In this new blog series, we're introducing you to members of the Library's Pride Team. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Amy B. (she/they), Nanini Library.
If you could be a superhero, who would you be?
I’m going to use “hero” loosely because I’d want to be Poison Ivy. I’m thrilled that her relationship with Harley has been portrayed more and more lately.
If you could be any LGBTQ+ character, who would you be and why?
I would want to be Sailor Uranus from the Sailor Moon series. She’s cool, a little genderqueer, and has a beautiful girlfriend, what’s not to like?
If you could send one message to LGBTQ+ people in our community, what would it be?
There’s a lot of hate in the world right now, but there’s also so much love. Surround yourself with people who let you be your whole self as often as you can. One place that’s still safe for you is the library – we care about you and we support you.
What are your hopes for future generations of LGBTQ+ youth?
I hope for a future where straight is no longer the “default” and nobody has to come out of the closet because nobody expects you to be any certain label. I also hope that future generations don’t have to defend their labels constantly, that folks just honor someone’s pronouns without question or judgement.
Is there an LGBTQ+ activist who most inspires you? If so, who is it and why?
I really look up to Bob the Drag Queen. She is funny, talented, and an activist that uses her platform to help others. (Have you seen the totally glamorous photo of her getting arrested at a protest? So few folks could be that fierce while being handcuffed.)
What is your favorite color in the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag and why?
Even though it’s not my favorite color in general, I like the meaning of the orange stripe in the flag – Healing. We experience a lot of hate and trauma because of our identities and I have so much respect for everyone who continues to survive and (hopefully) thrive. It’s not always easy and sometimes our biggest critic is ourselves.
For how long have you been a member of the team?
I think I’ve been a member for about a year, though who can keep track of time nowadays?
Why did you decide to join?
I wanted to not only be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I wanted to help it. I’ve lived a closeted life for a long time and it was time to step out and do what I can to help create a welcoming and inclusive community.
What do you love most about your work on the team?
I am constantly suggesting purchases of LGBTQ+ materials and I find it really rewarding to see more and more of these materials on our shelves. I’m a strong advocate that queer stories need to be featured on our shelves and in our displays every day, not just in June.
What are you currently reading/recently read and what are some of your favorite books?
I just finished The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain. It was such a heartwarming book that reminds us it’s never too late to come out of the closet. As for my favorite books, I love The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, and Kill the Farm Boy by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne. I suggest these titles to everyone who will listen and add them to a lot of the lists I make for our website. I can’t help it, they’re just such great books!
