LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officer

In 2020 the Library appointed its first LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officer. The role of the Liaison Officer is to promote an inclusive Library environment for LGBTQIA+ students and staff by connecting them to the community, and to events and services offered by the Library and University’s Pride network. The Library’s LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officer is also able to offer recommendations for resources and support services on offer for LGBTQIA+ people.

The LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officer role was created by the University’s Pride Network. Liaison Officers are found across campus in various departments and faculties. All Liaison Officers undergo training coordinated by the University of Sydney Pride Network and the Diversity and Inclusion Team from the Workforce Development division of HR.

Currently, the Library has two LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officers, James Hannigan (he/him) and Caitlin Erbacher (she/her). Both LGBTQIA+ officers can be contacted on librarypride.support@sydney.edu.au

James Hannigan:

Hi, I’m James Hannigan and I’m one of the new LGBTQI liaison officers. I’ve been working around the libraries for fifteen years and have helped hundreds of students, staff and other members with their queries. Now I’m taking a new step to help other members of the LGBTQI communities within the Library.

Caitlin Erbacher:

My name is Caitlin Erbacher, and I'm one of the Library's LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officers. I have a background in research, with particular interests in the histories of gender, sexuality, and colonialism. I am currently working in the Library's Project Team, supporting a number of projects aimed at improving diversity, inclusion, and equity within the Library. If you have any questions for me, or simply want to have a chat, you can shoot me an email anytime, or find me working on the information desk in Fisher or SciTech Library several days a week.

Contact the Library's LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officer

Find out more about LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officers

Listen: Pride and how to be an ally on the Library's podcast, Peerpod.

Welcome Here Project

The Library became a registered member of the Welcome Here Project in 2019. The Welcome Here Project was created to highlight businesses and organisations throughout Australia that are visibly welcoming, inclusive safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people. Members of the Welcome Here Project display rainbow stickers in a prominent place to let everyone know that the LGBTQIA+ community is welcomed and celebrated within their business.

Visit the Welcome Here website

LGBTQIA+ events and exhibitions

The Library and its staff participate in a number of events on and off campus that support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Mardi Gras, Wear it Purple Day and in-house exhibitions highlighting the library’s queer collection take place throughout the year. Keep an eye on the Library’s social media channels for the latest LGBTQIA+ events taking place.

Watch recordings of past events on the Library’s YouTube channel.

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Library LGBTQIA+ playlist

To celebrate the diversity and creativity of the community, the Library has created a LGBTQIA+ themed Spotify playlist. Why not tune in for some great sounds, including some classic party anthems.

Listen to the Library Pride playlist on Spotify

Use of Pronouns at the Library

The Library recognises the range of pronouns associated with gender diversity and respects people’s right to choose the pronouns they wish to be known by. The Library Senior Leadership Team and many Library staff display their pronoun email signature and in web conferencing accounts.

Review of gendered terms in Library collections

The Library has also undertaken a review of gendered terms used on its web sites, and has developed guidelines for the use of pronouns on its sites. This initiative, which was a first among Australian academic libraries, was undertaken to ensure that any pronouns used are correct and appropriate.

Read our guidelines for gendered terms

The University of Sydney Pride Network

The Pride Network supports inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ members of the University community. The Pride Network web page contains a wealth of information including an outline about what they do, membership information, a sign-up link for the Pride mailing list, helpful support resources, contacts for help and advice, and a list of members on campus that you to connect with like-minded people.

Learn more about the University of Sydney Pride Network

Learn more

Email the Library's LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officer