Features
Youth Zone
International Conference on GLBT Rights
Visibly Female, Invisibly Male
If you're between the ages of 15-25 and
have something to say, this page is for
YOUR stories, commentary, toons, art and pix.
Contact lynn@mountainpridemedia.org
Our
Hometown Hero
United Way Panel Recognizes Connor's Courage in Williston
Connor McFadden has been one of Outright Vermont's most dedicated youth
leaders over the past few years. He has been part of our speaker's bureau,
a summer intern, youth board member, and part of planning large events
like Youth Pride 2006. Earlier this year, we nominated Connor as our Hometown
Hero for all of his outstanding work for Outright Vermont and for his
courage this past spring at the Williston Central School. The United Way
Hometown Hero Breakfast, Connor and three other individuals were selected
from 127 nominees as the 2006 Hometown Heroes. Connor received a certificate
and a special Vermont Teddy Bear in recognition of his volunteer work
for Outright. He also "won" Outright a new IBM laptop computer
and a $2,000 donation from the Argosy Foundation.
Thom Fleury, former co-principal of Williston
Central School and a former Outright Vermont board member, spoke on Connor's
behalf, praising his bravery, dedication, and poise at Williston school
this past spring. Several outspoken parents at the Williston school met
Outright and Connor with objections to the presentation Outright was to
give on anti-gay bullying. After deciding to cancel the presentation,
Williston school officials held a public hearing on the issue. Within
a month, the presentation was rescheduled.
We are very proud of Connor's
accomplishments both here at Outright Vermont and as a senior at Burlington
High School.
Press release from Outright Vermont. Photo by Kate Van Wagner.
Reaching
Out
an
advice column by Will Holden
Dear William,
I am a recently out bisexual
living in northern Vermont. I have a boyfriend and he's really great (the
first one I've ever had out in the open). He's caring and kind, and is
really one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I've made a huge mistake
though! I had had a crush on his best friend for a while before we began
to date, and now she's taking an interest in me. I really do love my boyfriend,
but the other day, his friend kissed me. I knew it was wrong, and I wasn't
the one to initiate it. But I also did nothing to stop the kiss either.
I kissed her back and now I feel awful.
I don't know what to do. I don't know if
I should tell him what happened or what. Please, I don't want my relationship
with my boyfriend to end!
19/M
In Response:
You are indeed in quite a predicament,
and one that doesn't have an easy solution. You understand what you did
was wrong, and I can tell that you feel really bad about that. Also, it
sounds like you really care for your boyfriend, and don't want to hurt
him. Try talking to his friend about this. Maybe if you can reach an understanding
about what happened, and spurn her advances toward you, then it may be
an easier situation to deal with later on. Now, I know that you may not
want to, but I believe that it would be best if you told your boyfriend.
This is the kind of issue that can fester and become worse over time.
Also, if it were to come out later on, it may not be in a situation that
you like.
The fact that it was his best friend
also complicates things a bit. That's why I find it imperative that you
talk things out with her as well. If you can get her to talk to him with
you, and if all three of you can reach a sort of understanding, then this
may turn out well.
When talking to your boyfriend, just be
calm. Try not to get yourself, or him, worked up over this. After all,
you didn't mean to hurt him. Even though his friend is the one who started
the kiss with you, try not to blame everything on her. You don't want
to make enemies in this, and just choose your words carefully. Just tell
him that you know it was wrong, and try telling him the things that you
wrote in to me. How much you love him, and how caring, kind, and sweet
he is.
I hope that this advice helps you, and please
do tell me how everything turns out.
If anyone else has a question to ask me, e-mail me at wholden7@aol.com,
or call me at 1-802-683-6072.
Outright Vermont
Welcomes New Staff
 l to r. Katherine Betzer, Franklin Burns, Lee Konieczka and Lluvia Mulvaney-Stanak |
Three
new staff are now working at the new, bigger Outright offices. Lee Konieczka
is the new Vista employee in charge of direct services, including the
popular Friday and Saturday night groups, as well as Youth Pride. Volunteers
are now working with Lee to organize the Masquerade to be held Saturday,
October 21 at 7-10 pm at 242 Main in Burlington. Lee is from Michigan
and studied sculpture and women's studies before her arrival at Outright.
Katherine Betzer is the new health and
wellness coordinator. She works with the Sex with Dan group, an ongoing
gathering where participants talk about safe sex and relationships; and
Sex Proud, an HIV and STI-prevention group cofacilitated with Executive
Director Lluvia Mulvaney-Stanak. Katherine also coordinates with other
groups on anti-tobacco and suicide prevention efforts. She studied anthropology
and art history prior to moving to Vermont, and is credited with getting
the new basketball hoop for Outright.
Franklin Burns is the new outreach
and education coordinator who works with Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs),
and presents "Queer 101" in the schools, including upcoming
talks in St. Johnsbury, St. Albans, and Randolph. Franklin taught 4th
and 5th grades before working at Planned Parenthood, where he founded
a gay support group.
Ice Cream Social Party
Friday, Oct 13, 6-7pm
Outright's staff has doubled this month
with the recent hiring of three full-time staff! We will expand our education
efforts around the state and increase our direct service work in Chittenden
County.
Come meet Katherine, Frankin and Lee at
the ICE CREAM SOCIAL!!
If anyone else has a question to ask me, e-mail me at wholden7@aol.com,
or call me at 1-802-683-6072.