June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month, an annual celebration of the history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community. It is also an opportunity for people to take the time to educate themselves on queer history and issues that the LGBTQ+ community continues to face today. With that said, here are 3 resources for educating yourself and others, and learning how to be a better ally!
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
Sister Outsider is a collection of essays and speeches by Audre Lorde, in which she discusses her life as a lesbian, her experiences as a Black woman, and her activism. The book garnered critical acclaim for its progressive feminist philosophies and is an essential read for understanding the intersectionality of queer issues.
When We Rise: My Life in the Movement by Cleve Jones
When We Rise is a semi-autobiographical book by Cleve Jones, a gay man who lived through the San Francisco LGBTQ+ scene in the 1970s. In the book, Jones documents the rise of queer culture in the U.S., his experiences finding community, and the political and social movements that occurred in the 1970s; as a friend of Harvey Milk (California’s first openly gay elected official), Jones provides a unique and personal perspective to the movement, as well as to the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.
The Queer Bible (@thequeerbible on Instagram)
“Your guide to queer culture”, The Queer Bible is a platform on which LGBTQ+ people can share their stories, art, and resources. It is a diverse and open space filled with essays from queer people all over, accompanied by original illustrations by LGBTQ+ artists. In their own words, “We want young people to stand tall, knowing that they follow in the footsteps of some of the most incredible human beings to walk the face of this planet!”. The Queer Bible is a fantastic resource for both queer people seeking community, and for allies who want to learn more about queer culture and history.
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