Financial Planning is important for anyone. For gay and lesbian partners it can be crucial. For same sex partnerships, proper financial planning can help ensure that you and your loved ones are properly protected. As a Financial Consultant, my goal is to meet your needs in a relationship based on trust and professionalism, working closely with your attorney or CPA to develop a strategy based on your unique situation and objectives. Call me for a free consultation. Mitchell Rosengarten Financial Consultant (802) 775-4371 or (800) 628-2132 90 Merchants Row Rutland, VT 05701 THIS IS WHO WE ARE. THIS ISHOVI VIE EARN IT.‘ citigroufl‘ Smith Barney does not offer tax or legal advice. Please consultyour taxflegal advisor for such guidance. 2004 Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Member SIPC. Smith Barney is a division and service mark of Ciligroup Global Markets Inc. and its affiliates and is used and registered throughout the world. CITIGROUP and the Umbrella Device are trademarks and service marks of Clticorp or its affiliates and are used and registered throughout the world. THIS IS WHO WE ARE. THIS IS HOW WE EARN IT is a service mark of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Shau1d2¢’t ‘t£O1»£?‘ next vacation Bike in france, hike in the Alps -- or choose from over 20 other exciting, outdoor vactions. Psychoanalysis Pastoral Counseling Individuals & Couples Jungian‘or'ien'l'ation 9 Center Court River Road, Northampton MA ‘ Putney VT ‘413-584-2442 802-387-5547 Janet Langdon, Mdiv, NCPsyA jliesl@sover.net our in the MOUNTAINS Welcome to the Prom? Some Concerns But No Expectation of Trouble, says 7 Champlain Valley GSA BY_JENN BAUDREAU en Meg Howard was in high school, she A and her best female friend tried to go to prom togeth- er. Her friend was going to wear a tuxedo, and Howard was going to wear a dress. Unfortunately, the two young women never got that far. Their tickets were torn up by the administration and they were told the school “would have none of that.” Today Howard is the advisor-of the Gay/Straight ' Alliance at Champlain Valley Union High School. Prom sea- son is approaching, but a lot has changed in most Vermont schools since she was a student. “My sense is anyone who wants to attend prom is welcome to,” Howard said. She believes that most GSA students feel comfortable taking a same- sex partner to the prom and described CVU as an “amazing school” in that regard. Students at CVU echoed her sentiment (none of the students willing to be quoted for this article wanted their last names used). A junior named Morgan, who identifies herself as bisexual, is not only planning on attending prom, but is part of the prom committee as well. “Students at our school are very open to same—sex cou— T ples and don't seem to have a problem. When I was dating my ex-girlfriend, no one had a prob- lem with us being together. And I've seen girls go to proms/win- . ter balls together and no one really cares,” Morgan said. CVU isn’t the only school in the area with prom plans that are open to GSA stu- dents. Other area high schools seem to be of a similar mindset. . Karen McGurl, the A advisor of Rutland High School’s GSA, said that although she hasn_’t heard anything yet, she suspects a few same—sex couples plan to go to prom together. She mentioned that this is usually the case and in the past there hasn’t been much response to it at all; it is very much accepted. Jean Berthiaume, who advises Harwood Union High School’s GSA, agreed that he isn’t particularly concerned about the approach of prom. “The culture here is pretty open and tolerant to ' GLBTQ students. . .it’s positive, accepting, and open it to all cou- ples who want to go together,” he said. The advisor of Burlington High School’s GSA, Anya Schwartz, said the same was true for BHS. In addition to all the positive outlooks toward prom, however, there were several con- cerns voiced as well. One student member of Burlington High School’s GSA who wished to remain anony- mous had a more hesitant view. “I believe that there will be mixed responses to same sex partners. Some will be fine with it and others will probably have a problem with it. Hopefully those who have a problem with the idea will not voice it, at least not in an insulting way.” A sophomore at BHS named Casey said he was invited to go to prom with a girl, how- ever, he will be wearing the dress and she will be in a tuxe- do. He acknowledged the mixed responses queer couples are like- ly to get. i “A nice handful [of people] would have noprob- lems, but also a handful of peo- ple would have a lot of prob- lems. We have a generally diverse school with mixed opin- ions... A lot of people are accepting, and if they are not they wouldn’t do anything besides spite and/or shun the couples.” Meg Howard of CVU also identified some areas that still need improvement. She mentioned that in general young women seem to be much more comfortable than young men when it comes to taking their partners to events such as prom. “Young men get a very different response than girls do,” Howard said. “It’s something we talk a lot about.” Howard also mentioned that many GLBTQ students pre- fer to attend Outright sponsored events such as the drag ball and youth pride. Several students echoed this sentiment as well. As the school year moves toward its end and prom time draws nearer, it seems that all students — regardless of sexu- al orientation — have a lot to look forward to. V Jenn Baudreau is a 2003 gradu- ate of Wesleyan and a recent arrival in Vermont. She lives in Williston.