Struggling for queer visibility? Frustrated by a lack of resources to reach out to the queer community? Unsure of what medium is best to send out your message? Then think about Digital Queers (http://www.dq.org), an organization dedicated to helping the queer community through digital technology and communications.

Digital Queers (DQ) primarily is focussed on utilizing the Internet as a tool for supporting and expanding the ability of nonprofit organizations to serve the queer community. DQ provides hands-on training for those with little to no experience with computers, so don't let that stop you. They also assist money-raising efforts to buy equipment and software. And if money is too formidable a hurdle, DQ also maintains a bank of used and new computer systems.

DQ has local chapters around the country, though not in Montana. But it sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? Membership in DQ runs from $20-$1000, depending on what amount you'd like to donate. To the best of my knowledge, receiving assistance from DQ does not require a membership -- just go to their web site and contact them or call (415) 252-6282.

Whether you're a queer organization, a queer person or a raccoon, you can get your own web site, for free! There is a multitude of online resources, like Talk City, a chat oriented place (http://www.talkcity.com), Tripod (http://www.tripod.com), Geocities (http://www.geocities.com) and dozens of others. Today I'll tell you a little bit more about Geocities because that's where my web site is, and I'm the most familiar with their features.

While they say there's no such thing as a free lunch, in this case I would have to disagree. The only 'cost' in getting a Geocities home page is that you have at least one web link, preferably on your main page, back to the Geocities site. No required banner ads on your page, no junk mail solicitations, no fees.

Geocities sites come with free email and 11MB of space on their server. You can fill that space with anything you'd like, as long as it's legal, i.e., no bigotry or racism, nudity or pornographic material, promoting illegal activities. You cannot use your page for commercial purposes unless you sign up for the GeoShops membership, which has a nominal monthly fee, additional web space and other benefits.

Geocities is a virtual collection of cities and places. For instance, my web site is located in the West Hollywood-Village suburb, which at Geocities is dedicated to the queer community. Other places are Area 51 (sci-fi), Athens (education and literature), Capitol Hill (politics), Hot Springs (health), RainForest (environment), Yosemite (outdoors) and 34 other communities, including numerous 'suburbs' within each area.

If you are not experienced in all things webbed, Geocities makes building your own site extremely easy. When you login to the site, you have access to four types of HTML (the programming code for web pages) page editors that range from novice (just fill in the blank!) to expert. Geocities also has a variety of additional user-friendly resources to help you make your site simply while dazzling and impressing all your visitors. I am no HTML expert, but I've been able to make my site look nice enough to have someone say, ''I wish I was as cool as you!'' Unexpected but wonderful compliments; now who can resist an offer like that?