In compiling the photos and biographies in this week's Outlines, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the number of people who contribute to Lambda Publications. When you simply do a job day in and day out, it's easy to forget how many people play some role in creating Outlines, Nightlines, BLACKlines, En La Vida, Clout!, OUT!, and Taste.
There are more than 110 names included in our special Pull-Out Section in the center of this edition. With all the words of "diversity" being stated about the local gay and lesbian press, we wanted to show you just how many different types of people play a role in Lambda Publications.
And the list on pages 19' 22 is not even complete. There are many more who might write infrequently, help out on a delivery route, send in photos from events, or otherwise participate. Certainly, a lot of partners of our staff and contributors also get pulled into the process, helping run events, take photos, and in other ways lend their support to our efforts.
In addition, there are the investors who have stood fast and firm beside me over the years, being patient while Lambda Publications filled an important role in our local community. Without these people, we would never have been able to stick around through more than 12 years, covering thousands of events and writing about so many different parts of our community.
When I look back over these first 12 years, it is very rewarding to see how many different people have contributed to Lambda. Many have gone on to great fame and fortune, using Lambda as a launching pad for their careers. We have so often been the first place for writers to get published-and there is nothing more rewarding than being able to provide a space for the words of a new voice in our community.
Readers and advertisers, of course, play a very important role in Lambda Publications. Without them, where would we be? Businesses such as Women & Children First, Richard Smith realty, Susan O'Dell counseling, Envoy Travel and many others have been advertising with us since our very first issue. We thank them for their continued support-in making what we believe has been a good business decision.
We hope you take the time to read about all the many people who play a role at Lambda. We have young and older, gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered and straight, people of all races, and people of all political beliefs. And we are always adding to this group-see our web page for updates.
Thanks for being with us for all these years. We look forward to a long and healthy future for our entire community.
Tracy Baim, Publisher
Letter: Date rape drugs
There has recently been media coverage of incidents of sexual assault in Chicago. Rape is an issue that affects us all, even when not in the newspapers. For example, since 1995 there have been 14 reported cases of women raped and murdered in and around the Englewood area. These cases in Englewood have created an atmosphere of fear for many residents of that neighborhood. These and countless other rapes are often never solved.
There has also recently been coverage specifically about gay victims of date-rape drugs ( Outlines, July 14 ) . Urban mythology suggests that a rapist is a man of color lurking behind some bushes in a dark alley at 2 o'clock in the morning who will then jump out and rape a white ( presumably heterosexual ) woman. The reality is that sexual assault and sexual abuse victims and perpetrators come from many communities. Most rape victims are attacked by someone of their own race. Most victims know their attackers, and many rapes happen at home or in the workplace.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered ( LGBT ) people are just as likely to be victims of sexual assault and abuse as their heterosexual counterparts. Another reality of sexual violence is that many LGBT people are victims of sexual violence and sometimes hate violence while under the influence of alcohol or date-rape drugs.
Rape is not about sexual needs, but need to abuse power and hurt someone. Rapists use date-rape drugs as a way to subdue a victim then exert power over them and violate, humiliate or punish them. Some people use the same drugs voluntarily while partying to mellow out or relax muscles. These "casual users" of date-rape drugs can easily overdo their dosage and put themselves at risk of violence or a medical crisis.
Alcohol is the most used date rape drug in this country. It can be legally purchased and is socially acceptable to use. Unlike alcohol, most other date-rape drugs are odorless, tasteless and nearly impossible to detect visually. Only recently has one such drug ( Rohypnol ) changed its composition so that it appears cloudy blue with particles rising to the top of the drink. With the exception of alcohol, date-rape drugs can only be detected in a person's system by administering a urine test. However, most date-rape drugs leave the body very quickly, usually within 12' hours.
Date-rape drugs usually impact a person within 20 - 30 minutes. They impair motor skills and can cause heavy sleep. With drugs such as Rohypnol, Ketamine or GHB ( known respectively on the street as roofies, roach, special K, vitamin K, K, liquid G, G and dozen other names ) , side effects can include memory loss, hallucinations, nausea and slurred speech. With large doses of date-rape drugs, effects can include respiratory complications, coma and death.
One reason date-rape drugs pose such a threat is because they are cheap and are easily ingested in drinks. Date-rape drugs are a threat to LGBT communities. Rape Victim Advocates has worked with many LGBT victims whose rapists used date-rape drugs. Some examples include a LGBT person waking up in a strange bed with painful indicators of having been penetrated without giving consent or a couple or roommates being drugged and raped by another roommate as a form of punishment and retaliation.
Here are some suggestions for prevention:
Drink only from containers you have opened yourself.
If you cannot drink from a container you opened yourself, get your own drink.
Keep your drink with you at all times.
If you leave your drink unattended or are unsure a drink is yours, get a new drink.
Avoid consuming more than one alcoholic drink per hour.
Rape Victims Advocates has been providing advocacy, counseling and education services to women, men and adolescents in Chicago since 1974. These services are free and confidential and available without regard to a person's sexual orientation, race, gender, age, religion or ability. In fact, LGBT people and LGBT supportive people are staff and volunteers at RVA.
RVA's counseling department is currently offering a support group for lesbians and bisexual women who are survivors of sexual assault or abuse.
For more information regarding the support group or RVA programs, please call ( 312 ) 663-6303 or visit our website at http://members.aol.com/rva1974.
The Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline provides crisis counseling, information and referrals 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The hotline provides sensitive and supportive services for LGBT survivors. If you've experienced sexual assault or abuse, call the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline ( 888 ) 293� 2080.
- Gerardo Montemayor
Director of Education and Training
Rape Victims Advocates ( RVA )
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Celebrations
I just want to thank you for running our "Anniversary" announcement. I loved the title/category "Celebrations"... how wonderfully appropriate. Please know you brought an incredible surprise to "Di." It is because of these "special" areas/columns that we are so glad to support Outlines by maintaining our subscription. Thank you so very much for adding to our lives.
- J.B., Lisle.
Outlines also runs a "CELEBRATIONS" column for things such as anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, unions, birth announcements, and more. Send all to Outlines Celebrations, at the address above. We also run "Pet of the Week" pics.
