June 1991

 

Squires a Valuable Vermont Resource

Dear OITM,

Thanks for Out in the Mountains. The
Vennont community needs this monthly
newspaper.

On February 13th I was panicked by
the visit to my home by representatives of
my County’s Prosecutor’s office and plain-
clothes Vermont State Police whose on-
the-spot, in-the-driveway-attempt to ques-
tion me about the nature of my friendship
with a neighbor caused me to respond with:
“I'm going to get a lawyer." My 18-year-
old friend, under custodial care of fearful,
ignorant, homophobic neighbors, had ap-
parently been intimidated into revealing
our relationship. And feeling threatened by
this, a complaint was filed, and thus an
investigative visit followed.

Frantically, within ten minutes of their
departure, I called Ron Squires, Vermont
State Representative, using the 800 number
appearing in the Resources listing on the
back page of Out in the Mountains. We had
met over fifteen years ago on the Amtrak
train between Montpelier and Brattleboro,
and I wasn’t sure he’d remember me. A
page at the State House took my call, and
Ron returned my call within ten minutes.

I recounted the scenario, giving him
some background. He did remember me.
He said: “let me make some calls," and he
called me back in another ten minutes, and
gave me the name of a competent, sympa-
thetic, seasoned attorney in private practice
in Burlington. I called and summarized the
situation with the attorney and was advised
that he didn’t feel there was a legal prob-
lem, but offered to represent me should
there be any further inquiries from my
County Prosecutor.

In the space of 45 minutes I realized
just how vital and valuable the community
can be, how important it is that we have Ron
Squires in the State House of Representa-

tives in Montpelier, and how important a
role Out in the Mountains played in this
triangle. Ron Squires is definitely a re-
source, and a super one at that. Frankly, I
was overwhelmed by his responsiveness.

I hope you will print this letter in the
next issue of Out in the Mountains.

OITM Reader

Northeast Kingdom

Bigger Fish to Fry

Dear 01 TM ,

Regarding the editorial in the May
1991 edition of OITM. “‘Gay’ v.s.
‘Queer’”—-what’s wrong with “homosex-
ual?I?I" Sounds pretty inclusive to me...
there are bigger fish we could be frying.

- Name withheld by request

Chiltern Draws Fire

To the Editor,

Some few years ago, I was invited to
attend a meeting at the Hotel Coolidge in
downtown White River Junction. If mem-
ory serves me correctly, it was a cold De-
cember Sunday with the friendly city deco-
rated with its finest Christmas lights glis-
tening on the snow. By way of S.A.M. in
Norwich, I was invited to participate in a
general information meeting that eventu-
ally gave birth to Out in the Mountains.
Being a longtime member of S.A.M. and a
public relations professional, I hope that
my contribution at that meeting met with
some degree of success. With many friends
and a general romance with Vermont, I
eagerly look forward to your monthly pub-
lication.

While reading your April issue, I was

JANET K. BROWN, M.A., C.A.C.
Licensed Psychologist
Certified Alcohol Counselor

Milton, VT
(802) 893-4816

ACOA * IDENTITY ISSUES * TRAUMA AND LOSS " DEPRESSION

Individuals Couples Families

JEAN TOWNSEND, M.A.
Certified Mental Health Counselor

2 Church Street
Burlington, VT

somewhat disoriented by your story on
Boston’s Chiltem Mountain Club. I was
actually surprised at first that the independ-
ent Vermont native would be controlled by
a Boston organization. The few dozen
Vermont Chiltem subscribers would be
best sewed with Vermont Lesbian & Gay
Outdoors instead, organized and managed
by Vermonters, a less closeted 1991 ap-
proach also. Being a former member, Chil-
tem is rife with sexism, exclusion, age
discrimination and a steadily declining
membership, all documented here at Sea-
coast Gay Men.
. Vermont deserves better!

Best Regards,

Albert Santerre

Seacoast Gay Men

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Insure your
house and your
house payment.

Allstate Homeowners Insur-
ance can protect your house
against loss from fire. theft and
many other hazards.

But to help make sure your
house is paid for if you should
die, ask about mortgage protec-

tion life insurance.

 

Compare Allstate rates.
Ellen Hetherington

863-3808

/IIIsia’te®

Allstate Insurance Company
Life from: Allstate Life Insurance Company

(802) 863-8162