SAN FRANCISCO, May 16, 2023 - San Francisco Public Library, a.k.a. the “Queerest. Library. Ever.” and home to the Hormel LGBTQIA Center, celebrates PRIDE with free programs for all ages and an exhibit featuring poetry and art from sixteen BIPOC trans and gender nonconforming Bay Area artists.

“When you include the Library as part of your Pride celebrations, you embrace San Francisco’s rich shared queer history while simultaneously strengthening our community, affirming our values as a City and nurturing the creators that are writing today’s queer stories,” says Hormel Center Program Manager Cristina Mitra. “Pride at the Library has something for everyone. We can’t wait to celebrate YOU with you.”

This June, the Hormel LGBTQIA Center at the Main Library offers programs that center queer creativity. Art-making programs include a Queer Collage workshop led by artist Terrance Graven on June 4 and a retro zine workshop, Zinething, presented in partnership with SF Zinefest on June 20. The Library also examines queer contributions to the City’s music and club scenes. On June 18, Louis Niebur, author of Menergy: San Francisco’s Gay Disco Sound, goes back in time to rediscover the Castro-born sounds of “high-energy” dance music. On June 29, relive the magic and glory days of the legendary 90s queer women’s monthly dance party Club Q with writer tanea lunsford lynx and choreographer Richelle Donigan.

On view through June 29, I Still Love You: Queerness, Ancestors and the Places That Made Us features original poetry, artwork and historical works from the Hormel Center collection, some never exhibited to the public. Co-curated by local queer women of color artists Tina Bartolome and Natalia M. Vigil, the exhibit includes works by Amalia Macias-Laventure, Izaac Limón, J. Torres, JTL, Joemae Santos, Marcel Pardo Ariza, Mason J., Natalia Vigil, S.C. Smith, Shay X. Gee, tanea lunsford lynx, Tiara Mir, Tina Bartolome, Tina V. Aguirre, vero majano, Zara Jamshed and Ziggy Ann DeBerry. These artists and writers pay homage to the power of writing and the complex lineages of people and places that helped shape their sense of self and community. The exhibit also includes sublime black-and-white portraits by photographers Robert Giard and Lynda Koolish and selections from the archives of Native American writer, photographer and political activist Barbara Cameron and Cabo Verdean/Wampanoag/Ioway playwright, author and poet Jewelle Gomez and the collection on disco star Sylvester and much more.

For families, there are Pride-themed story times, arts and crafts activities that include: a Rainbow Sun Catcher workshop at the Western Addition Branch on June 7; Pride flag-making on June 21 at Visitacion Valley Branch; a Pride bracelet class on June 24 at Merced Branch and much more. The Harvey Milk/Eureka Valley Branch Library hosts its annual Open House on June 10. The event features music by J.D. Limelight, Drag Story Hour with Panda Dulce, face-painting by Bayley Van, free book giveaway, button-making and snacks and refreshments. On June 28, the Excelsior Branch Library hosts a family dance party where patrons of all ages are encouraged to don rainbow colors and dance to a high energy Pride-themed playlist.

“At a time when transgender people and drag performers are under attack, the work that we do at Eureka Valley Branch Library to reflect and support our community feels even more critical,” says long-time Children’s Librarian Bix Warden. “Pride is always an exciting time for us. We love seeing community members of all ages enjoying our programs, and more importantly, celebrating together. Everyone is invited to our Open House. We look forward to seeing you there.”

A full list of Pride programs can be found below. All events are free and open to the public. More information at sfpl.org.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Pride Screening: Pariah
June 1, 2023, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Koret Auditorium
A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak and family as she explores her sexuality. Director: Dee Rees Stars: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Aasha Davis Rated: R, 86 mins., 2011  

Queer Collage
June 4, 2023, 2 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Paley Room, 3rd Floor.
A safe space where artists and non-artists meet to explore collage together as an art form, and as a tool for increasing spontaneous creativity. The workshop will begin with a short presentation introducing materials, techniques and examples, led by artist Terrance Graven. Reservation required: on.sfpl.org/queercollage

Author: Christopher Castellani, Leading Men

June 4, 2023, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial, 1 Jose Sarria Court
Castellani discusses his latest book set in the glamorous literary and film circles of 1950s Italy. Q&A to follow. 

Speaker: Professor Timothy Morton on Queer Ecology

June 6, 2023, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., Virtual Event
Professor Timothy Morton (they/them) gives a talk on the benefits of a queer ecology framework, and how it continues to make for interesting thought and action. Moderated Q&A to follow.

Film Screening: Who's Afraid of Kathy Acker?

June 7, 2023, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch, 351 9th Avenue
A thoughtful look at the outlaw writer and punk icon whose experimental novels, published from the ’70s through the mid-’90s, challenged assumptions about gender roles, sexuality and the literary canon. NR, 87 min., 2008. Closed captions (CC) in English.

Presentation: Mid-Century Gender-Bending Drag Shows in Glen Park

June 7, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., Glen Park Branch, 2825 Diamond Street
For a brief period in the mid-1960s, when the city’s LGBTQ community was beginning to find its voice, “San Francisco’s Finest Female Impersonators” performed at the Casa Blanca Lounge in Glen Park. Evelyn Rose of the Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project shares how the story of the Casa Blanca not only reveals the rich Italian heritage of the 2900 block of Diamond Street but also sheds light on a time when expression of an individual’s authentic self in San Francisco was an arrestable offense.

Film Screening: Love, Simon

June 8, 2023, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Koret Auditorium
Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity. Director: Greg Berlanti Stars: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel Rated: PG-13, 110 mins.

Film Screening: Saving Face

June 8, 2023, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Richmond/Senator Milton Marks, 351 9th Avenue
A gay Chinese American and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations. Stars Joan Chen, Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen. Written and directed by Alice Wu. Rotten Tomatoes rating of 87%.  R, 97 min., 2004. Closed captions (CC) in English.

Crafting in the Castro: Button Making for Pride

June 11, 2023, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial, 1 Jose Sarria Court
Make your own buttons to decorate clothes or bags.  Choose from a variety of designs celebrating Pride, or make a unique design.  

LGBTQIA Book Swap

June 11, 2023, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Mary Louise Stong Conference Room - 1st Fl

Bring queer fiction in good condition and exchange it for something new to you. We will have a selection of recent award-winning fiction, science fiction and mysteries, and we encourage you to talk about your favorite queer books with us and other book lovers.

Film Screening: The Birdcage
June 15, 2023, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room
A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's right-wing moralistic parents. Director: Mike Nichols Stars: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman Rated: PG, 117 mins., 1996

Author: Louis Niebur discusses Menergy: San Francisco's Gay Disco Sound
June 18, 2023, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
Learn about "high energy," the music genre born in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood, with historians Louis Niebur and Joshua Gamson, in conversation about Niebur’s recent book, Menergy: San Francisco’s Gay Disco Sound. Book sale provided by Fabulosa Books.

Activity: Zinething
June 20, 2023, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Martin Paley Conference Room
A monthly LGBTQIA zine-making meetup presented by SF Zine Fest in partnership with the Hormel LGBTQIA Center. Open to new and experienced zinesters. Tell your story, tell your truth!  Every 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Film Screening: My Beautiful Laundrette
June 22, 2023, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Koret Auditorium
An ambitious Pakistani Briton and his white boyfriend strive for success and hope when they open a glamorous laundromat. Director: Stephen Frears Stars: Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth, Daniel Day-Lewis Rated: R, 97 mins., 1985  

Film Screening: Straight Up
June 28, 2023, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Glen Park Branch, 2825 Diamond Street
Todd (Writer-Director James Sweeney) is a hyper-articulate, obsessive compulsive gay twentysomething whose fear of dying alone leads him to a baffling conclusion: he might not be gay after all. When he meets Rory, a whip-smart struggling actress with her own set of insecurities, the two forge a relationship that’s all talk and no sex. Sweeney delivers a razor sharp rom-com that’s equal parts Classical Hollywood and distinctly 21st century, exploring just how elastic our definitions of love and sexuality can get. NR, 96 mins., 2019. Closed captions (CC) in English.

Remembering Club Q
une 29, 6 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Koret Auditorium
Honor and celebrate San Francisco’s famed '90s queer women’s monthly dance party, Club Q, through film, archival photos and a star panel featuring Club Q founder and legendary DJ, Page Hodel, choreographer, Richelle Donigan, and many more special guests. Hosted by local educator, artist and SFPL Artist-in-Residence tanea lunsford lynx.

I Still Love You: Queerness, Ancestors and the Places That Made Us
Through June 29, Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, Hormel LGBTQIA Center
Queer and trans BIPOC Bay Area writers conjure their queer ancestors and living legends from the archives through original poetry, artwork and historical treasures. An artistic conversation that suspends time and space, this exhibit pays homage to the power of writing and the complex lineages of people and places that made us.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Summer Stride Kickoff Party with Drag Story Hour
June 3, 2023, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Portola Branch Library, 380 Bacon Street
Celebrate the launch of Summer Stride with a day of fun inside and outside the Portola Branch. Starting at 1:00 delight in stories shared by Drag Queen Per Sia, as she takes you on an enchanted tour that celebrates a rainbow of diversity, fun and the unique value and worth of each of us.

Storytime: Pride Celebration for Families
June 7, 2023, 11:30 – 12:00 p.m., West Portal Branch, 190 Lenox Way
Celebrate LGBTQIA Pride Month with songs, stories and rainbows. Space is limited and will be granted on a first come first served basis. Cancellations due to inclement weather or bad air quality may occur, please call (415) 355-2886 to confirm.

Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Open House
June 10, 2023, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch, 1 Jose Sarria Court
Stop by the Open House for fun events all afternoon long including Drag Story Hour with Panda Dulce, crafts, face painting, light snacks and more.

Workshop: Make Your Own Pride Flag
June 21, 2023, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Visitacion Valley Branch, 201 Leland Avenue
Make your own flag to celebrate Pride Month using mixed media. Learn about the history of our current Pride flags, try your hand at recreating flags of your choice or invent your own unique flag to represent yourself or someone you know!   

Activity: Pride Bracelets
June 24, 2023, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Merced Branch Library, 155 Winston Drive
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride by making your very own colorful bracelet. For ages 5 and up. 

Pride Month Family Dance Party
June 28, 2023, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Excelsior Branch Library, 4400 Mission Street
Don your rainbow colors and come dance to a high energy Pride-themed playlist. Drop in anytime during the session for as much dancing as you like.

TEEN PROGRAMS

Author: Sherilyn Connelly, Beautiful Ghosts: A Queer Memoir
June 7, 2023, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Potrero Branch, 1616 20th Street
Local author Sherilyn Connelly reads from her inspirational LGBTQ+ book about her coming out as transgender at 25 in 1999.

Tween Graphic Novel Club
June 26, 2023, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Glen Park Branch, 2825 Diamond Street
Talk about recent graphic novels with fellow comics fans. Our June title is Snapdragon by Kat Leyh. Come for low-key discussion even if you haven't finished the book. We'll have copies on hold at Glen Park for you to pick up in advance or find the eBook on Axis 360. Snacks provided. For ages 11-14.

Media Contact:
Kate Patterson
Kate.Patterson@sfpl.org I (415) 557-4252