For immediate release | February 26, 2018

Brandon West named recipient of 2018 GLBTRT Award for Political Activism

91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — Brandon West has been named the recipient of the 91´«Ã½’s (91´«Ã½) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) Award for Political Activism. The award will be presented on Monday, June 25, 2018 during the Stonewall Book Awards program at the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in New Orleans.

“I am honored to receive the GLBT Round Table’s Award for Political Activism,” West said. “Because of the brave LGBTQ people and our allies, Project Q&A is raising the visibility for the LGBTQ community in Southeast Kansas. I would like to thank the GLBT Round Table for selecting me for this award, and the Independence Public Library and Independence, Kansas business community who have recognized the need for LGBTQ equality.”

In announcing the award, GLBTRT Chair Jen Maguire-Wright stated: "The work Brandon has done for his community, through the library, and through creating Project Q&A represents the local work that is important and necessary. The impact he has had on his community has far reaching benefits and is a wonderful example to us all.”

The GLBTRT Award for Political Activism seeks to recognize librarians and library related organizations who have made outstanding contributions in the area of GLBT activism. The award consists of a certificate and $1,000.

To learn more about GLBTRT Awards, please visit

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table of the 91´«Ã½ is the oldest professional association for GLBT people in the United States. It is committed to serving the information needs of the GLBT professional library community and information and access needs of individuals at large. It is home to GLBT Book Month (tm), a nationwide celebration every June and the Stonewall Book Award, the oldest award honoring GLBT books. GLBTRT is committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the 91´«Ã½ and democratic institutions.

Contact:

Briana Jarnagin

Member Services Assistant

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

bjarnagin@ala.org