Our reach.
What is Carabiner Collections?
Who Are We?
We are three queer individuals passionate about increasing access to LGBTQIA+ literature in the Brazos Valley. We created Carabiner Collections with the belief that everyone deserves access to stories that reflect their experiences and foster a sense of belonging.
In a community where affirming spaces can be difficult to find, we strive to provide a welcoming environment where people can discover new perspectives, connect with others, and find pride and solidarity.
Each director brings their own strengths to the table, helping make Carabiner Collections a visible and accessible safe haven for our community.
Book Bans
As Texas residents, the directors of Carabiner Collections have witnessed firsthand how restrictions on LGBTQIA+ resources affect individuals and communities. Texas bans three times more books per year than any other state, and 45% of those banned books were written by or about LGBTQIA+ people.
In the face of these challenges, creating accessible, affirming spaces is not just important; it is necessary to ensure that queer stories, histories, and perspectives remain available to those who need them.
Our response is simple: to preserve access to LGBTQIA+ literature, foster community, and celebrate queer voices through a free, welcoming library for all.
(Source: The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom)
Why Lavender Carabiners?
The Carabiner: The carabiner is a lesbian symbol that emerged from outdoor culture, as the tool represents strength, safety, and connection. Moreso, During World War II, blue‑collar women used carabiners on their belt loops as a subtle way to signal their identity to other lesbians. Though less widely recognized than other LGBTQIA+ symbols, the carabiner remains meaningful to many for what it represents.
Lavender: Lavender holds deep historical and cultural meaning within the LGBTQIA+ community. Its association developed over time through influences such as Victorian literature, early feminist movements, and pivotal events like the Stonewall Riots. Rooted in both artistic expression and activism, lavender became a symbol of identity, resistance, and visibility, and it continues to represent LGBTQIA+ history and pride today.
Building Community: A Timeline
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The idea for Carabiner Collections was born during a road trip west toward California. Along the journey, co-founders Soleil, J, and Jordan derived inspiration at the Lavender Library in Sacramento, California.
What began as a conversation about access to queer resources in Texas quickly grew into a tangible vision—one focused on increasing access to queer books and strengthening community connection in the Brazos Valley.
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Carabiner Collections launched its first outreach efforts with the support of a small but passionate group of community members. Through early fundraising, the organization raised enough to build its website and catalog and to debut a booth at First Friday in Downtown Bryan.
Additionally their outreach was installed in accessible book lockers at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley and Roots Psychotherapy.
Later this year, using the funding from the 2023 Project For Awesome grant, Carabiner Collections upgraded their library into a mobile book bus, dramatically increasing their collection and accessibility.
Within this year, Carabiner Collections was able to co-host a Banned Books Giveaway and Dance Party with author Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket, Books Not Bans, and Everything on the Shelves at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley.
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The original goal for this year had been to lead a pride parade with the book bus at the helm, but instead, efforts were redirected to host the first-ever Pride Book Fair for 2025: A FREE, family-friendly community celebration spotlights LGBTQ+ stories, culture and history. This event also includes author presentations, drag performances, a diverse vendor market and more.
Carabiner Collections followed this event by launching the Queer Book Club and a book locker in the upstairs space at Murphy’s Law. This year marked many major upgrades across the organization, including the catalog system, website, infographics and outreach materials.
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Though 2026 is still unfolding, Carabiner Collections has already hosted Queerly Beloved: An intimate Valentine’s Day whiskey tasting paired with stories from queer elders, all in support of the Pride Book Fair 2026.
A new book locker popped up at Raven Books and the Pride Book Fair 2026 was hosted and celebrated!
Now Carabiner Collections takes the show OFF the road, by opening up a physical space in Downtown Bryan, where their library can expand and become a center for the LGBTQ+ Community