This guide's purpose is to serve as a resource and highlight LGBTQIA2+ materials in the Library's collection, from books to articles to streaming videos. This guide is also designed to highlight LGBTQIA2+ resources at LCC, locally, regionally, and nationally
The guide was created by librarians Fran Krempasky and Caitlyn Stypa. Fran is the LGBQIA+ Collection Development Librarian and is a Steering Committee member of LCC's PRISM Alliance. Caitlyn is a straight, cis-gender woman who works to be an ally to the LGBTQIA2+ community, and she is interested in disrupting social norms surrounding womanhood, capitalism/consumerism, and how humans treat the planet.
A personal pronoun is a short substitute word for the proper name of a person, like they/them/their, she/her/hers, he/him/his, and ze/zir. Some people prefer one set of pronouns, some people have no attachment to any of the established set of pronouns, and some people prefer that you use their name instead of any pronouns. Using a person's preferred personal pronouns is a way show them respect and create an inclusive environment. Don't make assumptions about a person's pronouns, just ask!
Lesbian - women who are primarily attracted romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to other women.
Gay - experiencing attraction solely (or primarily) to some members of the same gender. Can be used to refer to men who are attracted to other men and women who are attracted to women.
Bisexual - a person who experiences attraction to some men and women.
Transgender - an umbrella term for anyone whose sex assigned at birth and gender identity do not correspond in the expected way (e.g., someone who was assigned male at birth, but does not identify as a man).
Queer/Questioning - queer is an umbrella term to describe individuals who don’t identify as straight and/or cisgender. Due to its historical use as a derogatory term, and how it is still used as a slur many communities, "queer" is not embraced or used by all LGBTQ people. Questioning people are unsure about or exploring their own sexual orientation or gender identity.
Intersex - a term for a combination of chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals that differs from the two expected patterns of male or female. Formerly known as hermaphrodite (or hermaphroditic), but these terms are now outdated and derogatory.
Asexual/Aromantic - an asexual person experiences little or no sexual attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in sexual relationships/behavior. An aromantic person experiences little or no romantic attraction to others and/or has a lack of interest in romantic relationships/behavior. Both asexuality and aromanticism exist on a continuum, and people at different points on the continuums have their own identity labels.
Two-Spirit - an umbrella term traditionally within Native American communities to recognize individuals who possess qualities or fulfill roles of both genders.
+ - Related communities, such as polyamorous, pansexual, non-binary, and allies.
Find these definitions and more on the Safe Zone Project glossary of terms.
