Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Libraries Shares Recommended Reading and Resources for LGBTQ History Month

Friday, October 13, 2023, By News Staff
Share
LGBTQSyracuse University Libraries

rainbow graphic with a collage of historical images related to LGBTQ History Month

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:

Featured Books

“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.

Featured Databases

Kanopy: LGBT Collection

Enjoy various documentaries and award-winning movies that are available for your viewing on Kanopy!

LGBTQ+ Source

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

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Celebrating Karen Davis’s Impact and Legacy
    Friday, December 1, 2023, By Kwami Maranga
  • Hendricks Chapel to Ring in the Season with ‘Horns and Harmonies’ Dec. 17
    Friday, December 1, 2023, By News Staff
  • Rachel Steinhardt Awarded NSF Grant to Study Brain Chemistry
    Friday, December 1, 2023, By News Staff
  • From Quad to Commission: Kristen Northrop Reflects on Raising 2 U.S. Army Officers at Syracuse University
    Friday, December 1, 2023, By Charlie Poag
  • Hon. James E. Graves Jr. G’80, L’80 Will Be the College of Law’s 2024 Commencement Speaker
    Friday, December 1, 2023, By Robert Conrad

More In Campus & Community

Syracuse University’s Football Team Bowl-Bound, Will Play South Florida in the Boca Raton Bowl

For the second straight season, the Syracuse University football team has qualified for a bowl game, the first time the Orange have secured back-to-back postseason appearances since the 2012 and 2013 seasons. After closing out the regular season with a…

Celebrating Karen Davis’s Impact and Legacy

Karen Davis’ ’83, G’90 desire to create a welcoming environment for all has permeated every corner of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). Building the college’s career services from the ground up and becoming the assistant dean of…

Hendricks Chapel to Ring in the Season with ‘Horns and Harmonies’ Dec. 17

“Horns and Harmonies” returns to Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. with a festive program of songs, carols and instrumental classics. Free and open to the public, the concert features the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble…

Hon. James E. Graves Jr. G’80, L’80 Will Be the College of Law’s 2024 Commencement Speaker

The College of Law announces that the Hon. James E. Graves Jr. G’80, L’80 will be the Class of 2024 Commencement Speaker. Graves is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is the…

NYSCA Grants Awarded to 5 Faculty, 2 Organizations

Five faculty members have each received $10,000 New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Individual Artist grants to carry out creative projects, including several that have a focus on public service in the arts. NYSCA also awarded a $40,000…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.