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GLBTS Library Subject Headings

Unfortunately, you can't just type in all words that make sense to you (e.g. "dykes" or "queers") to your library's computer and get a good list of books on the subject. For best results, use words that librarians use to describe things - even if the library's language is inadequate. Most periodical indexes use their own language (called a thesaurus) to describe articles. For books, the Library of Congress Subject Headings pertaining to queer-related topics include, in part:

  • Gays (refers to lesbians AND gays as a group)
  • Gay (as an adjective - Gay bars, Gay couples, Gay parents, etc.)
  • Gay men
  • Gay liberation movement
  • Gays' writings
  • Homophobia
  • Homosexuality (refers to the sexuality of lesbians AND gays)
  • Bisexual men
  • Bisexual women
  • Bisexuality
  • Lesbian (as an adjective - Lesbian clergy, Lesbian mothers, etc.)
  • Lesbianism
  • Lesbians
  • Lesbians' writings
  • Afro-American lesbians
  • Afro-American gays
  • Sodomy
  • Transsexuals
  • Transvestites

More LC Subject Headings