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Homeless LGBTQ Youth and Public Libraries

Homeless LGBTQ Youth and Public Libraries. Julie Ann Winkelstein, PhD jwinkels@utk.edu. Let’s talk about…. Homeless LGBTQ youth: Who and why? The library as a space and culture Materials, needs, barriers Recommendations and examples. Brief bio. 20 years as a public librarian

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Homeless LGBTQ Youth and Public Libraries

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  1. Homeless LGBTQ Youth and Public Libraries Julie Ann Winkelstein, PhD jwinkels@utk.edu

  2. Let’s talk about… • Homeless LGBTQ youth: Who and why? • The library as a space and culture • Materials, needs, barriers • Recommendations and examples

  3. Brief bio • 20 years as a public librarian • Received PhD in 2012 • Postdoctoral researcher: 3-year Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant • Library Anchor Models for Bridging Diversity Achievements (LAMBDA) http://lambda.sis.utk.edu/

  4. Why Libraries? • Human rights: Materials, space, technological accessibility • Social Responsibility: Library Bill of Rights • Library as physical space and emotional space

  5. Why this population?

  6. Homelessness and Youth • Someone who “lacks a fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence” (PBS, 2009) • Homeless: Doesn’t define a person • Ages 12 to 24 • In U.S., 1.6 to 2.8 million youth experience homelessness each year

  7. Homelessness and LGBTQ Youth

  8. Discrimination Economic Sexual orientation Gender identity Youth Survival skills

  9. Criminalizing homelessness Photos: Seth Anderson, 2004; Renjishino, 2007 Various Laws • Panhandling, loitering, camping • Outcome: Citations/tickets create barriers to employment, housing .

  10. Weaponized Architecture Photo: Dan Udey, 2009

  11. Stereotypes and Fears Lack of hygiene; odors Diseased Passive Mentally ill Threatening/scary Alcoholics/drug addicts

  12. Attitudes • Beliefs about the causes of homelessness • “Blame falls on the excluded themselves, who are said to have failed to includethemselves in social life.”(Walsh, 2006) • Poverty stigma affects those experiencing homelessness • Language matters

  13. LGBTQ Definitions Constantly changing Allow young people to self-identify “I just want to be myself” Respect chosen terms Definitions = education

  14. LGBTQIAA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/questioning Intersex Asexual Ally

  15. Ally “Someone who advocates for and supports members of a community other than their own” (University of California, Berkeley, n. d.) Use your power, privilege and position as librarians in an established and respected institution to stand by their sides

  16. Gender • Is social rather than biological • Gender expression/presentation • Binary gender system • PGP: Preferred Gender Pronoun *Most definitions taken from Sacramento State Pride Center Ally Safe Zone Training Manual

  17. Sex A medical term designating a certain combination of gonads, chromosomes, external gender organs, secondary sex characteristics and hormonal balances. Usually subdivided into ‘male’and‘female.’(Sacramento State Pride Center, n.d.) .

  18. Statistics Suicide is leading cause of death among LGBTQ youth Gay students hear anti-gay slurs as often as 26 times each day Approximately 28% of gay and lesbian youth drop out of high school due to discomfort in the school environment (PFLAG Phoenix, n. d.) LGBTQ youth over-represented in juvenile justice system

  19. Societal Assumptions/Stereotypes LGBTQ identity is a disorder/pathology All problems are related to gender/sexual orientation LGBTQ identity is sinful or immoral Gender identity or sexual orientation are choices

  20. LGBTQ-Affirming Practice Confronts assumptions/stereotypes Culturally sensitive model Views LGBTQ identity through an affirming and non-medical lens Looks at operations of power Recognizes influences (Mallon, 2010) Sexual orientation or gender identity may not be a presenting issue

  21. Affirming vs. Accepting Say yes Challenge bias/hate Chosen pronouns Gender-affirming or gender-neutral language Equal value Look at their strengths YES!

  22. What the youth are saying • Acknowledgement: Be more welcoming • Allow more time on computers and technology • Provide books we can relate to • Don’t patronize • The importance of safety

  23. Service Providers and Librarians • Dialogue is important • Don’t be afraid to show you care • “Youth focused language” • Safety • Time constraints • Knowledge • Stereotyping • Safety

  24. Library as space • How can design/signage impact feelings of safety and communicate a welcome environment?

  25. Library as culture • How do policies create barriers to serving this community? • What do displayed materials and featured programs do to welcome the youth? • Opening up dialogue – learning from the community

  26. Look Inward • Examine your rules, policies, procedures • Do an attitude assessment at your library • Be aware of your own cultural biases • http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com • Examine your assumptions: What do you assume about the people who enter the library? • Create a professional sense of self

  27. Practical Needs • Education: GED, FAFSA, local programs • Housing: Access to websites and resources • Employment: Job skills, workshops, resumes, interviewing • Legal rights, places to get help, understanding procedures

  28. Emotional Needs • A place to just “Be” • Community – to belong somewhere • Spiritual and philosophical resources

  29. Materials • Health information • Entertainment • Historical resources • Library resource help: • How to use the catalogue • Understanding the layout of the library • Rules and policies • Knowledge of how libraries can help in general • http://robledo.fromthefog.com/upstanders/harvey-milk/

  30. Short-term activities for libraries • Examine/Discuss the library climate • Resource list/Book list • Contact an agency • Research! (reports/videos) • Create a map for service center • Newsletter • Display http://www.transstudent.org/graphics

  31. Long-term considerations • Bathrooms • Spatial arrangements • Signage • Offering space • Engaging youth in planning • Display art and writing • Library cards • Training http://www.iamsafezone.com/

  32. Long Term: Partnerships with Youth-Serving Agencies Know what your community is doing Reach out to local agencies, organizations Work collaboratively Find common goals Disseminate information Be a local or national partner

  33. Long Term: Other Partnerships With local LGBT community With local government groups With local service groups With schools With faith community With local law enforcement With adult education programs

  34. Examples of current activities • Taking laptops to the shelter: Registering for library cards • Library tour • Books to the shelter • Inviting youth to come to activities • Signage/stickers

  35. Thank you! LAMBDA Project: http://lambda.sis.utk.edu/ Julie Ann Winkelstein jwinkels@utk.edu

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