Welcome Back!!
We're excited about a new plan of activities for LAFS, and for gay and lesbian faculty and staff and allies, at WIU. Welcome back, if you have been away for the summer, and welcome especially to our new faculty and staff, several of whom we have already met, and others I'm sure we're going to meet.We had the first of our monthly dinners out on August 29th, at Yen Chings. We had a great time, and met new friends. Finally, we had an even balance, of men to women. I think we had at least six of each (but who's counting?), making it a dinner for 12. Thanks to all who attended and who are helping make LAFS a strong, vibrant organization.
We planned upcoming events, including the remaining monthly dinners out through the end of this semester. We also planned our official Fall gathering to welcome new faculty/staff members and friends, which we decided should be a Sunday brunch. We set a suggested date to do the potluck where we cook for BGLFA (the WIU gay/lesbian/bi student group), and briefly discussed the Campus Dialogue on Multicultural Issues (aka, Diversity Week, which is slated for Oct. 8th - 12th.
Here are the dates, a few a bit tentative. Check back before attending anything listed here, to see if we have an update, or contact one of the LAFS members listed under the "Contacts" list below. Here is our tentative list of activities for Fall, which will be fleshed out in the coming weeks:
Brunch to Welcome New LGBT Faculty/Staff/Allies
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Sunday, Sept. 16, 11:00 AM - It's a potluck, and we are working now on a campus-wide flyer to identify who we are, our URL and e-mail address, and announcing this party. Hosted by Bill and Mike.
LAFS Monthly Dinners Out:
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None in September, because we have the Welcome Brunch Sept. 16th.
October: Tuesday Oct. 23, 7 PM, Vitale's
November: Tuesday Nov. 13, 7 PM, place to be decided
December: Tuesday Dec. 4, 7 PM, place to be decided
Tentative date for the LAFS-sponsored potluck for BGLFA:
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Thursday Oct. 4th - Kathy is checking on availability of UU Fellowship. Dan is verifying with BGLFA the date, and Dan will also set up the entertainment. LAFS members will cook for BGLFA, and organize the evening's entertainment. This was a blast last year. (Gee, I'm already missing Craig ;)
Campus Dialogue on Multicultural Issues (Diversity Week)
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Oct. 8th - 12th - Remember, National Coming Out Day is Oct. 11th, so we will be working with Dan to find out what we can do to contribute to this week's activities. Let Dan know if you have ideas for speakers, activities, etc. What can we do to encourage LGBT faculty and staff to be more out? Or should we?
Overview
Lambda Allies, Faculty & Staff (LAFS) is an organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, faculty/staff and allies, at Western Illinois University. The purpose of LAFS is to provide for continuing interaction among members to consider and act on common interests and issues relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) faculty and staff. Specifically, LAFS's objectives are to:
- promote equal opportunity for LGBT faculty and staff;
- collaborate with other local, state, and national LGBT organizations;
- support LGBT students at WIU;
- encourage scholarship and education regarding LGBT issues, and to;
- develop community among LGBT faculty/staff and allies.
(from LAFS By-Laws, Feb. 1999)
To help promote this vision, we also coordinate events throughout the year with the campus student group, Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, and Friends Association (BGLFA). We are planning to coordinate a cookout with them in early Fall (Sept. 14) to welcome students back.
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If you have any comments, suggestions, or problems relating to the LAFS web site, please contact the LAFS WebGoddess, Kathy Lawhon, at klawhon0715@aol.com.
Our Goals/Vision
We believe that our goal of creating community among ourselves and having an organized support network for faculty/staff is very important. Equally important is helping to foster a similar positive community among LGBT students, and helping them to create a community where they feel respected, valued, safe, and deserving of self respect. We believe these goals are central to our mission.
Awareness Week
Each April, BGLFA takes the lead in planning Awareness Week activities at WIU. The purpose of Awareness Week is to celebrate LGBT culture and to raise the consciousness of LBGT students, and the WIU community in general. In the past, we have assisted BGLFA in programming Awareness Week events, and hope to lend a hand this year also.
Why building LAFS is important
Many of us who are lesbian and gay attended school when there weren't any role models or advisors amongst the faculty to whom we could turn to for advice, guidance, or in time of crisis. We believe, as LGBT faculty, staff, and allies, that we have a very important role to play in helping today's students find the support and safe space they need in order to face the challenges and stresses of modern college life. We also need the support of other faculty, staff, and community allies in order to make life more bearable for ourselves in rural western Illinois.
Navigating this site
Click the links at the bottom of this and any page on this site, to see the other sections of this web site. If you are interested in joining LAFS, see the MEMBERSHIP INFO link, where you'll find a membership form and mailing info.