LGBTQ+

INFORMATION SEEKING

LGBTQ+ Information-Related Problems - Barriers that affect the LGBTQ+ population

"When you are questioning yourself, you don't want other people to question you".

-participant from Susan Schaller's "Information Needs of LGBTQ College Students", 2011

Inability to find Information

Where is their community?
- Where can they go to meet others in the LGBTQ+ community?
- Who can they safely talk to?
Is there anything available?
Collections
- Is the information current?
- Is the information objective?
- How is the LGBTQ+ community portrayed in the information available?
  - Negatively or Positively?
Experts
- Where do you find them?
- Can you trust what they say?
Information Sharing
- Is there a way to find and share information with others in the community?
Borrowing Materials
- If found, could they safely check the material out?

Interactions with Information Professionals when Seeking Information

Lack of Trust
- Caused by fear and hatred

Privacy

Confidentiailty
Anonymity
Possible Disclosure
Fear of being stigmatized

References

These barriers were compiled from the following:

Fox, J., & Ralston, R. (2016). Queer identity online: Informal learning and teaching experiences of LGBTQ individuals on social media. Computers in Human Behavior, 65, 635-642. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.009

Hamer, J. S. (2003). Coming-out: Gay males' information seeking. School Libraries Worldwide, 9(2), 73-89. Retrieved from http://lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eft&AN=502906765&site=eds-live

Schaller, S. (2011). Information needs of LGBTQ college students doi:10.1515/libr.2011.009

Stenback, T. L., & Schrader, A. M. (1999). Venturing from the closet: A qualitative study of the information needs of lesbians doi:10.1300/J118v17n03_04

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