“nia-F1 e t l: e I‘ S ““““ “ continued from page three ~ transition. We are Vermont's identified political Contact for the newly formed National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Federation which now includes all fifty states. Often times we are contacted on how we I passed laws and obtained benefits that other states are just beginning to work on. Our efforts in Vermont are seen as a model for other states. We hope our community sees the continued importance of VCLGR. For those who do not, we welcome your calls and sugges- tions. The next coalition meeting will be held Jan.24th, 1998 at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph from 10 am to 1 PM. We welcome you to attend. The Coa- lition is willing to re-evaluate structure and focus so that it meets current need. We are also available to speak with groups or individu- als, so please call us. Again, our toll free number in Vermont is 888- . 825-4989. Virginia Renfrew Keith Goslant . Karen Cayer Duane Gajewski [Why does it take an editorial for the eoaliton to tell us what it is doing? My concern and that of many in the community is that we don't know what is happening with the coalition, and the coalition has not made sure that the community knows what is _ going on. Ifthe coalition is going to advocate for the community, then it needs to be more accountable to the community. It troubles me that even here at OITM I am effectively in the dark as well. For example, Nancy Sheltra in- troduced a DOMA type bill? I didn't hear about it until Bill Lippert talked about it at the conference. No one from the coalition called OITM. Ihave of- fered OITM as a resource, and will continue to oflfer it. OITM is a valu- able tool for communication in this community, and an available one. I'm glad to hear the coalition is doing something, maybe next time I wont have to piss you all ofiftofind out. —Ed.] hanks to Chris for his thought provoking editorial last month. I think we all need to re- consider our commitment to The Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights following the confer- ence in Rutland. The VCLGR is an indispensable asset to ”the com- munity" in Vermont. It's the only group that strives to watch out for our interests in Montpelier. With- out the VCLGR, legislation re- stricting the rights of GLBTQ Ver- monters would likely pass unno- ticed until it was too late. For in- ‘ stance- Because .VCLGR volun- teers were keeping their ears to the ground in 1996, the bad first draft of the Adoption Reform Bill that would have prevented same-gen- der parents from jointly adopting each others natural children was changed to uphold the rights of children who have parents of the same gender. Vermont is now one of the few places in the world where the same-gender domestic partner of a natural parent can adcipitlitliteicihgild their paging; I.I’.‘-~‘."“' Vt without that partner giving up their own parental rights. Having our voice heard in state govern- ment requires an extraordinary amount of time and skill. That's why we need hardworking VCLGR volunteers, with experi- ence in the law and politics, to work on all our behalf. The idea of groups becom- ingmembers of the VCLGR is a good one as long as individual membership is still cultivated. In- dividuals have the power to vote or call their representatives and re- quest specific actions on specific issues. Democracy is based on in- dividual education and participa- tion. (There is in fact a provision in the VCLGR by-laws for ”corpo- rate memberships". Perhaps all that's needed is a volunteer to so- licit and coordinate such member- ships. Any takers?) The VCLGR does other work that is important, but if the organization can keep it together enough to continue their fine work in Montpelier, we'll all be better off for it. I believe the suggestion that this important work should cease is very short-sighted and a bit na- Ive. Joseph Watson Leicester or not the first time, Paul Olsen, in his annual Holiday Gift List, slammed Vermont Gay Social Alternatives (VGSA) this time by wishing the members of the organization an audit with the comment, ”What does that $15 go for?” While I find most of his wishes amusing and appreciate his ability to use this paper for personal vendettas, his suggestion that monies collected by VGSA are being misused must be addressed. Since 1990, VGSA has pro- vided opportunities for gay men and lesbians to meet in comfort- able, non-threatening social sur- roundings. Membership dues are $15 a year. This fee underwrites the cost of producing and mailing the monthly newsletter. This newsletter not only includes orga- nizational activities, but informs people ofother groups’ events (lo- cal, regional, national and interna- tional). Perhaps Paul spends money on subscriptions of maga-" zines, membership in other orga- nizations or has access to this in- formation via other means, but many of our members don't - and, in many cases, don't need to. Many of our members make no effort to attend our events, but continue to support the organiza- tion precisely for this information. Most of the events spon- sored or organized by VGSA are either free or are self-sustaining. Other activities, such as hosting the annual New Year's Eve-nt (the fifth just passed), take much money to organize and advertise without any guarantee that it will break even. Any money left over from mailing the newsletter is used to make up the difference. VGSA is also very commit- ted to community service. The or- ganization has hosted fund-rais- ing events for Vermont CARES, Mens Health Project, Vermont Pride and other groups. For the past four years VGSA has spon- ‘.