Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / Dec. 1, 1983, edition 1 / Page 8
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PAGES Switchboeird Helps Callers SPECIAL SWITCHBOARD REPORT “I’m in town for the night. Where are the gay bars?” If ever you've been in a strange town want ing to socialize, you know the great feeling you get when the phone book actually lists something gay or lesbian. Hundreds of callers talked with the people who staffed the Gay/Lesbian Switchboard of Charlotte (listed just like that in the Southern Beil phone book) in 1983. The majority were calls asking for bar information. Providing facts about bars, organizations, gay/lesbian religious groups, doctors, law yers and other such information is one of the major functions of the switchboard. There were also the calls from people des perately needing help. Example: "I’m just 17 and I know I’m gay. But I don’t know where to meet people like me. What can I do?” Or: “It’s a relief reaching someone I can talk to. I’m married and have two children. I just turned 42 and if I don’t do something, I’m going to go crazy. You see. I’m gay. I feel trapped.” Lending a sympathetic ear to someone who needs to talk out their problems is the other major switchboard function. Unfortunately, Charlotte’s switchboard has suffered an erratic year and could be doing a much more thorough job of provid ing those needed answers and willing-to-lis- ten ears. The switchboard had seven new volunteer trainees in 1983 with a total of 26 active volunteers in August from the totai of 100- Join QCQ As Director Or Officer if you’ve been wondering how to become a decision-maker with Queen City Quordina- tors, January wili be the time to act. Anyone may attend QCQ meetings and have a say in decisions. However, only board members may vote when decisions reach the voting stage. Eight of the 12 board members will be chosen in January from among persons at tending the first January meeting, and all concerned gay men and lesbians and their friends are welcome to attend. Then the eight new directors will join the four delegate directors representing MC- C/Charlotte, Acceptance, the Lambda Politi cal Caucus and the Gay/Lesbian Switch board of Charlotte in choosing a quordina- tor, assistant quordinator, secretary and treasurer from among the 12. For more details, read the January issue of Q-Notes. PAID ADVERTISING plus trained since the service began three years ago. Yet, so many of the trained coun selors moved out of town, experienced school or job conflicts, or simply chose not to serve that the phone line during the latter part of 1983 was staffed far too few nights out of the week — sometime only once or twice. So many more people could be helped than are being helped. When it was staffed seven nights a week, the switchboard aver aged 100 to 120 calis per month with an increasingly large volume last summer of calls about AIDS. But it takes someone on the answering end of the iine to make the Switchboard work. The situation now is that less than a hand ful of dedicated individuals are keeping the switchboard going. They plan to dog it out untii they reach the goal of a continuous sup ply of trained volunteers each giving one night (7-11 p.m.) a month for switchboard duty. It only takes 12 people to form a training class. And the classes can be tailored to last from four weeks to 11. If you want to help, call the switchboard and by all means leave your name and number on the tape. Qne of the few volunteers will get in touch with you. If you already have training in telephone peer counseling, call the switchboard and leave word. You will be most appreciated. The number: 525-6128. For All The Gay News In North Carolina, Subscribe To THE FRONT PAGE DANCE TRACKS PRESENTS U.S.OFN'S SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 Featuring LINDA LOCKLEAR OLEEN'S LOUNGE 1831 South Boulevard 373-9604 ALL-MALE BURLESQUE SUNDAY, PEC. 11
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 1, 1983, edition 1
8
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