Out in the Mountains

“It All Started With.. . ”

Continued from page 1

family that have struggled with my lesbianism would do so
regardless of my public behavior.” (Joy Livingston, Hinesburg)

“To be honest, I enjoyed the job (serving as editor of Out in the
Mountains) more than my daytime work, but sadly enough, one
paid well and the other paid nothing.” (Hugh Coyle, Ripton)

. “I went for the social activity. I became a leader because I got tired

of it being so boring. I was exasperated at how things were going,
and decided I would try to help.” (anon.)

“My big part was I wanted to be the most that I could for people
who were IHV positive.” (Travis Randall, Lyndonville)

“I have assumed a fonnal role within the g/l/b/t community to
become familiar with the community in all its diversity, to
advance the celebration of diversity within all of society (my own
‘safety’ as a woman, lesbian, transgendered person and father rests
on this) and to help move the g/l community to g/l/b/t. I am
sustained by a lessening need to remind our community that
Vermont has moved to dealing with a broad concept of
homosexual community. Nationally, I have seen Integrity, the gay
and lesbian ministry of the Episcopal Church, begin to
acknowledge the transgendered precisely because I am present and
speaking out on all issues, not just transgendered ones.” (Laurie
Labarthe, Worcester)

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OUTII And sewing our community since 1989

“I hope I make an impression on people who need
one.” (Noel Benoit, St. Johnsbury)

“I have never experienced a down side to
stepping forward It has opened me up
professionally by allowing me to be out at work
to an even wider audience and thus more
comfortable. It has served to legitimize me, my
family, and my life in a way that straight people
take for granted. It demonstrates to those who
know me professionally that I am a
straightforward, determined individual who will
work hard for what I believe_ in.” (Jane van
Buren, Burlington)

“I’ve been on the social end, trying to help people
have a good time.” (Cliff Dow, Burlington)

“What kept me going back was the work itself --
just the obvious, glaring stuff that needed to be
done and could be done.” (anon.)

“When Mary Hurlie contacted me and asked me
to work with her and Terje (Anderson) and
others in the ‘revitalization’ of VCLGR back in
the spring of 1993, I couldn’t imagine not
agreeing -- it sounded exciting to try to make ‘us’

a much more coherent, and therefore more
powerful, community.” (Susan Murray,
Ferrisburg)

=|=***>l=

Individuals throughout our community continue
their call for community building. Should
we/may we/will we have a community center?
Can we shore up our regional social
organizations, and envision, create, and develop
new and different meeting places, not just in
Burlington, but in Montpelier, Bennington, St.
Johnsbury, Springfield, and Rutland?

Our community needs‘ a revitalized Pride
Committee, with committed members ready,
willing, and able to plan, organize, and execute
our annual rally and celebration of who we are
and why we chose to live in Vermont. The AIDS
service organizations (ASOS) around the state,
the Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay
Rights, Outright Vermont, Out in the Mountains
-— all of our community organizations need
sustained support. They all struggle, each at
different stages of development, and each can be

improved through financial donations and the

devoted attention of volunteers willing to give of
themselves to forward the organizations’
missions.

As the ASOs grow, a community in desperate
need calls for a wider range of more professional
services. For Out in the Mountains to expand, in
size, in readership, and in quality, it needs a solid
foundation of subscribers and advertisers. For
VCLGR to continue to expand its effectiveness,
both in addressing the legislative concerns of the
1/g/b/t community and in its community building
activities, it needs the participation of new
members and volunteers eager to devote
necessary time and resources to its committee
work. And Outright Vermont, in its services for
questioning and troubled youth, needs the
support of each and every one of us who at an
earlier time in our own lives struggled with
coming out.

While you consider the forces which led the
participants in Out in the Mountains’ leadership
survey to get involved in creating a better
Vermont for its gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgendered citizens, think about what it might
take to inspire you to join them.

As Jane van Buren of Burlington responded, “We
are asked frequently to be the grist of senior
theses, class projects and background material
for newspaper stories. We assume that role
without question because somebody needs to talk
to these people about our lives and struggles, joys
and triumphs. We need to debunk myths and
educate people as to the ordinariness of our lives
as well as the uniqueness. What sustains me and
allows me to repeat the stories over and over is
the absolute necessity of it all. Without our stories
our childrcnsuffer and the world will not, in fact,
evolve to a better, more caring place. We must
continue to maintain a vision of a better place for
our children, indeed even for us, and continue to
support and encourage leaders in our
community.” V

A Good Vibration:
The Good Vibrations
Guide to Sex

by Cathy Winks and Anne Semans

I An OITM Review by Dudley

STRAFFORD -- Ever had questions about sex and
didn't know whom to ask or where to go to find the
answers? Ever been curious about sex toys or a new
sexual technique but been too embarrassed to ask
anyone you know if they've tried it or done it? The
Good Vibrations Guide to Sex is a must for you and
anyone who's interested in good sex and the many
ways of achieving it.

Cathy Winks and Anne Semans are workers at San
Francisco's Good Vibrations sex toy shop and as
such have been fielding questions about sex and
toys for many years. This book grew out of their
concern that, while there are many excellent sex
books available that focus on particular topics, there
seemed to be no one source for reliable and useful
information about the many ways people of all
sexual identities enjoy sex, both alone and with a
partner or partners; about the selection and use of
the many toys that can add to their pleasure; and
about safer sex techniques and information. This
book is their contribution to that void and provides
a wealth of information in a very readable, inclusive,

and non-judgmental way.

Most sex books approach sex from a heterosexual
viewpoint with a mention here and there about
homosexuality and maybe bisexuality, but hardly
ever about transgendered individuals or people with
physical disabilities that may preclude "normal"
intercourse, The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex is a
refreshing change from that approach, as illustrated
by this from their introduction:

We've ananged the chapters according to types of
sexual activities which can be practiced by one, two,

or sometimes more people. Where appropriate, we

describe the technique as it works for diflerent
gender pairings. For example, whereas most sex
books will discuss penetration in a male/female

intercourse section -- usually billed as the ultimate

sexual experience -- we describe the variety of ways

to penetrate a partner of either gender (vaginally,

anally, with toys, fingers, etc.) and as one of the

many ways to enjoy sex. Where physical limitations

might hinder an individual ’s enjoyment of some of
the techniques or toys described, we've tried to
suggest adaptations which might prove helpful.

In addition to the factual information they provide,
the text is interspersed with actual quotes from
Good Vibrations customers talking about what they
like and don't like about particular techniques or
toys. I found these quotes to be some of the most
interesting reading, expressing the huge diversity of
what we like and want as well as what we actually
do to achieve sexual satisfaction.

The early chapters of the book deal with essential
information and ingredients for good sex: Sexual
Self—Irnage, Sexual Anatomy, Communication, and
Masturbation. The following chapters cover
Lubrication; Creative Touching; Oral Sex; All
About Vibrators; Penetration; All About Dildoes;
All About Anal Toys; Fantasies; Books, Magazines
and Videos; High Tech Toys; SM and Power Play;
Where Sex Toys Come From; and Safer Sex. In
addition there is a bibliography and videography of
recommended books and videos plus a resource
guide offering notes on shopping for toys,
magazines and computer bulletin boards, sources
for products such as leather and latex, and other
sources of sex information and referrals. Over thirty
line drawings are included throughout the book
illustrating both toys and techniques.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a
comprehensive source of information about sex and
toys. It's easy, conversational style and wonderfully
non—judgmental attitude are truly refreshing, and
there's something to be learned by even the most
jaded among us. It's a great resource for those just
beginning to experiment with their sexuality, those
looking for something new to spice up their sex
lives, and those who strive to better communicate
their desires to a partner.

The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex may be
available or can be ordered through your local
bookstore. Or you can order directly from Good
Vibrations, 938 Howard Street, Suite 101, San
Francisco, CA 94110. Phone orders:
1-800-289-8423. Cost is $16.95 plus $3.75
shipping. Good Vibrations also ofiers mail order

sex toy and book and video catalogs. V