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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Research Guide

What is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies?

The experiences of people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex and Asexual  (LGBTQIA) are considered to be part of the GWS umbrella of studies. The vocabulary and terminology continues to evolve. Terms and definitions can be found here: http://www.transstudent.org/definitions

Some additional information: https://now.org/blog/now-updates-acronym-lgbtqia/

 

In the discussion of the diversity of identity, the LGBTQ community encourages the use of pronouns.

Here is a framework about pronouns from UC Davis's LGBTQIA Resource Center: https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/pronouns.html

A useful set of discussion points on the use of pronouns can be found here: https://www.mypronouns.org/

Advice on Researching LGBTQ Studies Topics

Use a Variety of Sources
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of Gender and Women's Studies topics do not limit yourself to databases or journals that specifically address Gender and Women's Studies topics. Use the library's list of Subject Databases to find other sources that cover you topic area.
For example: If you are doing research lesbian partner violence search strategies might look like this:

Lesbian partner violence...looking through results and note subject terms that may lead you to additional resources such as: "intimate partner violence" lesbians;  LGBT partner abuse;   same sex intimate partner violence.

Search strategies can be used searching for resources on the web, books as well as journal articles.

Keep in mind research published in journal articles will be more current than books.

 

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