Letters to the Editor Proof in the Pudding Dear OITM: Your recent piece by Tom Aloisi, “A Night on the Town,” was a wonderfully entertaining take on White River Junction and the Polka Dot Diner. It was a welcome change from your regular focus. Too oftenvwewas a community neglect to look at ourselves from the other side. Many times, others think of us as just another thread in the fabric, no big deal. Not wanting to turn this into Tales From the Polka Dot, but I’ll agree with Aloisi that the food has no socially redeeming value, the pudding notwithstanding. However, on a recent trip to the bright lights of Broadway and Julie Andrews’ VictorNictoria, a woman sitting next to us asked, “Where are you guys from?” “New Hampshire,” I said. “Oh,” she said. “Do you ever go to White River Junction?” ““Frequently,” I said. “Every summer I go there,” she replied, “and while in town, I eat at the Polka Dot Diner.” The pudding wasn’t mentioned. Sincerely, Albert: Santerre Salem NH CARES History Prompts Request Dear OITM: Jim Morgan’s notes on the gestation of the community response to the AIDS crisis, culminating in the array of direct service providers and organizations committed to AIDS education that serve Vermonters today, is an important and welcome addition to the shared understanding of how we as a community have come together over the past fifteen years to support other Vermonters confronting HIV and AIDS. In this, the year marking the tenth anniversary of the founding of Vermont CARES, all of us associated with the agency, many of whom are new to Vermont and/or new to participating in the community’s response to HIV and AIDS, have actively sought a fuller understanding of the early history and background of CARES. We have benefited from the remembrances and insights shared, in orientation discussions with our Executive Director, Tim Palmer, at orientation sessions for the members of our Board of Directors, and again at our 1996 Annual Dinner, by co—founders Terje Anderson, Deborah Kutzko, Keith Goslant, and others. The clearest message in all that we have learned as we pursue our history, and one that I’m sure applies equally to all of the other AIDS Service Organizations around the state, is that Vermont CARES came to exist and- has been nurtured and sustained through thejmpassioned commitment of literally hundreds of volunteers, clients, staff Out in the Mountains members, donors, and funders who over the years have lived a commitment to ourcommunity and to those individuals among us most directly affected by HIV and AIDS. . We join Jim Morgan in his thanks to David Ryan, and we extend our thanks to Jim for helping to flesh out another piece of our common history. We encourage others in the OITM readership who have pieces of history or anecdotes to share to please forward this information to the agency. All of us associated with CARES would greatly appreciate receiving information about both the early days of CARES and those individuals who, recognizing the urgency of the situation, first envisioned and created the community—wide response to HIV 9 that pre-dated the founding of Verrnont’s AIDS Service Organizations. Sincerely, Bennett Law Chair, Board of Directors Vennont CARES High Standards Dear OITM: Murray and Robinson’s “Legal Briefs: Employment Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation” in the April issue was a good and needed article. Susan and Beth brought out important issues even in light of Verrnont’s more inclusive anti—discrimination legislation. One of their five points, however, I disagree on. I believe I understand their suggestion of “being an excellent employee, beyond reproach,” and that it is desirable to “get along well with your coworkers and supervisors” from the standpoint of weeding—out justified reasons for job release or demotion. But in my mind, it suggests that gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people must exceed work standards as justification for our employment. Many straight workers are neither e'xcellent employees not get along well with coworkers or supervisors. Why must we? We encompass excellent, average, and poor workers who may harvest justifiable consequences. Any of us may experience job-related bias with our sexual identities. Jamee Haaf Windsor VT . We’re Shocked! Dear OITM: We are shocked and appalled at the article “Teen Charges Lesbian" Teacher with Harassment” in your May Issue. Is your source the Burlington Free Press, the suing parents’ narrow perspective, or both? Cynthia Smith is an honorable, professional, and ethical woman. We are disappointed at the lack of research in this misrepresentation. Sincerely, Rita and Jill V VERMONT'S NEWSPAPER FOR LESBIANS, GAY MEN, AND BISEXUALS 1 By subscribing now to OITM, not only will you guarantee delivery to your mailbox (in a dis- I creet envelope), but you will also help un_derwrite the costs of publishing the newspaper. We also welcome any additional contributions you can make to support our continuing ex- I istence. Checks should be made payable to OITM and sent, along with. this form, to: OITM, I P.O. Box 177, Burlington, Vermont.05402-0177. I Name I Address I City State Zip I E! One-‘year ($20) El Low-income ($10) El Sponsor ($ ) Sponsors who contribute $10 or more over the subscription cost will be honored in an upcoming list in the paper. L__________________ I E] Please also let us know if you'd like to get involved in the newspaper. 06/96 11-1:111-I11—n:1111111J 3 June 1996 BLACKWOOD AND Eileen M. Blackwood KRAYNAK P.C. Pamela Kraynak ATTORNEYS AT LAW - Employment law 131 Main Street - Education law _ Po. Box 875 - Wills, Relationship Contracts _ 0 Commercial & Residential Real Estate Burlington, VT 05942 - Small Business (302) 353.2517 Montpelier 229-5220 Burlington 860-6360 JOSIE JUHASZ, M.A. Lic. Psychologist - Master ‘LYNN GOYETTE, M.s., M.A. Lic. Clinical Mental Health Counselor sliding fee scale COUNSELING CENTER or NORTHERN VERMONT insurance accepted Quality Web Page Design Specializing in Web site designkproofreadlng, typing, bookkeeping, resumes, form creation and other Paperwork Solutions for Individual or small business needs. _ httpzllwww.pwsolutions.com/paperwork! 802-879-4527 paperwork@pwsolutlons.eom CHAMELEON IMAGES Photography by StaciAnne Visco 879-41 16 Greeting cards are available at Chassman & Bern LIMITED TIME OFFER! Subscribe now to Out in the Mountains and receive this poster print from George Machado’s glorious photo book Masculine FREE! Or, if you’re already a subscriber, become a Sustainer for $15 more and we’ll send along the print. , Look for OITM at Pride Day ‘96nand you might get a chance to win the entire book! (Special thanks to Random House Publishers for their generous contribution.)