GABLES Membership Drive: Columbia's lesbigay employees are invited to join GABLES-CU. The new formal membership arrangement is expected to strengthen GABLES by counting members and by partially defraying the cost of GABLES projects. To join for this academic year, send a check for $20 (less if $20 is difficult), payable to "Columbia University," to GABLES-CU, Box 105, Central Mail Room.
The Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum will present its 8th Annual National Black Lesbian and Gay Conference Institutes. This year's theme is: "Black Lesbians and Gays: Our Families Make a Difference," and the dates are February 16 - 20, 1995, at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton Towers. The Forum is seeking volunteers for the conference steering committee, workshop proposals, presenters, and an artist to capture the conference theme. Please contact Russell Thornhill or A. Renee Williams, Conference Coordinators, at: The Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, 1219 So. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90019. Tel: (213) 964-7820, Fax: (213) 964-7830.
It's Not Too Late to Register to Vote: Anyone who will be 18 by election day, November 8, can register to vote in the upcoming general election. The deadline is October 14. You can get an application from E. R. Shipp (Room 303-E Journalism Building) as long as her supply lasts; or you can get an application at most libraries and post offices. If all that fails, of course, you can call the Board of Elections at (212) 487-5300 and have them mail you one. AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!
For Domestic Partners Who Can't Wait 'til Valentine's Day: October 7 is the ancient feast day of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, two Roman soldiers who were martyred in the late third century. For an exhaustive discussion, see John Boswell, Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe (New York, Villard Books, 1994), especially pp.147-51 and 375-90.
T-shirts from the first annual BGLAD (1993) are on sale now for the bargain price of just $5.00. Get yours now! They are available from Annie Barry in 619 Kent Hall.
Token Magazine is newly created to embody the queer perspective-- lesbian/ bisexual/ gay/ transgendered and those that love us. If interested in participating, call Conor Kennedy at 853-5910 or Sasha Cagen at 853-1862. Submissions for the first issue are due October 10.
Straight but Not Narrow Award: GABLES is accepting nominations until November 1 for the first annual "Straight but Not Narrow Award," to be presented to a straight ally or allies for exceptional service to the lesbigay community at Columbia. Nominations can be made by any member of the lesbigay community and should contain a brief explanation of why you feel the nominee deserves this recognition. Nominations should be mailed to:
Awards Committee
GABLES-CU
Box 105 Central Mail Room
The final decision will be made by an awards committee composed of GABLES members and the award(s) will be presented at the annual holiday party in December.