Rainbow Round Table Award for Political Activism

Awarded annually by the Rainbow Round Table (RRT) of the American Library Association, the purpose of the award is to honor librarians, library related organizations (including libraries, library staff, library boards, library friends), and other individuals or groups (public or private) that have demonstrated excellence in the area of LGBTQIA+ activism. The award is designed for someone who is involved in efforts to promote LGBTQIA+ issues, impedes the progress of anti-LGBTQIA+ efforts, or raises awareness of LGBTQIA+ matters locally, statewide, nationally or internationally. The award recognizes the work of taking a clear stance on an issue, voicing an opinion and working to ensure that positive change happens for the LGBTQIA+ community. The award may be given for a specific action, repeated actions (like a campaign), or a lifetime of work.

This award will be presented to an individual, group, or organization that has demonstrated positive and lasting change for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Innovation, collaboration, risk-taking, and being a change-agent will all be taken into account as part of the criteria for the award. The award will be given to a person, group, or organization that has invested time and talent to make positive changes for LGBTQIA+ people.

The award consists of a citation and $1,000. The award will be presented at the Stonewall Books Awards Program held at ALA Annual Conference.One award will be given annually to an eligible candidate. If a suitable candidate is not found, the award will not be presented in a given year.

Criteria

Innovation, collaboration, risk-taking, and being a change-agent will all be taken into account as part of the criteria for the award. The nominated person, group, or organization should demonstrate how they invested time and talent to make positive changes for LGBTQIA+ people.

  • Candidate shows a dedication to a LGBTQIA+ cause that can be demonstrated through specific actions taken in the awards consideration period.
  • Candidate’s work has led to a demonstrable improvement in the area of LGBTQIA+ issues, including but not limited to, workplace discrimination, housing, healthcare, marriage, teen issues, etc.
  • Candidate has been effective at communicating the need for work in areas related to LGBTQIA+ political activism and has been a consistent voice for positive change.
  • Candidate is a role model for future change efforts.

Nominees must show evidence of activism. Examples may include:

  • Collaboration with other LGBTQIA+, ally, or community groups.
  • Dedication to a LGBTQIA+ cause that can be demonstrated through specific actions taken in the awards consideration period.
  • Work resulting in demonstrable improvement in the area of LGBTQIA+ issues, including but not limited to, workplace discrimination, housing, healthcare, marriage, teen issues, gender issues, marriage equality, etc.
  • Communicating the need for work in areas related to LGBTQIA+ political activism and consistently voicing positive change.
  • Role modeling future change efforts.

Eligibility

Members of the current Rainbow Round Table Award for Political Activism Jury, their families or members of their households nor their respective institutions are ineligible to receive the Award. Further, donors to the awards are ineligible to receive the award to prevent the appearance of impropriety. Rainbow Round Table Executive Board members are also ineligible.

Nominations

Nominations for the 2023 award are open until March 31st, 2023 at 11:59pm Central.

Submission must be online, using the RRT Awards Online Application. A letter of nomination is required along with at least 5 but no more than ten supporting documents. Supporting documents can include letters of support, statements of outstanding contributions, copies of presentations, links to resources created, and other evidence. Only the materials submitted as part of the nomination package will be considered.

Apply for the award here.

Award List

  • 2016 Michael McConnell and Jack Baker
  • 2017 The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
  • 2018 Brandon West
  • 2019 no award given
  • 2020 Donna Braquet
  • 2021 no award given

Questions?

For assistance, please contact the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services at diversity@ala.org, or toll-free at 800-545-2433, ext. 4297