I saw that District 14 Candidate Mike Meoli
advertised in Letters asking for our community’s support. I have also
noticed that he has not gone on record with his stand on HB99 or other
issues related to equal rights. If he is asking for our support I believe
he should publicize his views on issues of importance to our community.
Perhaps, because he is currently in a primary battle for the nomination,
he may not want to discuss equality issues until the primary is over. But
if he is asking for our support now and in the general election, he should
tell us his platform now.
Thom Swiger
Editors note: I had a lengthy meeting with Mike Meoli earlier this
month. He told me that he supports HB 99 and, if elected, will vote in
favor of its passage.
On the morning of July 25, 2002, we were
married in civil union in Bennington, Vermont.
A battle was won!
Our joyful experience is one we wish to
share. The overwhelming feeling of total acceptance and equality is rare
among same sex couples in this country. We too often feel, justified or
not, that acceptance is necessary in order to protect ourselves from the
ostracism from family, places of employment, or those thought to be
friends. Although our founding fathers laid the groundwork for tolerance
and equality, generations of different people have suffered total
discrimination, hatred, and bigotry at the hands of our federal
government, not to mention all other 49 states.
The Green Mountain State is refreshing in
its basic principles of human rights, having had a long history of
open-minded leaders and citizens. It is our hope that the voice of Vermont
will resound in legislative halls around this nation, where hopefully true
equality will finally echo Lincoln’s “land of the people, by the
people and for the people.”
We, like millions of nonjudgmental
Americans, sincerely wish to express our gratitude to Governor Howard
Dean, the Vermont Legislature, and the great people of the Green Mountain
State for the accepting and gracious attitude shown us throughout our
travels across your beautiful state, where Herb’s great-grandmother was
born.
Let us all pray that the God who does not
discriminate will guide and enlighten the minds and hearts of the American
people. May Vermont’s green light signal the go ahead and serve to spur
America to enact what is the private act of individuals. This defines
civil and the civil union of those who choose to exercise it.
Herbert A. Russell and Roberto Font
Deane
We’d like to take this opportunity to say
thank you for all you do to make our community such a positive environment
for everyone. Unlike many people here in Rehoboth, we had not been
“weekenders.” We moved here to get away from the hustle and stress of
city life without having a sense of what we would encounter. We both knew
that Rehoboth had a reputation for being “diversity friendly,” but
were amazed to find such an active, welcoming community—the heart of
which is CAMP Rehoboth.
How fortunate we are to have a community
center whose message of creating a more positive community is put into
practice every day! Murray’s creativity, radiance, and attention to
detail, Steve’s perpetual kindness, compassion, and devotion to CAMP’s
mission, Sal’s playfulness and unrelenting commitment to community
health, and Kathy’s constant grace and competence in serving others
combine to create a positive, welcoming “home.”
Together, Kathy, Sal, Steve, and Murray
live out the values of integrity, forgiveness, acceptance, openness, and
honesty. For us, there are no higher standards to live by. Whether it is a
simple question about where to park, or managing a major fundraising
event, or community organizing, the staff at CAMP is efficient, dedicated,
and fun-loving. We feel blessed to have chanced upon such an extraordinary
place to live, play and work, and build community.
Susan
Hamadock and Marsha Levine |
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