InterActions: UCLA Journal of Education and Information Studies

On November 17, 2006 the InterActions editorial team attended the Library and Archives OUTreach symposium at UCLA. This galvanizing event brought together academics, practitioners, and activists from the information studies field to discuss the importance of increasing visibility around lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) issues as they pertain to libraries and information seeking. Given the tremendous energy generated by these proceedings, we asked Patrick Keilty, a doctoral student in UCLA’s Information Studies department and OUTreach founding president, to share his impressions and insights on this important event. Keilty prepared the following essay with full cooperation from the remarkable ensemble of symposium panelists. In order to expand upon some of the themes introduced at this event, Keilty also conducted follow-up email discussions with panelists. His essay represents a summary of these on-going discussions.

Sadly, LGBT activist and symposium keynote speaker Barbara Gittings died February 18, 2007 as this essay was being prepared. Keilty’s appreciation of Gittings serves as a fitting accompaniment to this piece.

In the Footsteps of Barbara Gittings: An Appreciation

Click on the supplemental links for video clips of Barbara Gittings' keynote address at the Library and Archive OUTreach Symposium at UCLA.

Barbara Gittings remembers HQ 76.5.

Barbara Gittings tells the story of the first gay kissing booth.

American Library Association members ogle the kissing booth.

The kissing booth will "show them how it's done."

"Hug a Homosexual" gets noticed.

An outraged ALA member objects to "Hug a Homosexual."

Barbara Gittings looks toward the future.

Barbara Gittings on her career with librarians.