An Open Letter

from the Board of Out in the Mountains

During the three months that the
NAMBLA ad ran, we received more let-
ters about the ad than we have ever re-
ceived on any other topic. Some of the
letters were supportive of our decision to
run the ad; most opposed that decision.

Some of the letters expressed clearly the
point that NAMBLA is a pedophile or-
ganization which actively endangers the
lives of young boys and perpetuates the
mistaken stereotype that homosexuals
and pedophiles are synonymous. Other
letters pointed out that whether or not
OITM ran the ad, there would still be
pedophiles and that our community needs
to work actively at educating young peo-
ple against abuse and empowering them
to choose healthier and more fulfilling re-
lationships. Some of the letters chal-
lenged us to look closely at the equality
of power between man and young boys.
And finally, there were the advocates of
an open media, who pointed out that a
free press in a free society must challenge
the assumptions of its readers.

The ad is no longer in Out in the Moun-
tains.

We are actively reviewing our editorial
and advertising policies in an attempt to
establish flexible guidelines, which allow
for the expression of the sentiments of
the community and yet pennit an en-
vironment for meaningful debate. We
have established an editorial committee
to review the contents of the paper, in-
cluding advertising, and to respond to
feedback from our readers.

The readership of OITM is very diverse,
hence we do not expect consensus on
every topic. Sometimes what gets print-
ed may be an unpopular view of an issue.
Our intent is not to create an atmosphere
of controversy but to provide information
about our community and encourage
open discussion.

There will be future challenges facing us,
as our community and OITM continue to
evolve. We encourage your active par-

ticipation in the paper. V

For confidential \

AIDS
Information

 

Call

-800-882-AIDS

December 1991

Q 2

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 Action Project
(ACAP)

c/o Caledonia Home Health Agency
PO Box 383

St. Johnsbury VT 05819

(802) 758-8116

AIDS Community Resource
Network (ACORN)

PO Box 2057

Lebanon NH 03766

(603) 448-4400

Bennington Area AIDS Project
PO Box 1066

Bennington VT 05201
(802)442-4481 or
1-800-845-2437

Brattleboro AIDS Project
4 High Street, Suite 2-3
Brattleboro VT 05301
(802) 254-4444 (Helpline)
(802) 254-8263 (Office)

Franklin-Grand Isle AIDS Task Force
8 Ferris Street

St. Albans VT 05478

(802) 524-6554

H.E.A.L. Vermont

(Holistic Education and
AIDS Alternatives Liaison)
PO Box 795

Montpelier VT 05602

(802) 229-4325

Lesbian Cancer Support Group
(802) 660-8386

Northeast Kingdom AIDS Coalition
PO Box 40

Newport VT 05855

(802) 334-2437

North Star (Holistic Health Care)
RR2 Box 3255

Morrisville VT 05661

(802) 888-2858

Vermont AIDS Council

PO Box 275

Montpelier VT 05601

(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 (Rutland and
Washington County support groups)

Vermont Department of Health
1-800-882-2437 (AIDS Hotline) or
(802) 863-7245 (AIDS Program office)

Vermont Women's Health Center
336 North Avenue

Burlington VT 05401

(802) 863-1386