LGBTQ

The Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June with book and film recommendations and events for all ages. Through this Explore Topic, you can also find local and national LGBTQ+ resources and support that encompass the diversity of sexual and gender identities. Other resources include information on bullying, safety, and coming out; books and resources for parents and siblings; biographies of important LGBTQ figures in the community; and award-winning LGBTQ fiction.

Links

AIDS Education Month
Since 1994 Philadelphia FIGHT has hosted AIDS Education Month (AEM), a series of events throughout Philadelphia to increase AIDS awareness and to bring people together to find strategies to combat the virus.
BiUnity of Philadelphia
The Philadelphia-area support network for bisexual people, their families, and friends.
CHOP: Gender and Sexuality Development Clinic
The Gender and Sexuality Development Program offers psychosocial and medical support for gender nonconforming, gender expansive, and transgender children and youth up to age 21 and their families. #youth #health #family
ECYEH: Pennsylvania's Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program
Are you going through housing issues? Staying with friends or family? Couch surfing or housing hopping? Staying in a shelter? You could be eligible for services and resources through ECYEH like referrals for housing, uniforms, transportation, tutoring, and other services. #youth #crisis
Einstein Healthcare's Pride Program - LGBTQ+ Health
Einstein's Pride Program in Philadelphia offers the LGBTQ community a professional, safe, and caring home for your healthcare needs. #health #family
Equality Advocates Pennsylvania
Equality Advocates' mission is to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in Pennsylvania through direct legal services, education, and policy reform.
Equality Forum
Equality Forum undertakes high-impact initiatives, produces documentary films, highlights LGBT history, and presents the largest annual national and international LGBT civil rights forum.
Family Acceptance Project
The Family Acceptance Project® is a research, intervention, education, and policy initiative to prevent health and mental health risks and to promote well-being for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) children and youth, including suicide, homelessness, drug use and HIV — in the context of their families, cultures and faith communities. #health #family #youth #parents #crisis
FORTUNE
FORTUNE was formed as a Philadelphia-based publication project assembled by and for the queer and trans Asian community. #community
GALAEI
GALAEI is a Queer and Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) radical social justice organization that provides and facilitates Queer educational services, and community wellness and is committed to healing historical harm. #youth #community
Gender Spectrum - Groups
Gender Spectrum hosts free online groups for parents, caregivers, and other family members and adults. These groups provide you with the opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, and feel the comfort of a supportive community. #youth #family
Giovanni's Room
Giovanni's Room, one of the oldest and more highly regarded gay and lesbian bookstores in the country, hosts many author events and is a great meeting place.
Gloria Casarez Residence
Gloria Casarez Residence provides 30 LGBTQ-friendly affordable homes for young adults (ages 18-23 at entry) who are, have, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, including those aging out of foster care. #crisis #community
Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Welcoming Schools Initiative
HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools Initiative is the nation's premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to embrace all families, create LGBTQ and gender-inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.
Kooth
Kooth is confidential online mental health support that’s at no cost for students of the Philadelphia School District. Chat with professionals, find support for others, read self-help articles, or try self-help tools — no referral needed, and totally anonymous. Professionals are available 3pm-11pm 7 days a week. #youth #crisis
LGBTQ Video Game Archive
A curated/researched collection of information of LGBTQ content in digital games from 1980s-present
Mazzoni Center
Mazzoni Center is located in Center City Philadelphia and has a range of LGBTQ-focused programs in healthcare, gender-affirming care, testing and prevention, and supportive services like a youth drop-in clinic. #health #family #youth #community
Morris Home
Morris Home supports trans and gender non-conforming individuals as they develop the knowledge, skills, and supports necessary to promote sobriety, manage emotional and behavioral difficulties, choose and maintain safe and healthy lifestyles, and develop healthy relationships with peers, family, and the community. #crisis #health
Office of LGBT Affairs, City of Philadelphia
The Office of LGBT Affairs works to foster equal working and living conditions for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and to advocate for LGBTQ issues in all areas of City government.
Penn Medicine - LGBTQ Health
At the Penn Medicine Program for LGBTQ Health, we believe all patients have the right to high-quality, patient-centered health care that is equal and unbiased. We connect you with compassionate and skilled providers across the health system who offer culturally competent care in a judgment-free setting. #health #family #youth
PFLAG Philadelphia
PFLAG Philadelphia is a partnership of parents, allies, and LGBTQ+ people working to make a better future for LGBTQ+ youth.
Philadelphia AIDS Law Project
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit public-interest law firm providing free legal assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS and those affected by the epidemic.
Philadelphia Asian & Queer
Philadelphia Asian & Queer (PAQ) is a volunteer, social organization that strives to engage queer (LGBTQIA+), Asian/Asian-American folks within the greater Philadelphia area. #community
Philadelphia Family Pride
A nonprofit membership organization for LGBTQ+ led families in the greater Philadelphia region
Philadelphia FIGHT
Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers provide culturally competent comprehensive primary care, and state of the art HIV primary care to low income members of the community, along with research, consumer education, advocacy, social services and outreach to people living with HIV and those who are at high risk, including family members, communities with high rates of HIV, formerly incarcerated persons, and young people at risk; and access to the most advanced clinical research in HIV treatment and prevention.
Philadelphia Gay News
The Philadelphia Gay News is the area’s largest and oldest publication targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Started in 1976, PGN reaches, builds rapport with, and listens to our readers and supporters — as well as our critics.
Philly Gay Calendar
Find out what's happening in Philadelphia's gay community along with a listing of local venues (bars, businesses, organizations, etc.)
Philly schools pass sweeping policy protecting transgender students
"Without debate or comments from the public, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission adopted a policy on Thursday, June 16 that immediately allows transgender students to, among other things, be referred to by their pronoun of choice; use their bathroom of choice; and go out for the athletic team of their gender choice, either boys' or girls'."
PHL Pride Collective
Founded in 2021, PHL Pride Collective is working to reimagine LGBTQ+ Pride events in Philly.
Serving All Library Families in a Queer and Genderqueer Way
There are excellent resources for librarians who want to improve their services to LGBTQ patrons, and the American Library Association’s (ALA) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) collects, creates, and promotes professional resources, and, importantly, administers the Stonewall Book Awards and yearly booklists that share the most current materials.
Stonewall Sports
Stonewall Sports - Philadelphia provides organized recreational sports leagues, tournaments, health, education and social events to the greater Philadelphia diverse LGBTQIA+ community. We aim to provide a safe space for our members to build a community where participants can have fun and make new friends while playing sports for the first or 20th time. #community
The Attic Youth Center
The Attic Youth Center creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community, and promotes the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society.
The Colours Organization, Inc.
The COLOURS Organization offers a safe and comfortable meeting place for sexual minorities of color in the heart of Center City Philadelphia.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources. They have a nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline. You can call 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678. #youth #crisis
Trans Latin@ Coalition
The TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC) advocates for the specific needs of the Trans Latin@ community that resides in the U.S.A. and to plan strategies that improve our quality of life.
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. We’re run by and for trans people. #youth #crisis #health
Trans Parent USA
Organizing experienced and knowledgeable resources to assist families with their child’s gender journey focusing on connection, resources, and visibility #family #parents #health #community
Transcribez: Trans & Gender Non-Conforming Youth Creative Writing Group
Transcribez is a creative writing group for youth (ages 14–24) that identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming. No experience or expertise in writing is necessary. #youth #community
Transgender Law Center
Transgender Law Center is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, we employ a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender-nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. #family #parents #crisis
William Way Center
Serving 15,000 LGBTQIA+ visitors annually, the William Way LGBT Community Center provides life-giving health, human service, social, and cultural services that help our community thrive.

LGBTQ+ Adult Fiction by Amber

On earth we're briefly gorgeous : a novel cover

View the full list

LGBTQ+ Resources for Parents & Allies by Amber

Ace : what asexuality reveals about desire, society, and the meaning of sex cover

Crisis : 40 stories revealing the personal, social, and religious pain and trauma of growing up gay in America cover

Stuck in the middle with you : a memoir of parenting three genders cover

Boy erased : a memoir of identity, faith, and family cover

Safe is not enough : better schools for LGBTQ students cover

Family pride : what LGBT families should know about navigating home, school, and safety in their neighborhoods cover

View the full list

LGBTQ : the survival guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teens cover

LGBTQ+ Teen Nonfiction (42 items)

LGBTQ+ Film and Television (90 items)

How to survive a plague : the inside story of how citizens and science tamed AIDS cover

LGBTQ+ Nonfiction (63 items)

LGBTQ+ Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs (52 items)

LGBTQ+ Teen Fiction (76 items)

Lyrics of sunshine and shadow : the tragic courtship and marriage of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Ruth Moore : a history of love and violence among the African American elite cover

Alice Dunbar-Nelson (27 items)

Free Library resources in support of the Rosenbach's Digital Exhibition: "I Am an American!" The Authorship and Activism of Alice Dunbar-Nelson

LGBTQ Middle Grade Books (46 items)

Books featuring LGBTQ characters and voices within children's fiction.

LGBTQ Picture Books (107 items)

Books for children of LGBTQ parents, or for little brothers and sisters of LGBTQ teens.

LGBTQ - Stonewall Book Awards (54 items)

The Stonewall Book Awards are given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience and include the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award, the Stonewall Book Awards – Barbara Gittings Literature award and the Stonewall Book Awards – Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award.

Upcoming Events

Calling for submissions!

Adult Young Adult Senior

Molly’s Books & Records in partnership with the Literature Department of the Philadelphia Free Library is… more details

Tue, April 30, 2024 11:59 PM
Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

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Drag Queen Storytime with Brittany Lynn

School Age Preschool

Join Brittany Lynn for a fun morning of stories about love, diversity, and acceptance. Brittany Lynn is the creator… more details

Wed, May 1, 2024 10:30 AM
Fox Chase Library
501 Rhawn Street
Philadelphia, PA 19111-2504

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Drag Storytime

School Age Preschool

This spring, join us in the library for Philadelphia’s drag performer royalty reading your favorite stories!… more details

Sat, May 4, 2024 11:00 AM
Kensington Library
104 West Dauphin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133-3701

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Queer Comics Club

Young Adult

Join us for a biweekly book club for young adults aged 14-24 where we'll explore and discuss graphic novels and… more details

Wed, May 8, 2024 4:00 PM
Philadelphia City Institute
1905 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-5730

Related Tags
- Free Library of Pride
- Comics and Graphic Novels