Many of you may remember a historic resolution presented by Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) this past Summer to the Resolutions Committee and to the Advocacy Team of the American Council of the Blind. Drafted in a collaboration between BPI and Kim Charlson and Paul Edwards, this resolution gained immediate action thanks to the tireless efforts of BPI LifeTime Member, Terry Gorman.

BPI’s original resolution consisted on urging National Library Services (NLS) to include an LGBTQ category. We were able to back up our ask by offering a compilation of all LGBTQ titles already available on BARD. This compilation was the result of the continuous and meticulous work of none other than Terry Gorman.

Terry has a passion for learning through reading, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of literature in general. He decided to undertake the task of creating a catalog of all LGBTQ-related titles available through NLS. When he presented this beautifully compiled bibliography to BPI, we were sure we needed to complement Terry’s laborious toil, and decided to move forth with our resolution.

Even though we did not have an in-person General Session this year, BPI promoted this resolution together with Terry’s bibliography at different ACB-Convention workshops where NLS representatives were present. To our surprise, and thanks to Terry’s already-completed bibliography, NLS acted upon our ask in a matter of days! BPI then worked with ACB’s Resolution Committee to adjust our resolution, now thanking NLS for the incorporation of an LGBTQ category, and requesting the distinction of three LGBTQ categories- Fiction, non-fiction, and young adult.

Tonight, we are honored and humbled to talk to Terry Gorman. He will tell us about his passion for Braille and literature. He will share his personal journey with us. He will also tell us what prompted him to undertake this project that has become a milestone enriching the life of those of us who are part of the intersectionality of being blind/visually impaired and LGBTQ. Terry has also been working on other projects that include platforms like Bookshare, and he will share this and other impactful initiatives he is currently leading.

Be a part of Pride Connection!

The theme song of Pride Connection; "Rainbow Connection" has been covered by many noteworthy and not-so-noteworthy bands over the years. We thought it would be cool to pair the voices of our community with the voices behind these covers of our theme song! If you want your voice to be featured in the intro and outro of our weekly radio show and podcast, then keep reading for more details!

Step 1:

Record yourself reading the intro and outro script included in this e-mail. Don't worry if you mess up... just start over and we'll fix it with the magic of post-production! Please record your voice with the highest quality settings you can.

Step 2:

Pick a version of "Rainbow Connection" that you would like your voice on top of. Include an alternate version in case someone else has already taken the one you wanted. If there is a version that is not on the list please let us know who it is by and if possible, provide us with a link to where we can hear it.

Step 3:

E-mail us your recording and song pick, we'll do the rest! Send all submissions to [email protected] the subject line of "Rainbow Connection".

Intro Script:

BPI Presents: Pride Connection. Sponsored by Blind LGBT Pride International. Tuesdays at 10 PM Eastern on ACB Radio Mainstream or wherever you get your podcasts.

Outro Script:

You have been listening to Pride Connection, sponsored by Blind LGBT Pride International. For more information go to blindLGBTpride.org.

Cover Versions:

The Rainbow Connection by Kermit