We're delighted to share the seventh blog in our series, Library Lifeline. Here, our Project Manager for the Love our Libraries team, Jenny Howe, shares her tips on how schools and libraries can celebrate Pride Month beyond the month of June.
This series is written in association with the School Library Association and is designed to support anyone working in a school library by answering their questions directly. If you have a question that you’d like to ask then please email us at worldofstories@literacytrust.org.uk and your question may be the focus of a future blog!
I display relevant books in the library during Pride Month but now that it’s nearly over, I’d like to do more around this topic. Do you have any pointers for me?
School librarian
Our tips on how to celebrate Pride beyond the month of June
Pride Month is a fantastic opportunity to read, discuss and display some beautifully inclusive books for all year groups and to recognise the influence of the LGBTQ+ community.
It’s a great occasion to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ inclusion, in a school library setting or in the classroom. Hopefully you used this past month to kick-start the celebrations, raise awareness of the current issues facing the community, and discover new authors and events.
There is however, no better time to use this as a springboard to sustain momentum throughout the year and build on all the ideas and connections you will have already formed.
What is Pride Month?
The iconic Pride Month is celebrated in June to honour the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Pride Month in 2022 was especially significant as it marked 50 years since the first Pride march took place in the United Kingdom, an event where 2,000 people marched together for support and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community.
Support and ideas to continue raising awareness
We have the perfect resources for you to continue honouring LGBTQ+ voices and raising awareness around them!
Our Words for life website is jam-packed with activities for all age ranges and abilities, including some great stories you can listen to in your libraries. There are also instructions for creating your own zine, which is an extremely fun activity for pupils to draw them into the library.
Perhaps you want to extend into Home Tech lessons and bake a six layer rainbow cake – ideal for any time of year!
If you’re unsure which books are best to recommend to pupils of different ages and reading ability, be sure to check out our fantastic collection of curated book lists for early years to young people aged 16+. These are also a handy guide for you to refresh those wonderful library displays well past June.
There’s also plenty of free support around planning library or PSHE lessons beyond Pride Month. Educate and Celebrate have some excellent taster LGBTQ+ inclusive lesson plans and assemblies available to download.
The Proud Trust is a valuable resource if you’re seeking helpful advice and guidance for LGBTQ+ youth. As well as the opportunities to build connections, they offer peer support and mentoring programmes.
Resources to get you started!
As you can see, with so many accessible, enjoyable activities and helpful guidance available, it has never been easier – or more enjoyable – to incorporate Pride Month in your libraries all year round. Now is the perfect time to begin:
- Check out our resources on Words for Life, our website for families.
- Educate and Celebrate has a range of classroom resources.
- The Proud Trust has resources for LGBT+ History Month.