Quick Summary
Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month! If we want to foster an inclusive and safe environment for all, we must first educate ourselves. eLibrary Minnesota, Ebooks Minnesota, and the Minnesota Digital Library are filled with resources that amplify LGBTQ+ voices and teach us about their experiences and history.
Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month! If we want to foster an inclusive and safe environment for all, we must first educate ourselves. eLibrary Minnesota, Ebooks Minnesota, and the Minnesota Digital Library are filled with resources that amplify LGBTQ+ voices and teach us about their experiences and history.
The choice of June for Pride Month is in honor of the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising that took place in the New York City neighborhood of Greenwich Village. The uprising was instigated when police officers raided the Stonewall Inn and enforced a New York City ordinance requiring individuals to wear at least three “gender-appropriate” articles of clothing. In June 1970, a parade marched past the Stonewall Inn, commemorating the previous year’s events. To learn more, read about the Stonewall riots and the march they inspired via Britannica School High, available through eLibrary Minnesota.
Phil Willkie, a Minnesota writer and publisher, founded and managed the James White Review, a gay literary magazine. He also published an anthology titled "The Gay Nineties." Prior to his career in publishing, Willkie participated in various writing groups in the Twin Cities. In 1983, he established a writing group specifically for gay men, aiming to address the lack of such groups in the area. Recognizing the need to preserve the group’s writing, Willkie started compiling and publishing the “James White Review,” which featured short stories, poetry, journals, reviews, and other literary works. Initially gaining attention locally, the magazine eventually found success on a national and international scale, as options for gay literary publications were limited during the 1980s. As its popularity grew, so did the number of submissions received from out-of-state and European authors. In 1991, Willkie published an anthology called "The Gay 90s," which featured selected submissions from the magazine's first eight years. Both the magazine and anthology achieved national recognition and popularity, providing valuable publishing opportunities for authors from the LGBTQ+ community. Beyond publication, their goal was to increase the visibility of writers and shed light on the experiences and issues impacting the gay community. To learn more, watch the 30-minute interview with Willkie on the Minnesota Digital Library.
"Land of 1000 Loves'' explores and chronicles the history and experiences of LGBTQ+ communities in Minnesota from the 1950s onwards. It does so through collections of literary works, artifacts, photographs, and artwork. The organization of these pieces allows for a comprehensive understanding of different time periods and the challenges faced by the community during those times, as well as the significant progress made. This anthology highlights pivotal moments and key figures who have contributed to the community's current state. It showcases the evolution of social movements, community spaces, and organizations that continue to support the community today. Given the constant attacks faced by these communities, their history often faces challenges of misrepresentation and artifact destruction. Therefore, preserving these collections is crucial. For more information, you can explore "Land of 1000 Loves" on Ebooks Minnesota.
