In celebration of Pride Month, LA County Library’s Compton Library is partnering with the Crenshaw Dairy Mart on a special Storytime program and a curated book list of LGBTQ-themed books for all generations. The collaboration aims to support LGBTQ+ youth and authors during a time of increasing violence and legislative backlash.

Pride Family Storytime will take place at Compton Library on Friday, June 23, 1 – 2 pm. Intended for ages 5 – 12 with parents or caregivers, it will include book readings, a craft, and more. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. For anyone who can’t attend Storytime in person, Crenshaw Dairy Mart will be livestreaming it on their Instagram account (@crenshawdairymart).

Families are also encouraged to arrive early for Lunch at the Library, which provides free lunch to kids and teens 18 and under, from 12 – 1 pm.

Recommended book titles will be highlighted on Instagram June 20 – 21, cross-posted by Compton Library (@comptonlibrary) and Crenshaw Dairy Mart (@crenshawdairymart).

Polling conducted by The Trevor Project indicates that 71% of LGBTQ+ youth—including 86% of transgender and nonbinary youth—say state laws restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ young people have negatively impacted their mental health. This collaboration aims to show solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth by making their stories more visible and promoting LGBTQ+ writers and/or illustrators who are also impacted by growing censorship.

“We’re excited to partner with Crenshaw Dairy Mart, which, like Compton Library, is an institution focused on cultural enrichment and encouraging open dialogue,” said Library Director, Skye Patrick. “Uplifting LGBTQ+ stories is always important, but especially so during these turbulent times.”

“In the midst of such openly anti queer and trans legislation, it is important that we show LGBTQ young people and their families that they are loved and supported, and that they deserve to thrive,” said Vic Quintanar, Program Director at Crenshaw Dairy Mart.

About Crenshaw Dairy Mart
Just south of Manchester and off of Crenshaw stands tall a former dairy mart, home to an artist collective and art gallery dedicated to shifting the trauma-induced conditions of poverty and economic injustice, bridging cultural work and advocacy, and investigating ancestries through the lens of Inglewood and its community. What these black and transnational identities seek is an imagination of new collective memory through programming, events, and arts installations which cultivate and nurture communal arts and education. The Crenshaw Dairy Mart emerges from an investment in abolition, modes of accessibility in art practice, and weaving community solidarity through new memories. Learn more.