It seems like every time we read the news LGBTQ+ rights are under attack someplace. Yet, we always hear wonderful stories from queer people about how amazing the country, state, city, town, neighborhood, or cabin in the woods where they live really is.
This year’s IHS reading challenge will focus on books set in different parts of the world. We think it’s vital to show that sapphic people not only exist but are everywhere.
We also want to hear from authors and readers about where they live. If you’d like to share your experiences, click here for the interview form.
Today, Dana is here to tell us about Auburn, AL, USA.
Where in the world will you be taking us today?
Auburn, AL, USA
Tell us in one sentence what’s so special about living in this place.
It’s a purple university town in a deeply red state so it’s an LGBTQ oasis
How long have you lived there? Or, if you no longer live in this place, how long were you there and when did you leave?
I have worked at the university of the same name for 34 years
What is/was it like being a sapphic (or LGBTQ+) person living in this place?
In the 1990s, one of the people we hired was an out lesbian. Some of my more conservative colleagues disapproved. But no one refused to work with her. For me, it was a revelation, as I started to understand my own sexuality through her friendship. I am not sure when Pride Fest started but it’s been the first Saturday in June for many years. We have been hit with book banners going after our library collections in recent years but we are fighting back. Sadly, my state passed anti DEI legislation on what schools and universities can teach. The professors are up in arms, but my university administration has chosen some form of appeasement. So I don’t feel as safe as I did before.
What about living in this place gives you hope?
Most students and faculty at my university are conservative yet still open minded. There’s prejudice and homophobia in some departments, but most people are interested in whether we and our colleagues can carry out the university mission with smaller resources. As a land grant university, we are focused on research that solves real world problems such as bringing rural health-care to the poorer counties and starting campus wide daycare for employees that is affordable. The Auburn Family is a concept taken seriously by all. It means that anyone associated with Auburn is part of the family and we stand up for each other no matter where you are in the administration chain. It’s not perfect, but we are accepting of differences and kind to one another. The insurance is some of the best in the country before the Affordable Care act and exceeds that standard. Most social activities are associated with churches but many churches are progressive like mine and welcome LGBTQ members. There is more division now because of current events, but we manage to remain civil. Like many places, there is a more hidden dark side, but the innate respect of persons written into our creed has kept it from exploding. It’s not perfect, but it is human, both good and bad. For me, it has been the best fit and very good to me, so I stay.
Are there any challenges to living in this place, either as a queer person or more generally?
This is in the Deep South in the middle of the Bible Belt, so there has always been racism and homophobia. For a while the university had been invested in diversity, equality, and inclusion, but the state is pushing that back following current national policies. My colleagues and I can get into charged discussions, and I am starting to see the divisions in our society more openly and more divisive among my colleagues. This is a change from the civility that was the norm. I feel less safe than a few years earlier. Also, Auburn falls prey to token representation over real acceptance sometimes. I have been a token female in the military of the 1990s. I see that same tokenization and micro aggression here. It has started to get worse with current events and the current rise of the far right in the US.
For someone who has never been there, what’s the one thing that they must see or do if visiting your area?
The Auburn campus is beautiful and the interior campus is designed for pedestrians. There are many beautiful parks and places to walk. An effort has been made to preserve trees despite the city growth over the years. TLDR; It’s green and people are kind and friendly to strangers.
What’s the one type of regional food and/or drink they absolutely must try?
Fried chicken and fried okra
Do you have a favorite local restaurant? What makes it special?
There is a wide variety of cuisine since we have a varied immigrant population. There are restaurants serving fusions of Asian and American food, Mexican, Indian, Thai, steak houses, relies, pizza, and a Cracker Barrel specializing in Southern comfort food. Restaurants come and go but local favorites are Chicken Salad Chick and Chappy’s Deli. The former sells salads and casseroles to go in single and family sizes. Chappy’s Deli is a local hangout. I saved the best for last. Toomer’s Drug Store sells the best lemonade in the world. It’s been around since the early 20th century and you can’t visit Auburn without getting a freshly squeezed lemonade at Toomer’s. Look for the iconic Toomer’s Corner, site of all university celebrations. The store is diagonally across from the university entrance. Word of warning: if you want unsweetened ice tea you have to order it by name. If you say tea, you get sweet tea with more sugar than tea.
Meet Dana
I am a faculty member in the Auburn University Libraries with tenure. That’s why I have been here 34 years and hope to retire in a few years. The town and University are full of kind people on both sides of the divide. It’s been a good place for me from the beginning. I am obviously a book dragon, and the city and University libraries are top notch. So many books, so little time. I am also an aspiring writer and game designer dedicated to small acts of kindness whenever I find an opportunity. My colleagues come to me if they need to vent because they trust me not to judge them or tell their business to everyone in the library.
