OITM Needs
Your Help

The first issue of ‘Out in the Mountains‘
was published in February of this year. In
our first year we have published eleven
issues and distributed them across the state
of Vermont. There have been snags and
frustrations both in producing the paper and
in getting it distributed. But, by anti large,
we have been getting the word out that we
are here and that we won't tolerate being
ignored any longer.

There have been many very visible
benefits which have come about either
directly or indirectly as a result of this
paper. Two years ago, Vermonters for
Lesbian and Gay Rights (VLGR) conducted
a poll of the candidates before the
November elections and got virtually no
response. This year the poll was conducted
by OITM. It was noted in the survey that
the results would be published in OlTM and
that failure to respond would be duly noted.
Virtually all the candidates polled ended up
responding. OITM is a part of making it
politically costly to keep silent on issues of
concern to lesbians and gay men. When
political people know that we have the
means of spreading information across this
state they listen to our concerns and they
think carefully about their responses.

Another area where OITM has had an
important impact is in breaking down the
isolation of lesbians and gay men in this
state. We have gotten numerous letters froiu
people just beginning the process of coming
out. OlTM is an important part of breaking
through some of this isolation and offering
hope and inspiration to many who are in the
midst of this struggle.

OITM also provides a mouthpiece for
the many diverse aspects of our community,
helping us to understand and support one
another better and helping us to see our
common goals.

We want this paper to continue for all
of the above reasons and many more. We
need your help. In January and February of
the coming year, OITM will be conducting a
fundraising campaign to allow us to continue
and hopefully expand publication for another
year.

To put out an eight page issue costs
approximately $300. For »a twelve page
issue, it costs approximately $450. it is our
goal to be able to alternate eight and twelve
page issues every other month. That means
we need to raise $4,500 this year. Can you
help?

Maybe you personally could afford to
pay for an issue. Maybe your group or
organization could make a commitment to
pay for half of an issue. How about one
page of an issue? Or maybe you can only
afford a smaller amount. Any and all
contributions are appreciated and are a vital
part of keeping this paper going.

OITM is produced entirely by volunteers
who give many hours of time" to see that the
word gets out. But production cannot
continue without support from the
community at large. So think about it and
give as much as you're able because lesbians
and gay men in this state deserve to have
our voices heard. Thank you.

OITM Contributions:

$450 (large issue)

 
 
 
 

$300 (small issue)
$150 (one-half issue)
$40 (one page)

other

0}

December 1986 0 page 3

 

Dec. 5, Womyns Dance 5-9 pm
Dec. 21, Pearl’s Christmas Party 4-8 pm

(bring a tree ornament, we’ll buy you a drink)

Looking forward to seeing you at our
Gala New Year’s Eve Party

to

Open 7 Days a Week
Mon.— Fri. Open at 5pm
Sat. + Sun. Open at 8pm

0 Downstairs ls Open Tues., Thurs., Fri., and Sat.

135 Pearl Street

 

Burlington, Vermont

7

Tues. Ed 's $1 Bud Night
Wed. Ladies Night
Thurs. Boys Night Out

 
     

802 863 - .4343

AIDS Volunteer Orientation Held

Vermont's first training session for
A.l.D.S. volunteers took place in Burlington
the weekend of November l5-l6.

Sponsored by the Vermont Committee for
A.l.D.S. Resources, Education and Services
(Vermont CARES), the. two day session
featured a variety of workshoP5 °°"C“”8
medical questions, social service resources.
empowerment in the health care system, legal
issues. antibody testing, risk reduction, direct
care, and methods of avoiding burnout.

The training was designed to provide a
con; group of people with information to
serve as resources. "A lot of what we're
doing is teaching people who will become
teachers themselves" said Terje Anderson,
Director of Vermont CARES

The workshop, which was hosted by
GLSA at University of Vermont, included
presentations by local authorities and
representatives of the Boston A.l.D.S. Action
Committee.

Twenty-seven people attended all or part
of the conference, which organizers said was
"an encouraging number."

"While we are still fortunate to have a
relatively small number of diagnosed cases in
the state, we have to be prepared for what
lies ahead" said Anderson.

Future workshops on specific care issues
are being planned. For more information.
contact Vermont CARES at Box ll25,
Montpelier 05602.