Celebrating Pride Month and Raising the Progress Pride Over LA County Facilities
A message from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: Each June, Public Health joins in honoring and commemorating the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. This uprising marked the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against the LGBTQ+ community. Over the next several years, more cities began to hold their own annual marches to promote LGBTQ+ visibility, liberation, and resistance. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshop, symposia, concerts, and memorials for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS.
Public Health recognizes that members of the LGBTQ+ community experience distinct health concerns, inequities and are more likely to experience certain health-related challenges and disparities; Health issues that affect everyone may affect the LGBTQ+ community in different ways. LGBTQ+ youth report higher rates of bullying in school, are more likely to think about suicide, and are twice as likely to use illicit drugs than those who identify as heterosexual. In addition, only a few national surveys include questions on sexual orientation, which makes identifying the specific health needs of the LGBTQ+ community more challenging.Â
Pride month serves as a collective reminder of the importance of safety, visibility, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals and highlights that our continued efforts to advance equitable justice and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community are crucial.
Learn more about Pride and the events happening in LA County throughout the month:
LA County Library Events:Â lacountylibrary.org/pride/
Pride at the Park:Â parks.lacounty.gov/pride/
LA! Pride: lapride.org/pride-2024/
WEHO Pride: wehopride.com/
Los Angeles LGBT Center:Â lalgbtcenter.org/events/
How to Metro to all Pride Celebrations: thesource.metro.net/2024/05/29/happy-pride-month-heres-how-to-go-metro-to-all-the-celebrations/
Learn more about LGBTQ+ History:Â loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/
Learn about the importance of pronouns.
On May 21, 2024, the LA County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion proclaiming the month of June as "Pride Month" throughout Los Angeles County (County) and directed each County department to raise the Progress Pride flag over all County facilities where the American and California flags are displayed. This month, they celebrate and recognize the many broad and diverse LGBTQ+ communities throughout LA County.
Over this last year, the County has acted urgently to address the many challenges our LGBTQ+ communities face. From creating the County’s first ever LGBTQ+ Commission to initiating an LGBTQ+ Community Safety Plan, Los Angeles County is committed to protecting, supporting, and uplifting its vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
This is an important time for LGBTQ+ communities as their fundamental rights are under attack, even throughout various communities in the County. This past year brought a number of high-profile acts of violence, intimidation, and suppression of LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms at drag queen story hours, school board meetings, and social gatherings. Proclaiming June as Pride Month and flying the Progress Pride flag at County facilities affirms LA County’s commitment to being inclusive and fostering belonging.
Please join them in celebrating Pride Month at some of the various activities and events below. For more information on upcoming events, visit the LA County Library's page here: lacountylibrary.org/pride
LA County Library LGBTQ+ Pride Events
Rainbow Parenting & Family Program Kickoff: Play & Explore: Join them for a session of play, curiosity, and creativity to kick off a series of Rainbow Parenting & Family programs! Meet other local LGBTQ+ families, share experiences, and inspire and encourage each other! For kids ages 0 - 5 and their families.
Rainbow Parenting & Family Programs strive to build community and create a safe space for LGBTQ+ families in the library.
This program is part of Smart Start at the Library, LA County Library's collection of programs and services for early learners ages 0 – 5 and their caregivers.
When: Tuesday, June 4 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Where: East Los Angeles Library
Attendance is limited and advance registration is required.
Click Here for More Information
Avalon Pride - Adult Craft: Create a Pride-themed Origami folding box! For adults.
When: Thursday, June 6 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: Avalon Library
Click Here for More Information
Code Makers and Breakers: Alan Turing and Cryptography Join them in celebrating Pride at the library and learn about how codes are made and decoded. For adults.Then they will discuss the codebreaking work of Alan Turing, as well as the discrimination he faced for his sexuality. You will learn how to make a substitution cipher of our own.
When: Friday, June 7 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Where: Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Meeting Room
Registration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome as space permits.
Click Here for More Information
Pride Month: Keith Haring: Pride Month recognizes and celebrates the culture, contributions, history, and future of the LGBTQ+ community. Learn about American artist Keith Haring’s life and work, and create your own Keith Haring-inspired artwork. For ages 13 - 17.
When: Saturday, June 15 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: Lawndale Library, Meeting Room
Click Here for More Information
Pride Month Buttons: Join them as we learn about the origins of Pride Month and the meaning behind Pride flags. Afterwards, create your own button to express yourself to celebrate Pride Month. For teens ages 13 – 17.
When: Wednesday, June 26 - 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: San Gabriel Library, Meeting Room
Click Here for More Information
Pride Month: Rainbow Bracelets: Learn about the history of Pride Month and then create your own Rainbow bracelet (or any color combination you like)! All supplies will be provided. For teens.
When: Saturday, June 29 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Lloyd Taber-Marina del Rey Library, Meeting Room
Click Here for More Information
Rainbow Resilience: Uniting Generations for Health, Wellbeing, and Pride: The Department of Mental Health invites you to join us in celebrating Rainbow Resilience: Uniting Generations for Health, Wellbeing, and Pride. This free event will have wellness activities, resources, games, prizes, DJs, dancers, drag, and more!Â
When: Sunday, June 30 - 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Where: West Hollywood Park