Out in the Mountains

Join The Fight

Suppon

The Vermont
Coalition of Lesbians
and Gay Men

in their work to pass legislation
guaranteeing equal rights to
Lesbians and Gay men in Ver-
mont and insuring protection
for People With AIDS and HlV+
persons. Contribute to our
cause and add your name to
our mailing list. We need your
help.
D Yes, I want to be a part of
making Vermont safer for
Gays and Lesbians. Add my
name to your mailing list
[jAccept my contribution of
to help with expenses
and general coalition building
efforts.
See Address on VT Resources Page

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Address

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THANK YOU!

Sexuality is “Normal and Good”

Society should acknowledge sexuality
as normal rather than deny it as we have
been doing for centuries, said Dr. Sylvia S.
Hacker, Associate Professor at the Univer-
sity of Michigan School of Public Health,
when addressing the 8th International
Convention of the Federation of Parents
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
(PFLAG) recently.

While some other countries are trying
to wipe out teenage pregnancy, she said, “in
this country we are trying to wipe out teen-
age sexuality.” Indeed, she noted, telling a
tumed-on teenager to “just say no” is “like
telling a psychotic depressive to ‘have a
nice day’.”

If we are to end misconceptions about
sexuality, including homosexuality, Dr.
Hacker said, we should acknowledge that
sexuality is “normal and good,” and that it
is far more than intercourse.

The Federation of Parents FLAG was
incorporated in 1982 and has as its main
objective offering support to parents, fami-
lies, and friends of gay men and lesbians,
and educating its members and others about
issues related to homosexuality.

For more information on Parents
FLAG, contact Parents FLAG, PO Box
27605, Washington, D.C. 20038; (202)
638-4200. Readers who wish to receive
materials should send a 45-cent stamped,
self-addressed envelope and enclose $1 for
handling costs to Parents FLAG, PO Box
20308, Denver, CO 80220.

NGLTF Calls for Implementation of
New Military Report

“I Want You,” the old Uncle Sam
military recruiting slogan, may one day
include gays and lesbians if a recently sur-
faced, pro-gay military report is any indica-
tron.

A new report ordered by the Depart-
ment of Defense (DoD) concludes that the
American military should reexamine its
homophobic policy and consider ending

anti-gay and lesbian discrimination. The
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
(NGLTF) has called for the immediate
implementation of the report to stem the
rising tide of court martials and unfair dis.
charges.

Citing changes in American society’s
acceptance of homosexuals, the report
states the Government will most likely be
forced to reexamine its anti-gay policies.

But the Pentagon has since rejectedthe
report, calling it wasteful, flawed, offen-
sive and exceeding its mandate.

HHS Chief Sides With Dannemeyer on
Gay Youth Suicide Report

 

Dr. Louis Sullivan, Secretary of the I

Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), has sided with the anti-gay forces of
Rep. William Dannemeyer on the recently
released HHS Youth Suicide Report, say-
ing portions of the report dealing with gay
youth run “contrary” to the aim of “advanc-
ing traditional family values.”

The response from Sullivan stunned
gay rights activists who say the study has
been widely praised for it fair and factual
analysis of the growing problem of youth
suicide, especially gay and lesbian suicide.

The l 10-page, pathfinding report ana-
lyzes and makes recommendations for
stemming the increasing rate of teen sui-
cides in the U.S. The study has a sizeable
section on gay and lesbian suicide, report-
ing that “gay youth face a hostile and con-
demning environment, verbal and physical
abuse, and rejection and isolation from
families and peers.”

“I am strongly committed to advanc-
ing traditional family values,” says Sulli-
van. “Federal policies must be crafted with
great care so as to strengthen rather than
undermine the institution of the family. In
my opinion, the views expressed in the
paper run contrary to that aim.”

In a sharply worded letter to Sullivan, '

and copied to major national media along
with President Bush, National Gay and

 

$5113 (U.S.S)

GOLDEN THREADS

a contact publication for lesbians
over 50 and women who love
older women.

Canada and U.S. Confidential, worm. reli-
able. For free information send seIf-od-
dressed envelope; (U.S. residents pleose
stomp rt). Somple copy moiled discreetly.

P.O. Box 3177, Burlington, VT 05401

J