On the legislative side, the State of Vermont has granted civil unions to gays and lesbians, allowing us to share in many of the same privileges of those who are allowed to marry. OutReach has had a year of amazing growth. Our information and referral, library, and support group services touch thousands of lives each year, while our Speakers Bureau goes out to high school and college classrooms throughout the area. We currently are at a record level of over 200 volunteers, and our donor support nearly doubled in 1999, and should again be a record in 2000. We have greatly increased our efforts to serve the many facets of our community, as OutReach work groups now focus on people of color, youth, elders, advocacy, visibility, and social issues.
Surveys show that the more LGBT people a person knows, the more likely they are to be supportive.
There are so many opportunities to make a difference. Make a commitment to helping build a lasting community. Our community has come a long way in gaining the support of businesses and professionals. Increasingly, LGBT and non-LGBT business owners and professionals willingly advertise with us. Give a LGBT-friendly business or professional the first opportunity to serve you.