,,,g. 2 4 ‘OUT IN TH’E'M‘OUNTAlN'S 1'— NOVEMBER" 1998 EDITORIAL gay student murdered in Wyoming, a death‘ threat gainst a bisexual Vennont woman exposed, the VCLGR con- ference and town meeting: what a month for my first at the helm of Out in the /l/Iounlains. It was twenty years ago this month that Harvey Milk was mar- tyred, gunned down at the hands ofa man who disliked him for his political stance and sexual orienta- tion. The brutal tor- ture and murder of Matthew Shepard‘ makes me wonder what we have accom- plished since then. With all the strides we have made as a community — all the protection we have garnered and rights we have secured — how could such a horrendous thing still happen? This month’s issue is full of differing reactions to Matt Shepard’s death as well as varied calls for response and action. Right here in Vermont — where there are more laws on the books protecting GLBTs and their rights than in any other state — a bisexual woman went to work one recent morning to find a promi- nently displayed death threat wait- ing for her. This happened, not in the comparative anonymity of our biggest city, but in our tiniest town. Something about us is still sending a message to some members of the straight community that this kind ofthing is permissible. Yes, something about us. We can’t point solely at them when looking for someone to blame for either of these incidents. We must look within our own ranks, and at our own attitudes first. It is partial- ly our complacency, apathy and in- fighting that leave us unprotected against the actions of minds like those of Matt’s killers and llene’s tonnentor. What a pitiful reflection on us it is that within the span of four months, Vermont’s GLBT com- munity has managed to break two oonccnculoonioouoouu Stand Together or Fall Apart attendance records. Our numbers were the highest ever at our yearly party, the Pride festivities in June, and the lowest for our annual strat- egy session, the Coalition confer- ence and town meeting. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t come together to cele- brate and have a good time. Nor We are sub-dividing ourselves, just when we need to stand together, no matter what. am I saying that Pride is nothing more than a party or that there is no fun to be had at the VCLGR conference. A rural and widely scattered community like ours has to mix business with pleasure most anytime we gather together. However, the prevailing attitude that we can only unite with people whose opinions and goals we total- ly agree with is going to be our downfall. Unless we get involved and give of our time and talents, we have no right to criticize the struc- ture and content of our events. We must not forget that a majority of themovers and shakers amongst us are volunteers. Connect, even if it isjust by subscribing to the new email discussion list or taking a picture for OITM or stuffing an envelope for the Brattleboro AIDS Project. Do something. We simply must stop the destructive and petty back-biting. Proactivity is crucial. We are sub-dividing ourselves, just when we need to stand togeth- er, no matter what. Sure, we can disagree, but we must use those differences of opinion to forge a stronger front to present to the rest of the world. A town meeting, whether it be the one that occurs in March by state law, or at V the VCLGR conference by our own mandate, is a forum for airing our differences, examining them, and embracing them. They are point- less if no one offers challenges to the status quo. We must acknowl- edge our intemal differences, cele- brate them, even hamess them and present a unified front or our future is grim. Our internal diversity is our strongest weapon. Used correctly, it will lead us to victory inbattles with the unenlightened. Unfortunately, it is just as powerful in misuse. Turned upon ourselves, it will leave us badly maimed at the very least. We have to invento- ry our arsenal of talent, ability and attitude and fire each where it. is most appropriate and most effec- tive. STEPPING OFF THE SOAPBOX AND KNEELING IN GRATITUDE he past two months have I been at once stressful and exciting. I have, as Mountain Pride I Media Board President Bennett Law put it in-the last issue, acquired my dream job, but not without many hours of lost sleep. I can’t thank Chris Moes enough for the work he did on OITM. His dedication and vision has left me with a newspaper full of promise for the future. His faith in my abilities to move forward with his work staggers me when I think about it, so I try not to think about it. I am grateful beyond words for the MPM board’s confidence in and support for me. The transition from board member to editor could have been very difficult, but I am working for a tenific group of people who are both highly profes- sional and big—hearted. Their devo- tion, as a group, to this newspaper is awe-inspiring. My thanks, and that of the board, go out to everyone who helped us move to our new ofiice space in Richmond. What could have been a nightmarish ordeal turned into a fim and productive weekend. If I try to produce a list of names, l’ll leave off someone important, so please consider yourselves acknowledged and appreciated. Betsy Bott and the employees of the Daily Bread, our new neigh- bors, have been welcoming and wonderful. I’m positive we will all gain a great deal of weight due to their influence, but what a way to go. Speaking of neighbors, we miss Tage and Tami and the ,Outright gang and wish them well in their growth. They were terribly tolerant of us when we shared their space and patient while we searched for a new home. I started sleeping a lot better when Mack Roark and Jim Petrie walked into my life. They have jumped in and helped out with everything from office manage- ment and graphic design to rescu- ’ ing me from the side of the road when my car drew its last breath last week. Don Eggert, our layout and design god, has been amazing. His talent and devotion are" evident in the pages you hold in your hands. We are very lucky to have him. I must admit, my biggest wony in taking over this position was how I’d be received by the com- munity. However, the support I am experiencing is delightful. Every time I turn around, I receive anoth- er virtual pat on the back or vote of confidence. I’ll do my best to live up to your high expectations. Finally, I have to thank my daughter, Courtney, and my part- ner, Tina. At the risk of sounding like I’m accepting an Academy Award, I must mention their patience and tolerance and assis- tance. They pitch in and help at every turn and sacrifice a lot of normal life to make it possible for me to give,0lTM most of my free time. Enough, already. Read on and please let us know what you are thinking. V ‘ jeasure. consider this at we ‘re not Imma ' ljrfitransmitted diseases faifécifcondo em? in H ‘Estab,|ishedp‘in -1.986 ED1roiRi1NlCHi1Er,— ._ s as f L Barbara Dozetost . . DO.f*€1'd‘.E999f*« i—i-.i,I5R0iI)tICIt(5I§IfA.s§ISTANT Mackaoark A, — OFBICE‘MANAGER L ,5 Jim Petrief pg L —-_AijvERrIisING - Steven Ko stein~* CmcULAfrIoN MANA ‘Kevin Mcateeri