Vision Statement April 2, 1994 The Queer Resources Directory (QRD) is an electronic research library specifically dedicated to sexual minorities -- groups which have traditionally been labelled as "queer" and systematically discriminated against. As a library, our function is to provide as much information as possible on every facet and issue relating to sexual minorities. Our collection is open to anyone researching the issues peculiar to this population. You may find the QRD contains information and viewpoints that you did not anticipate, or that you did not consider. It is a goal for the QRD to contain every scrap of knowledge which has been used in or is part of the struggle for full equality. We hope you are able to use this information to broaden your horizons and enrich your experience in ways you had not expected. The QRD also specifically contains information which is produced by persons and organizations not sympathetic towards our struggles for equality. While this information is intended for use as counterintelligence, we have no ability or desire to control what you may do with information you have found in the QRD. It is our policy not to censor information on any issues related to sexual minorities unless absolutely necessary for the continued existence and availability of the QRD to as many persons as possible. Additionally, we do not endorse the goals or aims of any specific group or groups which have submitted material to our collection. Our electronic library is available to anyone who has access to the Internet or who has a modem and can call one of our BBS mirrors. In the United States, where the QRD is headquartered, there are broad protections for political expression of all kinds. But not all people in all times and all places have such protection. Because we impose no controls on who has access to our collection, you may find material in the QRD which is banned or otherwise illegal in the country you are accessing the QRD from. If you are contacting QRD from a part of the world where you do not have such protections, please be aware that by browsing our collection you may be putting yourself at risk for government surveillance, legal action, or political persecution. While we sympathize deeply with the plight of people struggling for freedom everywhere, we can not be held responsible for any consequences you may face for having visited our library. Also, due to the current negative political climate in the United States regarding encryption technology, people in the US may not send encrypted documents to sites outside the US. Fortunately, there are QRD staff members outside of the United States who can be of assistance in this matter. If you have need of encrypted QRD documents, please send us mail. At the current time, the QRD enjoys the ability to provide all information services free of charge. This situation is made possible by the generous private donations of our staff's time, our many hosts' equipment, and shared network connections. The QRD is not funded by any single person or organization, nor any public source. While it may not always be possible for all of our services to be available without charge, we realize this as an important goal, and an important part of the Internet tradition of public service. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to our staff at staff@qrd.org