Editorial
Editorial
Moving On
Year's
end is upon us, and 2005 hasn't been a good or easy one. Between war,
disasters, and the mishandling of both, the feel-good moments have been
few. Perhaps that's why I cry with relief at the year-ending fireworks
exploding the cares of the old year and celebrating the hope born again
in the new one.
But here are three nearby bright
spots: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine. The Nutmeg State's legislature
had the good sense to pass a civil union measure – without a court
order – that offers recognition to same-sex couples. Yet another
piece of American sky won't fall because same-sex families get the same
rights as different-sex ones.
In the Bay State, thanks to a year's
worth of unglamorous grassroots organizing, Mass Equality managed the
resources of a cadre of allies to victory in keeping an anti-gay constitutional
amendment from being passed by the legislature sitting as a Constitutional
Convention.
And just last month, Maine voters
rejected an anti-gay referendum designed to repeal an extension of very
basic civil rights – protection from discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation or gender identity in jobs, housing, credit, lodging,
and education. It means that all of New England (plus 10 other states
and the District of Columbia) has finally seen the reality of our lives,
not just our Pride Parades. There's a ways to go yet, but we're getting
there.
It's enough to nurture seeds
of hope that our legal equality will spread nationwide in my lifetime,
as envisioned in the "New Glory" flag, combining the blue field
of stars of our national banner ("Old Glory") and the rainbow
stripes of the country of our hearts.
And so, it is time to move on: to
a new year, to new tasks.
Passing the Torch
In the dark of the year, it helps
to ignite torches and pass them on to new hands to light the way forward.
In early November, I submitted
my resignation as editor of Out in the Mountains, effective February
1, 2006. That completes four years for me as the facilitator (and sometimes
instigator) for a great community of writers, photographers, cartoonists,
and more. I can't thank them enough for helping the paper become the respected
lgbt news, opinion, and arts outlet that it is today.
We are an interdependent collection
of communities. Some colleagues have identified Out in the Mountains
as the "glue" that holds us together. This paper / this website
could not exist without the support of the members of all of our communities:
as readers, as writers (for whom writing for OITM is a labor
of love, not a paying gig), as volunteers stuffing envelopes, dropping
bundles of papers, and as board members (going to meeting after meeting,
fundraiser after fundraiser), as businesses buying ads that speak of their
commitment to our communities, as donors who provide financial support,
as thinkers and doers, as savers and risk takers.
The choice to leave now is mine.
After four years here and a previous year on the Mountain Pride Media
board before becoming editor, it's just time. The special blend of creativity,
doggedness, (some might say 'dubious') charm, inspiration, perspiration,
and attention to detail required by this work has run the well nearly
dry.
I will miss working with the
incredible team that makes this melding of heart and mind a reality in
the world. I hope to write for the paper occasionally after my tenure
as editor is done. Leaving will open up possibilities for political involvement
and membership on nonprofit boards that I could not pursue as editor.
But first I hope to spend part of the winter catching up on books I can
read for fun, snowshoeing in the middle of the week, spending time with
my partner during her time off, and vacationing when it makes sense instead
of when the production cycle allows.
I have treasured my time
here and appreciated your contributions, your corrections, and (sometimes)
even your criticisms. Many of you have entrusted me with your words and
your stories. I have been humbled and honored by that trust (and chagrined
when I got something wrong).
With a redesign coming up, a
new art director, an energized board of directors, and our 20th anniversary,
there could hardly be a better time for a new editor to join the team
and take up the torch.
Love and 20 Years
And speaking of the 20th anniversary,
I hope that you as readers of the print and online editions will send
in a brief statement of what Out in the Mountains has meant to
you in the last two decades. Please include your name and town (let us
know if you prefer not to have your name published) and send to editor@mountainpridemedia.org
We
will print a selection of your statements in the 20th anniversary issue
in February, and more throughout the year.
Thanks for your support. I hope your
winter holidays are joyful, and your New Year celebrations safe and happy.
Euan Bear,
Editor