2 — OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS — Aucusr 1999 I Sexual lllllllllallllll ilate flfllllfl Protection Passes the "5 Senate With little fanfare and no debate, the Senate used a voice vote late last month to approve legislation adding sexual orientation, gender and disability to the categories of people protected under federal hate- crime law. Currently, the law only covers race, color, religion or national origin. “This is the first concrete action taken by either chamber since America buried Matthew Shepard, James Byrd Jr., Billy Jack Gaither, and many transgendered people whose names and faces do not make the newspapers,” said Kerry Lobel, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “It is a good first step. But we have a long way to go and we must now turn to the House and tell our rep- resentatives how critically important this legislation is. In short, we must keep up the heat.” A bipartisan group of senators led the successful move to pass the HATE CRIMES, P9 I ilennom Human llitilits commission litters Toll Free Access A grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development may make it easier for Vermonters to get help with com- 5 plaints of discrimination and civil rights violations. The State of Vermont Human Rights Commission has begun toll- free service for both telephones and TTYs used by people with hear- ing impainnents. Because the commission serves the entire state from a single office in Montpelier, most contacts are made by phone, said Harvey Golubock, the agency’s executive director. “We receive almost a thou- sand telephone inquiries a year and hope the toll-free number will make access to the Commission easier for everyone,” he said. The state’s HRC helps Vermonters understand their protections and obligations under state civil rights law that prevent discrimination on a number of grounds, including sexual orientation. Its other free ser- vices include investigation of discrimination complaints, assistance in solving disputes, and filing lawsuits. V See Source, page 20, for HRC ‘s toll-free number and other contact information. sections Health & Wellbeing I 6 Arts & Entertainment ..23 Gayity ilenartments World News Briefs Letters health source............... I9 the source calendar community compass....22 Legal Briefs....................9 Crow's Caws................. I2 Stonehenge to Stonewall .. I 3 20 Something Faith Matters...............|7 Dyke Psyche Cybershark..................25 Flanagan Gets 5I|'0Il!I l:lllIllI'fllsl|I!l Start Vennont’s openly gay US sen- atorial candidate is making a strong early showing in fundrais- ing for the 2000 campaign. According to his campaign’s Federal Election Commission financial report, Vermont Auditor of Accounts Ed Flanagan had raised $221,485.81 as of June 30, 1999. Flanagan said $215,353 has come from individual contribu- tors and $6,034 from political actions committees. “It definitely says something that in the first few months of this campaign, Ed Flanagan has already raised more than two- thirds of the amount garnered by the last challenger in her entire campaign,” noted Brian K. Bond, executive director of the Victory Fund. . Jan Backus expects to report about $11,000 in contributions next week. She announced her bid for the senate seat in June. She called Flanagan’s financial support “impressive” in a recent Rutland Herald interview. Republican incumbent James Jeffords is expected to file his campaign finance reports within the next week. Reports from the committees indicate that Jeffords has accumulated at least $101,500 from PACs since early 1999. Backus, Jeffords’ Democratic opposition in 1994, spent $308,069 during the entire cam- paign race, which saw Jeffords held to 50 percent of the vote. “ Ed Flanagan is a great candi- date whose strong early financial showing is already raising more than a few eyebrows,” said Bond. “Political strategists in Washington believe this will be one of the most competitive races next year for the US Senate.” V NII Beets Iln civil nights Protections CONCORD, NH — New legislation in New Hampshire strengthens the state’s civil rights act by requiring theattomey general to enforce all civil rights violations. force project. grant. The law, signed by Governor Shaheen last month, pro- tects people who are subject to actual or threatened because of their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. “This is a great day for all the people of New Hampshire who live in approximately 15 modest stipend will be provided. The Web Consultant 81 Trai Outright Vermont, and their online presence as a The Web Consultant shoul If interested, please forward a ‘fear of society because they are different,” said Senator Rick Trombly, one of the bill’s main spon- sors. “It is about time that gays and lesbians have legal recourse against hate crimes that are motivat- Jeanne physical or violence ed by homophobic and ignorant people.” Penalties established for civil rights violations include fines up to $5,000 per violation, restitution to victims, and court-issued injunctions for future protection of victims. The new law also allows restraining orders to be issued in the case of civil rights violations and establishes a criminal penalty of a class A misdemeanor for violating the order. “This is a tremendous step forward for the gay and lesbian community,” said Trombly. “Allowing gays and lesbians to get restraining orders against anyone who personally threatens them or threatens Mountain Pride Media seeks an individual to serve as WEB CONSULTANT St TRAINER for a one-year grant-funded The individual must be willing to volunteer 0 hours over the next 12 months. A The ideal candidate should have some experience with web design and enjoy working with people. Roland F. Palmer, Web Project Committee Chair 161 Sherman Hollow Road - Hinesburg, VT 05461-3117 or rfpvt@hotmail.com ner will work as a consultant, on behalf of MPM, with three partner agencies (VT Cares, VCLGR) that expect to improve result of this grant-funded effort. d be interested in managing this outreach effort, helping these agencies evaluate the cur- rent status of their websites, for improving their websi ignates to reach these goa training as needed. Finally, identifying achievable goals orking with their des- Is by providing tech support and the Web Consultant will help Mountain Pride Media in the reporting process for the tes, and w letter of interest and resume to: damage to their personal property because they are gay sends a clear message that New Hampshire will not tolerate hate and violence.” V MOUNTAIN PRIDE MEDIA WEB CONSULTANT st TRAINER