Daring to Find Our Names: The Search for Lesbigay Library History(Beta Phi Mu Monograph Series)

Outlines theoretical and methodological problems in documenting lesbigay history generally (and specifically, the history of lesbigay professionals, particularly those in the feminized professions like librarianship). This book will appeal especially to historians of traditionally underrepresented populations (women, Native Americans, African Americans, lesbigays). In particular, chapters on methodological problems in lesbigay research, separatism, and biases created by gender bias will pull together for the first time integrated feminist/radical perspectives on library history. The authors call for more responsible treatment of such subjects as the outing of historical figures, and conversely, a more open approach to research on gender outlaws in the workplace. Heralds a new era in historical research in which the collective subjective of a particular group of hidden minority voices is given front stage. Leading scholars from a variety of disciplines examine the theoretical and methodological problems of lesbigay history and apply them to librarianship, one of the despised feminine professions. Founders and early leaders of the Task Force for Gay Liberation of the American Library Association, the oldest professionally endorsed gay task force in the world, reflect on their early struggles to gain recognition, and describe how sexism, homophobia, and discrimination have taken a toll in their personal and professional lives. These stories challenge the notion that libraries have unequivocally defended the intellectual freedom and integrity of all their citizens, and provide a poignant counterpoint to the culture wars and political correctness debates within the lesbigay community. Because of societal taboos, until recently, lesbigay history has been invisible to the majority of its participants. Directors and workers in some of the world's leading gay and lesbian archives also share their experiences in collecting and making acccessible ephemera and other partial historical remains to restore a heritage and identity to lesbigay citizens.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Makeover Without a Mirror--A Face for Lesbigay Library History by James V. Carmichael, Jr. Finding Our Names: Theory, Problems, and Context Methodological Issues in Research with Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexuals by Caitlin Ryan and Judy Bradford A Lesbigay Gender Perplex: Sexual Stereotyping and Professional Ambiguity in Librarianship by Christine L. Williams Biographical Research on Lesbigay Subjects: Editing the Letters of Lillian Smith by Margaret Rose Gladney A Closet Curtained by Circumspection: Doing Research on the McCarthy Era Purges of Gays from The Library of Congress by Louise S. Robbins Queer Histories/ Queer Librarians: The Historical Development of a Gay Monograph by Norman G. Kester Telling Our Names: The Pioneers Gays in Library Land: The Gay Task Force of the American Library Association, The First Sixteen Years by Barbara Gittings A Personal Task Force Scrapbook: "Incunabula," 1971-1972 and After Photographs by Kay Tobin Lahusen with captions by Barbara Gittings Reclaiming a Founding by Israel D. Fishman Librarians as Cultural Enforcers by Janet Cooper The Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Task Force of American Library Association: A Chronology of Activities, 1970-1995 by Cal Gough Saving Our Names: Lesbigay Library/ Archival Collections Archivists, Activists, and Scholars: Creating a Queer History by Brenda J. Marston Building a "Home of Our Own": The Construction of the Lesbian Herstory Archives by Polly J. Thistlewaite An Accidental Institution: How and Why a Gay and Lesbian Archives? by Jim Kepner Safe Harbour: The Origin and Growth of the Gay and Lesbian Archives of New Zealand by Phil Parkinson and Chris Parkin Owning Our Names: Gay Graduates Destination Library by Donald H. Forbes Social Responsibility and Acceptable Prejudice by Richard L. Huffine Out Publicly: The Personal and Professional of Gay Public Librarianship by John A. Barnett Index

About the Author :
JAMES V. CARMICHAEL is Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Studies, at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. /e