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Milner Library

LGBTQIA2S+ Resources

This guide empowers learners to engage with LGBTQIA2S+ topics and issues.

Welcome!

Milner Library is committed to connecting the Illinois State University community with diverse, inclusive, and reliable resources—both inside and outside our walls. The purpose of this guide is to facilitate access to library resources about LGBTQIA2S+ topics and issues and connect our community with outside resources and organizations that provide support and foster awareness, engagement, and advocacy. Our goal is to empower learners to engage with LGBTQIA2S+ topics and issues regardless of their current level of knowledge and we welcome feedback in the form at the bottom of the right column of the page.

This guide includes:

What is LGBTQIA2S+?

The below is by no means a comprehensive list, but the LGBTQIA2S+ acronym is a great starting point for learning about sexual identities. Keep in mind that we use man to describe any person who identifies as a man and woman for any person who identifies as a woman.

LGBTQIA Definitions. The infographic includes the following definitions: Lesbian: A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. Gay: A person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to members of the same gender. Men, women, and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. Bisexual: A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Queer: A term people often use to express a spectrum of identities and orientations that are counter to the mainstream. Intersex: Intersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy. There is a wide variety of difference among intersex variations. Asexual: A term that describes a person who lacks sexual attraction or desire for other people. Two-spirit: A term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe Native people in their communities who have a third gender identity +: And more! The plus (+) encompasses identities that are otherwise omitted.

Definitions provided by Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Indian Health Service. See the HRC's glossary of additional terms you may see used to describe identities. Please keep in mind terminology is constantly evolving and this list is not all-encompassing.

Ask a Milner Librarian

Campus Contacts

Are you interested in connecting with someone about LGBTQIA2S+ topics, campus resources, or research? Reach out to our Campus Contacts! The folks listed below have volunteered to be a resource to our campus community and will be happy to have a conversation with you. The list below provides the contact info as well as the contact’s areas of expertise.

S. Gavin Weiser (ze/hir/hirs)
Assistant Professor
Educational Administration and Foundations
Co-chair, Queer Coalition

Willy Hunter (he/him/his)
Professor, Chemistry Education

Would you like to join the Campus Contact list? Please use the feedback form to express your interest, and we will follow up with you to get more information.

Feedback

We appreciate your feedback! If you have any questions or comments, additional resources for us to share, or would like to be a Campus Contact, please fill out this anonymous form.

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