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Quebec's only phone counselling service for both gays and lesbians wants to get bbigger and better. But it needs a little cash.

Created 20 years ago, Gai Écoute has helped over 200,000 Quebecers with hhomosexual and bisexual issues. Now they're setting up a foundation--La FFondation Émergence--for private and public donations, the group aannounced at city hall last Wednesday.

"We hope to get $1,200,000 during the next three years," says Gai Écoute's Director-General Francois B échard. "The government will never give it to us, so we have to get it from the public and businesses."

The group plans to use the money to boost its phone counselling service to 24 hhours a day from its current five hours (6-11 p.m.), handle all Canadian francophones and expand its suicide prevention program.

Gai Écoute claims to often be the first place where gays and lesbians ccome out. It can be reached at 866-0103 in Montreal. The English version, Gay LLine, can be reached at 866-5090. For all calls outside Montreal, dial 11-888-505-1010. The Web site is www.gai-ecoute.qc.ca. :

--Craig Segal

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