By Regina Duffy

Falvey Library strives to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for the entire Villanova community, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. Through its new and expanding resources, services, and events, one of Falvey’s continuing goals is to embrace a diverse range of perspectives and to help to initiate productive and respectful dialogue on campus. It is in this spirit that we encourage the community to join us in pursuing opportunities for increased awareness about LGBTQ+ related topics, needs, and challenges.

First, in honor of Pride Month, please see our recent blog about the collection of LGBTQ+ resources available through Falvey, including books, e-books, databases, magazines, and videos. Within these platforms, you can browse various topics including microaggressions, advocacy, identities, LGBTQ+ history, mental health, culture, writing, and literature. Take the time to read more and educate yourself!

Also, check out VU Pride! Described as a “group of students, faculty and staff working together to foster awareness and celebration of LGBTQ+ identities on campus,” VU Pride is another great place to learn more. Its website contains a wealth of information, including educational opportunities, social events, campus-wide resources, and general support.

In fact, several times per semester, VU Pride offers faculty, staff, and students opportunities for Safe Zone 101 Training in order to create awareness about the LGBTQ+ experience at Villanova and to help build allyship across campus. This two-hour interactive training lays a foundation of general knowledge which attendees are then able to build upon with follow-up workshops on specific topics. In addition to the general Safe Zone training, offerings this year included “LGBT Pop Culture,” “Intersectionality of Identities,” “Advocacy,” “Non-Binary Identities,” as well as “Perspectives & Strategies from a Transgender CEO – Creating Inclusivity Through Empathy.”

Several Falvey staff members and Library building tenants have participated in Safe Zone Training. You can find a full listing of Safe Zone volunteers across campus here. We encourage you to reach out to a volunteer if you need a safe space to express your feelings or concerns.

Beyond Villanova, there are many other places to find helpful resources related to LGBTQ-related topics as well.

Here are a just a few that we can suggest:

• Resources for LGBTQ Philadelphians from the City of Philadelphia
• LGBTQ Resource List from GLAAD
• PFLAG Advocacy and Support Blog

If you have any resources you would like to contribute to Falvey’s Diversity and Inclusion Resource Guide, please submit them through our form.

Help us celebrate Pride month by being an ally within the Villanova Community and beyond.

Regina Duffy is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Memorial Library.