Stanmore College LRC Resource Guide
Glossary of Terms Lesbian— A woman who is romantically/sexually attracted to women Gay— A man who is romantically/sexually attracted to men Bisexual—Someone who is romantically/sexually attracted to both women and men Pansexual—Someone who is attracted to people of any gender and wants to recognise gender identities other than ‘man’ and ‘woman’ Sex- someone's biological assignment (male/ female), based on reproductive anatomy Gender - someone’s expression of their gender identity (e.g. man/ woman)- what someone feels they are and how they express it Trans*— Shorthand for transgender. Someone whose gender expression (man/woman) does not completely match their sex (male/female) Transsexual— Somebody whose gender is not the same as their biological sex at birth e.g. someone who was born biologically male but feels more like a woman Transvestite/Cross-dresser— someone who enjoys dressing as the opposite sex
http://www.erikamoen.com/
Cisgender— Someone whose gender identity aligns with their sex Asexual - Someone who experiences little or no sexual attraction to/has little or no interest in having sex with others Demisexual - a person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional connection with someone Questioning - someone who is has not identified as a particular sexuality and/ or gender but is exploring Queer—Somebody whose sexual identity/gender falls outside of the mainstream. N.B. this might be considered an in-group term, meaning that people identifying as ‘queer’ may find the word offensive if used by somebody who does not identify under the LGBTQ banner.
Non-Fiction / Memoir
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic Alison Bechdel In this funny yet sad Graphic Novel, Bechdel tells the story of growing up in herfamily home. The book details Bechdel’s longing for emotional closeness with her often distant father (who also happens to be gay) as well as her own journey to understanding her sexuality and coming out. Shelf Location:
GN BEC
Sister Outsider Audre Lorde Self defining as "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet" , in this collection of 15 essays Lorde explores the challenges and potential triumphs of living together and changing things for the better, despite our various needs, differences and identities.
Shelf Location:
814. 54 LOR
Red Dust Road Jackie Kay Born to a Nigerian father and highland mother, but adopted at a young age by a Scottish couple, poet Jackie Kay’s memoir tells the story of her search to find her birth parents. Charting her experiences from Glasgow to Lagos, this is a story of Kay’s search for identity and self understanding. 920 KAY
Shelf Location:
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? Jeanette Winterson The title of this memoir is a question put to Jeanette Winterson by her Christian Fundamentalist adoptive mother when she tells her she is gay . Through this story of love, humour and madness, Winterson explores the answer to this question, including the difficulty of accepting and being true to her feelings in world where she often felt out of place. Shelf Location:
F WIN
The Velvet Rage Alan Downs Whilst clearly writing from the perspective of a privileged ‘American West Coast’ lifestyle, Alan Down’s examination of the difficulties of growing up gay in a society constructed for the benefits of straight men, is insightful and profound. He also addresses the mental health problems that can come from this and as well as possible solutions and coping strategies. Shelf Location:
306. 76 ALD
“I live the life I love and I love the life I live…I won’t have it... any other way…” Jackie Shane
Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin John D’Emilio Bayard Rustin was one of the men at the forefront of the Civil Rights movement. His strategies of non violent protest inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and influenced other movements in unprecedented ways. He was also openly gay. This book attempts to restore his often forgotten name to the history books. Shelf Location:
920 DEM
Gay Life and Culture: A World History Robert Aldrich Using the word gay to cover both male and female same-sex relationships, this book examines their nature, history and significance in various cultural contexts. Full of photographs and essays on this topic, there is plenty for the interested reader to discover. Shelf Location:
306. 76 DOW
Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution Shiri Eisner Eisner’s manifesto on Bisexuality examines and challenges some of the double binds that Bisexual people find themselves in, whether it’s difficulty fitting in with both gay and straight communities, or dealing with negative stereotypes such as the idea that they are promiscuous or indecisive. This book finds new and revolutionary ways to speak about bisexuality and challenge these problematic myths about bisexual identity. Shelf location:
For a kid who got bullied, beat up and nearly killed for once trying to kiss a girl in high school, I am doing all right now #itgetsbetter Margaret Cho
306. 76 EIS
Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World Robyn Ochs (Editor) This collection of essays from around the world examines Shelf Location: many different sides of Bisexuality, from relationships to coming out, 306. as well as how this intersects with 76 OCH other issues such as class, race, gender and disability.
Trans Bodies Trans Selves Laura Erickson-Schroth This resource, written by and for Transgender and Genderqueer people examines many issues from this viewpoint. It covers topic such as race, religion, transition and mental health and provides information about many of the vital and important realities of the lives of people who fall outside of the gender binary.
Shelf location:
306. 76 SCH
If someone needs to express their gender in a way that is different, that is okay, and they should not be denied healthcare. They should not be bullied. They don’t deserve to be victims of violence.… That’s what people need to understand, that it’s okay and that if you are uncomfortable with it, then you need to look at yourself. Laverne Cox
Transgender 101 Nicholas Teich Whilst primarily aimed at non-members of the transgender community, this resource, written by a transgender social worker and popular educator, provides a simple guide to issues such as: coming out, different ways of handling gender identity, society’s treatment of transgender people and transitioning, as well as many other topics. Shelf Location:
305. 3 TEI
This Book is Gay James Dawson This humorous guide written by PSHCE teacher and Young Adult Author James Dawson and illustrated by Spike Gerrell, tackles issues relevant to LGBT* young people. These range from stereotypes, sex, how to pull and how to come out. Its tackling of practical issues, coupled with its witty tone, makes it a handy ‘how to’ guide for any teenager navigating gender or sexuality issues. Shelf Location:
306. 76 DAW
Asexuality: The Invisible Orientation Julie Sondra Decker An invaluable guide for and about those who identify as Asexual This book addresses some of the problems that Asexual people face, from not being believed to being treated as if they had a sickness. The resource is for Asexual people who want to understand their orientation better, as well as for friends, family and allies who want more information on this sexual orientation. Shelf Location:
306. 76 DEC
http://adriofthedead.tumblr.com/post/65540442968/okay-i-realizethis-hilariously-late-for
Fiction & Film
The Color Purple Alice Walker
Celie has suffered abuse her whole life; first from her father and then her husband. During the course of this classic novel she begins to understand herself and finds the courage to live truthfully. Celie’s relationship with singer Shug Avery is one of the defining points of her self-discovery but the main story is about self-acceptance, as Celie learns move on from her past and love who she is. Shelf Location: CF WAL
Also available on our LRC Kindles
Lies We Tell Ourselves Robin Talley Sarah is the first black student to attend the formerly whitesonly Jefferson High School. Linda is the daughter of the town’s most enthusiastic believer in the segregation of blacks and whites. In 1959, with the fight for civil-rights in America going strong, the two girls should hate each other, but as they get to know each other different feelings emerge. Ones which they can’t ignore… Shelf Location:
TF TAL
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit Jeanette Winterson When Jeannette is adopted at a young age. Her new mother, an evangelical Christian, raises her to be god-fearing and zealous in converting others. However when Jeanette falls for a woman she has converted, she must do some soul searching of her own. Part autobiography – part fiction, part poetry – part prose, this is a beautiful and funny coming of age story about family, identity, religion and love. Shelf Location:
F WIN
Disobedience Naomi Alderman Ronit grew up in an Orthodox Jewish Community in North London. Since then she has broken away from her roots and fallen in love with a married man. However, at the age of 32 her father dies and she must return to the place of her childhood. When she meets up with her ex-girlfriend Estie she begins to question what she has left behind. Shelf Location:
F ALD
Circumstance (DVD) Director: Maryam Keshavarz Atafeh and Shireen live in modern day Iran. Theirs is a world of forbidden pleasures, of parties, drugs and sex. Despite the expectations placed on them by wider society, the two girls explore their emerging understanding of their sexuality and fight to live their lives in a way that allows them to express who they are. DVD CIR
Babyji Abha Dawesar Anamika is a brilliant student, gifted at quantum physics and also a bit of a Casanova. She seduces an older divorced woman, the family servant and is even receiving interest from a classmate that is desired by all the boys. In this fun, surprising and somewhat racy story, Anamika plays with sexual and gender roles in a way which reminds us of the limitations of labels and the fun that can be had when you are true to yourself. Only available on our LRC Kindles
Orange is the New Black (DVD Box Set) Director: Jodie Foster When Piper Chapman is first sent to Litchfield women’s prison for smuggling drug money for her girlfriend 10 years earlier, she is in for a shock and must learn to adapt quickly to her new, harsh environment. Through the series we grow to know her and the many other female prisoners with whom she now shares her life. By turns uplifting, heart-breaking and extremely funny, this series explores the lives and loves of a diverse range of characters, each of whom has a story to tell.
Shelf Location:
DVD ORA
Blue is the Warmest Color (DVD) Director: 15 year old Adèle always thought that her first love would be a guy. However, when she falls for Emma, an art student with blue hair, she embarks on a voyage of growth and self-discovery. Through a complicated and tempestuous journey of love and desire she is forced to start becoming the woman she has the potential to be. Shelf Location:
DVD BLU
Straightening Ali Amjeed Kabil Ali Mirza, a young British Born Pakistani Man, has already told his family he is gay. So he is surprised to discover that they have arranged for him to marry a woman named Sadja. To top it off, his boyfriend has moved to France and is hesitating to offer him support. Ali must decide what’s best for him and all in just a matter of days Shelf Location: F KAB
Also available on our LRC Kindles Hero Perry Moore Thom Creed is a school basketball star, has superpowers and also happens to be gay. His father, Hal Creed, was a superhero until he had a terrible accident which left him disfigured and ostracised. To protect his father Thom feels that he must keep his own superpowers secret, but when he is asked to join the League (the group of superheroes that disowned his father) he finds a place amongst a group of misfits and together they must foil a dangerous plot. Shelf location:
F MOO
Milk Director: Gus Van Sant This is the true story of Harvey Milk (played by Sean Penn), a gay rights activist and the first openly gay government official elected in California, who campaigned tirelessly for human rights until his assassination in 1978. This amusing and moving film celebrates the life of a true hero and the legacy he left behind.
Shelf Location:
DVD MIL
Another Country James Baldwin
Boy Meets Boy David Levithian
James Baldwin’s 1962 classic ‘Another Country’ explores a number of themes, centring on race, gender, sexuality and love. Set in 1950’s New York in the hip Greenwich Village suburb, a progressive area of the great city, Baldwin’s powerful novel is as relevant today as it was when it was written.
Whilst this may not be completely true to real life, every gay or bisexual character in this High School love story is accepted by their peers. The main character, Paul has known he was gay his whole life and has no need or desire to hide his identity. However, in this feel good, touching story, the path to true love still doesn’t run smooth.
Shelf Location:
Only available on our LRC Kindles
CF BAL
Brother to Brother (DVD Director: Rodney Evans Exploring an often forgotten chapter in Black and Gay American History, Brother to Brother is the story of Perry, a black gay artist who is thrown out of his house after he is found with another man. When he meets a famous poet he discovers the untold stories of the gay and lesbian culture during the Harlem renaissance. Through learning about his history he also learns to take pride in who he is. Shelf Location:
DVD BRO
The Art of Being Normal Lisa Williamson
I Am J Chris Beam
David is struggling. His parents think he’s gay and the school bully picks on him for being different. What David really wants, however, is to be a girl. Leo just wants to survive the school year without drawing too much attention to himself, but when Leo stands up for David one day, the two form an important friendship. Unfortunately, in the school environment things are never that simple…
For J it is clear what the problem is, he is a boy but he has been trapped inside the body of a girl. He’s hopeful that as he grows, his true, male self will develop so that the whole world can see who he really is. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen and he begins to cover up. However, when his best friend leaves him, he decides that enough is enough; it’s time to truly be himself.
Shelf Location:
Only available on our LRC Kindles
TF WIL
Beautiful Boxer (DVD) Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham Noong Tong is a Martial Arts professional with the determination to become the best. Tong’s aim is to escape poverty and find success but also to fund a sex change operation in order to become biologically female. Based on a true story, this is a moving tale about courage, focus and having the determination to achieve your goals. Shelf Location:
DVD BEA
You never have an obligation to quiet the hurricane in your chest Andrea Gibson
Stanmore College LRC Resource Guide