Out in the Mountains

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November 8th -the national presiden-
tial election. Some people ask -”What’s in
it for me? I can only choose between the
lesser of two evils in the large political
parties and a better, but no-chance-of-win-
ning candidate in the obscure independent
party.” So people either continue to feel
dejected and vote their party line, vote for
the independent or choose not to vote at all.

The 8th of November isn’t just the
national election, but also the statewide
election. The govemorship, U.S. House
and Senate seats and even a state house and
a senate seat are up for grabs. The best way
of voting is to be informed thoroughly
about all the candidates. With the statewide
primary past, the options for voting have
been narrowed significantly. We want to
know where the candidates stand on lesbian
and gay rights (See related article and in-
sert). Are the candidates willing to co-
sponsor a lesbian and gay rights bill?
Would they sign a lesbian and gay civil
rights bill into law?

 

To the editor:

Harassment of lesbians and gay men is
not just a big city problem. Homophoblc’
acts of violence and acts which threaten the
well being of lesbians and gay men happen
right here in vermont. Cases in point: two
lesbians are hit by a car in the northeast
kingdom; Pearls bar repeatedly has win-
dows broken; patrons of gay bars in Ver-
mont are chased or assaulted; fraternities at
the University of Vermont have “fun” with
the slogan “kill queers”; etc. During the
weekend of September 10-11 the Gay,
Lesbian and Bisexual Alliance atUVM had
4 of its posters defaced with anti- gay slo-
gans. Ironically that same weekend was the
VT Coalition for Lesbians and Gay Men’s
workshop on how to lobby for lesbian and
gay civil rights. With each anti—gay inci-
dents that occurs, we see how vulnerable
our rights and lives are to the whims of
others. We must band together now to ob-
tain our equal rights.

Mimi DeSouza

To the Editor:

Lesbian and Gay Pride Day was cele-
brated in New York City this year on Sun-
day, June 26th. At least two Vermonters
were present and joined in the March,

People ask-”Why should I take part? I
The government doesn’t listen to the I

people anyway.” Over the past two years "

lesbians and gay men have come a long way I
in the pursuit of equality in the state of 
Vermont. Last year the State Senate passed .
a lesbian and gay anti—discrimination civil I
rights bill. More and more politicians are 
learning that lesbians and gay men are a -
voting block that can’t be ignored. More I
politicians are willing to co-sponsor na-
tional and state legislation. How have those 
political changes come about? By in- 
creased pressure on legislators using our
voting rights as U.S. citizens, lobbying I
heavily as a minority group that deserves
recognition, being visible at political rallys I
and demonstrations. Politicians are leam- I
ing that they can’t just ignore lesbian and 1
gay issues for fear of losing in elections. I
Politics is often a game of give and take.
Lets use our right to vote and ensure that >
lesbian and gay civil rights are not taken out
of the picture.

(GMSMA) banner. \
Spotty‘ showers in the late moming I
dried up just in time for the beginning of the ’
March, and the sun warmed the huge gath-
ering for the remainder of the day. Hordes I
of individuals filled the broad streets, far .
oumumbering the thousands lining the I
sidewalks to cheer, yell, clap and some l
times hug the marchers. As the mighty .
parade turned onto Fifth Avenue, my atten-
tion was directed to the scene before us, it
took one’s breath away. For as far as the eye I
could see, some thirty city blocks in the 
steamy sunlight, there was one solid wave ‘
of people with balloons shimmering joy- I
fully, completely filling in the cavernous I
distance between Central Park to I
Greenwich Village, roughly 50 blocks .
(60th St. to Christopher St.). ;
Hecklers had been anticipated at St
Patrick’s Cathedral. We saw that its steps i
were filled by N.Y.C. Police... and no one .
else. A few people with placards (the most I
legible and interesting onel saw said, “God 2
gave Adam Eve, not Steve”) stood peace’ ~_
fully on the other side of the Cathedral. N9 1
incidents developed with other sign carfl‘
ers, the whole event was boringly sm00IIl- 
Wondrous to behold was the extreme 
variety of participants, from YUPPIE to the

Thank you! walking proudly behmd the G33’ M319 elaborately crossed dressed, fromacontin-I
Sadism and Masochism Activists Continuedonpageé,