Town Rallies
Around Targets of
Anti-Gay Graffiti

I Reward Offered for
Leads in Investigation

omophobic graffiti on a
shed in a northern
Vermont town has star- .

tled locals into expressing sup-
port and esteem for the targets of
the slur. *

When Michael Bindler and
Glen Bartolomeo found the
words “Go Fag” spray-painted in
gray at the end of their bed and
breakfast’s driveway in late
December, they were hurt and
frightened —— and angry. “I was
livid and . teary-eyed,” said
Bindler. V

Apparently they ‘weren’t the
only ones outraged by the ‘inci-
dent. According to The County
Courier, a group of citizens has
started collecting donations
toward a reward for information
leading to the arrest and convic-
tion of the party responsible for
the vandalism.

“As far as I’m concemed,
when someone’s attacked, espe-
cially citizens who contribute to
the community, I consider it an
attack on the community,” said
Brent Godin, one of the organiz-
ers of the reward drive.

Residents of Montgomery for
seven years, both Bindler and
Bartolomeo are out in the com-
munity, active in local govem—
ment and volunteers for several
organizations. “Michael and Glen
are such a vital part of this town.

A I don’t care what it is you ask,

they will contribute. I’ve never
known them to say ‘I’m too
.busy,’” Sue Wilson, ha
Montgomery resident, told the
Courier:

Bindler says he and his partner-

are convinced that the unprece-
dented demonstration of hate was
“the act of one idiot” and they
have drawn strength from the
outcry by their'fellow townspeo-
ple. “Everything has been posi-
tive, the only bad part was the
paint.”
Citizens of Montgomery and
people from all over the country
have contacted Bindler and
Bartolomeo to express support
for them and disbeliefthat some-
thing like this could happen.
"We got a call from Ohio! It has
just been amazing,” says
Bindler. “We’re here and people
love us.” V

VOLUME XIV, NUMBER 01

 

/21.

Golden Threads   triarch Dies

hristine Burton died of pneumo-
nia on December 28, 1998. She

was 93.

Burton founded Golden Threads to
help older lesbians connect with each
other and was dedicated to helping wo-

men overcome lonliness.

In November she received a Lifetime
Achievement Award from Seniors Act-

ive in a Gay Environment.

Burton asked that no funeral or
memorial service be held. She will be
honored by Golden Threads members at
the closing ritual of the 13th Annual
Golden Threads Celebration in

Provincetown in June.

A former resident of Burlington, she
died in a nursing home in Northampton,
Massachutsetts. She was S11lTQI,.lJlCled. by

close friends.

In June, PBS will air a film about
Burton written and produced by Lucy

Whiner.V

Christine Burton (right), with fiiend Sarah Harrington.

FEBRUARY 1999

WWW.VTPRlDE.ORG

Congressman Asks for GLBT Input

I Sanders assembles
community leaders to
discuss political concerns

BY BARBARA DOZETOS

n January 4, representa-
Q tives of Vermont GLBT

organizations met with
Congressman Bernie Sanders to
discuss political issues of impor-
tance to the community.

Sanders invited members of
groups such as the Vermont
Coalition for Lesbian and Gay
Rights, People With Aids
Coalition, the Pride Committee,
and the Rainbow Business
Association to the gathering.
Also present were delegates from
Vermont CARES, Outright
Vermont, and other service agen-
cies.

After ‘ presenting a brief
overview of his voting record and
stance on issues he perceived to
be of interest to the GLBT com-
munity, Representative Sanders
listened as his guests voiced their
concerns. A

He participated with those
present in detailed conversations
about the cost of health care for

HIV-positive individuals, taxa-
tion of domestic partnership ben-
efits, the potential harm in report-
ing names of AIDS patients and
other identified priorities.

Tage Lilja, -who represented
Outright Vermont at the meeting,
left with a sense of amazement to
have been a part of such a diverse

 

group of people seated at the
table. Sarah Harrington of the
Rainbow Business Association
agreed, “I was impressed with
both the representation of the
GLBT community and with
Bemie’s wanting to sit down and
discuss things with us.”

The congressman was
adamant about his need to be
informed of how issues affect his
constituents. “As a result of that
meeting, I’ve taken on the duty of
forwarding information on issues
important to our clients to his
office,” noted Lilja.

Harrington said she was com-

Absent from the meeting were
rosy campaign’ promises of
immediate results. Sanders
repeatedly commentedon the
slow but steady change in soci-
etal attitudes toward GLBT
issues and cautioned the group to

_ expect progress to take time. He

encouraged the development of

Sanders participated in detailed

conversations about the cost of health

care for HIV—positive individuals,

taxation of domestic partnership

benefits, and the potential harm in

reporting names of AIDS patients.

forted by the fact that Sanders is
in Washington at least attempting
to pay attention to the issues
affecting the GLBT community.
“That’s one of the reasonsl live
in Vermont,” she continued. “Our
representatives are accessible. I
feel like my vote counts.”

coalitions around progressive
issues and reiterated the need for
everyone to engage in the politi-
cal process. “It breaks my heart
on a daily basis,” he said, “that
the people most in need are the
least involved.” V