Looking for ways to celebrate Pride Month outside of the parade? Many institutions and organizations have made their projects and collections accessible online, so people can brush up on their knowledge of queer history. Alternatively, there are an array of films and books that cover topics ranging from the origin of Pride Month to personal queer histories. With this list, readers can discover history that may be new to them in the comfort of their home.

WEBSITES

The Library of Congress has a resource guide to accompany their LGBTQIA+ collection, which covers queer history in the United States and abroad. While their extensive collection is not available in full online, this guide is a great introduction and highlights some of their materials. Using Stonewall as a turning point, the collection explores the activism prior to and after Stonewall; searching by subject and format is also an option. Additionally, they have made recorded versions of past events available.

ACT UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, created an oral history project with 187 interviews available for free. Documenting the history of the organization, the ACT UP Oral History Project touches on a variety of subjects, such as death and dying, law, and health care. Sorting is available by subject, alphabetical, or chronological order. The interviews are simultaneously awe-inspiring and heartbreaking, as they work to actively “de-mystify the process of social change,” as the organizers state.

BOOKS

The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mason Funk (HarperOne) covers the stories of dozens of queer activists from 1960 to 2019, when the book was published. Dividing the interviews by theme (community, liberation, survival, etc.), readers can easily peruse based on their interests. Each interview is preceded by a blurb to give context. This important homage to queer activists will deliver new perspectives and inspire its readers.

The Stonewall Reader by New York Public Library (Penguin) is a comprehensive collection of history surrounding the Stonewall Riots, including personal histories, newspapers, essays, diary entries, and more. Divvied up into sections (during, before, and after Stonewall), this book is highly reader friendly and does an excellent job providing context for its contents. In a successful balancing act, this book covers well-known activists (Audre Lorde, Marsha P. Johnson, etc.), while also highlighting those who may not be household names. Even if one is familiar with Stonewall, this title is certain to teach something new. Recommended for those well versed in queer history and for those just embarking on the journey.

FILMS

Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen (2020) is a documentary that takes a deep dive into how the media’s portrayal of trans people affect the lives of trans individuals and their perception in the eyes of the American public. From silent films to Pose, director Sam Feder sews together clips and interviews to create an expansive history. There are moments of joy and heartbreak, as they shed a light on what it means to be seen. The film features interviews with trans stars such as Laverne Cox, Elliot Fletcher, and more. Available on Netflix.

Paris Is Burning (1990) is a classic documentary that intimately follows BIPOC drag queens in 1980s New York City, and it explores the culture surrounding drag houses and balls. To give a behind-the-scenes look at community and competition, this film is made up of clips of vibrant performances and interviews with queer and trans performers. Paris Is Burning is not entirely voguing and drag; it also discusses the racism and transphobia faced within the queer community and outside of it, as well as poverty. Renowned drag queens such as Dorian Corey, Willi Ninja, and Pepper LaBeija are featured. Available on HBO Max.