[5][6] One of the core values of the organization is to reflect the diversity of the United States by "providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities" being served.
[7][8] Originally established as the Task Force on Gay Liberation, part of ALA's Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT), the group was coordinated by Israel David Fishman in 1970, then by Barbara Gittings the following year.
In the case of the Library of Congress Classification, materials had been designated to the scheme (HQ 71) for "Abnormal Sexual Relations, Including Sexual Crimes"; but after receiving the request from the Task Force, the Library of Congress in 1972 reclassified such books into the newly created scheme (HQ 76.5) for "Homosexuality, Lesbianism—Gay Liberation Movement, Homophile Movement".
Some critiqued the cover as being "in poor taste" and accused the magazine of "glorifying homosexuality", while others voiced support of the editorial decision.
Christine Williams, who wrote an essay about the controversy surrounding the cover, concluded that in the mid-90s, the library world was "not an especially welcoming place to gays and lesbians.