The internet has changed the way we live our lives. With a few keystrokes, we can access information, watch movies, or buy products. But can the web help us find true love? If not, can it at least help us 'hook up' for the weekend?
     R.U. 1 2? is helping lesbians to find out. October 26th, the Bohnett Cyber Center was home to an interactive workshop entitled "Sex Online for Women."
     "This is one of a series of workshops we'll be holding at the Cyber Center," explains Peggy Luhrs, of R.U.1.2? "We're very open to suggestions for future workshops, so that we'll be covering topics people are interested in."
     Sex Online for Women was the brainchild of R.U.1.2?'s director Christopher Kaufman, and covers lesbian chat rooms, safe sex sites, and educational sites. "Some of this information can be difficult to find in Vermont," Luhrs explained. "But no matter where your personal interests lie, you can be sure there's a site for it on the web." She lists a few options. "There's a goddess club, a strap-on site, you name it. We've had requests for leather-oriented sites, so we'll be including a few of them."
     At press time, Luhrs is uncertain how much demand there will be for the seminar. "The internet is still not the major way women want to meet. They don't use the personals the same way men do.
     "Look at Seven Days [Burlington-based news and arts weekly] personals," she continued. "The men are very clear about what physical traits they're looking for, while the women are looking for relationships, emotional connection. In San Francisco, things are a little different. You'll see women being a little more overt about what they're looking for physically."
     The comfortable anonymity of cyberspace may make it easier for local lesbians to find like-minded lovers. "We do cover some chat room safety," Luhrs said. "It's not as big an issue for women, but everyone needs to understand that there are people who will pretend to be someone else when they're online."
     "When you're going to meet someone, it's a good idea to set up that first meeting in a public place. That way you can meet in a safe environment." More and more women appear to be using on-line chat rooms, and posting personal ads at queer websites like Planet Out.
     The seminar format combines a brief talk on the wide range of lesbian-interest sites with some hands-on computer time. "We'll go to some of these sites as we discuss them," Luhrs explained. "We'll visit a chat room, and participants will be able to engage in the discussion."
     When asked about community reaction to the seminar, Luhrs chuckled. "Some people think it's fabulous, a positive way to liberate ourselves sexually. Others feel that it cheapens our sexuality, and makes it a commodity." She places herself somewhere between the two - "I'm for some liberalization, against the commodization."
     Luhrs is confident that there will be other workshops on the same topic, as well as some sessions focusing on the gay male sites.

Cynthia Potts is a freelance writer who lives with her family and a growing menagerie of animals in Plattsburgh.