L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ Resources

Student Organizations

If there is a Chicagoland-area organization for L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ people which is not on this list, please let us know! librarians@triton.edu

If there is a Chicagoland-area chat room or social group for L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ people which is not on this list, please let us know! librarians@triton.edu

Queer Theory in its Historical and Modern Context 

Trans Day of Visibility March 31, 2022

We gathered to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility with a conversation about the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, a brief introduction to queer theory, and viewing two short films. 

2022's TDOV theme was I Am Enough. The goals of the I Am Enough campaign are:

Affirmation & Empowerment- For trans people, a message of strength, resilience and community. The aim of the campaign is to provide a message that ties together the following themes: 

• Acceptance of individuals in their chosen gender, just the way they are without the need for change/treatment/qualifying factors. 

• Promotion of self-deceleration of gender Identity. 

• Visibility of non-binary identities. 

Awareness Raising & Allyship- For non-trans/cis people to be able to stand up and show solidarity and support for their trans family, friends and colleagues. 

Sources

What We Watched

The following videos were shown as part of the Queer Theory Program. You can watch them free with ads on YouTube.

Common Ground Queer Art & Artists Display

Day of Silence April 22, 2022 

What is the Day of Silence?

The GLSEN Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies  all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools.

Started in the mid 90’s by two college students, the Day of Silence has expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of students each year. Every April, students go through the school day without speaking, ending the day with Breaking the Silence rallies and events to share their experiences during the protest and bring attention to ways their schools and communities can become more inclusive.

How did Triton College Library participate in the Day of Silence in 2022?

Triton College Library collaborated with Common Ground to create a display for queer art and artists, with submissions of art, short stories, and poetry from students and staff of Triton College.  In all, we had nine submissions this year. Photos of the display and artwork are pictured below. 

Leslie Feinberg's Call for Solidarity

Leslie Feinberg (she/zie her/hir), author of the groundbreaking work of historical lesbian fiction, Stone Butch Blues, gave a speech about solidarity in minority movements at the 2002 Al-Fatiha Retreat. You can read the full transcript of that speech here.

I do not believe that our sexuality, gender expression and bodies can be liberated without making a ferocious mobilization against imperialist war and racism an integral part of our struggle. The degree to which any movement is progressive or revolutionary is measured by its independence from the rulers of the society it seeks to change. Are war and racism “gay” or “trans” issues? That’s an old argument in our movement. And how it has been answered has signaled whether the movement collapsed or gained new vitality.

Feinberg discusses how, in the 70s, the LGBTQIA+ movement marched in solidarity with many oppressed groups. This speech is both a call for action and a plea for LGBTQIA+ people to remember the past solidarity of the movement. In the 60's, before the first Pride Flag was created and at the height of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, LGBTQIA+ activists risked their safety and freedom to march with the flag of North Vietnam. They did not march with the expectation that the North Vietnamese people would also march for LGBTQIA+ rights, they marched because oppression anywhere affects everyone (you can watch Feinberg's full lecture here). As Feinberg reiterates in her speech at the Al-Fatiha Retreat:

Wherever racism rears its ugly head, our movement must be there.

Feinberg's speech in 2002 is a harsh reminder of the history of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement. While we celebrate Pride, it's important to remember our past and what that means for our future. It's also important that as we march this month and every month, we also march in solidarity with other oppressed peoples, both in the U.S. and abroad. Movements like Black Lives Matter and Free Palestine are important to recognize as movements that the LGBTQIA+ community has solidarity with. Recognizing the struggles we all face is an important part of LGBTQIA+ history.

Feinberg passed in 2014 at the age of 65. Her death was a great loss for the LGBTQIA+ movement and community.