Pride Guide 2001 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE
B-27
Singles social group offers wide variety of activities
by Mary Marenberg
Toledo-When Les Be Friends held its first activity in January 2001, organizers weren't sure if the lesbian community in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan would support a singles group. But as 15 women were seated for dinner at Blu Jeans Café on that winter evening, it was clear the answer was yes. Since then, about 50 women have joined Les Be Friends and membership continues to grow.
The idea for Les Be Friends grew from a dinner conversation when several area women lamented the lack of opportunities for them to meet each other for professional networking and friendship. Mary, a Toledo-area woman with a marketing communications background, saw this as an opportunity for change. Les Be Friends was born.
"At first I thought the name 'Les Be Friends' was kind of lame, but I needed a starting point," said Mary. "I figured we could change it once we were up and running, but the women seemed to like it, so it stayed."
As part of a marketing plan, Mary and other volunteers sent press releases to local and national media, posted flyers, made telephone calls, and sent e-mails to make the name Les Be Friends known. Membership inquiries have come from women as far away as Pittsburgh and Chicago.
Another secret to the group's success is the variety of activities and social experiences it offers its members. Activities have included classical music concerts, museum trips, art shows, coffees, movie nights, dinners, card and game nights, and bowling. Most of the members are busy with their careers and want to make the most of their free time. The group is committed to offering activities that nurture mind, body, and spirit.
Previously, there had been attempts to start other singles groups in the area, but these groups fizzled after only a few months.
When asked what makes Les Be Friends different, Mary said, "Well, for one, we keep the membership list confidential. It's up to our members to decide if they want to give out their telephone numbers or e-mail addresses. We want our women to feel safe and be able to relax and have fun."
"We have a very broad definition of the word single, we don't want the group to become exclusionary.
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In fact, the group is so popular that women who are dating or have partners have asked if you really have to be single to join Les Be Friends.
"We have a very broad definition of the word single," laughed Mary. "We don't want the group to become exclusionary. There is already plenty of discrimination against lesbians in society and we don't need to further discriminate over the definition of who is or is not single."
In addition to its own activities, Les Be Friends has joined with other area groups for their activities, including Toledo's Lavender Triangle and Detroit's Women Out and About. The group also participates in fundraising efforts for local social service and political action organizations.
For more information about Les Be Friends, call 419-882-8004, or e-mail singlesinfo@accesstoledo.com.
Mary Marenberg is founder of Les Be Friends.
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Group creates a safe place for Toledo GLBT youth
Toledo-Rainbow Area Youth is a social peer support organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning teens in the Toledo area.
Our mission is to create a physically and emotionally safe environment that affirms and encourages self-respect, personal growth, and a sense of community. Membership in RAY is open to any area teenager between the ages of 13 and 19, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Our meetings are a lot of fun. Sometimes we watch a gay-themed movie or play a game such as the ever-popular Gay Jeopardy. Sometimes we have off-site events planned such as our "Climbing Wall" challenge or University of Toledo Recreation Center outings. Occasionally you might even learn something, too.
Rainbow Area Youth is committed to safer sex education for all of our members, and we often provide history and background in-
plan on coming every week and hopefully bringing one or more new friends with me. Posted by: Josh
Friday, 30 March 2001, at 1:11 a.m.
I was just thinking how grateful that I am to have all of you as my friends! This has been-and I am sure will stay-the most supporting group for all of my personal and non-personal problems. I can't wait to build my friendships with all of you, and to build my already personal relationships with oth-
ers.
Posted by: Jon
Friday, 30 March 2001, at 9:39 a.m.
I just wanted to say that I agree with Josh, this group is somewhere
Rainbow Area Youth
formation about the gay community. Most of the time, though, we just sit around and talk about what is going on in our lives and try to help each other figure it all out (we are a "support" group after all).
Our web site (http:\\www.toledoray.org) offers an interactive public bulletin board with member profiles, and a forum for sharing poetry and short stories.
Here is what some of our kids have said about RAY:
Posted by: Joe
Friday, 23 March 2001, at 5:35 p.m. Just wanted to say hi, and thank you to everyone for making my first time at a RAY meeting special. It was a whole lot of fun, and I hope that we all become closer friends. I
where I can be safe and secure. I am really thankful to Lisa-who didn't show-for making me go. I really didn't want to go and be a part of this type of "group," but I am really glad that I did! Thanks Lisa!
Posted by: Joe Monday, 2 April 2001, at 10:42 p.m. OK, OK, OK . . . 1 day till RAY who's excited? I'm so grateful Nick told me about RAY, it's changing my life. Its making me think differently about how to go about my sexuality and how to help others in need.
RAY meets every Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm. For more information about our group or to get the location of our meetings, call 419-255-7510 and ask for Brenda.
Contact us at Rainbow Area Youth Toledo, Inc., P.O. Box 12415, Toledo, Ohio 43613 419-327-8686 voicemail, 419-255-7510 (Brenda), toledoray
@toledoray.org,http:\\www.toledoray.org.✔
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