Pride Connection Presents: Terry Gorman

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