Letters to the Editor
Samara Will Match Funds
for OITM
In the past few weeks, I’ve
had the privilege of getting to know the volunteers and staff of Mountain
Pride Media: the crew responsible for the production of this paper. They
are a hardworking assortment of folks, dedicated to the mission statement
that appears on the masthead in every issue (see page 6). You might want
to take a moment to read it. This newspaper is not just an amenity or
commodity.
As far as I know, Out in the Mountains is
the only statewide nonprofit newspaper of its kind in America. It is a
visible symbol of the LGBT movement in Vermont, as well an indicator of
its well being. Virtually everyone I talk to agrees that our LGBT community
would be diminished without this publication. How lucky we are to have
it. How human of us to take it for granted, for it requires participation
and has often struggled for lack of volunteers and resources.
Yet, I see a bright future for it
if each of us takes some time to consider how we might help: advertising,
sending news, volunteering... there’s no shortage of ways to get
involved.
For our part, Samara would like to
challenge you to make a tax deductible, charitable contribution to support
Mountain Pride Media. We will match, dollar for dollar, every contribution
that is sent to Mountain Pride Media between now and July 31st up to a
total of $4,000.
Make your check out to Mountain Pride
Media, and mail it to MPM, P.O. Box 1122, Burlington, VT 05402. Thanks.
Suzanne D. Stofflet,
President, The Samara Foundation of Vermont
Burlington
The Governor Comes Out as a Closet Conservative
Governor Douglas vetoed H-865, an
Act Concerning Non Discrimination, the principal feature of which would
have been to expand civil rights protections to persons experiencing discrimination
based on gender identity and expression in the areas of employment, housing
and public accommodations.
The explanations for this firstof-
its-kind veto of civil rights legislation by a Vermont Governor were far
from convincing. Especially since the Governor was at pains to make it
clear that he did not approve of discrimination, yet resorted to the extreme
step of vetoing the bill. He could have, for example, let his objections
be known earlier so that they might have been addressed in the Legislative
process. He could have let the bill pass into law without signing it.
He could have held conferences with the sponsors of the bill, and the
Republican legislators and senators who voted for it. He could have even
invited in transgendered persons to hear their side of this matter.
The fact is he did none of these things.
What he said was he thought the opinion
of the Attorney General that transgender persons are covered by the bill
protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation was
sufficient protection and that businesses know from the Hardwick case
that they cannot discriminate on the basis of gender identity.
The Governor’s spokesman said that
the Human Rights Commission advised the Governor that the language was
‘ambiguous’ and ‘too broad’ and might lead to
an excess of litigation.
Never mind that all but the one who voted
for the bill was a handpicked appointee of the present Governor, and that
they did not take any testimony. Instead, their opinion was that the bill
might create a burden for the business community. That is the bottom line,
folks. Not human rights, but what is perceived to be good for business.
Even that assumption is flawed by evidence to the contrary in that many
businesses now consider it good business to be inclusive of gender identity
persons, including IBM!
So it comes down to a coverup and
an appeal to the Governor’s rightwing base. Spread the word to your
friends about this closet case conservative in moderate sheep-like clothing.
It is time to exercise your veto November 2nd and elect a new Governor
who is unapologetic in his support of human rights and the protection
of all Vermonters.
Sarah Flynn
Burlington
135 Pearl to Close
This is one of the hardest days of my life
as I sit and write a letter to let people know that the nightclub simply
known as 135 Pearl is closing its doors forever on Saturday, June 3.
The hardest part has been letting go. I
have always instilled a fear in myself that the queer community wouldn’t
have a place to call its own. The queer community, that once needed a
place of its own, can now go wherever it pleases.
It was worth every minute of struggle to
stay afloat over the years. I wouldn’t trade this experience for
anything.
I feel running 135 Pearl has prepared me
for what I want to do next. I wish to continue producing artists and shows
through my production company Shoebox Theatre. I will also continue to
do my best to support all community organizations and businesses that
commit themselves to raising consciousness.
I thank everyone for your love and support
over the years. I hope you always keep a place in your heart for the Pearl.
Robert Toms
Burlington
Too Smoky for Some
I am not surprised that 135 Pearl
is closing and that Vermont’s only other two GLBT bars - Shooka
Dooka’s in Rutland and Rainbow Cattle Co. in Brattleboro - already
have shut their doors for good.
Blame it, in part, on Vermont’s
bar-smoking ban. Or, more accurately, blame it on the fact that there
is a much higher proportion of GLBT smokers (especially gay men) to straight
smokers.
Of all of Burlington’s bars,
135 Pearl had by far the worst indoor air quality. Until Burlington’s
local bar-smoking ban took effect two years ago, walking inside Pearl’s
was worse than walking in downtown Los Angeles during a Stage Two smog
alert.
I have bronchitis and therefore have absolutely
zero tolerance for cigarette smoke indoors. As a lifelong nonsmoker, I
find it appalling that queer Vermonters would rather see all their nightspots
close down rather than comply with the smoking ban - or, better yet, quit
smoking altogether.
But the other reason I stopped going to
Pearl’s is simple: At 53, I’m no longer willing to put up
with the ageist attitude of gay bar goers anymore. Having come of age
during the heyday of the long haired, tie-dyed-and-lovebeaded Haight-Ashbury
“flower children,” I feel more comfortable - especially in
the summer - at the Three Needs, with its laid-back, neo-hippie crowd.
May 135 Pearl rest in peace.
Skeeter Sanders
Shelburne
Tobacco Use Down
Vermonters should be pleased with
the new Vermont youth data that shows that overall tobacco use is down
nearly 10% from what it was in 2003. We should also thank our legislators
who voted last week for the health care reform bill that will raise tobacco
taxes and provide increased funding for tobacco control programs.
In doing so, our lawmakers will stop
youth from starting to smoke and will help adult smokers quit.
But let’s not celebrate too much...
we can’t forget that smoking rates for queer adults and youth in
Vermont are still more than two times that of heterosexual populations.
It is important that we keep working on lowering tobacco use in all populations
by calling for strong tobacco control funding.
We’ve made great progress, but
still have many challenges ahead of us.
Shawn Lipenski
Health & Wellness Program Director, R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center
Burlington
Corrections
In our April issue, the article entitled “Passings” was actually
written by Arlene Istar Lev, and should have run with the heading “In
a Family Way.” Please see the corrected reprint on page 9.
In our May issue, David Wallace should
have been credited with the “Youth Pride Pair” photo on the
front cover. Also, on page 3, Susan Lerner took the photo of William Sloane
Coffin blessing the union of Mary and Liz Stedman.
OITM apologizes for the errors.
Witt's End by Leah Wittenberg
