MONTPELIER -- The Conference Is Coming! The Conference Is Coming! Transgendered people, lesbians, gay men, queers, drag queens, bull dykes, sissies, bisexuals, bears, lipstick lesbians, gay women, queer youth, leathermen, fairies, and our allies will be coming by land and by sea to this year's VCLGR annual conference on October 28th at Montpelier High School. Mark _ your calendars now, and watch your mail and this issue of 0IT M for registration information. Daddy's Roommate The VCLGR would like to thank all those individuals who came out in support of Daddy's Roommate. Not only was there support for the book, but also for Out, Art Forum, and Out In The Mountains, to remain on the Rutland Free Library's shelves. Although there was no room for the overflow crowd, dozens of people waited outside on a hot evening to show their support for Paula Baker and the rest of the Library's staff and trustees. Thank you Paula for your diligent efforts to prevent censorship! The books remain on the shelves for now, pending further discussion. The VCLGR will keep you informed! Annual Awards The VCLGR announces the creation of three awards to be given to members of our community. We are seeking nominations from the community; the awards will be given out at the annual conference on October 28, 1995. 1. VCLGR Volunteer of the Year Award, to be given annually to a VCLGR member who, by giving of his or her time, energy, and talent, has contributed to the programs and activities of the Coalition during the last year. 2-. VCLGR Pride Award, may be given to an individual who, through an act of courage in the face of criticism, difficulty, or danger, embodies the spirit of gay pride. 3. VCLGR Leadership Award, to be given annually to an individual who, through his or her leadership, activism, and dedication, has demonstrated a‘ long-terrn commitment to advancing the civil rights, personal empowerment, and social acceptance of lesbian,‘ gay, bisexual, and transgendered Vermonters. To nominate someone, please submit a letter describing how this person is deserving of one of these awards. Submit to VCLGR Awards, P.O. Box 117, East Middlebury, VT 05740. Deadline for nominations is October 15, 1995. SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR 1995-96 BOARD Want some spice in your life? Want to meet interesting new people, get more involved in your community, advance the cause of civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Vermonters, and-have lots of fun in the process? Then consider running for the VCLGR Board. We're looking for volunteers interested in serving a one year term on the VCLGR Board of Directors. Along with other women and men from around the state, you'll be helping to: ** Organize local and regional educational and social events ** Plan the annual VCLGR Conference and Queer Town Meeting ’ ** Help educate local and state political leaders, groups, and agencies on l/g/b/t issues ** Monitor the progress of legislation affecting our community ** Write this monthly column, "Coalition Notes," on Coalition activities ** Mobilize the statewide l/g/b/t community as important legislative and community issues arise ** Be a visible and vocal advocate for social justice and civil rights Board members must be willing to commit themselves to one day-long business meeting a month, plus take an active role on one of several standing committees (Conference, Public Policy, Program, Fundraising, Membership, etc.). You'll learn new skills, make new friends, share fun and laughter, and help do the important work of advancing the visibility, pride and civil rights of all Vermonters. Elections will be held October 28th at the VCLGR Annual Conference in Montpelier. To run for a Board seat, simply send your name, address, phone number and a short statement (approximately 150 words) telling a bit about yourself, your skills or background, and why you'd like to be on the Board to: VCLGR Elections, P.O. Box 1125, Montpelier, VT 05601-1125. The deadline for submitting your name is October 15th. Have questions or. want more information? Call Sue (728-4121) or Dudley (889-9413). ADOPTION WAKE-UP CALL The VCLGR Public Policy Committee has joined forces with others working to preserve state law, as it was interpreted by the Vermont Supreme Court, allowing lesbians and gay men to adopt their partners‘ children or to adopt children jointly as a two parent family. In 1993, the Court held that a child may be adopted by the same—sex partner of her or his parent if a judge finds the adoption to be in the child's best interest. The adoption reform bill now under consideration by the Vermont Senate would allow single people and married heterosexuals to adopt children, thereby eliminating the rights that the Vermont Supreme Court afforded to lesbians, gay men, our children and potential children. The adoption reform bill, S.l36, is now under consideration in the Senate. It is expected to be voted on in early January and then moved to the House of Representatives for consideration. In order to become law by the end of the legislative session, the bill will have to pass both the House and Senate before the legislature adjoums in the spring. Accordingly, the VCLGR and its allies are spearheading a , double—pronged educational campaign. We are working to educate the Senate ’ and the House simultaneously and we need your help immediately. We need people from every legislative district in ‘Vermont to begin calling and writing their Senators and Representatives right now. It will be impossible to conduct the kind of one on one education that is needed on this issue with all 180 members of our Legislature if wewait until January to begin. We are also looking for a few energetic folks from each county to serve as activators of a legislative alert and data collection phone tree in their county. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact the VCLGR Public Policy Committee, Susan Aranoff at 728-4121, Keith Goslant at 454-8552, or Susan Murray at 877-3165. Other action steps you can take include: ** Let VCLGR know if you wish to testify if there is another public hearing ' ** Contact your own Senators and Representatives, urge them to support same—sex second parent adoptions AND tell VCLGR their position ** Ask allies to contact their Senators and Representatives too ** Help our Legislators identify their areas of concern and let us know what they are so we can provide appropriate educational materials ** Lastly, if you have been considering adoption, you may want to act now! If you need to contact the Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights (VCLGR), you may write to P. O. Box 1125, Montpelier, VT 05602, or you .may call (802) 365-9139 or (802) 482-3927. V 9 September 1995 MICHAEIL GIGANTE, PH.D. 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