l

WI L49!/L/L

  

lvol. 1 No. 6

 

9

 

july - August 1986' ‘

500 Rally in _E3u1rl;iL1r1glto11

The largest Vermont Lesbian and
Gay Pride Celebration yet took place in
Burlington on June 14. Approximately
500 people took part in the rally and
parade.

Speakers throughout the event
referred to the celebration's theme of
"No Turning Back!". Keynote speaker
Gil Gerald, Executive Director of the
National Coalition of Black Lesbians
and Gays, told the crowd on the front
lawn of the Unitarian Church that "For

us, there can be no turning back. We
have come too far and learned too
much to ever turn back, even if we
wanted to.“ Gerald called for a
unified community response to the
increasing right wing attacks, and

pointed out the importance of building
coalitions with, and learning from the
experience of, other oppressed groups.

Governor Madeleine Kunin and
Burlington Mayor Bernard Sanders, an
independent candidate for Governor,
both spoke to the rally. It was the
first time either of them had attended
a lesbian/gay pride celebration. (The
Republican candidate for Governor,
Peter Smith, declined an invitation.)

Kunin said that she supported "full
civil rights for all citizens, including
lesbians and gay men. It is within the
Vermont tradition of tolerance and
liberty that discrimination of any sort
lS wrong."

The Governor also noted that
recent federal government estimates of
a vast increase in the number of
A.I.D.S cases "points out what has been
true all along, that A.I.D.S. is not
51111191)’ a gay concern, but something
which affects our entire society." She
Dlcdged "the determination of state
government to do everything within its
Power to prevent the spread of A.I.D.S.
in Vermont."

Sanders spoke of the need to
connect the fight for lesbian and gay
rights with other issues. "I take," he
said "what I consider to be a
conservative view of gay rights. It is
a view which I believe should be
shared by any thinking person,
conservative, liberal or progressive. The
View that it is wrong to discriminate

 
 

against
something as
preference, instead of looking at what
a person contributes to our community."

the basis of
irrelevant as sexual

anyone on

Speakers from numerous lesbian
and gay community groups urged those
in attendance to become involved in
community activities. "Lesbian and gay
concerns will not become a priority for
other people until they become a
priority for ourselves“ said one speaker.

The parade through downtown
Burlington which followed the rally
was, as in past years, a colorful

collection of banners, purple and pink
balloons, and celebrants decked out in
diverse outfits. The parade marched to
the beat of Kwaanza, a third world
percussion group which also provided
music during the rally.

The parade passed through the
downtown area, which was crowded
with those attending the Jazz Festival,
the response from those on the
sidewalk was friendlier than in past
years. Many stopped and applauded
the 500 marchers, and there was little

&Ph.oto by Glenn Russell

of the heekling which has marked past
parades.

As the march returned to the
Unitarian Church lawn, many people
took part in the "open mike” session to
talk about their feelings on marching.
Many of those who spoke were straight
friends and family members who had
marched to show their support. Other
speakers ranged from the humorous to
political.

The rally ended with John Calvi
leading the crowd in singing Holly
Near’s Singing /or our lives.

Other events of the weekend, while
drawing less attention than the rally,
were quite successful. A Friday night
concert featuring Susan Kenniston,
John Calvi and _Gilles Bonneau drew
over 50 people to Christ Church. Be/are
Stonewall, a documentary film of
lesbian and gay history, drew large and
enthusiastic crowds Saturday night.

The weekend events ended Sunday
afternoon with an Interfaith Religious
Service at the Friends Meeting House
which was attended by over 50 p;ople.