Gender & Sexual Minorities (LGBTQIA) Studies Subject Guide — Search Hints and Tips

You'll need to try a variety of search terms to find articles and items in the library catalog.

Use a ? to broaden your search.  For example, searching lesbian? as a keyword will return results for lesbian, lesbians, and lesbianism all at once.

Examples:

keyword: gay

keyword: lesbian?

keyword: homosexual?

keyword: queer?

keyword: queer studies

keyword: gay rights

keyword: gay liberation

keyword: transgender?

keyword: bisexual?

keyword: asexual?

keyword: intersex

Library of Congress Subject Headings are classifications agreed upon by all US libraries and can be a helpful tool when you are searching for information. However, LC Subject Headings regarding sexual orientation and gender identity often do not reflect up to date or fully accurate terminology.  

Older materials especially will have the subject heading Homosexuality. 

Instead of Transgender, the LC Subject Heading is Transgenderism.

Experiment with different keywords.  If you have trouble finding what you're looking for, just ask!