Below, a selection of the displays created by independent bookstores in honor of Pride Month:
In response to the "dramatic uptick in school book banning and outright laws attacking queer families," the Golden Notebook Bookstore, Woodstock, N.Y., decided to "put actual out and proud faces on the side of our building to counter such attempts to push us back in the closet and to promote our hard-earned visibility," said owner James Conrad.
Through social media and word-of-mouth, the Golden Notebook put out a call for images; more than 50 photos came in, representing some 100 LGBTQ+ members of the community.
The banner will be up throughout June for Pride Month. "And maybe all summer!” Conrad said. "I’d like to see other communities do this. Out representation is so important in our country right now."
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At the Ripped Bodice Bookstore in Los Angeles, Calif., owner Leah Koch created this striking window display using hundreds of damaged and unsalable books. (photo courtesy The Ripped Bodice)
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Let's Play Books, Emmaus, Pa, shared this photo of the store's Pride display, writing: "We're here for you. Everyday."
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"Happy Pride! Come see our triple-wide display, and find your next great LGBTQ read!" posted Zenith Bookstore, Duluth, Minn.