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But perhaps the most important change
of 1996 came when transgender youth
were officially added to the mission state-
ment. Josie Juhasz remarked that this was
one of the major new developments since
Outright’s beginnings: “Transgender was
not even in the language, that was-not part
of the [original] conversation.” The
acknowledgement of that change became
one of the deciding factors in the next
change of leadership.

In 1997, the Board felt Outright’s posi-
tion was strong enough to be able to under-
take a national search for a new director.
That search attracted Eldridge, signaling
what Brauer calls a “sea-change” for the
organization. Eldridges’s base of experi-
ence and strong grant-writing skills added
depth and breadth to the organization’s
efforts. “Finally, some dreams I had had
came to fruition — regular newsletters, a
membership structure, a dedicated youth
space,” says Brauer.

Eldridge herself is quick to credit her
“loving, enthusiastic, and dedicated, not to

I4 and 

    

mention talented” staff, board members
who contribute time, energy, and commit-
ment, and volunteers “without whom we
could not exist. There is no aspect of
Outright that volunteers are not contribut-
ing to.”

Other community organizations con-
tribute to Outright’s success as well.
PFLAG, state agencies like the depart-
ments of health and education, funders
such as the Ben & .lerry’s and Vermont
Community Foundations, and local
churches and synagogues all get credit for
support of Outright and its mission.

All that work has led to a community
where youth can be comfortable and
active. Mike Bensel, the UVM student and
Outright volunteer who will become
Outright’s first Americorps VISTA worker
in September noted, “The community that
[Outright] has built here is amazing. It
allowed me to come out and to thrive.”
Outright youth Marck May, a. Peer
Outreach Worker at Spectrum Youth and
Family Services, observes, “It’s unbeliev-

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able that in a state as small as Vermont,
GLBTQA youth can do so much. A lot of
the credit goes to Outright.”

One recent achievement of Vermont
GLBTQA youth was a series of historic
meetings with state officials. In November
1997, Governor Howard Dean — on his
birthday — spent well over the allotted
time talking with 17 queer youth from
around the state. The meeting was remark-

able for several reasons: the uniting of '

people from schools, provider organiza-
tions, and the community, the bravery and
confidence of the youth, and the fact that
they were heard without adults in the
room. But perhaps the most remarkable
thing was that the “youth were more awed
by being in a room with 16 other queer
youth than by meeting the Governor,”
remembers Eldgridge

A similar meeting was held in March

Group facilitators from 1996

S C] m

OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS

— AUGUST 1999 — 11

1998 with then Commissioner of
Education Marc Hull. In his letter to those
who attended, Hull wrote, “For me it was
an eye opening experience that left me
with a profound sense of respect for each
of you who took the time to share your
personal experiences.” As a result of this
meeting, the Department -of Education
pegged Shaun Donahue to work part-time
coordinating Safe Schools for GLBTQ
Youth initiatives.

As well, school gay-straight alliances
now number more than a dozen. Eldridge
attributes that to “the incredible courage
and bravery of young people at schools all
over the state who still have to do it for
themselves.” She also cites the leadership
of youth such as Patrick and Kristen in

OUTRIGI-IT, PIS

 

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, Our Mission
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strengthen Vermont's gay,‘

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