Green Mountain State Update
Turning hate into love
Just after midnight on April 26, a person was caught on video throwing rocks through the front door of the Pride Center of Vermont’s community center before running away.
It was not the first time the center has been vandalized or otherwise intimidated over the years. Most recently, this attack, notes a Center press release, “comes on the heels of an escalated climate of anti-trans violence including the murder of a beloved community member, Fern Feather.”
Gay and straight, neighbors came out in support of the Pride Center.
“We’re grateful for and strengthened by the solidarity of our neighborhood, who informed us right away of the incident, showed up to help sweep broken glass, dropped off flowers, and offered their support. We know from experience that strong and resilient communities support each other’s safety, and we will continue to cultivate safety and resist violence with our neighbors and communities deep into the future.”
More acts of love
Roughly a month later, the Pride Center of Vermont stated in a follow-up press release:
“Sometimes, beautiful things can grow out of acts of hate. In the wake of this attack, we are so grateful for and strengthened by the solidarity of our neighborhood, community partners, and supporters across the country who showed up to help sweep broken glass, dropped off flowers, sent care packages, postcards, letters, and art, and offered their support in a myriad of ways. We are also deeply thankful for the outpouring of comments, emails, and messages of love and care, and the donations received which will help us to replace the door and continue providing services, support, and community space.”
New LGBTQ center in Barre
Organizers and community members of the new Rainbow Bridge Community Center, located at 81 North Main St. in Barre, held their Grand Opening in June.
Their mission: “To work with youth, adults. families and LGBTQ+ communities—creating awareness, education, community involvement and assistance; welcoming those who embrace and help shine all the colors in the rainbow.”
“It’s for anybody who is willing to accept all the different colors of the rainbow,” the Center’s founder Gregg Forbis told SevenDaysVT.com.
More: rainbowbridgevt.org
No bail for murder suspect
The man arrested for killing a Hinesburg, Vermont transgender woman has been charged with second degree murder and is being held without bail. Fern Feather, the 29-year-old victim, was found on the roadside stabbed to death in Morristown, Vermont, on April 12. The suspect had pleaded not guilty.
Reports VT Digger, the suspect, Seth Brunell, is being held in the Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury. His attorney, David Sleigh, asked a judge to release Brunell into the custody of a friend.
“The defendant is a violent person,” Lamoille County deputy state attorney countered, noting a prior assault conviction. “His record shows that. He has a history of transience. He has a history of mental instability. And your honor, the charge here is homicide.”
The judge agreed with the deputy state attorney.
In May 2021, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law a bill to ban “gay or trans panic” as a legal defense for committing a violent against an LGBTQ person.
Student walkout
On March 11, Vermont students joined thousands of peers across the nation in a historically large LGBTQ+ youth led walkout. According to OutrightVT, the students were “protesting the recent wave of anti-LGBTQ+ actions that queer youth advocates say will further endanger a population already at elevated risk of bullying, violence and suicide.
“All students [were] strongly encouraged to participate, and adult supporters to stand in solidarity with youth. Outright Youth Organizers—a cohort of Vermont teens working with Outright Vermont to lead social justice initiatives in their communities—rapidly [mobilized] to support Vermont students’ participation in this national action.”
“By standing with youth in solidarity across the nation, adults can communicate clearly that they do not stand for hate, fear and misinformation about LGBTQ+ identities and realities,” says Outright Director of Organizing V Pearson.
Health care equality
The Human Rights Campaign has released their 15th annual Healthcare Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of policies and practices around inclusive and equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
In Vermont, HRC lauded Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend and VA White River Junction Medical Center as “Top Performers.” They also recognized University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for working with HRC as a survey participant and developing foundational policies of LGBTQ+ inclusion and equitability.
More: hrc.org
