by Keith Goslant
Co-liaison to the Governor

The corridors and committee rooms of
the State House can seem lonely when one
isaliaison for the lesbian, gay, andbisexual
community and an advocate for people
living with HIV infections. Finding legisla-
tors supportive of our issues or willing to
listen can often seem overwhelming. Hear-
ings can be long and intimidating.

I thought of these corridors and hear-
ings as I stood in Pearls watching the elec-
tion returns. Making mental notes of who
was retuming and what support there
would be when the antidiscrimination bill
is reintroduced, I remember the heavy
sense of loss that overcame me when I
heard that Ben wasn't coming back. Ben
was more than merely a supporter or a good
vote. Ben was a friend of our community.

Ben Truman was first elected to the
House from Chittenden district 7-4/Ward 2

arewell Tribute to Ben Truman

four years ago. In those two sessions Ben
has co-sponsored the sexual orientation
antidiscrimination bill, the HIV antidis—
crimination bill, the HIV insurance bill, and
was lead sponsor of the Hate Crimes bill.
Ben has understood the common thread
that connects all oppressions, how the same
hate than creates racism and sexism also
creates homophobia and violence.

Ben has_ been our voice on the Health
and Welfare Committee and during hostile
floor debates. He was there to speak for the
rights of women, especially on issues of
choice. He was there to speak for family
leave, the uninsured Vermonters, social
service programs, environmental issues,
and for progressive legislation.

Inever had to go in search of Ben to ask
for his support; Ben came looking for me.
He would ask what we needed and how he
could help. He was ready to build coalitions
of support and to let me know who needed
a little push or to

and Liaison Keith Goslant (right)

  

But Who's Leading?: Representative Ben Truman (left)

hear from a con-
stituent. He
would spend late

_ nights at the
State House to
show his support
during lengthy
public hearings
or to help strate-
gize for upcom-
ing votes.

As we pre-
pare for the up-
coming session,I
wanttothank the
Honorable Ben-
nett S. Truman
for his steadfast
support, his in-

 

R.D.l Box 1980 Fairfax,Vt.05454 802-524-4574

    

O BOARDING
5% GROOMING , 3, I
_ TRAINING Q’ ’ Z;
Animal lrm “"  
~ Carol Skon Claudia Cook Cg;/;wooJ

   
   

Lower Waterford Rd., E. Barnet, Vermont 05821 (802) 633-4047

December 1990

 
 

tegrity, his words of reassurance, and his
sense of hope. As I walk the corridors, I will
miss his smile and friendship.

Iwish him good luckas he andlennifer
continue their life's journey; and when we
next meet at Pearls, Ben, it's on me.

EleCtiOn Results (frompage 1)

was Bernie Sanders's victory in the race for
Vermont's only open seat in the U.S. House
of Representatives. Running as an Inde-
pendent, Sanders came from behind to
handily defeatRepublican incumbent Peter
Smith. Smith had lost ground over the last
few weeks of his campaign following an ill-
timed fundraising visit on his behalf by
George Bush.

Sanders responded in a "politically
correct" manner to all of the questions on
the Coalition's survey and has been a vis-
ible supporter of gay rights for years, par-
ticularly in his term of office as Mayor of
Burlington. He also recently addressed a
gathering of gay men in southern Vermont
to address concerns of the homosexual
community.

While there aren't any statistics kept on
the effect of the gay/lesbian/bisexual vote
in Vermont, the fact that Ron Squires was
elected and Howard Russell came so close
to winning his bid for office demonstrates
that the voice of that community is gather-
ing momentum and being heard throughout
the state. As Squires observed, "The excit-
ing thing is, I think, the election of people
from our community in the small towns and
rural areas, because that's where the real
changes in this country always begin to
take place." I

INNKEEPERS:
Peter and

   
 
   

Warmth

Charm
Tranquil
Country

‘ Surroundings
 amOr

 

13