Out in the Mountains Companion Pieces Continued from page 17 Thank you for summoning the courage to talk about your fears concerning AIDS. Thanks for asking me if I am being safe. Thank you for living a life of attraction and not promotion, and for that night when you told me twelve ways I might learn to do the same. I’m six years clean this month, and you had a LOT to do with that. Thank you for telling me that you no longer think of my sexuality as an issue unto itself, but rather as something which is simply a part of my whole. Thank you for cooking Thanksgiving din- ner for eleven of my friends and being so relaxed and comfortable with them. And thanks for coming back and doing a re- peat performance. Thank you for sending a Christmas stock- ing for me...and one for Peter. Thank you, in general, for educating yourself, and, having done so, coming to truly understand and accept. I never told you this before, but when I was about twelve years old, I saw an ar- Member National Lesbian and Gay Law Association ROBERT W. ZEUNER ATTORNEY AT LAW Bauer, Gravel and Watson 362 Main Street Burlington, VT 05401 863-5538 ticle in Time magazine about a Gay Protest March in New York City. I don’t remember a word of what it said, but I was intrigued —- no, blown away, more like — by the photograph which ac- companied it. It was of a woman, march- ing in the parade and holding a sign which said, “My son's gay and that’s OK.’_’ Although at the time I was already pretty clued—in as to my sexuality, I was still despising myself for it, and couldn’t ever imagine marching in such a parade, as if being gay was something to be proud of. Certainly it was way beyond my comprehension that a mother would do such a thing. I hope this helps you see the force of my gratitude when, 18 years later, you marched in the San Francisco Gay Pride parade with Parents and Friends of Les- bians and Gays. Thank you, Mom, for your tireless lov- ing support as I went through all of this, and for all those times you loved me when I was having trouble loving my- self. I’ll strive always to make you as proud of me as I am of you. Grey V Opening the Docrri to Understanding Dot Brauer OIT M readers who are involved with publ education please note: The Vermont 11 partment of Education is sponsoring a co ference entitled “Opening the Doors to It derstanding: Meeting the Needs of Ga Lesbian and Bisexual Students in 0' Schools.” The conference will take placeo May 4, at the Cortina Inn in Mendon, VT, The mailing for this conference will be ser out during April (I am writing this Marl 31st) and your school should receive sever copies (guidance counselor, health educate nurse, principal, etc.) so you should be abl to track down a copy of the brochure. Ifm call Lucille Chicoine at the Departmento Education Prevention and Wellness Unit. The staff of Outright Vennont has be worldng closely with the committee tlr was formed to plan this conference from it beginning. We feel it will be a great op portunity for glb educators to perceive ill level of support that exists. It will be es pecially valuable for heterosexual schou personnel who want to help improve the cli‘ mate for glb youth in their schools but donl know where to begin. If you are unablel attend, please find a way to encourage Olii ers to attend Our hope is that as many schools as possible will be represented. V (Upstairs) Mlddlebury, VT 05753 - 388-0933 Walter I. Zeichner, M.A., H.C.C. Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor ~ Psychotherapy ~ Bodywork ~ Gay Positive Counseling ~ for Individuals and Couples ~ Gay Mens Therapy Group ~ Insurance Accepted ~ 323 Pearl St., Burlington, VT 05401 (802) 863-5510 . J (802)878-5600 BUSINESS (302) 878-0096 FAX (802) 434-3432 RESIDENCE l - /pat/4/0/2z(7/Va////fl mi a . a 1 K; BANKER D REALTOR « e Psychotherapist we 4 ~ L . s2r2riE.lr.24*~KE" OSS rte _ .. - - - - _ 22 MAIN ST. 66 Main SUppF:ftlaCE.|'Ponus;“pS ESSEX JUNCTION. VT 05452 An Independently Owned and Operated Member oi Coldwell Banker Residential Aililiales. Inc