CONNECT with the CityLGBTQIA+ Library Services
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
Quick links:
Featured Events
Día de los Muertos Pride Storytime ft. Barbie Q
October 26 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Mountain View/Beckwourth Library
Join us for a unique and unforgettable Día de los Muertos Pride Storytime featuring the fabulous Barbie Q! Enjoy a vibrant celebration with captivating Día de los Muertos stories, dynamic performances, and creative crafts.
We'll also host a La Calavera Catrina y Catrino Contest, where all youth are invited to participate for a chance to win exciting prizes, generously sponsored by Rainbow Spaces. This is a free, safe, and welcoming event for the entire community—everyone is welcome to join in the fun!
It's Not Your Lady Gaga's Monsters: Freaks, Ghosts, and Tita's Tsismis...
October 29 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
San Diego Central Library
During this program, we will learn about the hyper metaphor of monsters. In Filipinx/Pilipinx, what does it mean to be "X?" What does it mean to be a diaspora? What does it mean to be turned into a monster? This Filipino American History Month and LGBTQIA+ History Month, we will explore the splitting of Filipino and Filipino American identities. Program presented by Professor JoJo Ruanto-Ramirez (they/them).
2024 Pride Library Card Winner
SDPL is proud to announce the winner of the 2024 Pride Library Contest: Jenn David Connolly. Keep an eye out for Jenn's design, it will be available at all SDPL locations starting on Saturday, July 13, while supplies last.
On their 2024 winning design, Jenn states, “The first San Diego Pride parade was in celebration of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion in NYC, and it’s estimated that there were approximately 25 people who participated in that march. The Stonewall Inn had a brick front, so the brick texture is an homage to the Stonewall Rebellion. The silhouettes of people in the design could be seen as rebelling or celebrating, or both. In the first few San Diego Pride marches, some wore paper bags over their heads to conceal their identity, fearful of retaliation. The confetti and festive elements celebrate all the progress that has been made for Pride in San Diego since that first march, and for all the progress that continues forward in the future. The hearts and rainbow colors celebrate love of all kinds." (Source: https://sdpride.org/year1974/)
Upcoming Events
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Rainbow Spaces: Dungeons & Dragons /Calabozos y Dragones
Middle School Age, Teens
11am - 12pm
Teens, Emerging Adults, Adults, Older Adults
11am - 12:30pm
Babies/Toddlers, Preschoolers, Elementary School Age
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Rainbow Spaces: Dungeons & Dragons /Calabozos y Dragones
Middle School Age, Teens
6pm - 7pm
Adult Craft Night - Colorful Book Bags
Teens, Emerging Adults, Adults, Older Adults
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
LGBTQIA+ History and Culture
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