by Barry Nelson

Ihad leftamarriage of 14 years inJuly
three years ago, and I went to a man’s
retreat weekend thatOctober. At that week-
endlwasscaredandinagreatdeal ofpain.
I felt as though my world had been turned
upside down, and with the pain came fear,
anxiety, and anger, all moving around in-
side me.

At Men Alive, I found a safe place to
begin the process of expressing my feel-
ings, something that many men have prob-
lems with. I found men willing to listen to
me andto share with me- not just theirpain,
but also their joy and love. I also really
enjoyed playing touch football that week-
end. In short, I started to make friends.

These friendships have deepened over
the past few years, and I have learned about
intimacy between men and the power and
strength that comes from having a commu-
nity of close male friends. I have partici-
pated in a number of events sponsored by
the group. We have a “Fathers and Sons
Weekend” camping trip every year, as well

‘The Tassion of Tearla.

0c tofier 5

as a “Fathers and Daughters Weekend.”
There was amen‘s dance atCity Hall and a
Unitarian service rim by the group. The
poetry and drumming and music was sim-
ply great. Some men even got together one
weekend and invited their fathers to partici-
pate in a unique fathers and sons event. It
tookalotofcourageon theirparttopullthat
weekend off! Last Christrnastime, a num-
ber of us got together and went carolling at
the hospital and few nursing homes. This
also was a lot of fun and very rewarding.
I’m sure we will try it again this year.

Over these last three years, I have been
able to journey down the road of personal
healing. I have dealt with my depressions
and with being sexually abused as a child.
Much of this healing has come through
being with other men, men healing men,
men having fun with other men, men crying
together. I am very grateful to be a part of
the Men Alive! organization, which is now
over four years old.

All men are welcome to come join us.
We have monthly meetings the second

‘Women’: Dance aruffluflet

55.00 5-9 p.m.

0c tolier 14

Menk ‘Tea Qanee - 9-fizlfoween Costume

53.00 6 p.m.

Oc tofier 20

Ladies Lourge Dance (ollf tunes)

$1.00 7p.m.

Oc tofier 31

HALLOWEEN Tearfls-fiasfiirg Costume !Party

$5.00 8 p.m.

October 1990

  
   

Men Alive! - One Man's Journey

Sunday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Re-
cently we have been holding the meetings
at the Tai Chi studio at the Chase Mill in
Burlington. The meetings are an opportu-
nity for us to share, witness, discuss, and
dnrm the male experience together. There
will also be a weekend retreat on October
19th through 21st. (all Men Alive! func-
tions are alcohol and drug free, by the way.)
If you are interested in attending either the
meetings or the retreat, give me a call at
865-2447.

G P I
?r\’,a:?£‘r§’:2 ‘°’

Gay men and women interested in
corresponding with people having similar
interests in such diverse locales as Israel,
India, Malaysia, Japan, England, etc. are
encouraged to send a stamped, self-ad-
dressed envelope to I.G.P. (lntemational
Gay Penpals), Ste. 320, Box 7304, North
Hollywood CA 91603.

135Tear[5treet
fiurlington, ‘Vermont