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LGBTQ+ Headings

The SWAN DEI in Metadata Networking Group is currently revisiting our approach to this topic. We are awaiting the publication of the DEI in Metadata Networking Group's LGBTQ+ toolkit before continuing this conversation.

Sexual minorities headings

A commonly-used high-level Library of Congress subject heading for the LGBTQ+ community is "sexual minorities." Although not inherently offensive, it is not a term in common usage. According to our research into SWAN patron search habits, the term "LGBTQ" is searched very often, yet results were primarily garnering hits from titles and summaries.

We have opted to supplement all "Sexual minorities" headings with equivalent "LGBTQ people" to help surface these materials to our patrons who seek them.