Out of the Closet and Onto the Bookshelf: LGBTQ YA Literature
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This document discusses the importance of including LGBTQ+ materials in public libraries. It begins by defining key terms related to sex, gender, and sexuality. It then explains that 1.2-5.6% of adults identify as LGBTQ+, and that many youths recognize their identity in their teens. Studies show LGBTQ+ youth often feel unsafe at school. The document argues that libraries provide a safe space for questioning teens and access to LGBTQ+ literature and resources is crucial for identity development, mental health, fostering acceptance, and ensuring this population is included rather than excluded. It provides statistics on LGBTQ+ representation in YA literature and recommends titles, genres, and resources for readers' advisory.
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Out of the Closet and Onto the Bookshelf: LGBTQ YA Literature
- 1. Out of the Closet, Onto the Bookshelf: LGBTQ YA Literature
- 3. SEX Biological traits society associates with being male or female GENDER Cultural meanings attached to being masculine and feminine, which influence personal identities SEXUALITY Sexual attraction, practices, and identity which may or not align with sex and gender
- 4. QUILTBAG or LGBTQQIAAP queer/questioning, undecided, intersex, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, asexual, gay lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, allies, pansexual
- 6. Why Access to LGBTQ+ Materials in Public Libraries Is So INCREDIBLY Important
- 7. 1.2-5.6% of adult population identify as LGBTQ* (in reality, it’s probably higher than that)
- 8. Studies show that most LGB individuals identify by age 16, but experience same-sex attraction as early as 9. Based on the results of their study, the researchers concluded that sexual identity development should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than as a series of stages or phases.
- 9. According to a survey of LGBTQ identifying students conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014): ● 25% of LGBTQ+ students miss school because they feel unsafe ● 60% of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school ● 40% of LGBTQ+ students have been physically harassed at school ● 80% of LGBTQ+ students have been verbally harassed at school
- 10. SAFE SPACE Teens questioning their sexuality or gender identity need a safe space to access resources. They may be hesitant to ask teachers or parents for information, and libraries can help fill that gap.
- 11. ACCESS Denying access to these materials excludes a vulnerable segment of the young adult population.
- 12. “The library is the most important information source for LGBTQ young people. Library resources can provide self-affirmation, offer characters with which to identify, and decrease the feeling of alienation.” (Hughes-Hassel, 2013, pp. 2-3)
- 13. IDENTITY Sexual orientation and gender identity can impact a teen’s social interactions, development, and mental health.
- 14. “In the case of LGBTQ teenagers, the literature argues that fiction can contribute to the formation of a stable sense of personal identity by reassuring young people that they are not alone, promoting a positive self-image, and allowing them an opportunity to explore what it means to be gay (et al).” (Chapman, 2013, p. 545)
- 15. ACCEPTANCE Reading about LGBTQ characters also benefits those who do not identify as queer by fostering acceptance and normalizing the entire spectrum of gender and sexual identity.
- 16. “Including LGBTQ-themed literature in the library can also open up a world of understanding to others, increasing the likelihood that more members of the community will become allies and advocates for LGBTQ teens.” (Hughes-Hassel, 2013, p. 13)
- 17. You can’t buy too much LGBTQ+ YA Between 1.9% and 2.4% of YA novels have LGBTQ characters source: malindalo.com
- 18. LGBTQ YA by Content 2003-2013 45% cisgender male protagonist 33% cisgender female protagonist 12% LGBTQ issues 6% multiple LGBTQ characters 4% transgender characters source: malindalo.com
- 19. LGBTQ YA by Genre 2003-2013 80% contemporary 10% speculative 4% verse/poetry 4% anthologies >2% historical >1% memoirs source: malindalo.com
- 20. Classics of LGBTQ YA Fiction
- 21. YA Science Fiction with LGBTQ Characters and Themes
- 26. YA Fantasy with LGBTQ Characters and Themes
- 31. Realistic LGBTQ YA Fiction
- 41. Adult Books with Teen Appeal
- 42. Graphic Novels
- 43. Verse Novels
- 44. Trigger Warning
- 46. LGBTQ Titles and Readers’ Advisory ● Feature LGBTQ titles regularly in displays and lists on various themes ● Feature LGBTQ themed displays and lists ● Suggest LGBTQ titles that fit other appeal factors even if not explicitly asking
- 47. Resources ● We Need Diverse Books ● Diversity in YA ● Malinda Lo’s Website ● Gay YA ● Queer YA
- 48. Molly Wetta Collection Development Librarian Lawrence Public Library mwetta@lawrencepubliclibrary.org @molly_wetta wrappedupinbooks.org
- 49. image sources slide 1: CC via Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/pio1976/3330670980/ slide 32: CC via Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpar4s/ bibliography Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm Chapman, E. (2013). No more controversial than a gardening display?: Provision of LGBT-related fiction to children and young people in U.K. public libraries. Library Trends, 61(3), 524-568. Gates, Gary J. (2011). "How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender?". Williams Institute, University of California School of Law. Hughes-Hassell, S., Overberg, E., & Harris, S. (2013). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ)-themed literature for teens: Are school libraries providing adequate collections?. School Library Research, 16, 1-18. Human Rights Campaign. (2013). 2013 annual report. Retrieved from http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east- 1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/HRC_2013_ANNUAL_FINAL.pdf Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities. (2011). The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. Washington (DC): National Academies Press. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64808/ Parks, A. (2012). Opening the gate: Booktalks for LGBTQ-themed young adult titles. Young Adult Library Services, 10(4), 22-27.
Editor's Notes
- * Gates, Gary J. (April 2011). "How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender?". Williams Institute, University of California School of Law.
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64808/
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- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpar4s/
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