news Gay Campaign Buzz The gay caucus in the Vermont House of Representatives will grow by a third, if Jason P. Lorber’s hopes and plans are realized. Lorber is running for the seat in the Chittenden-3 House District being vacated by Progressive Steve I-lingtgen. Hingten is running ?or lieutenant governor, facing either Jan Backus or Cheryl Rivers for the Democrats, md incumbent Republican Brian Dubie. ‘ Chittenden-3 is a two-member district representing just under 9,000 people in central Burlington and the Old North End. Lorber said. The other seat is held by Democratic Rep. John Tracey. The 37-year-old Lorber moved to Vermont two years ago from California with iis partner to open a second branch of the busi- ‘less he founded, Aplomb Consulting. Lorber, who holds an MBA from Stanford and authored a groundbreaking study of the nation’s top business schools, ranking them on their welcome of gay graduate stu- dents, is becoming well known in the lgbt com- munity as a stand-up comedian. Asked whether he thought that would help him on the floor of the House, Lorber joked, “Well, I can take that and my MBA and be sure to detect any funny business that might be going on.” (There was no drummer to provide a rimshot.) “Seriously, I think having a sense of humor is a way to open doors,” the candidate concluded. Lorber plans a grassroots campaign, knocking on every door in the district. He has a background in healthcare issues and will focus on affordability and access and ensuring access to medical marijuana for those who would ben- eflt from its use. Currently he is collecting sig- natures on his candidacy petitions, talking to members of the district, and recruiting volun- teers. Clavelle’: Gay communlcator Former Outright Director B.J . Rogers has joined the Clavelle for Governor campaign as its communications director. The job descrip- tion includes being the campaign’s official spokesman, press secretary, and issue researcher, Rogers said in a phone interview. “I’m really excited about the cam- paign,” Rogers said. “I'm convinced that Peter Clavelle has a winnable race. He offers a vision and a level of leadership that has been lacking in Vermont for the past two years Challenged on the candidate’s avoid- ance of any endorsement of equal marriage for same-sex couples, Rogers stuck to Clavelle’s theme of support for “equality of rights." He continued, “Now is not the time for Vermont to engage in that battle. We’re facing substantial challenges — economic, environmental, our energy future, and healthcare. “Peter‘s position is one that supports equal access to the institution, or the rights of the institution," Rogers added. “Peter is in the right place on this issue, I have no doubt about that. He is working for the wellbeing of all Vermonters, including the lgbt community. He has been a staunch ally.” Rogers denied that the candidate’s disinclination to issue a statement endorsing equal marriage for same-sex couples represents a political trade-off of lgbt equality for moder- ate and conservative votes. “Peter is focusing on the most immediate needs: sustainable com- munities and healthcare," Rogers concluded. V Youth Declare Pride BY JULIA F. KIMBALL urlington Mayor and Bgubematorial candidate Peter Clavelle of lurlington stood on the front steps rf City Hall on May 8 and leclared the date Youth Pride Day n the ‘city. For the 100-plus youth vho turned out from 12 of /ermont’s 14 counties (according :) Outright Vermont’s unofficial roll), Clavelle’s presence as an ally vas bolstering — but he wasn’t elling them anything they didn’t .lready know. Youth members of )utright, and their adult mentors, iad worked for eight weeks to irganize Youth Pride Day 2004. The event, according to Io-executive Director Lluvia /lulvaney-Stanak, was “Youth- lriven, youth—celebrated, and Kiberly Pu the importance of ‘voting, and Pride. The Speak Out was fol- lowed by, among other things, a march through downtown Burlington, workshops, a “mini- film festiva ,” and the ever-popular l gh and Bekki Bruno, Youth Pride Co-chalrs adult members of the GLBTQ community. The youth who attend- ed made it clear that they would continue to put themselves out there for the remainder of the year, and that they’d be back for Youth Pride Day 2005. In the words of 'outh connecting with youth — naking those connections they an’t make when they’re stuck on he other side of Vermont in a chool with no [lgbtq] vrogramming.” And the day brought nany opportunities for youth to onnect — with non-stop events rom noon on Saturday to 8 am on_ Sunday. The proceedings started vith a Speak Out on the steps of Iity Hall, where young people alked about their gratitude for the gbtq youth community and )uIIight, their hopes for the future, prom. “The prom is extra-spe- cial,” Mulvaney-Stanak said, “These are young people who can’t bring their boyfriends or girl- friends to their school proms because of the threat this is an opportunity for them to slow- dance, ask someone of the same sex to dance, and just get on down” without being hassled. And get on down they did. According to Mulvaney-Stanak the prom night was a success — as was Youth Pride Day 2004, which also drew support from allies and many of the youth at the Speak Out and the march (paraphrasing slight- ly): They’re here, they’re queer — and they’re fabulous! Outright Vermont is the only youth-focused GLBT organi- zation in Vermont, according to Mulvaney-Stanak, and serves youth ages 12 to 22. For more informa- tion visit www.out1ightvt.org. V Julia F. Kimball is a recent gradu- ate and a newcomer to Vermont.