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Pride Season Starts Now!
 As Washington, D.C. prepares to host World Pride 2025 and celebrate 50 years of progress, DC Public Library embraces the powerful theme: "The Fabric of Freedom." Just as threads of diverse colors and textures create a strong and beautiful tapestry, our library weaves together a collection of stories, resources, and programs that reflect the rich cultures and identities of the LGBTQIA+ community. This summer, discover spaces where you can learn, connect, and see yourself reflected, strengthening the fabric of our shared humanity and the ongoing fight for equality.
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Author Showcase with Andrew Joseph White and Saundra Mitchell
Saturday, May 17, 1:30 p.m., MLK Library
Join the Library for a conversation with YA author Andrew Joseph White in conversation with award-winning and critically-acclaimed author, Saundra Mitchell
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A Knucklehead Afternoon with Tony Keith Jr. And Candice Iloh
Sunday, June 1, 1:30 p.m., MLK Library
Kick off Discover Summer with D.C.’s own Tony Keith Jr. And Canice Iloh as they celebrate reading with Tony’s new book in verse Knuckleheads.
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Life, Work, and Queer Latinx Voices in Literature with Justin Torres and Lupita Aquino
Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m., MLK Library
Celebrate World Pride with a special evening with National Book Award-winning novelist Justin Torres and Lupita Aquino of Lupita Reads.
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Flamboyants with George M. Johnson and Twiggy Pucci Garçon
Saturday, May 24, 4 p.m., MLK Library
Enjoy a discussion about writing and portraiture focusing on the LGBTQ icons from the Harlem Renaissance with George M. Johnson and Twiggy Pucci Garçon.
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Ballroom: A History, A Movement, A Celebration Author Talk with Michael Roberson
Wednesday, June 4, 7 p.m., MLK Library
More than a dance, more than a scene—Ballroom is a defiant celebration of life, identity, and fierce creativity that refuses to be silenced.
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Gaysians with Michael Curado and Regie Cabico
Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m., West End Library
In conversation with poet Regie Cabico, author Michael Curato will discuss his new heartwarming raphic novel Gaysians.
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Know Your Power World Pride Youth Block Party
Friday, June 6, 6 p.m., MLK Library
We’re turning up with live performances from local teen artists, music, and creative vibes all around. It all leads up to an epic drag show you do not want to miss—bold, fierce, and full of Pride energy! Free event, open to all teens.
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World Pride Parade
Saturday, June 7, 2 p.m. Step-Off, 14th & T Streets. NW
See DC Public Library march in the World Pride Parade! This beloved tradition honors LGBTQ+ history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in the fight for equality.
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Need a book to accompany you on the metro as you bop around the city for Pride events? Or maybe you’re taking a break from the festivities and just want a read to snuggle up with. Whatever it may be, DC Public Library has countless stories for you to learn from, get lost in, and carry you through this World Pride season.
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Kids Pick
Marley's Pride by Joëlle Retener
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Teens Pick
Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa
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Adults Pick
The Skin and Its Girl by Sarah Cypher
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Lou's Legacy: A Reporter's Life at the "Washington Blade"
Thursday, May 29, 6:30 p.m., MLK Library
Attend the premiere screening and talkback of a new documentary from Emmy-nominated D.C. filmmaker Patrick Sammon with moderator D.C. journalist Rebekah Robinson.
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Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin Screening and Talkback
Monday, June 2, 7 p.m., MLK Library
Enjoy a screening of award-winning documentary and a panel discussion moderated by journalist Richard Fowler in conversation with the co-director Bennett Singer, Bayard Rustin's life partner Walter Naegle and other esteemed panelists.
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World Pride International Choral Festival
May 28 & 30, June 4 & 6, Noon, MLK Library
Celebrate World Pride 2025 with a lunchtime concert series with the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC. Featuring choruses from across the nation, the series will bring the DC metro area to life with daily hour-long pop-up performances showcasing the power, pride, and diversity of queer choral music.
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La Comunidad Rooftop Garden Party with DJ XPlosive and the Sâfica Social Club
Saturday, May 31, 2 – 5 p.m., MLK Library
The ultimate day party is at the MLK Library for a World Pride celebration that’s all about Latinx flavor!
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DC Different Drummers Jazz Band World Pride Concert Series
Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m., Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library
Enjoy a selection of queer standards –from timeless classics to today’s latest hits– for this free concert series with local jazz group, DC Different Drummers.
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Ladies First Garden Party
Saturday, June 1, 2 – 5 p.m., MLK Library
Celebrate the World Pride and Black Music Month with music, art, and spoken word to honor the voices shaping femme queer culture.
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Lite Brite Neon Studio on Illuminating Felix Gonazlez-Torres's “Untitled” (America)
Tuesday, May 27, 6 p.m., MLK Library
In this Maker Talk, matteline deVries-dilling of Lite Brite Neon Studio will be talking about their process for fabricating light strings for Felix Gonzalez-Torres's artwork, "Untitled" (America), currently on display at the MLK Library in conjunction with a major exhibition presented by the National Portrait Gallery and Archives of American Art.
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Find Your Story...Writing with Pride
Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., MLK Library
Join the Library for a full day of readings, workshops, and panels from DC's LGBTQ literary community. Find Your Story will be a day of workshops, presentations, and author talks focused on DC’s writing community. For World Pride the event will have a special focus on LGBTQ writers in the DC area. The day will include panel discussions, informal writing workshops, and a dedicated poetry stage.
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10 a.m. - Rainbow Archipeligos of Queer Resistance During These Colonizing Times: A Queer Filipino Panel and Workshop
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11 a.m. - Forging Friendships, Creating Community: A Fireside with Rabih Alameddine and Manil Suri
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1 p.m. - Keynote with author Denne Michelle Norris
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2 p.m. - Crafting a Queer Happy Ending Romance Panel
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3 p.m. - Love Me Queerly, Love Me In Lilac Land: Writing the Queer Love Poem
- 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Alligators, Mermen, and Latine Queer Bookworms, Oh My – Live Recording of Los Bookis Podcast
In addition, a fifth floor poetry stage will host a marathon poetry reading, an open mic and a local press fair.
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This Week At the Library
See what programs are coming up this week in person and online at the Library!
Ward 1 | Mt. Pleasant Library
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Mt. Pleasant Library at La Casa | Monday, May 19, 2 p.m.
During the Mt. Pleasant Library closure library staff are popping up at La Casa Community Health Action Center, located at 3166 Mt Pleasant St. NW.
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Ward 2 | West End Library
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Reader’s Theatre Presents: Duck on a Bike
Celebrate National Bike Month with a telling of the story Duck on a Bike. Act it out and then make a craft!
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Ward 3 | Chevy Chase Library
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Terrific Movie Tuesdays | Tuesday, May 13, 2 p.m.
Enjoy a screening of the film “American Fiction” at the library!
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Ward 4 | Petworth Library
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Youth Chess & Other Games | Thursday, May 15, 4 p.m.
Practice your chess play or learn how to play from scratch with a no-stress chess version of the game.
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Ward 5 | Woodridge Library
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Celebrating Ward 5 Heroes | Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m.
Join us as we come together to honor and celebrate the incredible heroes of Ward 5 in our community! Featuring a live jazz performance by Marcus Johnson and Friends.
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Ward 6 | Southwest Library
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National Museum of African American History | Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.
Join librarians from the Robert Frederick Smith Explore Your Family History Center of the National Museum of African American History as they give a presentation on researching your family history.
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Ward 7 | Francis A. Gregory Library
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Chess Club Meet Up | Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.
A chess club meetup is a gathering of people who enjoy playing chess, where they can play games and talk strategy.
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Ward 8 | Anacostia Library
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Know Your Power Art Workshop | Monday, May 19, 4 p.m.
Work with accomplished artists to create a work of visual art to submit to the Know Your Power arts contest!
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Central Library | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
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What Jewish Looks Like with Liz Kleinrock | Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m.
In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month this May, please join the Library and American Jewish Committee for a fireside chat moderated by Liz Kleinrock, co-author of the book, What Jewish Looks Like.
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Find all upcoming programs in your library or online on our calendar!
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The DC Public Library is excited to announce the relaunch of Dig DC, our digital repository showcasing the vibrant history and culture of Washington, D.C. Now with a sleek, mobile-friendly and responsive design inspired by the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – Hope of The People’s Archive – Dig DC is more accessible and visually engaging than ever.
With 67 collections spanning from 1768 to 2024, Dig DC invites you to explore the city’s past and present through a wide range of materials, including photographs, newspapers, oral histories, music, maps, social media posts and more. The site captures the rich tapestry of D.C. life, documenting activism, the arts, politics, music, and neighborhood stories that shape our community. Some of the newest collections include:
This Pride season, we also encourage you check out the countless collections and curated topics in Dig DC celebrating the stories and histories of the LGBTQ community, such as the Whitman-Walker Health Oral History Project, Transgender Pride, The Blacklight digital collection, and more!
Special Collection Launch: Exposed DC Photography
Saturday, May 24 at 10 a.m. | MLK Library
Join us for an all-day celebration on the day we launch the Exposed DC Photography Collection at the DC Public Library! This celebration of local photography will showcase more than 300 stunning images throughout the day at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 5th floor and its incredible rooftop garden. Featuring multimedia artist Robin Bell, experience the images transformed into a dynamic, site-specific performance and installation. In addition, learn more about preservation and:
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Create an artist file to keep on record in the People's Archive
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Take a guided tour of the People's Archive Reading Room and collections
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Tour the Memory Lab and learn how to preserve your personal A/V materials and photographs.
- Participate in a workshop on caring for digital files
After the day's activities, attend an evening reception in the rooftop garden, with music provided by DJ Sequoia and v:shal.
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Join CulturalDC for a vibrant outdoor celebration marking the opening of MIGHTY MIGHTY: The Barbershop Project by artist Devan Shimoyama on Thursday, May 22 from 5 – 8 p.m. Coinciding with Black Pride weekend, this evening event will feature music, community, and the unveiling of this powerful installation in CulturalDC’s Mobile Art Gallery outside the MLK Library in downtown DC.
The Barbershop Project reimagines the barbershop as a space of queerness, care, and transformation—drawing from Shimoyama’s experience growing up as a Black queer youth navigating masculinity and visibility.
Us Helping Us, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Black LGBTQ+ communities, will be on-site offering free STI/HIV screenings, giveaways, and wellness resources.
Meet the artist, explore the work, and celebrate community in a space rooted in joy, identity, and healing.
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