known direct fear or threat due to my color. Having lived 34 years in the South, I suppose that I am very lucky. I have ‘heard the words nigger and colored, words that hurt very deeply, more often than I care to remember. As I drove home from the plant only days after I arrived to work in Texarkana, I was greeted by a KKK rally on a clearing near a busy intersection. That hurt, too. But as an Africian- American, I have a communi- ty. No matter how far from home I venture, no matter how small the town, there is a com- munity, ready to accept me, to understand, to stand by" me. A community that’s open and familiar and varied — minis- ters, businessmen, teachers, cab drivers, postmen, barbers — all readily identifiable. That community provides me a ghetto to feel safe and protected, to feel at home, even if only briefly, even if only until ‘I return to work or walk the streets downtown or stop in for a meal at a diner. And then, I’m not afraid, I am aware. In the towns where I have lived, there are no open communities for gays. We qui- etly seek each other out in bars far from home, on the internet, and in the personals of brown paper covered magazines and newspapers. We dare not speak out. Our ghettos are our homes with drapes drawn and doors latched. Good fences make In my life, I have never For confidenfial I HIV/AIDS Information Call I .800-882-AIDS Stand ‘Together 0 r Martyr Alone The kind, gentle, all-knowing middle America middle class would be outraged if the word Jew replaced the word Gay. Or would they? good ghettos. The Human Rights Campaign doesn’t know that we exist — God’s speed Chris Moes —— until we are murdered. And for us, they don’t exist. I cried when I learned of Matthew Shepard’s death. I cried because he’s only one of hundreds, maybe more, who are brutalized in small towns for being the very thing this country exalts us all to be: who we are, free to choose, free to pursue happiness. The mar- tyred are known only to their loved ones. Their murders go unresolved and hardly noticed. This country of apes and hyp- ocrites: “Gays are too wealthy to need laws to protect them against discrimination.” “There are already laws on the books to punish assault.” It’s all bullshit and lies. The kind, gentle, all-knowing middle America middle class would be outraged if the word Jew replaced the work Gay. Or would they? Vermont has a strong hate crimes law that covers sexual preference and orientation. On the Monday morning that I learned of Mr. Shepard’s death, I wrote letters to Senators Leahy and Jeffords, and to Sanders. I also wrote to Rahm Emanuel at the White House. There must be national legislation. We have to stand up and be counted. Stand alone and risk becoming a martyr, unresolved and hard- ly noticed. Pardon me. Now that we have stood together, I must return to my ghetto. I have to draw close the drapes and latch the door. V “I buy all my stuff at the Peace & Justice Store, where else?" - Logs, Drwor Peace & Justice Store . 21 Church St., Burlington 863-8326 Open 7 Days OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS — DECEMBER 1998 — 5 What’s Dlylyerent ® \ 0%‘ e\ o (Q o°‘V5.;:_’ 0% Congressman‘ AT THE ONION RIV8R C0—OP? Here's the scoop on i Burlington's unique natural market Q! The Co-op is the only natural food store in Burlington that's owned by its customers. By owning the Co—op, we as customers get to be part of something special. 1) (Q I like knowing that a portion of every dollar I spend at the Co-op goes to fund local and international education programs. This year alone, the Co-op donated over $10,000 to organizations working to better the plant. )) The area's best selection of; trash . local, organic and natural floods. Come check us out! 49 lb‘ *0 90 (n A community—owned _ natural market _ CELEBRATING 27 YEARS 23> as/w 274 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington 863-3659 New Hours! Mon-Sat. 9-9 - Sun. 11 -V8 VISA/Mastercard/ATM Accepted I S I E has nothing to dowith SIZE...‘ it's all about Attitude! ,_ d at full femmes fatales w ’ve got Attitude and Style and Size. - Suits ~ Sweaters - Dresses - jeans - Skirts ' Pants - Aerobicwear 0 Bathing Suits ° Undergarments - Bath & Body Products 0 Slinky Separates - Blouses, Lace tops ' jewelry, Scarves - Hats, Gloves - Fleece 0 Wool Coats 0 and more... Finally, a clothing store dedicated to plus-size women! _ can my , 8| N. MainlSt., St. Albans Store hours 524-sooo - (333) 524-3855 MONDAY-SATURDAY 9-9 SUNDAY 9-8 ° 2 MAIN ST ° BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT A Communigl Owned Natural Foods Market & Deli specializing in Organic Choices! BRATTLEBORO FO0D@C0°0P P/lb/Ir Open to the 100 Acres 0 Pool Hot Tub 0 Trails 7% ‘Hi Izlandg ‘Inn P.O. Box H8 Be-’:';lehem, NH 05574 (60)) 869-3978 A LESBIAN PARADISE 20 Charming Rooms Peace 8; Privacy