LGBTQ History Month was created in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school history teacher. In 1995, the General Assembly of the National Education Association passed a resolution that stated a list of commemorative months, which included LGBTQ History Month. The General Assembly selected October since National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11) was already established, as well as the anniversary of the first march on Washington for gay and lesbian rights in 1979.
The University’s LGBTQ Resource Center is hosting various events throughout the month of October to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community. These events, and the Syracuse University Libraries’ corresponding book display, are vital to educating the campus community and promoting belonging and inclusion.
The Libraries’ book display highlights the stories of many identities within the LGBTQIA+ community, with a particular focus on trans individuals. Trans people and their existence are being erased through anti-LGBTQ bills and book banning. So far in 2023, there are a total of 3,923 challenged titles reported to the American Library Association. Additionally, six of the 13 most challenged books in 2022 contain LGBTQIA+ narratives.
Currently, there are approximately 575 anti-LGBTQ bills circulating throughout the U.S. government, including several bills targeting the trans community. Whether you are a queer or trans person or an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, we must move beyond only educating through great resources we find in libraries to advocating for those who are being targeted.
Visit the Libraries’ LGBTQ History Month and Pride Month Guide to find out how you can reach out to your representatives and browse our highlighted collections. The LGBTQ History Month book display is located on the first floor of Bird Library in the New Books Area and will be on display throughout October. Visitors who stop at the Libraries can also get a free “Read with Pride” sticker this month.
Below are a few selected resources that are featured in the LGBTQ History Month Display:
“Trans Love: An Anthology of Transgender and Non-Binary Voices,” edited by Freiya Benson
A groundbreaking anthology of writing on the topic of love, written by trans and nonbinary people who share their thoughts, feelings and experiences of love in all its guises. The collection spans familial, romantic, spiritual and self love, as well as friendships and ally love, to provide a broad and honest understanding of how trans people navigate love and relationships and what love means to them.
Reclaiming what love means to trans people, this book provokes conversations that are not reflected in what is presently written, moving the narrative around trans identities away from sensationalism. At once intimate and radical, both humorous and poignant, this book is for anyone who has loved, who is in love and who is looking for love.
“Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource by and for Transgender Communities,” edited by Laura Erickson-Schroth
Inspired by “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” the classic and powerful compendium written by and for cisgender women, “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves” is widely accessible to the transgender population, providing authoritative information in an inclusive and respectful way and representing the collective knowledge base of dozens of influential experts. Each chapter takes the reader through an important issue, such as race, religion, employment, medical and surgical transition, mental health, relationships, sexuality, parenthood, arts and culture, and more. Anonymous quotes, testimonials, art and poetry from transgender people are woven throughout, adding compelling, personal voices to every page. In this unique way, hundreds of viewpoints across the community have united to create this strong and pioneering book. It is a welcoming place for transgender and gender-questioning people, their partners and families, students, professors, guidance counselors and others to look for up-to-date information on transgender life.
“Identities and Place: Changing Labels and Intersectional Communities of LGBTQ and Two-Spirit People in the United States, edited by Katherine Crawford-Lackey and Megan E. Springate
With a focus on historic sites, this volume explores the recent history of non-heteronormative Americans from the early twentieth century onward and the places associated with these communities. Authors explore how queer identities are connected with specific places: places where people gather, socialize, protest, mourn and celebrate. The focus is deeper look at how sexually variant and gender non-conforming Americans constructed identity, created communities, and fought to have rights recognized by the government. Each chapter is accompanied by prompts and activities that invite readers to think critically and immerse themselves in the subject matter while working collaboratively with others.
Enjoy various documentaries and award-winning movies that are available for your viewing on Kanopy!
This database includes resources related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
Story by Michelle K. Mitchell, reference and instruction librarian, Department of Learning and Academic Engagement
