GLAD-decatur.com

About GLAD:

GLAD is mainly a social group. On the second Saturday of the month, GLAD has its social meeting and potluck dinner. GLAD members gather at 6:30PM, share a potluck dinner at 7PM followed by that month's program or activities. Please bring a dish to share. GLAD provides iced tea and lemonade as well as table service for the meal. Attendees are encouraged to donate $5 [more if you can, less if you can't] to help offset expenses. The socials average 25-30 people per month, including people of all ages, both men and women. GLAD socials are in a safe environment. For more information, please sign up for our free e-mail newsletter or contact GLAD by mail, phone, e-mail or check out this web site.

History:

The Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur, Illinois was formed in February of 1993. Monthly socials have been held the second Saturday of each month since then. Although all the founders were gay men, they wanted GLAD to be an inclusive group and include women at all levels. The GLAD constitution urges that there be a balance in the makeup of the GLAD Executive Board which oversees the organization. Participation in GLAD is about equal between men and women.

Newsletter:

The monthly GLAD Newsletter is its major outreach program. The newsletter, GLAD CHAT, is currently mailed in a secured manner with just the post office box as the return address via first class mail to more than 200 households. The newsletter is mailed free to everyone who turns in his/her name and address, although donations [suggested $15 per year] to help offset printing and mailing expenses are greatly appreciated.

GLAD also makes the newsletter available on-line here at its website. [click the button] and is actively promoting its e-Newsletter edition which is sent as a PDF file to members who submit their e-mail addresses to the Editor. The monthly mailing costs are becoming prohibitively expensive.

The deadline for submitting items for publication is the last Saturday of each month. The newsletter usually arrives during the week prior to the regular monthly social. The newsletter includes a calendar of upcoming GLAD events and other local and area events of interest.

Community Service:

GLAD is involved in the greater Decatur, IL community. Since December of 1993, GLAD members have donated more than $500's worth of toys each year to the Decatur Toys-for-Tots program.

GLAD participates in the Decatur Adopt-A-Street program. Volunteers pick up trash four times a year along a seven block section on Monroe Street between Eldorado and Decatur Streets. Signs at each end of the area credit GLAD members.

GLAD donates a car load of school supplies to needy children at the beginning of each school year, and distributes canned goods and other food items each Thanksgiving to those in the community who would otherwise go without a special Thanksgiving meal.

Health:

GLAD believes the health of everyone is important, including GLBTI [i.e., gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transvestites, transgendered, transsexual and intersex persons]. GLAD works to provide information to its members, both through the GLAD newsletter and at the monthly social functions. GLAD supports other agencies which promote the health of GLBTI.

The GLAD newsletter includes information about local events involving HIV and AIDS prevention. It emphasizes safer sex practices among GLBTI. GLAD also provides information on sexually transmitted diseases other than AIDS.

Politics:

While GLAD is not a political organization, some GLAD members meet with local community leaders to discuss issues of concern to our community. Meetings have been held on a regular basis with our U.S. representative, state senator, state representatives, mayor, state's attorney, sheriff and local police officials.

GLAD works closely with Equality Illinois, Illinois' statewide gay rights group. GLAD was instrumental in getting legislation which added sexual orientation to the state's existing Human Rights Act. In addition, GLAD members helped the City of Decatur enact civil rights laws protecting individuals based on their sexual orientation in housing, banking and employment.

GLAD supports civil rights for all groups including racial minorities, women, religious faiths, and people with disabilities.