A   C o m p r e h e n s i v e   M a n u a l

differences among us as a group of gay

each represented on the steering commit 

men or lesbians.  It is very important for

tee or board.  Often people want to be

us to support our visible leaders, (offering

with others just like them for greater safe 

appreciation in greater amounts than con 

ty and mutual understanding.  While as

structive criticism), and not trash them.

lgbt people you all may have much in

common, the differences often get over 

What You Can Do

looked.  If you set up sub groups, such as

In addition to the above brief examples of

an all women's group, a group for les 

specific things you can do to assist people

bians, gays, and bisexuals of color, bisex 

from different groups to feel welcome,

uals only, gay men or transgender folks,

there are some general strategies that can

people's needs for being separate and

help improve inclusiveness and diversity

together can both get met.

from all groups.  Because the issues of

oppression discussed above are not just

Varied Programming

interpersonal problems, but institutional 

It is important to sponsor events and

ized as well, a variety of strategies are

activities that appeal to the diversity of

necessary.  We may also have to work

the lgbt community.  In the choice of

harder to locate the necessary resources.

speakers, films, music, etc. make sure

Often the obvious and easily accessible

you have a varied selection that would be

resources reflect society's biases and may

relevant to a diverse audience.  

be more about or relevant to white peo 

ple, men, able bodied people, gentiles,

Co Sponsor Events

and middle class people.  

It is good to co sponsor events.  Doing so

can serve multiple functions (outreach,

Sub Groups

funding, getting more people to attend).

It may be useful to organize your group

Ask the Office of Disability Services to

into an alliance with multiple sub groups,

co sponsor a PWA (person with AIDS) to

Photo   1995 Alex Zaphiris

M a n a g i n g   Y o u r   G r o u p

M     7 3