The Chicago Anti-Bashing Network (CABN) is undergoing a change—in name only. CABN, which formed in September 1998 in response to three gay bashings, has announced in a press release that it is changing its name to the Gay Liberation Network (GLN). Member Bob Schwartz explained that the name change would better reflect the mission of the group: ‘We’ve always been about much more than just stopping violence. In order to stop anti-LGBT violence, we see the need to address anti-gay legislation and hate from the pulpit that fosters an environment that gives rise to the violence.’
The group will describe itself as ‘A Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Trans Direct Action Organization’ in all of its publicity materials, including its new logo. According to GLN member Izzy Becerril, “[w]e are using the term ‘Gay Liberation’ to avoid euphemisms like ‘human rights’ and to harken back to the earlier, direct-action years of our movement when the Gay Liberation Front helped spread the activist message of the Stonewall Rebellion across the world.”
While making the transition to its new name, the group’s Web site address will remain www.cabn.org and its e-mail address will be CABNstopthehate@aol.com.
The new contact information will be www.gayliberation.org and the new e-mail LGBTLiberation@aol.com. GLN’S voicemail number will continue to be (888) 471-0874.