Melinda Brown

What is your role and area of focus here at Vanderbilt University?

I’m the librarian for Inclusion Initiatives and the librarian for Women’s and Gender Studies. In the first role, I look at points of intersection in inclusion, diversity and accessibility in the libraries and on campus, and how we might bring the two together. In the second role, I work with faculty and students in the Women’s and Gender Studies program to make sure the library supports their teaching, learning and research.

How did you arrive at Vanderbilt?

I was new in my librarian career – in a temporary job at North Carolina State University. In a rare moment when all the stars aligned, I sent out four resumes and got two job interviews, including Vanderbilt, and then a call from a third after I’d accepted the job at Vanderbilt.

Who were the key people that influenced you and helped you on your journey?

My middle sister was my first ally – from back in the 1970s. She’s continued to be supportive of me throughout my journey. More recently (although it’s been 23 years now), a library school friend and I have been there for each other – through job and relationship changes and moves around the country. She’s been a good role model and mentor. She and her wife are absolutely the best!

What do you love about sexual identity and/or gender identity/expression?

People often guess wrong about me when it comes to sexual identity and gender expression. I love this, because it keeps me on my toes when I meet other people.

What does your sexual, gender identity and/or gender expression add to your role here at Vanderbilt?

My undergraduate learning as a women’s studies major coupled with my experience at bisexual+ conferences/support groups and LGBTQ activist conferences have helped broaden my awareness and understanding of the ways race, gender, class, physical abilities and so many other aspects of human lives combine in patterns of privilege and disadvantage. This is useful in my role here where I look for ways in which the libraries can contribute more to campus-wide goals of inclusion.

What do you want others to know about LGBTQI communities at Vanderbilt and beyond?

Visible LGBTQI people/organizations are somewhat like the tip of an iceberg. What you’re seeing is only a small part of the LGBTQI community. There are many people who may choose not to participate in the visible groups, yet are comfortably out in their jobs/classes – sharing their weekend activities and/or their partner/spouse status openly. Then there are the LGBTQI folks who don’t yet feel safe enough to be open about their identities – and that’s ok. This way of being is true beyond Vanderbilt, as well.

What are some key moments within LGBTQI history that are important to you?

Recognition of bisexual people’s contribution to LGBTQI history is important to me, so I have to say that Brenda Howard, the Mother of Pride, is someone who should be known. She was the main person who put forward the idea that there should be an event recognizing the Stonewall riots a year after, and worked toward it becoming an annual event. Related to Vanderbilt, I have to mention the Vanderbilt Gay Rights Association that, back in 1977, did work that led to sexual orientation eventually being added to Vanderbilt’s non-discrimination clause in 1991. They worked with the Tennessee Gay Coalition for Human Rights to educate the public about the discrimination they faced at that time.

What message do you have for the Vanderbilt community about serving and supporting LGBTQI people and communities?

Often I hear from people that they want to be supportive of LGBTQI people, yet they aren’t sure of the language to use and don’t want to be offensive. GLAAD, which originally stood for Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, is an LGBTQ media watchdog that has produced an excellent resource in its Media Reference Guide (https://www.glaad.org/reference). This guide gives a great introduction to language used by the LGBTQ community that can help get conversations started if language has been holding you back.

What mark do you hope to leave on Vanderbilt, your community, the nation, the world?

Throughout my time as an activist, I’ve had individuals come up to tell me that they’ve changed their minds about bisexuality just by knowing me. While I’d certainly like to do something large in this life that is remembered by many, I’m also satisfied by knowing that I’ve been able to touch people on an individual level by living as authentically as I can.

What is a fun or interesting fact about you?

When I first came out in the late 70s, my friends and I would go to the gay bar and dance. I’ve always thought of dance as an expression of who I am, and have moved through disco to world music and trance dance – especially Gabrielle Roth.