CLOSER CONNECTIONS
Newsletter of the Community Liaison Organization for Support, Education and Reform
Asheville, North Carolina
September, 1988
WELCOME BACK!
Welcome back to C.L,O.S,E,R., and to the monthly newsletter. Thanks to Dan for a wonderful
summer of informal meetings, where we saw several new faces. We very much hope that those
of you who joined our group during the Summer will continue to attend our somewhat more
structured programs during the Fall, Winter and Spring, And please note that the informal
group will continue to meet Tuesday evenings 8/23 and 8/30.
The new Steering Committee -- Carlos, Greg, Bill and Cynthia, with Angela as secretary, is
"on board" as of this newsletter. Cynthia will serve as president. Other new officers are
David B., treasurer, Phillip as head of the library committee and Tim, newsletter editor.
Kudos to the outgoing officers for a fine year last year: Doug, Richard, Rich, Robin, Liz,
Sherril and Warren.
This marks the beginning of C.L.O.S.E.R.’s TENTH YEAR! How very fortunate we are to
have a group like this in the Asheville area! We all owe tremendous debt of gratitude to
our wise founders and to those who have given so much of themselves over the years in
service to our community. You-all have made C.L.O.S.E.R. a second home for the area’s
lesbian and gay community; a center for support and for growth.
It seems appropriate that, as we prepare to begin a new year, we take note of
C.L.O.S.E.R.’s purpose, as stated in C.L.O.S.E.R.’s Constitution:
"Our purpose shall be to serve as a liaison organization between the gay/lesbian
community and the larger population, to provide mutual support, education and
information regarding problems and concerns of the gay/lesbian community, to work for
reform of social prejudices and discriminatory practices and attitudes, and to foster
for individuals and community a sense of gay/lesbian identity,"
Let’s all reflect upon this as we go into our tenth year. We want to make this a wonderful
year for everyone. Ours is a very diverse group, and it is sometimes difficult to develop
programs that serve the needs of everyone. We will therefore try to keep our programs
diverse, and we hope that you will attend even when you think, "This one’s NOT for
me!" You MAY be surprised! We need you! The strength of our community lies in our
unity. Please let us know how we can serve you better.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets the second Monday of each month at
All Souls Church, 7:30 p.m.
AIDS Support Group is for people who have AIDS or who have a loved one with AIDS. It meets
twice a month. Call Dan or Joan (phone numbers below) for more information.