"[The board] needs to find out what their community wants," Blake says.

DeBlosi agrees that meetings are generally not well-attended, although she notes the group has an e-mail list of over 300. Sofen estimates that a core group of about 30 attend the meetings.

"It's not really a support group, but there should be some measure of discussion," DeBlosi says. Several meetings this year featured speakers and educational topics and were well-attended, according to DeBlosi.

"People came more when there were speakers and stuff on the agenda," DeBlosi says. "We bring people out for things they can't just read on e-mail."

A Place for Me

In high school, Blake says, gay support groups were effective because they had a Clear mandate. Organization sought to dispel myths about the gay community, and provide support for younger students who were first dealing with their sexuality in a largely straight world.

But at Harvard, where some student are very comfortable with their sexuality, an aggressive awareness campaign can alienate those who need support, he says.

Several of the BGLTSA's member organizations see their mission as providing forums for discussions related to member's particular concerns. Leaders say groups like the Jewish Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Student Group (BAGELS), Spectrum, a support and discussion group for gay students of color, and girlspot, and group for "lesbian, bisexual and questioning women" provide smaller and safer environments than large BGLTSA meetings.

"[girlspot] is a place where questioning women can come and explore their sexuality," says Rachel E. Kramer '99, who, with DeBlosi, currently chairs girlspot.

girlspot regularly host speakers and discussions, ranging form a recent meeting with a speaker from Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, to transgendered women to poetry readings.

Kramer, who is a Crimson executive, says girlspot tries to educate rather than advocate for a political stance.

"We have a very specific agenda, whereas BGLTSA has to serve a larger community," Kramer says.

Similarly, BAGELS, cosponsored by Hillel and the BGLTSA, is a social outlet for students who are both Jewish and gay.

"I wanted a group that I felt passionate about," says Jennifer T. Tattenbaum '98, chair of BAGELS. "There was a political and organizational focus to BGLTSA and I wanted a chance to have fun."

BAGELS sponsors discussions, movies and special shabbat dinners for gay students. But Tattenbaum says her group fulfills a different role than the BGLTSA.