U-m Gay Programs Office In Jeopardy?

A month ago the name of the Lesbian-Gay Male Programs Office was removed from directional signs in the third-floor lobby of the Michigan Union. Since then, the U-M administration has been silent on the future of LGMPO. The Office of Student Affairs has been open about its intent to reorganize, by early 1993, the various offices that report to LGMPO's supervisor, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Richard Carter. However, as of this writing, Student Affairs administrators have not officially shared any concrete plans about the reorganization's effect on LGMPO. It is possible, but unlikely, that LGMPO's internal organization and programs will undergo little change. However, the administration may see fit to physically move the office from its welcoming, newly-refurbished location. The office's structure, staffing, budget, and programs may be altered for the worse. It is conceivable that closeted lesbians and gay men will no longer have direct, confidential access to LGMPO either physically or by telephone. This change would be entirely detrimental to the psychological well-being of persons who are not willing to publicly proclaim their sexual orientation. The changes to LGMPO may prove harmful for people who have relied on LGMPO's work over many months and years. Especially striking is the fact that this constituency has been given no opportunity for consultation with the administration. To express your concern, call Richard Carter at 764-7420 or LGMPO at 763-4186.

Gay Liberation Front's Purpose is to provide information, counseling, and related social services for people concerned about sexual orientation. We maintain a hotline for crisis intervention, peer counseling and referral. We help provide factual information to offset prejudice and misinformation about Lesbians, Gay men, and Bisexual people. We work to obtain human and civil rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation. We help organize groups for Lesbians, Gay men, and Bisexual people and are a link to other community groups.

Community Services include: a Hotline for crisis vention, peer counseling, referral. Education: workshops and conferences on concerns of Lesbians, Gay men, and Bisexual people with an emphasis on how people in the "helping professions" and "teaching professions" can work positively with clients, patients, & students who are Lesbians, Gay men, and Bisexual people. Speakers Bureau: phone for information. Human & Civil Rights: information and referral to help people who are being discriminated against because of their actual or presumed sexual orientation or because of their presumed "cross-gender" characteristics; lobbying for human and civil rights. Community Organization and Liaison: information and assistance in organizing groups, setting goals, addressing conflict, linking with other groups and resources.

Gay Liberation Front Meetings vary according to purpose; we do most of our work in subcommittees (counseling, groupwork, education, civil rights). Call for time and place. Gay Liberation Front includes U-M students, staff, faculty and people from the larger communities. We have a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. We're a registered nonprofit organization.

Gay Liberation Front, c/o 4117 Michigan Union, 530 S. State, Ann Arbor, Ml 48109-1349; 763-4186.