. established 4986 Vohx

x. Njoge “ ocroeea’ 2905 ’

editorial  

Counting Our Blessings

id-fall can be a hard time to

count blessings, perhaps

especially this fall: the Four
Horsemen of the Apocalypse seem to be
riding through the world, bringing war,
famine, pestilence and death. I have
begun wondering whether the “hun-
dredth monkey” of fundamentalism is
bringing about Armageddon just by
believing it to be so.

But all of the societies that celebrate
at this time of year i '
and thank whatever
powers they wor-
ship have it right. In
the evening of the
year is the best time
to count blessings,
before night settles
in. Realizing and
appreciating what
we’ve worked for
and the gifts we’ve
been given lights a
candle through the
dark time of winter,
and makes our
rejoicing in the

, dawn of spring
more joyful.

It’s an even bet-
ter exercise for me:
as a journalist, I’m
usually much more
attuned to what’s V
wrong with the world than what’s right.

Blessing: We live in Vermont, which
must legally treat lesbians and gay men
as citizens with rights equal to those of
any other state citizen.

Blessing: We live in Vermont, where
we have a Vibrant, caring community of
lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and trans-
gender folk who continue to nurture our
culture, honor our history, and work for
a better future, often at cost to them-
selves in time, energy and money.

Blessing: We live in Vermont where
allies care about our lives and put their
concerns into action by supporting posi-
tive candidates, contacting legislators, A
writing letters, donating funds, and vol-
unteering time.

Blessing: We live in Vermont, where
hurricanes are a relatively rare oc_cur-
rence and when they do arrive, they are
weaker than when they hit the South.
Now there 3‘ a compensation for endur-
ing the cold! ,

Blessing: We live in Vermont, where
being gay or lesbian is becoming less of
a badge of courage and more of a sim-

We live in
Vermont, where
people of faith
support equali-
ty and justice,
and someone
preaching on
gay rights is
A more likely to
be preaching in
our favor than
against us.

 

ple piece of data, like when we were
born and what’s our ethnic background.

Blessing: We live in Vermont, from
where we watch the marriage equality
struggles gain momentum, despite the
mean spiritedness of right-wing politi-
cians and mini-DOMAS.

Blessing: We live in Vermont, where
many people of faith apply their princi-
ples toward supporting equality and jus-
tice for us (as among all people), and I
where someone
preaching on gay
rights is more likely
to be preaching in
our favor than
against us.

Blessing: We
live in Vermont,
where our children
of birth and choice
are truly ours and
cannot be taken
away simply
because of the gen-
der of our partners.

Blessing, We
live in Vermont,
where the state uni-
versity has led the
way by legally rec-
ognizing a same-»
gender marriage
performed in
Canada.

Blessing: We live in Vermont, where
autumn comes dressed in rainbow col-
ors.

Blessing: We live in Vermont, and
George W. Bush has only three more
years in office and cannot be re-elected.

Which is not to say we have.no chal-
lenges.

We live in Vermont where a laggard
legislature still has not passed a gender
identity and expression law, despite
repeated prodding, a gay’House
Judiciary Committee chairman, and a
legislature with majorities in both hous-
es who understand fairness and equality.

Welive in Vermont where anti-gay,
anti-lesbian, and anti-trans violence
from within our families of origin and
our neighborhoods mars our lives, and
where the violence we grew up with too
often shapes our relationships.

We live in Vermont, where it takes
two jobs for one person to survive, the
jobs are far from affordable housing, the
cost of gasoline is rising, and the gover-
nor does not believe in mass transit.
Where too many people this winter will

be choosing between keeping their
water pipes from freezing and buying
groceries, and where some of those fac-
ing that choice will be members of our
communities. ,

We live in Vermont, where several of
our community organizations are look-
ing at deep deficit holes carpeted in <
rainbow red ink. Where some of the '
staff are sharing high-level skills work-
ing for poverty wages. Where folks with
more than they need could dig a little
deeper and give a little more.

Then again, it’s a blessing that we
live in Vermont, where they likely will,
when asked.

Take a few minutes this month to
just sit and appreciate whatever bless-
ings you might have. Then go share
with someone else who might have
fewer blessings to count.

Among the blessings I count are
home, family (including the four—footed
members), friends, meaningful work, . ,
and collegial relationships of great
mutual respect and even sometimes
warmth within the community.

And, I must admit that-sometimes"
even the challenges can be a
blessing. V

A special THANK YOU goes to
Assistant Editor Susan McMillan for
stepping in solo on proofreading day
for the October issue, allowing me to
be in Chicago at a GLBT journalists’
convention. Usually there are two of
us; for October she proofread and
took care of all the last-minute jobs
alone. It’s an awesome responsibility.
Thanks, Susan!