Log Cabin Club Forming in Vermont How can you be gay and a Republican ? That is a question that many gay men and women are asked. Feeling there is a need for an organization for gay Republicans, a chapter of the Log Cabin Club is forming in Vermont. Log Cabin, founded in 1978, has chapters in 17 states and has been growing rapidly as a reaction to the Republican National Party platform in the 1992 elections. “Gay men and women have always been active within the Republican Party,” said Scott Brimblecombe, who is helping to form the Vermont Chapter of Log Cabin. “Now they feel personally threatened by the rhetoric coming from a small but vocal faction of their Party and are recognizing the need for their voice to be heard.” The Log Cabin Club works as a liaison between the Republican Party and the gay and lesbian community. It is estimated that 40% of gays and lesbians are registered Republicans or identify themselves as politically moderate to conservative, yet they frequently feel ignored and under—represented by both the Party and the gay and lesbian community. Log Cabin has established their goal as serving both as a political action team creating change in their Party and their community and also as a social club providing a home for gays and lesbians who do not fit the stereotype of espousing all liberal causes. Log Cabin also works with others in the Party to support candidates for the primary and general elections who see the Party as a way to support sound fiscal policy rather than a tool of a religious social agenda. By working with other disenfranchised members of the Party, and those whose religious intention is not legislating fundamentalist Christian dogma, the group has been instrumental in getting several pro—gay Republicans into office. Recent efforts of the organization have included debating anti-gay leaders such as Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition and the Rev. Jerry Falwell of the Moral Majority, and lobbying Republicans in Congress to oppose the military ban on homosexuals. Health Resource Organizations AIDS HOTLINES: Vermont 1-800-882-2437 New Hampshire 1-800-752-2437 New York State 1-800-541-2437 Massachusetts 1-617-522-4090 Maine 1-800-851-2437 National 1-800-342-2437 Canadian 1-613-563-2437 AIDS Community Awareness Project (ACAP) PO Box 608 St. Johnsbury VT 05819 (802) 748-1149 AIDS Community Resource Network (ACoRN) PO Box 2057 Lebanon NH 03766 (603) 448-2220 Bennington Area AIDS Project PO Box 1066 Bennington VT 05201 (802) 442-4481 or 1-800-845-2437 Brattleboro AIDS Project PO Box 1486 Brattleboro VT 05302 (802) 254-4444 (Helpline) (802)254-8263 (Office) Franklin-Grand Isle AIDS Task Force P. O. Box 241, St. Albans VT 05478 (800) 524-7742 - (802) 638-7834 Friends Vermont Emotional, Spiritual, & Psychological Support PO Box 402 Bristol, VT 05443 1 800 639-3316 Gay/Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous GLAA, P.O. Box 5653 Burlington, VT 05402 Lesbian Cancer Support Group (802) 660-8386 North Star (Holistic Health Care) RR2 Box 3255 Morrisville VT 05661 ° (802) 888-2858 “We want to be ready to assist pro—gay Republican candidates for the primary in September and the general election in November,” said Brimblecombe. Log Cabin welcomes all individuals, heterosexual and homosexual, Republican or otherwise, who are interested in supporting the efforts of the club. For more information about the Vermont Chapter of the Log Cabin Club, call 479-6216. V May 1994 Vermont AIDS Council PO Box 275 Montpelier VT 05601 0 (802)229-2557 Vermont C.A.R.E.S. (Committee for AIDS Resources, Education, and Services) PO Box 5248 30 Elmwood Avenue Burlington VT 05401 (802) 863-2437 (Burlington) 1-800-649-2437 (Outside Burlington Area) Vermont Department of Health 1-800-882-2437 (AIDS Hotline) or (802) 863-7245 (AIDS Program office) VT PWA Coalition PO Box 1055 0 Brattleboro, VT 05302 1-800-698-8792 or (802) 222-5123 Vermont Women’s Health Center 336 North Avenue Burlington VT 05401 - (802) 863-1386