Pride Celebration

Toronto Public Library celebrates Pride all year round with programs, reading lists, podcasts, Rainbow and Drag Queen Storytimes, book clubs, film screenings and more. See Toronto Public Library Board's statement of support for Pride Month.

Upcoming Events

Emma Donoghue: Learned By Heart (North York Central Library)

Mon Sep 25, 2023 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: North York Central Library

Award-winning novelist, playwright, and screenwriter Emma Donoghue talks about her new novel - based on the true story of two girls who fall secretly, deeply, and dangerously in love while attending boarding school in ninetee...
2SLGBTQ+ Book Club

Wed Sep 27, 2023 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Online

Virtually join us for a discussion of We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib. The title is also available as eAudiobook and eBook through the library's O...
Drag Queen Story-time With Gila Munster

Fri Oct 06, 2023 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: St. James Town

Join us Friday October 6th for an interactive and engaging program with drag queen Gila Münster. Enjoy readings of acclaimed and age-appropriate LGBTQ+ themed books presented by Gila! Gila Münster is a professional...

All Events

The Pride Collection

Browse over 3,500 books, movies and magazines of interest to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Check out our recommended reading lists for adults, teens and children.

Reading Lists

2SLGBTQ+ Book Club

Virtually join us for a lively discussion of a featured title.

For a listing of upcoming sessions, the featured title and registration link, check out 2SLGBTQ+ Book Club Titles for the current year.

We will be using Webex, an online meeting platform for our book club/book discussion. Registration is limited and specific instructions on how to access Webex will be sent to the registrants one day before the book club meeting.

Past Programs

Watch replays of past events you may have missed on the TPL Programs, TPL Innovation and TPL Culture channels on Crowdcast, including these featured Pride conversations:

Natasha Pulley: The Half Life of Valery K

From Natasha Pulley, bestselling author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street and The Kingdoms, comes an epic Cold War novel set in a mysterious town in Soviet Russia. Natasha appears in conversation with Toronto Public Library to discuss her work, upcoming projects, and discovering the thread of magic and queer narratives through history. An audience Q&A session will follow.
Juno Dawson: What's the T?

Do you have questions about gender identity, transitioning, and what it's like to be transgender? Juno Dawson appears in conversation with Toronto Public Library to discuss her work and answer common questions about transitioning and gender exploration. An audience Q&A session will follow.
Kalynn Bayron: This Wicked Fate

This Wicked Fate (Bloomsbury) is the newest novel from bestselling YA author Kalynn Bayron, which continues the story of Briseis and her family's unique magic in the sequel to This Poison Heart. Kalynn appears in conversation with Toronto Public Library to discuss her work, upcoming projects, and the importance of diverse stories, voices, and good ol' fashioned magic in queer YA fiction. An audience Q&A session will follow.
Emme Lund: The Boy with a Bird in His Chest

The Boy with a Bird in His Chest (Atria Books) is the stunning debut novel from breakout author Emme Lund. Emme appears in conversation with Toronto Public Library to discuss her work, upcoming projects, and the importance of queer rights and living one's truth. An audience Q&A session will follow.

Program Videos

All Program Videos

Podcasts

Curated discussions and interviews with writers, thinkers and artists.

Abbi Jacobson: I Might Regret This

Abbi Jacobson, series creator, executive producer, and star of Comedy Central's Broad City, discusses her new book, I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities and Othe Stuff, with Rachel Giese. Jacobson and Giese appeared in conversation in the Toronto Reference Library’s Bram & Bluma Appel Salon on June 16th, 2019.
Saeed Jones: How We Fight for Our Lives

Award-winning writer and journalist, Saeed Jones, discusses his much talked about memoir, How We Fight for Our Lives, a coming of age story that explores the personal experience of a young Black gay man from the South of the US as he fights to become himself. Saeed Jones appeared in conversation with Tajja Isen in the Toronto Reference Library’s Bram & Bluma Appel Salon on November 21, 2019.
Alan Hollinghurst: The Sparsholt Affair

The Man Booker Prize-winner, Alan Hollinghurst, discusses his novel, The Sparsholt Affair, which explores the changing attitudes of homosexuality in Britain during World War 2 through the decriminalization of homosexuality in London. Hollinghurst appeared in conversation with Dimitri Nasrallah on March 23, 2018.

Additional Resources

Message from TPL Board

As we approach Pride Month, the Toronto Public Library Board acknowledges and celebrates Pride Month in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We affirm our commitment to ensuring that the Library remains a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, including 2SLGBTQ+ people, amplifying their voices and celebrating their accomplishments to promote informed dialogue and understanding.

Throughout June, we invite all Torontonians to visit the TPL's branches and website to discover collections, events, and resources celebrating and supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community. TPL’s efforts to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community extend beyond a single month. Throughout the year, TPL provides a range of programs, services and collections that reflect a diversity of experiences and promote inclusivity. TPL’s Drag Queen and Rainbow Story Time, among many other offerings, provide an opportunity to attend programming that promotes understanding and acceptance of diversity of different identities.

Public libraries have always been champions of the values and principles that uphold democratic principles. TPL’s commitment to intellectual freedom, democracy and inclusivity helps amplify and celebrate the voices of marginalized communities.