February, 2009:

Last week, I volunteered to photograph the American Heart Association’s 3rd Annual Go Red For Women “Queen of Hearts” Luncheon, held at the Sheraton Hotel and conference Center. 

Thank  to all the sponsors, attendees, survivors and volunteers, they raised  about $85,000 and counting!  Organizers exceeded their goals for both the Silent Auction and Open Your Heart Special Appeal, raising about $17,500 on the day of the event!  Dollars raised through this event will fund life-saving cardiovascular research and education specifically for women.

The luncheon also included educational seminars by members of Fletcher Allen Health Care and the University of Vermont College of Medicine, a “survivor’s story”  and a survivor’s fashion show. It was a great day…

 

Art lovers and historians, along with Burlington mayor Bob Kiss, Vt. Governor Jim Douglas, and Bruce Hyde, chair of the Quadricentennial Commission, all attended the reception at  Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center last week for Ned Castle’s collection of contemporary portraits of Vermont Native Americans. ECHO’s Idigenous Expressions Speaker Series focuses on 11,000 years of Native American history in the Champlain Basin with the opening of the Contemporary Portrait Gallery.

Photographer Ned Castle is all smiles at the reception for his collection

Today was the annual Queer Visibility Day at the Vermont state house and hundreds of LGTB vermonters turned out to meet their legislators and show support for the Gay marriage bill, introduced today by Reps. Mark Larson and David Zuckerman. The Freedom To Marry Taskforce had dozens of volunteers to help Vermonters find and talk with their state representatives, write letters to the Governor and about 100 or so attendees actually met with Governor Jim Douglas to tell him why the Marriage bill is so important to them and how deeply personal an issue it is to Gay Vermonters. The Vermont Gay Guide, RU12, Outright Vermont and Vermont Transaction  all had resource tables set up and representatives available to talk about their organizations.  Finally, Rep. Bill Lippert (D-Hinesburg) introduced a resolution on the floor of the legislature to make February 6th “Outright Vermont” day, in recognition of their 20 years of service to Vermont’s LGTB youth.

Robyn Maguire from the Freedom To Marry Taskforce talks about the day’s events.

Outright Vermont youth (including 15-year-old Em Gieselman of Burlington) attended the event.

Beth Robinson, chair of the Freedom To Marry Taskforce, stresses the importance of the day.

Outright Vermont Outreach coordinator Ella Kaplan, center, listens along with other supporters.

Euan Bear listens up

State Rep.Mark Larson (Right) sponsored the Gay Marriage Bill along with Rep. David Zuckerman, announced Friday at Queer Visibility Day.

LGBT Vermonters stand in recognition during the morning legislative session.

Rep. Bill Lippert introduces the resolution to make February 6th OUTRIGHT VERMONT DAY.

Bill Lippert and Outright Vermont executive Director Christopher Neff show off the Resolution certificate.

Rep. Lippert has on display in his committee room the OUTRIGHT VERMONT Ruby Slipper Award, given to him Wednesday at the Outright 2009 Celebration and reception. Lippert was honored for his role as a community activist.

Keri Rosen and her daughter, 2-year-old Kaitlin

Outright Vermont Wellness director Katherine Betzer

Sandy Mylan (right) signs a petition supporting the Gay Marriage bill.

Liz Battsford, Vt Gay Guide Project manager and Suzanne Stofflet, president of Samara Foundation of Vermont.

Euan Bear show off her sign of support…

Hundreds of Vermonters wait to meet with Governor Jim Douglas at the state house.

Freedom To Marry Taskforce organizers Robyn Maguire and Beth Robinson lead the masses into Governor Douglas’s office.

Governor Douglas greets each Vermonter as they enter his office Friday.

Governor Douglas greets the group.

Outright Vermont’s Christpher Neff joined the group.

Sandi and Bobbi Cote-Whitacre of Georgia explains to Governor Douglas that they have been together for 42 years, without the rights and priviledges that come with being married. Theirs was one of many stories told in the room to the Governor.

CVU student and Outright Vermont member James Neiley tells Gov Douglas about his dream to grow up and marry like his straight friends.

Daisy Chamberlain and Jamie Reddinger tell Governor Douglas about the plans for a wedding.

 

Reps. Mark Larson and David Zuckerman and Senate Majority Leader John Campbell introduce the Gay Marriage bill to hundreds of supporters.

Rep. David Zuckerman takes the podium.

Senator John Campbell takes his turn to speak.

A view of the crowd!

Outright’s Christopher Neff making lists on his hand!

Rep. Kesha Ram joins Outright Vermont youth Em Gieselman, 15, Amelia Schlossberg, 18,  and Mark Mitchell, 17.

Senator Alice Nitka

Abby Haywood of Bethel

The day cmes to an end the the Outright Vermont kids head back to their bus.

Outright Vermont staff Whitney Smith, Ella Kaplan and Katherine Betzer

 

On Wednesday night, Outright Vermont began its 20th year of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth with a celebration at their Youth Center in Burlington. Vermont Author Alison Bechdel (Fun Home, Dykes To Watch Out For) was on hand to sign books and community members were invited to come and meet the youth, staff and Board that make up the organization.   During the reception, Outright honored the accomplishments of their Youth Volunteer of the Year, James Neiley of Shelburne, the Adult Volunteer of the Year, Peter Harrigan, and the Community Advocate of the Year, Rep. Bill Lippert of Hinesburg.   Among Lippert’s many accomplishments in helping LGBT Vermonters, he was one of the founding members of Outright Vermont 20 years ago.

 

There was great food, wonderful people, and both Bill’s and James’ inspiring and moving acceptance speeches brought tears to the eyes of many in the room.  Happy 20th birthday, Outright Vermont!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Director Christopher Neff

 

 

 

 

 

Holly Rae Taylor, creator of WasteFreeLiving.com, talks with Volunteer of the year, James Neiley. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Director Chris Neff and retiring board member Brian Gilbar

 

 

 

 

Board member Anne Charles

 

 

 

 

The Outright Vermont staff is introduced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board member Susanna Weller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katherine Betzer, Director of Health and Wellness Programs

 

 

Chris Neff and CVU student Tim Williams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susanna Weller says goodbye to retiring board member Brian Gilbar

 

 

Susanna Weller says goodbye to retiring board member Connor McFadden

 

 

CVU High School student James Neiley accepts his award for Youth Volunteer of the Year from Youth Coordinator Whitney Smith.

 

 

 

 

 

Youth Coordinator Whitney Smith and Ella Kaplan, education and outreach director

 

 

Rep. Bill Lippert accepts his award from Outright Vermont Wednesday evening for Community Advocate of the Year.  Among Lippert’s many accomplishments in helping LGBT Vermonters, he helped start Outright Vermont 20 years ago.

 

 

 

CVU High School student James Neiley talks about the importance of Outright Vermont to his life.

 

 

 

 

Vermont author Alison Bechdel (Fun Home and Dykes To Watch Out For) was on hand to sign copies of her books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Here’s to another 20 great years!

 

A heartbreaking loss for the CVU men’s basketball team this week. It was actually a 2-point game with a minute left on the clock, but the win just wasn’t meant to be. Here are some highlights, though, from a great game: