Children’s Programs

• Title of Program: Rainbow Pride Storytime
• Program Description: Join us in sharing space and Rainbow Pride stories. Connect with your community and celebrate Pride. All are welcome. Children will take home a goody bag with rainbow crayons and a rainbow snack.
• Intended Age Group: Intended for ages 3-5 with an adult.
• Length of Program: 45 minutes
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: First, we did some warm up songs and dances to help get the wiggles out. Next, we read our first book followed by another finger-play. We read the second book and then did a felt board activity. We read the last book together (accompanied by a hand-puppet and call and response) and did a cool-down song before doing the craft.
• Budget:It could be free depending on what craft supplies you have in house. Ours was around 50$ because we splurged on some rainbow themed goodies.
• In-house or Contracted? In-house
• If yes, which programmer was used? N/A
• Planning: I picked three books relating to loving yourself, alternative and differences in youth, and of course, being proud of who you are. I picked books that weren’t overtly queer for my first time, but parents were plenty aware of the subtext. The three books I used were: Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty, David Roberts (Illustrator), Fred Gets Dressed by Peter Brown, and Be Who You Are by Todd Parr.
• Library: Hampton Bays Public Library
• Librarian: Alex Giresi, Head of Teen Services. You can contact them via email: agiresi@hamptonbayslibrary.org
• Advice: Depending on your community, there can be pushback. I did have several adults who called and complained but on the day of, we didn’t run into any problems. Ask open-ended questions during certain books. I would suggest having at least one title that is focused on self-love and being proud of yourself. I ended the storytime with Be Who You Are by Todd Parr and that was an excellent choice. The kids wound up doing a call and response all on their own, echoing “be who you are!” every other page.

Tweens and Teens Programs

• Title of Program: Pride Club
• Program Description: This is an afterschool drop-in program with different monthly theme (video games, pop culture, quizzes) encouraged teens and tweens to learn about LGBTQIA+ history, talk about current events, meet like-minded peers and chat about whatever is on their mind.
• Intended Age Group: Grades 7-12.
• Length of Program: An hour or less
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: I prepare a short Kahoot/Jeopardy style trivia along with the theme and put out stickers, books, movies, and a button-maker.
• Budget: Free to 50$
• In-house or Contracted? In-house
• If yes, which programmer was used? N/A
• Planning: There isn’t much planning beyond trivia, we mostly see where the words take us.
• Library: Hampton Bays Public Library
• Librarian: Alex Giresi, Head of Teen Services. You can contact them via email: agiresi@hamptonbayslibrary.org
• Advice: I also got pushback from adults for this program, so be as mentally prepared for it as you can.

• Title of Program: LGBTQ+ Underground
• Program Description: Our monthly movie screening and discussion series highlighting LGBTQ+ voices and stories that test the confines of traditional film and societal narratives.
• Intended Age Group: Teens, Adults, Seniors.
• Length of Program: Varies; usually 2.5 hours with movie + discussion
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: N/A.
• Budget: $0, using the license we already pay for.
• In-house or Contracted? In-house.
• If yes, which programmer was used? N/A
• Planning: N/A.
• Library: Long Beach Public Library
• Librarian: Tom Wojciechowski
• Advice: Patrons were happy we were expanding programming to be more inclusive, hoped we would continue.

• Title of Program: Rainbow Cupcakes
• Program Description: Teens will create colorful fondant designs to decorate cupcakes in honor of Pride Month.
• Intended Age Group: Teens.
• Length of Program: 1.5 Hours
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: N/A.
• Budget: $285.
• In-house or Contracted? Contract
• If yes, which programmer was used? Judy Boshnack – boshnackj@yahoo.com
• Planning: N/A.
• Library:Levittown Public Library
• Librarian: Noureen Qadir-Jafar
• Advice: X.

Adults and Seniors Programs

• Title of Program: Comedy and Lip Sync Show
• Program Description: A Comedy & Lip Sync Performance with NYC Drag Queen Bella Noche.
• Intended Age Group: Adults, Seniors.
• Length of Program: 1 Hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: x
• Budget: x
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted
• If yes, which programmer was used? Bella Noche 917 854-5456 bella.nochenyc@gmail.com
• Planning: x
• Library: West Hempstead Public Library
• Librarian: Roseanne Dorfman
• Advice: I scheduled Bella for the NCLA PR Performers’ Showcase in 2019. I had to cancel this performance in 2020 due to Covid but it is finally happening in June! Bella is also involved with the LI Drag story hour.

• Title of Program: Gad Beck, a Gay German Who Fought the Nazis
• Program Description: In 1942, the great love of Gad Beck’s life was arrested by the Nazis. The incident became the impetus for Beck’s role leading a resistance in Berlin which would help fish out the Nazi’s and support and guide the surviving Jews. Join Andrew Lear for this fascinating tour through history. This was a virtual event.
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 1 Hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget: x
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted.
• If yes, which programmer was used? Andrew Lear, 617-320-4990, andrewlear2@gmail.com
• Planning: X
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: X

• Title of Program: Walk With Me – A Pride Month Film Screening and Discussion with Writer and Director Isabel del Rosal
• Program Description: As part of the Library’s celebration of Pride Month, join filmmaker Isabel del Rosal for a screening and discussion of her debut feature film Walk With Me. The film follows Amber (Devin Dunne Cannon) as she is forced to start over at the age of 30 with a young daughter, after building up the courage to leave her husband and the only life she has ever known. As she struggles to find her way, she meets Logan (Bridget Barkan), a free spirited musician who lends an ear to Amber’s situation. What starts out as a close friendship quickly evolves into an unexpected romance. Walk With Me explores what it means to be a woman, a mother, a daughter and a lover, and shows how we embrace and reject who we are, and how we eventually learn to stand tall in our own shoes.
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 1 Hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget: X
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted
• If yes, which programmer was used? Isabel del Rosal, isabeldelrosal@gmail.com
• Planning: [Planning details]
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: X

• Title of Program: Affirming & Inclusive Communication For the LGBTQIA+ Community
• Program Description: X
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 1 Hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget: X
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted.
• If yes, which programmer was used? Jared Oliveira, Northwell Health
• Planning: X
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: X

• Title of Program: LGBT “101”: Creating safer spaces for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) People
• Program Description: Join The LGBT Network in a professional yet fun and interactive educational workshop designed to increase understanding of the LGBT community. This workshop uses activities and ongoing dialogue and Q&A to facilitate conversations and foster understanding. The program covers the topics of sexual orientation, gender identity, and experiences of LGBT people. The program also provides definitions and understanding of terms such as non-binary, pronouns, gender fluid, and heterosexism/cissexism.
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 2 Hours
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget: We ordinarily request an honorarium of $250 per presentation, but we would be willing to offer this program free of charge to the library because of our strong partnership if this cost is a hardship to the library.
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted.
• If yes, which programmer was used? Kerrie O’Neill, LMSW, Chief Program Officer, LGBT Network
  Contact information: koneill@lgbtnetwork.org, (631) 665-2300 ext 1004
• Planning: x
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: X

• Title of Program: Safe/Haven: Gay Life in 1950s Cherry Grove
• Program Description: During weekends and summers in the pre-Stonewall era, gay men and women, including many New Yorkers, traveled to the secluded beach town of Cherry Grove on Fire Island where they found opportunities for sexual exploration and self-expression—behavior that was both stigmatized and criminalized in the straight world. Together with creative figures like Truman Capote, W.H. Auden, Carson McCullers, and Patricia Highsmith, these visitors to the Grove took pleasure in the costumed parties, theatrical events, and liberated atmosphere that this gay sanctuary provided.
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 2 Hours
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget: $250 for an audience of up to 50 people, or $350 for an audience of 51-100. Please note that libraries with N-YHS memberships receive a 25% discount off the above rates, for a total of $187.50 for a group of up to 50 people and $262.50 for a group of 51-100 people.
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted
• If yes, which programmer was used? Nora Gorman, group.tours@nyhistory.org, (212) 873-3400 Ext. 395
• Planning: X
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: RSVPs would be coordinated by the Library, but we provide instructions to be shared with participants. In addition to the presenter, additional New-York Historical Society staff join the Zoom call to assist with Q&A (which takes place in the last 10-15 minutes of the hour). We can set up the program either as a Meeting (where guests can use their cameras and microphones to chat “face-to-face” at the beginning and end) or as a Webinar (which works well for a larger group because only the presenter/host is audible/visible). Both options allow guests to ask questions or share comments via a text-based chat feature.

• Title of Program: The History of Pride
• Program Description: Join Michael Venturiello with Christopher Street Tours for this History of Pride presentation. We will discuss the history of the LGBTQ Rights Movement, including the “spark” of the modern Gay Rights Movement, the Stonewall Uprising, the first Pride events, and Pride over the past 50+ years.
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 1 Hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget: $3500 for in-person ($750 for virtual).
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted.
• If yes, which programmer was used? Michael Venturiello, Christopher Street Tours, michael@christopherstreettours.com
• Planning: X
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: X

• Title of Program: Celebrate Pride: Notable LGBTQ Artists
• Program Description: Artists outside of societal norms have concealed their true identities, while others have used their art as a tool for social and political change. Artist Sue Altman will be discussing the history and legacy of LGBTQ artists. This was a virtual program.
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 1 Hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: [Execution details]
• Budget: X
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted.
• If yes, which programmer was used? Sue Altman, (845) 216-9059, artworkshudson@gmail.com
• Planning: X
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: Recently moved. Virtual only. www.suealtmanart.com

• Title of Program: Gay New York: 1930-1970
• Program Description: Members of the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. have made tremendous strides in recent decades, and these hard-fought victories were built upon the efforts of generations of people who challenged the intolerance of the times for greater recognition and respect. How did the gay community fit into the larger fabric of New York City in mid-20th century? Historian George Chauncey will draw from his forthcoming book to discuss gay culture and politics in New York from the 1930s to 1970.
• Intended Age Group: Adults
• Length of Program: 1 Hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget:
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted
• If yes, which programmer was used? George Chauncey, Columbia University, george.chauncey@columbia.edu
• Planning: [Planning details]
• Library: The Smithtown Library
• Librarian: Kelly Filippone
• Advice: Recently moved. Virtual only. www.suealtmanart.com

Family Programs

• Title of Program: Families are Families StoryCraft
• Program Description: Held in two different sessions, one for ages 12-35 months and one for ages 3-5 years. Celebrate Pride Month with a fun story and use our button makers to create colorful magnets!
• Intended Age Group: Kids, Teens, Families.
• Length of Program: 1 hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: Start by reading Bathe the Cat. Ham it up! Use different voices for the dad and the cat. Comment on the terrified goldfish. This book is HILARIOUS, and your audience should be cracking up.
  
  Ask your patrons what they noticed about the family in the story. What was like their own families? What was different? Talk about how all families look different but share things in common (messy toys, cleaning up for visitors, favorite costumes/outfits, etc.). Tell patrons that because the refrigerator magnets were such an important part of the story, we’re making magnets today!

  Magnets can be made in two ways: with a button maker if your library has one, or using jumbo glass stones and self-adhesive magnets.

  If you have a button maker, you can print some coloring pages sized for your buttons, or you can let your patrons draw and color their own designs.

  If you don’t have a button maker, give each patron a pencil, 3 stones, and 3 magnets (or more, depending on time, budget, and preference). Make sure each table has plenty of scissors and other supplies.

  Easy version: have patrons trace the stones on decorative paper with their pencil, then cut it out. Artistic version: have them trace their stones on white paper and then draw/color whatever they want inside the circles and cut the circles out.

  Patrons will then glue or mod podge the right side of the paper onto the flat side of the stone, and place the magnets on the back of the paper.

• Budget: 0-50$, depending on which version is used.
• In-house or Contracted? In-house
• If yes, which programmer was used? N/A
• Planning: X
• Library: Patchogue-Medford Library
• Librarian: Abby Brinthinee
• Advice: I ran this program in a Kindergarten classroom, and the students had a great time. The teacher loved the book so much she ordered it for her classroom, and she plans on using the magnet craft in future classes for things like Mother’s Day gifts. I’ll be running this program three times during Pride Month at our library this year, for toddlers and preschoolers, school age kids, and teens. For the teens, the blurb is “Why should preschoolers have all the fun? Sit back and enjoy a fun story, then get creative and use our button makers to make fun magnets to take home.”

All Ages Programs

• Title of Program: Rainbow Seed Bombs
• Program Description: A Grab and Grow Kit with 6 seed bombs, in various pride colors, with a bit of Gay pride info and instructions for planting.
• Intended Age Group: Adults, Seniors, Families.
• Length of Program: Passive programming.
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: X
• Budget: ~135.00
• In-house or Contracted? In-house
• If yes, which programmer was used? N/A
• Planning: X
• Library: Westhampton Free Library
• Librarian: Nola Thacker
• Advice: Easy and cost friendly.

• Title of Program: LGBTQ+ in Media
• Program Description: “Happy Pride Month! Join us for a presentation from the LGBT Network on LGBTQ+ representation in media. This fun-filled program will feature your favorite clips from movies, TV, and music and showcase how the LGBTQ+ community has influenced and played a part in popular culture over the years. Meant for all ages.”
• Intended Age Group: Teens, Adults, Seniors.
• Length of Program: 1 hour
• Library Type: Public
• Program Execution: N/A.
• Budget: $200.
• In-house or Contracted? Contracted
• If yes, which programmer was used? LGBT Network, ehernandez@lgbtnetwork.org
• Planning: N/A.
• Library: Long Beach Public Library
• Librarian: Jack Nix
• Advice: It was mostly attended by teens. They spoke a lot during the Q&A portions.

Staff Training

• Name: Elizabeth Munksy
• Contact: elizabethmunsky@gmail.com
• Website: Executive Director of LGBTQIA+ Affairs at the New York City Department of Correction
• Age Range: Staff Training

Programmer Contacts

• Name: Ken Lustbader, Amanda Davis
• Contact: info@nyclgbtsites.org, ken@nyclgbtsites.org, amanda@nyclgbtsites.org
• Website: NYC LGBT Historic Sites
• Age Range: Adults

• Name: LGBT Network
• Contact: Ernesto Hernandez, Director of Programming, ehernandez@lgbtnetwork.org
• Website: LGBT Network Programs and Services
• Age Range: Children’s to Adults’

• Name: LGBT Network
• Contact: Kerrie O’Neill, LMSW, Chief Program Officer, koneill@lgbtnetwork.org, (631) 665-2300 ext 1004
• Website: LGBT Network Programs and Services
• Age Range: Children’s to Adults’

• Name: Judy Boshnack
• Contact: boshnackj@yahoo.com
• Website: N/A
• Age Range: Children’s to Adults’

• Name: Bella Noche
• Contact: bella.nochenyc@gmail.com
• Website: Drag Queen Story Hour – Long Island Chapter, Bella Noche NYC
• Age Range: Children’s to Adults’

• Name: Andrew Lear
• Contact: andrewlear2@gmail.com
• Website:Andrew Lear CV
• Age Range: Adults

• Name: George Chauncey
• Contact: george.chauncey@columbia.edu
• Website: Gay New York: 1930-1970
• Age Range: Adults

• Name: Isabel del Rosa
• Contact: isabeldelrosal@gmail.com
• Website: Isabel del Rosa
• Age Range: Adults

• Name: Roger Rosen
• Contact: rogersofferings@gmail.com
• Program Examples: I have a variety of programs. One program, So Much More Than Stonewall, places The Stonewall Riots in the context of nearly 100 years of uprisings, rebellions, riots, and protests. I have a program called Queer Theory: You’d Be Surprised What You Already Know. I have programs aimed at staff development for educators. One program is aimed at primary teachers and explores how to effectively queer their classrooms, another explores pronouns and how we use them, and has been presented to those teaching higher ed. My background in musical theater has led me to facilitate discussions on gender in musical theater. The thread that runs through all of my work, whether it be teaching a course or a master class, facilitating a discussion, or giving a presentation, is making accessible ideas that might feel complicated and/or dense. We are, all of us, regardless of how we identify, maneuvered by ideas of gender and sexuality in our culture. Regardless of the specific program, my work opens avenues that allow attendees to make their own connections and place themselves within these deeply felt structures. This is especially important for those who consider themselves “normal,” or who haven’t consciously considered where they fall in a spectrum of identities.
• Age Range: Adults

• Name: Nora Gorman
• Contact: group.tours@nyhistory.org, (212) 873-3400 Ext. 395
• Website: Group Tours: New York Historical Society
• Age Range: Adults

• Name: Michael Venturiello
• Contact: michael@christopherstreettours.com
• Website: LGBTQ+ History Walking Tours
• Age Range: Adults

• Name: Sue Altman*
• Contact: artworkshudson@gmail.com, 845 216-9059
• Website: Sue Altman Art
• Age Range: Adults
• *Virtual Only