Building queer community can be incredibly hard, when you’re facing forces like bigotry or intolerance. It can also be hard when you live in a place like Vermont, where there just aren’t a whole ton of people.

Last week, our team went to The Barre Social Club to record a live panel discussion with Barre-area LGBTQ business owners and organizers who are trying to strengthen ties in Barre’s queer community and support vulnerable people there.

Our guests were; Liv Dunton of Fox Market and Bar in East Montpelier and Foxy’s in Barre. Maddie Cobb is a co-owner of Slowpoke Exchange, a buy-sell-trade shop for vintage and modern clothing in Barre. Heather Ely is the executive director of the Rainbow Bridge Community Center in Barre - a nonprofit that provides support for vulnerable communities and a gathering space for connection. And Lee Baker is a potter and a co-organizer of Vermont Queer Craft.

They also shared their thoughts on making Central Vermont home, the recent Supreme Court decision upholding a Tennessee ban on gender affirming care, and about Pride Month – where Barre just hosted its fifth annual pride parade.

Broadcast on Monday, June 23, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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