The Queer Museum & Library Network (QMLN) seeks to facilitate collaboration on LGBTQ+-themed programs, empower LGBTQ+ workers, and foster welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ visitors at public educational and cultural institutions.
Mission
Current Challenges
In 2025 alone, the U.S. has seen over 600 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills introduced, with over 70 already passed into law. The vast majority of these bills target transgender rights, including bans on public facilities, education, healthcare, and identification.
The federal government’s censorship and defunding of cultural institutions across the country are especially harmful to the LGBTQIA+ community. An executive order from the Trump administration earlier this year stated its intention of barring Smithsonian museums from displaying any content that portrays the country in a negative light, which could include any mentions of discrimination and oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Increasing book bans disproportionately target books with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes. Drag story hours face cancellations in response to protests and threats. DEI programs that ensure the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ workers are being dismantled nationwide.
Choosing Progress
Museums, archives, libraries, and other cultural and educational institutions can choose to comply with oppressive norms, or they can challenge the status quo, fight against censorship, and create safer community spaces. QMLN will work to ensure that institutions are able to not only resist attacks on existing LGBTQIA+ content, but to produce more LGBTQIA+ content than ever before.
A large population of the museum and library workforce is made up of LGBTQIA+ individuals, many of whom are passionate about making positive changes at their institutions. What we need is the framework and collaboration to support these initiatives through advocacy, shared resources, and collaborations. When old sources of support can no longer be depended upon, QMLN steps in to deliver the critical services needed to continue and further the work.
Creating Impact
QMLN will strive to generate new opportunities for LGBTQIA+ museum and library workers, including community, mutual support and validation, collaborative work towards goals that hold personal importance, self-actualization and connection to self-identity, and empowerment to advocate for themselves and others.
At QMLN, we envision a world with more public spaces where LGBTQIA+ individuals will feel welcome, meet others in the community, and engage in content that celebrates and honors who we are. A world where workplaces are safer and more affirming for LGBTQIA+ workers. A world with more exhibits, archives, events, and other programs that educate the public on LGBTQIA+ history, culture, and politics, in order to increase understanding and foster allyship.