Transcript - ERA - University of Alberta
“Nowhere to Turn, Nowhere to Go”
LIS Services for Sexual & Gender (LGBTQ) Minorities LIS 541. LIS SERVICES IN CULTURALLY DIVERSE SOCIETY Master of Library & Information Studies, University of Alberta
Alvin M. Schrader, PhD Professor Emeritus, & Adjunct Professor, iSMSS, University of Alberta September 2013
Key presentation themes:
• Situating LGBTQ (sexual & gender variant) communities
internationally; in the Canadian mosaic; in Canadian library & information services
• Key resources for supporting LGBTQ library & information services • Canadian policy framework for championing LGBTQ library &
information services
• Challenges, barriers, issues in LGBTQ library & information services –
Library collections
– –
Subject access to library collections Internet access & filtering in libraries
• Library services & collection strategies for supporting LGBTQ
communities
• Links between LGBTQ discrimination and misogyny & sexism
Another framing:
Challenging Silence Challenging Censorship
Building Resilience
13+DC
Sources: Freedom to Mary; ILGA: Int’l LGBTI Assn; CIA World Factbook,. Comps. sergio Pecanha & Bill Marsh, NYT
Sources: Freedom to Mary; ILGA: Int’l LGBTI Assn; CIA World Factbook,. Comps. sergio Pecanha & Bill Marsh, NYT
• • • • • •
* plus:
11. Denmark 2012 12. England & Wales 2013 13. Brazil 2013 14. France 2013 15. New Zealand 2013 16. Uruguay 2013
•
Some jurisdictions: U.S. (2003+); Mexico (2009+)
Milestones in Canadian LGBTQ Human Rights
1969 – federal decriminalization of same-sex sexual relationships 1977 – Quebec first province to amend the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation 1982 (s.15, 1985) – Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1992 – Canadian military ended anti-gay policy 2005 – federal marriage equality
“Reaching Out: Library Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth”
- a film by Lynne Barnes, 2004
Vancouver Men’s Chorus
~ Canadian LGBTQ statistics ~ Fred Small's “Everything Possible”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4sRC8gzvBc
Not All Minorities are Visible
•
Questions about identity are confusing, bewildering, & impenetrable — but “generation queer” are coming out at younger ages, especially trans-identifying kids.
•
LGBTQ students in Canada are disproportionately targeted for name-calling, bullying, & violence.
2/3 of LGBTQ students feel unsafe in schools 3/4 of trans students are verbally harassed — Every Class in Every School, 2011
• • •
Sexual, gender, & trans-identified minorities are invisible.
Silence is a text easy to misread.
Silence is complicity. Intolerance flourishes in silence.
http://www.nohomophobes.com
faggot no homo so gay dyke
– 14 million tweets/year 2012-2013 – 5 million tweets/year – 5 million tweets/year – 2 million tweets/year all 4 terms – 26 million tweets/year Public Service Announcement:
www.youtube.com/nohomophobe s Volunteers for research project asking people to help categorize tweets: www.nohomophobesresearch.com
“I was bullied growing up, and the scars are still there.
But look at me now – I’ve got the last laugh.”
– Susan Boyle, “Britain’s Got Talent,” winner, 2009
• one LGBTQ person was murdered every
month in Canada 1990-2004
• many more were assaulted • most perpetrators were young men • disproportionate number of trans-
identified victims
- Pink Blood: Homophobic Violence in Canada, by Douglas Victor Janoff (2005)
Life-altering library experience
• Libraries are so often how we learn about who we are – not
family, etc.
•
My feelings sent me to the “symbolic world of language” in the library.
•
That sent me back to feelings, and to people. And then to more books.
•
It was a life-altering experience to learn of the category “lesbian” in the library – and not only that, lesbian was a library subject heading!
•
“We will never know how many have found validation on the shelves of libraries and in LCSH.”
- Alison Bechdel, paraphrasing acceptance speech at the 2007 American Library Association “Stonewall Book Awards” for Fun Home
“Looking for myself in the word”
• • Many LGBTQ youth have turned to libraries to discover more
about their identity and reality.
“Librarians have individual power – they watch and see and guide.”
— Jewelle Gomez • • “We show wisdom in how we present information to the
public.”
— Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, BC Library Conference
“The health of the LGBTQ community is a barometer of the entire community.”
— Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel, Mayor’s Pride Brunch, 2007 •
Librarians are catalysts for social change, supporting diversity and fostering resiliency .
References [Schrader]
- “Reflections on Meaning in Library & Information Studies: eds. P. Keilty & R. Dean, Litwin Books (in press 2013).
A Personal Odyssey through Information, Sexuality, and Gender.” In: Feminist & Queer Information Studies Reader,
-
“The Digital Closet: Conference, 2012. How Internet Filters Suppress Access to Information By, For, & About Sexual & Gender Minorities,” Lorne MacRae Intellectual Freedom Lecture, Alberta Library
albertalibraryconference.com/presentations/ALC2012Schrader.pdf
“Q ueering Libraries & Classrooms in the United States & Canada Build Inclusive School & Public Library Collections & Services for Sexual Minority & Gender Variant Youth” (with Kristopher Wells). In: Serving LGBTIQ Library & Archives Users: Essays on Outreach, Service, Collections & Access, ed. Ellen Greenblatt, McFarland, 2010. : Strategies to - “Challenging Silence, Challenging Censorship, Building Resilience 109. : LGBTW Services & Collections in Public, School & Post-Secondary Libraries.” Feliciter 55.3 (2009): 107-
cla.ca/Content/NavigationMenu/Resources/Feliciter/PastIssues/2009/Vol55No3/default.htm
-
Challenging Silence, Challenging Censorship: Inclusive Resources, Strategies & Policy Directives for Addressing Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans-Identified & Two-Spirited Realities
in School & Public Libraries. With Kristopher Wells. Canadian Teachers Federation, 2007.
- “‘I Thought I’d Find Myself at the Library’: LGBTW Services & Collections in Public & School Libraries.” PNLA Quarterly 72.1 (2007): 4-9.
pnla.org/recent-quarterly
Other Resources (1)
- The Advocate
[online magazine]
advocate.com
- ACT [AIDS Committee of Toronto]
actoronto.org/gaymen
- ALA GLBTRT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgendered Round Table)
ala.org/glbtrt /
– Rainbow Book Lists – GLBTQ Books for Children & Teens
http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/rainbow-books-lists
– “Out in the Library: Materials, Displays & Services for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Community”
ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/iftoolkits/glbttoolkit/glbttoolkit
– “Safe in the Stacks: Community Spaces for LGBTQ Homeless Youth” ala.org/glbtrt/tools/homeless-lgbtq-youth - Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) Library: “Diversity”
teachers.ab.ca/For%20Members/Programs%20and%20Services/ATA%20Library/Pages/ Diversity.aspx
- “Bully Free Alberta” – Gov’t of Alberta
b-free.ca/home/index.html
- Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
clga.ca
- Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition
rainbowhealth.ca
Other Resources (2)
- The Canadian War on Queers: National Security as Sexual Regulation, by Gary Kinsman & Patrizia Gentile. UBC Press, 2010.
- “Chilling Effect” [Bill 44 Alberta] , by Dale Wallace. Alberta Views 2012: 36-40.
- The Celluloid Closet : Homosexuality in the Movies, by Vito Russo. Harper & Row, rev. ed., 1987.
-“Don’t Filter Me!” Project, American Civil Liberties Union
https://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/dont-filter-me-final-report
- Egale Canada
Culture ooktalks egale.ca
- Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer glbtq.com/social-sciences/genderqueer.html
- EPL “Rainbow Reading” ( search ‘lesbian gay trans’ at ~ “Lindy Reads and Reviews” - Every Class in Every School: Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, 2011.
epl.ca
http://lindypratch.blogspot.com
http://egale.ca/every-class/ ) bibliocommons.com/list/show/70574071_rainbow_reading/78805111_gsa_rountable_b The First National Climate Survey on
Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia in Canadian Schools. Catherine Taylor et al.
Other Resources (3)
- Facebook: “Gay Librarians Group” - Feminist and Queer Information Studies Reader, Rebecca Dean. Litwin Books, forthcoming 2013. eds. Patrick Keilty & - “Free & Equal,” a campaign by the United Nations Human Rights Office, 2013 2014
https://www.unfe.org/en
- The Gay and Lesbian Review
glreview.org/
- “Gay/Lesbian Materials for Young Children,” by Sarah Eccleston. Alberta Teachers’ Association, 2005 (search “gay lesbian”)
teachers.ab.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/ATA/Issues In Education/Diversity Equity and Human Rights/Sexual Orientation/Gay-Lesbian Materials for Young Children.ppt
- Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Librarians Network
- Gay-Straight Student Alliances in Alberta Schools: A Guide for Teachers, by Kristopher Wells. ATA, 2005 [paper & e-book].
- GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
glaad.org
- GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network)
glsen.org
- Google Alerts
Other Resources (4)
- Huffington Post Gay Voices (USA) huffingtonpost.com/news/lgbt- Human Rights Campaign
hrc.org
- ILGA (International Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Assn) (Fondation Emergence) - iSMSS, U of A
ismss.ualberta.ca
http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/ ilga.org
- International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia [IDAHO] (Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services)
~ Newsletter industrymailout.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=417509&p=077a
~ Inside/OUT Speakers’ Series ~ NoHomophobes – tracks usage on Twitter of Faggot, Dyke, No Homo, & So Gay
nohomophobes.com
- “It Gets Better,” created by Dan Savage
itgetsbetter.org
~ You Tube
youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject
~ Rick Mercer: “Rick’s Rant – Bullying – It Gets Better,” Nov. 2007
youtube.com/watch?v=t1Y7qpiu2RQ&feature=related
- Lambda Literary Foundation
lambdaliterary.org
Other Resources (5)
- “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Information Needs,” Patrick Keilty. In: Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, 3 rd ed., 2009.
by - LGBT Life with Full Text (UAL catalogue) - LGBTQ Interest Group, BCLA (British Columbia Library Association)
lgbtq [email protected]
- “Marriage equality: Same-sex marriage in the United States,” [Internet Resources], by Martha E. Hardy (CR&L News, June 2013, 304-307,314)
http://crln.acrl.org/content/74/6/304.full
- National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
http://www.thetaskforce.org
- NoHomphobes (iSMSS)
nohomophobes.com
~ Public Service Announcement:
www.youtube.com/nohomophobes
~ Volunteers for research project asking people to help label tweets:
www.nohomophobesresearch.com
- Out Behind the Desk: Workplace Issues for LGBTQ Librarians, ed. Tracy Nectoux. Litwin Books, 2011.
Other Resources (6)
- Outlooks:
Canada’s National Gay Magazine outlooks.ca
- Perceptions: The Gay and Lesbian Newsmagazine of the Prairies
- PFLAG Canada (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
pflagcanada.ca
- Pink Blood: Homophobic Violence in Canada, by Douglas Victor Janoff. University of Toronto Press, 2005. Pink News [UK]
pinknews.co.uk/
- Pink Shirt Day
pinkshirtday.ca/
- Pride at Work Canada
http://prideatwork.ca
- Pride Centre of Edmonton
http://pridecentreofedmonton.org
- Queers Online:
LGBT Digital Practices in Libraries, Archives, and Museums, ed. Rachel Wexelbaum. Litwin Books, 2013.
- Rainbow Family Collections
: Selecting & Using Children’s Books with
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Content, by Jamie Campbell Naidoo. Libraries Unlimited, 2012 [paper & e-book].
Other Resources (7)
- “Reaching Out: Library Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth.” Film by Lynne Barnes, 2004 (16 mins) Switzerland, December 6, 2011.
- “Remarks in Recognition of International Human Rights Day,” historic speech by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Palais des Nations, Geneva,
youtube.com/watch?v=MudnsExyV78
Transcript at
state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/12/178368.htm
- “Resources for Building a High School Library Program Cynthia Peterson, 2010. - “Same-sex Marriage: Knight Initiative)
studies-same-sex-marriage#
that Meets the Needs of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, or Questioning Students: Part I,” by
http://cjpeterso.edublogs.org/2010/12/20glbtqresources1/
Research Roundup” (Journalist’s Resource, an open access project of the Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center and the Carnegie-
http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/gender-race/research-
Other Resources (8)
- Saskatchewan Resources for Sexual Diversity,
U of Saskatchewan
http://library2.usask.ca/srsd
- See No Evil:
How Internet Filters Affect the Search for Online Health Information.
Kaiser Family Foundation, 2002 Neal-Schuman, 2007.
kff.org/entmedia
- Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Questioning Teens: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, by Hillias J. Martin, Jr. & James R. Murdock. - Serving LGBTIQ Library & Archives Users: - Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity: - Stonewall National Museum & Archives
Essays on Outreach, Service,
Collections & Access, ed. Ellen Greenblatt, McFarland, 2010 [paper & e-book]
Recommended Fiction & Nonfiction
Resources for K-12 Schools. Edmonton Public Schools and EPL
ismss.ualberta.ca/documents/people/kriswells/SOGI%20Recommended%20Fiction%20 &%20Nonfiction%20Resources%20(EPS%20&%20EPL%202011).pdf
stonewallnationalmuseumorg
Other Resources (9)
- “Teaching and Learning Resources,” Edmonton Public Schools: Board Policies and Regulations, HI.AR, Oct. 17, 2010
epsb.ca/policy/hi.ar.shtml
- The Bully Project
thebullyproject.com
- The Trevor Project
thetrevorproject.org
- University of Alberta Libraries ~ “LGBTQ Resources in English Language & Literature Subject Guide”
http://guides.library.ualberta.ca/content.php?pid=95998&sid=774244
~ “LGBT Life with Full Text” - “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding – Responding to Public Challenges,” James LaRue, June 27, 2008
http://jaslarue.blogspot.ca/2008/07/uncle-bobbys-wedding.html
- Womonspace Newsletter womonspace.ca/ - Xtra!
Canada’s Gay and Lesbian News http://dailyxtra.com
- “You Can Play” Project - Youth Line
youthline.ca
http://youcanplayproject.org
Other Resources: Trans-identified
- Conundrum, by Jan Morris. Faber and Faber, 1974 [paperback with new introduction 2002].
- “Representations of Trans* Youth in Young Adult Literature (Summer 2013): 23-26.
- The Transgender Child: Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper. Cleis Press, 2008.
- Transgender Explained for Those Who Are Not, : A Report and a Suggestion,” by Talya Sokoll. Young Adult Library Services, 11.4
A Handbook for Families and Professionals, by by Joanne Herman.
AuthorHouse, 2009.
- “TransGeneration.” 2005.
8-part TV mini-series documentary, DVD & You Tube,
- Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man,
by Chaz Bono, 2011.
- “Trans* Titles for Young Adults ,” by Talya Sokoll, Summer 2013
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/yals/trans-titles-for-young-adults-summer-2013
Camp fYrefly
an annual youth leadership retreat Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon – and expanding!
www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca
… and many many other media resources
http://www.fagbug.com/
Canadian Policy Framework for Championing LGBTQ Library & Information Services
Non-Discrimination; Inclusion; Safety; Duty of Care
• Constitutional & legislative –
international; national; provincial; local
• Administration of justice, policing • Public schools • Teachers’ associations
Canadian Policy Framework
Non-Discrimination; Inclusion; Safety; Duty of Care
• Constitutional & legislative –
international
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 • Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 • UN Resolution Against Anti-Gay
Discrimination 2011 – first UN resolution
• UN report on discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2011 – first UN report
Canadian Policy Framework
Non-Discrimination; Inclusion; Safety; Duty of Care
• Constitutional & legislative –
national
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Canadian Human Rights Act • Criminal Code of Canada • Supreme Court of Canada cases –
School Board; Jubran; Kemperling; Little Sister’s Bookstore Surrey
The Supreme Court of Canada:
Learning about tolerance is … learning that other people’s entitlement to respect from us does not depend on whether their views accord with our view. Children cannot learn this unless they are exposed to views that differ from those they are taught at home…. Tolerance is always age appropriate.
– Chamberlain v. Surrey School District No. 36, 2002, par. 66,69
Canadian Policy Framework
Non-Discrimination; Inclusion; Safety; Duty of Care
• Constitutional & legislative • Administration of justice, policing
– hate & bias crimes unit; sexuality & gender diversity advisory boards; LGBTQ police-community liaison committees
Canadian Policy Framework
Non-Discrimination; Inclusion; Safety; Duty of Care
• Constitutional & legislative • Administration of justice, policing • Public schools,
e.g., [Alberta] School Act; school boards stand-alone policies on sexual orientation & gender identity – Edmonton 2011, St. Albert 2012 “The [Edmonton Public Schools] Board is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe, inclusive, equitable, and welcoming learning and teaching environment for all members of the school community. This includes those students, staff, and families who identify or are perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, queer or questioning their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression…. The Board will not tolerate harassment, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination on the basis of a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.” epsb.ca/policy/ifa.bp.shtml
Canadian Policy Framework
Non-Discrimination; Inclusion; Safety; Duty of Care
• Constitutional & legislative • Administration of justice, policing • Public schools • Teachers’ associations
~ ATA Code of Professional Conduct – first teachers’ association to include sexual orientation 1999; gender identity for students 2003, for teachers 2004 ~ ATA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
teachers.ab.ca/For%20Members/Professional%20Develop ment/Diversity%20and%20Human%20Rights/Sexual%20O rientation/Pages/Index.aspx
Canadian Policy Framework…cont’d
• Library Associations
– International: IFLA, UNESCO, ALA policy & interpretations – National: CLA position statements
~ Diversity & Inclusion / Énoncé sur la diversité et l’inclusion (2008): The Canadian Library Association believes that a diverse and pluralistic society is central to our country’s identity. Libraries have a responsibility to contribute to a culture that recognizes diversity and fosters social inclusion.
Libraries strive to deliver inclusive service. Canada’s libraries recognize and energetically affirm the dignity of those they serve, regardless of heritage, education, beliefs, race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental capabilities, or income.
Libraries understand that an acceptance of differences can place individual and collective values in conflict. Libraries are committed to tolerance and understanding. Libraries act to ensure that people can enjoy services free from any attempt by others to impose values, customs or beliefs.
Canadian Policy Framework…cont’d
•
Library Associations – International – National: CLA position statements
~ Diversity & Inclusion / Énoncé sur la diversité et l’inclusion (2008) ~ Students' Bill of Information Rights / Charte des droits de l'élève à l'ère de l'information (CASL 1995) We believe that all students should have the right to: - access a wide range of print, non-print & electronic learning resources at an appropriate level; - explore materials expressing a variety of opinions & perspectives; and - freely choose reading, viewing & listening materials for recreational & study purposes.
- San Francisco Gay Pride Parade, July/August 1992
20+ years ago ...
AL printed several homophobic letters to the editor condemning the publication of this cover photograph, as well as some supportive letters and editorials critical of the hostility. “The point is clear: librarianship is not an especially welcoming place to gays and lesbians.”
–
Christine L. Williams, " A Lesbigay Gender Perplex: Sexual Stereotyping and Professional Ambiguity in Librarianship ," in James V. Carmichael, Jr., ed.,
Daring to Find Our Names
, 1998, p. 38.
Why our library doesn’t have LGBTQ-related materials …
• Young library users aren’t searching for gay & lesbian materials. • My library doesn’t provide materials geared to specialized needs. • Gay people don’t live in my community. At least they don’t seem to
use my library.
• Aren’t most of those materials too technical for most libraries? • It’s too difficult to find reviews of these materials. How can I tell
what’s worthless and what’s worthwhile? And those materials require ordering form special vendors.
• I don’t feel qualified to order these materials. • My library’s vendor doesn’t handle those items. • My library can’t afford gay/lesbian materials.
Why our library…
• Can’t people just use interlibrary loan to get these materials instead
of my having to buy them?
• I’m uncomfortable with what some of these materials are about. • That stuff doesn’t belong in libraries – at least not in my library. • I don’t approve of homosexuality or of homosexuals. • The library’s books about AIDS adequately address the information
needs of its gay and lesbian patrons.
• Buying library materials for gay and lesbian library users endorses
the way these people live.
• We don’t need special booklists or indexes; gays and lesbians can
use the catalogue and periodical indexes like anyone else.
• We simply haven’t yet found the time to devote attention to covering
this particular subject area.
Library Collections:
Checklist Studies & Self-Censorship
LGBTQ Fiction for Teens in Canadian Urban Public Libraries, 2004
LGBTQ Teen Titles
Number (/35) Percent
Edmonton, Vancouver 32 Toronto 30 Ottawa, Saskatoon 28 Halifax Regina, Winnipeg Victoria 23 22 21 91% 86 80 66 63 60
- Boon and Howard 2004
LGBTQ Fiction for Teens & Children in Alberta Public Libraries, 2006
Edmonton Calgary Grande Prairie 8 other urban centres LGBTQ Teen & Children’s Titles
Number (/52) Percent
38 38 34 26 73% 73 65 50
- Schrader 2007
LGBTQ Fiction for Teens & Children in Alberta Public Libraries, 2006
• True Believer
(63 libraries = 60%*)
• Bad Boy
(58 = 55%)
• Touch of the Clown
(53 = 50%)
• The Game
(44 = 42%)
• The Misfits
(31 = 30%)
• Postcards from No Man’s Land
(31 = 30%)
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower
(30 = 29%) * n=105 libraries serving 1,200+ populations
- Schrader 2007
LGBTQ Titles Challenged in Canadian Libraries, 2006-2012*
• “Angels in America,” DVD • “Brazil,” DVD • “Brüno,” DVD • “The Girl Who Played with Fire,”
DVD
• “I Love You Phillip Morris,” DVD • And Tango Makes Three, picture book • King and King, picture book • My Princess Boy, picture book • The Sissy Duckling, picture book • Uncle Bobby's Wedding, picture book • Hard and Fast, short stories • Xtra! West [news magazine] * “CLA Annual Survey of Challenges to Canadian Library Resources and Policies”
cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Resources&Template=/CM/HTM LDisplay.cfm&ContentID=14046
Unshelved, July 18, 2009
Library Subject Access Research
Subject Access: Subject Headings reflecting LGBTQ-Related Content
Bisexuality – Fiction Lesbians – Fiction Gay teenagers – Juvenile Fiction Gay men – Fiction Lesbians – Juvenile Fiction Lesbianism – Fiction Gay Parents – Fiction Lesbianism – Juvenile Fiction Gay youth – New York (State) – New York – Fiction Homosexuality – Fiction Homosexuality – Juvenile Fiction
- Schrader 2007
Subject Access: Subject Headings not reflecting LGBTQ Content
Coming of Age – Fiction Conduct of life – Fiction Emotions – Fiction Erotic Stories Friendship – Fiction High Schools – Fiction Identity – Fiction Interpersonal relationships – Fiction Love Stories Schools – Juvenile Fiction Self-Realization – Fiction Sex – Fiction Teenage boys – Fiction
- Schrader 2007
Subject Access to Teen Fiction reflecting LGBTQ Content, EPL Catalogue, 2009
•
Almost half of the LGBTQ titles used the subject heading ‘homosexuality – juvenile literature’ (52 of 119, or 44%)
•
21 different LGBTQ subject headings were used for 92 titles
•
1 out of 4 LGBTQ titles had no LGBTQ subject access (27 of 119, or 23%)
- Lindy Pratch, EPL, 2009
Library Internet Access & Filtering (aka Censorware)
• • • • •
Censorware
third-party commercial computer programs, relying on exact match character recognition explicit anti-gay policies – key words; categories underblocking & overblocking are extensive infinite variability & dynamics of human languages representing human cultures – homonyms, synonyms, metaphors, similes, double entendres, regional variations, linguistic changes over time illusory belief in power to control human behaviour by prohibiting words & ideas
Censored Search Terms & Sites:
breast alt.sexy.bald.captain
marsexpl couple Super Bowl XXXI groin injury “The Beaver” [Canadian magazine]
SurfWatch blocked the entire library web site of…
Archie R. Dykes Medical Library
Health Sites Blocked by Filters:
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/Chart-Pack.pdf
(Chart 3, Kaiser Family Foundation, 2002)
同 志
“Comrade” in LGBTQ sub-culture in Communist China has been appropriated to mean “gay”
“Don’t Filter Me!”
American Civil Liberties Union
https://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/dont filter-me-final-report
Library Services & Collection Strategies for Supporting Sexual Minority & Gender Variant Communities
- Build Board and community support - Create inclusive collections and services - Ensure inclusive access to resources in all formats
~ holistic, interdependent ~ policy, process, procedures, planning ~ strategic partnerships for political support ~ visibility in communities
Library Services & Collection Strategies for Supporting Sexual Minority & Gender Variant Communities
Board Policies and Legislation –
Policy is protection!
Community Development Professional Networking Selection Criteria Challenges and Reconsideration of Materials Collection Development
Strategies….cont’d
Collection Access Web Access Library Access Promotion and Marketing Community Advocacy Professional Development Library Service Charter
Seize the teachable moment to educate your community!
What a few libraries are doing…
Courtesy Toronto Public Library
TPL Pride Alliance Toronto Public Library at Toronto Pride Parade, June 30, 2013
Courtesy Toronto Public Library
Courtesy Toronto Public Library
Courtesy Toronto Public Library
Homophobia and Misogyny
~ Freedom from homophobic oppression is acutely linked to emancipation from misogyny and sexism & the dismantling of gendered stereotypes and double standards.
~ There is no hierarchy of oppression – if we fight against one form of injustice, we must fight against the other.
~ Ignorance based in fear leads to violence
(Grace, 2001).
In Conclusion …
~ Many young people who identify as LGBTQ do not have support at home, at school, or in faith communities.
~ Access to information and resources is especially problematic for vulnerable LGBTQ youth living in rural areas, living in poverty, and in some immigrant communities.
~ Librarians can play a critical role in fostering diversity and resiliency, in offering safe spaces, in turning pain and despair into hope and opportunity.
~ Books change lives. Sometimes books save lives.
Nicola Griffith