_'.:..n ;...._,‘.t.. . ' ., Volume IV, Number 9 -routains VERMONT'S NEWSPAPER FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN December 1989 Groundbreaking gay rights legislation has passed the Massachusetts legislature. Vermont’s southern neighbor has become the second state in the nation to pass gay rights legislation. Setting a precedent which will influence numerous states across the nation which are considering similar bills. The bill passed the MA House April 3 by a vote of 76-72 and received full approval by the Senate on November 6. By rvote of 21-9, the Senate rejected a last ditch effort by die-hard opponents who tied to use parlimentary tactics to stall the bill’s passage. First introduced in 1973, the bill sed the House for the first time in 1983. Ersrthe last several years the House passed b ebill but it has been blocked in a majority ‘ripporting Senate by opponents using par- entary tactics. After 17 years of being filed, both the House and Senate passed the gay civil 'ghts bill which will prohibit discrimina- 'n against gays in employment, housing, it’, insurance, and public accommoda- bus. The bill will empower the MA ommission Against Discrimination MCAD to investigate and prosecute cases yHoward Russell OUTRIGHT ‘VERMONT, an organi- tion established to attend to the needs of ring gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) rsons, has announced the receipt of two IS. The first is a $2,000 grant awarded by ymarket People’s Fund, a Boston-based pgressive foundation. The purpose of S grant is to establish a lending library for LB youth, their parents and people who ork with them. This lending library will 'lude books, periodicals, pamphlets and eotapes. It will be housed in the OUT- GHT VERMONT office at 30 Elmwood ' Venue in Burlington. The second grant is in the amount of .000. awarded by the Ben and Jerry’s E I M of anti-gay discrimination. The MA Coali- tion for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, a primary lobbying and organizing force for the bill, will continue statewide organizing and public education in 1990 to ensure that the law will be publicized and enforced. “This is a proud moment in Massachu- setts history and a milestone in the national civil rights movement,” said David LaF on- taine, lobbying director for the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights. “We’re excited about the potential of this bill to give impetus to gay and lesbian rights struggles throughout the nation.” * Wisconsin passed a gay civil rights bill in 1982, thanks in part to support from the Roman Catholic archdiocese in that state. In 1983 , California a bill introduced by then state legislator Art Agnos passed in both branches of the state legislature, only to be vetoed by Governor Deukmejian. In 1987, the Conneticut gay rights bill initially passed both the House and Senate only to lose by one vote in the final House vote. In New York, the gay rights bill has been perennially quashed by the conservative state Senate, despite strong support from Governor Mario Cuomo. Here in Vermont, Foundation for the purpose of hiring a part- time coordinator of services. This person willberesponsible forcoordinating contact with schools and other youth-serving or- ganizations, providing training to persons working with young people and overseeing direct service to young GLB people. A hiring committee has been estab- lished and begun the search for a person to till the role of coordinator. They are look- ing for someone with sensitivity and knowledge about GLB youth issues, expe- rience in presenting to a variety of audi- ences, and organizational ability. Anyone interested in applying for this position should send a letter of intent and resume to OUTRIGHT VERMONT, P.O. Box 4175, Burlington, VT 05406, attn. hiring com- Massachusetts Passes Gay Rights Bill the Senate has passed a bill only to see it not survive the House. Numerous other states around the country are actively battling to enact gay civil rights lesgislation as well as to pass bills pertaining to collection of data about violent crimes and_ harassment directed at against gays and lesbians. States whcih have achieved a measure of success and seem poised for further gains include Rhode Island, Vermont, Michigan, Penn- sylvania, Maine, Ohio, Illinois, Texas and Washington. “The success of the Massachusetts gay and lesbian community will inspire and energize activists all over the country,” said Sue Hyde, spokesperson for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Hyde empha- sized that of all the legislative work being done by gays and lesbians, none is more important than passing comprhensive civil rights legislation. “The lesson learned from 17 years of filing the bill in Massachusetts is ‘don’t give up, don’t shut up and don’t go away.”’ Momentum generated by passage of the Massachusetts Gag Rights Bill may ( onlinued on page 13) OUTRIGHT VERMONT Receives Grant mittee. Organizers hope to have a coordina- tor in place by mid to late January. ' Anyone interested in becoming in- volved in the organization is welcome to attend monthly meetings which are held the second Wednesday of each month at the office at 30 Elmwood Avenue, upstairs. Projects which organizers anticipate undertaking in the next six months are the establishment of a hotline, the formation of weekly or bi-weekly youth support groups, trainings for professionals working with young people and the consolidating of the OUTRIGHT VERMONT office space into a welcoming place for GLB youth and those who work with them. Volunteers will be needed to do all of the above so whatever skills people can offer will be welcomed.