Filling an Information Void, Serving a Community

As coordinator for the Local Events Listserv, the Chapel Hill resident compiles a calendar and other information for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Coming-out support groups, AIDS awareness activities and social gatherings at local night clubs are some of the events listed.

Quirk said he knows there is a tremendous need for the listserv because of his experience when he came to Chapel Hill two years ago.

"When I moved here, I wanted to meet people," Quirk said. "I really wanted to know what was going on. The calendar fills that void."

Founded in 1999, the listserv was the brainchild of UNC graduate student Glenn Grossman. Since taking over the listserv for Grossman in July 2000, Quirk said he has seen it grow in content and audience.

"The biggest change I have seen over two years is that the number of events has increased," he said. "It has really gained in popularity."

In order to keep himself abreast of developments in the LGBT community, Quirk subscribes to several community listservs like those circulated by UNC's Queer Network for Change and similar groups at local universities.

The weekly update keeps people informed about events throughout the Triangle with an emphasis on Chapel Hill.

But Quirk's personal concerns extend far beyond Friday nights on Franklin Street.

He said he closely follows U.S. government policy changes that might affect the LGBT community.

Quirk said he does not hesitate to contact legislators with input on prominent or controversial bills like the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Nondiscrimination Act.

He also supports the LGBT community by attending unity and political events such as the parades, rallies and concerts associated with this month's N.C. PrideFest.

The life of an activist and organizer is new to Quirk because he was not involved in LGBT activities in his hometown of Jacksonville.

"I wasn't out at home," he said. "But since I've been (in Chapel Hill), I've realized there actually was a gay community there."

Fellow activist Grossman, president of Carolina Alternative Meeting of Professional and Graduate Students, highly praises Quirk and underlines his significance among the LGBT population.

"When I see people meet him for the first time, they always say, `Oh you're the Tony Quirk?' Every gay and lesbian person knows him," Grossman said.

Grossman said Quirk's name is well known because of the listserv's impact.

"Lifeline is the word I hear people use to describe (the listserv). It makes them feel connected to the LGBT community," he said.

In addition to his work on the listserv project, Quirk holds a position as network administrator in the UNC Registrar's Office and attends classes as a part-time student.

Quirk said he is satisfied with his place in life, but he has plans for both his own future and that of the listserv.

"I am happy with where I am now," he said.

"I would like to graduate and see myself get involved in more LGBT activism."

Quirk's goals for the listserv are lofty. He said he hopes to have 2,000 subscribers by the end of the fall semester.

Those interested in subscribing can send a message to local-events-request@listserv.unc.edu with the word subscribe in the subject line.

"We are always wanting the listserv to grow in terms of more subscribers but also in terms of more events being advertised," he said.

"We can never be finished with that."

The Features Editor can be reached at features@unc.edu.