Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 07:36:26 EST From: "Erik G. Paul" Subject: The International Lesbian & Gay Youth Organization Changing the Numbers Membership Campaign 1994 Dear Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Activists, Friends, Organizations: I am writing to you about The International Lesbian and Gay Youth Organization, known also as IGLYO. IGLYO had its start over ten years ago in Europe, as a result of youth empowerment to bring change for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual youth of the continent. Over the past ten years IGLYO has grown to a relatively large organization providing information on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual rights, emancipation and discrimination issues. With our growth has come a voice in the political system within the European Union Countries. The organization, in conjunction with our member organizations, has achieved status within the Counsel of Europe, an intergovernmental organization made up of 32+ European counties that handles issues of human rights, democracy, and cultural identity. The organization feels to be truly international that it must cross the waters and become involved within the America's. To make this commitment a reality, the organization has decided to reintroduce the American bureau/secretariat. The hope is that as in Europe, the organization can bring youth and student groups together to work as one on common goals and rights that belong to us as individuals and members of society. The current positive political climate within the America's and the advancement of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual rights lends itself to these goals. The organization works as a network of ideas and information to it's member organizations and meets on a regular basis to discuss decisions and make policies that will aid in the advancement of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual youth. The next two parts of this letters contain membership information. Within it you will find information on the groups history, our aims, our work, and our activities. The membership fee provides your organization with all of the resources and the right to make and change IGLYO policy at our annual general meeting. It also insures that the organization can continue to make advances on a national and international level. We encourage you to review the information. If you should have any questions please feel free to contact us at the U.S. address or through InterNet as listed below. Enclosed you will also find our membership application. Once received we will send you our membership packet with all necessary forms and information about up-coming events. We look forward to talking to you soon. Sincerely, Erik G. Paul Director - IGLYO:America IGLYO:America - Changing the number so that Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual youth of today will not have to grow up like those of yesterday American Secretariat P.O. Box 42463 Washington, DC 20015-0463 USA Telephone (202) 362-9624 FAX (202) 362-9624 InterNet EP4417A@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU European Secretariat P.O. Box 542 NL-1000 AM Amsterdam the Netherlands PART II The International Lesbian and Gay Youth Organization: Who Are We? Our History In 1984, the Dutch Gay Youth Platform (LHJO) hosted the first International Gay Youth Congress and Festival in Amsterdam, Holland. The participants regarded the event as such a great success they decided to arrange a follow-up. In 1985, Ireland's National Gay Federation hosted the second Congress in Dublin. At the Dublin conference plans were made to establish a facility to collect and distribute information about lesbian, gay, and bisexual young people and their groups. The youth group of Norway volunteered to organize the International Gay Youth Information Pool (IGYIP), as well as host the Third Congress. At the end of the conference in Oslo, it was decided to establish IGLYO as a permanent organization for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual youth. Our AIMS are... > to bring an end to discrimination against young lesbians, gays, and bisexuals the world over. > to support the emancipation of young lesbians, gays, and bisexuals the world over. > to create equal opportunities for all young people. In order to fulfill these goals IGLYO has firmly committed itself to the struggle against sexism and racism. The organization practices a policy of positive discrimination for women, ethnic minorities, variably abled people and members of other traditionally under represented groups. Our Work... > includes the publication of Speak Out, an international magazine for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. Speak Out is distributed to all IGLYO member organizations, as well as other interested groups and individuals. It also serves as a bulletin concerning IGLYO's activities. The organization's political work consists mainly of participation in youth work on an international level. IGLYO is presently involved with a number of international, national, and regional youth groups including: the European Co-ordination Bureau, the European Youth Centre and Foundation, The Youth Forum of the European Communities, UNESCO, the Commonwealth Youth Program and various United States youth groups and organizations. In addition, IGLYO considers international campaigning to be of great value. We will continue to organize and coordinate such activities. The organization also provides lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth with a forum in which they can exchange ideas on an international level. IGLYO sponsors activities such as the International Lesbian and Gay Youth Conference, Youth Exchanges, the Lesbian and Gay Youth Penpal Program, various seminars within the European Youth Centre, and the Youth Health and Condom Project. Membership is... > available to any lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual youth or student organization that is either fully autonomous or an integral part of another organization. IGLYO defines youth as individuals 26 and under. Groups that are ineligible for full membership, such as adult lesbian, gay, or bisexual organizations, political parties, or other groups can become associate members of IGLYO provided they appoint a lesbian, gay, or bisexual youth contact. Conferences: what can you expect...? IGLYO holds conferences once a year in the summer months. This is a wonderful time for students and youth from around the world to gather for a week of networking and learn from each other. In the past years, conferences have been held in cities such as Paris, France Gothenburg, Sweden, Berlin, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland. Conference participants come from all corners of the world and past conferences have had participants from over 25 different counties. The cost of the conference is relatively inexpensive and includes room and board for the entire week of activities. In some instances, participants and members of IGLYO from North America can apply for travel reimbursements to assist in travel to Europe.* These conferences are well attended and provide indaviduals a chance to share ideas, network, and to learn about different countries and cultures. During the conference you can expect... > workshops in which we discuss subjects including IGLYO's work and possible future contributions to emancipation of young lesbian, gays, and bisexuals. Workshops will also cover topic such as HIV, AIDS, sexism, racism, anti-gay violence, activism and religion. > several creative workshops, including massage, jam sessions, drama, sexuality workshops, and relationship workshops. > a social program including sight-seeing tours, parties, and dinners. And enough time to make friends and exchange ideas in exciting cities world-wide. *This is not a guarantee. Please apply prior to conference In Plain Words IGLYO is here for you and your group. It provides for a great opportunity to network and to build our strengths as one. IGLYO has been in existence for over ten years within Europe and has created new levels of acceptance in many counties for Lesbian and Gay Youth. Not only on the youth level, but also within the political level. The organization feels that it is an important time to expand into North America. By doing so IGLYO hopes to gain new ground in the struggle to end discrimination, violence, and hatred of Lesbian and Gay Youth. Our strength as a organization depends on you and your group in "Changing the numbers so that Lesbian and Gay Youth of today don't have to grow up like those of yesterday." Please consider joining IGLYO as a member organization today - As our numbers grow so will our voice in this country and every county world-wide as a result creating a brighter future for all Youth. Membership Fees >Youth Organization Full Membership $35.00* >Associate Membership $40.00* >Individual Membership $30.00* *Payment in US dollars or the equivalent. Make checks payable to IGLYO: America. For more information or a membership application, please call or write: American Secretariat/Bureau P.O. Box 42463 Washington, DC 20015-0463 Telephone (202) 362-9624 FAX (202) 362-9624 InterNet EP4417A@AUVM.American.EDU _____________________________________ European Secretariat P.O. Box 542 NL-1000 AM Amsterdam the Netherlands PART III Application Form for membership in IGLYO Thank you for your interest in the International Lesbian Gay Youth Organization. IGLYO would like to welcome you to the world of international lesbian gay youth. To begin your membership in IGLYO please completely fill out the form below using a typewriter whenever possible. ** Individual members only need to fill in name, address, and telephone section. *** Name of Group: Contact Person: Care of (If needed): Street Address: City: State: Postal Code (ie: Zip code - if possible Zip+4 for US addresses): Telephone Numbers: Voice (if out side the USA please include all city and country codes): ( ) EXT: FAX: ( ) Group Information *Individual Memberships do not need to fill this section of the form out* Type of Group: >Local > Regional > National Affiliation: > Independent > Part of a Regional or National Group Membership: Number of Female members: Number of Male members: Number of members 27 years old and over: Membership make-up: Does your group consider itself as (please pick one): > Lesbian > Gay > Bisexual > Mixed Membership type: Are you applying for FULL membership in IGLYO: > YES > NO >Note: To determin the membership category that is proper for your group please consult the membership information sheet included in this pack. >Remember only FULL membership gives you the chance to determine IGLYO policy! _______For Office Use Only_______ Membership Number: Invoice Number: Rec\Exp. Date: Chk. Other: