page 2 - Out in the Mountains

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No visible support was given. A statement
released from the membership of Vt.
C.A.R.E.S. was not printed or aired by any
major media source. The person with
A.I.D.S. or A.R.C. who already had no
physical resistance was left without support
during this emotional assault.

Accurate information would have
revealed that neither the defeat nor
ratification of any constitutional
amendment would affect the transmission
of the HIV that could ultimately cause
A.I.D.S. The most effective means of both
prevention and intervention, for both
heterosexuals and homosexuals, is
comprehensive risk reduction and safe-sex
education. This opinion is shared by both
the Center for Disease Control and the U.S.
Surgeon General who are hardly advocators
of "liberal" causes. There are specific
documented modes of transmission: Blood to
Blood, Semen to Blood, and in utero.
Equality would neither promote nor deter
them.

Why then the targeting by anti-E.R.A.
and fundamentalist groups? Could it be

that the person with an H.I.V. infection
was an easy lamb to sacritice'I' Is this how

the Judeo-Christian ethic of being your
brother's keeper is demonstrated? If your
"brothers" do not embrace your choices are
they cast out? Is there no pain or
persecution these groups are _reluctant to
inflict?

The usual defenders of "humanitarian"
causes have been noticeably absent through
out this persecution as well. Although they
did not .contribute to the misinformation
they also did nothing to correct it. Silence
does not challenge ignorance.

When will we learn that it is only by
facing our fear that it loses the power to
paralyze and intimidate? When will we be
able to see the person behind the stigma?

Purpose

The purpose of Out in the Mountains is to serve as
a voice for lesbians. gay men and our supporters in
Vermont. We wish the newspaper to be a source of
information, support and affirmation for lesbians and
gay men. We also see it as a vehicle for celebration of
the goodness and diversity of the lesbian and gay
community.

Editorial Policy

We will consider for publication any material which
broadens our understanding of our lifestyles and of
each other. Views and opinions appearing in the paper
do not necessarily represent those of the staff. _

This paper cannot. and will not endorse any_ candi-
date for public office. We will serve as a vehicle for
informing our readers about the views of candidates
and actions of public officials on issues of particular
importance to lesbians and gay men. _ _

We will not publish any material which is overtly
racist. sexist. anti-Semitic. ageist or homophobic.

All materials submitted must be signed and include
an address and/or phone number so we can contact the

‘author should we need to consider editorial revisions.
However. within the pages of the newspaper. articles
may appear anonymously. upon request, and strict
confidentiality will be observed. No revisions or reject-
ions of materials will occur without dialogue with the
author.

We welcome and encourage all readers to submit
materials for publication and to share your comments.
criticisms and positive feelings with us. This paper is
here for ou. _

The eadline for submitting material for each issue IS
the 15th of the month prior to publication.

Materials should be sent to:

Out in the Mountains
PO Box 438
Hinesburg. VT 05461.

Out iii the Mountains is published by the Out in the
Mountains collective: Elizabeth Mae. Howard Russell.
David Ryan. Suzi Shira. Philip Roberts. Linda Wheeler.
Terje Anderson. Gilles Yves Bonneau, and Antonio Baio.

The Crime of Silence

A couple of days after the defeat of
the ERA, a statewide coalition of lesbian
and gay men took both sides of the debate
to task. Stating that the campaign
"witnesses a terrifying display of public
bigotry and hatred" and that such a level
of prejudice was reached that suggestions
were made that homosexuals have no right
to exist, the coalition placed the blame on
the anti-ERA forces for giving voice to the
hatred and on the pro-ERA group for
allowing the vilifications to stand.

There point is well taken. Certainly,
the Schlafly crowd stirred homophobia. In
there hateful propaganda, they preached to
voters that the ERA would promote
homosexual marriages. would encourage
gays to teach children, and would even
spread AIDS. But then, what can you
expect from the bunch that would return
women to the middle ages? Unfortunately,
however, those interested in the equality of
women did little better for homosexuals. To
‘the argument that the amendment would
lead to gay marriages, they stated lamely
that it would have no effect on the
institution. Rather than pointing out that
in the spirit of equality marital privileges
should be passed around equally to all
citizens (or that given its success rate,
marriage should outlawed for all). they
mumbled that marriage would be left
alone. To the argument about increased
acceptance of gays in all walks of life,

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responded “why
should be
insidious

they again ineffectually
not?" but rather that people
calm; it won't happen. To the
connection made between AIDS and the
ERA, the pooh-poohed deeply with the
fears and never made the point that we all
must deal with the physical disease as well
as the horrible legal and political
consequences it will have for gay
Americans and for all of us.

In all the noise, then, even from the
feminist faction of our population most
vocally committed to fairness and equality

-no one spoke for homosexuals, our most
vulnerable citizens. No one reminded the
biased, the bigot, and the bashcr that
homosexuals are as innocent of crime in

most jurisdictions as straights are. that they

as well as we should be left alone to have
privacy in their own bedrooms and that
they are positive, creative, and responsible
Americans, who like all other citizens
deserve equal treatment before the law.

In other times, whole peoples have
been judged guilty for the crimes of
silence in the face of attacks of weaker
citizens. The ERA debate on both sides,
but especially the one on the side of the
quiet acceptance of hate. carries,
unfortunately, the same judgement.

I wrote this for an editorial for WJOY
Sandy Baird

For
confidential

AID S

Information

 

Call

1:300
882-AIDS

s .
I