The largest gathering to date of GLBTQIA youth congregated at Burlington’s City Hall last month for a speakout and march focused on the difficulties of coming out as a youth and the need for safe schools. Speakers ranged in age from 14 to 22 and addressed a small crowd of about 85 youth and older allies. Hometowns given by the two dozen speakers ranged from Brattleboro and Keene, NH to Colchester and Dummerston. The experiences ranged from celebrating family acceptance to moving from homelessness to restaurant manager.

     One speaker, Bailey Miranda, age 19, read an impassioned letter written to the parents who were rejecting Bailey. “I’m not your little blonde daughter any more. I haven’t been your little blonde daughter since I was five years old,” Bailey read. Bailey said clearly that their rejection was their loss. Bailey would miss having their support, but they would miss knowing the person Bailey was becoming.
     Becky took the microphone and said she is a student a Colchester High School, where she knows of at least “five to 10 teachers who are queer.” She said it was great to be able to count on their support.
     Eric Waterman, age 16, of Dummerston, said he had come out to his family at age 14, “and my family took it great.”
     During the speakout, the Vermont All State Chorus members – the girls dressed in skirts and white blouses, the boys in dark suits and white shirts with neckties – filed up the City Hall steps to get to dressing rooms before their dinner break. It might have been a clash of cultures, but several young men hung out near the steps and listened respectfully as the last few speakers said their piece. One All State boy ran into the arms of two friends who were at the rally.
     Christopher Kaufman, direct services coordinator at Outright Vermont, said the gathering was the largest in the 4-year history of the event. He suggested that although there are laws and regulations against harassment and a requirement that schools act to ensure students’ safety, Vermont has a long way to go before that ideal is achieved in all schools.
     Other Youth Pride events included a discussion on safe schools at the Fletcher Free Library, and a Youth Pride Prom with a “Drag Wedding” theme at the YMCA, followed by a sleepover at the Outright Vermont office.