Out in the Mountains

KEEP US POSTED!
Please let us know of any events
that you feel should be on our cal-
endar so that we can share them
with all our readers. Send your
group’s listings or other information
to: OITM, PO Box Box 177, Bur-
ington VT 05402. Materials must be
received by the 1st of the month
prior to publication in order to be
assured of appearing in print.

Editorial

“To run for office and be open about it.
It really smashes peop1e’s stereotypes
about who we are.” Ron Squires, OITM,
1990.

This issue, the start of our seventh year,
was a particularly difficult one for us.
As we went to press in early January,
Ron Squires was sworn in to his second
term as Verrnont’s first openly gay leg-
islator. Two days later he died of AIDS.

The Flirtations were in town in De-
cember, but rather than five Flirts, there
were four. Michael Callen whosuffers
from AIDS was unable to perform. In an
interview with the other Flirts, Carol
discusses their reactions to Michael’s
illness.

We regularly read The Washington
Blade, DC’s weekly newspaper, for it’s

comprehensive and up-to-date news cov-
erage. Being a former resident of DC, I
also read the obituaries. Twice in the last
month I’ve read of the deaths of fortner
co—workers of my partner.

In this issue we acknowledge the gen-
erosity of one of our founders, Bob
Mundstock, who died of AIDS last No-
vember.

So what do we do? We continue to fight
for recognition, for funding, for services.
We also honor the work of people like
Ron by being as open and out as pos-
sible. By fighting in whatever ways are
possible, whether it is through the polit-
ical process, the courts, or by marching,
demonstrating and combating invisibility
every day.

Deborah Laehman V

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I would like to address the letter from James & Tom of D.C.

Don’t you have better things to with your lives? I recently purchased a mini-van by
Chrysler, as have been all my vehicles. Now you say it is politically incorrect.

In fairness I contacted Chrysler’s P.R. man, Mr. Thomas Houston, and asked what
Chrysler’s policy was regarding discrimination. I was assured Chrysler Corporation
has an intact policy of non-discrimination. Furthermore, I was told the same 1st
Amendment right to protest Colorado’s vote and boycott also protects Mr. Perkins and
his right to oppose gay rights. Chrysler does not dictate to its dealers. I was infonned

boycotts, historically, are not effective.

Boycott Perkins C-P, not Chrysler Corporation. Would you boycott a gay owned/
operated dealership just because it was a Chrysler dealership? Get with the program!

Should anyone wish to contact Chrysler for details, start with your local dealer for

Chrysler’s P.R. department phone number.

Sincerely,

Kenn Delaney (a family wagon owner)
Burlington, VT

carry on his work.

The Board and Staff of Out in the Mountains
want to express their thanks to the late Bob
Mundstock, Bob was a founding member of
OIT M , and left a bequest to the paper to help