Out in the Mountains OITM Roundup: State, National and World News Briefs compiled by Kip M. Roberson 0ITM Staff Anti-gay referendum fails in Maine PORTLAND, ME -- Maine's anti—gay rights referendum was rejected on Tuesday, November 7, by a 53 to 47 percent margin, leaving opponents of the measure overjoyed and referendum supporters defiant and disbelieving. Question 1, the only anti—gay measure on a state ballot last year, was the first such initiative to appear on a state ballot east of the Rocky Mountains. In 1994, voters in Idaho and Oregon rejected anti—gay measures. The rejection of Question 1 keeps intact gay rights ordinances in Portland and Long Island. It also keeps gay people on the list of those protected under the state's hate crimes law. The defeat of Question 1 left existing laws unchanged. Carolyn Crosby, the Portland housewife who spearheaded the anti-gay rights referendum as head of Concerned Maine Families, was defiant in her defeat. "If they win, so what? After all, look at what they had to work with," she said of Maine Won't Discriminate, which raised more than $1 million, about ten times more than the pro—referendum camps. You don't get it from to You don't get it fro coffee cups. You "Common sense and decency triumphed over extremism. Today's vote here in Maine is in keeping with the national trend. Americans are rejecting extremism," according to Human Rights Campaign executive director Elizabeth Birch. But Alan Steams, a gay rights advocate from Portland, wamed, "We're going to have a long fight ahead of us. These people will be back. These people don't go away." (Gannett Communications/HRC) Domestic partners ordinance overturned NORTHAMPTON, MA Northarnpton's domestic partner ordinance, which was passed 8-0 by the City Council last May, was overturned on November 7, by a razor—thin margin of 87 votes out of almost 9,500 cast —— less than one percent of the total. For opponents, organized in a group called Northampton for Traditional Values (NTV), the vote was a vindication of their crusade against what they called an immoral redefinition of family according to a "homosexual agenda." But for supporters, the outcome showed that despite its large lesbian population —— which has attracted national publicity and brought Northampton the nickname "Lesbianville" -- the city has a long way to go toward true acceptance of gay relationships. Both sides agreed the domestic partner ordinance was largely symbolic: it allowed unmarried straight and gay couples to obtain a registration certificate at City Hall; enjoy partner visitation rights at city—owned jails and hospitals, neither of which the city currently ilet seats. Wiresfiéng hands, kissing, sneezing, dancing. your best pr Hectioni against: AIDS barringabsti e 'ce,isuse‘of’ co) om According to the Surgeon General owns; and arrange for a partner who is not a legal parent to pick up the couple's dependent child at school, which previously was informally allowed. (Washington Blade) NH group to support civil rights bill CONCORD, NH -- The Coalition to End Discrimination (CED) will support the introduction of a bill in the New Hampshire Senate to amend civil rights legislation to include ‘sexual orientation.‘ Currently, New Hampshire citizens can lose their jobs, housing or be refused service based solely on their sexual orientation. This new bill is similar to the bill which was introduced two years ago, but will not have the restrictive amendments which were added during the legislative process. CED believes this is the proper time to introduce the legislation. The attempts to limit free speech in Merrimack and Bedford, and to ban books in New Ipswich, are drawing national attention. In addition, some positive steps have been taken around the country —— including Rhode Island becoming the ninth state to protect the rights of lesbians and gays. New Hampshire and Maine are now the only New England states that do not have this legislation. (Breathing Space) Health Resources AIDS HOTLINES: Vermont 800-882-2437 New Hampshire 800-752-2437 New York State 800-541-2437 , Massachusetts 617-522-4090 Maine 800-851-2437 National 800-342-2437 Canadian 613-563-2437 AIDS Community Awareness Project (ACAP) PO Box 608 St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 (802) 748-1149 AIDS Community Resource Network (ACoRN) PO Box 2057 Lebanon, NH 03766 (603) 448-2220 Bennington Area AIDS Project PO Box 1066 Bennington, VT 05201 (802)442-4481 or 1-800-845-2437 Brattleboro AIDS Project PO Box 1486 Brattleboro, VT 05302 (802) 254-4444 (Helpline) (802) 254-8263 (Office) Franklin-Grand Isle AIDS Task Force P. O. Box 241, St. Albans, VT 05478 (800) 524-7742 - (802) 638-7834 Gay/Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous GLAA, P.O. Box 5653 Burlington, VT 05402 (802) 658-4221 Lesbian Cancer Support Group (802) 660-8386 North Star (Holistic Health Care) RR2 Box 3255 Morrisville, VT 05661 (802) 888-2858 Vermont AIDS Council PO Box 275 , Montpelier VT 05601 V (802) 229-2557 Vermont C.A.R.E.S. (Committee for AIDS Resources, Education, and Services) PO Box 5248 0 37 Elmwood Ave., Bur- lington, VT 05401 (802) 863-2437 (Burlington) 1-800-649-2437 (VT) Vermont Department of Health 1-800-882-2437 (AIDS Hotline) or (802) 863-7245 (AIDS Program office) VT PWA Coalition PO Box 11 Montpelier, VT 05452 1-800-69-VT—PWA or (802) 229-5754 Vermont Women’s Health Center 336 North Avenue Burlington, VT 05401 (802) 863-1386