Out in the Mountains

Editorial

I’ve been reading Odd Girls & Twilight
Lovers, Lillian Faderrnan’s history of les-
bian life in twentieth century America. In
addition to being a fascinating and re-
vealing social history, Fadennan’s book
highlights the great diversity of lesbian
lives.

OIT M similarly celebrates the diversity
of our community. In this issue alone you
can read about gays and lesbians who are
Pentacostals, publishers, Episcopalians,
parents, professors, Jews. A review of the
Resource Page shows the variety of or-
ganizations we are involved in. From les-
bians and gays who loudly proclaim their
identity to those (as in the letter from
Moira) who lead more quiet lives, we are
everywhere.

Another view of lesbian and gay lives is
reported in the articles about eastern Eu-
rope. Despite repression and fear much
worse than ever experienced by most of
us in western countries, the first ever gay
and lesbian rights and AIDS conference
was held in Leningrad and Moscow at
the end of July. For four days, par-
ticipants from the U.S. and the Soviet
Union met in workshops, attended films,
and held public demonstrations, in-
cluding the distribution of condoms.

Next month, on National Coming Out
Day, October 1 1th, we celebrate in a very
public way, that which we live every day.

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Name

By subscribing now to OITM, not only will you guarantee delivery to your
mailbox (in a discreet envelope, of course), but you will also help under-
write the rising costs of publishing the newspaper. We also welcome any
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istence. Checks should be made payable to OITM and sent, along with
this form, to: OITM, P.O. Box 177, Burlington, Vermont 05402.

For a preview of activities in Vennont
read the Coming Out Day article in this
issue. The October issue of OITM, our
armual Coming Out issue, will have
more information on activities, along
with articles, book reviews, coming out
stories and a bibliography.

Deborah Lashman V

Letters to
the Editor

Dear0ITM,

I recently read a letter in your June issue
about a former member from Chiltem
Mountain Club who unfortumtely left the
club with a bad experience and an in-
accurateperception.

I joined two years ago and have met some
great people. Chiltern offers gay men and
women an alternative to meeting people in
bars. Activities such as biking, hiking,
tennnis and cross-country skiing allow
people to meet in a positive, healthy en-
vironment.

Many people who have joined liked the
fact that up front we do not publicize that
we are a gay organization. In this manner,
a neighbor or friend reading the face of a
letter would have no clue as to the nature
of the club. Membership lists are kept
suictly confidential.

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