This month we honor the LGBTQIA+ community and the continuing fight for visibility, equality, and inclusion. We celebrate Pride in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of June 1969 in New York City, a turning point in LGBTQIA+ history that marked the beginning of a more organized movement for civil rights. Pride means to both lift up the diverse identities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and to remind ourselves of the struggles and activism that continue today.
The first Pride parade took place in New York City on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Today, LGBTQIA+ people and their allies mark the month with parades and other vibrant gatherings showcasing queer joy. Pride Month also carries a deeper message about dignity, self-affirmation, and the right to live openly and authentically. It’s a time for reflection on the inequalities that still exist and a call to action to create more inclusive and safe spaces for everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Pride also encourages allies to stand in solidarity, helping increased understanding, support, and a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ individuals in all areas of life—from workplaces and schools to families and communities.
Pride Month in Washington State has evolved from grassroots activism into a statewide celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity and resilience. Seattle hosted its first Gay Pride Week in June 1974, featuring events like a picnic at Occidental Park, a street dance, and a spontaneous “Gay-In” at Seattle Center. These early gatherings were acts of courage, occurring just a year after the city passed one of the nation's first ordinances prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation . By 1977, Seattle officially recognized Pride Week, and in 1978, over 3,000 participants marched to oppose Initiative 13, which sought to repeal anti-discrimination protections . The 1990s brought broader inclusivity, with the Pride Parade officially incorporating bisexual and transgender identities in 1992 .
Over the decades, Pride in Washington has expanded. Events like the Spokane Pride Festival, Tri-Cities Pride, Yakima Pride Festival & Parade, Seattle PrideFest, the Tacoma Pride Festival, Chelan Pride and Capital City Pride Festival in Olympia reflect the growing visibility of LGBTQIA+ communities statewide. In 2024, the state of Washington took a significant step by mandating the inclusion of LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit,) history in public school curricula. Additionally, Olympia declared itself the state's first LGBTQIA2S+ sanctuary city in 2025, underscoring protections for transgender people and gender-affirming care. Today, Pride Month in Washington is marked by parades, educational initiatives, and community events, celebrating the ongoing journey toward inclusivity and justice.
In addition to our regular booklists highlighting the many resources for and stories by and about LGBTQIA+ folks, here at Timberland Regional Library we have created a list (below) of the many family-friendly Pride celebratory events being held across our five county region. We hope you you will take the opportunity to attend one in your area and experience the joy of Pride for yourself.
Note - the events below are listed by county in chronological order. Some events occur in months other than June.
Thurston County
Pride Storytelling Project Community Share-Out! June 3, 2025 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Olympia Timberland Library
2025 WA Pride Flag Raising June 4, 2025 12pm at Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia
Thurston County Pride Festival June 14 - 15, 2025 12pm Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey
Queer & Pleasant Strangers Online June 18th 6 to 7 p.m. (registration required)
Tumwater Pride at ASHHO Cultural Community Center June 21, 2025 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Tumwater
Capital City Pride Festival June 27 – 29, 2025 Port Plaza/Percival Landing/Downtown Olympia
Capital City Pride Parade – June 29, 2025 11 a.m. Look for TRL staff in the parade!
Mason County
Pride Prom 2025 June 20, 2025 5 to 8pm for ages 12 – 24 yrs. Youth Connection Shelton Center
Pacific County
Pacific County Pride Festival Veterans Field Long Beach June 21, Riverfront Park Raymond June 22nd.
Look for TRL staff at both events!
Lewis County
Twin City Pride JULY 19, 2025 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. George Washington Park Centralia
Look for TRL staff at this event!
Grays Harbor County
Grays Harbor Pride Prom 2025 Friday SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 Events on Emerson in Hoquiam, WA
Grays Harbor Pride Festival Saturday SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 Grays Harbor Historical Seaport in Aberdeen, WA
Explore stories of love, identity, and resilience with LGBTQIA+ books for adults.
Explore stories of love, identity, and resilience with LGBTQIA+ books for teens.
Celebrate Pride with inclusive reads for kids!
