| The Isle
of Man Lesbian & Gay Switchboard operated between 1991 and August
2002, and during that time took on average 250 calls per year. In
addition to lesbians and gays, Switchboard often accepted calls from
transsexuals and bisexuals as well as the friends and parents of lesbians
and gays.
The calls covered a host of subjects, not only those concerning
gay issues. We regularly needed to cope with problems such as alcohol
and drug abuse, rape and physical violence, bereavement, or even
the whereabouts of entertainment venues locally. Of course Switchboard
could not specialise in each of these areas, and therefore refered
the caller to a relevant national or local support service.
Now that we offer a web based service we can provide information
in all of these areas or we can refer on.
We are often the first point of contact for lesbians and gays who
feel isolated, or who are just coming out, new to the Island, or
on holiday here. We always aim to promote safer sex information,
and our close co-operation with other local and national organisations
allow a free exchange of information, keeping us up to date with
H.I.V. developments etc.
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