Page 6, Out in the M0untains AIDS Survey Included Included in this issue of OITM is a survey being distributed by Vermont C.A.R.E.S. The survey is designed to determine levels of AIDS knowledge among members of groups at increased risk for AIDS. Designed and distributed jointly by Vermont C.A.R.E.S. and the Vermont Department of Health, the results of the survey will be used to help plan future risk reduction education efforts. The questionnaire is completely anonymous and confidential. Please, do not put your name or any other identifying information on the sheets. The results will be analyzed by both Vermont C.A.R.E.S. and the Department of Health in an effort to assess how much- people at increased risk for HIV exposure in Vermont, especially gay and bisexual men, know about AIDS. By taking a few minutes to fill out and return the survey in the prepaid stamped envelope, you can play a major role in the development of AIDS prevention programs in Vermont. VT CARES Opens Office The grand opening of the offices of the Vermont Committee for AIDS Resources, Education and Services (Vermont C.A.R.E.S.) will take place on Monday, June 8, from 7 to 9 PM. The new office, which will serve as headquarters for the group’s AIDS education and services programs, is located at 30 Elmwood Avenue in Burlington. "An office is a major step forward in our fight against AIDS in Vermont," said Terje Anderson, the Executive Director of Vermont C.A.R.E.S. "It will provide a valuable focus for our efforts, and will be a center of activity for much of the work we are doing." Community members are encouraged to attend the opening, which will feature refreshments and an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the work of Vermont C.A.R.E.S. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. For more information about the office, or about how to become involved in the organization, contact the group at their new phone number, 863-AIDS. or by writing them at PO. Box 5248, Burlington, Vermont 05402. What PFLAG is Doing Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights bills have been introduced into both the U. S. House and the Senate. The House bill is No. 709, introduced by Rep. Ted Weiss (D-NY). The Senate bill is S 464, introduced by Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.) - These bills, if passed, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to bar discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation or federally assisted programs on the basis of sexual orientation. Another important bill recently introduced into the House of Representatives by Rep. Barney Frank is H. R. 1119 which would amend the immigration act which still treats homosexuals in a negative manner. Sponsors and supporters are needed for all of these bills. Contact, via phone, letter, or in person, your local Congressman and your Senators. urge them to sponsor. or at least be a supporter. Ask your relatives and friends to do the same; and it is 2. good idea to thank those special people who are sponsors already. ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS The first report, resulting from the research work on parents of lesbians and gays, being done at the University of Ga., has been published in the April issue of "Psychology Today." This study was based on 500 questionnaires. Further studies are being planned and it is essential that the research team receive many more responses from parents. As previously stated, the purpose of their research is to provide counselors and the community at large with a more realistic picture of us. If you have not yet asked for a questionnaire, or if you lost the one you had, you can write or phone for another copy to L. Walters/PFLAG, University of GA, College of Home Economics, Lawson Hall, Athens, GA 30602; Phone 404/542-4825. The questionnaire takes only a few minutes and is confidential. Your input is important. Amnesty International is making a study on the imprisonment of persons solely on grounds of homosexuality. Collecting data for this study is Cosette Thompson, Amnesty International USA, 3618 Sacramento, San Francisco, CA 94118. She is interested in any infonnation on concrete cases in the USA. For many years, we parents have had a wish and expressed our desire to see our lesbian daughters and gay sons have the right to a legal marriage. It was therefore a most joyous moment to receive the following invitation: "We request the honour of your participation in THE WEDDING on Saturday, the Tenth of October, 1987, at two o'clock in the afternoon; semiformal; reception to follow the ceremony - in Washington, D. C... "This is intended as a celebration of our ongoing committed relationships and to emphasize the demand that Lesbian and Gay domestic partners be entitled to the same rights as married couples." The organization, COUPLES, is sponsoring thisievent the day before the MARCH ON WASHINGTON. Interested parties please write for more information to COUPLES, Inc., P. O. Box 13323, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Perhaps we are getting close to seeing that wish finally come true. Senate to Take up H.237 H. 239, which restricts the use of HIV antibody testing and outlaws discrimination against those with positive results, will be taken up by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee when the legislature reconvenes next January. The bill, which passed the Vermont House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin, received no action in the Senate this year because of a crowded legislative calendar. Although advocates had hoped the bill would be voted on this year, it was never acted upon as the Senate dealt with a large number of the other controversial issues, especially the deadlock over education funding. Supporters of the bill remain optimistic about the chances for passage when the legislature reconvenes in early 1988. noting that it is at the top of the issues the Senate Health and Welfare Committee will deal with. Because it has already passed the House, it need only win Senate approval to be passed. Supporters of H. 239 should contact Senator Sally Conrad, (D - Chittenden), chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, to urge prompt action on the bill next year. Ward 5 Lesbians & Gay Men Meet On Tuesday, April 17th, seven lesbians and gay men in Burlington’s Ward 5 met to identify and discuss issues of importance to our community. Some of those present voiced a desire to have Ward 5 Alderpersons (Nancy Chioffi and Art Anderson) advocate for expansion of Burlington’s anti-discrimination statutes in housing, to include city hiring and contracting practices. Others felt that a general educational/informational meeting with the Alderpeople would be a more appropriate first step. The idea for a meeting with Ward 5 Alderpeople grew out of a conversation with Nancy Chioffi during her recent campaign. Nancy stated that if she were elected, she would be willing to meet with members of the lesbian and gay community of Ward 5. At the April 7th meeting, the group decided to invite both Nancy Chioffi and Art Anderson to an educational/informational meeting. A second planning meeting on Thursday, April 16th, confirmed the consensus of the earlier meeting to pursue an educational/informational approach. The group is planning a picnic at Oakledge Park on Sunday, June 14th at 11:00am for Ward 5 lesbians and gay men to meet with each other and their alderpeople. Ward 5 lesbians and gay men are invited to join us (BYO eats/drinks) for conversation, banner making (for the June 20th Lesbian/Gay Pride Celebration) and general socializing.