....a....;—.._ ._...._V ._...,..._ _ _,..,._ sf —" lN -“rt-l‘-E-i‘ii~6‘ttr‘liw:..isri winzavé is-eta SiIl!I|8 MEI] flilflll at Best M035 BY CLEO WOLF esponding to complaints from motorists and 11ear- v homeowners, Lieutenant O’Leary of the Vermont State Police Middlesex barracks has directed officers to wam and cite single men at 1-89 rest areas for loitering. Interstate highway rest areas are traditional meeting places for gay men, providing anonymity, adventure, and con- venience in one easy-to-reach location. Vermont State Police Colonel Sinclair said this has been going on as long as he can remember. Truckers have coin- plained to police about solicita- tion and sometimes park on the roadside to avoid the rest area. fearing they would be approached for sex. Sinclair noted that this practice has resulted in one fatal vehicle accident. ooooouooooonoouuoooooo-can around \lBI‘IIl0III areas after dark with search- lights to scan the woods for lurking men. Officers blocked the rest area exit with their cruiser to prevent one man from leaving. Single men on foot or in vehicles are asked for ID and their purpose in being at the rest Col. Sinclair, VT State Police: “What people do in private is their own business. ” area. The officer then issues a wanting or citation for loitering; the fee for the citation is a steep $100. The definition of loitering in Vermont law is vague enough to allow the police wide discre- tion in when to apply it. In general, the rest areas were. created for fatigued motorists to pull off the road areas are also for family picnics, Lieutenant O’Leary said, not for men to meet for sex. Some community members think the checks are discrimina- tory. Yolanda from the Men’s Health Project feels this “sort of goes along with the climate of hate toward gays and lesbians in the country right now.” But according to Colonel Sinclair, there is no intent to harass gays. only to stop or pre- vent complaints of inappropri- ate behavior at the public rest areas. “What people do in pri- vate is their own business,” he said. Besides responding to com- plaints such as these, police rou- tinely check the rest areas for persons in vehicles who may have asphyxiated. V Iiail Activism Heats III! at lvmlnn state nthe night of October 1st, 01998, the Lyndon State College Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA for short) led a A public display of activism. By the time the students were done, almost every sidewalk on the campus had a chalk written saying or drawing about lesbians, gays, bisemals and straight allies. The goal of this social activism is to raise the aware- ness of the LSC Community about lesbian, gay and bisexual issues. The GSA strives to improve life for LGB students and their straight allies on the campus. Slogans ranged from simple to complex and all educate their readers about issues that face LGB students. ' A key desire for this activity was to mobilize the straight allies of LGB students, who are V Within hours of the chalking, acceptance of LGB people. students all over campus were talking about it and most in a positive light. The goal of this display was reached. The college also reacted to" this display. Much to the GSA's dismay, the chalking was removed by midday on Friday, October 2nd because it was con- sidered "public defacement." Groups in the past had chalked parts of the campus and this rule was never brought up. Though with the GSA's chalking, this rule was found and the chalk was removed promptly by custo- dians using hoses, brushes, pails, water trucks and high pressure water sprayers. The GSA's response is that because there was a law, we understand the removal of the chalk. Furthermore though. the GSA is disappointed that when the campus was chalked at other times and with less inflammato- ry information, the chalk was never removed. The GSA just finds it odd that this nile was brought out and used only when it was convenient for the col- The police have entered rest and rest. The Waterbury rest key in promoting tolerance and lege.V To Our Patrons: Since my arrival in June you may have noticed 135 Pearl has begun the process of turning over a new leaf. Angie, Lani and Jess have decided to take their leave of not only the bar but also the East Coast, and Gavin has requested a reduction in hours so he may pursue new horizons — yet he’ll still be helping out with our larger special events. You may also have noticed we’ve begun to pour a tremendous amount of effort in the re-design of the club. From the dance lights and air- conditioning on the first floor to the upstairs sound system, to the Pride flags outside, change is proving itself to be a good thing. Some changes will be subtle, some will be huge, yet all are needed and I’m certain, all will be welcomed. In the spirit of change and growth, I realize there is more that 135 Pearl can do for the community. It is my intention to strengthen the ties that bind us all by being an active member of the Rainbow Business Association, V.G.S.A., and Vermont Pride. Yet, Robert and I realize there is more we can do for the community, right here on Pearl Street. Our Halloween Party will start with THU 89181’ #90398 MM! M91! in the tent and culminate with a costume contest at 1:00 inside on the dance floor. Women’s Dance is coming back with a whole new energy on November 6. We’ve enlisted the help of Tracy Komons who is planning on turning this and every Women’s Dance into something to be remembered. Catered food (appetizers, main course and desert), a live DJ, flowers, candles... We want the women to “take back the night” so we're gonna give ya something to dance about! Men’s Dance has turned into Men’s Night in the upstairs bar only and has moved to first Saturdays. But be aware. Starting December 5, Men’s Night becomes Men’s Dance again - this time with eye treats - Go Go Dancers! On a personal note, I’m extremely glad I made the decision to leave New York City and move to Burlington. And I encourage everyone to party safely. Thanks for making 'me' feel welcome! ' Donald G. lmgram, General Mana er . . , . .’ When You Choose a Lawyer, Choose a Law Firm Whether you ’re 9 Buying a home 0 Setting up a business 6 Recovering from an accident or work injury I 9 Planning your estate 0 Seeking documents to protect your family 9 Dealing with the criminal justice system Good legal advice can make all the djiterence. With Langrock Sperry 8c Wool, you’ll have the services of 22 lawyers with over 300 years’ combined experience in all areas of ‘the law — including two lesbian attorneys with special expertise serving the legal needs of the g/1/b/t/q community Susan M. Murray C9’ Beth Robinson With offices in Middlebury and Burlington r%’ Middlebury (802) 388-6356 Burlington (802) 864-0217 E-mail: smurray@langrocl<.com & brobinson@langrock.com LANGROCK SPERRY & WOOL I a,“1'°.‘§‘~t‘sr ‘x¥ir‘2'°ifx i'i7é5s.:“%” 'A'A'H . . L‘-l‘A'A‘A"8‘ ATTORNEYS AT LAW :'~'--v r ~_x- Uri r,-..»‘.:'_ ..2