GLBTRT Newsletter

A publication of the Gay, , Bisexual, Transgendered Round Table of the American Library Association http://www.ala.org/glbtrt

Vol. 22, No. 3 ◊ Fall 2010

Reviews From the Co-Chairs (Pages 7 -13): Films As many of us face cooler days and busier on Monday June 28. This celebration of the  Girl Seeks Girl schedules, the 2010 ALA Annual Conference 39th awards included the presentation of the  Decoding Alan seems like a distant memory. Despite a couple first award for Children‘s and Young Adult Turing of days of hot weather, it was a pleasant and Literature. Nick Burd was present to accept  8: The Mormon enjoyable few very busy days. I think having the award, with Marcus Ewert and Linas Proposition the added novelty of World Cup matches to Alsenas also present as honor book authors. take in, either via large screen televisions in The Literature Award was  Pedro the Convention Center or in nearby pubs, along accepted by David Francis. James  A Drag King with tours of library facilities and all the Hannaham, honor book author, was also Extravaganza. programs, gave this conference a different present. Nathaniel Frank accepted the Israel  Fun in Girls’ Shorts tone. Fishman Non-Fiction Award, with honor 2 author Stewart Weisberg present. All The Round Table events were well attended and authors spoke during the awards. The  Half Life well organized. Kudos to the organizers of the awards were preceded by a short talk by Young Adult various events for their hard work in making all Barbara Jones, Director of the ALA Office for of these events successful. Draft minutes for  Will Grayson, Will Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director the two steering committee meetings can be Grayson of the Freedom to Read Foundation. found on the webpage, http://www.ala.org/ala/ Approximately eighty people attended this Non-fiction mgrps/rts/glbtrt/events/index.cfm Events event.  does your mama were held to honor the work of the Rainbow know? Project and the Stonewall Book Award In addition, the Round Table featured two programs this year. The ‗Rainbow Hollinger  A Great Unrecorded committees. On Sunday, June 27, about forty Box‘ included Rebecka Sheffield from the History people attended the Rainbow Breakfast, which featured authors Lesléa Newman, Ellen Canadian Lesbian & Gay Archives, Steven G.  Second Person Hopkins, and Marcus Ewert. Tricycle Press, Fullwood from the Black Gay & Lesbian Archive, and Philip Clark from the Rainbow Queer Margaret K. McElderry, and Seven Stories Press History Project in DC, with Shawn Fiction have generously supported these authors‘ Vaillancourt (committee member) as journeys to Washington, DC to participate in  Another Life moderator. The second program was Altogether the breakfast. For a listing of the Rainbow cosponsored with YALSA, entitled Queer Project bibliographies see http://  Precincts of Light Teens: LGBTQ Young Adult Novels, with rainbowlist.wordpress.com/ speakers Steve Berman, Lisa Jahn-Clough,  Time After Time Julie Anne Peters, and Pamela A brunch to celebrate the Stonewall Book

Awards was also held at the Convention Center, Continued page 5

Deadlines for the newsletter for the next year will be:

Winter 2010 December 31, 2010 Spring 2011 March 15, 2011 Summer 2011 May 20, 2011 Fall 2011 August 31, 2011

Please try to get your reports, articles, reviews, etc. in by these dates or let us know if there will be a short delay so room can be saved for them in the newsletter.

Page 2 Volume 22 Number 3

Kid Stuff About Young Readers for People Who Care

LGBTQ books for young readers have Advanced Placement English. Even in the library, however, the books gained great visibility during the past that LGBTQ youth want and need are often decade through not only The ALA Rainbow Young people are the most vulnerable of not readily accessible because librarians Project and the new young adult the LGBTQ community. The diagnosis of are often not knowledgeable about the Stonewall award from the American gender dysphoria (discontent with the sex best resources or are unfamiliar with Library Association Gay, Lesbian, assigned at one‘s birth) in the Diagnostic effective ways to combat censorship. As a Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table & Statistical Manual IV is used almost professional library association, GLBTRT but also bibliographies and reviews, exclusively to label children and youth. has the opportunity to develop a system to professional books, articles, and blogs. The soon-to-be-released DSM-V may be disseminate educational resources and With this richness of sources, however, worse. First Amendment rights for LGBTQ guidance for librarians serving this have come increased attacks on those students are nonexistent in many schools, population—a pro-active approach rather same books. And Tango Makes Three despite the ruling of Nabozny v. Podlesny than a re-active one. continues to stay at the top of the (1996) in which a rural Wisconsin jury challenged books‘ list, and such groups as concluded that permitting students to A beginning list of recent resources include Glenn Beck‘s 9.12 Project demand the harass a gay teenager in a violent and Carlisle K. Webber‘s Gay, Lesbian, removal of demeaning way because of his sexual Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning books from orientation violated his constitutional Teen Literature (Libraries Unlimited); Ellen school and rights. Greenblatt‘s Serving Lgbtiq Library and public libraries Archives Users: Essays on Outreach, across the Some of the LGBTQ kids are fighting back. Service, Collections and Access country. The One blog post from a 15-year-old (McFarland); Martha Cornog and Timothy most recent Kentucky boy about the lack of LGBTQ Perper‘s Graphic Novel beyond the Basics: case in books in his library has gone national. Insights and Issues for Libraries (Libraries national news Others, such as Mississippi Unlimited); and comes from Constance McMillen and Ceara Sturgis, Burlington are fighting against school boards for http://www.slj.com/csp/cms/sites/SLJ/ County (NJ) equal treatment as LGBTQ students. Articles/Censorship/index.csp where McMillen wanted to take her girlfriend to Revolutionary the prom, Sturgis wanted to wear a tux The more LGBTQ books that conservatives Voices, an for her yearbook photo. Both were find in libraries—and they won‘t stop at anthology of denied, but the national recognition for books for young readers—the madder they writings by gay youth, was removed from their plight is a step toward kids‘ fighting become. This growing awareness of books both the school and the public library. The for their rights. in the field presents both a need and an country library director, Gail Sweet, opportunity. Please send us information withdrew the book without any formal Librarians can make a positive difference about programs/strategies/ resources that book challenge, calling it ―child in the lives of LGBTQ young people as have helped improve library services for pornography.‖ shown by McMillen‘s statement: ―My LGBTQ youth and issues/incidents that librarian was always kind to me while I point out the need for intervention. This Fortunately the ACLU is investigating this was there and was a big comfort when I column will be a forum with contributions egregious situation although it was not was upset. I don't know if she supported from people in the field. If you know involved in the West Bend (WI) case a what I was doing but she looked past it to someone who might help expand the year earlier when four library board the person I was.‖ As the young reader scope and the influence of the Round Table members were not reappointed because population is developing their identities, through addressing this growing they refused to censor books. LGBTQ kids tend to be library users censorship problem, please let us know. Comfortable with the new appointments, because they‘re searching for information. protesters demanded the removal of 82 They may not be able to use books and Two new books that everyone should more books from the school library. This computers safely in their own homes, but consider for their collections are Sassafras summer the Fremont (CA) school district they need to identify authentic Lowrey‘s Kicked Out (Homofactus Press) rejected Dorothy Allison's Bastard Out of representations of LGBTQ people. and Vivek Shraya‘s God Loves Hair Carolina for required student reading in (available at vivekshraya.com)—one from a small press and the other self-published. I‘ll tell you why I think so in the next GLBTRT Newsletter (ISSN 1533-7219) is an column. official publication of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Round Table of the American —Nel Ward ([email protected]) Library Association. It appears quarterly in March, June, September, and January.

American Library Association 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611

Letters to the editor, correspondence to the above address care of:

Sarah E. Wright GLBTRT Newsletter Editor [email protected]

Volume 22, Number 3 Page 3

U.S. House of Representatives Honors GLBTRT

Page 4 Volume 22 Number 3 GLBTRT Compiles “Speaking OUT Against Bullying” Resources

In response to recent tragic events involving GLBTQ teens, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) has compiled ―Speaking OUT Against Bullying,‖ a list of resources for kids in trouble and the people who care about them.

Reports of several teen suicides resulting from bullying have brought national attention to the issues of violence and discrimination against GLBTQ teens and college students.

―Many of us in the Round Table are deeply troubled by these tragic events,‖ said GLBTRT Co-Chairs Anne Moore and Dale McNeill, in a joint statement on behalf of the round table. ―In response, we want to turn our emotions into action. Time and again, we see the influence librarians have on our most vulnerable patrons. We have often heard from GLBT authors and activists about the importance libraries and librarians had in their journey to acceptance of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Librarians can make a small or huge difference in the lives of these patrons by creating a safe space and pointing out resources for these individuals to use when learning about themselves.‖

The ―Speaking OUT Against Bullying‖ list is compiled by GLBTRT members and includes resources for teens, young adults and people that care about them.

To view the list, please visit: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/glbtrt/popularresources/bullying.cfm.

YALSA Literature Symposium

YALSA's Young Adult Literature Symposium will take place Nov. 5-7, 2010, in Albuquerque, N.M. YALSA will host special events requiring additional registration on Friday, with symposium programs taking place all day on Sat- urday and for a half-day on Sunday. The General Closing Session on Nov. 7 will feature Ellen Hopkins and Lauren Myracle.

The full-day preconference will take place Friday, Nov. 5. Additional registration required.

On Beyond Stonewall: The Uphill Journey of Young Adult Fiction with Gay/Lesbian/Queer Content, 1969-2010, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Join YALSA for a full-day preconference examining the history and current state of LGBTQ literature for young adults. Presenters will trace the evolution of LGBTQ characters in YA lit, from early appearances to contemporary depictions, including significant and important titles, milestones, positive and negative examples, and more. Discussion will in- clude current trends, persistent gaps, censorship, and how LGTBQ lit reflects the lives of today‘s teens. Joining Chris- tine Jenkins and Michael Cart, co-authors of The Heart Has Its Reasons (a history of LGBTQ literature) will be a panel representing the new generation of authors of LGBTQ fiction.

Volume 22, Number 3 Page 5

From the Co-Chairs (Continued)

Ehrenberg (a DC-area author) as modera- the panels. About 150 members, authors Stonewall Book Awards images on Facebook tor. Both of these programs were well at- and guests attended. Kudos to Roland Han- tended. sen and Bill Berkfalk for yet another fabulous ALA‘s Flickr Photos of the Stonewall Awards social event for the round table. Brunch And last but certainly not least was the so- cial. It was undoubtedly the grandest (and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) introduced a Thanks to everyone who participated in mak- most expensive!) social we have had in our resolution honoring the 40th anniversary of ing our events such a success at this confer- forty year history. Held in a ballroom at the our founding. The press release is available ence. historic Hotel Monaco, it featured a simple at http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/ but plentiful buffet of cheese, veggies and news/ala/ala-glbtrt-40th-anniversary- fruit and a cash bar. We showcased a recognized-us-house-resolution and a like- Warmly detailed history of the Round Table/Task ness of the resolution is available on the Anne, on behalf of Force displayed in panels created by the late webpage, http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/ Dale & Anne Barbara Gittings and Kay Lahusen and a glbtrt/index.cfm PowerPoint slide show of photographs of past events running throughout the event. Judith Pictures from the conference can be viewed Armstrong, a friend of Kay Lahusen, was on at the following webpages: hand to describe and discuss the content of

Incorporating LGBT Materials into a Career College

It was about a year and half ago that I came where I wasn‘t needed. I was new and did- feminism and LGBTQ general literature. to work for the library I am currently with. n‘t want to start off on the wrong foot. After Basketball Jones, Mama Dearest, and Just Immediately after coming there to work, like a while, though, I began to notice the num- too Good to Be True, all by Harris, became any curious library employee, I began to ber of LGBT students. I started to say to very popular among our African-America investigate the collection. For a small, 5,000 myself, ―wow, there is quite a community students. To a greater excitement, these or so, book collection, I was pretty im- here.‖ I could not keep my observation to fictional books, to my knowledge, were read pressed with the holdings. Being that it is a myself any longer. I went to the Head Li- by our heterosexual community as well. This career college, about half of the material is brarian, who at the time was doing acquisi- is a great achievement in my opinion. As far program specific and the other half is for the tions for the general and reference collec- as the non-fiction material that has been patron‘s enjoyment. There were books on tions, and I said something around the likes acquired, I find it difficult to get it to circu- just about every topical subject you could of, ―I‘ve noticed how impressive the collec- late. I have displayed and showcased the think of, and of decent quality as well. tion is, however I was concerned that the material several times, but it just doesn‘t Sadly, however, I came to realize the library collection is missing a vital subject area.‖ make it out the door. I find many of these was deficient of material for the LGBT com- We talked for a few minutes and she, to my materials, however, in more private areas of munity. Saying ―deficient‖ may be giving amazement, immediately began apologizing, the library, or in our study rooms. It would more credit than is due; there was not one realizing the overlook. She began to order be my guess that students are not as com- book in the entire collection that pertained to material rather quickly after that. I still fortable bringing a book titled Islam and any LGBT audience member. Right away, I think she has this idea that it is for me, and Homosexuality to the circulation desk, as was appalled, and felt very insecure about not the students, but at least she began to they would I Say a Little Prayer by E. Lynn being a gay man in this library. I wouldn‘t integrate this material into the collection. Harris. The latter not being as ―outing‖ as have been so appalled if it wasn‘t for the Soon after, I began doing acquisitions for the first title. collection being so diverse for a career col- material in all sections of the library. I in- lege. But, as it turns out, the collection was clude LGBT material as much as I can. All-in-all though, I am happy that the mate- pretty diverse, including two cases of biblical rial has come to this library and is getting material. With North Carolina being in the I was anxious, at first, to begin getting ma- used. Be it a private reading in a study ―Bible belt‖, this didn‘t surprise me, but I still terial for this collection. I knew that there room or making it through the library doors felt ashamed that there was nothing for the were LGBT students, but I didn‘t know if they and into a cozy spot at home, the material LGBT community. would recognize the material or even care to has had a warm welcome by the students view it. I included material to cover a vari- and some faculty members too. At first, I didn‘t say anything. I was only ety of interest including for example materi- doing acquisitions for the fiction collection at als by popular gay author E. Lynn Harris, Derek Daniels Miller-Motte College the time, and I didn‘t want to get involved material covering homosexuality in religions, Raleigh, NC

Page 6 Volume 22 Number 3

Member Profile: Arla Jones

Did/do you have a mentor? Sort of. My first job in a library was in a Mid- Continent Public Library in Platte Woods, Missouri as a clerk. The librarian in our branch and the other ladies who worked there were really pressuring me to go to grad school, and not get stuck (their words, not mine) in a clerical position. I had just graduated from college and just wanted to relax for a while, but after one year they basically said I could come back and work for them if I still wanted to after graduate school At the time, I didn't quite understand what they were up to, but now I'm thankful that they took me under their collective wings and coaxed me into doing what my parents were hoping I'd choose to do as well. The hilarious thing I remember about the Mid-Contient job was that I had to take a typing test when I applied. On a typewriter.

When or how did you know you Good question! My first library-related Do you have any heroes in library wanted to work in the library field? job was when I was in 6th grade and my land? Barbara Gittings. She's been my dad, who was the principal of my hero for ever and ever. I remember when I guess I would really have to give my elementary school asked me to read a GLBTRT was working to become a round table her name would come up in mom credit. After college, when I was book that the librarian had complained to him about. The librarian thought meetings. When I finally had the working in a shopping mall AND as a clerk that the book might not be good for the opportunity to meet her and Kay, I could in a public library, I was complaining to kiddos to read, so Dad brought it home not stop gushing. Kay took my photo with her that I just didn't know what to do. She and asked me to read it and tell him Barbara one time, and I'd always regretted that we'd never made contact for me to said--"well Arla, you've always liked what I thought. I wish that I could remember what I said, but I have no get the photo from them. I mentioned it to hanging out in the library. DU has a nice memory what happened after he handed Anne Moore years ago, so imagine my library school, why don't we drive into me the book. That book was [insert shock when I found out that Kay Lahusen Denver and see what they say?" So we did drum roll] John Donovan's I'll Get There kept the photo and just this last month sent me a xerox of it. I teach an drive into Denver to visit the University of But It Better Be Worth the Trip. Unfortunately...I still have that book, independent study class at my high school Denver's Graduate School of Librarianship which has my 6th-grade scrawly name once a year--Queer History Thru Film--and and Information Management. Lucky for written on the checkout card in the back I insist that my students know about me, Camila Alire was working there at the of the book. Too bad nobody else at my Barbara Gittings to get full credit in the class. She's in a number of the films I time, and she told me the 5,000 reasons school ever got to read it. screen for them. I'm kind of mean about that I should become a librarian and made Tell us about your current job. facts, being a librarian and all... it sound really fun. Camila was a great mentor to all of us budding young Ouch. Well, for the first time in 25 years What are you reading right now? Would you recommend it? Right now, I'm reading librarians, and helped us all get to our first I'm not actually working in a library. In the last round of budget cuts in my lots and lots of books because I'm chairing ALA Conference in Washington, D.C. I school district they cut one of the the Over the Rainbow ad-hoc committee. You can visit our website to see interviewed in the placement center and Lawrence (Kansas) High School what's been nominated so far. LOTS of good was offered my first professional librarians, so since the other librarian has writing this year-- library job at the New York Public Library, more seniority than any other district employee, I had to be re-assigned. My and well, as they say, the rest is http://www.glbtrt.ala.org/overtherainbow/ principal is optimistic that our history. All of that was more than 25 years finances will change and that I can go Eventually I'll have to pick my favorites, but ago, and I have to admit that it is really back to our school's library so far I'd like to recommend as my personal eventually. So, for the time being, I'm fun to be a librarian, and there are way favorites-- Sarah Schulman's Ties That Bind teaching Chinese (facilitating is a more more than 5,000 reasons to be a librarian. Familial Homophobia and Its accurate term) and English As a Second Consequences. Language at Lawrence High...as they What was your first library (or library- say, it's complicated! related) job? Continued page 7

Build Your Vitae! Write Reviews or Articles for the GLBTRT Newsletter! To become a part of the team of reviewers that publish in the GLBTRT Newsletter, or to receive a copy of our guidelines for reviews, email Reviews Editor Tracy Nectoux at: [email protected]. Or, if journalism is more your style, send in articles about GLBT library services and collections in and around your community.

Volume 22, Number 3 Page 7

Member Profile: Arla Jones Continued

It should be required reading for all queers, that I'm really proud of sonalized Farm Town t-shirt that said--"In their families and their therapists. GLBTRT. Whenever I meet other queers Farm Town I am Known As Farmla." I am who are members of professional organi- currently running the wordpress blogs/ And then, in a shameless promotion of zations in other fields, they often remark sites for 6 non-profit organizations and myself, I'd like to recommend a new book that ALA's LGBT group was one of the first one for-profit company. I've been "living" that Ellen Greenblatt edited for McFarland and one of the most famous. I've tried to on the internet for a long time and have Press. stay as active in GLBTRT as I can had an email address for more than 25 through the years because I think we do years. There's one chapter in particular, written important work. When I moved over to by a scrappy high school librarian in Kan- the public schools 13 years ago, I had to Anything else you’d like to add? Just a sas, that I think everyone will enjoy. The start paying my own expenses for any out few fun library facts--I met my partner, book's title is Serving LGBTIQ Library -of-state travel. I continue to feel that it's Kimberley, at the Mid- Branch and Archives Users--Essays on Out- a worthwhile investment for me to attend of the New York Public Library. She was reach, Service, Collections and Access conferences as often as I am able. the manager of the Metropolitan Museum Gift Shop at the time and we've been Edited by Ellen Greenblatt ISBN 978-0- Social networks—yes or no? (LJ, Blog- together 22 years. My brother, Joel, is 7864-4894-4 . Ellen was such a pleasure ger, Second Life, WoW, MySpace, etc.) also a librarian, married to a to work with and was very gracious about librarian. Joel manages the Plaza Branch helping me focus my writing. I succumbed to Facebook mania because of the Kansas City (Missouri) Public Li- my friends and family badgered me into it, brary. We have a lot of other librarians in What’s the best part about being a and then I was sucked into the vortex so our extended family, and we all wear member of the GLBTRT? I have to say deep that my partner bought me a per- glasses.

Film Reviews

Girl Seeks Girl (Chica Busca Chica). Dir. Sonia Sebastián. With: Almudena Gallego, et al. Spanish with English subtitles. Wolfe Video, 2007. DVD. 153 min. $19.95.

Girl Seeks Girl (Chica with tricks (or should I say stray eye- too simple and there is not enough char- Busca Chica) has lashes) up her sleeve, and at Monica‘s acter development. Perhaps this reviewer been billed as apartment, where Carmen is moving out is showing her age when beauty and any- Spain‘s ―L Word.‖ and innocent Ana is moving in. Drama thing lesbian is no longer the only thing The women are ensues when Nines sleeps with Monica, she seeks in watching great lesbian films. young and beautiful; despite being spellbound by Carmen. they live a wild and This film is recommended for libraries that exciting life; and This film‘s format is similar to a series of have a large video collection for entertain- they fit the common soap opera episodes, and its producers ment and would like to include light GLBT lesbian stereotypes: seem to be trying to ride Ilene Chaiken‘s videos. ―the cheater‖ -- coattails by marketing this as a compari- Nines, ―the crazy one‖ --Monica, ―newbie‖ son to The L Word. Chica Busca Chica (Girl Seeks Girl) is –Ana, and the ―straight girl that dykes fall available for purchase from Wolfe Video, for‖ --Carmen. Have you ever wanted to like a movie but but can also be viewed online at Veoh.com just couldn‘t get behind it? This reviewer or Terra TV. The scenes take place at the local lesbian loves movies with subtitles, but despite bar, where Nines is a flirtatious bartender the beautiful actors, the storyline is a bit Reviewed by, Lisa Forslund

Decoding Alan Turing. Dir. Christopher Racster. Frameline, 2008. US release date: March 2010. DVD Public Library price: $35.00; University price: $70.00. Public performance rights included in price. 17 min.

This documentary great espionage triumphs of World War II. studies, twentieth century English history, short, selected for Turing committed suicide after being math, and computer science should cer- several 2009 film outed as a gay man and undergoing a tainly select this DVD, and larger public festivals, including forced "medical" treatment that would libraries should also consider acquiring Outfest and Imagine supposedly cure his homosexuality. Decoding Alan Turing. Science, presents an overview of the life, The film is brief, leaving some questions and suicide, of the British mathematician unanswered, which could well serve as a Alan Turing, who wrote a classic 1930s way to promote analysis and discussion in Reviewed by, Dave Combe paper anticipating the personal computer, several classroom disciplines. EP Foster Library and helped lead the work that broke the Ventura, CA German Enigma code machine, one of the Libraries collecting in film studies, gay

Page 8 Volume 22 Number 3

A Drag King Extravaganza. Dirs. Clare Smythe and Meaghan Derynck. San Francisco: Frameline, 2008. DVD 43 min.

Don‘t go getting all that‘s been held the past ten years. it, but if the budget is tight, there are excited that you other videos out there that would are going to see a Initially launched in Columbus, Ohio, probably do a better job of rounding out comprehensive IDKE‘s theme is ―we thought we were the your queer collection in this area. video about the rich only people doing it.‖ And while their history and state of excitement and pride in their Reviewed by, Morgan Gwenwald Drag King achievements is endearing, it is a quite SUNY New Paltz performance in the US; that is still to be narrow and limited view of this cultural produced. What you get here is an in- phenomena. depth history and footage from a single annual conference (International Drag If you have money in your budget go for King Community Extravaganza – IDKE),

Fun in Girls’ Shorts 2. Dir. Nicole Brending, Amy Neil, Erik Gernand, Kekeletso Khena, Robert Gaston. With Simon Aylott and Marianne Frith. Frameline, 2009. 83 min.

The seven short production quality, and even language. is in French and another in Zulu (both films in this have subtitles in English only). Although collection have little Several of the films are award winners, the quality of the collection is somewhat in common. The while one suffered from poor sound uneven, the high points more than make criteria for inclusion quality which made it difficult to up for the low ones. are not stated, and understand at times. The casts, themes, there is no and locations are very diverse, ranging Recommended for large video collections. overarching theme from to an African village. to tie them together. They vary widely in Reviewed by, Sarah Corvene every possible regard: subject, The films are primarily in English, but one Harvard Business School

Half Life. Dir. Jennifer Phang. Wolfe Video LLC, 2009. 106 minutes. $24.95. ISBN: 9781935423119 1935423118.

Half Life, Jennifer and with the problem of being not-known - or unrecognized are particular, they still Phang‘s first or unrecognized by his family members. find themselves in dysfunctional or feature film, damaging relationships with family, envisions a world Though they all have these troubles in friends, and each other. That said, the in which the common, the characters don‘t experience film has moments of beauty and hope. consequences of them as shared struggles. Their romantic Its animated sequences, which represent disconnection and familial relationships seem to be Tim‘s fantasy-space, are compelling and neglect (at based on self-interest and a desire for dream-images. And Agate embodies Tim both social and security motivated by fear of loss (this is with great care, giving the most nuanced familial levels) understandable in some cases, such as performance of the film. are clear. Pam and Tim, whose father has suddenly and unexpectedly left the family). Most Half Life would be a fine addition to film The drama unfolds in a near-future that‘s relationships in the film suffer as parents, collections in academic and public characterized by global environmental friends, or romantic partners do not fully libraries. Because of sexual scenes in the crises (happening at a rate and scale that recognize the whole personhood of others film, explicit language, the ways in which seem pre-apocalyptic). While most – especially around issues of sexuality, Tim is unevenly cared-for, and the characters in the film ignore or deny this race, and ethnicity. In the worst cases, background story‘s environmental and reality, the film‘s central figure, eight- the lack of recognition leads to violence, global disasters, this film is not suitable year-old Tim (Alexander Agate), emotional abuse, troubling sexual for children or young adults. negotiates it by imagining – and perhaps boundary-crossing, and suicidal magically manifesting – an alternate depression, and in the better ones, to Reviewed by, Alana Kumbier reality to which he escapes, along with neglect, manipulation, and denial. Wellesley College his teenage sister, Pam (Sanoe Lake) and mother (Julia Nickson). Tim has some Half Life‘s two gay characters do not compelling reasons to want an other- undergo significant transformations place; like most of the characters in the during the course of the film (this is not a film, he struggles with isolation and coming-out or coming-of-age narrative), alienation, with fears of abandonment, and while the ways in which they are mis

Volume 22 Number 3 Page 9

8: The Mormon Proposition. Dirs. Reed Cowan and Steven Greenstreet. David v. Goliath Films, 2010. Film. 80 min. Color.

Though folks‘ voters passing a constitutional Young University not too long ago, when opinions on the amendment to define marriage in Hawaii he was subjected to shock treatment relevance, as between a man and a woman. after appearing on a list of possible gay purpose, or students. ideology of the act We simultaneously follow the journey of a of marriage are young male couple married in San This documentary, narrated by Dustin wide-ranging and Francisco in 2008, whose families are Lance Black (who wrote the screenplay often heated, Mormon. As they describe how they were for Milk and is a writer on HBO‘s Big viewers will see affected by battles over Prop 8 on both Love), is seamless in how it is shot and that 8: The sides, the film continues to move deeper edited. This high polish quality does leave Mormon into the Mormon belief system in order to out certain issues however, such as how Proposition is a documentary that brings show why the Church has gone to great the LDS-funded advertising tapped into home the idea that the current debate lengths to influence this legislation, and the feelings of California residents who over gay marriage is not about having all how the Church‘s campaigns were voted for Prop 8, which includes issues of unions simply recognized; rather, it is implemented by using the religion‘s race and sexism. The film is, overall, about civil rights, being entitled to equal ideology and the insular culture of the white male-centered (though this, in treatment and protection under the law LDS community to influence Church part, is due to the makeup of the LDS and in our society, and how money can members to donate ―means and time‖ to community and ideology), and it does not influence politics. the campaign. The film goes on to make an attempt to delve into issues of examine how this culture has affected race and gender. Through interviews with numerous GLBTQ people who live in Utah or who politicians and activists in and outside the have grown up in the Mormon faith, with Overall 8: The Mormon Proposition is a Mormon (LDS) community, 8: The heart-breaking footage. The camera fantastic documentary that would Mormon Proposition meticulously creates follows homeless youth in Salt Lake City succinctly speak not only about gay a context for the LDS Church‘s massive into an abandoned building and, when marriage, but about human rights and campaign to influence California‘s voters the cameraman asks one of the kids the power of propaganda. Recommended to pass Proposition 8 (legislation that about hope, the young man replies, for any GLBTQA collection, for academic would continue to define marriage in ―There is no hope.‖ People are and public libraries. California as between a man and a interviewed about their attempts at woman), by describing the Church‘s suicide after coming to the conclusion Reviewed by, Jesse Nachem ―model‖ strategy created in Hawaii in that their families will reject them for Records Specialist at the University of 1998, when the campaigned funded (but being gay or lesbian. One man recounts California not fronted) by the Church resulted in his experience as a student at Brigham

Pedro. Dir. Nick Oceano. With: Alex Loynaz and Justina Machado. New Almaden, CA: Wolfe Video, 2009. DVD. 93 min. $24.95.

Based upon on Pedro, who immigrated to Miami from Pedro would be a good addition to a broad the real life story Cuba on the Mariel boatlift when he was queer collection, especially if you have of Pedro Zamora, a boy, was diagnosed with AIDS when he teens in your library." this DVD builds was 17. He became an HIV activist, on the popularity whose goal was to educate the MTV Reviewed by, Morgan Gwenwald of The Real generation about the epidemic and SUNY New Paltz World: San prevention. The DVD says, ―In 1994, Francisco, which Pedro Zamora became the first openly aired on MTV gay, HIV positive man on television…,‖ over 15 years and this lively film explores not only the ago. Pedro was man, but an inside view of reality one of several housemates who are television. portrayed in this enactment of the behind and on scene third season of the series.

Page 10 Volume 22 Number 3

Book Reviews: Young Adult Green, John and David Levithan. Will Grayson, Will Grayson New York: The Penguin Group, 2010. hardcover. 304p. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42158-0

Will Grayson, The novel follows the group as they work Some people may feel that the book might Will Grayson, a through relationship problems, both be a bit of a fantasy world, like David much romantic and platonic. It is a typical high Levithan‘s Boy Meets Boy where gay issues anticipated YA school novel with very non-typical are easily overcome, but I feel it reflects novel by two characters. present day society, in that some teens are well respected having an easier time coming out. novelists, is Will Grayson, Will Grayson is written in about two alternating chapters. John Green writes Will Grayson, Will Grayson is very teenagers that the chapters involving the straight Will appropriate for a teen audience (no sex, share the same Grayson while David Levithan handles the but some drinking and drug use), but I name and live chapters with the gay will grayson. The would also recommend it for older in two different story flows seamlessly from one chapter audiences. When I finished this book I suburbs of Chicago. One Will Grayson is to the next. Each author gets a chance to missed the characters and wish I could straight and one will grayson is gay. Both write for Tiny Cooper when he becomes spend more time with them. are somewhat socially awkward with will an integral part of both Will Grayson‘s grayson leaning towards clinical lives. It is very impressive that both depression. After they cross paths in a authors where able to maintain the porn shop on an ill-fated trip to Chicago, integrity of the character of Tiny Cooper. Reviewed by, Scott Clonan they maintain contact through Will In the past, I have read alternating Adult Services Librarian Grayson‘s best friend, Tiny Cooper, an chapter books and found it very difficult Rainbow Library openly gay football player who is to follow the flow of the book, but this Las Vegas Clark County Library District described as ―the world‘s largest person story is never hard to follow. who is really, really gay.‖

Book Reviews: Non-Fiction

Moore, Lisa C. does your mama know?: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Coming Out Stories. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: Redbone Press, 2009. paperback. 383p. $19.95. ISBN: 0978625161.

The stories told in this alternating days; nights, we learned what laughter "sent a cold fire to [Tonda‘s] very work are salient for felt good to nine year old bodies." soul," and she quipped "You mean you what isn’t stated, but never grew out of that?" With old wounds more importantly, they Tonda Clarke's immersing chronicle I finally closing, Tonda responded: "I guess give shape and form to Guess I Never Will delves into her life as a I never will." what many in the young girl budding into a full-fledged African American woman, complete with swelling breasts, Moore‘s extraordinary assemblage of community have always pubic hair, and the contouring of her coming out stories sheds light onto the known, but have chosen woman hips: ". . . I would observe this transcendence of SGL women of African to keep on the down new body in my mirror, the changes descent, the black community, and what low. Generally speaking, seemingly occurring right before my eyes . life really looks like behind the masks so black folks have a hard time admitting to . . stimulating and teasing it, loving the many wear for reasons that run the gamut themselves, let alone the outside world feeling of control . . ." from trying to appease family members, to that black families produce children who covering up shame and self-hatred, to the identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Soon, she had her first real girlfriend, and fear and resentment they get from a transgender just as much as their white together they showed each other what it homophobic society. Readers will come counterparts. was like to be touched, kissed, and away with a profound understanding about penetrated by someone of the same the intricate lives of black lesbians, whose Indeed, this commemorative edition gender: ". . . I felt the wet and opened my searing voices make a loud thunder highlights the coming out experiences of thighs, wide, rubbing frantically against yearning to be heard. women of color from various her; she was breathing hard, emitting little socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures. whimpers into my mouth as our tongues Due to its exploratory and revealing Utilizing essays, poems, stories, and probed and explored . . ." Though Tonda‘s content, does your mama know? is fitting interviews, the authors offer a boundless girl seemed to enjoy their secret for academic, public, and special perception into the entanglements of rendezvous for a while, in the end she collections. I also recommend this work for black women on their journey of self appeared overtly relieved when Tonda anyone over fourteen years old. discovery and acceptance. Me, Growing moved away. After several years, they ran up, (part 1) is a penetrating tale of two into each other, made small talk, and Reviewed by, Michelle D. Dartis nine-year-old girls learning what feels Tonda discovered that her childhood love MLS degree Candidate good to their sexually-awakening bodies: was now married with children. Upon Indiana University-Purdue University, ". . . we played softball and basketball on learning of Tonda's lesbianism, her Indianapolis

Volume 22 Number 3 Page 11

Moffat, Wendy. A Great Unrecorded History: A New Life of E. M. Forster. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010. hardcover. 404p. $32.50. ISBN: 978-0-374-16678-6.

Edward Morgan that there was one more novel. Begun in in Southern California to King‘s College, Forster was born in 1913 and revised over the course of the Cambridge, and interviewing Forster‘s London in 1879, next six decades, Maurice was its own surviving friends. (On her web page she six years before genre, a gay love story with a happy ending. notes that the title comes from a remark in the Labouchère As Forster wrote, ―. . . a happy ending was one of Forster‘s letters that his love affair Amendment under imperative. I shouldn‘t have bothered to with a young Egyptian man was a part of which Oscar Wilde write it otherwise. I was determined that in the larger, secret homosexual history.) would be convicted fiction anyway two men should fall in love Now, for the first time, a portrait emerges of ―gross and remain in it for the ever and ever that that joins the public humanist and man of indecency‖ and fiction allows.‖ From the beginning Forster letters with the lover of men who made his sentenced to hard had shared Maurice with trusted friends, own way, resisting labels and inventing labor. He lived until 1970, the year after including eventually Christopher Isherwood, ways of sustaining the relationships that the . a generation Forster‘s junior. In 1933, 1938, sustained him. and again in 1948 Isherwood urged Forster By the time he was 45, Forster had long to offer Maurice for publication, but Forster Includes sixteen pages of black and white since made his literary reputation with A never felt the time was right. Finally, in photographs, a detailed index, extensive Room with a View, Howards End, and A 1952, he agreed to allow Maurice to be notes, and a lengthy bibliography. Passage to India, along with two early published after his death and, in 1971, it novels and a dozen short stories. After that was. (An award-winning Merchant Ivory film Enthusiastically recommended for public he published no more fiction, though he followed in 1987.) libraries and for academic libraries with a went on writing about literature and social concentration in English literature, gay topics, producing histories and biographies, Not even Isherwood knew what other troves history, or English history. giving lectures and making radio there were – letters, diaries, essays, and broadcasts, and – in his eighties – co- photographs, all made accessible by the Reviewed by Joyce Meggett authoring his first and only libretto, for terms of Forster‘s will. Wendy Moffat spent Division Chief for Humanities Benjamin Britten‘s opera Billy Budd. ten years researching and writing this ―great Chicago Public Library unrecorded history,‖ visiting archives from Forster‘s intimates, however, always knew Yale University and the Huntington Library

Labonte, Richard and Lawrence Schimel, eds. Second Person Queer: Who You Are (So Far). Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2009. softcover. 223p. $18.95. ISBN: 978-1-5515-2245-6.

A companion book speak not only to the straight, or non- offensive, but the content is important for to the Lambda queer world, but also to the queer world, those who need to hear these stories Literary Award demonstrating the wide variance in this ―from the horse‘s mouth.‖ This book can -winning First culture that is not really a culture, just as also be used as an example of writing in Person Queer, male or female is not a culture. the second person, samples of which are these forty not always easily found in such a down-to essays speak Although each chapter is one specific entry, -earth way on topics that have the to the reader each chapter can apply to other potential to be controversial. from a variety subsections of the culture. Whether of stances, discussing psychological issues, views, and relationships and sex identification, attitudes on acceptance by parents and others, the act Reviewed by, Sara Rofofsky Marcus five major of sexual behaviors, or other issues, this Electronic Resources / Web Librarian areas: work makes the reader think. While some Queensborough Community College (1) Looking into the Queer View Mirror; chapters are more graphic than others, and (2) Getting Your Queer On; (3) Queer some have content that might insult rather Wisdom: Our Past, Present, and Future; than educate due to the tone of the author, (4) Practically Queer; and (5) Finding these chapters can open great discussions Yourself, Queerly. and would be wonderful additions to book groups or other tolerance groups as Bringing out what persons who identify as reading material. LGBT (or Queer) often feel (but others aren‘t aware of), this work makes all readers aware Second Person Queer cannot be added to a of the impact of being part of this society, collection open to children, as the content whether intentional or not. The voices in this is not readily identifiable as potentially

Page 12 Volume 22, Number 3

Book Reviews: Fiction

Beale, Elaine. Another Life Altogether. New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2010. hardcover. 402p. $26.00. ISBN: 978-0-385-53004-0.

Jesse Bennett‘s Author Elaine Beale heightens dramatic Lovers to be pornography. The slang and mother has just tension by unveiling details that chronicle fashions of the characters are distinctly attempted suicide. life with a mentally ill family member in the working-class English circa early 1970‘s. Her befuddled pre- Prozac 1970‘s. We see the blood These time- and place-specific details father‘s response stained bathtub and the wall plaster that though, do not present obstacles for the is to relocate the crumbles like broken teeth after Jesse‘s reader. Rather, they are woven together family to a mom attacks it with a sledgehammer. into a kind of spell that creates a multi- rundown house in However, we escape with Jesse in the textured world for characters who feel so a seaside village stories she writes about Amanda, which she real as to seem vaguely familiar. for a fresh start. carefully hides in a biscuit tin in the back of Thus begins her closet. Most who have read Fitzhugh‘s Another Life Altogether is a character-driven Jesse‘s thirteenth summer. Hoping to start Harriet the Spy may feel a twinge of dread coming-of-age tale that utilizes the over as part of the popular crowd in her when Jesse decides to move the stories to turbulent natural world of the English new school, Jesse befriends the mean girl her school satchel in a misguided attempt at seaside to echo the atmosphere of physical Trace and her trio of followers, the keeping them from being read. and psychological violence in which the Debbies. Membership to this group, characters live. The grey drizzle, crumbling however, requires Jesse to stand by and Most of the characters are well developed, cliffs, and raging sea mirror Jesse‘s watch as a boy is terrorized by homophobic with the exception of a hippy English unspoken fears and powerful desires. It is bullies. Jesse learns soon that she must teacher who seems one-dimensional, recommended for young adult and adult guard two secrets to insure her new status although the first person point of view might fiction collections. as a popular kid. Trace and the Debbies explain this minor irritant. It is easy to must never learn of her mother‘s mental excuse a limited perspective of an idolized illness and they must never learn that authority figure by a protagonist who is only Reviewed by, S. Annelise Adams Jesse may be a lesbian, for she has fallen thirteen. Librarians may be gleefully Librarian II in love with Traces‘ beautiful older sister, appalled by the horrible bookmobile driver Chicago Public Library Amanda. who considers Jane Eyre and Sons and

Alley, Henry. Precincts of Light: a Novel. Portland, OR: Inkwater Press, c2010. 303 p. $22.95. ISBN: 978-1-59299-464-9.

Henry Alley‘s Precincts becomes ―Capital City.‖ The other fictional I can‘t recommend this novel for anyone of Light is a confusing city is ―Arden,‖ and I could never figure out except perhaps Oregon libraries interested and confused novel. I for sure if it represents Portland, the the portrayal of the tumultuous battles volunteered to review it largest city in the state, or Eugene, home over Measure 8, which passed, and because I grew up in of the University of Oregon where the Measure 9, which sought to deny basic Portland, Oregon, and author taught. At the beginning of the rights to lesbian and gay Oregonians, but its background story is novel in Arden, there is an ―annual Rose lost. I did enjoy reading it, however, as a about the battles parade.‖ Portland is famous for its annual detective novel, constantly trying to against the anti-gay Rose Festival, but the author has placed decipher which city ―Arden‖ might be. Measures 8 and 9 at ―Arden‖ south of ―Capital City,‖ while the end of the 1980s Portland is north. and the beginning of the 1990s. There are great novels written about many Reviewed by, James D. Anderson, cities around the world. Why introduce Professor Emeritus The best part of the novel is the this confusion by disguising Oregon‘s Rutgers University foreground story about an extended family cities? The confusion is compounded by torn apart by homosexuality, homophobia, incorrect political terminology. Measure 8 and the political battles. sought to overturn the governor‘s executive order to protect gay and lesbian

Unfortunately, confusion sets in at the state employees, but the author repeatedly outset because Alley chose to rename two calls it a ―referendum.‖ Additionally, proof- key Oregon cities, as well as key sites reading was inadequate and some within them. Salem, Oregon‘s capital, vocabulary obscure.

Volume 22 Number 3 Page 13

Bowie, J. P. Time After Time. Albion, NY: MLR Press, 2009. paperback. 275p. $14.99. ISBN: 978-1-60820-056-6.

Time After Time, by has to live on the estate continuously for The Rest of Our Lives in its combination of veteran gay novelist J. one year. Happy to leave behind his romance, the paranormal, and the P. Bowie, is a delightful humdrum life in America, Michael settles connection between the present and the paranormal romance into the opulent estate, which comes with past. The love between Michael and that is also a bit of a its own butler, cook, maid, two gardeners, Jonathan is tender and passionate, mystery novel. and a ghost. although expressed somewhat explicitly. American graphic artist This novel is recommended for large urban Michael Ballantyne is in While investigating his unexpected good libraries and public libraries serving a GLBT an unsatisfying fortune, Michael discovers that he had an constituency. relationship with his uncle who was buried in England. Visiting boyfriend Steve Miller. the grave, Michael meets Jonathan Time After Time is also available in a At the same time, he is Robertson, who resembles the man from Kindle edition. enjoying wonderfully his dreams. With help from a local librarian erotic dreams involving they investigate the mystery of the ghost a mysterious man. An unexpected phone and how Michael and Jonathan are call informs Michael that he has inherited connected to events from the past. Reviewed by, Paul Hubbard an estate in England, a country he has Retired Public Reference Librarian never visited, from a man he has never Time After Time is a light read, perfect for heard of. As a condition of the will Michael a rainy Sunday. It is similar to Dan Stone‘s

GLBTRT Officers & Committee Chairs

Anne Moore, 2010—2012 Brian Hulsey, 2010—2012 John Andrews, 2010—2011 GLBTRT Co-Chair Chair, External Relations Committee Chair, Rainbow Project Committee [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Lisa Johnston, 2010—2011 Dale McNeill, 2009—2011 Vacant Chair, Stonewall Book Award Comm. GLBTRT Co-Chair Chair, Fundraising Committee [email protected] [email protected] Larry Romans, 2008—2010 Ellen Boseman, 2009—2011 Chair, Membership Promotion Comm. Vacant GLBTRT Treasurer [email protected] Chair, Stonewall Book Award Celebra- [email protected] tion Planning Committee Sarah Wright, 2009—2011 [email protected] Jason Phillips, 2010—2012 David Vess, 2009—11 Chair, Newsletter Committee GLBTRT Secretary Chair, Website [email protected] Committee K. R. Roberto, 2009—2011 [email protected] Peter Hepburn, 2010—2013 Chair, Program Planning Committee GLBTRT Councilor [email protected] [email protected]