Date:         Sat, 23 Mar 1996 14:24:37 -0500
From: AVProject@AOL.COM
Subject:      ALERT: New Queer Hotline Available for Anti-Gay Violence/Hate
              Assistance

NEW TOLL-FREE HOTLINE TO DOCUMENT, ASSIST WITH ANTI-GAY HATE

**Please distribute & post as widely as possible -- please add to your
resource lists**

A new, non-profit, toll-free hotline is now available to assist all victims
of anti-gay incidents and provide them with a centralized source of
information and documentation.  The Gay & Lesbian Victims' Assistance Hotline
(800-259-1536) is a 24-hour project of LAMBDA Services Anti-Violence Project
(AVP), located in El Paso, TX.  The hotline is answered by trained volunteers
who provide information and referrals to persons who have experienced
terrifying violence or more common anti-gay incidents, such as
discrimination, harassment, or vandalism.  Callers may remain anonymous and
all information is kept strictly confidential.

"We hope that anyone with information to report will call us," said Rob
Knight, president of LAMBDA Services.  "Anti-gay brutality and discrimination
has long been invisible, mainly because it is among the least reported of
crimes," said Knight.  "Anti-gay rhetoric is so common that it is largely
ignored.  People are being taught to fear and hate homosexuals -- and that
fear, unchallenged, often leads to violence.  The first step in countering
the hate is to report it."

Founded in 1991, LAMBDA Services is an international, all-volunteer,
non-profit, LesBiGay organization.  LAMBDA Services' Anti-Violence Project
(AVP) works to prevent and assist victims of anti-gay hate.  LAMBDA is a
national tracking member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects.

Your donations are tax deductible.

For information or assistance, call the 24-hour Gay & Lesbian Victims'
Assistance Hotline at 800-259-1536 or write to LAMBDA Services AVP, PO Box
31321, El Paso, TX, 79931-0321 USA.  Office: 915-533-6024 or 915-562-GAYS
 FAX: 915-534-7778  Email: AVProject@aol.com

LAMBDA Services is an international, non-profit organization offering
information and programs for gay youth & adults, parents, victims of
violence, and the community at large.  LAMBDA's mission is to eliminate
discrimination in all its forms, and enlighten the public about
homosexuality/bisexuality through education and support.

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