Vision Statement                                                April 2, 1994

The Queer Resources Directory (QRD) is an electronic research library
specifically dedicated to sexual minorities -- groups which have
traditionally been labelled as "queer" and systematically discriminated
against.

As a library, our function is to provide as much information as possible
on every facet and issue relating to sexual minorities.  Our collection is
open to anyone researching the issues peculiar to this population.  You
may find the QRD contains information and viewpoints that you did not
anticipate, or that you did not consider.  It is a goal for the QRD to
contain every scrap of knowledge which has been used in or is part of the
struggle for full equality.  We hope you are able to use this information
to broaden your horizons and enrich your experience in ways you had not
expected. 

The QRD also specifically contains information which is produced by
persons and organizations not sympathetic towards our struggles for
equality.  While this information is intended for use as
counterintelligence, we have no ability or desire to control what you may
do with information you have found in the QRD.  It is our policy not to
censor information on any issues related to sexual minorities unless
absolutely necessary for the continued existence and availability of the
QRD to as many persons as possible.  Additionally, we do not endorse the
goals or aims of any specific group or groups which have submitted
material to our collection. 

Our electronic library is available to anyone who has access to the
Internet or who has a modem and can call one of our BBS mirrors. 

In the United States, where the QRD is headquartered, there are broad
protections for political expression of all kinds.  But not all people in
all times and all places have such protection.  Because we impose no
controls on who has access to our collection, you may find material in the
QRD which is banned or otherwise illegal in the country you are accessing
the QRD from.  If you are contacting QRD from a part of the world where
you do not have such protections, please be aware that by browsing our
collection you may be putting yourself at risk for government
surveillance, legal action, or political persecution. While we sympathize
deeply with the plight of people struggling for freedom everywhere, we can
not be held responsible for any consequences you may face for having
visited our library. 

Also, due to the current negative political climate in the United States
regarding encryption technology, people in the US may not send encrypted
documents to sites outside the US.  Fortunately, there are QRD staff 
members outside of the United States who can be of assistance in this 
matter.  If you have need of encrypted QRD documents, please send us mail.

At the current time, the QRD enjoys the ability to provide all information
services free of charge.  This situation is made possible by the generous
private donations of our staff's time, our many hosts' equipment, and
shared network connections.  The QRD is not funded by any single person or
organization, nor any public source.  While it may not always be possible
for all of our services to be available without charge, we realize this as
an important goal, and an important part of the Internet tradition of
public service. 

Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to our 
staff at staff@qrd.org