Out in the Mountains OITM isnom/onthe \NofldVWde\Neb! Checkusoutot' http://members.aol.com[oitm/ breads pastries sandwiches Visit Our New Location: 1 Steele St. in the Wing Building Burlington, VT MIRABELLES ‘?fi"a -653’ 198 Main Street - 658-3074 ‘BHILJSP1 surface finishing 81 refinishing interior 0 exterior quality painting Janice Goodman Hinesburg, Vermont 482-3680 ' Measuring Success One Investor At A Time We know that no matter who you are or what you do for a living, you want to see your family se- cure, your children educated, your retirement assured. We're ready to help with a wide range of investments and a pro- fessionally trained Account Ex- ecutive who can tailor a program to your needs. At Dean Witter, we measure success one inves- tor at a time. Ginger Williamson Account Executive Seven Burlington Square Burlington VT 05401 A i {(802) 863-7728 _ « (802) 869-9660 0} DEAN WITTER ©1994 Dean Witter Reynolds Inc Member SPIC On the Other Hand: Notes from the National BiNet Meeting by Kimberley Ward and Kirsten Isgro During the past two years, the Vermont bisexual commu- ~ nity has been growing. We’d just like to let everyone know what’s happening. This column, for instance, has been in its infancy this year. We hope to bring it into full realization now so that in each issue there is something, no matter how small, being printed from the bisexual community. Up until now, “On the Other Han ” has been authored by a select few, but we’d like to see articles from all Bi people throughout Vermont, and so encour- ._ age everyone interested to send in articles or suggestions. First on our update is the annual Bisexual Network USA business meeting, which took place in San Francisco from Au- gust 16-18, 1996. For those of you who have yet to encounter BiNet USA, here’s a look at their mission statement: BiNet USA’s mission is to collect and distribute information regard- , ing Bisexuality; to facilitate the development of Bisexual com- munity and visibility; to work for the equal rights and libera- tion of Bisexuals and all oppressed peoples; to eradicate all forms of oppression inside and outside the Bisexual community. We are committed to being affirmatively inclusive of a multicul- tural constituency and political agenda.” Friday evening included a performance called “The Geog- raphy of Our Desire,” which included the local acts Safer Sex Sluts and the Sister of Perpetual Protection (who performed a benediction for the condom: “Long live the condom.”) as well , as poetry, music, and dance. Saturday was mostly taken up by the business meeting. It was voted that all reps for BiNet USA would be allowed to vote by mail from now on in an effort to keep all BiNet members involved, regardless of whether they could attend the meetings. ‘ Groups met to discuss topics such as the Youth Initiative, which “aims to address the needs of and advocate for bisexual youth and young adults.” One group of particular interest to Vennont Bisexuals was a Rural Initia- tive meeting. Twelve people from Vermont, Minnesota, Oregon, and North Carolina discussed the rewards and trials of forging_a bisexual community in non-urban areas. Subjects addressed included: goals of BiNet, challenges and struggles of rural organizing, benefits of rural liv- ing, resources and tactics. BiNet USA’s hope is that this initiative will give the organization the resources needed to make rural/small town or- ganizing part of its national organizing. ‘ To get back to what’s happening here in Vermont, Kirsten Isgro, who serves as the Northeast Regional Representative for BiNet USA, now also serves on the Board of VCLGR and is excited about developments for this year ’s “Our Town Meeting.” The meeting, which will take place in November, may also be the site for our annual Vermont BiNet meet- ing. This would be the second year Vermont BiNet has been a part of the Town Meeting, which is helping to build a stronger queer community. There have been Bi meetings at City Market in Burlington on the last Friday of each month, and people are encouraged to attend. For more info, call 658-9554 or 865-3062.A new topics discussion group will also start meeting at Outright Vermont this November, with the first meeting looking at “Coming Out as Bi.” The group will be geared toward people who don’t feel safe coming to a public space such as City Market, or people who wish to discuss topics on a regular basis. These will take place each first Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. For more info, call Kim at 849-6638 or send an e-mail to MCain@ together.com. If you have any questions about BiNet, call 658-9554 or write to Vermont BiNet, PO Box 8124, Burlington VT 05402.V Yo,u‘_tion’;1: get "from toilet seats. and‘ 'r_r’t..getitf ‘T m.cof_fee cups. You don psinaschool