Indie Bookstores Celebrate Pride Online [5]

This year, bookstores are taking to social media to celebrate Pride month in a way that's both socially distant and in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, which includes posting book lists and recommendations, sharing resources, and hosting virtual events. Here are just some of the ways indie bookstores are celebrating this year:

Image of Kacen Callender's FELIX EVER AFTER

Bluestockings Bookstore [7] in New York City is holding a virtual event [8] with Kacen Callender and Ashia Monet.

Pride Parade Image Indy Reads Books

Indy Reads [9] in Indianapolis, Indiana, posted a throwback [10] to last year’s Pride parade. The store shared on Instagram: “Though we certainly find ourselves missing the feel good, full-of-love energy the Pride parade brings every year, and being amongst our friends and family and allies adorned in rainbow colors, let us never forget it was trans women of color who led the riots at Stonewall, bringing about a much needed national movement. This year we feel as proud as ever before.”

Meet the author event with Zaina Arafat

Quail Ridge Books [11] in Raleigh, North Carolina, is holding a virtual reading and Q&A [12] with Palestinian-American writer Zaina Arafat for her new novel, You Exist Too Much.⠀

Lammy Winners - Politics and Prose

Politics and Prose [13] in Washington, D.C., featured the 2020 Lammy winners on its Instagram [14].

Women and Children's First

Women & Children First [15] in Chicago, Illinois, posted a list of books by Black trans authors [16] to read all year long.

Secret Garden's book list

Secret Garden Books [17] in Seattle, Washington, posted to Instagram [18]: “In celebration of the latest Supreme Court decision and Pride month!”

Firestorm book recommendations

Firestorm Books & Coffee [19] in Asheville, North Carolina, posted to Instagram [20]: “Out today! — A Quick & Easy Guide to Sex & Disability by A. Andrews. This is the third installation in Limerence Press' guide series, which previously covered nonbinary pronouns and queer/trans identity. We love these #ownvoices comics and are really excited to see them stretch into new territory. This installment introduces disability sexuality, smashes some myths, and offers practical suggestions for both disabled and able-bodied readers.”

A displat a R.J. Julia Booksellers

R.J. Julia Booksellers [21] in Madison, Connecticut, posted to Instagram [22]: “These are just a few of the books we recommend if you are celebrating Pride with a nonfiction book or two!” The store is also hosting a virtual event with Richie Jackson, author of Gay Like Me, and Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown, authors of We Are Everywhere.

Book recommendations from Bookmarks

Bookmarks [23] in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, posted to Instagram [24]: “Check out our Pride Month endcaps! We have many, many books by LGBTQIA authors or about the history of Pride in the store, so if you're looking for something specific, just send us a message or give us a call.”