OUT ON-LINE Lesbian Lives on the Lnternet Amy Goodloe

OUT ON-LINE Lesbian Lives on the lnternet Amy Goodloe

For many lesbians today, the Internet has played a key role in the coming out process, either by providing access to resources that answer commonly asked questions or by offering ',virtual com- munities" in which women can feel free to explore and discover their identities. The Intemet also plays an important role in promoting lesbian rights and visibility, providing activists with the abil- ity to exchange information quickly and broadly, and offering the mainstream population a glimpse into "real" lesbian lives that they might otherwise never see. But the Internet is just a tool. And it is the work of hundreds of lesbians, devoted to providing information and resources to lesbians around the wodd, that has made the Internet such a pouerful tool for promoting lesbian visibiliry This chapter focuses on the work of these women, highlighting a wide variety of on-line resources that covers everything from news, information, and history to personal life stories to venues for "real time" interactions between lesbians. Resources appear in the following categories:

'Activism and advocacy . Lesbian hot-lists and collections ' Arts and entertainment . on-line meeting places ' General queer sites . Pfoducts and services ' Health and sexuality . publications and literary links

ACTIVISM ANDADVOCACY

Wbat Foundation Group 71522 Drttch Organization for Lesbian and Bisexual Women How V'eb

Wbere h t t p : / /www. cybe r comm. n L / - L onys Comments "Foundation Group 7152 ls a Dutch organizationfor lesbian and bisexual women. Its goal is to suppon these women during the awakening of their feelings toward women and accepting them. Moreover it offers possibilities for meeting each other. Every woman, young or old, married or not, can become a contributor of Group 7152. The privaq of the contributors is optimally protected.,' Wbat InteffrationalLesbianlnformationService Hou Web .l')t . .l The Resources

Wbere http: //www. he L s i nk i .t i /-k r i s_ntk/ i I i s. htm L Comments The ILIS is an international network of lesbians working toward lesbian rights .I:; five basic ILIS demands are: We have the unconditional right to control our ci;,':. bodies; we have a right to education that is not sexist or heterosexist and rr'hr::- includes positive information about lesbian lifestyles; we need the right to selti:E - nization; all governments must repeal legislation which criminalizes us or drsc:::::-

inates against us. Therefore, all governments must pass human rights legislairc:- : , protect individuals against discrimination based on color, class, creed, ser. r.nc >:.,- ual preference."

Shana Penn: What kinds of on-line information would be valuable for lesbians? Amy Goodloe: I'd especially like to get more lesbian studies information on the Net, to make thi5 infsra;,;r- 3,3i,. able to academics everywhere, and I'm encouraging those teaching such courses to get their studei-r= :: s-rr-. work for publication on Lesbian.org, lt'd be great to offer space to pubtish the works of women who a=- i :-:lr

ready to be published in academic iournals, but whose research would be of great interest to maF:d rE3:F-=

Wbat Lesbian Avengers NewYork City Chapter How Web

Wbere http: //www- cc - coLumbia.edu/-vk20/ Lesbian/avenger. htm I

-. Comments "The Lesbian Avengers is a direct action group focused on issues vital to lesbi':- . - vival and visibility. . . . Direct action means turning our ideas into concrert .::- - Lesbian Avenger actions have ranged from invading a hate-mongering radlc' >- .: and taking over the airwaves to demand an end to their racist and homc::, : attacks, to sending lesbophobic politicians turkeys on Thanksgiving. \\'e h".. --. developed the Lesbian Avenger Civil Rights Organizing Project (LA CROP ;.. : - has organized against homophobic legislation in Maine and Idaho. and rhe F!;: '; ' project which is fighting for lesbian and gay cMl rights right here in Ne*- \b:-< :- ::

Wbat Lesbian Avengers San Francisco Chapter How Web Wbere http: //www. Lesbian. org/sf avengers/

San Francisco a 1r Comments "The Lesbian Avengers of is direct action group of lesbian. -"=-. - -. and transgendered women focused on issues vital to our survival anC r'::::

Wbat Lesbian Caucus of the Hellenic Homosexual Society How Web

Wbere h t t p : / / w w w . c y b e r z i n e . o r g / h t m L / G L A I D S / C o L o r / g r e e k L e s b i a - : . - - r

Comments "The Hellenic Homosexual Community (EOIQ has formed a Lesbian Ca'.i;-. -' -- the aim to address lesbian issues and help lesbians solve problems relareci : - :,:' -.:

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gay move- a lesbian in modern Greece. We are women relatively experienced in the ment and other afenas of social.activism but we have a lot to confront."

wbat Lesbian.org How Web Wbere http: //www. Lesbi an.org/ Comrnents Lesbian.org is a IJ[eb site dedicated to promoting lesbian visibility on the Internet by offering free w'eb space to lesbian not-fof-profit and activist groups' publishing les- a wide range of lesbian news, resources, and information, and sponsoring five bian mailing lists.

Wbat National Lesbian Politicd Action Comrnittee Hou Web Wbere http: //www. Lesbian.org/nLPac/ Comments The mission of the NLPAC is to "provide a continuous forum for women to work with women on lesbian issues on a political level; help lesbians identiff and strengthen their priorities; make lesbian issues visible at the national level; unite and energize lesbian activists; educate our national leaders; inspire new leadership; influence the political process and make a difference."

Wbat NOV-Lesbian Rights How Web Wbere http: //now.org/now/ i ssues/ Lgbi / Lgbi . htmL Comments "NOW is committed to fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation in all areas, including employment, housing, public accommodations, child custody, and military and immigration policy NOW' asserts the right of lesbians and gays to live their lives with digniry and security." The site contains information about NOW's policies, history and recent actions, and you can search the whole site by the key word "lesbian" to learn more about other ways that NOW works toward lesbian rights.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Wbat Derivative Duo How r$(/eb Wbere http: //www.nwLink- com/-rai nier/duo. htm Comments "The Derivative Duo wreaks havoc on the classical music scene. Their outrageous opera parodies illuminate the pressing social issues of our day: PMS, gays in the mil' itary, catpsychology. Once you've heard the Derivative Duo, opera will not be the same. Listen to their original songs on the Intemet using Real Audio. (A modem con- nection of 28.8 or better is essential to fully enioy this site')"

,).):.,-'l The Resources Wbat DYke Street Hou Web uk/wo r Ld/ukgay/ukg000f ' h tm l- i were h t tp: / /wwu. demon. co. CommentsDykestreetisaninteractivesoapoperaontheweb.Readersareencouragedogt: in each month for a oc gest new characters or plot twists' and they can tune episode.Previousepisodesarearchivedonthesiteforthebenefitofnewcooc* on Dyke Street' making it easy to get up to speed with what's happening

Wbat Dyke TV Hottt Veb Wbere http: //www.dYketv.org .DykeTvisahalf.hourweeklytelevisionpfogramproducedbylesbians,ftr1c'. Colnrnents bians.wemixnews,politicalcommentary'thearts'health'sports'andmucht|xe topresentlesbianlives_inallourvariety_withintelligenceandhumor."TbesiE TV airs, as well as contact infwe contains information on when and where Dyke tionforvolunteers.Andtheopeningpagefeaturesareallyniftyanimatedgnpnc a lavender TV with changing images on the screen'

Wbat LadYsliPPer Records Hottt Web Wberc httP: / /wwu ' IadYs I i PPer ' org primary pu{pose is to heighteo pr# Comrtents "Iadyslipper is a nonprofit organization whose and musicians' and to e-rE Il lic awareness of the achievements of women artists thescopeandavailabilityofrecordingsbywomen.''Fromthesiteyoucanordcr music,requestafreecatalog,orlearnmoreaboutfeaturedwomenartists.

Wbat Lesbian and Bisexual Actresses How Veb Vberehttp://l.lHw.bLarg.com/-dhua/fiIms/women/actressesl.htmI or thought to be lesbian or bises{ comtnents Interesting list of actresses who are known to be Wbat Lesbian-centeredEuropeanFilrns How Veb i i Im htm I' Wbete http: //www ' he L s i nki ' f i /-kr s-ntk/f ' Co/nrnertts Long list of European films with a sapphic slant' Wbat Sweet Muslc: Slsters on Stage How V'eb / Dykest{or Ld/ swee tmus i c ' htm I Wbere h t tp: / /www ' qwo r Ld ' org CommentsContainsinformationonandlinkstowebsitesaboutlesbianmusiciansaroundthe world,lovinglycompiledbylndinaBueche.AccordingtoBueche,thisis.noorxiE

,JZ6 Out 0n-Line

list,"asallthemusiciansshefeaturesarepubliclyopenaswomen-lovingwomen' Thelistisdelightfullylonganddiverse,andinternationalinscope'

GENERAL QUEER SITES

wbat Comrnunity United Against Violence (CUAV) How Veb Wbere http : //www. xq. com/cuav/ addresses and prevents hate vio- Comments CUAV is a fifteen'year-old nonprofit agenry which persons' CUAV also lence directed at lesbians, gay men' bisexuals, and ffansgender cIIAV offers crisis provides sefvices to gay men who are battered by their partners. justice system' sup intervention, short-term counseling, advocacy with the criminal portgroups'andatwenty-four-hourCrisisline.Inadditiontodocumentingand publicizinganti-lesbian/gayviolence,CUAVoffersspeakersforschoolsandcom' .we routinely distrib. m.,,'iry groups and safety monitoring for community events. as preventative ute safety information, and provide whistles and self'defense classes measures."

wbat Dtgital Queers (DQ) How u(eb Wbere http : //www.dq -org I dql dedicated to promoting the use of Cornnxents Digital Queers is a not-for-p tofit organization computer technology among queer activist groups'

Wbat Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GI.A'AD) Hottt Web Wbere http : //www. g Laad. org/ Against Defamation bills itser as 'l'our Comments The Web site for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance representation of indi- on-line fesource for promoting fair, accurate, and inclusive on sexual orien' viduals and events as a means of challenging discrimination based tation or identitY."

wbat The Human Rights CamPaign How Web Where http: //www. hrcusa.org ,,The largest lesbian and gay political Cornments Human Rights campaign (HRC), the nation's and protect the organization, works to end discrimination' secure equal rights' healthandsaferyofallAmericans.withanationalstaff,andvolunteersandmem- government on gay' lesbian, bers throughout the country HRC lobbies the federal in election campaigns; and AIDS issues; educates the general public; participates organizesvolunteers;andprovidesexpertiseandtrainingatthestateandlocal news and information level.,' This site is nicely designed and chock-full of political for anyone interested in lesbian and gay rights' ]l7 The Resources Wbat The National Lesbian and Gay Health Association Hottt Web Lgha / index htm Wbere h t tp: / /www ' se rve ' com/n ' is the only national lesbiac Comments "The National Lesbian and Gay Health Association ':': gayorganuationinthenation'scapitoldedicatedsolelytooufcommunities.her=' and Gav He:":-- and health care. . . . with the formation of the National Lesbian Association(NLGHA),thelesbianandgaycommunitynowhasasingle.com:::- issues, advocacy'. educar::-' hensive resource for physical and mental health-related voice for educating pu:' - technical assistance, and research, as well as a powerful gay health " health officials and leaders on the importance of lesbian a;nd

Wbat The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGffF) Hont V/eb Wbere ht tP: / /www ' ng I t f ' org/ progressive cir-' comrnents .,The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTD is a leading rightsorganizationth^thassupportedgrassrootsorganizingandadvocacr-sinc= of every major initiei:r.= 1973. Since its inception, NG|IF has been at the forefront forlesbian,gay,bisexual,andtransgenderrights.Inallitseffofts,NGLTFhelps:: local level n'hile col- stfengthen the gay and lesbian movement at the state and necting these activities to a national vision of change'"

Wbat PlanetOut How \{/eb Wbere ht tP: / /www. P L anetout ' com features news and informatioc Cornments Easily one of the coolest sites on the Veb, PlanetOut onqueerculture,politics,fashion,relationships,andmore,inthestyleofahiglr databases on a l?ri' qualiry, glossy, full-color magazine. Highlights include searchable Beautifully designed ery of topics and interactive chat rooms and message boards' andbreathtakinglycomprehensive,thisisoneofthebestqueefsresourcesonthe Net_andtheydon'tleavethe..lesbian,'outoflesbianandgayeither!

HEALTH AND SEXUALITY

Wbat Dykes, Disabilities & Stuff How \I/eb sabi Wbere http: //tps. stdorg -wi sc. edu/MGLRC/Groups/DykesDi LitiesStuff . htmL ,.Thisquarterlynewsletterisuniqueastheonlypublicationinthecountry(and.to Comments devoted to the health and the best of our knowledge, in the world) that is expressly of accessible media avai-l- disabiliry concefns of lesbians. It is also unique in the range able:standardprint,largeprint,audiocassette,braille,DOsdiskette'andmodem publication' we promise transfer. Dykes, Disabilities e stuff (DDe$ is a grassroots tJ3 0ut 0n-Line

news, reviews, verse, controversy, essays, and art-all with the disabled lesbian's perspective!"

Wbat Eve's Garden: An Erotic Boutique for Women How W'eb Where ht tp: / /www. evesga rden. com/ Comments The unusual and very tasteful graphics on this site are a treat for'Web-weary eyes, and the information is sure to please as well. In addition to a fully illustrated cata- log of erotic toys, the site also features important information about sexual health and exploring one's sexuality with erotic toys.

Wbat Getting Hot: Lesbians and Sex Hou Web

Wbere ht tp: //www. qwor Ld. org/DykesWo r Ld/Get t i ng_hot. h tm L Cornments Marvelous hotlist of links to lesbian erotica and information about lesbian sex and sexuality.

Wbat Helping Ourvomen (HOV) How u7eb

Wbere http: //www. prov incetown. com/vi t tage/organi zat i ons/how/hor,l . htm L Cornments "W'e are a nonprofit and support orgarrization of women concerned about the increasing number of women who are facing major illnesses without adequate care. HOWwas formed in the fall of 1992 to educate, empowel and support women with chronic and life-challenging illnesses. Our goal is to promote the health and well- being of all women."

Wbat Lesbian Health Resources Houl Web -d Wbere h t t p: / /www-pe r sona L . um i c h . edu/ r u i d / L es . h tm L Comments Information and contacts for lesbian health resources around the country.

Wbat The Lesbian Safer Sex Page How W'eb - Wbere h t t p : / / w w w . c m p h a r m . u c s f . e du / t r o y e r / s a f e s e x / L e s b i a n s s - h t m L Comments Excellent resources and information about lesbian sexuality, including a printable stand-up display with safer sex informationl

LESBIAN HOT-LISTS AND COLLECTIONS

Wbat Arnazon.org How ufeb

Wbere h t tp: //wuw. amazon. org

22fl The Resources

Cornments Collection of links of interest to lesbians and bi women, with a special emphasis o:: northern California resources. Most of the linlis here are not specifically lesbian or-- ented, but are mostly queer- andlor woman-friendly.

Wbat Caryl's Lesbian Links How Web - Wbere ht tp: / /www. s i r i us. com/ ca ry L s/ Comments Caryl Shaw guides you through her favorite lesbian Web sites, providing helpf.ri annotations and a ranking system based on quality of design and content.

Wbat A Dyke's Wodd How Web

Wbere h t tp: / /www - qwor Ld. ong/ Dykestllor Ld/ i ndex2. htm Comments This site is actually composed of lots of parts, and they're all great! The site is ue work of Indina Beuche in Germany, and it's a nice blend of great information. interesting stories, hard-to-find lesbian links, and really fantastic graphics, design. and la1. out. Some of what you'll find on A Dyke's World: Sweet Music-Sisters on Stage, a:: annotated list of links to lesbians in the music industry; an annotated guide to some of our worst enemies, so you can know what they're up to and be prepared to fi-eh: them; lots of great Web design resources; and of course a great lesbian hot-fist.

Wbat June L. Mazer Lesbian Collection Hoza Web Wbere http://www.Lesbian.org/nazer/ Comments "Dedicated exclusively to preserving lesbian history and to guaranteeing that those who come after us will not have to believe that they'walk alone.' The Collection L. committed to gathering and preserving materials by and about lesbians of all cla-sss. ethnicities, races, and experiences. Included are personal letters and scrapbooks- lesbian artwork, manuscripts, books, records, newspapers, magazines, photograph:. videotapes, flyers, papers oflesbian organizations, private papers, and even clorlr- ing, such as softball uniforms from the l940s and 1950s."

Wbat The Lesbian History Project Hotp Web Wbere http://www-tib.usc.edu/-retter/main.htmL Comlnents The mission of this site is "to support efforts to gather, record, publicize, and pre- serve work on lesbian history in any geographic area or time period, with an emphasis on lesbians of color in general and southern California in particular."

Wbat Searchable Lesbian Links How Web Wbere http://www.lesbian.org/Lesbian/ Comments Joint effort betweenW$TWomen (http: / / www. wwwomen. com) and Lesbian.org t;J0 0ut 0n-Line

(http: / /www. Lesbian-org). Providesthemostcomprehensiveindexof lesbian- specific links on the Web today The index is updated on a regular basis and is fully searchable by key word.

Wbat Swade Lesbian Tribal Voice: Glimpses of Our History How W'eb

Wbere ht tp : //www. mi ndspri ng. com/- swade/ L es_h i st. h tm

Commsnts As the name implies, this site provides readers a glimpse into lesbian history in the form of a timeline, starting with poet Sappho in the 58Os B.C. and ranging across the continents and through time until the present.

Wbat Yoohoo! Lesbians! Hottt Web

Wbere h t t p: / /www. s a ppho. com/yoohoo / Comments Annotated and beautifully designed guide to lesbian and gay Web sites, in ahierar- chical directory format similar to Yahoo's.

ON.LINE MEETING PLACES

Wbat D.Y.K.E. How Web

Wbere h t t p :,//dspace. d i a L . p i pex - com/town/ squar e / ad454 / Comments D.YK.E. is an unusual site, with heavy emphasis on the lesbian bar scene, both virtual and real. You can learn more about the fine art of cruising in the "Cruise Me Now" caf6, or leave a message on the virtual wall of the Ladies Lounge. The site also features links to the Oscar $/ilde Sociery Fan's Private Salon, and the D.YK.E. News.

SP: What are the most popular on-line forums for lesbians?

AG: Lesbian mailing lists. At last count I believe there were some forty-six e-mait tists for lesbians, and although

I don't have exact numbers, I feel sure there aren't the same number of discussion lists for gay men. These are dis-

cussion tists (not news or announcements lists), so that is significant, and they?e all pretty high volume.

Wbat GmlTalk Hou IRC

Wbere h t t p: / /www. geo c i t i es . com/l'les t Ho L tywood/ 1 123 / Sr r L , h tm L Comments Bi-lled as "a guide to lesbian IRC," the Grd1alk Web site fearures comprehensive information about how to use Internet Relay Chat and how to find lesbian IRC channels.

wbat Guide to Lesbian Mailing Lists Hotu W'eb

.).) 1 -,ll The Resources - Wbere h t t p : / / w w w . h e L s i n k i . f i / k r i s_n t k / L e z L i s t / L e z L . h t m L Cornments Mailing lists are the most popular way to have interactive communication on the Internet, and not surprisingly, the best way to meet and have conversations with other lesbians. This site contains the most comprehensive information on lesbian mailing lists to date, including a description of each list's purpose and instructions for what's happening on Dyke Street!

Wbat Lesbian;Themed Newsgroups How Usenet newsgroups

Wbere a tJ. Lesb i an. f emi n i st. poet ry; a I t. shoe. Iesbi an; soc. support. youth. gay- tesbi an-b i ; and soc. women. I esbi an-and-b i Comments Of the thousands of newsgroups, only a handful address lesbian themes. These four groups are primarily for lesbians and bisexual women, with special interests as the names imply. Tidbit A broader range of queer and or women's issues are discussed in the following newsgroups: so c . mot s s; s o c . f em i n i sml soc . women.

Wbat Pleiades, Qwodd, and Women Online Woddwide (WOWomen) Hou Web Wbere http : //www. p tei ades-net. com; http : //www. qwor Ld. org; and http= / / wt",w. Lrowwomen. com Comments On each of these sites you can find web-based message boards on topics directly or indirectly relating to lesbians and lesbian issues. QVorld and WOt$9'omen also fea- ture regular, hosted "live chat" sessions on lesbian topics; check the sites for a calendar and more information.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Wbat Alternative Creations Hou W'eb Wbere http: //www.a tternative-creations. com/ Comments "Alternative Creations is a lesbian-owned and operated business that produces and promotes art for and by women. Our primary goal is to be an asset to our community by designing products that are not only fun but are also needed in our society."

Wbat Artemis On-line Mall How I(eb

Wbere h t t p : / /www. t'lebga t . com/ a r t em i s Cornments Functions as a gallery of lesbian-owned businesses that are currently on the web. Here you can browse through the different on-line offerings of a wide variety of com- panies, selling products and services that range from consulting to travel to cloth- ing and jewelry.

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wbat Olivia Travel Hou Web Wbere http: //www.oI i viatrave[. com Conuments Olivia Travel offers cruises and travel packages for women only, to destinations around the world. "Olivia is committed to creating adventures as priceless as the women who take them. Hard to imagine? Not for the more than 12,000 women who have traveled with us in the past six years. And their experience will be yours: a wodd class vacation in the company of women, with all the freedom you need to be who you are!" Check out the site for details on upcoming cruises and vacation packages.

Wbat We'Moon Lesbian Calendar Hou Web Wbere http : //www. te Leport. com/-wemoon/ Comments "V'e'moon is not just a calendar, it's a way of life: an astrological moon calendar, ecofeminist appointment book, daily guide to narural rhythm, and lunar perspective through the thirteen moons of the year. It also provides access to an international Web of fabulous, creative womyn, with art and writing from womyn around the wodd; womyn-loving, Goddess-inspired themes; and an active network of womyn sharing work and ideas across the planet."

PUBLICATIONS AND LITERARY LINKS

Wbat Escape }'f.agazfure How $/eb

Wbere h ttp: / /web. i d i rec t. com/-m i s t ress/escape. h tm

Cornrnents "Escape magazine is a full off-line publication geared specifically toward lesbian and bisexual women. With the help of a wonderful volunteer staff, our ideas and cre- ativity are only the start of what we hope will become the place women turn to when they want to get away. Although we work far away [from each other], we commu- nicate by compute! therefore bringing our talents and ideas closer."

Wbat For Lesbians: The Art and Poetry of Women How Web

Wbere h t tp : //www. goodnet . con / - s ta ceyls taceys_other'. h tm I Comments Stacey Coleman keeps up this page of useful links to information about lesbian poetry and arL. From this page you can also reach her list of links for lesbian writers of poetry and fiction.

Wbat HotHead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian lbmorist How Web

Wbere ht tp: //www - ma rys t reet. con/HH/ Comments In the parallel universe of comic books, Hothead Paisan lives out the revenge fantasies

')'l r| ,1'lr l The Resources

of thousands of women who've been assaulted and abused by men. Her adventures are a tad too violent for some, and refreshingly cathartic for others. Hothead isn't for everyone, so before you buy a print copy, check out the Web site for more info.

Wbat The Isle of Lesbos: Lesbian Images in Art How web

Wbere h ttp: / /www. sappho. com/ La r t/ Comments Painstakingly compiled by Alix North, this collection of lesbian images in art spans four centuries and three continents, and features both thumbnail and full-size r-er- sions of each image.

wbat Ttre Isle of Lesbos: Lesbian Poetry Hotp Web Wbere http://r,lww.sappho.con/poetry/ Commmts Like the Lesbian Images in Art site, this site is truly a labor of love-a collection of poetry by women with lesbian themes from the Renaissance to the present. care- fully researched and annotated. Alix Nonh provides extensive resources for funher srudy and has written original commentaries on all of the poets fearured here. The graphics on the site are also tastefully done and quick to load.

Wbat The Lesbian-Writers Page Hotp Web

Wbere h t tp: / /www. L esb ian. org/ L esb i an-wr i te rs/ Con'trnents Resources and information about lesbian books, writers, and publications. Also includes information on the lesbian-writers mailing list.

Wbat Matrices Hou web Wbere http://www.Lesbian.org/matnices/ Comments "Matrices: A Lesbian and Lesbian Feminist Researcb and Netuork Neutsletter. s ? nonprofit endeavor to increase communication and networking among those interested in lesbian scholarship." The site provides subscription information as n-ell a-. copies of back issues.

Wbat Sapphic Ink How web Wbere http: //www. Lesbi an. org/sapph i c-i nk/ Comments Sapphic Ink is a lesbian literary journal on the W'eb, published quarterly and l-ea- turing the work of lesbian writers from around the world. Wbat Visibilities How web t$4 0ut 0n-Line

Wberc h t tp: / /wwr. qror Id. org/V i s i /v i s i b_home. h tm t Comments Visibilities is an on-line mugazilre for lesbians, featuring stories, regular columns, cartoons, poetry, and on-line discussion forums on a riety of topics.

Wbat The Vrtdng Pad Hou V'eb Wberc http://www.goodnet.com/-stacey/yriting_pad.htmL Comments Showcases lesbian writers every month or so, including interviews with an author and excerpts from her work.

235 the rtrOmons'le glrlc to

A User-FriendtY the Handbook and Resource DirectorY \t'ircd urorld BY SHANA PENN

The Feminist Press at The City UniversitY of New York New York Published by The Feminist Press at The Ciry University of New york The City College, CUNI Wingate Building ConventAvenue at 138th Street, NewYork, NY 10031 First edition, 1997

No part of this book may be reproduced or used, stored in any information retrieval system or transmit- ted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from The Feminist Press at The City University of New York except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Image on page 67 reprinted by permission of the Network of East-West Women. Image on page 72 reprinted by permission of WomensNet and Netscape. Image of Netscape Browser Frame copyright @ 1996 Netscape Communications Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Netscape Communications Corporation has not authorized, sponsored, or endorsed, or approved this publication and is not responsible for its content. Netscape and the Netscape Communications Corporation Logos, are trademarks and trade names of Netscape Communications Corporation. All other product names and/or logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Excerpt from "If You Don't Love It, Leave It," on page 11 from Tlte New York Times Magazine, by Esther Dyson, July 16, 1995. Copytight @ L995 by The New York Times Company Reprinted by permission. -l,l}, Excerpts from "The Cyber-Maxims of Esther Dyson" on pages 264 from Interuiez,, copyright @ 1997 by Claudia Dreltrs. Published by Seven Stories Press. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

All effons have been made to contact copyright holders for on-line materials; the author and publisher would like to be notified by copyright holders who are not acknowledged or acknowledged incorrectly

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Penn, Shana. The women's guide to the wired world : a user-friendly handbook and resource directory / by Shana Penn.-lst ed. p.cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-55861-767-3 (alk. paper) 1. Internet (Computer networ$-Directories. 2. Women's computer network resources- Directories. I. Title. 2A4201.P461997 O25.04-dc2l 97-rOO3r CIP

This publication is made possible, in part, by a major grant from the The AI&T Foundation. The Feminist Press would also like to thank The Sister Fund, Joanne Markell, Caroline Urvate! and Genevieve Vaughan for their generosity in supponing this publication.

Text design by Ascienzo Design, New York Typesetting by CompuDesign, Jackson Heights, New York Printed on acid-free paper by WebCom Limited. Printed in Canada.

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