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I would like to respond to Mr. Alec Hartill and anyone else who might have
been offended by my "notice for GLIRT members" posted on ARLIS-L 1/12/99.

I regret that you have interpreted the mission of the Gay and Lesbian
Interests Round Table of ARLIS/NA as sexist, and not a worthy or eligible
communicator on the ARLIS-L.  I strongly disagree based on the following
facts.

The Gay and Lesbian Interests Round Table (GLIRT) is an established, valid,
and recognized group within ARLIS/NA.  As stated in the ARLIS/NA Bylaws
(reprinted in the front section of the ARLIS/NA Handbook and List of
Members), Article XII C Roundtables Section 1: "Round Tables of the
Society, which represent professional subgroups . . . or other interests,
and which will serve as a focus for discussion and informal exchange of
information within these groups, shall be considered by the Executive Board
upon written petition of 15 individual members of the Society who desire to
participate in the activities of the proposed Round Table."    Such a
petition was made and approved a number of  years ago, and since that time
GLIRT has been an active, creative, constructive and contributing group
within ARLIS/NA.  One need only look at past conference programs to see the
wide range of programming offered by GLIRT and their many contributions  to
the larger organization.

GLIRT by definition is inclusive, not exclusive, and the label of "sexist"
has me entirely baffled.  It is hard to respond when I don't understand how
this label applies to this group, but I will share the following facts: As
stated in Article XII C Roundtables Section 3 of the ARLIS/NA Bylaws, "Any
individual, Institutional, Business Affiliate, or Special member of the
Society is eligible to become a member of any Round Table."  It is the
understanding and practice of GLIRT, as true of all ARLIS/NA Round Tables,
that any member of ARLIS/NA is a welcome member and participant of GLIRT.
Let me emphasize that no member of ARLIS/NA is excluded from this group.
In addition  the GLIRT membership has made a concerted effort, often
collaborating with other divisions or round tables, to offer programming of
interest and value to all ARLIS/NA members.  This year's conference
session, focusing on censorship of art materials, is an excellent example
of programming that we hope will appeal to a wide cross section of the
ARLIS/NA membership as it touches the very heart of our profession.  For
those who object to the existence of GLIRT, I ask if you also object to the
Indigenous Art and Culture Round Table, the Women and Art Round Table, or
any other existing and valid group within our organization.

Anyone who wishes to become better acquainted with the purpose of GLIRT
need only read the "Statement of Purpose", printed on page xxi of the most
recent ARLIS/NA Handbook and List of Members.  There one will learn that
this group is concerned with issues of collection development,
bibliographic expertise, art scholarship and other issues germane to the
profession of librarianship.

The purpose in establishing a GLIRT discussion list  is quite simple: to
foster communication within the Round Table and to facilitate program
planning.  I have created discussion lists  when I have chaired other
groups within ARLIS/NA, and found it to be an extremely efficient and
simple way for us to conduct business.  There is nothing unusual about this
procedure.  At present the ARLIS/NA Headquarters is not able to set up
discussion lists for groups within the organization so those of us who feel
the need are taking on this responsibility ourselves with the blessing of
the ARLIS/NA Executive Board.

In closing, I would like to extend a personal invitation to Mr. Hartill,
and any other member who is not familiar with the contributions of GLIRT,
to attend our program "When Finally Aroused: Continuing Censorship Cases in
Canada and the United States" at the 1999 Vancouver Conference.  In
addition, if you might be interested in becoming a member of GLIRT, you are
most welcome to chat with members at the conference or attend our business
meeting and get to know us.    I think you will find that we are a
friendly, open, *inclusive* group of art librarians who welcome
participation of new members, and who are dedicated to ARLIS/NA and our
profession and try to make a significant contribution to both.

 I apologize to all who have made it this far (I am sure many have hit the
delete button by now) for being so long-winded.  I felt it necessary reply
at length in order to pacify any rancor or animosity in an organization in
which I have *always* felt welcome, and which is so close to my heart.

Susan Wyngaard, Moderator
GLIRT