It's a New Year,..but maybe it's time to call it quits!

[Guest guest]

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From the owner/moderator...

" Q-LPs " :

I'm sorry folks, but I don't think this group is working out as a

discussion forum. I've sent posts out before about everyone needing to

contribute in some way in order to keep it going. However, despite more

individuals wishing to join this list, the lack of participation from

its current members suggests that it's pointless for me to

question/accept their memberships or send them our rules for posting,

etc. Most of you haven't contributed anything since you joined and only

a few have given very brief introductions of themselves (ie. without any

responses from other members). I find that very disappointing, to say

the least!!

Many of you cited in your personal letters of inquiry how you were glad

to finally find a group for communicating with other persons of various

sexual orientations within a private, welcoming & safe atmosphere, etc.

That was my reason for creating this group, so that people could " come

out " to each other to any comfortable degree, without fears of being

criticized, judged or ridiculed in other group discussions, such as the

general " dwarfism " group. Also, since we are " adults " and some of our

discussions might include personal experiences " too strong " for a

general audience, I wanted to create that " private & empathic

environment " for discussion of our issues.

Maybe my ideas & implementation of this group were premature,.. before

their time. A couple of individuals suggested the name & rules of the

group be changed to avoid " scaring off " potential members and/or

participation within the group. Still, after I stated that such changes

could be made w/ the group's vote & consensus, no further discussion was

made on these ideas, nor any vote requested. Lastly, I've given

suggestions for topics/issues to discuss and experiences to be shared on

many occasions, and I (ie. in the hopes that others might follow my

lead) was the only person to contributed, without any response from

others.

Therefore, as I have suggested to the group, at least 2 other times

before, I will be dissolving this group within the week and asking Dan

K. to remove any Q-LPs@egroups info. he had posted on the LPA Online

website. I won't ask for or expect any additional discussion on this

decision of mine as owner of " Q-LPs " . Further inquiries about this

group will receive personal letters citing my reasons for discontinuing

it, but I will continue to welcome letters from individual LPs who just

wish to hear from or speak to at least one very OUT & PROUD " Queer LP " !

[Anyone can write to me here or to QLPs_n_Friends@... **]

**(Letters of inquiry/request purely to write to/meet other individual

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and/or " Questioning " LPs for possible e-pals

and/or dating cannot be answered for reasons of confidentiality! I will

not be an intermediate for the purpose of matching singles, even if

individuals want to wave their confidentiality!) I hope that group

members and those potential wishing for this listserve's success will

understand and/or forgive me for this decision of mine. I don't wish to

continue a project just on the hope that a very few might eventually

discuss some relevant matter in the indeterminate future; I'm tired of

waiting & reminding!

Sincerely,

Laurie Benz

a.k.a. Chgo_LtlDyke, Ltl_Amazon and/or Q-LP #1 !

p.s. It's still lonely at the top of this OUT & PROUD hill...! Even

without the support from the majority, anyone can follow me here. To my

surprise & great relief I CAME OUT and survived without any bruises or

scars of any kind, 11 years ago (to LPA specifically, almost 8 yrs.

now). You can too, sooooo...what are you waiting for.... COME OUT, COME

OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE! " There is nothing to fear except fear itself " !

I am a survivor and I am bold, but there is greater strength in numbers!

Be yourself & join me!

p.p.s. Please pardon this rare but lengthy post. Also, I send my great

wish of: HAPPY NEW YEAR & PEACE TO ALL, in 2001 and beyond!

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