For not the first time, Paul Olsen, in his annual Holiday Gift List, slammed Vermont Gay Social Alternatives (VGSA) this time by wishing the members of the organization an audit with the comment, "What does that $15 go for?" While I find most of his wishes amusing and appreciate his ability to use this paper for personal vendettas, his suggestion that monies collected by VGSA are being misused must be addressed.

Since 1990, VGSA has provided opportunities for gay men and lesbians to meet in comfortable, non-threatening social surroundings. Membership dues are $15 a year. This fee underwrites the cost of producing and mailing the monthly newsletter. This newsletter not only includes organizational activities, but informs people of other groups' events (local, regional, national and international). Perhaps Paul spends money on subscriptions of magazines, membership in other organizations or has access to this information via other means, but many of our members don't - and, in many cases, don't need to. Many of our members make no effort to attend our events, but continue to support the organization precisely for this information.

Most of the events sponsored or organized by VGSA are either free or are self-sustaining. Other activities, such as hosting the annual New Year's Eve-nt (the fifth just passed), take much money to organize and advertise without any guarantee that it will break even. Any money left over from mailing the newsletter is used to make up the difference.

VGSA is also very committed to community service. The organization has hosted fund-raising events for Vermont CARES, Mens Health Project, Vermont Pride and other groups. For the past four years VGSA has sponsored an appreciation dinner for staff and volunteers of Vermont Respite House. For the past five years VGSA has assisted with a holiday party for the residents of St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly. Most of the money and items needed for these projects are donated by members, however, some organization money may be used for any shortfall.

It bothers me that Paul felt he had to air his unfounded suspicions in this paper. The VGSA Steering Committee meetings have always been open to members and members have always been encouraged to attend and participate in meetings. If Paul had questions, all he had to do was ask. But apparently it's easier and, in this case, more fun, to make not-so-subtle accusations in print rather than search for facts.

I would like to suggest to Paul that if he feels that he's not getting his money's worth from his membership, that he not renew again. Or perhaps he could become an active - rather than a distractive - member of this fine organization.

Bob Bolyard
Burlington
Former VGSA Steering Committee member

Paul Olsen responds: Does this mean I'm not a candidate for the 1997 Real Mason VGSA Member of the Year award?
P.S. Release the financial statements.

Thanks to Chris for his thought provoking editorial last month. I think we all need to reconsider our commitment to The Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights following the conference in Rutland. The VCLGR is an indispensable asset to "the community" in Vermont. It's the only group that strives to watch out for our interests in Montpelier. Without the VCLGR, legislation restricting the rights of GLBTQ Vermonters would likely pass unnoticed until it was too late. For instance- Because VCLGR volunteers were keeping their ears to the ground in 1996, the bad first draft of the Adoption Reform Bill that would have prevented same-gender parents from jointly adopting each others natural children was changed to uphold the rights of children who have parents of the same gender. Vermont is now one of the few places in the world where the same-gender domestic partner of a natural parent can adopt the child of their partner without that partner giving up their own parental rights. Having our voice heard in state government requires an extraordinary amount of time and skill. That's why we need hardworking VCLGR volunteers, with experience in the law and politics, to work on all our behalf.

The idea of groups becoming members of the VCLGR is a good one as long as individual membership is still cultivated. Individuals have the power to vote or call their representatives and request specific actions on specific issues. Democracy is based on individual education and participation. (There is in fact a provision in the VCLGR by-laws for "corporate memberships." Perhaps all that's needed is a volunteer to solicit and coordinate such memberships. Any takers?)

The VCLGR does other work that is important, but if the organization can keep it together enough to continue their fine work in Montpelier, we'll all be better off for it. I believe the suggestion that this important work should cease is very short-sighted and a bit naive.

Joseph Watson
Leicester

Dear Editor:

I read with interest Chris Moes' thoughtful editorial last month, in which he ruminated about the purpose of the Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights, and wondered whether the organization has served its purpose and should disband. As someone who has served on the VCLGR board for several years, and as someone who regards VCLGR's continued existence as critical to our community, I wanted to take the opportunity to respond to Chris.

Chris is right when he points out that the VCLGR was formed over a decade ago, when we did not yet have any g/l/b/t youth groups or social groups, when we did not yet have an AIDS resource and support organization or a marriage task force, when we did not yet have a newspaper to disseminate information and news. In those early days, the VCLGR helped to fill the void by sponsoring social events, talking with politicians about the discrimination we faced, and establishing a mailing list to provide folks with information. In short, the VCLGR was the only statewide organization addressing the myriad issues facing our community.

As a direct and indirect result of the work the VCLGR did back then, the VCLGR helped to spawn all of the various organizations which now exist in our community, including groups such as the Adoption Task Force and the Freedom to Marry Task Force. The fact that we now have such issue-specific groups in our community, however, does not mean that the VCLGR is obsolete. In fact, I see two very important roles that the VCLGR serves, and should continue to serve. First, the VCLGR is our only true statewide organization; it has a large membership and a tremendous mailing list. It really is the only organization that is equipped to organize and sponsor an annual conference and Town Meeting. The fact that hundreds of g/l/b/t Vermonters attend this conference each year is proof of its continuing viability; the conference serves the valuable function of bringing us together, for socializing, checking in, debating, discussing, sharing information, showing our pride.

Second, the VCLGR serves the extremely important role of dealing with the politicians and bureaucrats in Montpelier on our behalf. The VCLGR has two liaisons to the state government, Keith Goslant and Virginia Renfrew, who spend many volunteer hours each legislative session at the statehouse, talking with legislators about our issues, monitoring bills, lobbying on our behalf. Let us not forget that it was the VCLGR liaisons, and VCLGR members, who were instrumental in lobbying for many of the legislative protections we now enjoy, such as the anti-discrimination law, the hate crimes law, and the second parent adoption law, among many others.

Finally, and most importantly, we cannot overlook the fact that the VCLGR, to a degree unlike any other g/l/b/t organization in this state, has name recognition and respect within the (mostly straight) political establishment. While other organizations, such as Outright and Vermont CARES, are also well known and well respected by politicians with regard to youth issues and AIDS issues, respectively, only the VCLGR is seen as the statewide "gay political lobbying group" on a variety of g/l/b/t issues.

In Montpelier, name recognition and respect are critical to success. Over the years, VCLGR liaisons have worked hard to establish a reputation as savvy, astute, and thoughtful lobbyists on our behalf. They have worked hard to develop a working relationship with the governor's office and other state government offices. While we may not agree with everything the VCLGR may do or say in Montpelier, I would hope that we could all agree that it is critical that we have a presence there. It has taken the VCLGR over a decade to develop its reputation; it would be a disaster if the VCLGR disbanded and that voice, that access to the political powers that be, were lost to us.

I agree with Chris that the VCLGR should not be expected to take on all the myriad issues facing our community; it cannot be all things to all people. Single-issue organizations and interest groups are much better equipped to address those matters. Instead, the VCLGR should concentrate on the two things it has done so well for so many years: organize the annual conference, and monitor the goings-on in Montpelier to protect our political interests.

The VCLGR is uniquely equipped to do these two things among all our other organizations, and if it continues to do these two things it will more than justify its continued existence. Serving these two functions alone makes the VCLGR an invaluable community resource.

Sincerely,
Susan M. Murray

Since 1995, VCLGR has organized the annual Visibility Day at the State House. This is a day when organizations from our community are present at the State House to speak to legislators and state officials about their organizations and the needs of our communities. Last year more than half of the legislators wore pink triangles with the word ALLY written on it provided by VCLGR. What a great sight.

This past year, VCLGR had many accomplishments. We now have an in-state toll free number, #888- 825-4989. The Coalition established the toll free number to make it easier for the community to contact us regarding concerns, needs, and exchange of information. We purchased the video,"It's Elementary," and have used it at educational forums and discussions around the state. It is also available to other organizations. We organized another successful conference, and spent time with legislators concerning H.182, the Vermont version of DOMA, introduced by Rep. Sheltra. We continued our visibility within State Government and provided input on issues of importance to our communities. VCLGR organized the first conversation between our youth and Governor Dean. VCLGR was actively involved with the AIDS service community providing ongoing advocacy within the legislature, Department of Health and the Office of the Governor. We responded to complaints from our incarcerated community and advocated for increased services. The Coalition also responded to complaints from survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence who had difficulties accessing the service network and needed advocacy within the court system. The Liaisons continued to make themselves available for information, referral and advocacy to members of our communities.

The editorial stated that VCLGR's Top priority this year is freedom to marry. This is only one of our top priorities along with increased attention to youth issues and continued advocacy for funding for AMAP and AIDS service providers. All three priorities were identified to the mainstream press; however, freedom to marriage was the only one they chose to report. During the legislative session the co-liaisons check each bill to make sure that anti-gay language has not been added, in addition to finding sponsors to introduce gay positive legislation. VCLGR is our only community organization that has committed itself to legislative advocacy and a continued presence at the Statehouse and within State government.

It is important to remember that VCLGR is a statewide organization that has GLBT members and the board, including the Liaisons, is composed of unpaid volunteers. We receive letters and phone calls from GLBT who are considering moving to Vermont or just want information about us. We respond to every request. We mail out resources to help those moving to Vermont have an easier transition.

We are Vermont's identified political contact for the newly formed National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Federation which now includes all fifty states. Often times we are contacted on how we passed laws and obtained benefits that other states are just beginning to work on. Our efforts in Vermont are seen as a model for other states.

We hope our community sees the continued importance of VCLGR. For those who do not, we welcome your calls and suggestions. The next coalition meeting will be held Jan.24th, 1998 at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph from 10 am to 1 PM. We welcome you to attend. The Coalition is willing to re-evaluate structure and focus so that it meets current need. We are also available to speak with groups or individuals, so please call us. Again, our toll free number in Vermont is 888-825-4989.

Virginia Renfrew
Keith Goslant
Karen Cayer
Duane Gajewski

Why does it take an editorial for the coaliton to tell us what it is doing? My concern and that of many in the community is that we don't know what is happening with the coalition, and the coalition has not made sure that the community knows what is going on. If the coalition is going to advocate for the community, then it needs to be more accountable to the community.

It troubles me that even here at OITM I am effectively in the dark as well. For example, Nancy Sheltra introduced a DOMA type bill? I didn't hear about it until Bill Lippert talked about it at the conference. No one from the coalition called OITM. I have offered OITM as a resource, and will continue to offer it. OITM is a valuable tool for communication in this community, and an available one.

I'm glad to hear the coalition is doing something, maybe next time I wont have to piss you all off to find out. --Ed.

Copyright © 1997 Mountain Pride Media, Inc.