Editorial
Editorial
The Readers' Survey
and a Sort-Of Goodbye
Last
July, about halfway through my year as editor, a survey went out via Pride
Day in Burlington and in the pages of OITM for two months. A total of
21 people filled out the form at Pride, and a few more were good enough
to cut it out of the paper and send their answers to us. The survey now
may also be found on our Web site at www.mountainpridemedia.org. [Webguru
note: Links may still be available, but for now, results are not being
monitored or tabulated. This may or may not change.]
I let the survey sit for longer than
it should have, probably, thinking we might get a few more turned in.
Now, finally, you get to see the results.
One thing we discovered is that it's
not easy to draw conclusions from multiple choice questions and answers,
and some surveys were only partly filled out.
Anyway, here's our report card (possible
answers: Very good, Good, OK, and Poor):
How do you feel about the overall
layout of the newspaper?
Results: VG-12, G-9
National, state and local news?
Results: VG-10, G-9, OK-1, OK to P-1
The Rest of Our World?
Results: VG-4, 13-G, OK-4
News of LGBT community organizations
and events?
Results: VG-12, G-6, OK-3
Our new Youth Zone section?
Results: VG-3, G-9, OK-2
Arts and Entertainment?
Results: VG-11, G-6, OK-2
The comics?
Results: VG-10, VG to G-1, G-5, OK-4
The Daily Agenda and Source?
Results: VG-6, G-10, OK-1
Our editorials?
Results: VG-11, G-10
Do you feel represented in our coverage
of different groups?
Results: VG-5, G-9, OK-3
We also received specific comments
and share them with you here:
Layout:
"The graphic design layout is
great"
"Like new layout"
"Keep up good work"
Rest of Our World:
"Rest of Our World - like this
a lot!"
"Could use more Rest of Our World"
"Wish Rest of Our World was in
larger print on white paper."
Comics:
"Enlarge Dykes to Watch Out For
- too small to read - I need a magnifying glass to read this"
"Comics not funny - How about
some satire? Some color? The conundrum of bisexuality?"
"I'd like more Alison Bechdel,
maybe Hot Head Paisan"
Youth Zone:
"I haven't been in VT long -
but it seems that much of R.U.1.2? and OITM is done by a crowd a generation
older than I am. I wish I could think of a productive way to get more
20-somethings involved, but nothing's coming to mind at the moment. It'd
be great if you can think of anything."
"It could be that there is simply
an overall lacking of local events etc. geared toward 20-somethings in
the area, but I never think to look in OITM for potential things to do."
"Youth need an outlet - keep
it going! They also need support."
"Most important."
Local Coverage:
"More local people write more
things in the paper"
"Need more local community from
around VT ... I realize it's difficult to get info from small communities."
"Would like more rural coverage
for us country bumpkins north of the Notch!"
"Rutland area seems to be a dead
zone."
Content Wishes:
"More coverage of transgendered
and transsexual issues, we so often forget the 'T' on "LGBTQA."
"BDSM stuff I rarely see."
"Get more G & L businesses
to advertise!"
"As a straight ally I don't feel
there's enough resources"
"More women/lesbian."
"I appreciate it when you update
me on what our state and national politicians are doing to help or hinder
the cause. Why do gay Republicans seem to be so silent? Help get Bernie
re-elected!" [Ed. note: as a nonprofit organization, OITM does not
endorse candidates.]
"More articles for middle age
and elder issues, getting out and staying out. Will there be legislation
protecting assisted living of nursing home care or is it back in the closet?
Hmm! Think about it."
"A gay crossword puzzle, erotica,
would be fun, poetry or political cartoons, party recipes? A limerick?
Lighten up a little."
General Comment:
"Better circulation."
"Cheery and mostly readable."
"I look forward each month."
Our progress in response to the survey
results is up to our readers to decide. We have appreciated hearing from
folks who lent us their insight into at least some readers' thoughts.
While this is the last OITM for now, we still welcome your feedback, thoughts
and feelings about our progress. Please email them to voices@mountainpridemedia.org.
So it's time to say good-bye, which
I've also been putting off. This year - almost a year - that I've served
as editor is coming quickly to a close, right along with the calendar
year of 2006. It's really impossible to put into words in this brief space
what this experience has meant to me, and how hard it is to say good-bye
to OITM.
My perspective has been widened and
my heart has been touched by so many of you who have shared your stories,
your energy and your dreams. You are the reason that this paper has been
such a success for so long.
The
hard work of the board these past months, to try to keep the paper alive,
has gone far beyond the call of duty. I want to thank each of you for
all you have done. You have much to be proud of.
So, I'm not going to say "goodbye,"
after all. We don't really know what will come after this, and I believe
that our community, which has been so supportive, will go on to find a
new way, or ways, to spread the news, make connections, and share our
lives with each other.
We will build new bridges, continue
fighting for our rights, and caring for each other. So be well, and here's
the best of everything for the New Year.
And I'll be seeing you, on down the
road.
Lynn
McNicol, Editor