VNGBLF

VIETNAMESE GAYS, BISEXUALS, LESBIANS, AND FRIENDS LIST [VN-GBLF]

Saigon.com is pleased and proud to announce the creation of vn-gblf. We invite your participation in the list as contributor to the process of mutual education and information.

Vn-Gblf FAQ and Charter are enclosed for your information and consideration. Please confer the statement of purpose, starting on line 66 and duplicated on line 22, for details.

Expression of gratitude is extended to the efforts and generosity of the many that make this list possible, most significant in recognition is that of Tin Le and Vinh Nguyen.

As with all other community mailing lists, your courtesy and good will are requested and expected.

Best Wishes,
Saigon.com and Vn-Gblf Admins.

Statement of purpose

The netlist VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM is a private semimoderated (more in terms of membership than content) email distribution list serving the needs/interests/ concerns of Vietnamese Gays-Bisexuals-Lesbians-[Transgenders -]and-Supporters/Friends (VN-GBL[T]Fs, hereafter, with due apology to transsexuals and members of other sexual minorities, abreviated as VN-GBLFs in keeping with the name of the originally created netlist).

It is meant to be a safe and protective forum for exchange/communication/networking between VN-GBLFs on issues and experiences of mutual concern. Above all, it seeks to promote better understanding and compassion for the experience of Gays-Bisexuals-Lesbians-Transgenders and other marginalized sexual minorities in Vietnamese/ diasporic societ(ies) and culture(s). Towards this end, it seeks to address issues of personal and social awareness and cultural diversity.

It is also meant as a supportive environment for VN-GBLFs who have been experiencing difficulties with regards to matters of sexual orientation, be it their own or that of those they know. More specifically, it seeks to assist individuals and groups to come to terms with their sexual orientation and better understand the sensitivity of these issues in their private and public domain.

At some rudimentary level, it also means to provide a common front and clearinghouse for resources for social and cultural activism on the part of like-minded GBLFs, Vietnamese and otherwise.

In order to support/encourage wider participation and less inhibited exchange -- especially in consideration for people who might need/prefer safe protection of their identity for various personal/professional reasons -- the list is set up in a double-blind mechanism for anonymized postings from registered members on a confidential list kept by the list-owner/moderator/admins.

=============================================== VN-GBLF CHARTER & FAQ (Version 1.4.1 -- 06/27/95) ===============================================

This document is a guide to the vn-gblf netlist, including a charter, frequently asked questions (FAQs), answers, and resources for Vietnamese gays-bisexualslesbians -transgenders-supporters-and-friends (VN-GBLFs for short).

Anyone interested in participating in the list should read this document carefully before requesting subscription.

Periodical announcements/updates of this FAQ will be posted on the various motss, Vietnamese and Asian/Pacific Islanders newsgroups and netlists on USENET, the INTERNET and World Wide Web (WWW).

In subsequent revisions (denoted by version number), updates/additions/changes to the FAQ are marked with a +. [Note: Earlier versions of the FAQ might be available for reference from the list owner/moderator upon request.]

Table of Contents

+1. About the Netlist

         1. Statement of purpose
         2. Membership
         3. Confidentiality
         4. Moderation policy
        +5. Where to send postings
        +6. Inviting/recommending new members
        +7. Etiquette
   +2. Availability of Support Resources
        +1. On the Internet
         2. Publications
         3. Support groups/networks
         4. Others
    3. Credits and Administrivia

1. About the Netlist

1.1. Statement of purpose

The netlist VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM is a private semimoderated (more in terms of membership than content) email distribution list serving the needs/interests/ concerns of Vietnamese Gays-Bisexuals-Lesbians-[Transgenders -]and-Supporters/Friends (VN-GBL[T]Fs, hereafter, with due apology to transgenders and members of other sexual minorities, abreviated as VN-GBLFs in keeping with the name of the originally created netlist).

It is meant to be a safe and protective forum for exchange/communication/networking between VN-GBLFs on issues and experiences of mutual concern. Above all, it seeks to promote better understanding and compassion for the experience of Gays-Bisexuals-Lesbians-Transgenders and other marginalized sexual minorities in Vietnamese/ diasporic societ(ies) and culture(s). Towards this end, it seeks to address issues of personal and social awareness and cultural diversity.

It is also meant as a supportive environment for concerns of Vietnamese Gays-Bisexuals-Lesbians-[Transgenders -]and-Supporters/Friends (VN-GBL[T]Fs, hereafter, with due apology to transgenders and members of other sexual minorities, abreviated as VN-GBLFs in keeping with the name of the originally created netlist).

It is meant to be a safe and protective forum for exchange/communication/networking between VN-GBLFs on issues and experiences of mutual concern. Above all, it seeks to promote better understanding and compassion for the experience of Gays-Bisexuals-Lesbians-Transgenders and other marginalized sexual minorities in Vietnamese/ diasporic societ(ies) and culture(s). Towards this end, it seeks to address issues of personal and social awareness and cultural diversity.

It is also meant as a supportive environment for VN-GBLFs who have been experiencing difficulties with regards to matters of sexual orientation, be it their own or that of those they know. More specifically, it seeks to assist individuals and groups to come to terms with their sexual orientation and better understand the sensitivity of these issues in their private and public domain.

At some rudimentary level, it also means to provide a common front and clearinghouse for resources for social and cultural activism on the part of like-minded GBLFs, Vietnamese and otherwise.

In order to support/encourage wider participation and less inhibited exchange -- especially in consideration for people who might need/prefer safe protection of their identity for various personal/professional reasons -- the list is set up in a double-blind mechanism for anonymized postings from registered members on a confidential list kept by the list-owner/moderator/admins.

• Disclaimer: As a forum of exchange, the list (and its owner/admins) will not be responsible for the contents expressed in individual postings of its members.

1.2. Membership

This netlist is open to all who are concerned, respectful and sympathetic to issues pertaining to Vietnamese lesbigays, transgenders & supporters/friends (regardless of ethnic heritage and sexual orientation).

• No assumption should/will be made about the sexual orientation of any member beyond his/her own self-disclosure.

This private netlist is not open to automatic subscription. Subscription requests should be sent to VN-GBLF-REQUEST@SAIGON.COM. They'll be subject to approval upon the provision of a brief mandatory introduction either by subscribers themselves or by current members of the list. The purpose of a brief mandatory (self-)introduction is to identify bona fide subscribers from those who might take advantage of unmonitored access to commit abuses to the list.

• In all cases, the identity of the applicant will be kept confidential. Namely, it will not be made known to the distribution list at-large, except at the applicant's own initiative upon subsequent admission to the list.

1.3. Confidentiality

Except at the initial subscription request to the list-owner/moderator, the identity of all members on the distribution list will subsequently be anonymized for the sake of confidentiality. Namely, sender's info (in the headers) will be automatically removed from all postings to the distribution list.

• List members retain the choice to disclose their identity on their own initiative by means of individual signature and/or personal info in the text of their own postings.

1.4. Moderation policy

Hopefully the double-blind screening mechanism will protect the list from flames/junk from hostile detractors. Hence, moderation does not apply to the content of the individual postings by current members on the distribution list. It only applies to postings originated from outside the distribution list, including but not limited to:

• inquiries from curious/interested parties,
• requests of subscription from prospective members,
• requests of info sharing/announcement from non-members, -- flames/junk from detractors.

In cases when such postings are of a harmful nature to the list at-large, and/or constitute serious breach of list etiquette, and/or incur widespread public/private complaints from fellow list members, probationary warnings might be given post facto.

In case of serious and/or repeated disruptive and/or hostile behavior, members on the distribution list may be removed at the discretion of the list-owner/moderator in the interest of the list at-large.

1.5. Where to send postings

• Postings that are meant for distribution to the at-large membership of the netlist should be sent to: VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM.
  

Only bonafide members (whose names have been approved/registered by the list-owner/moderator) are able to post to the distribution list at the above address. Unauthorized postings will be bounced back to their senders.

• Private inquiries/messages to the list-owner should be sent to OWNER-VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM.

• Postings from non-members who wish to forward info/materials that might be of interest to members of VN-GBLF, should be sent to OWNER-VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM.

• Remember that subscription requests should be sent to VN-GBLF-REQUEST@SAIGON.COM in this format: subscribe vn-gblf [optional name] <email address>

1.6. Inviting/recommending new members

Please pass the word about the existence of VN-GBLF to friends/family/others who might find the list to be of interest and value.

Current members of VN-GBLF can invite/recommend others to join the list by writing a brief note of introduction/ recommendation of the invitee, who will then be added to the list upon his/her acceptance of the invitation. All correspondence should be sent to OWNER-VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM.

A prospective member of the list can also choose to subscribe on his/her own by sending a subscription request to VN-GBLF-REQUEST@SAIGON.COM (or OWNER-VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM) along with a brief note of self-introduction stating how he/she has heard of VN-GBLF and why he/she would like to join the list.

• Former members of VN-GBLF who are no longer present on the list (as a result of relocation, address change, etc.) can request reactivation of their membership by writing to OWNER-VN-GBLF@SAIGON.COM.
  

1.7. Etiquette

Open-mindedness and civility are to be expected and appreciated from each and from all. The same go for confidentiality and discretion.

Personal flirtation are best done in private and is hereby strongly discouraged, if not quite proscribed.

Do not reveal the identity of any member without his/her knowledge and consent.

Do not redistribute any material from this list (except your own AND without unauthorized quotation from others), without expressed permission from its author.

(More to be added/amended later ...)

2. Availability of Support Resources

2.1. On the Internet

• Directory of resources/contacts for support and networking between VN-GBLFs and supporters/friends.
• Selections of writings by/about VN-GBLFs. * Bibliography/reviews of materials of interest to VN-GBLFs (articles/books/prints/films/videos/etc.).
• Bibliography of sources on homosexuality in Vietnamese history, literature, and culture.

Hopefully, a similar link-up will be established in the near future to the Queer Asian Pacific Alliance (QAPA) home page on WWW.

2.2. Publications
link-up between VN-GBLF and a Homosexuality page on the WWW Viet-Gallery. Projected archival materials will hopefully include:

• Directory of resources/contacts for support and networking between VN-GBLFs and supporters/friends.
• Selections of writings by/about VN-GBLFs. * Bibliography/reviews of materials of interest to VN-GBLFs (articles/books/prints/films/videos/etc.).
• Bibliography of sources on homosexuality in Vietnamese history, literature, and culture.

Hopefully, a similar link-up will be established in the near future to the Queer Asian Pacific Alliance (QAPA) home page on WWW.

2.2. Publications

No.1 (Summer 93), No. 2 (Spring/Summer 94) No.3 (in preparation: deadline for submissions 7/01/95)

Published by the Coalition of Vietnamese Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Network.

3. Support groups/networks

Vietnamese Parents & Friends of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals
c/o Pha.m Hoa`ng DDie^`n
165 Pasto Rico
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(714) 589-6124

4. Others

Asian Pacific American net (APANET) list APANET@QUEERNET.ORG

3. Credits and Administrivia

Ky-Anh Phan, Ngoc-Dang Pham

This update: 06/27/95.