Green Mountain State Update
International politician of the year
Vermont State Representative Taylor Small received a 2022 International Politician of the Year Award from One Young World, the global forum for young leaders, at their annual summit in Manchester, England on Sept. 8.
Rep. Small was recognized for garnering unanimous support to pass legislation banning the LGBTQ+ panic defense in Vermont. Signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott in May 2021, the bill prevents a defendant in trial or sentencing from justifying violence by citing the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of their victim.
The award aims to counter low levels of political engagement and political disengagement among young people worldwide by celebrating and connecting them with young leaders making a difference across the globe. It is presented at an annual summit where some 2,000 young leaders from more than 196 countries discuss global challenges alongside world leaders and generate innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized along these phenomenal change-makers on stage with me,” said Small in her remarks. “As a first-term legislator from the small but mighty state of Vermont, it is almost unbelievable to receive such an important distinction. And yet, I am here.”
Primary history
Vermont’s first openly LGBT State Senate Pro Tempore, Becca Balint, won the state’s Democratic primary to become her party’s candidate for US Congress. If elected, Balint would become Vermont’s first woman and first openly LGBTQ person elected to federal office.
“Tonight is a big step forward for our state. Vermont has chosen a bold, progressive vision for the future, and I will be proud to represent us in Congress,” Balint said in her victory speech. “We can preserve democracy, tackle climate change, bridge inequality, and make the health care system work for all of us. I know that we will.”
Balint had received the support of progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressperson Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Campus Pride leader
The University of Vermont in Burlington is one of three New England colleges and universities Campus Pride has named “Best of the Best Colleges and Universities” for LGBTQ+ students.
“Students, prospective students and their families, along with faculty and staff members, deserve to know whether they will be safe on campus, so they can make the best choices for their own academic success – and by creating inclusive, safe environments these colleges are taking responsibility for all students,” said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride executive director, in a press release.
“At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and other civil rights are under assault in states across the country, including Texas and Florida, it is as important as ever to recognize the campuses in these states working to create spaces where the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders can learn and flourish,” said Tom Elliott, Campus Pride board chair.
More: campusprideindex.org
Biggest Pride ever
Pride Burlington turned out to be the bright rainbow in a rainy day, hosting its largest Pride parade and festival ever since its first march in 1983. More than 5,000 LGBTQIA+ came out , according to Burlington TV station NBC-5. About 95 groups participated in the festival at Waterfront Park.
“It’s fantastic because we outgrew Battery Park, it was too small to accommodate the level of celebration,” Mike Bensel, executive director of the event’s host organization, Pride Center of Vermont, told NBC-5.
“It’s been a difficult year with the murder of a beloved community member; we’ve also experienced vandalism, there’s been a lot of anti-LGBTQ-plus vandalism, hate around the state. It’s so important now more than ever to come out in numbers,” Bensel said.
Said one Pride Burlington-goer, Maddi Weeks, “Pride means being able to be your authentic self, not hiding, just being able to be loud, take up the space that you have in the world.”
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