NOW to Hold Conference in Vermont

     The Northeast Region of the National Organization for Women will hold its first lesbian rights summit on November 16, 17 and 18 at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee, Vermont.
      “Moving Forward Together: A NOW Northeast Region Les/Bi/Trans/Allies Strategy Summit and Celebration” will be held in Vermont to celebrate passage of the state’s historic Civil Union Law.
      The mission of the conference is “to bring together lesbians, bisexual and transgendered people and our allies — to break down barriers that splinter our movement — to build coalitions that will strengthen and unite our causes. To Move Forward Together toward equality for all women and to strategize for our future and celebrate our victories and our lives.”
      The Summit will open with a poetry slam and mixer on Friday with renowned slammer Alix Olson.
      Speakers confirmed to date include Olga Vivas, newly elected National NOW Action Vice President; Elizabeth Toledo, former Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) and past National NOW Action VP; and Rosemary Dempsey, Director of Policy and Government Relations, Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP) and a past National NOW Action VP. Ms. Dempsey won custody of her children in one of the nation’s first lesbian custody cases. It took place in New Jersey.
      A Saturday night concert will feature a dynamic group of emerging feminist performers, including music by singer-songwriters Antara and Pamela Means, comedy with Meg Wright, and poetry by Alix Olson.
      Through workshops, panels, discussion, coalition building and celebration, NOW will seize the opportunity to recognize our accomplishments, discuss the challenges facing our movement and strategize future initiatives.
      “We invite you or your organization to be a co-sponsor of this event, to place an ad in the Summit Program, be a vendor, to tell your members and your friends, and to join us in November,” said Judy Murphy, Vermont NOW State Coordinator.
      The NOW Northeast Region includes the six New England states and New York State.