Out &A About ...CompLis " Book Review 9, _ rt‘ 36 ii September '12 ’ Primaries Volume XV, Number 8 VT Auditor Edward Flanagan (foreground) and State Rep. Bill Lippert (far right) introduced Governor Howard Dean (left rear) to a luncheon cospon- sored by the National Stonewall Democratic Federation and the Human Rights Campaign at the Democratic National Convention in August. Human Rights Campaign director Elizabeth Birch stands to Lippert’s right. Vermonters Lauded at Democratic Convention BY BARBARA Dozrsros Democrats who attended their party’s national conven- tion last month "enthusiastically greeted the Vermont delega- tion. Governor Howard Dean was treated as a hero by members of the party. His introduction at a welcome luncheon co—spon- sored by the Human Rights Campaign and the Stonewall Democratic Federation was followed by thunderous applause and cheers. The 212-member gay and lesbian caucus to the conven- tion reacted the same way to Vermont’s only openly gay legislator. “When I introduced myself at the first meeting of the gay and lesbian caucus,” said Rep. Bill Lippert of Hinesburg, “I got a standing, roaring ovation.” “People are so grateful to us,” said Lippert of Vermont’s new civil union law. “What we have done has touched people across the country.” Edward Flanagan, the state’s Auditor of Accounts and the first openly gay individual ever elected to a statewide office in the U.S., said he heard nothing but kudos for Vermont from throughout the party. “It was uplifti_ng to see the hope we’ve given people in other states,” said Flanagan. The Vermont Democrats saw no sign of the ridicule that civil union opponents say is being heaped upon the state in other parts of the country. “Anyone who says we’re being laughed at,” said Flanagan, “is spending time in the wrong company.” Being in the room when Human Rights Campaign director Elizabeth Birch addressed the convention in a prime-time speech, he said, underscored the fact that in the Democratic party, gays and lesbians actually have a voice. “We are at that table,” he said. “It felt just as it should feel.” Flanagan called the Republican convention’s treat- ment of gays and lesbians “laughable.” “Until the Republicans get with the con- stitutional program where civil rights are concerned,” he said, “they will continue to shut out a large and very important seg- ment of American voters.” Lippert said Birch’s address was a significant moment, but he was particularly moved by that of Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts. “When Bamey finished his speech,” said Lippert, “he was greeted by his partner with a kiss before they left the platform.” A In contrast to that, said Lippert, the Republican con- vention’s only openly gay speaker, Rep. Jim Kolbe of Arizona, being delegated to address economics was unre- markable.V September 2000 wwwmountainpridemedia.org V Vermont’s Gay Representative Backs Dean In Race for Governor BY PETER CASSELS Vermont’s only gay state representative, who spearhead- ed passage-of the state’s his- toric civil unions law, says that Gov. Howard Dean and legis- lators who voted for the mea- sure will be fighting for their political futures in November’s elections. Bill Lippert said in an Aug. 12 interview during the National Stonewall Democratic Federation con- vention in Palm Springs, Calif., that conservative Republicans and their allies are mounting an offensive to defeat Dean, whom he called the national gay community’s strongest ally among gubema- torial incumbents. And, because Vennonters are evenly divided in their opinions on civil unions, legislators who voted for passage are risking their seats. “Howard Dean is facing the strongest challenge ever,” the Democrat from Hinesburg and to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles asserted. Republican gubema- torial candidate Ruth Dwyer is “trying to build a coalition of all the angry people in Vermont... that is becoming formidable.” They include the radical right and others opposed not only to civil unions but also to Act 60’s reform of education financing. Further complicating Dean’s chances is Anthony stressed. “He has steadfastly recognized civil unions as a civil rights issue. I absolutely support his re-election despite differences on other issues. This is not the time for gays and lesbians to turn our backs [Dean]. He has earned our sup- port over and over.” i”This is not the time for gays and lesbians to turn our backs on him. He has earned our support over and over.” B/'//l/pperf Pollina’s third-party challenge, not unlike that of Green Party candidate Ralph Nader at the national level. The Progressive Party for the first time is run- ning a candidate for governor who threatens to siphon off liberal votes. “What I need to get across to the gay community and our allies is that Dean, although a centrist Democrat, has put himself on the line out there on civil unions and the communi- ty as a whole,” Lippert He warned that a vote for the Progressive Party “helps elect an angry woman Republican. She is not a friend of our community.” Lippert is uncertain what Vem1ont’s sole congressman, Independent Bernie Sanders, will have on the campaign. Although a liberal, Sanders has not yet endorsed the Progressive ticket. In Congress, he usually votes iifiétésefi Gill Foundation Holds Forum in Vermont for the GLBT community. Donna Red Wing will return to Vermont in September to lead an eventing of discussion: Imagine a Fully Funded national Movement BY BARBARA Dozeros The future of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movement will be the topic of a forum convened by a foundation that funds organizations and programs serving the GLBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS on Sept. 11. “Imagine A_ Fully Funded National Movement For The GLBT Community” is the title of program to be hosted by the Gill Foundation at the Unitarian ' Universalist Church. Bill Lippert, director of the Samara Foundation of Vermont, said the impending visit by Gill staff is exciting and ambitious. “It is a mark of the matur- ing of our community,” he said, “to be having a conversation like this.” The idea that members of the Vermont GLBT community could come together and have_ a serious discussion about what they would do if money weren’t an object is something no one has ever«seri- ously proposed before, said Lippert. “They have a commitment to the national move- ment,” Lippert said. “They want us to answer the (§§§.i.>8 _a....;'.,~u.----. -----_.