The Gay/Lesbian Union (GLU) voted on changing their name to be more inclusive of the bisexual community at a meeting last Thursday.

The members present voted to change the name to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Coalition (LGBC).

Brian Turkaly, a co-president of the LGBC, said the group wished to make bisexuals aware that they were welcome in the organization. He also said he felt there were many people in the gay community who needed to be educated on bisexuality.

“As it stands now,” Turkaly said, “no one who is bisexual, lesbian or gay should feel that there is no support or concern for their well-being.”

Tara Moyle, another co-president, said, “We decided to put lesbian first instead of gay because lesbians, bisexuals and gays were usually referred to as gays, and lesbians have tended to be in the background in groups like this.”

In referring to the name change, Turkaly said they felt coalition had a stronger, more militant sound to it than the term union.

He also said the group was open to people in all stages of “coming out.”

Turkaly said they felt the name change was necessary to show their commitment to wanting lesbians and bisexuals to actively participate in the group.

“With GLU, people viewed us as a ‘Boy’s Club,’ without women in the group,” he said.

In addition, Turkaly and Moyle said they felt there was a need to inform both heterosexuals and homosexuals about bisexuality.