2- OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS —-MARCH 1999 EDITORIAL ach month I sit down to Eproduce an editorial for this space. Usually its impetus is an issue or event that has consumed my attention in the preceding month. Today I have scanned my memory banks and discovered that the paper itself has demanded the majority of my thought processes recently. I have spent a great deal of time and energy talking about Out in the Mountains and my job as editor. Because I am passion- ate about what I do here, I have a tendency to act as if the rest of the world picks up necessary information by osmosis. However, as I have been out and about this past month in our community, I have realized that there are many unanswered ques- tions about OITM. So, here is my first State of the Paper Editorial. Any accurate depiction of our operation must start with a word about our board ofdirectors. This incredibly dedicated and under- appreciated group of people gives extensively of its time and energy. In the past year the board has worked hard to define itself and its mission. Hundreds of hours have gone into grant writing, budget planning, and strategic planning. The time contribution doesn’t stop with boardand com- mittee meetings. Individual board members step in to manage administrative tasks, assist with distribution, and help promote the paper. All they get in return is a warm feeling inside, ulcers, headaches, and not nearly enough thanks from those of us who know what they do. Next, I must mention the con- tributors. On a regular basis, peo- ple who think they know tell me that it is impossible to put out a quality monthly newspaper with a staff of volunteers. Every month we prove ‘them’ wrong. We would be lost (not to mention empty) without the people who State of the Paper Address contribute their writing, cartoon- ing, and photography talents each month. . Although it’s true that our budget doesn’t allow us to com- pensate our contributors finan- deliver the paper expands in direct proportion to this kind of growth. I’m frequently asked why we don’t start charging readers for the paper. I’ve been told that peo- On a regular basis, people who think they know tell me that it is impossible to put out a quality monthly newspaper with a stafl" of volunteers. Every month we prove ‘them’ wrong. cially, we work hard to give them a final product that will be of use to them. We are dedicated to pro- viding writers with clippings they can use in portfolios and mention in their resumes with pride. This polish is provided by our editorial and layout staff. We are fortunate to have volunteers trained in proofreading, copyedit- ing, layout, and design to see OITM through its creation. We love what we do, or we’d never survive what we affectionately call ‘production hell’ each month. Distribution is proving to be our biggest challenge. We are grateful for the people who join us on the last Tuesday of each month to stuff, count, and pack- age the papers. My almost inces- sant pleas for help in this area are beginning to be heard. Delivering 6200 papers is a staggering task, and is made much easier when individuals step forward offering to deliver to their local areas. From my position as editor, I am happy to announce that things are going well at OITM. Our advertising base is growing as businesses realize that our read- ers are loyal to those who support us. We have more than 360 paid subscribers and new orders come in every week. Of course, the work required to produce and ple wouldn’t take it for granted if there were a price on it. My two- part answer is simple. First, I don’t believe OITM is taken for granted. It is a valued part of the life ofthis community. Secondly, this is the commu- nity’s paper and we will not restrict readers’ access to it based on finances. Those who can, pay for subscriptions or make dona- tions to support us. While we need to pay our bills, our mission is _to provide a service to GLBT Vermonters. We are not here to profit from them. I watch in dismay as other non-profit, volunteer-staffed pub- Iications struggle and fold. I’m not sure why we continue to grow as others in similar situations fal- ter. My guess is that the GLBT people in a state as sparsely pop- ulated and rural as Vermont know that communication is vital. Without vehicles of connection such as Out in the Mountains, we wouldn’t be a community. A few months ago, Bennett Law, the president of the Mountain Pride Media board, made, an eloquent plea to readers for financial support. He fol- lowed this up with letters to many members of the community. We are gratified by the response we have received. We are counting on your continued support, just as you count on us to produce the paper each month. So, in closing, I’d like to thank our advertisers, volunteers, ‘and readers. I invite your participa- tion, contributions, and sugges- tions. V z'ntroa’ucz'ng. . J community flnmnass Beginning with the April edition of OITM, _ any organization in our community may contribute a press release containing a sum- mary of their group’s activities. This new department will serve as a guide for readers who want to get involved. So'don’t delay! Look for formatting guidelines in early March by mail, email, and on our web site. oitm@together.net or 434-6486 www.vtpride.org to AIDS and Whatavor. you take along. for pleasure, consider this We may fe_el~safe;ln yefrnront, but we ‘re not immune- ‘ ' transmitted diseases; ‘ J fa’: 33¢?! condo J OUT IN THE_ MOUNTAINS Established in 1986 — EDITOR IN CHIEF - Barbara Dozetos - ART DIRECTOR - Donald Eggert — EDITORIAL ASSISTAi\ll’lI:’r¥i,,, Tina Giangrande » I - PRODUCTION AssIsTANT Mack Roark — OFFICE MANAGER — Jim Petrie — SOURCE /CALENDAR EDITOR- Gary Smith a E — CIRCULATION MANAGER — Kevin Mcateer‘ , Columnists: Skeeter Sanders, Sandi Cote, Crow Cohen, Keith . Goslant, Rev. Christine Leslie, Susan Murray,_Beth Robinson, Esther Rothblum, Miki Thomas, « ThomasH_enning', Charles Emond, Virginia,Ren_trew,‘ Esther Rothblum, John Hannahv. v 4 Contributors: Hugh, Coyle, ~ Maxwell Stroud,jDavid_Gramling,~ Vincent Downing, Tim Evans, Nick Bania, Laura,Miller, Trent Bonsall, Ross._Srteyd, Steven Kopstein, Gal Zatz,-Jim Petn'e, Danny Gates ~ _ 3 Photographers: Maxwell Stroud,. I ~3;«:t;.tpnie9atet*'* v I ~ Robert Kirby,HEric,Orner -MOUNTAIN ,PRIoE'MEoIA- Boimm oi DIRE,¢T9R.5 Cheryl Carmi, Joy Griifith,G'arrett_' , Kimberly, Bennett Law, Jim Petrie. Roger Mapes,j;Kevin M'cAteer‘, I 1 Rekha_Rosha‘, Joseph Ryan, Chuck Starr, i, _ V , _t STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - The p_urposejof_~Out in _'the, Mountains is’ to serve as a voice for,lesbians,¥gay men, bisex- uals, transgendered people, and our support- ers_in Vermont. We wish the newspaper to be a‘ source of inforrnationginsight, and affir- mation. We also. see OITM as a vehicle for the celebrationiol thecultureiand diversity of the lesbian, gay. bisexual, and transgendered communities here iniVerm”ont and elsewhere. EDITORIAL’ POLICY We will consider for publication any material which broadens our‘ understanding of our. lifestyles and of each’ other. ‘Views and opin- ions appearing in the paperdo not necessar- ily represent those ot Out in the Mountains. This paper cannot and will not endorse any candidates or actions of public officials on issues of importance to lesbians,.gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered persons. _» We reserve the right not to publish any mate- rial deemed to be overtly racist, sexist, anti- Semitic, ageist, classist, xenophobic, or homophobic. - . . Writers’ guidelines are available on request. All materials submitted must include aname and a contact number. However, within the pages of the newspaper, articles mayappear anonymously upon request, and strict confi- dentially will be observed. , ’ Articles, letters, and artwork should be sent to us by the deadlines indicated in each month's calendar. This is nonnally in the mid- dle ol the month prior to publication (i.e. mid- February for the March issue). We encourage and implore our readers to do what they can to make OITM a paper which truly represents the many voices of our communities. Out in the Mountains (ISSN 1081-5562) is published monthly by Mountain Pride Media, inc. The newspaper maintains offices on Bridge Street in Richmond, Vermont. The subscription rate is $20 per year within the United States of America. ©1999, Out in the Mountains Out in the Mountains PO Box 1078 Richmond VT 05477-1078 TEL (802) 434-OITM FAX (802) 434-7046 oitm@together.net Cartoonistsi‘A|ison _Bechdel,:i.,‘ ,3 .