The Chris Gonzalez Collection

In existence for over 25 years, the Chris Gonzalez Library and Archives served as a place where LGBTQ+ people could access materials specific to their community. Curated by Michael Bohr, the library was comprised of over 7,000 titles, mostly from donations from community members.

In 2017, Indy Pride entered into a partnership with The Indianapolis Public Library to receive most of the book and video materials, curate. The now-named Chris Gonzalez Collection is housed at Central Library, with extra copies of items floating throughout the system.

There are three ways to find items in the collection:

View the Collection in our online catalog.
Visit the permanent display highlighting the Collection in the Simon Reading Room at Central Library.
Items that are a part of the Collection have an identifying bookplate inside.

The Indianapolis Public Library strives to serve everyone in Marion County. Since 2018, we have been working diligently on improving our collections at a higher level of inclusiveness for people of color, women, non-binary, transgender, and lesbian/bisexual/queer/+ authors, as well as people at the intersections of these identities and adding programs specifically to include and support the LGBTQ+ community and to educate the community at large about LGBTQ+ issues. LGBTQ+ Services@ Your Library

Reading Lists from IndyPL Librarians:

Recent LGBTQ+ Films - From traumatic to heart-warming, this group of films from 2016 - 2019 delves into many thought-provoking real and serious life experiences . Get the streaming versions and more LGBTQ+ titles through Kanopy and your library card at IndyPL_DebL
Pride, Self-Identification, and Children - Regardless of how children identify it's important to teach them to be proud of whoever and whatever they are. These books are a great way to expose kids to this fact and an even better way for parents to connect with their child. IndyPL_JosephL
More LGBTQ+ Booklists from IndyPL Librarians for kids, teens & adults.