Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ)

• General Resources
• Training

General Resources

• Discovering the Demographics of Diversity ¹

  The U.S. Census does not gather information about sexual identity, and there have been no demographic studies of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender below the state level. However, the Gallop polling organization indicates that all states have LGBT numbers within two percentage points of the national average (3.5%).

  LGBTQ Gallup Poll

  Yet, most libraries’ collections are lacking in the quality and comprehensiveness for LGBT issues and patrons.

• Inform Yourself ²

  As with all groups, language is important. How you address or categorize someone can be empowering or demeaning. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has good guides on appropriate language: PFLAG National

  Although this guide is meant for schools, it is equally applicable to libraries: PFLAG: Safe Schools For All ³

  Advocates for Youth has an excellent Frequently Asked Questions guide: Advocates for Youth web page ⁴

• Evaluating Your LGBTQ Collection ⁵

  The collection of essays in the following book includes essays about evaluating your LGBTQ collection to assess patron satisfaction, workplace issues faced by LGBTQ professionals, Dewey Decimal classification of LGBTQ resources, etc. Click here to see if your library owns a copy

Training

• Chapter 12 of the book Transforming Libraries, Building Communities: The Community-Centered Library ⁶ “highlights some ways that libraries build assets with and for non-English speakers, new immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and community members with disabilities (p175)” It is available as an ebook through the University of Missouri’s Ellis Library. Click here for the ebook
• The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Action Network has “Safe Space Kits” so that you can learn how to make your library into a safe and inclusive place for LGBTQ youth. GLSEN: Safe Space⁷
• More information on “Safe Spaces” or “Safe Zones” is available at: LGBTQ Academy at the Gay Alliance ⁸
• Libraries as “Safe Spaces” ⁹ Click here to read
• The American Library Association’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and the Lambda Literary Foundation is a great source of media reviews. ¹⁰
• GLBT Reviews Lambda Literary¹¹