15 Titles That Show and Celebrate Our Pride
Posted on August 10, 2023
by Pride Inclusion Workgroup
Modelled after Equality Toledo’s event with the Toledo Museum of Art, Hear Me Out, members of TLCPL’s Pride Inclusion Workgroup have chosen media in TLCPL’s collection that are important to them or inspired them to find self-pride, self-acceptance, or to come out.
“Honey” from the album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power by Halsey
To me, pride is the antithesis of shame and regret. This song makes me emotional because of the unabashed joy of the singer and the repeated refrain of never forgetting the sweetness of an unafraid lover. – Morgan B.
4th Man Out
This movie is drenched with small town atmosphere, hitting very close to home. The friends stumble along the way to acceptance in a way that feels true, but their determination to be good bros makes the ending even more heartwarming. – Morgan B.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
print | eBook | eAudiobook
Seeing so many newer titles with LGTQIA+ characters and themes is heartening. Reading a spooky book with an FtM protagonist was something I would’ve loved when I was younger, but I love it now too. – Sam P.
Life in Cartoon Motion Sound Recording by Mika
Search Ohio
Growing up in a small town, this album was the first I heard by an openly queer artist singing about queer subject-matter and helped me understand that who I am can be celebrated instead of hidden away. – Zach H.
Pure Heroine by Lorde
When my boyfriend (now husband) and I came out to our families, it was an incredibly painful process. At that time, in an effort to “get away,” we took a little road trip, stopped at a random store, and picked up Lorde’s “Pure Heroine” CD. We listened to it on repeat all weekend in the car. Whenever I hear songs off that album, I remember this very fragile, but freeing time in our lives when we created a beautiful, unbreakable bond. – Lucas C. S.
Orange is the New Black Season One
Something about the timing of this show being released, the representation of women loving women, and an incredible transgender actress really felt ahead of its time. Something about it was so validating, even comforting at times. – Sam P.
Pop Rox
This charming and fun short film about the awkwardness of figuring out how to tell someone you like them really resonated with me. I wish I were this perceptive and brave in high school. – Amy H.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Soundtrack
I have very strong, vivid memories of being young and watching this show with my mother, sitting on the couch as she explained to me what it meant to be ‘gay.’ Thank goodness for her. – Morgan B.
The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel
It was awkward and weirdly baffling to come out as an adult, and seeing this amazing and delightful representation of an active and supportive lesbian group of friends was a great comfort to me. – Amy H.
The Matrix
Loving The Matrix as a trans person is near cliche at this point. There’s an endless number of theories out there that lend credence to its irrefutable themes of transgender identity, so I’m not going to explain it. You either believe in it or you don’t, but I know that for me it just inspires me and makes me happy to be alive. – Heather K.
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
True Colors has inspirational lyrics that are all about being yourself and allowing yourself to shine through. It is especially impactful knowing that Lauper was an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community during a time when it could have been detrimental to her career. – Zach H.
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