Geeklog Site

Commission Releases Same-Sex Marriage Report

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:11:30 -0400

Montpelier, Vermont - April 21, 2008

After eight months of public hearings and legal forums, a special commission released its report on same-sex marriage. The commission did not make a recommendation about whether Vermont should legalize gay marriage, but it did conclude there is a significant difference between marriage and civil unions.

The commission heard from literally hundreds of people during eight public hearings, and one legal forum. It took all those opinions and basically boiled them down into nine findings and three recommendations.

In it's final report to the legislature, the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection finds that there is a significant difference between the rights and responsibilities granted to same-sex couples through civil unions, and heterosexual couples through civil marriage.

"The commission recommends that Vermont take seriously the difference between civil marriage and civil union," said chair of the Vt. Commission on Family Recognition & Protection, Tom Little.

While it stopped short of making a recommendation about whether the state should proceed with granting same-sex marriages, the commission does suggest there is a legal basis for it.

"Providing statutory access to marriage would be a clearer and more direct statement of full equality by the state a statement of full inclusion of its gay and lesbian residents," said Little.

Overall, the commission found that Vermonters with civil unions feel they are not being granted the full rights promised in Act 91-- the act that established civil unions.

Supporters of same-sex marriage say that is reason for the state to act on this report and move forward with gay marriage during next year's legislative session.

"What they did do, is they systematically recounted what they heard and I don't think you can systematically review the evidence and not conclude that there is no good reason to keep gay and lesbian Vermonters separate and legally inferior to our heterosexual counterparts," said Beth Robinson of the Vt. Freedom to Marry Task Force.

And while the commission found an overwhelming majority of those who testified at the public hearings support gay marriage, opponents say that is only because they boycotted the meetings.

"We're coming out with our own report, the Vermont Marriage Advisory Council, and it will be based on international and national experts and 20 years worth of research on this issue," said Stephen Cable of Vt. Renewal, Inc.

This report is now in the hands of lawmakers who must decide how to move forward with its recommendations.

The commission also found there are more questions to be studied, for example; can the state's tax structure be changed through a statute to ease the burden that civil union couples face in preparing and filing returns?

Click here to read the entire report of the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection for yourself.

Bianca Slota - WCAX News

GMLC Launches New Site

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:01:00 -0500

Green Mountain Leather Club launched their new web site on Tuesday, November 27, 2007. The purpose of the new site is to provide a place to communicate with the community in an area other than the GMLC member site. The new site will contain news and community events for the entire community, not just GMLC members. Watch for the new Community Calendar... coming soon!

Uniform Party

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:11:25 -0500

Hello Everyone, Just an update on what we accomplished at the Uniform Party. The Uniform Party was about 150 +/- people. In that amount of people we were able to bring 3 storage bins full of food for VT Cares. We also had our raffle which after all expenses were taken out we are going to give a small donation to VT Cares. I just want to say thank you to all the GMLC members whom came out and supported our group. I also want to say thanks for all the donations we recieved from various people: Sirius Satellite t's, sweatshirts, game and other items from Larry Flick and the gang from Sirius Out Q in the morning. Brian Kent for the autographed cd. John and Dave from the Vermont film festival with the Bear Film Festival DVD. And Karen from Blockbuster for the 5-$5.00 gift cards. Last but not least to our own leather brother/friend Skip Potter for the Sirius radio and subscription. With so many events that happened over the week of Halloween we should all be pleased with our turnout. I did get word from Kevin, owner of Higher Ground, that our event was bigger this time than 1st Friday. That in it self is a big kudos. Lets keep the momentum going and I will see everyone at our next meeting sunday after Thanksgiving. In Leather Brotherhood Furby

Bear or Barony?

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:24:00 -0400

When GMLC was asked to be part of both clubs' big events we had to make a choice, be part of the Bear Film Festival or be part of The Barony's annual dinner making a notable appearance. So what did we do? Well just picture 7 GMLC members at the Bear Film Festival in our harnesses and jocks. And picture 3 GMLC members at the Barony dressed in robes. That's right, we made both events. Thanks to Mikhael, Dan, Leonard, Furby, Ron, Tim, and Brian the Bears ate well and we worked them into hibernation. Or at least to the woodshed, where many bears came out with big smiles. We met a couple of new Friends of GMLC...TIGER..... Dan and Furby gave out the party beads and each bead's color was a hanky code... imagine the fun. We would like to thank Dave and John for a wonderful weekend. "Dave what a cutie". And "John what a sweetie". We look forward to the Film Festival next year. A very special thanks to Sylvia, Kim and John C. for the wonderful representation in showing the Barony what GMLC is about. Sounds like it was a lot of fun. Thanks to the Barony of All Vermont. "Kris and Malisa" thanks for the great opportunity and we look forward to working with you. To all members, and non members alike if you have any functions that you would like to see happen please contact me. I look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting. And don't run too fast as Mates weekend in Provincetown is coming at the end of September. We are still looking for more members to travel with us.. In Leather Brotherhood Furby

Wall of Awareness Project

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:39:43 -0400

R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center Launches

Wall of Awareness Project

October 1, 2006 – R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center launches the Wall of Awareness Project with hopes of raising awareness about discrimination, homophobia and acts of violence among Vermont’s LGBTQ community. This project will be open for discussion and feedback at R.U.1.2?’s Fall open house October 10th from 5 – 8 pm (34 Elmwood Avenue).

Each year Vermont’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community faces issues of discrimination, homophobia and acts of violence. Many of these incidents go unnoticed by the general population. We here at R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center hope to bring public awareness to these acts. For one year, October 1, 2006 though October 1, 2007, our lobby will be open for victims to make anonymous statements about their experience and then post them on the Center’s walls. We ask that community members make a statement to make a difference.

The statement can be artwork or a word or sentence on a piece of paper. The Wall of Awareness Project, developed for the Safe Space Program at R.U.1.2?, will be a voice for the LGBTQ community to make a statement regarding discrimination, homophobia and acts of violence.

SafeSpace provided ongoing support, advocacy, information and referrals to 67 survivors of partner abuse, sexual violence and bias crimes during Fiscal Year 2006 (7/1/2005-6/30/2006). This represents a 3% increase over the number of survivors we worked with last year.

In October 2007, we will look back and examine what LGBTQ discrimination, violence and homophobia looked like in our state and explore what that means to the quality of life in Vermont.

For more information call the number listed above or email shawn@ru12.org

Shawn Lipenski
Health & Wellness Program Director
R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center
802.860.7812
www.ru12.org

Camp Oneida

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 19:43:29 -0400

Green Mountain Leather Club had 6 Members attend the Leather Weekend at Camp Oneida. It turned out to be a great weekend (rain excluded) with many friends and family made. Green Mountain Leather sponsored the Afternoon barbeque with the help of Dan Hein from STARS MC and A.B.A.G.O.L "Albany Boys and Girls of Leather." We served over 200 burgers and dogs and celebrated Sal Perrone's birthday former Mr. Empire State Leather 2003. Thanks goes out to Leonard, Ron, Fi-Ho aka Dave (ask us about this nickname), and Furby and Dan for working our butts off and keeping the crowds under control. Also many thanks to Dan Hein for the punch ingredients and Boi Shannon and Girl Tiffany Jean for the chips, and cake. Mikhael Yowe our title holder was a judge for the Mr. Oneida contest. Camp Oneida was honored to have Mikhael as a judge. We are all looking forward to Camping trips next year and also for the trip to P-Town at the end of September. Green Mountain Leather would also like to congratulate Chris and Christopher who were married over the same weekend. Best of luck to you both and we all are proud of your marriage.

Anti-discrimination bill in Montpelier

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 06:40:00 -0400

The Governor Vetoed the bill after meating with the religious Right wingers. He would not meet with any of us. He said that it was too broad and was concerned. Maybe if he would have discussed it with us we could have come to and understanding of terms. He said that the HRC told him to veto it. They beg to differ and are kinda pissed about that one. They did raise concerns after talking with the religious right wingers. The right wingers have dubbed this bill the transvestite bill. Bottom line....more political bull shit to keep fringe people in their place. Below everyone else. Please remember this when you go to vote next time.

Anti-discrimination bill in Montpelier

Mon, 15 May 2006 08:59:07 -0400

The Senate passed the bill through the Senate last Wednesday. It went back through the house on Friday and is now sitting on the Governor's desk. He is making noise about VETOing it because of some technical questions that he has. PLEASE call him @ 800-649-6825 and tell him that we need protection for everyone in Vermont to be protected. He will be making his decision today or tomorrow. Thanks Mikhael

OITM Article About Mr. ESL 2006, Mikhael Yowe

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 18:29:21 -0400

Hello all, Here's the article I wrote for Out In The Mountains, that will be published in the May 2006 issue about Mikhael Yowe's recent victory at Empire State Leather: On April 1st, 2006, Williamstown, Vermont resident Mikhael Yowe was crowned Mr. Empire State Leather at a competition at Club Phoenix in Albany New York. The contest, hosted by the Stars MC (or Motorcycle Club), is described as being like the coming out parties or graduation ceremonies held by the non-leather world. The contest is a step on the way to more leather contests and titles and is a test of the contestants� character and spirit. Twice in the last three years, the title of Mr. Empire State Leather has been held by a Vermonter. Bill �Furby� Cross won in 2004 and Mikhael thinks that we keep winning because �we come from the heart, and we�re just us.� He feels he didn�t just give them what he thought they wanted to see, he says, �I was just me. We just do it, no hype, no crap; [We] just go out and do it.� I was able to speak with Mikhael recently about his title. OITM: What does leather mean to you? Leather is about getting in touch with my masculinity. It�s the feel of it, the weight on my shoulders and the clink of the metal on the harnesses. It�s like mad Max and the terminator all rolled into one, without the violence. OITM: How much leather gear do you own? Not enough. You can never have enough leather. I have found a little leather shop in Barre and they will be seeing a lot of me. OITM: Can you describe yourself - in and out of leather? Out of leather I�m just one of the guys, maybe a little on the redneck side, but I like that look on me, and it feels right. In leather, I�m a super male. I feel like a super hero fixing to go out and save the day. I�m more serious in leather and I'm sexier. I don�t laugh and joke in leather like I do when I�m dressed in jeans and flannel. OITM: What happens at Empire State Leather? The competition begins Friday night where the contestants have to go out and meet and greet everyone in the bar. This can be a little daunting if you�re kinda shy, but I don�t seem to have that problem. Saturday around noon, the judges interview the contestants. You have to know things like who the last title-holders were from the major competitions and you better know the leather protocols. Some of the questions are funny and some are serious. Saturday night is when you present yourself to the crowd. There is formal wear and a speech followed by your sexiest self. Then you play out a fantasy on stage for entertainment. OITM: Why do you feel you won? Truthfully, I thought that I had gotten third place. They brought out this smaller trophy - the ESL Brotherhood Award - and the MC said it was like the Ms. Congeniality award. I was happy and excited for the other two guys, until they named me as Mr. Empire State Leather for 2006. I was absolutely speechless - which was a first for me. OITM: What other competitions will you be going on to and how are you preparing? I will be going to the American Brotherhood Weekend in April to watch the competition and support the 2005 Empire State Leather Boi. Learning the ropes at the bigger competitions is always a good thing. I will certainly be getting my leather and my brain in order for next year. It goes with my title. They won�t force me to compete but it is expected. OITM: What�s your goal as Mr. Empire State Leather? I want to bring all the factions together: leatherbears, leathermen, straight leather and the young trans men and women. There is no difference between any of us except what we create amongst ourselves. Up here we are scattered and isolated from the bigger cities and each other. We need to support each other. OITM: You�re a charter member of The Green Mountain Leather Club, how do you see your title helping the mission of the new organization? The Green Mountain Leather Club is an all inclusive group. If you�re into leather then you will fit in with us. We want people to understand that there is more to leather than BDSM. To us it�s about having a support network and a place to hang out with friends. We also want people to see that we are people from every walk of life. Leather seems scary to some people so we want to demystify it. I have to get the title out there. It has to be seen and I�m going to make sure that it is. OITM: You also identify as a bear and as transgender, how do those identities work with your leather identity? It is hard enough finding your identity in this society. For a long time, I identified as a lesbian. I was into leather but back then it wasn�t very popular in the lesbian scene. Once I took the plunge into transitioning, my leather went on the back burner. My need to reconnect with the leather scene came back full force, once I understood more about myself and being transgender. I�m a bear: big, hairy and laid back. I think it�s more of an attitude though. Being transgender has been a lifelong journey for me. I�ve driven trucks for most of my adult life, but finding myself as a bear and a leatherman is a recent thing. In searching for my place in the masculine world I have found three of the most masculine realities out there. For me, they fit like a glove. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can learn more about The Green Mountain Leather Club at www.greenmountainleather.com and you can contact Mikhael Yowe at mresl2006@greenmountainleather.com (article submitted by: leatherVT)

Mr ESL

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 07:07:55 -0400

I would like to thank everyone for making it possible to bring the MR. ESL title back to Vermont. I could not have done it without the help and support of each and every one of you. Thanks again. Mikhael