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Out in the Mountains

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OITM: Do you see education as partof your
strategy?
HR: This will be a campaign of real educa-
tion. For example, a lot of people are sur-
prised to realize that virtually all candidates
share their sexual orientation in the course
of a campaign - except it's not called that.
When Joe Smith talks about his wife and
kids, it's seen in a very different light than
when we as gay candidates share who we
are.

We're also educating people that
someone can openly present himself as gay
and still advocate on a whole array of other
issues.

We're educating people about the

common threads throughout our issues -
from tax refonn to pro-choice legislation.
OITM: What is that common thread?
HR: The word for me is empowerment.
These and other issues all involve empow-
ering people who've traditionally been dis-
empowered. Many of us — gay people,
women, poor people — have been oppressed
in certain ways. I've said before, the masks
are each unique but the face underneath is
the same.

Oppression happens for areason. It has
to do with disempowering a whole lot of
people to the benefit of a much smaller
number. It's not by chance that the middle
class has been pitted against the poor
people in battles over taxes and services. I
don't believe the tax revolts have as much to
do with spending too much for services as
they do with who we're asking to foot the
bill. We're asking the wrong people.

In empowering people you bring about
change. One of the real messages of the
campaign is understanding these links be-
tween different oppressions.

Another example is my commitment
as a gay man to pro-choice issues. In my life
I have known what it is like to be denied
choice over what I do with my body. That
should help me understand the issue for
women in a different light.

We need leaders and spokespersons
who are pointing out the common threads.
OITM: What kind of reaction have you had
so far?

HR: Overwhelrningly positive. People are
excited; they sense that this campaign is
different from campaigns they're used to.
People are registering to vote. People who
have never volunteered are volunteering.

12

People who have worked on other cam-
paigns are bringing a new level of excite-
ment and energy.

I've been encouraged by the diversity
of people who are excited Many people be-
yond the lesbian and gay community are
actively involved and have said my candi-
dacy is refreshing.

OITM: Is the Democratic Party taking your
candidacy seriously?

HR: My sense is that the party is respond-
ing in a very positive way and taking it
seriously.

This candidacy is very important in
continuing to push the Democratic Party to
take on a progressive agenda and continue
to work toward innovative solutions to
problems as well as to be more inclusive.

We're at a turning point. I see my
candidacy as a part of a lithmus test of
whether Vermont is going to continue to
chart its own course or begin falling in line
with many other parts of the country — and
take a more vindictive approach to chal-
lenge out there.

By and large Vermont in the last ten
years has taken a very caring, progressive
approach to difficult issues. The challenge
for Democrats is to continue in that direc-
tion.

OITM: Is there a significance for this
campaign outside Chittenden County?
HR: I mentioned before that I believe we're
ata turning point in Vermont. It's important
for a lot of reasons thatpeople with progres-
sive ideas are elected across the state.

 

Reapportionment happens in 1990. It
makes a difference who's in power whne
district lines are redrawn. A conservative
legislature will draw the lines to their favor
and make it easier for that group to remain
in power.

Another reason is that regardless of the
district from which they're elected, legisla-
tors make decisions important to all of us.
If this campaign is successful, it will have
implications well beyond Chittenden
County.

OITM: By successful, do you mean that
you get elected?

HR: Ultimately yes. The aim in this cam-
paign is to be elected. Yes, a whole lot of
good will come out of this campaign all
along the way, whether or not I'm elected.
That good, however, will be geometrically
increased by a campaign victory.

A victory will energize a whole group
of people who have been waiting for some-
thing like this. Significant changes can
happen throughout Vermont as a result of
people seeing that this kind of election is
possible.

More and more, as time goes on, I'm
believing this is a winnable campaign — and
realizing that winning will require a very
volunteer-intensive effort. This is a grass-
roots campaign and that's the way we want
it to be. We want to involve lots of people
and welcome anyone to get in touch with
us.

(For information on how to get involved,
write: Russell for Senate, PO Box 465,
Hinesburg VT05461, or call 434-3670.)

20 Elliot Street

 

COL RS

 

Brattleboro, Vermont
Downstairs in the old church

A
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(802) 254-8646