From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
It’s June, which means it’s also Pride Month, when we remember the 1969 Stonewall riots. In celebration of Pride Month, the American Library Association (ALA) designates June as Rainbow Book Month, previously GLBT Book Month. Rainbow Book month is a nationwide initiative designed to celebrates the literature that honors the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, and asexual community.
In honor of Rainbow Book Month, we have collected a few resources to help your libraries expand and create inclusive and welcoming programming and services. Intentionally prioritizing inclusivity can help us make a lasting change and develop lifelong lovers of our Texas libraries.
Book Lists
- Stonewall Book Awards – The first and longest-enduring award for LGBTQIA+ literature
- Rainbow Book List – LGBTQIA+ Books for Kids and Teens
- Over the Rainbow Book List – LGBTQIA+ Books for Adult Readers
- RRT Book Reviews – LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Round Table Books and Media Reviews
- National Network of Libraries of Medicine – LGBTQ Book Selections and Health Resources
Archives
- The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Community Center National Archive
- The Library of Congress Digital Collection: LGBTQ+ Studies Research Guide
- Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in Toronto
- Digital Transgender Archive
- ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives
Recommended Websites
- Texas Library Association – Queer and Allies Round Table
- ALA Rainbow Round Table (RRT) – Rainbow Book Month
- Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services
- Library of Congress Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month
Archived Webinars
- TSLAC Webinar: The Inclusive Library – Best Practices for Serving Your LGBTQ Communities
- ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom Webinar: Banned Books Uncensored: LGBTQIA+ Stories & Gender Identity
- WebJunction Course: Rainbow Family Connections: Embracing LGBTQ Families at Your Library
- Human Rights Campaign: All Children – All Families Webinar Series: Moving Forward to Full LGBTQ Inclusion
Tool Kits and Training Curriculum
- Cultural Considerations: Resources & continuing Education for LGBTQ Pride Month (Texas CASA)
- The Safe Zone Project: LGBTQ/Ally training
- GLMA’s cultural competence webinar series
- Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries (Created by ALA Emerging Leaders team and AASL in 2018)
- Open to All: Serving the GLBT Community in Your Library (Created by GLBTRT April 9, 2016)
Health Resources
- HealthyChildren.org – Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Teens: Facts for Teens and Their Parents
- Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network
- OutCare Health – LGBTQ Healthcare Resources & Providers
- National Network of Libraries of Medicine: Beyond the Binary Resources
Hotlines and Crisis Lines
- LGBT National Youth Talkline:1-800-246-7743
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386. This is a 24-hour confidential hotline for LGBTQ youth.
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860. This is a crisis hotline by and for the transgender community.
- Steve Fund Crisis Text Line: Text STEVE to 741741
Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusivity and join hundreds of libraries across the nation in a national celebration of authors and books that reflect the LGBTQIA+ experience. For more information and resources, visit ALA’s Rainbow Book Month webpage.