From The Top
By Tim Stout, Flint Hills Alliance President

For those who have not yet heard, members of Flint Hills Alliance recently nominated me for president. As I was the only candidate, I soon realized I did not need to prepare for a grueling campaign and a subpoena from Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr.
 
With the worries of a possible “Homogate” behind me, I’m able to concentrate on my newfound responsibilities as president and enjoy the recent arrival of spring (which couldn’t have come soon enough for me).

Spring is a wonderful season, redbuds are budding, jonquils are jonquiling and just about everywhere you look you see growth and renewal. With nature setting such a good example for us, I think this is the perfect opportunity for the members of FHA to work on the growth and renewal of our organization.
 
Lesbians, gays and bisexuals in the Manhattan area are very fortunate to have the support network and camaraderie FHA provides. However, without the support and camaraderie of the lesbians, gays and bisexuals in the Manhattan area, FHA will fade away.
 
One of the primary missions of FHA is to protect les-bi-gay rights when they come under attack. To effectively do this, FHA needs to have a large chorus of dedicated voices rather than the occasional soloist. If there is no one to speak up, no one will hear us. If no one hears us, our rights will disappear. If our rights disappear because no one spoke up and no one heard, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
 
To effectively protect our rights, FHA needs to expand its membership. I ask everyone who attends FHA meetings to bring a friend. Tell people about the organization and encourage them to attend.
 
If you have attended meetings in the past, but no longer do so, we would be very happy to see your face at the next meeting. We need your support.
 
Just as important as it is to increase membership, it is equally important to increase the organization’s funds. In both bodies and bucks, strength does come in numbers.
 
FHA needs funding to hold special events, promote itself, do good works and to successfully campaign if lesbigay rights come under attack.
 
If something does not grow or renew itself, it becomes stagnant and dies. I do not want to see that happen to FHA and I hope you do not want that either. The future of our organization rests on all of our shoulders.
 
Now is the time for growth. Now is the time for renewal. Now is the time for rededication and commitment. And now is the time for all good queers to come to the aid of FHA.
 
I hope to see you all at our next meeting.

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