Community Compass is a service of OITM. GLBT organizations from around the state are invited to provide brief — 200 words or less — descriptions of recent or upcoming activities and events. Send your submissions to us by email by the 15th of the month.
Outright Vermont Comes Out With Style
Every year at the beginning of October the leaves start to change color, the air turns cooler and queer organizations dust off their pride flags from June and hang them “out” for National Coming Out Week. With events already geared toward celebrating Queer history month, the staff at Outright Vermont decided upon the nifty slogan “you should get out more.” It was agreed that this catchy phrase and a flashy ad campaign would get the attention of youth in the Burlington area and from around the state.
Womyn’s Group, a monthly occurrence, kicked off the week with a lively discussion about famous queer women of the past. The women at the meeting shared their lesbian heroines and learned a great deal about women in queer history who forged a path before them. Tuesday featured a screening of The Laramie Project in honor of the anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death on October 12. The film is based on a series of monologues collected from townspeople in Laramie, Wyoming, in the aftermath of Shepard’s death. The viewing of the film created a very somber mood among youth, informing them about the details surrounding those who were involved with the tragic event.
Hearts and minds got a cheerful pick-me-up on Wednesday with the Ice Scream social at Drop In. The youth came in from the cold evening and indulged in the frozen delights of Ben and Jerry’s and some good company. The cine-madness continued on Thursday with the sidesplitting flick, But I’m A Cheerleader. Friday was the icing on the cake – literally! Friday was National Coming Out Day and Outright celebrated with a huge “We Came Out More” cake. Cake and ice cream helped to start the Friday Night Group meeting on the final day of events. The group has long been one of the most popular and well-attended events at Outright. Thanks to all the youth who came OUT to celebrate all week long!
Anyone interested in ongoing events at Outright, please call us 1-800-GLB-CHAT or check us out online: www.outrightvt.org. There are always things to do; people to hang out with and we are completely confidential.
Outright Vermont is planning another month of fabulous events for November! The usual suspects are Womyn's Group on the first Monday of the month and Trans group on the last Monday of the month. Both these groups are confidential and start at 6:30pm on their respective days. Friday Night Group is keeping the tradition rockin’ by meeting every Friday from 7pm-8:30pm at the Burlington offices – we are like the mail, no matter sleet, hail or mean dogs we hold our group no matter what! (That means holidays too!) Wednesday Drop Ins this month will involve scalp treatment & massage, a trip to the Blue Plate Ceramic Tile folks, a movie & lots more! QYR, Queer Youth Radicals are active and makin’ a difference. All youth who want to make something change in this world should come and check this group out. Meetings every Friday at 5:30pm! And hot off the press! Montpelier folk and those around, mark your calendars for Nov. 15th. We are planning a wonderful event for you folks down there. Check the web for more information! Be sure to check our website: www.outrightvt.org for the latest and greatest information and impromptu events for weekends & more! 1-800-GLB-CHAT.
Be a Paper Boy or Girl for Mountain Pride Media
Each month, Mountain Pride Media (MPM) acknowledges the individuals who help get Out In The Mountains (OITM) out into the community by attending the monthly “stuffing.” Thanks to Tania, Roland, Dan, Stephen, Euan, Pete, and Don. The November “Stuffing” (December Issue) will be on Friday, November 29th (yes, the day after Thanksgiving) starting at 12 NOON at our office, above The Daily Bread, in Richmond, Vermont. Please feel free to stop by, say hello and help out.
We are also looking for new distribution volunteers. We currently have route open in Bennington. Distribution routes take an hour or less each month to complete. This is a great way to help keep Out In The Mountains out in the community. If you would like to be distribution volunteer please contact us via email at circulation@mountainpridemedia.org or call us at 802-434-6486. We welcome our newest distribution route volunteers in Middlebury and Springfield.
Mountain Pride Media is pleased to announce the addition of a new member, Wayne Hobbs of Stowe, to our Board of Directors. We are still looking for other community members who are interested in joining our Board. If you are interested in learning more please contact Roland Palmer at rfpvt@together.net. We also send special thanks out to Dustin Trotter who has been a regular at our monthly stuffings and helped with the OITM online archive project. We wish Dustin the very best in his new pursuits.
Mountain Pride Media is excited to announce two upcoming fundraising events. We encourage everyone to come out and join us. For more information about any of these events please contact Roland Palmer at rfpvt@together.net or 802-383-7679 (weekdays).
- Sunday, November 17, 2002 (2 to 5 p.m.) - An Autumn Afternoon Tea at Moose Meadow Lodge (Duxbury, VT) featuring Vermont Liberty Tea Company teas - $30 suggested donation.
- Tuesday, November 19, 2002 (5 p.m. to close) - Eat Out Evening at The Waiting Room (Burlington, VT) - call 862-3455 to make your reservation.
We also want to remind everyone to check out the Shopping Section of our web site www.mountainpridemedia.org as you start your holiday shopping. Not only can you find great MPM merchandise, including our new MPM Mugs, but you have access to the IGive Mall (with hundreds of retailers we know and love), TLA Books & Videos, Entertainment Discount Books, The Vermont Country Store, and more. The best part is that a portion of every sale goes directly back to MPM to help support our organization.