Commonwoman Returns

by Cheri Goldstein

Commonwoman is back. Yes, the
Vermont Women’s Publication of news,
culture, and dialogue from a feminist per-
spective has returned, and I for one would
like to thank the dozen or so dedicated
women who haveput in all of the hard work
and found a way to bring back this vital link
to the community.

I know many of these women -— at least
by name and by sight. They are strong-
minded and strong-willed women whose
voices have not been heard (or read) by the
general public in quite some time. The
original Commonwoman quit printing in
1984.

I had heard about this radical feminist
magazine in some of the circles thatl trav-
elled in when I arrived in this state. Com-
monwoman, then already defunct, was sort
of a legend that was being talked about by
folks who were politically aware and active
in the early 1980's.

Other folks talked about it — but had
never actually seen a copy of it. It had
become a piece of Vermont folklore to
many. After all, we all knew that people
who were politically active in the 70’s and
80’s were now living in the suburbs, driv-

ing their 2.3 children and dog to private
schools, and watching Dan Rather for their
political opinions.

Crash — shatter the dream; Common-
woman arrives in my mailbox and the
people of legend once more become reality.

It is good to be able to read the news,
opinions, and stories of this section of our
culture. There is a great deal of lesbian
effort going into the newspaper, even
though the publication is not solely lesbian-
oriented. I am sure I will not always agree
with what will be written in every issue, but
I am pleased that there will be an issue there
for me to read.

The lesbian and gay communities have
for too long shunned our subcultures, treat-
ing them as though, for some reason, they
don’t belong or fit. The radical feminists
have been shunned; the leather community
has been shunned; the queens in gender-
fuck have been shunned — all because the
“larger” gay and lesbian community is ei-
ther too scared or too uneducated to want to
believe that all our subcultures belong to
our larger community.

We all have voices and we all deserve
to be heard, even if a lot of other people do

not agree. I wish I knew a way to have more .

Emma Goldman Players Play Vermont

 

The Emma Goldman Gypsy Players, a theater troupe of radical faeries, recently

' toured Vermont to give shows sponsored by the Vermont Coalition of Lesbians and Gay

Men and the Mansfield Bucks. Pictured are Gypsy Players Mark Weinstein, BJ. Atanas' .

and Spree. They are accompanied by Craig "Pride Day Majorette" Balaun on the far left

and Keith "I' ll do anything to get my picture in OIT M " Goslant on the far right. The Emma
Goldman Gypsy Players plan a return trip to Vermont in the spring.

 

 

of our points of view put out into the public
eye. Acceptance still seems to be an idea
with which we are desperately struggling.

So, thank you Commonwoman — and
here’s to all of the controversy that you
might retum to our conversations with your
re-emergence. It is good to have you back.

V

Join The Fight!

Su port
The ermont
Coalition of Lesbians
and Gay Men

in their work to pass legislation
guaranteeing equal rights to Les-
bians and Gay men in Vermont
and insuring protection for
People With AIDS and HIV+
persons. Contribute to our cause
and add your name to our mailing
list. We need your help.

El Yes, Iywant to be a part of
making Vermont safer for Gays
and Lesbians. Add my name to
your mailing list.

El Accept my contribution
of to help with ex-
penses and general coalition
building efforts.

See Address on RBSOUFOES Page

Name
Address

Phone
THANK YOU!

February 1991