Submitted by: Bob Summersgill Submitted on: December 19, 1993 Digital Queers and the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League -- Two great tastes that go great together! DQ/SMYAL is the intersection of DQ members and SMYAL members who are interested in providing SMYAL with computers, software and technical expertise. DIGITAL QUEERS: What's In a Name? digital, adj.1. Of digits. 2. Technology based on binary numbers to perform logical and numerical functions. Describes a common characteristic of products, people and activities in the high-technology industry. Cf. analog. queer, noun or adj.1. Unconventional, uncommon, unusual, unique, unorthodox, uncustomary, unwanted, rare, atypical, original, singular, exceptional, individual, unexampled, unparalleled, unprecedented, unfamiliar, uncomfortable; odd, curious, peculiar, offbeat, cranky; incongruous, anomalous, irregular, abnormal, deviate, deviant, 2. Inf. funny. (Rodale's Synonym Finder ) DIGITAL QUEERS is a new national professional organization serving gays, lesbians and bi's who work in the high technology industry. Digital Queers was founded in 1992 by employees from such companies as Adobe, Apple Computer, General Magic, Hi-Tech Communications, IDG, Lotus, Microsoft, Nolo Press, Opcode, Quark, Quorum, SuperMac, XChange, and Ziff-Davis. The Six Goals of DIGITAL QUEERS Community - - Serve the queer community through donating time, materials, expertise Activism - - Lobby for domestic partner benefits, non-discrimination and progressive health insurance policies Social - - Provide a forum for members to meet others with similar interests Professional - - Develop networking and job bank opportunities for career growth and achievement Educational - - Demystify queers in the workplace by being out and by being professional-role models Recreational - - Produce the best parties at industry events SMYAL sexual minority youth -- gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people between the ages of 14 and 21. assistance league -- people who are no longer youth, but provide assistance to those who are. SMYAL exists to support and enhance the self-esteem of sexual minority youth and to increase public awareness and understanding of sexual minority youth issues. The Three Goals of SMYAL Provide a safe, confidential, non-judgmental place for youth to obtain support and understanding; Combat heterosexism through training and education which provides accurate information on sexual minority youth; and Encourage and promote advocacy and research on behalf of sexual minority youth. DQ/SMYAL DQ/SMYAL will serve sexual minority youth through donating time, materials, expertise to SMYAL. The Three Goals of DQ/SMYAL Establish and maintain a technologically up-to-date office for SMYAL, Get SMYAL staff, volunteers and youth connected to the global electronic community, and Have fun. DQ/SMYAL will meet every third Thursday at the SMYAL offices: 333 1/2 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Third Floor Washington, DC 20003 Between the Eastern Market and Capitol South Metro stations at 7:30pm. Next meeting will be Thursday, December 16, 1993. All are welcome, membership in both organizations is strongly encouraged. For more information, please contact Bob Summersgill at: 301-588-0941 voice, Bob.Summersgill on GLIB or BSUMMERS@CAP.GWU.EDU on the internet.