Week Thirteen Prompt: LGBTQ+ and Urban Fiction

As some of today’s libraries abandon the alphabetically-organized fiction section, the separation of particular genres such as LGBTQ+ and Urban Fiction becomes a controversial issue. These genres of fiction belong on library shelves among all of the other genres including science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, historical fiction, and mysteries, to name a few. Perhaps creating separate sections might make things easier for patrons looking specifically for LGBTQ+ and Urban Fiction titles, but it would eliminate the possibility of other patrons coming across these genres by chance. The separation of these particular genres, which represent individuals from marginalized groups and not just patron interests, is problematic and reflective of segregation.

In her article, “Separate but still not equal,” Jessica Garner points out a very good reason why separating LGBTQ+ fiction is not a good idea: “…it would take enormous courage for a patron to be seen approaching such a collection if that person were just beginning an exploration of their sexuality or gender identity” (Garner, 2018). Libraries are meant to be safe spaces which welcome “[a]ll people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views” and which “protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data” (ALA, 2019). Shelving LGBTQ+ books separately does not align with the intellectual freedoms promised by the American Library Association [ALA] and “removes the ability for a patron to browse comfortably” (Garner, 2018).

In response to a petition to separate LGBTQ+ books in Iowa public libraries, author David Levithan writes, “LGBTQ+ literature can save lives and encourage equality” and that he is “grateful to anyone who defends LGBTQ+ books and, by extension, LGBTQ+ youth from any person who attacks them as needing ‘special treatment’ or being anything less than equal” (Colyard, 2018). The decision to shelve LGBTQ+ books separately would essentially be an attack on the LGBTQ+ community.

Similarly, shelving Urban Fiction or African American Fiction [AAF] books separately in the library is reminiscent of the era of segregation. Urban Fiction is a term used to describe “works set in urban America dealing with drugs, violence, and sex, involving African American or Latino characters” (WorldCat, 2017). While Urban Fiction is not necessarily synonymous with AAF, many bookstores and libraries tend to lump these two genres together.

In a personal blog post, science fiction and fantasy writer N.K. Jemisin writes, “…the AAF section of today is mostly just a constricted, homogenizing ghetto”—a result of “old and new racism” (Jemisin, 2010). The author writes that libraries which shelve her books in AAF sections as opposed to science fiction or fantasy sections “[assume] that [her] work is automatically of interest to black readers—and only black readers—because [she’s] black” (Jemisin, 2010). Conversely, she recognizes that “there are a few white people who might enjoy reading about ‘urban’ topics, if you gave them half a chance, instead of labeling everything like separate water fountains and thereby -creating- a sense of alienation” (Jemisin, 2010). She calls the separation of books by African American writers “an insult to…the abilities of writers of color in general, and an insult to readers of every race” (Jemisin, 2010).

If libraries make changes to shelve LGBTQ+ and/or Urban Fiction collections separately, they are doing a great disservice to all of their patrons and potentially offending and alienating a great deal of them. Petitions like the one in Orange City, Iowa are harmful and aim to bring unnecessary politics into the library. Community groups who sign petitions to create these separate sections are being prejudiced against LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and all patrons who are interested in exploring these genres of fiction which may introduce them to diverse characters and settings.

 

References

American Library Association. (2019, January 29). Library bill of rights. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

Colyard, K.W. (2018, February 23). Here’s what to know about a petition to essentially ban LGBTQ+ books at an Iowa library. Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/p/theres-a-petition-to-separate-lgbtq-books-in-public-libraries-in-iowa-heres-what-you-need-to-know-8308568

Garner, J.  (2018, April 18). Separate but still not equal. The Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association. https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=13704

Jemisin, N.K. (2010, May 26). Don’t put my book in the African American section. N.K. Jemisin. https://nkjemisin.com/2010/05/dont-put-my-book-in-the-african-american-section/

WorldCat Genres. (2017). Urban fiction. OCLC. https://www.worldcat.org/genres/urban-fiction.html