4 | Out in the Mountains |December 2000 = news =—— Election Results continued from page two state legislator. Robert Dostis, D-Waterbury, won in his first campaign for office and will bring a second out gay voice to ‘the floor of the House. The strongest repercussion will likely be felt in the change in leadership in the House. The Republicans have taken a majority of seats, so a new Speaker will be elected and the make-up of all committees will Edward Flanagan, the first openly gay individu t ominated by a change accordingly. “It will be a, very sad thing to see the House Judiciary Committee reconfigured,” said the panel’s vice-chair, Bill Lippert. Only two members of the group pri- marily responsible for writing the civil union law were unsuc- cessful in their re—election bids.V major party as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, was unsuccessful in his attempt to unseat Venn ont‘s Republican junior Senator James Jeffords. He_told supporters on election night, “The bulldog will return." ..>.l 1. Dartmouth continued from page one C The gift creates the Roger B. A. Klorese and David L. ’ Haney Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Program Fund. Dean of the College James Larimore called the fund’s establishment “a signif- icant step forward” in the col- lege’s history. _ - The money is intended to support educational, cultural, and social programming _for GLBT students, educate the larger Dartmouth community about GLBT concerns, and secure an existing staff posi- tion to coordinate these efforts on a full-time and permanent basis. L “While it will provide pro- grammatic opportunities and education about GLBT con- cerns for the Dartmouth com- munity,” said Larimore, “I have-a special appreciation for what it will mean for our stu- dents in their day-to-day lives.” Pamela Misener, assistant dean and advisor to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender stu- dents, said the gift will be used to determine and address spe- cific campus needs annually. Students have already moved from an old office into a larger, more accessible LGBTQA Resource Center, and are improving book, video, magazine, and organizational literature resources as well as Internet access. I Cultural, educational, and social initiatives will include on-campus events such as addresses, lectures, and perfor- mances. “We are particularly inter- ested in supporting programs that address the multiplicity and intersections of identity,” said Misener, “for example, how race or ethnicity impacts the experiences of our students who are also LGBTQA.” “This gift will help us create and sustain an environment at Dartmouth where LGBTQ stu- dents can thrive, not just sur- vive,” said Misener. Klorese was a founding member of Students for Social Alternatives, Dartmouth’s first student organization address- ing respect around diversity. Ten years ago, after his move to San Francisco, Klorese established and still manages the QueerNet Project, a non- profit organization that pro- vides GLBT Internet commu- nities. Haney, a graduate of DePauw University, is a cellist with the Redwood Symphony of Redwood, CA.V Legislature continued from page one things might go. “This whole election was about listening to Vermonters, and 60 percent of Vermonters voted for a pro- civil union governor,” said Robinson. “It is clear that there is not a mandate to muck with the law. If the legislature is serious about listening, then they should move on.” The reaction to the election from outside Vermont, Bonauto said, is relief. “The perception is that Vermont remains in a position of strength to keep the law intact,” she said. But she warns against resting on victories and cites Roe vs. Wade as an exam- ple. “We know we can’t rest, because the battles will contin- ue,-” she said. Opponents of the civil union law point to several possible amendments to the civil union law they might introduce. Take It to the People’s Jerry Smiley is espousing adding a residen- cy requirement, eliminating access to civil unions for'any- one from outside Vermont. Others want to expand the law to include blood relatives, such as maiden sisters who live together. There is little room for change to the law, Robinson said. “What people are forget- ting is that the civil union law is the result of an incredibly ‘painful compromise by our community,” she said. “There’s nothing left to chipraway.” GLAD’s Bonauto agreed. “Any proposed changes should be rejected,” she said. Giving in even to the smallest of changes to the civil union law, she said will not serve to. appease the opposition. “It would be a building block to dismantling the entire struc- ture. This is a long-term civil rights issue, and you don’t con- cede on the basics.” “Governor Dean has given me a personal assurance that he will veto any repealof the civil union law,” said Bill Lippert, D-Hinesburg, “but we haven’t had occasion to discuss the possibility of changes.” The pressure, said Lippert, the only openly gay member of House last session, will be on the Senate. “They will have to act, or not act, on anything the House passes,” he said. Having a Democratic majority there, he said, will make a big differ- ence in preserving the law. Virginia Renfrew of the Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights said the Republican-controlled House will give the GLBT communi- ty in Vermont an opportunity to do some significant education. “They need to talk to their leg- islators,” she said. Renfrew thinks coalitions will be vital. “This will be a time for groups out there to work together,” she said. “We all have to support each other: the labor unions, cliildren’s groups, women’s groups.” The citizen’s initiative movement is likely to come up again, Renfrew said. “The groups have always been able tojdefeat it before,” she said. If such a measure were to pass, she said, it would be devastat- ing for the community. ‘‘It’s a small minority going after a small minority while the majority stands back and watches.” She ‘offered Maine as an example. That state’s civil rights law was overturned two years ago by 30 percent of the state’s citizens voting.V Maybe... well... not exactly, but... No! OK, I’m GAY. '~k Open, ongoing, free-of-charge ~k Co-facilitated by supportive health professionals and peers at 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 6:30-8pm at the Peace Sc justice Center, 21 Church St., Burlington introducing, a new Questionin &Comin Out Supp%rtGroup g for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and questioning .u.1.2? community center adults 23 and up! For more information, please feel free to call 8o2.86o.RU12 or email thecenter@ruz2.org building. Youth 22 and under are encouraged to contact Outright Vermont at 1-80o—GL8-CHAT. For a transgender-specific group, contact Genders R Us at Vermont CARES. 1-800-649-2437. R.U.12? Community Center {Are You One Too?) is a charitabie organization with the purpose of providing venues for the social. cultural, artistic. and educational endeavors of our gay, lesbian. bisexual, transgendered and allied communities through visibility. awareness. and community Currently there is no permanent. substance free, safe place where GLBT people can go and learn about their history, participate in cultural events, and hold group meetings. At the future center we hope to provide small offices for new groups. internal: access, and multipurpose social space where people can meet informally.