library and information science professionals as community action researchers: top ten directions to...

Library and Information Science Professionals Library and Information Science Professionals as Community Action Researchers: Top Ten as Community Action Researchers: Top Ten Directions to Further Institutional Change for Directions to Further Institutional Change for

People of Diverse Sexual Orientations and People of Diverse Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities Gender Identities

Bharat MehraBharat MehraUniversity of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee

Donna BraquetDonna BraquetUniversity of Tennessee Libraries University of Tennessee Libraries

AgendaAgenda

Research Agenda Research Agenda Research MethodsResearch Methods Data AnalysisData Analysis Findings: Barriers and ChallengesFindings: Barriers and Challenges Findings: Directions for Institutional ChangeFindings: Directions for Institutional Change Examples of our role as LIS Community Action Examples of our role as LIS Community Action

ResearchersResearchers ConclusionConclusion

Research AgendaResearch Agenda Goal:Goal:

To tell our story as openly gay library and information science To tell our story as openly gay library and information science professionals in the University of Tennessee at Knoxville engaged in professionals in the University of Tennessee at Knoxville engaged in efforts to promote equal rights of sexual minorities via community action efforts to promote equal rights of sexual minorities via community action

Findings from qualitative studies and action research Findings from qualitative studies and action research include:include: Typical barriers/challenges faced by local LGBTQ individuals towards Typical barriers/challenges faced by local LGBTQ individuals towards

self-fulfillment and social empowerment self-fulfillment and social empowerment

Top ten prioritized community actions of “what we need to do” and “how Top ten prioritized community actions of “what we need to do” and “how do we do it” for furthering acceptance of LGBTQ people do we do it” for furthering acceptance of LGBTQ people

Current directions of progress made in the UTK academic environment Current directions of progress made in the UTK academic environment over a period of 2 yearsover a period of 2 years

Research MethodsResearch Methods

Participant observations as gay LIS researchersParticipant observations as gay LIS researchers

Narrative ethnographic interviews conducted Narrative ethnographic interviews conducted during summer/fall 2005 with 21 LGBTQ during summer/fall 2005 with 21 LGBTQ individuals from the Knoxville metropolitan areaindividuals from the Knoxville metropolitan area

Action-oriented research to direct tangible Action-oriented research to direct tangible outcomes that were relevant to the communityoutcomes that were relevant to the community

Acknowledgements in the Research ProcessAcknowledgements in the Research Process

The power of our experiences as gay participant The power of our experiences as gay participant researchers:researchers:

Initially exposed us to the prevailing heterosexist mindset/climateInitially exposed us to the prevailing heterosexist mindset/climate Shaped the process of our research to mobilize community actionShaped the process of our research to mobilize community action Helped us gain a deeper understanding and provided an “insider-Helped us gain a deeper understanding and provided an “insider-

outsider” perspectiveoutsider” perspective

Our role as LIS researchers helped us apply: Our role as LIS researchers helped us apply: Critical and reflective skills in understanding the information creation-Critical and reflective skills in understanding the information creation-

organization-dissemination processes and their potentials to fulfill organization-dissemination processes and their potentials to fulfill individual and collective needsindividual and collective needs

Collecting community narratives provided a valid and Collecting community narratives provided a valid and authentic method to:authentic method to:

Tap into the community knowledgeTap into the community knowledge Build accurate and representative information resourcesBuild accurate and representative information resources Extend traditional LIS roles to community action Extend traditional LIS roles to community action

Data AnalysisData Analysis Thematic patterns were documented following grounded Thematic patterns were documented following grounded

theory principlestheory principles

Collected community narratives defined as stories Collected community narratives defined as stories shared by research participants present grounds for shared by research participants present grounds for action to promote institutional changes at various levels action to promote institutional changes at various levels of applicationof application

Findings identify action items that take shape, and get Findings identify action items that take shape, and get actualized, based on reflective analysis of the actualized, based on reflective analysis of the intersections between our experiences and those of our intersections between our experiences and those of our participants as expressed via their stories participants as expressed via their stories

What are the barriers and What are the barriers and challenges faced by local LGBTQ challenges faced by local LGBTQ

individuals towards self-individuals towards self-fulfillment and social fulfillment and social

representation?representation?

FindingsFindings Social isolation and lack of awareness of LGBTQ peopleSocial isolation and lack of awareness of LGBTQ people No formalized support and institutional protectionNo formalized support and institutional protection Lack of political representationLack of political representation Conservative climate Conservative climate Cloak of invisibility surrounding LGBTQ concerns and Cloak of invisibility surrounding LGBTQ concerns and

negative stereotypingnegative stereotyping Inadequate information support services and no Inadequate information support services and no

awareness of existing resourcesawareness of existing resources Lack of LGBTQ coverage in courses and curriculumLack of LGBTQ coverage in courses and curriculum Lack of fair services to meet LGBTQ needsLack of fair services to meet LGBTQ needs Perceived negative backlash or repercussionsPerceived negative backlash or repercussions Isolated disconnected LGBTQ advocacy Isolated disconnected LGBTQ advocacy

No formalized support and No formalized support and institutional protection institutional protection

““[The Campus Climate] is not that good, it is tolerant, [The Campus Climate] is not that good, it is tolerant, but not accepting. They are not going out of their way but not accepting. They are not going out of their way to welcome gays and lesbians...I have been upset to welcome gays and lesbians...I have been upset about their non-discrimination policy which doesn’t about their non-discrimination policy which doesn’t include sexuality or ethnicity. I have been thinking include sexuality or ethnicity. I have been thinking about that since I applied to the school. Gender is not about that since I applied to the school. Gender is not included either. I have been in a fit about that…But included either. I have been in a fit about that…But when it all comes down to it, we do not have any legal when it all comes down to it, we do not have any legal protection or recourse. They need to adopt a policy protection or recourse. They need to adopt a policy that not only says you are protected, but that we want that not only says you are protected, but that we want a diverse campus. Make the statement, but also put a diverse campus. Make the statement, but also put some feeling behind it and action to support that.” some feeling behind it and action to support that.”

Lack of political representation Lack of political representation and equal rightsand equal rights

““It is disappointing that the employees do not get health It is disappointing that the employees do not get health benefits for their partners. My partner and I work at the benefits for their partners. My partner and I work at the University and we cannot University and we cannot share benefits, our relationship share benefits, our relationship is not recognized...We need the university administration is not recognized...We need the university administration saying, “Yes, we want a more diverse campus, we want a saying, “Yes, we want a more diverse campus, we want a diverse faculty, we want a diverse staff, and yes, gays and diverse faculty, we want a diverse staff, and yes, gays and lesbians are included in that diversity.” lesbians are included in that diversity.”

Inadequate information Inadequate information support services support services

““One particular doctor seemed like she would be easy One particular doctor seemed like she would be easy to talk to about such issues and probably had to talk to about such issues and probably had information and another one was very conservative information and another one was very conservative and so probably would not have. I did notice that and so probably would not have. I did notice that there were a lot of information about safe sex and there were a lot of information about safe sex and sexuality issues and STDs and so forth, but all in a sexuality issues and STDs and so forth, but all in a heterosexual way, so maybe they could devote some heterosexual way, so maybe they could devote some space for information for safe sex for LGBTQs.” space for information for safe sex for LGBTQs.”

What efforts can be made to promote progressive institutional

changes on behalf of LGBTQ people?

Top Ten Actions for Institutional ChangeTop Ten Actions for Institutional Change

No. Barriers/Challenges “What We Need To Do”

1. Social isolation and lack of awareness of LGBTQ people

Use social and digital technologies to build connections between LGBTQ people

2. No formalized support and institutional protection

Gain institutional commitment for legal and political/social protection

3. Lack of political representation

Active participation in political lobbying and building political support networks

4. Conservative climate breeds hatred and contempt

Develop “safe space” programs and sensitivity training in various areas



5. Cloak of invisibility surrounding LGBTQ concerns and negative stereotyping

Create visibility and awareness of LGBT issues via active programming, hosting of events, and activity planning

6. Inadequate information support services and no awareness of existing resources

Develop accurate and fair LGBTQ information resources and collections and promote visibility by proactive advertising

7. Lack of coverage of LGBT materials in courses and curriculum

Create specialized courses that specifically focus on LGBTQ materials and cover LGBTQ issues in all relevant courses



8. Lack of provision of adequate and fair services to LGBTQ needs

Create formalized channels of communication and information flow between LGBTQ individuals and the administration

9. Perceived negative backlash or repercussions in academic setting

Take actions against discrimination to project signals that any sort of prejudice will not be tolerated

10. Isolated disconnected efforts in LGBT advocacy

Coordinate between isolated LGBT advocacy efforts

What are the specific actions we What are the specific actions we are taking as LIS community are taking as LIS community

action researchers in the action researchers in the University of Tennessee?University of Tennessee?

Using social/digital technologies to build Using social/digital technologies to build connections between LGBTQ and allies connections between LGBTQ and allies

Informal/formal networking has helped us develop Informal/formal networking has helped us develop contacts, communicate, and collaborate with allies contacts, communicate, and collaborate with allies and support agencies. These include: and support agencies. These include:

UT LGBT faculty, staff, and students; members of local UT LGBT faculty, staff, and students; members of local LGBT community-based groups and social justice agencies; LGBT community-based groups and social justice agencies; and members of the UT’s Office of Equity and Diversity and members of the UT’s Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) and Diversity Council(OED) and Diversity Council

We created a listserv “LGBTANet” in August 2005 We created a listserv “LGBTANet” in August 2005 that has helped in information sharing, communication that has helped in information sharing, communication exchange, and building institutional memory for exchange, and building institutional memory for LGBTQ individuals and allies (URL: LGBTQ individuals and allies (URL: http://listserv.utk.edu/archives/lgbtanet.htmlhttp://listserv.utk.edu/archives/lgbtanet.html).).

Seeking institutional commitment for legal, political, and social protection

Chancellor Crabtree’s encouraging response during our first meeting in Chancellor Crabtree’s encouraging response during our first meeting in December 2005 and his e-mail confirmation (received on December 8, 2005) December 2005 and his e-mail confirmation (received on December 8, 2005) that UT President John Petersen had authorized the inclusion of sexual that UT President John Petersen had authorized the inclusion of sexual orientation in a welcoming statement attached to the UT non-discrimination orientation in a welcoming statement attached to the UT non-discrimination policypolicy

Our involvement in procedural steps following administrative protocols: Our involvement in procedural steps following administrative protocols: Reaching a consensus amongst local LGBTQ members/allies in Reaching a consensus amongst local LGBTQ members/allies in

identifying a new name “Commission for LGBT” representative of current identifying a new name “Commission for LGBT” representative of current national trends national trends

Developing initial Bylaws of the Commission for LGBT People in Developing initial Bylaws of the Commission for LGBT People in consultation with members of the UT’s Diversity Councilconsultation with members of the UT’s Diversity Council

Creating a volunteer list of 16 UT LGBT people who were willing to serve Creating a volunteer list of 16 UT LGBT people who were willing to serve on the board of the future Commission for LGBT Peopleon the board of the future Commission for LGBT People

Participating in the first organizational meeting of the Commission on 12 Participating in the first organizational meeting of the Commission on 12 December 2006, and meeting with the Chancellor on 9 January 2007December 2006, and meeting with the Chancellor on 9 January 2007

We collaborated with LGBTQ allies in preparing pro-LGBTQ resolution statements and refining vocabulary constructs representing sexual minorities in a city ordinance non-discrimination clause that were presented and discussed during focus group and individual meetings in fall 2005 with local Councilmen Bob Becker and Chris Woodhull

Participating in political lobbying and building political support networks

Developing “safe space” programs and sensitivity training

In OED’s Diversity Experience Workshop (DEW) In OED’s Diversity Experience Workshop (DEW) Advisory Group, we have partnered with Advisory Group, we have partnered with faculty/staff/students across campus to identify faculty/staff/students across campus to identify appropriate content on LGBTQ needsappropriate content on LGBTQ needs

We developed information for the workshops that focus We developed information for the workshops that focus on LGBTQ as “special populations” as well as represent on LGBTQ as “special populations” as well as represent LGBTQ issues in general workshops on diversityLGBTQ issues in general workshops on diversity

Workshop components are being delivered during Workshop components are being delivered during various events on campus (new student/faculty various events on campus (new student/faculty orientations, forums in fraternities/sororities, and orientations, forums in fraternities/sororities, and departmental diversity evaluation sessions)departmental diversity evaluation sessions)

Creating awareness of LGBTQ issues via active programming and hosting of events

We planned and participated in a workshop (18 We planned and participated in a workshop (18 April, 2006) sponsored by the community-based April, 2006) sponsored by the community-based GLBTQ Task Force Against Domestic Violence on GLBTQ Task Force Against Domestic Violence on educational training for service providers in public educational training for service providers in public agencies such as the police force, health agencies such as the police force, health services, counseling centers, and social work services, counseling centers, and social work agencies to provide effective services to meet the agencies to provide effective services to meet the needs of LGBTQ people needs of LGBTQ people

Developing accurate and fair LGBTQ information resources

The Diversity News Channel The Diversity News Channel ((http://http://www.lib.utk.edu/news/diversity/archives/glbtwww.lib.utk.edu/news/diversity/archives/glbt//), ),

hosted on the UTK library server, presents current information hosted on the UTK library server, presents current information about LGBTQ happenings and programs about LGBTQ happenings and programs

The UTK library’s Cultural Corner (offline and online)The UTK library’s Cultural Corner (offline and online) ((http://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/culturecorner/springlist-06.htmlhttp://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/culturecorner/springlist-06.html) is ) is an effort to demarcate a visible physical and virtual an effort to demarcate a visible physical and virtual space on space on LBGTQ issues of contemporary relevanceLBGTQ issues of contemporary relevance

The recent compilation of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, The recent compilation of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Guide Transgender Resource Guide ((http://www.lib.utk.edu/refs/glbt.html#localhttp://www.lib.utk.edu/refs/glbt.html#local) provides ) provides

online access to local LGBTQ resources and services online access to local LGBTQ resources and services

Teaching IS 592 titled “Race, Gender, and Sexuality in the Teaching IS 592 titled “Race, Gender, and Sexuality in the Information Professions” during spring 2005 provided me Information Professions” during spring 2005 provided me opportunities for understanding the campus climate on opportunities for understanding the campus climate on issues related to sexual orientation from a deeper issues related to sexual orientation from a deeper perspectiveperspective

During the 2007 spring semester, students in the course During the 2007 spring semester, students in the course are partnering with the East Tennessee LGBT Youth are partnering with the East Tennessee LGBT Youth Project to assess and evaluate child welfare and juvenile Project to assess and evaluate child welfare and juvenile justice programs, library and social support service justice programs, library and social support service providers, and secondary school systems based on providers, and secondary school systems based on discussions with LGBT youth discussions with LGBT youth

Creating specialized courses that specifically focus on LGBTQ materials

ConclusionConclusion All identified actions are equally important, inter-related, and need to be All identified actions are equally important, inter-related, and need to be

applied concertedly to present a holistic plan of action to address different applied concertedly to present a holistic plan of action to address different community facets community facets

Future directions for the LGBTQ community require developing a Future directions for the LGBTQ community require developing a comprehensive institutional diversity plan of action to systematically comprehensive institutional diversity plan of action to systematically concretize tangible efforts in support of LGBTQ individuals concretize tangible efforts in support of LGBTQ individuals

LIS professionals can play a significant role in wearing their dual hats as LIS professionals can play a significant role in wearing their dual hats as information providers and community action researchers to develop high information providers and community action researchers to develop high prioritized community actions in support of LGBTQ issues prioritized community actions in support of LGBTQ issues

Efforts call for LIS partnerships with outside community agencies and build Efforts call for LIS partnerships with outside community agencies and build meaningful relationships between the academy and the broader community meaningful relationships between the academy and the broader community (e.g., collaborating partnerships between academic and public libraries)(e.g., collaborating partnerships between academic and public libraries)

Thank you for your attention.Thank you for your attention.

Questions and Comments?Questions and Comments?

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