A piece of physical media is welcome in the Bi/Pan Library collection if it meets any of the following criteria: 

1. Fiction

A) The book features a main character or a significant secondary character who is canonically attracted to multiple genders, regardless of whether a specific identifying label is used on-page and regardless of the identity of the author.

B) The book features a questioning main character who explicitly considers bi, pan, fluid, or other m-spec identity, AND the narrative ends without a clear resolution to their questioning or a resolution that is left open to interpretation.

C) The book features a questioning main character who is implied to possibly be bi, pan, fluid, or otherwise m-spec AND the narrative ends without a clear resolution to their questioning or a resolution that is left open to interpretation.

2. Nonfiction

A) The book covers bi/pan/fluid issues specifically, regardless of the identity of the author.

B) The book is written by author(s) who self-identify as attracted to multiple genders, regardless of topic.

C) The book is written by or about public figures who are consensually & clearly “out” as attracted to multiple genders.

D) The is written by or about deceased historical & public figures whose identity remains unconfirmed, IF there is historical evidence or patterns of behavior that indicate the person may have been attracted to multiple genders (more nuance on our historical figure policy here.)

3. Movies & Television

A) The film or television show features a main character or significant secondary character is portrayed as attracted to more than one gender, whether a specific identifying label is used or not.

B) The film or television show features a questioning main character who explicitly considers bi/pan/fluid identity, AND the narrative ends without a clear resolution to their questioning or a resolution that is left open to interpretation.

C) The film or television show features a questioning main character who is implied to possibly be bi/pan/fluid, AND the narrative ends without a clear resolution to their questioning or a resolution that is left open to interpretation.

4. Periodicals

A) The entire periodical is focused on bi/pan/fluid issues.

B) Specific single issues of any periodical that contains a significant feature about bi/pan/fluid issues.

5. Zines

A) The zine is specifically focused on bi/pan/fluid issues, regardless of the identity of the creator.

B) The zine is created by a bi/pan/fluid person and discusses general queer/identity issues.

6. Ephemera

A) An item of bi/pan/fluid cultural importance that at one time belonged to and was used by a member of the queer community, such as a pride flag, a pansexual button/pin, a bisexual themed shirt, autographed items, etc.

B) Ephemera related to bi/pan/fluid history and culture such as a playbill for a bi/pan performing artist, posters/brochures from a queer resource center, letters/postcards relating to bisexual community, etc.

C) Significant personal belongings relating to a bi/pan/fluid person’s identity, such as a diary in which they wrote down an early recognition of their queerness, handwritten accounts of queer activism, etc.

Breadth of experience

The library is especially interested in collecting media by people of color, disabled/ill/neurodivergent people, trans/nonbinary/Two-Spirit people, intersex people, and asexual/aromantic people who are bi/pan/fluid or whose work involves bi/pan/fluid topics.

The Bi Pan Library does not exclusively collect material that is considered “good representation”.

Media’s inclusion in the collection is not an endorsement of the material’s content, or an endorsement of the actions taken / views expressed by the creator. You can read more about this policy on our FAQ page.