Sonoma County Library is a 2023 Pride Parade Honoree

On Saturday, June 3, Sonoma County Pride will host its annual Pride Parade in Downtown Santa Rosa and Sonoma County Library is proud to be a 2023 honoree. Sonoma County Pride honors the library in recognition of its commitment to offering dignity, inclusion and equality to LGBTQIA+ communities in Sonoma County.

In its nomination statement, LGBTQI+ LEGACY Sonoma County, a group of longtime local advocates, called the library’s efforts to welcome queer patrons, staff and partner organizations “extraordinary.” Citing the library’s 2021 Reimagining Plan to ensure equitable library services for all patrons and its creation of a Queer Advocacy Team, the statement praised the “needed information, support and safe environment” that queer community members can count on Sonoma County public libraries to provide.

“The library is grateful for the community's recognition of our commitment to serving the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Sonoma County Librarian and Queer Advocacy Team Vice Chair Javier Morales. “While we celebrate this progress, we also acknowledge that there is still much more work to be done. We remain dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for all members of our community.”

Join the Sonoma County Library in celebrating Pride Month this June and affirm the equality and visibility of our local LGBTQIA+ community. Visit sonomalibrary.org/pride for free events, book lists and community resources to help you celebrate Pride.
Sonoma County Library branches are spaces where the queer community will always be welcomed and celebrated—not just during Pride Month, but every day.

Terra Emerson, Sonoma County Teen Services Librarian and Queer Advocacy Team Chair, said, “We want to make sure that the LGBTQIA+ community knows that they are not only welcome in our libraries, but also represented in our materials and programs and respected by our policies and procedures.”

Visit sonomalibrary.org/pride for more information on how you can celebrate Pride, and on June 3, come see your library proudly march in the Sonoma County Pride Parade.