Out in the Mountains From the Editor: First and Ten and Goal Fred Kuhr WINOOSKI -- “In the late winter of ‘85, members of ‘Vermonters for Lesbian and Gay Rights’ (VLGR), while working for educational and political goals, were stymied by the lack of written information for lesbians and gay men from around the state. A vehicle was needed to help the lesbian/gay community develop a method of sharing what was happening in our political, social and personal lives. Members of VLGR applied for a grant from the Haymarket Foundation of Boston. Lo and behold, we received a start-up grant of $2,000! Thus came the birth of 0ITM." So wrote Philip Roberts in the February 1988 issue of OITM in celebration of the newspaper’s second anniversary. In an issue commemorating 0ITM’s fifth anniversary, Miki Thomas wrote, “The first issue of OITM covered legislation that would ban discrimination against those who are HIV+. Since then, OITM has covered pride parades, the 1986 ERA campaign, the Gay Rights Bill hearing of 1987 and 1988, and the 1987 March on Washington.” Thomas reported that the headline in the January 1990 issue was “This is 0ITM’s last issue” due to a lack of community interest and involvement. This battle cry, however, moved over forty people from all over the state to gather at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. The consensus of the meeting, which was covered by WCAX and the Burlington Free Press, “was that OITM needed to be kept alive, for OITM served a vital role in the lives of gay and lesbian Vermonters and their friends.” As OITM enters into its tenth year of publication, Verinont’s only statewide g/1/b newspaper still serves a vital role in the lives of those in our community. Reading over Paul O1sen’s compilation of OITM headlines as printed in this issue, I am awed at the depth of events that have happened and were covered by this newspaper since that first issue in 1986. The struggle and ultimate passage in 1992 of Verlnont’s Anti—Discrimination Bill, the opening of Vermont CARES in 1987, Howard “Howdy” Russe1l’s State Senate primary wins in 1990 and 1992, former OITM editor Deb Lashlnan’s successful second parent adoption of her partner’s biological children in 1992, the Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights’ first annual conference in 1993, Jim Jeffords co-sponsorship of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in 1994, and the devastating arson attack on Vermont CARES last year were just some of the important stories that graced these pages over the years. OITM not only serves as an important communication link for our community, but it is perhaps the only true chronicler of our lives, our culture, our movement. In order to better serve our community in the future, we ask that you help us welcome a few changes. The celebration is marked most visibly by the change in format to newspaper print. This move not only transforms OITM from a newsletter into an actual newspaper, but also lowers production and maintenance costs while allowing the newspaper to attract more advertisers ensuring financial stability. Although aggressive advertising sales is sometimes viewed skeptically, such as when Vermont Life began accepting advertising a few years back, OITM traditionally contains advertising of interest to our community. More advertising of this nature can only be an asset. Two new features are also commencing with this issue. We welcome “Looking Both Ways” from columnist Mike Rothbart of Cuttingsville as he explores life from the bisexual perspective, and “Voices From The Mountains" featuring a different member of our community each issue taking his or her . turn at the editorial bat. Back in February 1991, then-editor Hugh Coyle wrote of the power and the passion of 01 TM, the community that it serves, and the community that it is. “The energies which produce this paper are all voluntary, and I for one have been truly astonished and impressed by the amount and range of energy present in Verrnont’s gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities So, to all those who are helping to make it happen, to those who continue to show us that we must stand tall and carry on regardless of adverse conditions, to those whose love and passion have made Vermont a state more accommodating of the love and passion we feel — this issue (and all issues of the next five years!) finds its dedication.” Make that the next ten and beyond. V Readers, writers, and advertisers, please note that the submission deadline is no longer automatically the 1 st of the previous month. The following is a list of submission deadlines and monthly meetings and stufiings for the coming year of April 1995 issue Submission deadline: February 27 Meeting/stuffing: March 25 May 1995 issue Submission deadline: April 3 Meeting/stuffing: April 29 October 1995 issue June 1995 issue Deadlines, deadlines, September 1995 issue Submission deadline: July 31 Meeting/stuffing: August 26 Submission deadline: September 1 Meeting/stuffing: September 30 November 1995 issue publication. Please keep in mind that these dates are tentative and subject to change. Remember to check the calendar section for monthly reminders. January 1996 issue Submission deadline: November 27 Meeting/stuffing: December 30 February 1996 issue Submission deadline: December 29 Meeting/stuffing: January 27 March 1996 issue Submission deadline: January 29 Submission deadline: May 1 Submission deadline: October 2 Meeting/stuffing: May 27 Meeting/stuffing: October 28 Meeting/stuffing: February 24 July/August 1995 issue Submission deadline: June 5 Meeting/stuffing: July 1 December 1995 issue Submission deadline: October 23 Meeting/stuffing: November 18 - ' Northfield Where to find OITM Norwich G M Social Alternatives for ay en 33'? Dm EastD0ver Plainfield ' en ngon Eastpover 1:mekLib,-ary Puuvlzoman s Study Program . . Hardwic Y Benmngton Free Library Greenhope Farm pumey Library Bennington College Fail. Haven Randolph lEi::i‘i)ili3g1‘:c:)lr(i:lI.ibraIY Fair giwe“ Flee Library R Kimball Public Library 1-lard ‘ utland Southern Vermont College Buvg-310 Mountain Coop PFLAG B'“]l3‘l°';°'° Galaxy Books Rutland Free Library 9 00 Cellar Lyndonvifle United Methodist Churh Bmflebom Food C°°P Jon's Automotive Grace Cong. United Church of Christ g°“°°l°d gV°'lrExchan e sizes,‘ and information. Copy‘ canhe Planned Parenthood °'1;'e‘:,I°h§:nd Books Wm, Rive, Junfi,-on mailed to: OITM, P.O. Box 17'], Bur-_ , C Hem of me Moon Cafe WRJ Books iingion. VT _ 95402, or gait‘ Ellen at; Chester “““'“"g °“‘°‘ Rivendell Books W_lIlgpper Vmlsyhligop 8604922 Steven. Wes‘ at (802) Misty Valley Books Chester M n Centered I waiT1S3):tvSnbO_o 864-6399 or Bruce at BMH graphic Craftsbury ° . ° . . l’ - design at (302) 658-1555 ’ Craftsbuly Public Library Newbgnngstown Centenmal Library Orby Suhsu-iptionmailed rigbttayaur door! , . V ' Center Rutland ~ ‘ = Rutland Area Gay/[lesbian Connection Moore Free Llbmry