June is National LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and with the month in full swing, the North Shore has many ways those wishing to celebrate can enjoy!
Evanston
Pride Month Scavenger Hunt – Search for your rainbow-clad friends in the Children’s Room. Then write your name and phone number on the back of your sheet and turn it in to the front desk to be entered in a raffle to win a prize! All month long. Main Library.
Rainbow Guessing Jar – Stop by and guess the number of rainbows in the jar at the Evanston Main Library. The three closest guesses win a prize. Hosted all month long.
Short and Sweet: It’s Pride! – Take home a short story and a simple craft with a Pride twist this month at the children’s department of the Evanston Main Library. Available all month long while supplies last.
Drag Queen BINGO for Adults and Teens – Coco Sho’Nell hosts Drag Queen BINGO at the Evanston main Library on June 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Open to ages 12 and beyond. Please register at evanston.libnet.info.
Law at the Library: LGBTQIA+ and the Law – Join a virtual discussion surrounding what you should prepare for later life planning including how to build an effective care plan and what documents, resources and information are need to ensure a secure future from a certified elder law attorney. The Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Public Library assisted in the event. The virtual event is planned for Tuesday, June 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. Register online at evanston.libnet.info.
Teen Pride Party – Celebrate the anniversary of same-sex marriage legalization with a live dance lesson, fashion shows and dance party at the Robert Crown Library Branch on June 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Face painting, food, nail polish making and more will be available. Please register at evanston.libnet.info.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Community Picnic – After Pride Month is over, keep the celebration going with the Pride Community Picnic at Ridgeville Park on July 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eat some food, play some games and enjoy fellowship with other LGBTQIA+ community members.
Wilmette
Classics and Contemporary Book Discussion of Maurice by E.M. Foster – Stop by the Wilmette Public Library on June 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to discuss Maurice by E.M. Foster. The story follows Maurice Hall who has a promising future in Edwardian Cambridge except for his homosexuality. Written in 1913 and 1914, the book wasn’t published until 1971 and showed a perspective ahead of its time.
Heat Transfer Pride Tote Bags – Teens can stop by the Wilmette Public Library to decorate their own Pride themed tote bag on June 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. All materials provided but registration is required at wilmette.libnet.info. Open to grades 7 through 12.
Carol: Friday Afternoon matinee – Come watch the story of a female department store employee who falls for a woman in 1950s New York. Starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Hosted at the Wilmette Public Library on June 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Winnetka
Rainbow Party – Join the Northfield Library staff for rainbow-themed crafts from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on June 13. Open to ages three and above with adult supervision.
Glencoe
Panel Discussion: Transgender Day of Visibility – Celebrated in March, Transgender Day of Visibility is being honored at the Glencoe Public Library with a panel discussion on June 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. Hosted by Pride/Share Director at Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook Lizzy Appleby, the event offers the chance for thoughtful and open conversation with a transgender and nonbinary panel.
Rainbow Day Pride Celebration – Celebrate Pride Month with all things rainbow at the Glencoe Public Library on June 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Supplies will be available to make Pride buttons, stickers and rainbow candy to take home.
It’s Raining Rainbows – Second to fifth graders can learn about the science behind rainbows and make crafts to take home at the Glencoe Public Library from 4 to 5 p.m. Registration is required at glencoelibrary.org.
Other opportunities include Survival with Dignity: Pauli Murray, a virtual exhibit by the American Writer’s Museum about the life of poet, lawyer, priest and closeted member of the LGBTQIA+ community Pauli Murray. Their work saw them be arrested for refusing to comply with laws requiring bus segregation and influenced the work of the Supreme Court, Civil Rights movement and more. Explore online at exhibits.americanwritersmuseum.org.
