"...my- existence is a
political issue."

I would like to organize or find a
Central Vermont Lesbian group. If you
could possibly pass along my name and
address to any womyn in the area that may
have asked you about such a group, I would
be very grateful.

The ERA campaign was a heck of a
time to be coming out,‘ but it actually
accelerated the process, for me. I had to
realize why I was taking the whole thing so
personally, why I was so defensive. The
issue of rights for women was not enough
to explain my reactions. That issue became
that we must have if we are going to feel
safe enough to make ourselves known. I
have never been a political person, an
agitator or organizer; I have set back and
admired people who were. All of a sudden,
for the first time in my life, I felt myself
thrust into the role of oppressed minority on
two counts, as a female whom others do not
see as being worthy of inclusion in the state
constitution, and as a lesbian, whom others
do not even want to think about as being
worthy of existing. My simple existence is a
political issue, it seems, whether I want it or
not.

While "marches alone don't bring
integration," marches of solidarity don't
always either. Ordinary people walking
down the streets being unashamedly
themselves help bring understanding. I
hope.

I did not intend this to be a long
letter. I just wanted to say that I want to

be involved.

Lesbians Meet in St. J.

At the 7th annual Lesbian wood party
there was a discussion about how to have
an "out" lesbian on the Umbrella Board of
Directors, St. Johnsbury’s Women's Center.
A date was set for planning. A week later
was the Vermont Gay and Lesbian meeting
in South Royalton where specifies and
energy for the plan were kindled.
Research was done and letters were mailed.

On November 4, we Vermonters chose
not to have equal rights for women and
men in our constitution. The campaign
was painful, particularly for lesbians
promoting the Equal Rights Amendment
and simultaneously dealing with the blatant
homophobia from both sides. We all
experienced the deep roots of sexism and
homophobia in this state. Perhaps one
Dositivc outcome of the equal rights defeat
is the reaction from lesbians in the area.
As one woman said, "The defeat of ERA
shook me up. We have to affirm ourselves,
we can't wait for it to come from the
outside."

On November 15, twenty lesbians met,
coming from Thetford, Derby Line and
man)’ towns between these. We began by
Saying who we are, where we live and why
we were here. We came to strengthen and
organize the community through
networking, to be involved with change, to
combat fear, hatred and being alone. Some
came to meet other lesbians, take care of
our own needs and define our community.
We could probably name forty more
lesbians in the Northeast Kingdom. And
then there are all the others. We are many

and varied’ continued, page 7

 

Dancin’ in the New Year 8 - 3 am
Make it a Hot New Beginning
$5.00 Door

(Womyn’s Cocktail Party 5 - 8 pm Upstairs Ba!‘ $3 COVE?)

January 9th Womyn’s Dance 5 49 pm

January 18th Drag in the New Year
Tony Rose, winner of the 1986 P-town Golden Gull Award
Best Male Entertainer, Live Impersonations
Featuring: Joan Rivers, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, etc.!
Two Shows - Don’t Miss the Fun!

0 Open 7 Days a Week 0

Mon.- Fri. Open at 5pm
Sat. + Sun. Open at 8pm

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

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135 Pearl Street

Burlington, Vermc nt

Oi

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

       

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802 863 - Z343

aaaaaaaaaaaaszi

Congratulations
Suzi and Joan .
Eight years
January 19. 1986
saaaaaaaaaaaas:

January 1987 - page 3

Qlelehrating an fsnninerzaty?

Send us your anniversaries! We want not
only to keep us all informed of lesbian and gay
news, we want to note our personal and commu-
nal celebrations. If you have ever wanted to
publicly proclaim your anniversary(for example),
this is your chance.

To have your anniversary published, we need
to receive the following information by the 15th
of the month preeeeding publication.

Please send the full names of both partners,
number of years as a couple and anniversary
date. Please specify if you want only your first
names published.Send to

Out in the Mountains
PO Box 438
Hinesburg, VT 05461