P R0 GE N Y Something and Something NeW...Business That Is - Parenting Groups and Resources Happy Pride month, ev- eryone. I must admit that I've been rather blue this month. The almost total lack of re- sponse to my offer to publicize groups and meetings for queer parents had me feeling that my time would better spent other- wise. I whined briefly to our dear editor about this and he reminded me that unless I ad- vocate drowning puppies, I'm not likely to hear much from my readers. So, onward I plod. I now know of three fledgling parenting groups in the state. In the Springfield area, contact Donna at 885- 6140 or Pam at 885-2368. She is very motivated and eager to hear from other parents and start making plans. Annie, in Montpelier, is hoping to start a parent's group with the in- tention of getting their children together soon. Call her at 223- 3807 and offer your support and input. I'm going to attempt to get a group going in the ex- tended Addison County area, so if you live nearby, call me at 388-8298. There are three groups listed in the OITM source di- rectory. The Gay Fathers Sup- continued from left ways important enough just to be with my friends in a nice place where I could be com- fortable talking with them. That was enough for me. I didn't need anymore; but ap- parently, for a lot of people, that isn't enough.” The last of- ficial meeting was held on May 5th, but a final party is being planned for sometime in June. For more infofmation contact ' Ed Robichaud at (802) 649-3133 or via e-mail at edsmedly@aol.com port Group can be reached at 879-7883. Contact the Vermont Lesbian and Gay Parents group at 860-1922. Also, there is the Friends in Adoption group, 235-2373. If you are looking for on- line resources and conversa- tion, I invite you to check out the PlanetOut (http:// www.planetout.com) message board "Progeny/’ If you need assistance locating or subscrib- ing to it, email me at wordsrus@together.net. Out in the Mountains has graciously offered to sponsor a queer family picnic later in the summer and I intend to take up the offer. I'd like this event to take place in a location that will be accessible to as many of us as possible. Any ideas? Look for more news on that front in the July issue. I'll be around the Moun- tain Pride Media information table on and off all day at Pride, hoping to chat with other parents about organizing groups,_ socializing and just to talk about our kids. Courtney plans to be waving a banner in the Bread & Puppet Boat again, and would love to have the com- pany of other children. I tried to. resist this pun, but wouldn't it be great to see them together —— in the same boat, literally? Hope to see you there. A Different Soapbox As long as I have your attention, I'd like to address the issue of civil marriage for same—gender couples. Al- though this may seem like I'm preaching to the converted, I'm 54/3a/LdgaJ1a.‘Do3eZ'o4 continually surprised to find members of the queer commu- nity who are resistant to the idea. , I understand that mar- riage is not for everyone and I'm not suggesting that even all of us with children should be married. However, I believe that in providing my partner and myself the legal protection inherent in civil marriage, I am also building a more solid foundation for my daughter. This means approval and vali- dation on a level that, as adults, we may claim we don't or shouldn't need, but can be critical for children who feel they are different. I hear and understand queers who complain that we should be fighting for a world that is more accepting rather than supporting something like civil marriage that is giv- ing in to "their ways.” But then I remember how changeable and, ultimately, flexible the in- stitution of marriage is. The legalization of interracial mar- riages has helped to create an eminently more accepting world for these couples and their children. Why should it be different for us? Marriage is a basic right provided for in the constitu- tions of both our state and our country. When the law tells me that I cannot marry the person I love and intend to spend the rest of my life with, it is label- ing me a second—class citizen. That makes my daughter the child of a second—class citizen. The last time I checked, there aren't supposed to be second- class citizens here anymore. OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS — JUNE 1998 — 9 shoppincl/services Burlington ’s Organic Fresh Market AT THE ONION RIVER C0-OI’. 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