From Iowa and Vermont's legalization of gay marriage to the buzz around Prop 8, Women Make Movies, a leading non-profit distributor of independent film, is making an unprecedented special offer to encourage dialogue around this pressing issue:

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In Sickness and in Health - view trailer
In My Father's Church
My Sister, My Bride

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1. RENT these films for free! Great for classroom and programmatic settings.

2. PUBLISH this special as a news item on your website or blog [with the option to embed the In Sickness and in Health trailer]

3. FORWARD this message to your listservs, colleagues, and friends

Please let me know which action steps you are able to take, as I look forward to our collaboration!

Many thanks,

Liza Brice
Outreach Coordinator
Women Make Movies
212.925.0606 x318
lbrice@wmm.com
www.wmm.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Prop 8 Special Offer: Free rentals on same-sex marriage films from WMM. Plus 50% off the Transcending Gender Collection.

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* In My Father's Church - Compelling and honest, the story of Charissa and her hope to be married in her pastor father's Methodist church, is a touching exploration of the intersection of homosexuality and religion, from the perspective of someone who has much at stake.

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Please note that the free rental offer is only available to institutional and educational customers. Customers are required to prepay shipping costs for free rentals with MC or VISA. This offer expires on May 30, 2009. Sorry, this promotion is not available with online orders.

RENT TO OWN
Like something so much you want to keep it? Anyone who rents one of the above films also gets the original rental price of $60-$90 off the purchase price of any film they wish to keep.

About WMM:

Women Make Movies (WMM) is the world's leading distributor of independent films by and about women. For the third year in a row, films from WMM took home top prizes at Sundance. Rough Aunties, Kim Longinotto's newest, won the World Cinema Jury Prize in Documentary, and The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo won the Special Jury Prize in Documentary last year. The WMM collection is used by thousands of educational, cultural, and community organizations across North America. WMM also helps women filmmakers realize their film productions with its unique Production Assistance Program, which offers filmmakers nonprofit tax exempt status, consultations and workshops.

GENERAL ORDERING INFORMATION

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Note: These minutes will not be formally approved by committee until the 2009 Annual Conference in Chicago.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Round Table
American Library Association
Midwinter Meeting, 2009

Steering Committee II

Colorado Convention Center
Korbel Ballroom 4A
January 26, 2009
3:00PM – 6:00PM

In attendance: John Bradford, Elizabeth Briggs, Matthew Ciszek, Franklin Espondedo, John Furlong, Peter Hepburn, Martin Garnar, Lisa Johnston, Dale McNeill, Tracy Nectoux, Barbara Pickell, Jerry Reynolds, John Sandstrom, Terry Switzer, Sarah Wright, David Woolwine
Visitors: Carrie Gardner, Kent Oliver

1. Call to Order (K.R. Roberto)
The meeting was called to order at 3:00PM
2. Introductions (K.R. Roberto)
3. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved after the following changes:

• Addition of Peter Hepburn’s report on Seven Measures
• Addition of Kent Oliver’s address regarding his candidacy for ALA President
• Discussion of Trans issues within the Round Table
• Discussion of the BAC waiting list
• Possible co-sponsorship of a program at 2009 Annual in Chicago
• Discussion of the a possible date change for our Social at Annual

Motion 1
Approval of agenda
Motion: Matthew Ciszek
Second: Barbara Pickell
Passed by unanimous voice vote

Address from Kent Oliver
Kent Oliver's Website

REPORTS FROM COORDINATORS, COUNCILORS, AND LIAISONS

Round Table Councilor (John Sandstrom)

There are a number of resolutions being discussed:

• Should ALA take a stand on the conflict in Gaza

There is ongoing discussion regarding the language of this resolution.
• Raising awareness of Gaza
• Unit endorsements of candidates

No ALA units may endorse any candidate for ALA elections. However, several units are doing this anyway. Executive boards have not stepped in to change things.

Because unit endorsements are not binding, do we want to consider endorsing candidates for the next election? This will give us more influence at the ALA level.

Motion 2
Do we want John to encourage endorsing candidates and speak positively for this issue?
Motion: Barbara Pickell
Second: Matthew Ciszek
Passed by unanimous voice vote

DIVERSITY COUNCIL (Barbara Pickell)

Diversity Council is looking at possible future programming that might cross boundaries. There’s been a suggestion to do a program on our honor book: Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South, by E. Patrick Johnson. Doing this might bring in minority candidates and speakers with a GLBTQ background.

Diversity Council suggests that we coordinate better than we have in the past. It wants to create a list of counsel candidates who are GLBTQ, as well as members of Diversity Council, and then advocate for them. John Sandstrom explained that it’s permissible to list the candidates, but not endorse them. Dale stated that it might take a huge amount of time deciding which candidates to endorse. Nancy said she’s in favor of the list because it will help those who aren’t yet involved to have a voice. Barbara asked if this is controversial. John explained that At-Large and individual Chapters don’t care much. A minority of councilors have interest in this, but most are neutral. K.R. said that counselors who represent certain constituencies will have stronger feelings. Primarily, Diversity Council and SRRT want to do endorsements.

Motion 3
K.R. called to question: all in favor of supporting our Councilor’s involvement in this resolution
1 no; 3 yes; 3 abstentions

John Sandstrom stated that, since this is minor issue, he won’t spend a lot of energy on it.

ASCLA ACCESSIBILITY ASSEMBLY (Jerry Reynolds)

The current administration is very new. They don't know about our issues and there is a lot of competition for funding right now. We are encouraged to contact legislators about our issues. Having even one legislative as our friend would be beneficial. The policies under the old administration were hostile toward GLBT issues, so we should focus on changing this with the new people in charge. Current topics of concern:

• The issue regarding lead in books does involve our membership, since many of us have had children and/or are adopting them. We're being asked to keep our eye on this issue.
• Funding for Talking Books and the transition to digital format for the disabled is in good shape, and they’ll be able to go forward as planned and on schedule.
• Promoting open government. There is a lot going on with Google and the Washington office website.
• Broadband. This needs to be extended it to libraries.
• Intellectual Freedom Committee Privacy Resolution. Privacyrevolution.org. We need to be aware that privacy issues are extremely important to us. The GLBTRT needs to focus on this.
• Focus recruitment. We need to legislatures on our issues.

INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM ROUND TABLE (Martin Garnar)

Martin sent his report in writing. It will be distributed.

MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION TASK FORCE (Matthew Ciszek)

Matt met with John Chrastka, Nancy Silverrod, Jesse Nachem, and Peter Hepburn (the latter two being new members of the External Relations Committee), and they discussed some initiatives that ALA and the GLBTRT will work on together in order to enhance membership. John will help us celebrate our two upcoming milestones. John and the Membership Promotion office have funds and resources to help mark our 40th anniversary. We will give them an idea of what we want, and they will design materials for us at their expense, or we can come up with what we want and pay for it and they will help us promote it.

Discussion focused on highlighting our presence at our booth, ALA having a GLBT recognition theme, etc. We could have cake, other refreshments at our booth if we want to pay for that. Matt, Nancy, Anne Moore, and External Relations will meet to talk about informing the membership office about what we need and what we want to do.

NEW MEMBERS ROUND TABLE (Matthew Ciszek)

Matt spoke in place of Amy Elliott. In the past, NMRT has held a social sponsored by 3M, but they cannot anymore. They're currently looking for alternative ways to hold their social at Annual Conferences.

PLANNING AND BUDGET ASSEMBLY (Dale McNeill)

Dale could not attend because the meeting conflicted with BAC. However, he said that our main issue is the loss of value of the endowment fund.

There is also great concern about revenue from the Midwinter meeting and whether or not electronic participation is encouraged.

YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES ASSOCIATION (Franklin Espondedo)

YALSA is concentrating on increasing reading and on whom they serve. LGBT youth that come out in college often don't have a place to go.

They are very excited about our new youth award and want to be involved. They’ve specifically asked to be a part of the award committee, which we want too. Elizabeth explained that we are in the beginning of the naming process and that the award is “strictly under our auspices.” John Bradford encouraged YALSA members to contact us about joining the GLBTRT and being a part of the BAC.

FREEDOM TO READ FOUNDATION (Barbara Pickell)

FTR plans to go over all of the legislation for intellectual freedom issues.

COPA has been denied and will be neither discussed nor enforced.

Address from Roberta A. Stevens
Roberta Stevens' Website

OLD BUSINESS

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2009 ANNUAL (John Bradford)

Our normal time for having our Social will conflict with FTR Foundation's 40th anniversary gala.

Sidetrack will be glad to have us on Saturday instead of Sunday. It will cost $600 to rent a space from The Center on Halsted, and we’ll need to arrange for catering and security, in addition to paying for a bartender.

We decided to have our social at Sidetrack on Saturday. Matt stressed that we must publicize this and make sure that membership knows that our usual night has changed for our Social at Annual.

RAINBOW PROJECT (Satia Orange)

Satia reported that Nancy and K.R. did an excellent job in a difficult situation. There were very strong opinions on both sides, but the major concern for everyone was the continuation of the Rainbow List, and consensus was eventually reached. The Rainbow List will have a “shared home” within GLBTRT and SRRT.

Satia said that we could not hold an official vote on this, since everything had already been decided.

Nancy explained that all members of the RL will need to be members of both Round Tables. The Rainbow Project will become an official Task Force of SRRT. Because our Task Force structure is different, we need to figure out if we want the RL to be a Task Force or Committee of GLBTRT.

Dale pointed out that our members have a huge interest in this, and expect something to come from this meeting. He suggested that we defer to our Co-Chairs to make an announcement on the list.

Finally, Satia encouraged us to continue to be involved with other groups. We should network, be vocal, and be representatives. We need to include other groups and to make sure they work with us.

The Diversity and Outreach Fair will focus on older adults. We should have exhibits at the diversity fair.

SEVEN MEASURES FOCUS GROUP (Peter Hepburn)

The SMF Group discussed designing a tool to help ALA perform better as an organization. They are working toward a tool data dashboard. ALA had previously identified three avenues to better performance as an organization:

o Becoming data driven
o Engagement in dialogue
o Becoming more adaptive

The Seven Measures effort deals with the first of those three (data driven)

o Concept of notion-based decisions
o This goes beyond simply collecting data
o It is distinguished from being data controlled – decisions guided by the data but also by other variables – qualitative feedback from members, for example.

Each RT wanted its own data. However, we won't all get what we want. Paul Meyer will talk with IT staff in February. We will be asked to prioritize what data will be needed, but before doing so, we’ve been advised to think about how we'll apply it.

There is no timeline for finished product, and there won’t be until after Paul talks to IT staff. The dashboard concept takes a lot of training. Programming developing is really tedious. In terms of training, not only will it need to be easy to get off the ground, but given that leadership rotates there will need to be a good sustainable program of training.

NEWSLETTER (John Bradford)

John expressed concern that the newsletters aren't getting picked up at conferences. He asked for thoughts and impressions on the following questions:

• Is a paper newsletter useful?
• Should it mainly focus on reviews of films and books?
• Do the bylaws say we must have a newsletter that addresses news?

Nancy said that she thinks it's important to have print copies at conferences. How can we better distribute them?

It was generally agreed that distributing our newsletter electronically is fine, but it’s important to have them at the booths at annual and at our socials.

David Woolwine suggested that our liaisons take them to their various meetings. Lisa Johnston added that when she served as representative to Diversity Council, everyone brought their newsletter, and our liaisons should do the same.

John Bradford encouraged everyone to contribute to the newsletter. Small updates from our committees would be greatly appreciated.

Barbara Pickell said she likes the idea of a semiannual newsletter. Reviews are always helpful, but we don't particularly need the entire newsletter. The reviews could be a separate part, like on the Blog.

K.R. said that the content of the newsletter should be left up to the Newsletter Committee.

Matt Ciszek volunteered to create a survey and send it out to the membership. Membership Committee will work with the Newsletter Committee to create the survey.

BUDGET AND FUNDRAISING

Nancy informed us that we have to put together a budget request for the upcoming year as soon as possible.

2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO

Nancy said that it would be useful to the GLBTRT to offer a transgender sensitivity workshop. She knows someone who will come to Chicago in exchange for transportation and an honorarium of $100.

Matt asked when this will be held. After much deliberation and discussion, we agreed to keep this internal, exclusive to our own RT for now. John Sandstrom suggested that we make this a theme of our All-Membership meeting.

Steering Committee is responsible for the content of the All-Membership meeting, and we agree that there is a real need to address topics of privilege. Nancy will talk to her friend and get back to us about scheduling. We'll ask for the time extension immediately.

Motion 1
Make arrangements for a Transgender Sensitivity Workshop to be held during our All-Membership meeting at 2009 Annual
Motion: Elizabeth Briggs
Second: Matthew Ciszek
Passed by unanimous voice vote

COMMITTEE ON LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDERED HISTORY (CLGBTH)

John Bradford explained that the CLGBTH is looking for programs that they can sponsor. John D'Emilio is a member of this committee. They’d like to sponsor our program on “Forty Years Since Stonewall.”

Motion 2
Accepting CLGBTH’s offer to sponsor our program on Stonewall at 2009 Annual
Motion: John Bradford
Second: ??
Passed by unanimous voice vote

BOOK AWARD COMMITTEE

Nancy expressed concern that there are a number of people who think that they're on a waiting list for the BAC. It was proposed that the Co-Chairs maintain a waiting list for both this and for RL and submit the names to the Book Awards Chair. Matt said that he has a list of 5–6 names and will forward it to K.R.

Dale said that in the past, Co-Chairs have recommended names to the Book Awards Chair. Or they've made appointments. Or they've told the Chairs “to your discretion.”

Our bylaws say that the Committee Chair can actively recruit members. Matt suggested that if there is a long list of people waiting, we could ask them to join other committees while they're waiting. Franklin said that YALSA does the same thing. Doing this is a nice gauge of seeing if the person will actually be and stay involved.

Nancy asked that everyone who has names to send them to her and K.R., and to please include: location, what library, and how long they’ve been on the list. They will then give the list to the BAC Chair and Vice Chair.

Dale added that we should provide an explanation to the members on how to get on the waiting list. We don't necessarily need complete transparency, but some info. should be out there for the members.

Motion 3
First motion to extend the SC meeting
Motion: Matt Ciszek
Second: Barbara Pickell
Passed by unanimous voice vote

BYLAWS

Nancy explained that Committee Chairs are required to attend both SC meetings and also the All-Members meeting. Do we want to change the requirements? K.R. suggested that we look into reinterpreting the guidelines so that submitting a report counts as participation.

Matt said that in other RTs the Committee Chairs are not members of the Executive Board. Do we need quorum? Perhaps we should require the Standing Committee Chairs to come to both meetings or rewrite the bylaws so we have at-large members.

K.R. suggested that a proxy should be acceptable if the Chairs cannot attend.

Nancy stated that she wants people to attend the meetings because it helps with discussions.

Roland Hansen explained that finances are a big part of members not being able to attend both conferences. We need more flexibility. Perhaps we could have an Action Council like SRRT? He also added that there is nothing in the bylaws about needing quorum for voting.

Dale stated that he doesn’t think we need to revise the bylaws, and he stressed that we should acknowledge the difference between “absent” and “excused.” Chairs of the various committees should report the conflict to SC, send a report, and express an opinion. This isn’t ideal, no, but it’s better than nothing. Dale likes the way the SC works. Our structure is broad. He added that those of us who do have funding are primarily obligated to our employers, and should not be scolded for behaving as such.

Barbara stated that she will have to step down soon because she has no funding. She pointed out that most public librarians do not get funding. She warned that rewriting the bylaws to enforce attendance at both conferences will make participation for most people impossible.

Lisa Johnston reminded us that lack of funding for conference travel will only get more common in the future, and suggested that we try conference calls.

Matt suggested wifi participation.

Nancy added that participation is important for decision-making, and she volunteered to talk to Satia about other units who are also affected by this.

Dale stated that we should always let people know what we need in return if they can't show up to some meetings. That person can then agree to not have a vote.

Nancy asked who we thought should absolutely be at all meetings. Matt answered that in his opinion, only the five officers, the Book Award Committee Chair, and the Membership Chair.

Motion 4
Second motion to extend the meeting for five minutes
Motion: Nancy Silverrod
Second: Dale McNeill
Passed: 1 abstention

Do we want to combine a few committees? This would make it easier for everyone involved. People agreed that this was something to consider.

Motion 5
Motion to adjourn
Motion: Matt Ciszek
Second: Dale McNeill
Passed by unanimous voice vote

Ten More Good Years. Dir. Michael Jacoby. Perf. Harry Bartron, James Bidgood, Ivy Bottini, et al. LookOut Films, 2008. 71 minutes. $19.95 for home use; $125.00 for community groups & nonprofits (public libraries, community centers, high schools); $295.00 for institutions (colleges, universities, nursing homes, hospitals)

I blew the house up trying to get out of that closet! There's no more closet because there's no more house!

The spirit of the Stonewall Riots is beautifully captured in the stories of Miss Major and other LGBT people in Michael Jacoby’s loving documentary, Ten More Good Years. That spirit, and the people who embody it, stand in sharp contrast to a sad reality: elder services in America are not hospitable to LGBT people. Based on assumptions of heterosexuality, discrimination is often rampant in institutions that provide care for the elderly, forcing many LGBT people to hide their orientation from care providers.

Jacoby, his crew, and the subjects of the film illustrate all the barriers this population faces. Considered as a group, LGBT elders must contend with many unique challenges as they age, often in isolation, without families, spouses, or children. Trans people are particularly at risk, as laws and policies of states and care agencies do not consider gender identity and expression.

Moreover, while often very well educated, many LGBT elders chose work that was LGBT-affirming but not lucrative. Add to that burden, the inability to receive a deceased partner’s pension or social security survivor benefits, as well as discriminatory tax laws, and it is easy to see how our elders can easily become destitute.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in retirement, elder care, and/or equal rights protection for LGBT people.

Reviewed by David S. Vess
Visiting IMLS Portal Librarian & Assistant
Professor of Library Administration

Stryker, Susan. Transgender History. Berkeley: Seal Press, 2008. 190p. paperback. $12.95. ISBN: 9781580052245.

In Transgender History, Susan Stryker provides a comprehensive overview of American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to the present. This assessable volume provides a good introduction to the topic, starting out with an overview of terms and concepts. Stryker then presents the cultural underpinnings of this movement in the mid-1800s, including the first ordinances against appearing in public “in a dress not belonging to his or her sex.” This is followed by a rich presentation of the many people and events that shaped this movement, including Reed Erickson, Beth Elliott, and Leslie Feinberg. Throughout the book, Stryker incorporates the relationship between the feminist movement and the transgender movement.

Aware of the dearth of books on this topic, Stryker provides interesting sidebars, a reader’s guide, photographs and graphics, plus an index and extensive bibliography.

Stryker has a Doctorate in United States History from Berkeley, has served as the executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of Northern California, and has held visiting faculty positions at Harvard University, University of California-Santa Cruz, and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. She will become Associate Professor of Gender Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington, in the fall.

Transgender History would be an important addition to any gender studies, gay/lesbian studies or women’s studies collection.

Reviewed by Morgan Gwenwald
Sojourner Truth Library
SUNY New Paltz

Mollenkott, Virginia Ramey. Sensuous Spirituality: Out From Fundamentalism. Revised and Expanded Edition. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2008. 256 pages. $25.00. ISBN: 9780829818055.

Influenced by John Milton’s creation of the word sensuous [to avoid associations with the word sensual], Virginia Ramey Mollenkott considers the LGBT community’s place within Christian theology.

First, she examines her own spiritual life journey, that of being “forced out of the fundamentalist community” due to her “female secondariness, [her] transgender qualities, and [her] sexual orientation."

Next, Mollenkott thoroughly explores the impact of heteropatriarchal power on history, culture, and Christianity, and examines how bridges can be built between those of differing theological views.

Sensuous Spirituality would best serve patrons in academic libraries specializing in religion and theology, gender studies, and feminism.

Reviewed by Dave Combe
E. P. Foster Library
Ventura, CA

Meem, Deborah T., Michelle A. Gibson, and Jonathan F. Alexander. Finding Out: An Introduction to LGBT Studies. SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009 c2010. paperback. 462p. $44.95. ISBN: 9781412938655.

Published in 2009, Finding Out is an excellent and sophisticated textbook for undergraduate courses in LGBT Studies. The authors note that most LGBT courses rely either upon celebratory articles or upon works too theoretical to be useful in teaching undergraduates. This text finds the middle way. It addresses all major issues presently discussed in LGBT Studies and is divided into sections entitled History, Politics, Literature and the Arts, and Media.

The first chapter discusses whether same-sex identity existed prior to the nineteenth century. The second chapter addresses social constructionism. Queer transgressive aesthetics is treated in the Literature and Arts section. There is no chapter on sociology per se, but sociological influence is felt throughout.

Given that differences of opinion exist among LGBT scholars on most of the issues addressed in the book, readers will find something here with which to disagree. But textbook writing that is meant to be more than a bland restatement of consensus views always engenders some disagreement. The authors deserve credit for producing a work that is not bland and that presents on-going disciplinary conflicts in a way that undergraduates will comprehend.

The book includes primary sources in each chapter and serves as a great jumping off point for classroom discussion. Anyone interested in teaching undergraduate courses in LGBT Studies should give this text serious consideration.

Reviewed by David Woolwine
Assistant Professor of Library Services
Hofstra University

Diamond, Lisa M. Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire. Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2009. 152p. paperback.. ISBN: 9781551522470.

For Sexual Fluidity, Lisa Diamond interviewed 100 women—five times each, over a ten-year period—about their current sexual attractions, intimate involvements, and perceived orientation. The majority of interviewees were young (recruited from college campuses) and lesbian or bisexual, with about a dozen straight women added to the mix.

At least, that was how the study started. Over the next ten years, her cohort demonstrated what Diamond came to call "sexual fluidity" attractions that shifted unexpectedly to include or exclude a particular gender, attractions based on personality rather than gender, and desire developing out of emotional attachment instead of the other way around. Diamond theorizes that, in general, women possess a greater capacity for sexual fluidity than men, although individuals of both genders will vary along this continuum as well.

Diamond is well aware that her hypotheses can be (and already have been) misinterpreted and misused by opponents of gay rights, so she allows the reader no shortcuts. She describes her own data and other psychologists’ findings at length, explains her reasoning thoroughly, and she clearly spells out what she thinks her findings mean, as well as what they do not mean.

This is a thoughtful contribution to what we already know about women's inner lives and the complexity of human sexual identity. Recommended for academic and public libraries.

Reviewed by Ruth Ann Jones
Special Collections Cataloger
Michigan State University Libraries

Schulman, Sarah. The Child. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2008, c2007. 229p. paperback. $17.95. ISBN: 9781551522432.

In The Child, Sarah Schulman follows two intersecting storylines. Eva, a lesbian lawyer-turned-English instructor, is undergoing tests for breast cancer; her partner is a struggling playwright. Stew, a fifteen-year-old gay teen, is arrested by an undercover cop he propositions in a public restroom. Under pressure, Stew relinquishes the names of a male couple he met online, with whom he has just had sex. David and Joe are subsequently arrested for pedophilia. Eva is enlisted to help in David's defense by AIDS-afflicted lawyer Hockey Notkin. Before David's case comes to trial, Stew has an emotional breakdown and murders his 6-year-old nephew. The court intends to try him as an adult.

This inequity in the law—where Stew is considered a child in one legal battle and an adult in another—is the most thought-provoking twist in the story, one that could have been the crux of a terrific novel. Schulman, however, has too many other issues on her agenda—age of consent laws, the marginalization of women and gays, the health care, insurance, and theater industries, the legal system—and manages to trivialize them all through improbable situations and characters who are unrealistic, dysfunctional, and incapable of logical conversation. Is the awkwardness of their interactions and dialogues intended to be amusing—or poignant? Either way, Schulman falls short of the mark, leaving the reader with little empathy for their situations.

Recommended only for fans, those looking for a quick read, or as a springboard for discussion on intergenerational sex.

Reviewed by Roseann Szalkowski
Senior Cataloger
Skokie Public Library

Lanyon, Josh. Death of a Pirate King. Adrien English Mystery Ser. 4. Albon: MLR Press, 2008. 248p. paperback. $14.99. ISBN: 9781934531310.

In Death of a Pirate King, Josh Lanyon weaves yet another exciting detective story. Adrien is a writer, bookseller, and amateur gumshoe who reluctantly gets involved in another case.

At a Hollywood dinner party, the Pirate King twitches and crashes into his soup, dead. Who murdered this former Hollywood leading man? To help with the investigation, the openly bisexual actor, Paul Kane asks Adrien to use his sleuthing skills and keep him informed as he talks to possible suspects. Adrien himself is considered a suspect, so it is in his best interest to help with the case.

However, while questioning other possible suspects, he is forced to confront his own heart’s issues. His ex lover, Jake Riordan, is a cop on the case and is now once again in his life. If being a suspect for murder isn't stressful enough, try running a bookstore, having some semblance of a love life, and juggling your family too. Death of a Pirate King is certain to leave its readers waiting for the fifth installment to see what Adrien gets into next, and how his love life improves.

Those readers who haven't read the other books in the series will be able to read and enjoy Book Four in this series. It is a swift read with a plot that moves along slowly at first, and then draws us in, as it teases with possible suspects and wholly believable events. A good and well-written gay detective novel, suitable for any adult leisure reading.

Reviewed by Johnnie Gray
Interlibrary Loan Librarian
Christopher Newport University

I Do!: An Anthology in Support of Marriage Equality. Kris Jacen, ed. Albion, NY: ManLoveRomance Press, 2009. paperback. 289 pp. $13.49. ISBN: 9781934531709.

I Do! is a new collection of twenty GLBT fantasy, historical fiction, and contemporary short stories. All proceeds from this book’s sale go to the Lambda Legal Fund’s fight against Proposition 8 in California. The table of contents identifies both the sexual orientation of the story and its “heat rating,” a scale of explicit sexual content ranging from “sweet” to “spicy” to “scorching.”

A number of stories in this anthology truly excel. Clare London’s “Outed” is a brief, humorous story about a British family’s birthday party that goes awry when Rob is “outed” by his Auntie Queenie. Lisabet Sarai’s “Making Memory” is a touching story of a chance encounter between Nicole and Maggie (women haunted by memories and loss) and the moment of “summer,” intimacy, and comfort they share.

Tracey Pennington’s “The Lindorm’s Twin” and Alex Beecroft’s “Desire and Disguise” each have narrative and structural faults. “The Lindorm’s Twin” is an intriguing twist on the familiar tale of The Prince and the Pauper but fails to achieve its potential with its abrupt shifts and poor foundation. Beecroft’s “Desire and Disguise” is historical fiction, told through the perspective of a desperate straight man who unintentionally receives sexual release from a gay man in drag, or so it initially seems. This narrative perspective is cumbersome and difficult to follow but eventually offers unique insights into these types of encounters and what it means to be transgendered.

This anthology offers everything from warm, thought-provoking stories to erotica. The result is a varied mixture of mostly quality work, and the TOC guide can direct readers toward their personal literary preferences. This anthology would make an excellent addition to any established GLBT fiction collection.

Reviewed by Jason D. Phillips
Government Documents & United Nations
Reference Librarian
Mitchell Memorial Library
Mississippi State University

Fist of the Spider Woman: Tales of Fear and Queer Desire. Amber Dawn, ed. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp, 2009. 190p. $17.95. ISBN: 9781551522517.

This collection of five poems and eleven short stories addresses how fear and fantasy intersect for queer women. Considering this topic, it isn't surprising that many of the tales involve SM sex turning frighteningly real; however, the ones that stand out are those that either transcend this idea or deviate from it.

One of the best among this collection is Nomy Lamm's "Conspiracy of Fuckers," a story about a phone sex worker who hates giving into the trite, traditional fantasies of her clients, yet is inevitably drawn to them in the end. Just as compelling is Amber Dawn's "Here Lies the Last Lesbian Rental in East Vancouver," which takes place in a house inhabited by a young dyke couple and haunted by a violent lesbian ghost.

Elizabeth Bachinsky's poems addressed to the Marquis de Sade reveal her conflicted emotions about SM sex, and Aurelia T. Evans's "In Circles" reframes the childhood legend of Bloody Mary, describing the fate of intersex women at the hands of a demon who forces them to look at their bodies before she kills them.

Not all the entries work; Suki Lee's story about being stalked by a Parisian landlady takes a bizarre turn when the narrator is covered with the bodies of dead mice, and Megan Milks' fantasy about sex with a giant slug will have limited appeal.

Purchase for women's studies collections and where queer fiction is popular, but make no mistake: This is erotica, and will draw challenges in some communities.

Reviewed by Daisy Porter
Senior Librarian
San José Public Library

Duplechan, Larry. Got 'til It's Gone. Amber Dawn, ed. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp, 2009. 190p. $17.95. ISBN: 9781551522517.

Got 'til It's Gone is Larry Duplechan's fifth novel, his first in fifteen years. 1985's Eight Days a Week introduced the character Johnnie Ray Rousseau, whom he has described as “a young, black, openly gay, middle-class, college educated protagonist with a penchant for girl-group music, 1930s movie musicals and a well-placed wisecrack.” Johnnie is back, and the previous description remains accurate, although he's no longer young (pushing fifty), and he's starting to deal with the physical aches and pains of age.

This book finds Johnnie dashing between Los Angeles, where he has started seeing an amazingly gorgeous young man whom he met on the Internet (where else) and Palm Springs, where his beloved mother is undergoing some serious medical treatment. Although older and (perhaps) somewhat wiser, Johnnie is still capable of emitting the clever quip and wise observations well mixed with pop culture references, running from Cher to Tom Petty to Charlie Brown. The prose is snappy and well-paced, laced with pithy descriptions like, “tall, dark, and handsome. Very Christopher Reeve, post-Superman, pre-tragic horseback riding accident.” Or, “I think the word 'epiphany' has been grossly overused of late (as have the words 'empower,' 'self-esteem,' and 'latte.').”

Got 'til It's Gone deals with the eternal concerns of friends, family, and love, and reading the book is like catching up with an old pal who has survived, grown, and can still make you laugh. Though not profound, it is warm, engaging and definitely a good read. Recommended for all fiction collections.

Reviewed by Michael Colby
University of California, Davis

Coyote, Ivan E. The Slow Fix: Stories. Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2009. 152p. paperback. $16.95. ISBN: 9781551522470.

A proud native of the Yukon, Ivan Elizabeth Coyote is a spoken word performer, longtime columnist, and author of three previous story collections. Her 2006 novel, Bow Grip, was named an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book.

In The Slow Fix, Coyote collects a series of brief first-person vignettes and essays that first appeared in Xtra!West, Vancouver, BC’s largest gay biweekly. Strongly autobiographical in flavor, they celebrate the ties of family, a love for the unspoiled wilderness, and the connections sometimes forged by lonely strangers. Coyote also muses on gender identity, notably in “The Future of Francis,” which returns to a boy she first wrote about when he was three. Back then, he loved wearing dresses and regarded Coyote as his favorite uncle because they were the “same kind of different.” At eleven, he’s turned tough and cool and is nearly indistinguishable from the other boys in blue parkas. As he barely acknowledges her from the playground, Coyote misses the Francis he used to be, but recalls her silent promise that she will always love what he is right now.

Overall, these are quiet stories, with little angst or knee-slapping humor, although the self-identified Mafioso who took exception to Coyote’s sloppy necktie and gave her a “nonconsensual thirty-minute lesson in proper manly attire” did make me laugh out loud.

Recommended for inclusive GLBTQ collections and those with an interest in Canadian literature.

Reviewed by Joyce Meggett
Division Chief for Humanities
Chicago Public Library

Baumbach, Laura and Josh Lanyon. Mexican Heat. Crime & Cocktails Ser. 1. Albion: MLR Press, LLC., 2008. paperback. 260p. $15.99. ISBN: 9781934531051.

Mexican Heat, the first in the MLR Press’ Crime & Cocktails series, follows the gritty adventures of San Francisco police detective Gabriel Sandalini, who is working deep undercover as the hired gun for Ricco Botelli: the head of a west coast crime family. As the story unfolds, Botelli offers his sister, Gina, to the Mexican drug lord Don Jesus Sanchez as his next wife, in hopes of establishing an alliance between the two families.

But while Sandalini’s main interest is in destroying Botelli, it is Sanchez’s second-in-command, Miguel Ortega, with whom he becomes most intrigued and entangled. The story’s plot line has the requisite twists, turns, and love scenes that will leave readers pleasantly exhausted at its conclusion.

Mexican Heat is the first joint effort by Laura Baumbach and John Lanyon. These authors are widely known and respected by fans of the man-to-man erotic romance genre, which features gay eroticism crafted to appeal to both men and women. Mexican Heat is the 13th book by Baumbach (the proprietor of ManLoveRomance Press) and the 14th for Lanyon.

Libraries that currently have a GLBTQ fiction collection are encouraged to add this title to their adult romance sections.

Reviewed by TJ Lusher
Founders Memorial Library
Northern Illinois University

Harris, Gina. I Kiss Girls. Prizm Books / Torchere Press, 2007/2008. paperback. $13.95. ISBN: 1603703543.

Joanie feels doomed to be the third wheel. Her best friend, Zane, always seems to get the girl, and as far as she can tell, she's the only lesbian at her school. Of course, Joanie is only out to Zane, so even if there were other lesbians, they might not recognize her either.

Everything changes when new girl Kate comes to school, and needs tutoring in math by Joanie and in chemistry by Zane. Both Joanie and Zane end up with crushes on Kate, driving a wedge in their relationship, and when Kate shows interest in Joanie, Zane doesn't take it very well.

But having a girlfriend doesn’t solve all of Joanie’s problems. She's in the closet at home and at school, and Kate isn't and doesn't want to be. When Joanie's parents arrange a prom date for her with a football player, Kate almost breaks things off.

As can be expected, things turn out fine after a few bumps and bruises (some of them literal). A quick and entertaining read, especially for the reluctant reader.

Reviewed by Nancy Silverrod
San Francisco Public Library

Bantle, Lee. David Inside Out. New York, NY: Henry Holt & Co., 2009. hardcover. 192p. $16.99. ISBN: 9781416900399.

In his first novel for young adults, Lee Bantle has created a wholly believable and likable protagonist in David Dahlgren. In a story based on Bantle’s own experience of growing up gay in Minnesota, the book takes David from creating a plan to be straight to accepting his sexuality.

Covering such rites of passage as a disastrous first love (with closeted track teammate Sean) to coming out to a parent, this title is a stand-out in the crowded YA field, a practical, relatable read-alike for the now classic Rainbow Boys. David not only deals with his homosexuality but, in a rare treat, visits a gay bookstore and finds a supportive ear on a gay crisis helpline, gaining a larger sense of community and belonging. His process of coming out to his mother is facilitated by her watching the end of My Beautiful Laundrette with David and his best friend, Eddie, who is also gay. David’s friendship with Eddie is another treat; they draw strength and support from each others' experiences, though at times it is difficult.

While Bantle’s prose is not always elegant, the book has short, readable chapters, a sympathetic narrator in David, and a storyline that readers will be eager to finish.

The book contains significant sexual content, but it’s handled in a mostly nonexplicit way that serves the narrative. Highly recommended for libraries of all sizes as a first purchase.

Reviewed by Angie Manfredi
Head of Youth Services
Los Alamos County Library System

The latest issue of the GLBTRT Newsletter has been posted on our website.

Note: These minutes will not be formally approved by committee until the 2009 Annual Conference in Chicago.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table
American Library Association
Midwinter Meeting, 2009
Denver, CO

Steering Committee I

Colorado Convention Center, Room 202
January 24, 2009
8A.M. – 12:00P.M.

In attendance: John Bradford, Elizabeth Briggs, Matthew Ciszek, Norman Eriksen, John Furlong, Lisa Johnston, Todd Krueger, Dale McNeill, Tracy Nectoux, Barbara Pickell, Rob Ridinger, K.R. Roberto, Larry Romans, John Sandstrom, Nancy Silverrod, Jim Simonis, Steve Stratton, and Keith Trimmer

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Fundraising Committee

Some ideas for raising money for the 2010 Gala in DC were discussed, including selling t-shirts that say “I love books.” Perhaps we could ask Alison Bechdel to design a shirt portraying Mo in library school. Or Mo kissing Barbara Gittings.

One of our previous ideas was to sell raffle tickets for the BAC Brunch at the Midwinter Social. But this idea—put forth by Lisa Johnston—was never pursued. Lisa asked for an explanation of what happened. Who should have followed up on this? K.R. Roberto took responsibility and graciously apologized for the miscommunication.

Membership Committee

Matthew Ciszek will present membership statistics soon, but claimed that “not much has changed” since the June 2008 report. As of October 2008, total membership has risen 2%, but student membership is way down.

David Connors has been maintaining the membership database, but can’t continue to do so. Do we want to keep a separate membership database from ALA?

Re: Membership promotion. Matthew plans to talk with John Chrastka about ways for us to participate in ALA’s membership drive.

Newsletter Committee

The Newsletter’s Editor, John Bradford, expressed concern that his library will no longer offer funding for most travel. Nancy Silverrod suggested we that we discuss the possibility of electronic participation for future conferences.

Nominating Committee

Lisa Johnston reported that the GLBTRT has two open elected positions: Male-Identified Co-Chair and Treasurer.

Dale McNeil, Walter “Cat” Walker, and Victor Schill will be running for Male-Identified Co-Chair.

Ellen Bosman will be running for Treasurer.

Program Planning Committee

Barbara Pickell discussed two programs that are in the planning stages for 2009 Annual in Chicago: Forty Years Since Stonewall and What Makes Tango Frightening? There will be four people on the panels. Victor Schill will discuss youth services. Jamie LaRue will speak on defending challenged materials. Nancy Silverrod will present on “Silent Censorship.” We have invited Justin Richardson, but have not yet received a response from him.

We have received a request from PFLAG, who would like to do an additional program on helping “panicked parents” who are having a hard time coming to terms with their children’s orientations. We think it would be a good idea for a librarian who is a parent of a gay or lesbian youth to be included in this program.

Elizabeth Briggs pointed out that we’ll be announcing the Youth Award at Annual, and having PFLAG there would be a wonderful way to promote more recognition of the books. Elizabeth volunteered to help with this any way she can.

Website Committee

Keith Trimmer reported that the ALA server that runs the software is constantly down. This is a real problem for him, as the ALA down time doesn’t coincide with his schedule for updating our web page.

Keith also pointed out that it’s long past time for him to be rotated off as Committee Chair. We will need someone to take over soon, and he or she will need the necessary training, which is pretty involved.

Keith will add book award winners asap.

REPORTS FROM OFFICERS

CO-CHAIRS

1. Round Table Coordinating Meeting

K.R. reported that he and Nancy attended the Round Table Coordinating meeting. There was a discussion about the ALA website. None of the RT representatives seemed too happy with the site.

As an alternative to the site, GODORT has been adding content to the ALA Wiki, and posting that all of their new content can be found there. If we wanted to follow their example, these questions would need to be addressed:

• What kind of information should be there?
• More than one person can edit the pages
• Collage is a steep learning curve
• We’d need consistency across the board
• Are people having discussions on the new Wikis?

ALA is starting to use OPAL, and encourages its units to do the same. However, OPAL doesn’t work well for Macs.

2. Emerging leaders

There are different levels of sponsoring emerging leaders. Should smaller Round Tables jointly fund them? EMERT is sponsor one for a project. Norman Erikson states that Camilla Alire is trying to put as many emerging leaders onto committees as possible.

3. Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA)

John Chrastka has stated that the CPSA is not a good idea. He encourages us to contact the Acting Chair of the Commission to say so. The number is: 301-504-7923.

4. Rainbow List (RL) Mediation

K.R. Roberto and Nancy Silverrod will attend this mediation, which will also have two members from SRRT, Allison Lewis being one of them. Tracie Hall will be the mediator.

Satia Orange wants this meeting to result in a compromise. The thought process going in is that we’ll “dump it or reach a compromise.”

After much discussion, Nancy stated that she hopes to work with YALSA also, but meeting with the RL shows good faith. Lisa strongly feels that someone from BAC should be at this meeting.

Tracy asked about a liaison, but John Bradford stated that having a liaison isn’t really something we do at this level, and that it is very important that—no matter the outcome—we work with YALSA on the award.

TREASURER

An edited version of Dale McNeill’s report follows:

The Round Table is in good financial standing. Our funds have been carefully and prudently used for the last several years, building a legacy for the current Steering Committee to continue.

As of the final close out of the fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, our operating fund assets total $30,443.44.

Our total revenue for our endowment fund was -10,240. We received $193 in donations, $373 in interest/dividends, and a realized and unrealized loss of $10,807 of endowment value. As of November 30, 2008, the current value of the endowment fund was $50,887.31.

ROUND TABLE COUNCILOR

John Sandstrom has been nominated for Executive Board.

REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES AND LIAISONS

ALA Executive Board

Larry Romans reported that libraries are in tough economic times. The Washington office sent a report to the Obama transition team. They also invited us to participate in panels that would be discussing two issues: What can libraries do with fewer resources? What message shall we send to President Obama?

If it receives any bailout money, ALA plans for the resources go toward: Repair and moderation of buildings; Services for seniors; Head Start; and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The ALA is also working on a Tough Economy Tool Kit. It can be found at the Office for Library Advocacy.

Re: the ALA budget. Membership has held steady. Dues are remaining somewhat steady. Individual groups are having problems, however. There are fewer attendees at Midwinter, and fewer vendors also. The loss is around $100,000. ALA has cut $500,00 from its budget.

ALA Connect—which is currently in beta—is hoped to be a positive component of the website.

We will see an ALA membership survey in about six weeks. It is very important for the RT membership to answer the survey. The more who respond, the better the GLBTRT will be represented.

The Task Force on Electronic Member Participation will present soon. We can expect better guidelines on e-meetings, etc.

The ALA will also be addressing the problem of lead in books.

Re: the Staff Certification Program. They are doing this a year early. How will the bad economy affect this? There are concerns about the cost of getting staff certified.

Suggestions to Larry from the SC:

• John Sandstrom mentioned the problems that Keith has had regarding the amount of time the website is down. We informed Larry of how the down time affects our ability to get our pages updated.
• Nancy said that she finds the ALA Wiki impossible to use, and asked about some possible training for those who might need it.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

Stonewall Book Awards Committee

Children’s and Youth Award

It is important that everyone understand that this award is a new category, not a new award. It is a new category within the Stonewall Book Awards. Elizabeth Briggs discussed BAC’s selection criteria. They felt it would be a waste of time to “reinvent the wheel.” The Coretta Scott King Award criteria seems a “natural fit.”

Discussion of the Award’s name

ALA’s process for naming a new award entails going through the ALA awards committee. Steve Stratton cautioned that ALA will not want us to associate anyone’s name with the award until they have approved it.

In the past, our awards have honored those who have supported the Round Table. Do we want to follow that trend?

John Bradford asked what would happen if our award was named after an author who then writes a children’s book that is eligible for the award. Elizabeth explained that language would have to be written that would address such an occurrence.

Elizabeth suggested Maurice Sendak. He is out; he is extraordinarily talented; and he is well-known and respected.

Nancy agreed that having a recognized name is important, and that would make both the award and the RT more visible. Elizabeth added that it would be easier for a librarian to put the winning book on the shelf if the award was named after someone as respected as Sendak.

K.R. stated that he preferred that the award be named for a librarian, such as Ann Symons. He pointed out that it would just make sense to have our past naming process continue. Elizabeth explained that if we follow the pattern of how other youth awards are named, we should be focusing on authors. Moreover, this would propel us to the forefront.

Elizabeth continued that American Libraries has already approached her about the winners. We need this publicity. We are not a “young” Steering Committee. If we go with a well-known, out, deserving author, we’d attract both publicity and younger members who will want to get involved.

Barbara Pickell asserted that these authors should be qualified, not just popular. Dale McNeil said that the value in a “big name” author comes from this being a “multi-year process.”

Nancy said that one of her hesitations regarding Sendak is that, while he’s out and his work is “wonderful,” it is not gay-themed, and suggested another author. Elizabeth explained that the committee couldn’t find any information that the suggested author is out. Nancy volunteered to contact him and ask him directly. It is important that we respect an author’s privacy about this.

Motion 1
Table this discussion for the time being
Motion: Nancy Silverrod
Second: Dale McNeil
Passed by unanimous voice vote

Discussion of BAC membership

Elizabeth stressed the importance of announcing the new category asap, since the first award will be given at our Gala in DC. At present, there is no process of selection for committee. There are those who may not be qualified to critique a children’s book according to accepted standards. K.R. pointed out that we’ve given out awards for YA titles in the past. Elizabeth agreed, saying that we don’t want to propose a separation amongst the committee, but rather expand the numbers on the committee we already have. There is no need to break it down to three committees. It’s already working well now. We don’t want a subcommittee makeup.

Nancy pointed out that in her experience as a teen, children’s, and adult librarian, there are some adult librarians who may not have experience with children’s or YA literature. She hopes that we make a concerted effort to recruit and approve people to the committee who have experience in YA and children’s literature.

Dale McNeil, reminded us that we are supposed to be reading youth material already, so this isn’t going to be vastly different from what we’ve already been doing.

Elizabeth asked about the “magic list” of people waiting to be on the BAC. She stressed that the Chair and Vice Chair of the BAC should keep that list, and that they should seek out these people, especially YALSA folk who are gay.

It was agreed that the winner will be announced at Midwinter 2010. We need to start this immediately, and begin planning a time line.

Dale asked about a possible co-sponsorship with YALSA. Elizabeth answered that no, YALSA would only serve on the committee, not help sponsor the award.

Motion 2
The BAC will not be subdivided.
Motion: Elizabeth Briggs
Second: Tracy Nectoux
Passed by unanimous voice vote

Motion 3
Affirming the creation of a new category of the book award for children’s and young adult literature. The new award will function under the same guidelines as the current structure.
Motion: Elizabeth Briggs
Second: Dale McNeil
Passed by unanimous voice vote

Barbara Pickell requested further discussion of the award criteria. Nancy agreed that this was necessary, and stated that criteria for the illustrations should reflect excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed, as stated in the Caldecott Medal criteria.

Dale asked about categories. We decided that we do not need to lay the groundwork for that now, but that the book must be written for a pre-K – 12 audience. Or infants –18.

Motion 4
Accepted criteria, as amended
Motion: Elizabeth Briggs
Second: Barbara Pickell
Passed by unanimous voice vote

It was decided that we not discuss Book Award Seals until we have agreed on the name for the award.

Elizabeth next asked when a press release may be made. Nancy encouraged us to turn it in today. Dale suggested that someone work on this during All-Members. He also said that we owe a great deal of thanks to Elizabeth for working so hard to get this off the ground. Norman added that she’d taken on a “huge task.” Thank you, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Briggs, Lisa Johnston, John Bradford, and Tracy Nectoux agreed to write a press release for Cognotes after the meeting.

REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES AND LIAISONS

Budget and Review Council

Norman Erickson reported on BARC, saying that the council will be working with the task force on e-participation. They will present an information piece on where we need to go with this. If we move to e-participation, it will have a impact on conference revenues as to attendance, as well as impact their own expenses once they provide this. The technology budget will go up, and it’s hard to predict because the cost is different for each city.

Re: our by-laws and procedure manual. Norman has forward Nancy the work he was doing on the procedures manual. He got information from the committee chairs—how they ran their committees and their particular procedures. Some of the information is outdated. We need updates badly. The bylaws should be shrunk and simplified.

Nancy has been compiling information to add to Norman’s work. We need the bylaws committee to set up some procedures. Two questions to consider:

1. Do we want a separate committee for bylaws changes?
2. Do we want a separate ad hoc committee?

Motion 5
Motion to continue for 15 more minutes
Motion: Barbara Pickell
Second: Elizabeth Briggs
Passed by unanimous voice vote

REPORTS FROM AD HOC COMMITTEES


Local Arrangements for Chicago

John Bradford asked if he could commit money to the plans for Chicago. Nancy said that $1,000 should be doable. Dale warned that ALA likes to reimburse funds, rather than advance them, so be sure to get receipts for the expenses.

Motion 6
Adjournment
Motion: K.R. Roberto
Second: Matthew Ciszek
Passed by unanimous voice vote