Pride month is just around the corner, observed in June to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969, when patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted a police raid, sparking days of protests and riots that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The first Pride marches were held in June 1970 in major cities across the U.S. to emphasize visibility, solidarity and the demand for equal treatment under the law.
Given recent events at the historic Stonewall National Monument where the Pride flag was unceremoniously removed because of a Trump administration directive, and then eventually reinstated by New York city officials and activists, it’s a good moment to reflect on how each of us can support the LBGTQ+ movement.
If you don’t identify as LGBTQ+, then you can be an ally to the community, supporting their actions and goals. To that end, I’d love to recommend a few books that provide history, inspiration and education for how to be an ally.
“The LGBTQ + History Book,” published by DK, explores the most important ideas and events in LGBTQ+ history and culture. This diverse, global account explores the most important moments, movements, and phenomena, from the first known lesbian love poetry of Sappho to Kinsey’s modern sexuality studies, and features biographies of key figures from Anne Lister to Audre Lorde.
If you are looking for specific guidance on how to be a better ally, “The Queer Allies Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Being an Empowering LGBTQIA+ Ally” by Nv Gay, has been praised widely for its tips and tools and best practices for supporting your LGBTQ+ friends, family and peers at work or school.
“Pride: A Celebration in Quotes,” edited by Caitlyn McNeill, offers thoughtfully selected quotations that have been taken from throughout history, and from a variety of voices, celebrating everything the LGBTQIA+ community has achieved. Containing words of courage, hope, and pride, they focus on inclusivity and remind us that love is one of the world’s greatest powers. Featuring the vibrant colors of a contemporary illustrator, this is the perfect way for allies and community members alike to share their pride with energy, hope, and joy.
For parents, “Rainbow Parenting: Your Guide to Raising Queer Kids and Their Allies” by Lindz Amer offers specific actions that parents, family members, and caregivers can take to help navigate conversations, address heteronormativity, and challenge societal beliefs. It serves as a guide to help normalize being LGBTQ from a young age. Creating allies and a world where closets don’t exist happens one child at a time—and it begins with each of us and what we say, as much as what we choose not to say.
Another great way to understand the LGBTQ+ experience is to read a real-life story of someone who identifies as queer. “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe is a graphic memoir exploring the author’s journey of self-discovery and gender identity. It’s informative, personal and a great introduction for allies to understand queer adolescence and nonbinary experiences. “Burn the Place” by Iliana Regan is a memoir that combines culinary exploration with sexual coming-of-age, offering a personal perspective on queer identity and self-discovery.
If you would rather read fiction, I loved Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan’s “Mad Honey,” about a first love and a death. This novel beautifully answers many questions about the transgender experience wrapped in an engrossing story involving a murder trial.
“Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison is another favorite of mine. This award-winning coming-of-age novel takes readers into the heart and humor of a young man determined to achieve the ever-changing American dream. He just happens to find himself along the way.
Every year, the American Library Association creates The Rainbow List, a curated selection of recently published books that celebrate the lives, experiences, and families of LGBTQIA+ youth, spanning from birth through age 18. The 2026 list is available here (or at www.ala.org) offering more than 160 book titles for preschoolers, early readers, middle readers and teens. Per the ALA, “At a time when queer stories are increasingly targeted for challenge and removal from public and school libraries, the continued existence of the Rainbow Book List is both necessary and intentional. This list exists to support librarians, educators, caregivers, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and community allies in identifying high-quality books that reflect and affirm diverse genders and sexual identities.”
Visit your local bookstore for other ideas. Booksellers can offer books across all genres: romance, history, biography, fiction, graphic novels, fantasy and so many more that can help an ally better understand the LGBTQ+ experience and how each of us can better advocate, support and assist our family members, our friends and our peers in the workplace or at school in this fractured time.
Check out the “Queer as Flock” Bend Book Club
The Queer as Flock Club is a place for individuals in the queer community and their allies to come together over a shared love of birds and nature.
Queer as Flock
Next monthly meeting May 30 4-5pm
Pioneer Park
1525 NW Wall St, Bend
@queerasflockbend
This article appears in the Source May 28, 2026.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
