Typical questions

• • Which countries ban same-sex marriage?

• • Where can I get information on the Wolfenden report?

Starting points

• • LGBT+ histories are often ‘hidden’. Mainstream publications have frequently excluded their voices. Recently, projects have sought to remedy this failing, however students may need assistance in constructing search terms as many catalogues have used a variety of terms to refer to the community. Many are now considered inappropriate so care needs to be taken. Archive materials may remain uncatalogued and assistance in navigating these should be sought from specialist staff.

• • Many sources of information and data continue to be compiled by NGOs rather than governments. The Grey Literature chapter offers some other suggestions.

• • LGBT studies are broad and interdisciplinary. This section focuses specifically on resources relating to sexuality. Other key chapters include History, Law and Human Rights.

Recommended resources

Key organisations – governments

There may not be a specific body so try to identify any that cover equality. Crime agencies often have recorded levels of hate crime that include homophobia and transphobia. The following websites have official statistics and policy documents.

Government Equalities Office

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-equalities-office UK government body which leads on policy relating to sexual orientation.

Key organisations – activism

Use these websites to find community information (e.g. Pride listings) plus commentary on government policy. Often they maintain better statistics than the government offices.

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)

www.ilga.org

Worldwide federation of more than 1,200 groups from over 130 nations who campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans rights. The website has an excellent resources section with reports on state sponsored homophobia and mappings of sexual orientation laws worldwide. There are regional sub-bodies, such as ILGA- Europe (www.ilga-europe.org), who maintain their own websites.

OutRight Action International

www.outrightinternational.org

Leading international LGBTIQ rights organisation.

Stonewall [Basic]

www.stonewall.org.uk

UK's most well-known organisation, founded in 1989. Website provides free access to a wealth of activist resources as well as detailed research reports on health, the workplace and social justice. Includes regular annual rankings of employers.

Transgender Europe (TGEU)

tgeu.org

Includes situation reports and mappings of rights in individual European countries.

Libraries and archives

Use their online catalogues to trace valuable sources of grey literature which may be undocumented elsewhere. Other sources include national libraries and archives.