Indie Bookstores Support Pride, Black Lives Matter

This year, indie bookstores around the country are promoting Pride in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement.

From curated reading lists by LGBTQ+ and Black authors to live conversations surrounding activism, here are just some of the many ways indies are getting involved:

• Charis Books and More in Decatur, Georgia, posted to Instagram that it will be participating in #BookstaPride this year, stating that #BookstaPride is “a celebration throughout June in honor of Pride month that highlights the work of LGBTQ bookstores and LGBTQ employees at independent bookstores while raising money for @LambdaLiterary and the LGBTQ Freedom Fund.”
• Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shared in a post on Instagram: “In this time of protest and activism, it’s important that we recognize and celebrate our LGBTQ brothers and sisters who not only fight alongside us in this fight but have also fought for their own civil rights.” The store has also posted reading lists on its Bookshop page.
• Trident Booksellers & Cafe in Boston, Massachusetts, posted to Instagram: “Happy Pride! Today we have some of our favorite queer books by (and about) Black authors!”
• Barbara’s Books in Chicago, Illinois, posted its June newsletter to Twitter, which covered Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and Pride.
• The Bookstore at Fitger’s in Duluth, Minnesota, gave spotlight to How We Fight For Our Lives by Saeed Jones.
• Bookwoman in Austin, Texas, shared a list of Black-led grassroots and community-based organizations supporting LGBTQ+ on Instagram.
• Dog Eared Books on the Castro in San Francisco, California, posted to Instagram: “On the first day of Pride month, may we all recommit to fighting injustice & stand in solidarity with those who do. Defend Black Lives. Black Lives Matter.”
• Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, stated in a newsletter that it will be using sales from antiracism titles to benefit an organization fighting for change. “We have donated a portion of the proceeds to Black Lives Matter,” the store wrote. “We are also preparing to launch a used book box fundraiser, beginning next week, that will benefit Southerners on New Ground, an organization committed to the Black Lives Matter movement and the protection and support of LGBTQ folks.” Flyleaf has also curated an antiracism reading list.