information.

Glamour, Rebellion, BINGO: Exploring the Legacy of Drag Shows

Thursday, June 22, 5:30-7:30PM | DreamBank [821 E. Washington Ave]

Celebrate Pride Month with an evening of insight and entertainment as four iconic queens share their personal experiences and reflections on the rich history and cultural significance of drag shows. From the origins of drag as a form of rebellion against gender norms to its current place as a celebrated art form, our panelists will take you on a journey through the evolution of drag and its impact on society.

After connecting the dots on the history of drag shows, dreamers joining us in-person will enjoy a game of Drag BINGO, followed by a special performance. Don’t miss this unforgettable event celebrating the power of self-expression and the transformative nature of drag.

Can't make the in-person event? We'll also be offering a virtual one-hour version of the event's panel discussion - register here!

First Annual EastSide Madison Pride Fest

Saturday, June 24, 12-6PM | 521 Cottage Grove Rd

Show your pride and enjoy live music, food carts, vendors, kid’s activities, prizes, and more!

Hosted by the Dive Inn, Java Cat & Lesbian Pop Up Bar (LPub).

Outreach Magic Festival

Date TBD

OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center will be hosting their 5th Annual Magic Pride Festival LIVE in person sometime in August. ​This festival typically includes a stage show with local LGBTQ+ identified performers, large vendor areas, games and activities for youth and families, food and beverages, and more! Learn more

Reach Out & Read Podcast

LGBTQ+ children’s books play a crucial role in offering ‘mirrors and windows’ for all children and their caregivers, yet they remain not only hard to find, but often challenged by society.  In Part 1 of our two-part series, we’ll explore the craft and creativity behind LGBTQ+ children’s literature with Lesléa Newman, author of 75 books including the well-known Heather Has Two Mommies, and Kyle Lukoff, author of Call Me Max and When Aidan Became A Brother.

In Part 2 of our series on LGBTQ+ children’s books, we talk to Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo, a professor at the University of Alabama’s School of Library and Information Studies.  We discuss how to evaluate LGBTQ+ books for kids, common portrayals of ‘rainbow families’ in children’s books, balancing accessibility and privacy issues for books around these topics, and, of course why, year after year, LGBTQ+ children’s books continue to be the most challenged genre.

Local LGBTQ+ History
As we celebrate this month, we can also look back at the history of LGBTQ life in Madison and Dane County. Beginning with a few oral histories, this UW-Madison Archive collection features a diverse array of materials and voices from the LGBTQ community. Explore the collection for oral histories, personal papers, photographs, ephemera and organizational records related to LGBTQ life in Madison and Dane County from the 1940s to the present.

Our Lives
Billed as "Wisconsin's Source for LGBTQ News + People + Community + Culture Since 2007".  Some libraries have current print issues for free, or check out all print issues from our collection back to 2011.