Many of you may remember a historic resolution presented by Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) this past Summer to the Resolutions Committee and to the Advocacy Team of the American Council of the Blind. Drafted in a collaboration between BPI and Kim Charlson and Paul Edwards, this resolution gained immediate action thanks to the tireless efforts of BPI LifeTime Member, Terry Gorman.
BPI’s original resolution consisted on urging National Library Services (NLS) to include an LGBTQ category. We were able to back up our ask by offering a compilation of all LGBTQ titles already available on BARD. This compilation was the result of the continuous and meticulous work of none other than Terry Gorman.
Terry has a passion for learning through reading, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of literature in general. He decided to undertake the task of creating a catalog of all LGBTQ-related titles available through NLS. When he presented this beautifully compiled bibliography to BPI, we were sure we needed to complement Terry’s laborious toil, and decided to move forth with our resolution.
Even though we did not have an in-person General Session this year, BPI promoted this resolution together with Terry’s bibliography at different ACB-Convention workshops where NLS representatives were present. To our surprise, and thanks to Terry’s already-completed bibliography, NLS acted upon our ask in a matter of days! BPI then worked with ACB’s Resolution Committee to adjust our resolution, now thanking NLS for the incorporation of an LGBTQ category, and requesting the distinction of three LGBTQ categories- Fiction, non-fiction, and young adult.
Tonight, we are honored and humbled to talk to Terry Gorman. He will tell us about his passion for Braille and literature. He will share his personal journey with us. He will also tell us what prompted him to undertake this project that has become a milestone enriching the life of those of us who are part of the intersectionality of being blind/visually impaired and LGBTQ. Terry has also been working on other projects that include platforms like Bookshare, and he will share this and other impactful initiatives he is currently leading.
Be a part of Pride Connection!
The theme song of Pride Connection; “Rainbow Connection” has been covered by many noteworthy and not-so-noteworthy bands over the years. We thought it would be cool to pair the voices of our community with the voices behind these covers of our theme song! If you want your voice to be featured in the intro and outro of our weekly radio show and podcast, then keep reading for more details!
Step 1:
Record yourself reading the intro and outro script included in this e-mail. Don’t worry if you mess up… just start over and we’ll fix it with the magic of post-production! Please record your voice with the highest quality settings you can.
Step 2:
Pick a version of “Rainbow Connection” that you would like your voice on top of. Include an alternate version in case someone else has already taken the one you wanted. If there is a version that is not on the list please let us know who it is by and if possible, provide us with a link to where we can hear it.
Step 3:
E-mail us your recording and song pick, we’ll do the rest! Send all submissions to [email protected] the subject line of “Rainbow Connection”.
Intro Script:
BPI Presents: Pride Connection. Sponsored by Blind LGBT Pride International. Tuesdays at 10 PM Eastern on ACB Radio Mainstream or wherever you get your podcasts.
Outro Script:
You have been listening to Pride Connection, sponsored by Blind LGBT Pride International. For more information go to blindLGBTpride.org.
Cover Versions:
The Rainbow Connection by Kermit
Rainbow Connection by Dana Valery
The Rainbow Connection by Kamahl
The Rainbow Connection by Judy Collins
The Rainbow Connection by Daryle Rice with The Loonis McGlohon Quartet
Rainbow Connection by Ronny Whyte
The Rainbow Connection by Mary O’Hara
Rainbow Connection by Lea Salonga
Rainbow Connection by The Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy
The Rainbow Connection by Gloria Loring
The Rainbow Connection by Michelle Nicastro
The Rainbow Connection by Kenny Loggins
Rainbow Connection by Fifteen.
The Rainbow Connection by Peter Cousens
The Rainbow Connection by Charles Tichenor
Rainbow Connection by Less Than Jake
The Rainbow Medley: Rainbow Connection by Paige O’Hara
The Rainbow Connection by Me First and The Gimme Gimmes
Rainbow Connection by Voice Male [US]
Rainbow Connection by Willie Nelson
The Rainbow Connection by Carpenters
The Rainbow Connection by Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand
The Rainbow Connection by Daniel Ahren
Rainbow Connection by The Jabberwocks
Rainbow Connection by Kacey Musgraves
The Rainbow Connection by Sarah McLachlan
Rainbow Connection by Peter Cincotti
Rainbow Connection by Mark Trevorrow
The Rainbow Connection by Dixie Chicks
Rainbow Connection by Jason Mraz
The Rainbow Connection by Kiki & Herb
The Rainbow Connection by Jeff Hedberg
The Rainbow Connection by David Hobson
The Rainbow Connection by Johnny Mathis
Rainbow Connection by Wendee Glick
Rainbow Connection by John Cassel
Rainbow Connection by Jasper Kump
Rainbow Connection by Double Down
Rainbow Connection by MichaelAngelo
Rainbow Connection by Daphne Rubin-Vega
The Rainbow Connection by Paul Williams, Willie Nelson
Rainbow Connection by Beverley Mahood
The Rainbow Connection by Dwayne Britton
The Rainbow Connection by Beth McDonald
Rainbow Connection by Jane Monheit
The Rainbow Connection by Trespassers William
Rainbow Connection by Weezer and Hayley Williams
The Rainbow Connection by Maria Markesini
The Rainbow Connection by Josh Young
Rainbow Connection by Amy Yassinger
Rainbow Connection by Marissa Mulder
The Rainbow Connection by edu
Rainbow Connection by Joey Sontz
Rainbow Connection by Chapter 6
Rainbow Connection by Marco Rosato
Rainbow Connection by Regine Velasquez-Alcasid
Rainbow Connection by Glee Cast
Rainbow Connection by Zee Avi
The Rainbow Connection by Nick Ziobro
Rainbow Connection by Joshua Payne
Rainbow Connection by Death Blossoms
The Rainbow Connection by Diana Panton
Rainbow Connection by Gwen Stefani
Rainbow Connection by Emerson Parris
Rainbow Connection by Sam Tsui
Rainbow Connection by Malinda Kathleen Reese
Rainbow Connection by Megan Hilty
Rainbow Connection by Jeremy Stolle
The Rainbow Connection by Nicki Parrott
Rainbow Connection by Joe Stilgoe
Rainbow Connection by Sleeping at Last
The Rainbow Connection by Adam Lopez
Rainbow Connection by Lisa Loeb
Rainbow Connection by Alexis Michelle
Rainbow Connection by Andy Reed
Rainbow Connection by The Radish Friends
The Rainbow Connection by Mimi Bessette
Rainbow Connection by Michael Longoria
Rainbow Connection by Pomplamoose
Rainbow Connection by Joseph Vincent
Rainbow Connection by Puddles Pity Party featuring Petra Haden
Rainbow Connection by The Midnight Strings Orchestra
The Rainbow Connection by David Weiss with Members of the Los Angeles Philarmonic
The Rainbow Connection by Kenny Drew Jr.
The Rainbow Connection by Joe Locke
The Rainbow Connection by Ken Rhodes Trio
Rainbow Connection by Tommy Newsom
Rainbow Connection by Jacek Mielcarek, Marek Walarowski
The Rainbow Connection by John Livingston
Rainbow Connection by Lorie Line
The Rainbow Connection by Dave Baker
Rainbow Connection by Jackie Bradley
The Rainbow Connection by Paul Rigby
The Rainbow Connection by Jim McDonough
The Rainbow Connection by Ted Yoder
The Rainbow Connection by Lullaby Baby Trio
Rainbow Connection by Midnite String Quartet
Rainbow Connection by Death Blossoms
Rainbow Connection by Adriel Bote
The Rainbow Connection by Acoustic Heartstrings
Rainbow Connection by Stringspace
Rainbow Connection (Moopets version) by Fozzie Bear and The Moopets
Chanson de l’arc-en-ciel by Kermit
Rainbow Connection by The Brothers Cazimero