Hunter College Libraries Blog

What does GLBT stand for?

GLBT is an initialism referring to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender people collectively. There are variations on the initialism such as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgenger, Queer). According to the Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History in America:

“The wide cross-cultural variation in the basic organization as well as categorization of sexual and gender differences, in relation to racial, class, religious and regional differences, … pressured the simple phrase “lesbian and gay” to the breaking point. The designations “LGBT” (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) and ‘queer’ both developed as strategies for encompassing this heterogeneity, and avoiding any presentist or ethnocentric foreclosure.”

What is GLBT History Month?

GLBT History Month, started in the 1990s by a group of teachers and community organizations, is observed in October because:

The GLBT community is the only community worldwide that does not learn its history at home, in the public schools or in religious institutions. GLBT History Month teaches our heritage, provides role models, builds community and makes the civil rights statement of our extraordinary national and international contributions.

Now administered by the Equality Forum, GLBT History Month honors one GLBT icon for each day of the month of October. Every day, a new video is posted on the GLBT History Month website, including such notable figures as John Waters, Andy Warhol, Michelangelo, Gianni Versace, and many more.

Why is this important?

Given the current political climate, GLBT issues are on the forefront now more than ever. History is being made every day it seems, with celebrity endorsements in favor of same-sex marriage in California and more and more employers offering benefits for domestic partners. A search for “‘gay marriage’ OR ’same sex marriage’” resulted in over 50 news stories from both The New York Times and The Boston Globe, and over 100 from the Los Angeles Times in only the past six months. This is a hot topic, and well worth learning about – before you cast your vote in November you should find out the position of your candidate of choice.

Additionally, it is important to acknowledge the contributions of all members of society, regardless of race, sex, creed or sexual orientation. GLBT History Month is on par with the celebration of Women’s History Month and Black History Month, in which we celebrate and acknowledge contributions made by individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups.

There is a wealth of information on GLBT issues available. The following is but a sampling of resources, some free web resources, some available by logging in with your Hunter email address and password, and some books available in the Hunter College Libraries. This list is by no means comprehensive.

Free Web Resources

Equality Forum – “Equality Forum advances national and international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights by education the GLBT community and society at large about GLBT issues.”

GLBT History Month Website

Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Culture – a free, online encyclopedia of GLBTQ culture.

Queering the Web – a recent article from College & Research Libraries News by Tami Albin and Jennifer Church-Duran that includes an annotated list of web resources related to GLBTQ issues.

Queer Theory – “QueerTheory.com provides you with the best online resources integrated with the best visual and textual resources in Queer Culture, Queer Theory, Queer Studies, Gender Studies and related fields.”

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center (New York, NY) – “The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center provides a home for the birth, nurture and celebration of our organizations, institutions and culture; cares for our individuals and groups in need; educates the public and our community; and empowers our individuals and groups to achieve their fullest potential.”

Library Resources (login required if off campus)
CQ Researcher Report on Gay Marriage – a full report from September of this year by the CQ press, presenting an in-depth analysis of the issues surrounding gay marriage in the United States.

Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History in America – electronic encyclopedia of GLBT history in the US, available in the Gale Virtual Reference Library database or via title search in CUNY+

Opposing Viewpoints Research Center - Full text articles from magazines and newspapers representing pros and con opinions on controversial topics and current events. To access, click on the linked title, or find in the list of Databases from the library home page.

Books

The Lesbian and gay studies reader / edited by Henry Abelove, Michele Aina Barale, David M. Halperin. New York : Routledge, 1993.

Hunter Main Library Stacks HQ76.25 .L48 1993 Regular Loan

A history of bisexuality / Steven Angelides. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, c2001.

Hunter Social Work Stacks HQ74 .A54 2001 Regular Loan

About time : exploring the gay past / Martin Duberman. New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : Meridian, c1991.

Hunter Main Library Stacks HQ76.25 .D83 1991 Regular Loan

Same sex, different cultures : exploring gay and lesbian lives / Gilbert Herdt. Boulder, Colo. : Westview Press, 1997.

Hunter Main Library Stacks GN484.35 .H47 1997 Regular Loan

Out in theory : the emergence of lesbian and gay anthropology / edited by Ellen Lewin and William L. Leap ; foreword by Esther Newton. Urbana : University of Illinois Press, c2002.

Hunter Main Library Stacks HQ75.5 .O936 2002 Regular Loan

LGBT studies and queer theory : new conflicts, collaborations, and contested terrain / Karen E. Lovaas, John P. Elia, Gust A. Yep, editors. New York : Harrington Park Press, c2006.

Hunter Main Library Stacks HQ76.25 .L5 2006 Regular Loan

Beyond the closet : the transformation of gay and lesbian life / Steven Seidman. New York : Routledge, 2002.

Hunter Main Library Stacks HQ76.25 .S485 2002 Regular Loan