Community Compass
Community Compass is a service of OITM. GLBT organizations from around the state are invited to provide brief — 200 words or less — descriptions of recent or upcoming activities and events. Send your submissions to us by email by the 15th of the month.
Samara Foundation Awards Seven Scholarships
Samara Foundation announced that four $1,100 scholarships and three $200 Notable Student Awards were presented for 2002 to seven Vermont High School graduates. The Samara Scholarship was established in 2000 as an investment in the future of Vermont students who oppose discrimination and prejudice and who stand for the elimination of homophobia in our society. Look for more information in the Summer Samara Newsletter and on our web site at: www.samarafoundation.org.
Samara Foundation would like to thank the members of the Samara Scholarship Advisory Committee for all their hard work and dedication: Natalie Brennan, Dummerston; Chris Chambers, Lebanon, NH; Mac Lippert, Burlington; Pam Macy, Lyndonville; Roland Palmer, Hinesburg; Tom Robinson, Colchester; B.J. Rogers, Burlington, Susan Sussman (Chair) Middlesex and; David Wales, Isle La Motte.
The Vermont Unity Project (a collaboration between The Vermont Community Foundation and Samara Foundation of Vermont) is in the final stages of developing a statewide needs assessment of Vermont’s LGBT communities to determine what community members consider to be their most important needs. The survey will be available beginning at Pride on June 15th and on the Samara Foundation web site. Please help shape the future of Vermont’s LGBT community by filling out a survey!
Mountain Pride Media Gets by with a Little Help from its Friends
Each month, Mountain Pride Media (MPM) acknowledges the individuals who help get Out In The Mountains out into the community. Thanks to Tania, Jim, Roland, Euan, Pete, Matthew, Judy, Michael, Stephen, Dustin, Dan, James, Marsha, Aldora, Daryl, Fran, Todd, Denny, Susan and Elizabeth. We would also like to acknowledge an anonymous donation of a box of packing tape, which will definitely be put to use. The June “Stuffing” (July Issue) will be on Thursday, June 27th starting at 5:30 p.m. at our office, above The Daily Bread, in Richmond, Vermont. Please Feel free to stop by, say hello and help out.
Mountain Pride Media has produced its 2001 Annual report. You can find a copy of the report at www.mountainpridemedia.org. We thank the Hinesburg Branch of the Merchant’s Bank, Branch Manager Gladys Douse, and the Merchant’s Bank Foundation for their generous sponsorship of this year’s annual report. Thanks also to Paw Print, Ashgate Publishing & ilovermont.com for their help with this project.
We are grateful to The Haymarket People’s Fund for their generous grant in support of our Non-Profit Media Access Program. Please stay tuned for exciting information about this new program in the coming months.
We would also like to send out a special thank you to James Garris’ father and Michael Hampton for helping us dispose of numerous items (including a very old A/C unit and a runaway “lofa” seat) during our recent “Spring Cleaning” day.
Mountain Pride Media is celebrating Pride in style! Please stop by and see us in the Burlington waterfront on June 15th. You can meet board and staff members as well as volunteers or even walk with us in the parade. You can buy OITM t-shirts, MPM hats, and subscribe to Vermont’s one and only Out In The Mountains. We are also excited to be co-sponsors of the Lost Nation Theater’s presentation of Emily Mann’s award winning play, Execution of Justice June 20th through July 7th. We will be hosting a special benefit performance of the show on Sunday June 23rd at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person for this show and the proceeds will benefit MPM. Seating for this special performance is limited so reserve your tickets today by contacting Roland Palmer at 802-383-7679 (days), 802-482-2550 (eves.), or rfpvt@together.net
Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force: WE CUT THE CAKE!
The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force (VFTMTF) will recognize the second anniversary of the Civil Union law at the Pride celebration on June 15th in downtown Burlington. The Task Force is planning to launch a float and march in the Pride parade and to serve wedding cake at its tent in Burlington’s Waterfront Park.
“We plan to do a lot of marching and munching on Pride Day!” said VFTMTF Pride Coordinator Keith Ribnick. “No other states have anything even close to our Civil Union law. We have a lot to be proud of here in Vermont, so why not celebrate it on Pride Day?”
The theme of the VFTMTF float and booth will be We Cut the Cake! ... WEDDING cake, that is. The Task Force float in the Pride parade will feature a huge wedding cake, and it will be flanked by supporters of Vermont’s landmark law.
“Our creative volunteers are stepping forward to bring together a truly memorable float,” Ribnick said. After the parade, the Task Force will welcome visitors to a large tent at the afternoon Pride celebration. People who have celebrated civil unions or weddings or wish to celebrate passage of the law will be invited to cut the cake.
Besides the typical ingredients, the cake will contain several special beans. Anyone finding a bean in their slice will win a prize donated by local and regional businesses. Prizes range from complimentary dinners for two at wonderful restaurants to complimentary weekend getaway packages at fabulous resorts.
At the tent visitors will also be able to see the VFTMTF traveling display booth, gather information about the Task Force, stock up on new bumper stickers and buttons, and even make a donation. Volunteers will be on-hand to staff the booth, serve the cake and answer questions.
“We hope you’ll join us to help us celebrate Pride Day and the second anniversary of the Civil Union law! Please march with us and stop by our booth to have some wedding cake, too!” Ribnick added.
For more information please contact Keith Ribnick, VFTMTF Pride Event Coordinator, at 802-828-9130.