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5 Out in the Mountains

VERMONT'S NWSPAPER FOR LESBIANS, GAY MEN, AND BISEXUALS

  
   

Volume X, Number 1

March 1995

OITMBEGINS
1oTHvEAR.:a

On and On, Better and Better

Thoughts from a former editor

  

(Photo courtesy of Hugh Coyle)

Ghosts of editors past, Deb Lashman and Hugh Coyle in 1991.

Hugh Coyle

RIPTON -- Out In The Mountains has
come a long way since its inception a
decade ago. Looking back on that
relatively short history, I am amazed by
how much gay, lesbian, and bisexual
Vermonters have accomplished in that
time. Our newspaper has reflected that
success and growth, developing from a
sometimes “catch as catch
underground flyer into a substantial
publication whose readership continues to
expand.

My own history with the newspaper began
in February 1990, when OITM was in
serious danger of disappearing entirely. A
special public meeting was convened to

can” '

address the situation; in many ways, that
meeting was my first introduction to a
g/l/b community that I have come to love
and respect even more with each passing
year.

At the time, four staff members at
Middlebury College (including myself)
had just come together to create a group
that would eventually bear the name
GLEAM (Gay and Lesbian Employees At
Middlebury). That group owes its
existence to OITM; an article of mine
reviewing gay and lesbian books served
as the catalyst for the four of us finding

one another. Shortly after its publication, 1

Continued on page 5.

1

.. “.-

Where Are They Now?

Paul Olsen

COLCHESTER -- About ten years ago,
a small group of Vermonters came
together to create a newspaper for
Vermont's lesbian and gay community.
Throughout the history of OITM
numerous individuals have contributed to
the paper. While recognizing everyone is
impossible, here is an update on what
some of 0ITM‘s founders, contributors,
and former editors are doing now.

Terje Anderson of Burlington was one of
the original founders of OITM. A
1ong—time activist, Terje currently serves
on the Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and
Gay Rights (VCLGR) Board, is active in
Democratic Party politics, and works as

Director of the State of Vermont's

Department of Health AIDS Program.

Hugh Coyle served as editor of the paper
from 1990-1991. Hugh briefly left
Vermont to attend graduate school in
Montana. Hugh has since returned to his
home in Ripton where he is working on
his writing (including occasional articles
for OITM) and is employed as a volunteer
coordinator at the Counseling Service of
Addison County.

David Curtis served as Vermont's
Defender General from 1985-1987 and
wrote regularly for OITM in the early
years of the paper. In 1993 David received
the ACLU Civil Liberties Award in
recognition of his work combating sexual
orientation based discrimination. David
currently serves as Chair of the Vermont
CARES Board of Directors and recently
retired from his law practice in
Burlington. ‘

Deborah Lashman served as editor of
OITM from 1991-1994. Deb is currently
attending Vermont Law School and lives
in Burlington with her partner, Jane Van
Buren, and their two sons.

James Morgan was a frequent contributor
to OITM in its early days. Jim, a clinical
social worker from Colchester, was
appointed to the Vermont Human Rights
Commission by former Governor
Madeleine Kunin in 1988 and still serves
on the commission.

Bob Munstock was active in the
formation of OITM and Vermont CARES.
Bob, an artist, designed the paper's logo.
He died of AIDS in 1992 at the age of 45.

Phil Roberts was actively involved in the
early years of the paper when it was edited
at the Burlington Peace Coalition, now
the Peace and Justice Center. Phil moved
to Boston in 1994 with his partner Mac
Lippert and works at Bridgewater State
College as a mental health counselor.

Howard "Howdy" Russell was also
involved in the creation of OITM. Howdy
lives in Hinesburg with his partner, Brian
Cote, and is known by many as a result of
his 1990 and 1992 Vermont Senate races.
Howdy has worked at the Addison County
Parent/Child Center in Middlebury since
1980.

David Ryan helped complete the initial
Haymarket grant application to start
OITM. David left Vermont in 1986 and
currently works as a consultant for a
Boston based firm that helps employees
balance work and life issues.

While the paper is not big enough to provide
updates on all of the Vermonters who have
contributed to OITM over the years, the
individuals listed above played important
roles in making the current anniversary
possible. As you can see from the updates,
although they may no longer be involved in
the paper, they have remained active in
many other important wavs. V