The Gala Concert: An AIDS Benefit On Friday, May 13, 1988, the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burling- ton will present “The Gala Concert: An AIDS Benefit” at 8 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church at 152 Pearl Street in Burlington. This concert is designed to serve three major goals. First, we wish to continue ex- panding the public awareness of the insidi- ous nature of the AIDS virus and its effects on all those it touches. Our second goal is to raise funds for the ongoing work of or- ganizations in Vermont devoted to AIDS education and service. Finally, we wish to establish a new fund for direct financial as- sistance to persons with AIDS. David Neiweem, choir director at the church, Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Vermont, and Artisitic Director for this event, has selected an out- standing program for this occasion. Aaron Copeland’s “Appalachian Spring” will be performed by members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Efrain Gui gui. Elizabeth Metcalfe will be (Continues on page 8) Forconfidenfial AIDS Information Call 1-800-882-AIDS April 1988 Coming out with AIDS in Vermont The Vermont Democratic Party is making a special outreach effort to encour- age groups traditionally under represented in the political process to take part in the 1988 National Convention Delegate selec- tion process. Women, people of color, les- bians and gay men, working people, the handicapped, and low income people are among the groups targeted for special out- reach efforts. The effort is mandated by rules adopted at the 1984 Democratic National Convention which require each state party to make special efforts to include minority groups in the selection of national conven- tion delegates. Any state party which fails to make such an outreach can be refused seating at the national convention in At- lanta. The first stage in the delegate selection process is the town caucuses to be held on April 19th. Any registered voter can attend those caucuses, where delegates to the state convention will be elected. The 1,600 state convention delegates will, in turn, elect 15 of Verrnont’s 21 national convention dele- gates (the other six are seats reserved for certain party leaders and elected officials who are automatically delegates), along with 5 alternate delegates and the positions of Democratic National Committeeman and Committeewoman. Terje Anderson, an openly gay Demo- cratic party activist, chaired the committee which wrote the Vermont delegate selec- tion and affirmative action/outreach rules. “People are sometimes intimidated by the whole process, but it really isn’t as compli- cated as it seems,” said Anderson. “All anyone really has to’ do is attend their town caucus to run for a state convention spot, and getting elected there is usually pretty easy. Most of the time delegates run unop- posed to go to the state convention.” Anderson noted that in 1984, 80 people attended the lesbian and gay caucus held atthe Democratic state convention. “If we try, there is no reason we can’t double or triple that number this year. If we do that, we can make sure that lesbians and gay men are included in the Vermont delegation to the national convention. The delegate se- lection process is a simple way to show Vermont politicians that our community is a political force to deal with.” Anyone with questions about partici- pating in the Democratic caucuses should call the Democratic State Committee at 229-5986, or call Terje at 863-2437. The Republican Party caucuses will also be held on April 19th, but there is no outreach to lesbian and gay voters (or other minority groups) planned by the GOP. (Stephen & Burns Taft Corners Shopping Center ' Williston VT 05495 878-64 13 K hair and nail care -- cosmetics- J