In honor of Pride Month in June, Chicago Public Library will feature a variety of programs for kids, teens and adults highlighting the culture, history and achievements of the LGBTQ community.
The Pride Committee started in 2009 at CPL and has been fully committed to assist in expanding and improving its range of services to the LGBTQ community. They continue to connect Chicago's residents to enriching LGBTQ programs, events and information.
This year's keynote program Looking Out // Looking In Performance and Talk Back is a play that features the true stories of the performers where the audience is encouraged to engage back with the actors.
Over 25 free music performances, author events, story times, film screenings and more are planned to celebrate Pride Month. For more information about Pride Month programs and library offerings, visit chipublib.org/pride.
2018 Pride Month celebration highlights include:
Drag Story Time
June 2 at 11am | Albany Park
June 6 at 10:30am | Pullman
June 7 at 10:30 am | Rogers Park
June 12 at 5:30pm | Garfield Ridge
Story time becomes more dazzling with stories, songs, boas, and glitter.
Looking Out // Looking In Performance and Talk Back
June 7 at 6 pm | Harold Washington — Multipurpose Room
Hilarious, relevant, and poignant, looking out // looking in is a collection of stories that connects issues around race, class, sexuality, age, gender, and self-esteem. This is presented by About Face Theatre.
Schlip Shlops
June 9 at 1pm | King
Two friends, Izah and Charley, pull inspiration from animals, food, and camaraderie for their mirth-filled performances, which explore making space for themselves, their bodies, and their queer identities.
Pride Trivia
June 14 at 4 pm | West Town
Show off your knowledge, win prizes and have fun at this friendly competition for all teens.
Film Screenings showcasing LGBTQ filmmakers, actors and experiences
Various times and locations
Maker Lab Programs
Pride Felt Bunting Workshop
June 15 at 2pm | Harold Washington — CPL Maker Lab
Create a unique Pride-themed felt bunting decoration to take home.
Celebrate Pride with Rainbow Mosaics
June 23 at 2pm | Harold Washington — CPL Maker Lab
Come and make a rainbow mosaic. Participants will learn to create their own mini mosaic magnet using stained glass on wood with artist Norma Rios-Sierra.
Art Exhibits
The Library is Open: A Queer Lexicon
June 1-30 | Third Floor at Harold Washington, Exhibit Cases
This exhibit offers a glimpse into the vocabulary of the LGBTQ community. Through a selection of terms, it invites patrons to learn the lingo that many queer people use now to show their pride. There will be a walking tour for the exhibit on June 13 at 5:30pm.
Books by LGBTQ authors, artwork and more are available at all library branches and on the library's website throughout the year. For a complete listing of programs, visit a CPL location or chipublib.org .
About Chicago Public Library
Since 1873, Chicago Public Library ( CPL ) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services; was named the first ever winner of the National Summer Learning Association's Founder's Award in recognition of its Summer Learning Challenge; and was ranked number one in the U.S., and third in the world by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, please call ( 312 ) 747-4050 or visit chipublib.org . To follow CPL on social media, visit us on Twitter ( @chipublib ) or Facebook ( Chicago Public Library ).
