Wednesday, June 2, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alexis Gunderson

(301) 699-3500, ext. 6158

alexis.gunderson@pgcmls.info

Celebrating Pride Month and the Rainbow Festival at the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will be hosting a variety of programs this June in celebration of Pride, as a capstone to its Pride programming throughout the year. Festivities will culminate in the all-day Rainbow Festival at Oxon Hill Branch Library on Saturday, June 28.

"Prince George’s County Memorial Library System celebrates and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all our customers, and is excited to offer so many vibrant opportunities for community, connection, and learning in celebration of Pride Month," says Megan Sutherland, PGCMLS Chief Operating Officer. "Whether you're coming to a branch to explore our shelves, or joining us at the Rainbow Festival for community resources and a parade, PGCMLS is proud to provide a welcoming space for all."

In the lead-up to the Rainbow Festival, the Library will be hosting a number of Pride-themed storytimes, as well as standalone book discussions about “Honey Girl” by Morgan Rogers (June 11, Oxon Hill Branch Library), “Memorial” by Bryan Washington (June 17, Glenarden Branch Library), and “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong (June 17, miXt Food Hall).

There will also be film screenings of “But I’m a Cheerleader” (June 10, South Bowie Branch Library), “Some Like It Hot” (June 25, South Bowie Branch Library), and “Sally” (June 25, Joe’s Movement Emporium), as well as a special critical discussion presented by local activist, writer, and labor organizer Juliana Barnet featuring clips from “Billy Elliot" and "Pride” (June 9, Hyattsville Branch Library).

For kids and families, branches across the county will be hosting a variety of “Crafternoon” programs: Pride buttons at the Spauldings Branch Library, stuffed rainbow clouds at the Hillcrest Heights Branch Library, Keith Haring figures at the Mount Rainier Branch Library, watercolor rainbow clouds at the Accokeek Branch Library, rainbow friendship bracelets at the Hyattsville Branch Library, and a wild coloring adventure at the Upper Marlboro Branch Library.

Finally, a number of special community pop-up events will create opportunities for Prince Georgians to get together to learn, discuss, and celebrate all things Pride, including the Charlemagne Chateau-hosted “Pride Bingo” kickoff to this year’s “Book Crawl” on June 18 at Hyattsville’s Pizzeria Paradiso. 

All of this leads up to the highlight of the Library’s Pride programming: the 2025 PGCMLS Rainbow Festival on Saturday, June 28.

Free for all, this celebratory event will take place from 11 am-3 pm throughout the Oxon Hill Branch Library. Featured authors and performers include Buddah Desmond, Allen R. Wells, and Charlemagne Chateau, who will be joined by community tablers including PG Changemakers, the University of Maryland School of Public Health Science, Prince George's County Health Connect, PFLAG Bowie, the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), and the TOGETHER Program.

PGCMLS customers of all ages are invited to join their neighbors for storytime, crafts, music, face painting, a Pride parade, and more. Festive dress and costumes are encouraged!

For a full look at Pride events at PGCMLS branch libraries, please visit the PGCMLS website, pgcmls.info/events, or visit the PGCMLS LGBTQ+ Pride Hub.

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About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.