Survey of LGBT Readers and Public Libraries

Dr. John Pruitt, Assistant Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Rock County has been given a grant by the American Library Association to research how libraries can better serve their LGBT populations within their respective communities. If you don't mind answering a few questions to help out, you will be doing this professor and the LGBT community a service.

Click to participate in LGBT Readers & Public Libraries Survey

Montana Library Chooses Not to Censor Gay Book

UPDATE:Thanks for your activism, the Montana library board voted 5-0 not to censor the gay book.

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After several residents complained about the book "The Joy of Gay Sex" by Dr. Charles Silverstein and Felice Picano's, the library was considering whether to toss the book out. The number one selling guide for gay men offers advice on everything from coming out, to self esteem, and safe-sex.

Citizens against the book in the Helena Montana town object to the book on the basis that it is "immoral", there are also many people defending the book as a "resource, and on the basis that censorship is wrong".

The library board of directors made a decision to keep the book at its Oct. 21 meeting.

Sarah Palin Is All About Censorship

As Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Sarah Palin now Vice Presidential candidate running alongside John McCain inquired about the process of removing books from her local library. Rumor has it Sarah Palin inquired about the process of removing books she did not approve of. Including "Go Ask Alice" and "Pastor, I am Gay." Regardless of whether she did ask for specific books to be removed and/or fired the librarian in the story, this goes to show Sarah Palin is all about censorship. Below is a clip from Brian Ross of ABC who has covered the story.

Activist Tip: Get Queer Books in Your Library!

Inspired by a right-wing blog I read that was advocating for their readers to request "ex-gay" books for their local libraries I decided to post a reverse entry.

Your local library is about serving the community, they want to carry books and videos that their residents want.

They have a suggestion box or email form, why not go ahead and list some good queer political books, coming out resource guides, and queer history books to be added to the shelves?

In addition to requesting new books, make sure to take out the existing books on queer culture so that the libraries do not discontinue these books.

Many libraries have been forced to place LGBTQ books on high shelves due to community outcry, making it harder or virtually impossible for people to have access to them. Speak to the head librarian and demand that the books are visible and available for those who want them.