LGBTQIA+ Communities

Overview

LGBTQIA+ Communities

In 1999, the United States officially designated June as Pride month, after years of protests, riots, and movements demanding equality for LGBTQIA+ folks. While LGBTQIA+ history has existed long before 1969, the concept of Pride Month revolves largely around the Stonewall Uprising that took place in Manhattan on June 28, 1969. The years following the Stonewall Uprising, many organizations and groups gathered together to protest for LGBTQIA+ rights, leading to what is now commemorated during the month of June as Pride Month. (source: Library of Congress)

EDI Symposium: How LGBTQIA+ Librarians Shape Libraries Today

2022 Events

How LGBTQIA+ Librarians Shape Libraries Today
Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pacific Time

Shannon M. OltmannMelinda Borie

Kassian Rye Lemke-Elznic

Symposia

In June 2022, the SJSU iSchool hosted a symposium in honor of Pride Month titled, “How LGBTQIA+ Librarians Shape Libraries Today.” The symposium opened up with a keynote address and presentation by Dr. Shannon Oltmann, who talked about the importance of having LGBTQIA+ resources in libraries and the challenges that come with it. Following the keynote address, symposium panelists held an hour-long discussion on the roles that libraries can play in supporting LGBTQIA+ communities and the need for more diversity in a predominantly white, cisgender, heterosexual field.

Library and Information Science Best Practices

Best Practices from “How LGBTQIA+ Librarians Shape Libraries Today”:

  • Incorporate a more inclusive approach to LGBTQIA+ resources.
  • Be aware of potential pushback that may arise as a result of having queer-friendly resources in the library. 
  • Reach out to community members about how libraries can tailor their practices towards supporting their local communities. 
  • Create more space for LGBTQIA+ people in library programming efforts.

Community Profiles

Community Archives volunteer

Professional Associations

Bibliography

Videos