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Celebrate Pride!

May 27, 2025 - Waterloo Public Library
Read / Watch List
Special Day or Month of Significance

Pride Month is a time to honour the progress made in the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, while also recognizing the ongoing journey towards equality and acceptance.

At Waterloo Public Library, we are dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and understanding, and invite you to join us in discovering Pride Month reading suggestions, programs, events, and resources designed to educate, entertain, and empower. This is a great opportunity to learn, to have fun and to appreciate how each member of our community contributes to creating safe, welcoming spaces for one another. Together, let’s create a world where everyone can thrive.

Celebrate Pride Month with reading suggestions, resources and more below.

Reading List

Pride
Eric Huang
The Rebel's Guide to Pride
Matthew Hubbard
Let Them Stare
Jonathan Van Ness
Under the Rainbow
Chris Ayala-Kronos
The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: Interviews, Itineraries, and Inspiration from Queer Insiders in 50+ Proud Places
Alicia Valenski
I Can't Even Think Straight
Dean Atta
Pride Families
Amie Taylor
Flirting Lessons
Jasmine Guillory
I Think We Can!: A Visit to the Pride Parade
G. M. King
A Year of Pride and Joy: 52 LGBTQ+ Voices Share Their Life Passions
curated by Simon James Green
The Broposal
Sonora Reyes
Gorgeously Me!
Jonathan Van Ness
Gay Science: The Totally Scientific Examination of LGBTQ+ Culture, Myths, and Stereotypes
Rob Anderson
The Rainbow Parade: A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identities and Allies
Shane Jordan
Homophobia: Deal With It and Turn Prejudice Into Pride
Steven Solomon
The ABCs of Queer History
Seema Yasmin
Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color
Lil Miss Hot Mess
The Vinyl Diaries: Sex, Deep Cuts and My Soundtrack to Queer Joy
Pete Crighton
Pride or Die
C. L Montblanc
Paper Doll: Notes From a Late Bloomer
Dylan Mulvaney
Indigiqueerness: a Conversation About Storytelling
Joshua Whitehead

Featured Resources

eBooks & eAudiobooks with downloadLibrary & Libby

Find a selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks from downloadLibrary and the Libby app.

CBC Gem: Pride Collection

Films, docs and series telling the stories of the LGTBQ2+ community.

2SLGBTQ+ Cinema

Stream 2SLGBTQ+ films with Kanopy

Community Resources & Events

  • SPECTRUM: Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space

    SPECTRUM is an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events. Visit their website to learn more and view events.

  • OK2BME

    OK2BME is a set of supportive services run through KW Counselling for 2SLGBTQIA+ identified youth and teens in Waterloo Region. Explore their monthly calendar for upcoming OK2BME groups and other LGBTQ community events.

  • tri-Pride

    tri-Pride is a community Pride organization that aim to create inclusive and accessible events for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge region. tri-Pride annually runs Summerfest, with live performances, vendors, food and more.

    Summerfest 2025
    Date: Saturday, June 7
    Time: 12-8pm
    Location: Willow River Park, Kitchener

    Learn more on tri-Pride’s website.

  • Willow River Centre

    Willow River Centre is an open community space for Two-Spirit, IndigiQueer, Racialized, LGBTQ+ members and accomplices to come together.

    National Indigenous People’s Month & Pride Month Kick-Off
    Date: Sunday, June 1
    Time: 10am – 2pm
    Location: Kitchener Market, 300 King Street East, Kitchener

    Learn more here.

  • University of Waterloo Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity

    Glow is the oldest continually-running university-based 2SLGBTQ+ group in Canada dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes toward all sexual orientations and gender identities on campus at the University of Waterloo. Learn more on their website.

  • Grand River Pride

    Grand River Pride strives to help 2SLGBTQIA+ people to find a sense of belonging. Grand River Pride envisions a community where all people are welcome, recognized, safe, valued, and celebrated, regardless of how they identify or who they love. Learn more and explore upcoming events on their website.

  • Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region

    The Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition (WRRC) is a volunteer-based community association that acts as a central hub for the local Rainbow community. They promote sustainable opportunities for advocacy, awareness, education and community-building that are respectful of the diverse interests within the Rainbow community, and work with local allies to foster a strong and inclusive community.

    Pride Dance 2025 (19+)
    Date: Saturday, June 7
    Time: 8:00 pm
    Location: The Hub – 125 King Street West Kitchener

    This is a paid event. Learn more and get tickets here.

  • Rainbow Pride Bagel Workshop

    Celebrate Pride Month with Schneider Haus’s Rainbow Pride Bagel Workshop. Gather your friends and chosen family and learn how to make this iconic breakfast food with a rainbow twist!

    Date: June 11, 2025
    Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
    Location: Schneider Haus National Historic Site – 466 Queen Street South Kitchener

    This is a paid event. Learn more and get tickets here.

  • Drag Bingo Brunch Pride Kick-Off

    Wrap up your weekend with a fun and energetic Kick-Off to Pride Month Drag Bingo Brunch at Abe Erb! Enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and fabulous entertainment as we combine the best of both worlds—bingo and drag!

    Date: Sunday, June 1
    Time: 12-3pm
    Location: Abe Erb – 151 Charles Street West, Kitchener

    This is a paid event. Learn more and get tickets here.

  • Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery Pride Events

    Youth Guild Pride Pottery
    Date: Tuesday, June 17
    Time: 6-8:30pm
    Location: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery – 25 Caroline Street South, Waterloo

    This is a paid event. Learn more and get tickets here.

    Pride Pins Workshop
    Date:     Saturday, June 21
    Time: 12-2pm
    Location: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery – 25 Caroline Street South, Waterloo

    This is a paid event. Learn more and get tickets here.

     

  • Pride Patio Party

    Celebrate Pride Month with an evening of country and bluegrass music featuring Eric Jackson & Willow River.

    Date: Saturday, June 28
    Time: 7pm
    Location: TWB Brewing – 300 Mill Street, Kitchener

    Learn more here.

  • Crock-a-Doodle Pride Paint Night (19+)

    Paint a cocoa mug, salad plate, ice cream bowl, or cereal bowl and enjoy a 12oz beer of your choice.

    Date: Thursday, June 12
    Time: 7-9pm
    Location: TWB Brewing – 300 Mill Street, Kitchener

    This is a paid event. Learn more and pre-register here.

  • Habitat for Humanity: Pride Build

    Pride Build is a celebration of inclusion, bringing together friends and allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to make a tangible difference through affordable housing. It’s a unique opportunity to step onto the build site, learn new skills, and help create lasting change, while working alongside welcoming staff and volunteers who are passionate about building both homes and community.

    Date: Saturday, June 14
    Time: 9am – 4pm
    Location: St. George Street, Kitchener

    Learn more here.

Waterloo Public Library

WPL’s Check It Out blog is your go-to destination for all things literary, curated with care by your trusted library staff. With insightful book reviews, reading suggestions, helpful resources and more, we’re here to inspire and guide you on your journey through all that the library has to offer.