Lakeville, CN (EGCM) High school librarians are in a unique position to help
lesbian and gay teenagers. That was the message delivered by publisher Sasha
Alyson in a keynote speech to the New England Association of Independent
School Librarians.
 
"Many of us who are gay can tell you that our first step in coming out
involved a trip to the library's card catalog," he told them. "Reading a book
is safer for a gay teenager than talking to a person, because there's no risk
of rejection. Today, there are dozens of good books for gay teenagers DD and
if you aren't making them available, you are failing to serve many of your
students."
 
Just five years ago, Alyson noted, it would have been impossible for most high
school libraries to carry such books. "But simply that you have welcomed me as
your keynote speaker shows that times are changing," he said. "It's now well
recognized that there are lesbian and gay teenagers in every high school. The
religious right has tried to keep our children's books out of public
libraries, but they're losing that battle. They'll try just as hard to keep
books for gay and lesbian teenagers out of high school libraries. It's our job
yours and mine DD to ensure that they lose this battle, as well."
 
For more information contact:  Kim Daly; Alyson Publications, Inc.; 40
Plympton Street; Boston, MA  02118; Voice 617-542-5679.
 
The entire contents of The Electronic Gay Community Magazine are Copyright1993
by The Land of Awes Computer Information System (telephone 316-269-0913 Voice,
316-269-4208 FAX/BBS) but may be reproduced by any means without permission
from the publishers provided that this copyright notice remains with each
article.
 
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