Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 06:40:42 -0700 (PDT) From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: Gay & Lesbian National Hotline News Release Gay & Lesbian National Hotline 332 Bleecker Street, Suite F-18, New York, NY 10014 =46or More Information Contact: David Caouette at 212-633-7492 Gay and Lesbian National Hotline Set to Take Calls ----- Only Resource Of Its Kind Now Available Toll-Free, Nationwide =46or Immediate Release: September 24, 1996 New York, NY -- After nearly 14 months of planning and national fundraising, an important new non-profit, all-volunteer organization, including service to gay and lesbian youth, is set to debut. The Gay and Lesbian National Hotline (GLNH) will officially open its toll-free telephone lines at 6 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, October 1, 1996. The phone number will be 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564). The GLNH will provide peer counseling, information and referrals to gay, lesbian and bisexual people, as well as others concerned with gay-related issues. The services are without charge and totally anonymous. "The Gay and Lesbian National Hotline meets a critical need in the gay and lesbian community today," said Brad Becker, president of the GLNH. "Last fall we conducted a survey of local gay and lesbian switchboards throughout the country. We quickly learned that many, vast areas of the country went unserved or, in areas with access to a local switchboard, the hours of operation were often limited. "The Gay and Lesbian National Hotline aims to meet that need," he adds. "Callers anywhere in the country will be able to reach volunteers, any weekday evening, toll-free. "A young person struggling with sexual orientation questions often times has nowhere to turn," Becker says. "Our volunteers are well-trained and compassionate -- they know how to listen and that can mean a great deal to a caller." In addition, the GLNH maintains a database with more than 13,000 local community groups, organizations, businesses and professionals. With this extensive resource of information, the GLNH can link callers with thousands of services available. The entire organization is run by volunteers. All financial donations go directly to supporting these services. The hotline accepts calls weeknights from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., EDT. With additional fundraising the GLNH hopes to expand its hours in the future. More information on the GLNH can be obtained on the world wide web -- http://www.glnh.org . Individuals interested in volunteering for the GLNH can call 212-633-7492. --- end forwarded text *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ OK TO RE-POST. Jessea Greenman The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK THIS OUT FOR TONS OF INFO - - http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ Please cc us (for our files) on correspondence you send or receive re our action alerts. "Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot." bumper sticker sagacity