established 1986 Vol. XX. No. 11 December 2005

e itorial  

oving On

ear’s end is upon us, and 2005 hasn’t been a good or

easy one. Between war, disasters, and the n1ishan-

dling of both, the feel-good moments have been few.
Perhaps that’s why I cry with relief at the year-ending fire-
works exploding the cares of the old year and celebrating the
hope born again in the new one".

But here are three nearby bright spots: Connecticut,
Massachusetts, and Maine. The Nutmeg State’s legislature
had the good sense to pass a civil union measure — without a
court order — that offers recognition to same—sex couples. Yet
another piece of American sky won?t fall because same-sex

families get the
same rights as dif-

V ferent—sex ones.

In the Bay State,
thanks to a year’s
worth of unglam-

' orous grassroots
organizing, Mass
Equality managed
the resources of a
cadre of allies to
victory in keeping ~
an anti—gay constitu-

_ tional amendment

from being passed
by the legislature
sitting as a
Constitutional ,
Convention.

And just last
month, Maine voters
rejected an anti-gay
referendum
designed to repeal
an extension of very
basic civil rights —
protection from dis-
crimination on the
basis of sexual ori-
entation or gender
identity in jobs,
housing, credit,
lodging, and educa-
tion. It means that
all of New England

It's enough to
nurture seeds
of hope that
our legal equali-
ty will spread
nationwide in
my lifetime, as
envisioned in 0
the “New
Glory” ﬂag,
combining the
blue field of
stars of our
national banner
(“Old Glory”)
and the rain-
bow stripes of
the country of
our hearts.

(plus 10 other states and the District of Columbia) has finally
seen the reality of our lives, not just our Pride Parades.
There’s a ways to go yet, but we’re getting there.

It’s enough to nurture seeds of hope that our-legal equality
will spread nationwide in my lifetime, as envisioned in the
“New Glory” ﬂag, combining the blue ﬁeldof stars of our
national banner (“Old Glory”) and the rainbow stripes of the

country of our.hearts.

And so, it is time to move on: to a new year, to new tasks.

Passing the Torch

In the dark of the year, it helps to ignite torches and pass
them on to new hands to light the way forward.

In early November, I submitted my resignation as editor of
Out in the Mountains, effective February 1, 2006. That com-
pletes four years for me as the facilitator (and sometimes

instigator) for a great community of writers, photographers,
cartoonists, and more. I can’t thank them enough for helping
the paper become the respected lgbt news, opinion, and arts
outlet that it is today. '

We are an interdependent collection of communities. Some
colleagues have identified Out in the Mountains as the “glue”
that holds us together. This paper / this website could not
exist without the support of the members of all of our com-
munities: as readers, as writers (for whom writing for OIT M
is a labor of love, not a paying gig), as volunteers stuffing
envelopes, dropping bundles of papers, and ‘as board members
(going tomeeting after meeting, fundraiser after fundraiser),
as businesses buying ads that speak of their commitment to
our communities, as donors who provide financial support, as
thinkers and doers, as savers and risk takers.

The choice toleave now is mine. After four years here and
a previous year on the Mountain Pride Media board before
becoming editor, it’s just time. The special blend of creativity,
doggedness, (some might say ‘dubious’) charm, inspiration,
perspiration, and attention to detail required by this work has
run the well nearly dry.

I will miss working with the incredible team that makes
this melding of heart and mind a reality in the world. I hope
to write for the paper occasionally after my tenure as editor is
done. Leaving will open up possibilities for political involve-
ment and membership on nonproﬁt boards that I could not
pursue as editor. But first I hope to spend part of the winter
cﬁtching up on books I can read for fun, snowshoeing in the
middle of the week, spending time with my partner during her
time off, and vacationing when it makes sense instead of
when the production cycle allows.

I have treasured my time here and appreciated your contri-
butions, your corrections, and (sometimes) even your criti-
cisms. Many of you have entrusted me with your words and .
your stories. I have been humbled and honored by that trust
(and chagrined when I got something wrong).

With a redesign coming up, a new art director, an ener-
gized board of directors, and our 20th anniversary, there could
hardly be a better time for a new editor to join the team and
take up the torch.

Love and 20 Years
And speaking of the 20th anniversary, I hope that you as
readers of the print and online editions will send in a brief
statement of what Out in the Mountains has meant to you in
the last two decades. Please include your name and town (let
us know if you prefer not to have your name published) and
send to editor@mountainpridemedia.org. We will print a
selection of your statements in the 20th'anniversary issue in
February, and more throughout the year.

Thanks for your support. Ihope your winter holidays are
joyful, and your New Year celebrations safe and happy. V

 

Euan Bear, Editor

l