A PhD student at the University has begun a campaign to persuade the University Library to diversify its academic resources into specifically LGBT+ topics.

Eric Cervini, who is in the second year of his PhD on early LGBT+ activism in America, asked the UL to subscribe to a free trial of EbscoHost’s LGBT Life, a database which provides literature regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

He claims, however, that his request was rejected by the UL on grounds that there was not enough demand for such a database.

In response, he posted in Cambridge University Student Union (CUSU) LGBT+ Facebook group urging others to email the University Library expressing demand for the database.

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Speaking to Varsity , Cervini said, ” A university cannot claim to be a world-class institution of higher learning while failing to provide access to critical LGBT+ academic resources.

“To say that more than 800 other subjects deserve to be represented with e-resources, while LGBT+ studies do not, is to say we don’t matter. There is simply no excuse.

“That said, I hope that Cambridge has heard our demand and begins to represent LGBT+ studies in the one place that should always be welcome to all: the library.”

Cervini expressed surprise at the UL’s lack of resources on the topic, saying that the History faculty and his college, Emmanuel, have been very supportive of LGBT+ studies.

His cause has attracted the support of President of the CUSU LGBT+ campaign Tom Ashford, who offered in a Facebook comment to “help brew up some demand” and garner interest amongst students and staff.

A spokesperson for the University told Varsity: “The University Library maintains a proactive approach to equality, supporting and encouraging all under-represented groups, promoting an inclusive culture, and valuing diversity.”

They said that the UL was willing to accede to the campaigners’ request: “The UL welcomes the recent recommendations from students and researchers that it provide access to an LGBT+ database. Since a number of databases exist covering LGBT+ studies, the UL has offered trial access to a number of them in the Easter term to allow the recommenders to provide feedback on them before a decision is taken on which to acquire.”

They added that the UL offers a substantial amount of literature on LGBT+ issues: “The UL holds a wealth of material on LGBT+ studies along with literary and historical works of related interest. Its holdings of UK publications in this area is close to comprehensive due to its legal deposit status. It welcomes this new interest as an opportunity for the UL to develop its electronic collections to complement its strong holdings in print.”