A Different Angle: a random collection of essays and observations, mostly about lesbian/gay/bi issues. © Todd VerBeek, Radio Zero(tm)

What's In A Name?

If you read the Network Board Notes in this issue of Network News, you will notice a brief notice about the newsletter's names policy. And if you read the masthead box on page two, you'll see a slight change in the wording there. Other than that, you probably won't notice any change in this issue of the newsletter.

But the change represents the results of a drawn-out, sometimes contentious debate about the overall goals of the newsletter, professionalism, respect for individual choice, and the politics of being "in" or "out". With such diverse backgrounds and personal philosophies, differences of opinion are inevitable among Board members. In this case, it was clearly a struggle for the Board as a whole to reach a consensus that recognized the perspectives of everyone involved.

The previous policy allowed only complete names in Network News. If an individual was not comfortable with having their full name printed, then their name would be left out. There would be no "Charlie", "Jane S.", or "T.J. Hooker" in the newsletter. The new policy relaxes that slightly. In order to give those who are uncomfortable with having their full name in print a chance to be mentioned in the newsletter, first initials may be substituted for first names. (e.g. "T. VerBeek") And the policy now acknowledges that there are some "extraordinary" circumstances in which some name - even just a first name - is called for.

I advocated added flexibility for the policy. While I am as "out" as they come, and encourage others to take whatever steps they can to do the same, I respect the right - perhaps sometimes the need - of others to maintain silence about their orientation and/or identity, while still maintaining full involvement in the community. And though it may not be in keeping with the desired image of the lesbian and gay rights movement, I would like the readers of this newsletter to see that there are closeted people involved in almost every aspect of the Network, from the Executive Committee of the Board to the person who attends one Network-sponsored event a year.

On the other hand, there was a great deal of concern about maintaining the professional image of Network News. After all, the newsletter is also seen by people outside of the lesbian and gay community, including members of our city government and local media. Also a number of Board members hope that the full-name-or-no-name requirement will encourage people to come out and put their full names on paper. That's a step that, sooner or later, they will be asked to take.

But the point isn't the exact form that names can take in these pages. What's more important is the process of decision-making. It would be really nice if debates such as this could end with everybody being happy, and the matter settled for good. But in the real world, conflicts like this aren't resolved that way. The policy now in place is a compromise, between respect for where people are and encouragement to keep moving, between professionalism and effectiveness in conveying information.

Neither interest is fully satisfied. But between the sincere struggle to do so, and the ability of each party to live with that struggle, we can hope that somehow we're able to do the right thing.

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