Out in the Mountains VERMONT'S NEWSPAPER FOR LESBIANS, GAY MEN, AND BISEXUALS Uulvsnsrrvpr vsnnom Volume VIII, Number 5 July-August 1993 UVM Health . Insurance Victory Beth Mintz We won! After a nearly three year strug- gle, the University of Vermont announced that it would not appeal a Vermont Labor Relations Board ruling that The Uni- versity must grant health benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian employees. In what has been called a landmark ruling, the Board's decision demonstrates that nondiscrimination policies guarantee equal rights and equal access and that we can force institutions to comply. It also underscores our power as a movement and our effectiveness in instituting pos- itive social change. At this moment, benefits offices all over the state are evaluating the implications of the ruling for their employees. While the details have not yet been worked out, we are confident that the decision applies to many workplaces, especially for public employees in settings which have official nondiscrimination policies, including the Vermont State College system. The non- profit sector is also a likely place for im- plementation and Middlebury and St. Mi- chael's Colleges are being mentioned specifically in this context. On the eve of our victory, we would like to thank you all for your support and en- couragement. Since the fight was a long one, our legal fees are quite high and we have much fundraising to do. We be- lreve that this is an important win for all of us and we would very much ap- preciate your help. Send contributions to: One-in-Ten c/o Esther Rothblum Psychology, John Dewey Hall, UVM, Burlington, Vt. 05405. V Vermont Pride an Overwhelming Success The tenth anniversary celebration of VT Pride expanded from one day to an entire week of activities, all a resounding success. Every- where you looked there were events to attend, many of which were filled to capacity. The Savoy Theater in Montpelier held a week long film festival which was sold out several times and was the best week in the Savoy’s history. A reading of by Vermont authors at Chass- men and Bern attracted over 65 people. The Legal Documents Workshop on the morning of Pride had over 25 peo- ple in attendance. Plays and concerts added to the week’s attractions. ThentherewastherallyandmarchinBur- lington on June 26. It was the biggest gathering of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in the history of Ver- mont. Over a thousand people attended, with the march itself stretching for four city blocks. Buses brought people from all over the state. It was a day of much celebration. Within the two weeks preceding Pride, les- bian and gay Vermonters had two major vic- tories. On June 18th, the Vermont Supreme Court unarniously ruled in favor of the adop- tion by a lesbian of her partners’ children. The following week,the University of Ver- mont decided to comply with the State La- bor Relations Board ruling that it must pro- vide health care benefits for the domestic partners of its employees. At the pre-march rally in front of the Uni- taritian Church, speakers included Howdy Russell, Peggy Luhrs, and Peter Clavelle. Then the march wound around downtown Burlington, ending up at Battery Park From Vermo_nt Lesbian and Gay Parents to Uni- taritian Universalists, from Radical Faires to VT CARES, the diversity of the commu- ity was well represented. Floats, music, banners, costumes all added to the air of celebration. At Battery Park entertaimnent and vendors greeted the marchers.V Supreme Court Approves Second Parent Adoption On June 18, 1993 the Vermont Supreme Court set a national precedent by un- amiously approving the second parent adoption by a lesbian. While second parent adoptions have been approved in several states around the country, including one case in Vermont, the issue has never before been decided at an appellate or supreme court level. OITM reporter Carol Hinchey interviewed the two parents a_ couple of weeks after the decision. Carol Hinchey In a two-story house with a screened porch shaded by trees live two small boys, their parents and a cat. A family car sits for sale out front, because the parents feel the need to replace the two-door vehicle with something with four doors. The 4 1/2 year old boy is discovering the power, wonder and confusion of being almost 5, so bed- time is not necessarily guaranteed. One of the parents has a new job that requires a bit of a commute. It doesn’t sound newsworthy, and maybe that’s just the point. Jane Van Buren and Deborah Lashman met several years ago in Boston,‘and have been in a committed relationship since that time. Like many couples, they faced the challenges of job changes and consequent relocations. When Jane was offered a great ' Continued on page 8