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MESSAGE FROM WARNER FAMILY The family of Barry wish to express our gratitude for the support of friends in our recent bereavement. The many people who were able to get to Glasnevin and show their love for Barry gave consolation afterwards. We have acquired a whole new set of friends through the experience and to all of you we again say thank you.

NGF MEETING The National Gay Federation has called a meeting of its members and supporters to discuss the Federation's future role in the new Hirschfeld Centre. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday 24th September 1988 in the Clarence Hotel, Wellington Quay, Dublin, from 3-6pm. There will also be a discussion on NGF's finances (or lack of them) and its current political actions. Enquiries about the meeting should be made to the Federation any afternoon at (01) 732693, between 2-5pm. There will also be a fundraising party on the same date at the Irish Film Institute in Dublin's Eustace Street (off Dame Street). Admission is £3. D.J. Martin McCann, lead singer with Lord John White, will be entertaining dancers and there will also be refreshments available.

Norris Judgement Soon A decision in the Norris Constitutional Action is expected shortly from Strasbourg. Lesbian and gay activists have been meeting regularly in the offices of G ay Health Action and the National Gay Federation to consider an approach to the European Court's decision. David Norris originally challenged the Irish Government on the constitutionality of Ireland's anti-gay laws, the 18 61 Offences Against the State Act and the 1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act, in the late 70's. In June 1980 the High Court in Dublin ruled in favour of the Government and the decision was subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, where a 3-2 verdict was given again upholding the Government’s arguments. At that stage the case was officially taken up by the National Gay Federation acting as co-plaintiff. In early 1985 the European Commission of Human Rights at the Council of Europe voted on the admissibility of the case, allowing only David Norris to proceed in his action against the Irish Government. The Government was given an opportunity to argue its case for keeping the law on the Statutes. However the action proceeded to the European Court of Human Rights for a full hearing. The Court indicated early this year that a decision could be expected sometime in September. Because of the similarity with an action taken by gay activist Jeff Dudgeon against the UK Government in 1982 - which later led to a change in the laws governing homosexual activity in Northern Ireland - activists both sides of the Border are confident of a favourable decision.

SWITCHBOARD FUNDRAISING Tel-A-Friend, Gay Switchboard, which recently found itself off the air, has secured a new office at the Community Services Project, Christchurch Place, The AIDS Action Alliance is also based at this centre. TAF hopes to install three telephone lines in its new office.In the meantime the group has undertaken a major fund-raising drive from which it hopes to raise a massive £25,000.