CHICAGO — The American Library Association ( ALA ) has designated June 2015 as GLBT Book Month™, a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. GLBT Book Month™ is an initiative of the ALA and is coordinated through its Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table ( GLBTRT ).
Originally established in the early 1990s by The Publishing Triangle as National Lesbian and Gay Book Month, June 2015 will mark the first commemoration of GLBT Book Month™ to be held under ALA's auspices.
"The Publishing Triangle, which has been a leader in positioning GLBT books at the forefront of literature, had the foresight to initiate this event almost a quarter century ago, and we are very proud to continue this important observance." said ALA President Courtney Young. "We are incredibly appreciative of the historic work and brave first steps taken by many authors and publishers over the past 50 years to bring recognition to GLBT literature."
GLBT Book Month will culminate with many GLBT events and programs at ALA's 2015 Annual Conference in San Francisco, June 25 - 30. The ALA will kick off its conference with Opening General Session speaker Roberta Kaplan, "superstar litigator" and adjunct professor at the Columbia Law School whose involvement in United States v. Windsor helped to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ). Other programs at Annual Conference will include a preconference on library outreach to GLBT people, sessions on curating the history of GLBT activism, the evolution and acceptance of collecting LGBT materials in libraries, use of GLBT materials in libraries, serving transgender patrons and the Stonewall Book Awards Program.
ALA's support of quality GLBT literature includes the awarding of the prestigious Stonewall Book Awards, which have honored the very best in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender books since 1971, including adult literature, non-fiction, and children's and young adult titles. Additionally, ALA compiles two annual bibliographies of notable GLBT books, including the Rainbow Books list featuring recommended titles for children and young adults, and the Over the Rainbow book list for adult literature and non-fiction titles.
GLBT book lists for children, teens and adults, as well as ALA Annual Conference GLBT events, are available at www.ala.org/glbtbookmonth .
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association ( ALA ), the voice of America's libraries, is the oldest, largest and most influential library association in the world. Its approximately 56,000 members are primarily librarians but also trustees, publishers and other library supporters. The association represents all types of libraries. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.
About GLBTRT
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table ( GLBTRT ) of the American Library Association is committed to serving the information needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender professional library community and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender information and access needs of individuals at large. GLBTRT is committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the American Library Association and democratic institutions. The GLBTRT was founded in 1970 and is the world's oldest professional organization for GLBT people.
