Minnesota museums and libraries are pushing “Pride” month with events that are marketed to children throughout June. Among them is the Minnesota Children’s Museum which will be hosting “Unapologetically Us: Pride Family Storytime with The Queer Puppet Collective.”
The event description says it will “Celebrate the diversity of all kinds of identities and family structures with stories, songs, joy…and puppets! When kids see themselves reflected, they grow up knowing they belong.”
While “The Queer Puppet Collective” does not appear to have an online presence, the museum’s website explains that the summer programming is produced in partnership with 825 Arts, a performance and events organization in St. Paul.
“We’re celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ kids and families with playful programs that honor identity, inclusion and love,” the Children’s Museum said regarding the “Pride” theme.
In addition to the Children’s Museum, the Hennepin County Library is hosting a “Pride” story time at Nokomis Library where children and their “caregivers” will read “Pride Puppy,” a story about a dog lost at a pride parade. According to the event’s webpage, the Hennepin County Library says the event is “suitable for: families, kids, preschoolers, and toddlers.”
The St. Paul Public Library is also celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people with “Pride” displays featured at multiple locations. Additionally, the library has published its recommended lists of LGBT-related books, poems, movies, and other types of content. One list is called “LGBTQIA Reads for Teens.”
“Whether you’re out and proud, quiet and questioning, or somewhere in between, we see you. We support you. And we’re so glad you’re here,” the library’s website reads.
Other Minnesota museums are promoting “Pride” month with special events, merchandise, and displays.
The University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum is hosting “Spotlight Science: SciPride,” which is about “the work of LGBTQIA+ scientists and allies at the Bell Museum.” The museum says the event is “recommended for all ages.”
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) launched an “LGBTQIA+ History Map” just before the month of June began.
“LGBTQIA+ stories have always been community history, and this map aims to highlight overlooked Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ sites, people, and themes,” says an MNHS press release about the map. “Focusing on Greater Minnesota, the map reveals that queer history has unfolded in every corner of the state, from Worthington to the Boundary Waters.”
The map features various stories about LGBTQ people in Minnesota going back to the late 1700s. Entries in the map include “A ‘Comely Young Man’ on the Farm (1880),” “Cowboy Pete’s Summer in Zumbrota (1893),” “Students in Drag at Carleton (1921),” “Bert and Phil at Camp Kamaji (1923-1951),” and “Becoming Pants Mary (1891-1933).”
While the Science Museum of Minnesota is not advertising any “Pride” programming, and no “Pride” events show up on its online calendar, the museum’s online store contains a huge collection of LGBT-related products.
“Take pride in who you are!” the store’s webpage says.
Among its products are kids books, including “They, He, She…: Words for You and Me!” which is described as a “first book of pronouns” and “includes gender-neutral pronouns such as they/them and an age-appropriate explanation of pronoun usage, affirming that everyone can choose those that match best to how they feel inside.”
Other books include “‘Twas the Night Before Pride” and “Pink, Blue, and You!” The store also sells various “Pride” pins, clothes, and jewelry.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
