Vermont Transfolk Not Protected
in Hate crimes Law

In my article “Burlington Honors Transgender
Victims of Violence” in the December issue of
OITM (pages 2-3), there is a serious error. I wrote
that Vennont is one of four states that includes
gender identity and gender expression in its hate
crime provisions. Although the infonnation came
from a reputable source (the GLAAD website
www.glaad.org, in a press release from the
National Latina/o Lesbian Gay Bisexual and
Transgender Organization) I learned during the
National Transgender Day of Remembrance
memorial observance in Burlington on November
20 that this is not true.

Transgender people are not protected
under Vem1ont’s hate crime law. Considering the
danger that transgender people face in our society,
this is a grave omission. Our GLBTQ community
must begin the necessary work of education with
this present legislature to correct this wrong. My
apologies to the transgender community. I

Judith Beckett
Bradford

Likewise, we regret that we didn ’t catch the error
during the editing process. ~ EB

Appalled and Outraged

I am writing in regard to the article that appeared
in December’s issue on George Smith.

I was appalled and outraged over the lack of
respect and humanity that certain people and
organizations have shown him.

I have been out only one year and
would hope that the same laws before that would
protect me now. Just because I have let my sexual-
ity be known, it shouldn’t make a difference in the
eyes ofthe law.

  

  

 

  

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I applaud you, George Smith, on your
bravery and understanding of your self-worth. I
would hope I will show as much courage if I am
ever faced with such a situation. Thank you. It’s
people like you that will make a difference.

Timothy E. Pyer
Fairlee, VT

Actually, Timothy the laws do apply. But the swift-
ness with which the system works — when it does —
depends on the good will, professionalism, and
commitment of the people who work within each
agency and on the agency 3 available resources.

7 The system as currently constituted grinds slowly,

leaving many victims feeling re-traumatized, iso-
lated, and without recourse. Note the following
letter. — EB

Call SafeSpace for Help

I am writing regarding the feature article of
December’s issue of OITM. SafeSpace wants read-
ers to know that situations like the one described
by the brave individual on the cover of the news-
paper are unfortunately not unique. Lesbians, gay
men, transgender individuals, bisexuals, queers
and questioning (LGBTQQ) people are victimized
every day in our state, whether we hear about it in
the news or not. LGBTQQ Vermonters are beaten
because of their sexual orientation or gender iden-
tity by family members, neighbors and strangers.

- LGBTQQ Vermonters are sexually assaulted by

people they loved and trusted, as well as by people
they just met. LGBTQQ Vermonters are emotion-
ally abused by their partners. LGBTQQ
Vermonters are discriminated against_ based on
sexual orientation and gender identity in housing,
jobs, and in public accommodations.

SafeSpace is available to help anyone in
Vermont who is LGBTQQ and experiencing phys-
ical, sexual, or emotional violence. SafeSpace

  
   
 
  
       
   
   
   
     
  

Advocates are available Monday through Friday
10am-6pm to offer survivors emotional support,
infonnation, referrals, and advocacy. Services are
free and confidential and can be accessed through
our toll-free support line at 1-866-869-7341.
SafeSpace is always looking for volunteers to help
us serve our communities better. Please call our
office at 802-863-0003 if you have some time or
resources to share, or visit our website at
www.safespacevt.org. Violence within and against
our communities will continue unless we all work
together to make Vennont a safer place for all of
us. Thank you for your support!

Kara DeLeonardis
SafeSpace Executive Director

Prodigal Reader Returns,

As a Vermont transplant to the Bay Area, one of
the important ways I have kept in touch with
what’s going on “back there” has been through
reading Out in the Mountains. Prior to Euan’s
becoming editor, however, my interest in OITM
had waned and I had pretty much stopped reading
it — over time, the content, tone, and focus of the
paper had become far less infonnative (oreven
fun).

I’m writing to compliment Euan on the
overall quality of Out in the Mountains since she
took over the editorship. I find the content dramat-
ically more interesting and better presented than in
the past; further, Euan’s vision for the paper cre-
ates a coherence and unification of the whole that
I really appreciate. Rather than reading little snip-
pets of this and that, I have a sense that the paper
is solidly planned and well executed.

Thanks, Euan, for your energy, skill,
and vision — you’ve got a lapsed reader back!

Dana M. Gallagher
Carmel, CA

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Thanks, Dana! Of course, the presentation part of
the paper is the result of the work of Art Director
Pete Gershon (print version) and Web Editor
Tania Kupczak (online version). And there would-
nt be much content to lure you back without the
volunteer interest and contributions of the many

talented and persistent writers in our communities.
— EB ‘

The Need tor cu Political Action

A Nov. 24 AP news article by Ross Sneyd claims
that Civil Unions have become an accepted part of
Vermont’s culture. The Free Press even pro-
claimed that “Future of civil unions guaranteed.”
Nice happy thoughts, but absurd.

The law granting civil unions did not
just appear, it came about through courageous
political action. In January, civil unions will be
protected by just five people, the five Democrats
that will keep the Democratic majority in the '
Senate.

II‘ the Senate were not Democratic,
would the 2003 House pass a law to break the
civil union legislation? As Lt. Govemor would
Dubie promote such a bill? As Governor, would
Jim Douglas veto such a bill?

' Civil union legislation is protected for
exactly two years by the Democratic Senate, and
to maintain that protection into the future, support-
ers need to be politically active. Nothing is guar-
anteed in today’s political climate; you protect
your rights by being politically active.

I Paul Madden
Sheldon

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