Mida'lebury’s g/I/b alumi meet informally with college ofiicials and students. President McCardell described his View of the role of alumni in Middlebury's future by envisioning “everybody in the same tent, be- longing to the same group, working for a com- mon purpose.” He also invited the alumni to “come back to Middlebury often” and, in a mo- ment of unintended humor, “to come out..to see us when we're on the road in your area” After an informal brunch and picture—taking session, the second panel convened in the School's Dana Auditorium. Here, six alumni shared with the crowd their personal stories of life at Middlebury and beyond. Recollections of coming out of the closet linked the tales and reinforced the under- lying assertion that each person's emer- gence as a gay or lesbian person was dif- ferent, that there was and is no single gay or lesbian “lifestyle” but a wonderfully di- verse range of possibilities within each identity. The group also settled the fears of those who might still be experiencing problems with their sexual identities while at Middlebury, claiming that no matter how dark or depressing it might seem while in school, “there is life as a gay per- son after Middlebury.” In a symbolic moment, one of the students in the audience rose during the question and an- swer period to tell of his fiiendship with one of the panelists and how it had troubled him to learn that she was a lesbian. (He admitted to having had a crush on her while they were students together.) He explained that he too had to take time to understand his friend's sexuality, echoing a previous statement that the “coming out” process can be difficult and long—lasting for friends of gay and lesbian peoplexas well. Finally, he reaffirmed his friendship with her and hoped that she might understand his previous difliculties so that they might once more enjoy the close re- lationship they had shared. The weekend was full of such personal mo- ments, reinforcing the notion that for many this was indeed a time of reconciliation and reconnection with Middlebury and a healthy step forward for the College community as it continues to address issues of diversity on campus. It also afforded those like Sandra Le- vine to revisit their pasts here and to discover that, as Levine once wrote as a strident, “I had not found myself; my self had found me.” Those alumni returning to Middlebury for this event have now had a chance to find one anotl1er..Witl1 that comes renewed hopes for the fixture of gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals not only as students on campus, but as wel- come members of the entire Middlebury W L GOLDEN-THREADS a contact publication for lesbians over 50 and women who love older women. Canada and US‘. Confidential, warm reliable. For free infonnation send self-addressed envelope; (U.S. residents please stamp it). Sample oopy mailed discreetly, $5:00 U.S. funds. P.O. Box 60475, Northampton, MA 05401- 0475 W Photo Hugh Coyle 19 May 1993 Patrick CSW Shoshana Slmons, MA Nancy Dc: Rzult, CSW 5 - Childhood Trarrrrra - Women's Issues ' Communiation Problems - Incatsurvivors ‘ 0 ACOA - Bereavement ‘ - Adults, ltdolacents, Children a Cotpla tbe ’.iki7iz&1tie2i1rl36fifcw sliding Sale‘-. 985 -3315 ' Shrelbumc. f/«eel/(la/be,/gfl RFD Box 2260 East Hardwick, VT 05836 (802) 533-7772 50/K6 zféd/‘é 726 p/‘ed/I! /wmalga Ski from Our Door Since 1982 More than a Guest House R ' Whole Foods Served » ‘ ‘WE’ 0/e/r 71/we Horseback Riding r€owrc/ [weeks & W417 K’/afar