The document summarizes the history and activities of the Aibai Culture & Education Center (ACEC) Information Clearinghouse for Chinese Speaking Gay & Lesbian (ICCGL). It discusses how the organization started as a personal web presence in 1998 and transformed into a combination of web and community support organization by 2003. It now operates two centers in Beijing and Chengdu, provides technical support to grassroots groups, and is actively involved in policy advocacy and information sharing. The ICCGL also established an LGBT library/archive in 2005 that collects books, periodicals, and artifacts to make resources available to researchers and the public. It faces challenges in collection, publishing, and expanding access but plans to address these by increasing acquisition

1. Jiang Hui Charles Damien Lu, PhD. Aibai Culture & Education Center (ACEC) Information Clearinghouse for Chinese Speaking Gay & Lesbian(ICCGL) May 9th, New York ALMS CONFERENCE New Yok, 8-10 May 2008 Aibai LGBT Library/Archive

2. Contents The Growing Up of Aibai Aibai Library/Archive LGBT Scholarship in China Challenges Achievements Future Plan

3. The Growing Up of Aibai History Personal web presence for a gay couple, 1998

4. The Growing Up of Aibai Public information page for world-wide Chinese speaking LGBT, 1999

5. The Growing Up of Aibai History Transformation from web only to combination of web and community support organization, 2003

6. The Growing Up of Aibai Current Situation Web site continues to be one of the most important LGBT Chinese language sites, voted “Most Favorite Local Site” by Fridae.com 2007. Operate two centers, Beijing and Chengdu. Provide technical support to grassroots groups, particularly campus groups.

7. Provide technical support to grassroots groups, particularly campus groups. The Growing Up of Aibai Current Situation

8. Actively involved in policy advocacy. Promote research and information sharing The Growing Up of Aibai Current Situation

9. Library/Archive: History Collection began in 2003 Physical location 2005

10. Library/Archive: Collecions Books published in China: 700 Books published in Taiwan and Hong Kong: 300 Foreign language books: 150 Periodicals/Brochures: 900 Audio/Video: 400 First hand original manuscripts/notes Electronic Posters, etc

11. Library/Archive: Collecions Books published in Taiwan and Hong Kong

12. Library/Archive: Collecions First hand original manuscripts/notes

13. Library/Archive: Usage Opening to the public. Access to researchers by arrangement. Electronic digest.

14. LGBT Scholarship in China: Disconnect Before During After Information without context Information without peer review Academic Depth

15. LGBT Scholarship in China: Gaps Psychology and Sexual Psychology. Sexuality Sexual minority sub cultures.

16. LGBT Scholarship in China: Translation/Introduction Low Quantity Low Quality Lack of selection and editorial comments

17. LGBT Scholarship in China: Difficulty in Publication Censorship Funding Copy Right Issues

18. Importance of LGBT Library/Archive To General LGBT Readership Tradition of reverence for “Book Knowledge”. Source for understanding sexuality and self-identity. Elevate feeling of loneliness and helplessness To LGBT Scholars Source of academic information. Focal point of information exchange

19. To General Scholars Source of general information on sexuality Cross disciplinary research (Law, sociology, anthropology, folk lore, etc) Popular Science Sex education in high schools and colleges. Society at large Importance of LGBT Library/Archive

20. Achievements Fostering a generation of LGBT with healthy self-identity and distinct culture. Cultivate LGBT activists

21. Achievements Disseminate ideas throughout Chinese society. Helping fledgling LGBT studies. Counter attack on superstition and ignorance. Fighting foreign fundamentalist encroachment.

22. Challenges Collection Source of original material. Logistics in translation Difficulties in publishing (Rights, resources, etc). Difficulties in importing Need for an appropriate indexing system. Need for greater opening to the public (lack of material and human resources). Lack of academic exchange

23. Future Plans Expand acquisition sources. Establish collaborative relationships with similar entities. Cooperation with academic and research institutions. Encourage donations. Digitizing and web enabling. Oral History Data Base. Chinese LGBT Encyclopedia. Anthologies of historical document prior to 1840, and contemporary LGBT material.

24. Thank You!