The Stonewall Uprising and Pride Month
In the early morning of June 28, 1969, New York City police arrived at the Stonewall Inn—a gay bar in Greenwich Village—to conduct a routine raid, confiscating bootlegged alcohol and arresting patrons and employees who were found to be crossdressing. But that’s where the routine ended. For some reason, this particular moment was the tipping point for the gay clientele and, fed up with being intimidated and dehumanized, they fought back. No one can say exactly how the rebellion started, but whatever the spark was, violence erupted and raged throughout the community for six days.
Though there had been many groups in the past working to bring gay visibility and tolerance to mainstream America, the Stonewall Uprising—coupled with the turbulent nature of the 1960s—was a catalyst, bringing various advocacy groups together and creating a more powerful and organized political movement. In honor of this historical event and the LGBTQIA+ people who bravely lived their lives out and proud, June is designated as Pride Month, a time when queer people and their allies come together to celebrate their collective survival and triumphs, as well as renew their commitment to build a better world for all people.
To learn more about the history of Pride Month and the Stonewall uprising, check out these sources used in the writing of this post:
- 1969: The Stonewall Uprising — Library of Congress
- Even People Who Were There Still Don’t Agree on How Stonewall Started. Here’s What We Do Know — TIME
- Stonewall Riots — HISTORY
To celebrate Pride Month, the CBC is showcasing these select titles, all published in 2024, that honor both the struggles and joy found in the queer community.
Ages 4-6
ABCs of Queer History, by Seema Yasmin; illus. by Lucy Kirk (Hachette / Workman Kids) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, LGBTQIA+, History, Concepts, ages 4-6.
El Rosa, el Azul y Tú, written & illustrated by Elise Gravell with Mykaell Blais (NubeOcho) — Nonfiction, Picture Book, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, LGBTQIA+, Spanish, ages 4-6.
Leo and the Pink Marker, written & illustrated by Mariyka Foster (Peachtree) — Fiction, Picture Book, Imagination / Play, LGBTQIA+, Art / Performing Arts, Family / Community, ages 4-6.
Marley’s Pride, by Joëlle Retener; illus. by DeAnn Wiley (Barefoot Books) — Fiction, Picture Book, LGBTQIA+, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 4-6.
The Rainbow Parade, by Shane Jordan and Rick Hendrix; illus. by Jieting Chen (Sourcebooks / Jabberwocky) — Fiction, Picture Book, LGBTQIA+, Cultural Diversity, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 4-6.
How Mom met Mama, by C. Rowen MacCarald; illus. by Georgia Stylou (Benchmark Education / Reycraft Books) — Fiction, Picture Book, LGBTQIA+, Family / Community, Imagination / Play, ages 4-6.
Ages 7-12
Blood City Rollers, by Veronica Park Anderson; illus. by Tatiana Hill (Random House Children’s Books / Labyrinth Road) — Fiction, Graphic Novel, Action / Adventure, Coming of Age, LGBTQIA+, ages 7-12.
Camp Prodigy, written & illustrated by Caroline Palmer (Simon & Schuster / Atheneum Books for Young Readers) — Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA+, Friendships, Art / Performing Arts, Coming of Age, ages 7-12.
Emma and the Love Spell, by Meredith Ireland (Bloomsbury Publishing / Bloomsbury Children’s Books) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Fantasy, Coming of Age, ages 7-12
Gooseberry, by Robin Gow (Abrams Books / Amulet Books ) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Animals, Family / Community, ages 7-12.
Jamie (A Novel), by L.D. Lapinski (Little Bee Books / Yellow Jacket) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Coming of Age, Family / Community, ages 7-12.
Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine, by Nicole Melleby (Hachette / Algonquin Young Readers) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Family / Community, Coming of Age, ages 7-12.
Young Adult
Crash Landing, by Li Charmaine Anne (Annick Press) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Sports / Games / Recreation, Coming of Age, Teen.
Daniel, Deconstructed, by James Ramos (Harlequin Trade Publishing / Inkyard Press) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Coming of Age, Romance, Teen.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet, by Tony Keith, Jr. (HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Books) — Nonfiction, Poetry / Stories in Verse, Biography / Memoir, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Teen.
Out of Left Field, written & illustrated by Jonah Newman (Andrews McMeel Publishing) — Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA, Coming of Age, Romance, Teen.
Rainbow! (Volume 1), by Sunny; illus. by Gloom (Scholastic / Graphix) — Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA+, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Teen.
Skater Boy, by Anthony Nerada (Soho Press / Soho Teen) — Fiction, Prose, LGBTQIA+, Romance, Sports / Games / Recreation, ages Teen.
For even more LGBTQIA+ books published in 2024, check out this handy downloadable spreadsheet and the CBC interactive Inclusivity List: Books Full of Pride!
