OCTOBER 2001
5 October 2001Friday
Affirmation's Semiannual Mission Reunion will take place Friday, October 5,
7:00 at Spalding Hall, 231 East 100 South that is part of the Cathedral
The following are my current thoughts on the subject of Affirmation's
involvement with the Soulforce Activity planned at General
Conference. Your thoughts are needed appreciated. Love, Scott Affirmation's
renewed emphasis on proactive education entitled FATE: Family Affirmed Through Education
states as one of it's Nine Articles: "We believe that addressing ignorance
through non-violent confrontation is a positive vehicle for change." In October, Soulforce is coming to
GLBTI (gay, lesbian,bisexual,transgender, and intersex) issues in an effort
to "Stop Spiritual Violence against God's GLBTI children. The activity will likely be a non-violent civil disobedience act....folks may get arrested, be identified in the media etc. For the past little while Duane Jennings of Affirmation has been talking with SoulForce about how we can best help in this effort. Recognizing that participation in this type of event (a proactive peaceful and direct public action of civil disobedience towards the LDS Church) has not been a tradition in Affirmation and that many of our members have not and WILL not wish to participate (which is their total and proper right) as Executive Director, I believe the organizations best response is to support individual members in their participation but not "officially endorse" the activity as, in a sense, a Co-Sponsor.
Affirmation certainly supports the goals of Soulforce which include 1.
Researching and applying the soul force principles of Gandhi and King to the struggle for justice for all people. 2. Introducing soul force principles to people of faith, students and justice activists through lectures, workshops and seminars. 3. Organizing and training volunteer teams who will apply soul force principles to local and regional struggles agains injustice etc. and we are honored to have
the "specific cause of our GLBTI Mormon people"
among their efforts. By choosing not to
"officialy" endorse the activity, this means is that we will not
officially participate "as Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons" or
donate monies from Affirmation's general fund, nor will we allow the name
Affirmation to be used in official newsmedia as a co-sponsor etc. Affirmation
WILL however provide information on our listservs, website, in Affinity, and at
the Long Beach Conference about Soulforce training and encourage and celebrate
with those who do participate. My hubby
Michael and I, as well as several others have indicated a committment to join
SoulForce in their efforts in
Providing Spiritual and Emotional Support: Creating a Safe and Nurturing
Place. I believe that in the pursuit of one (proactive Education) we must consider
the impact our activities may have on the others. In
providing a safe, nurturing and annonymous (if needed) place for the newcomers
and a healing environment for the conflicted I believe Affirmation must
carefully assess it's "official" involvement. For some activities,
like those supported by SoulForce for
personal participation, but remain officially in the background. My thinking about this issue has been a process, not yet complete... Please share your thoughts?
Love, Scott MacKay
Utah Gay Men's Health Summit, Oct 5-7, 2001, Silver Lake Lodge at Deer Valley
Creating a More Healthy Self and a More Healthy Community The first Gay Men's Health Summit in
This summit has been made possible by countless hours of
volunteer support to develop the programs and is a component of the "The
Village," a program of the Utah AIDS Foundation. Accommodations are
available at a reduced rate (starting at $140) at The Chateaux at
Press contacts: Robert A Jones Tyler Fisher
HIV Prevention Specialist Youth HIV Prevention Specialist
801.487.2323 x.12 801.487.2323 x.28
THE FIRST EVER UTAH GAY MEN'S HEALTH SUMMIT October 5-7, 2001
these gatherings was to promote socializing, friendliness and caring among
people who share a commitment to improving the health and wellness of gay
men in the
Our summit will be set in fabulous
Not coincidentally, this is the same weekend as LDS Conference which
traditionally provides a good excuse for gay men to re-connect. The autumn
colors will be hitting about then and will provide a gorgeous backdrop for
our retreat. Our summit will feature various tracks including Spirituality; Party
Culture; Sexual Health, Gay Cyber Health; Medical Update; and Relationships. Due to the relaxed setting of the conference space, the emphasis will be less
lecture and more workshop/discussion related sessions. It is the hope of the collective that gay men from the rural west begin developing a cohesive body that is respectful of diversity within itself and outside itself. We have begun shaking the trees for money and are encouraged at the possibilities. Our next major hurdle will be creating a publicity machine that will attract the "grass roots" gay man to our event. If you are interested in being a part of organizing this event, please contact David Ferguson. We are looking for volunteers at all levels.
Look for more information in the coming months and plan on attending! For
more information, contact David Ferguson, Utah AIDS Foundation.
David Ferguson MSM Outreach Coordinator Utah AIDS Foundation
6 October 2001 Saturday
Workshop about Mormonism at MCC Conference (Saturday, 6 Oct) the Metropolitan Community Church District Conference will be held here in Salt Lake at the WestCoast Salt Lake Hotel, 161 W 600 S in Salt Lake. On Saturday, Oct 6, 10:30am-noon, they will be hosting a workshop entitled "The Mormon Way: Mormonism and Homosexuality". There will be a panel of about 8 people who are gay/lesbian from an LDS background. They will introduce themselves for about 5 minutes telling their involvement with the LDS church, MCC, etc., and then make some comments about their experiences. Much of the time will be spent answering questions from the people attending and making comments within the discussion. There will a couple of other workshops on setting up communications with LDS officials, both by LDS members, as well as by people of other faiths to discussion GLBTI civil rights, religion, spirituality and families. All are welcome to attend these workshops on Saturday that start at 8:45 and includes the 10:30 to noon workshop dealing with LDS issues. Rev. Dr. Mel White, Soulforce Executive Director, will open and close this workshop. His discussion will include a brief presentation of Soulforce principles and the suffering that gays and lesbians experience across the country.
Anti-Gay Protests Run Into Backlash Support groups combat
them with fund raisers BY KIRSTEN STEWART and FRANK CURRERI THE
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Several charitable
organizations, including gay and lesbian support groups, are reaping rewards
from anti-gay demonstrations happening this week in the Salt Lake valley.
The protests are being staged by Rev. Fred Phelps, pastor of the
"What else do you do with lemons, but make lemonade?"
said Jessica Hatch, interim rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in
After hearing of Phelps' arrival, Hatch invited parishioners to
donate money to the Utah AIDS Foundation or the Matthew Shepard scholarship
administered by
"It's a way of staging a counterprotest quietly and
effectively," said Hatch.
Becky Moss, producer of "Concerning Gays and Lesbians,"
a radio show on KRCL- FM, also started a fund drive. As of Friday, Moss had
raised $800.
She is asking donors to pledge money for every minute Phelps
protests or every time he uses a derogatory word, such as "fag" or
"dike." Moss suggests donors make pledges to groups such as the Gay
and Lesbian Community Center of Utah or the
According to a flier Phelps faxed last week to news organizations,
his visit to
Referring to the Sept. 11 attacks, the flier states that "the
rod of God hath smitten"
Phelps' anti-gay demonstrators, up to 20 strong, waged their first
protest Friday on a stretch of public sidewalk near 1200 East and 300 South in peaceful
fashion, said
Police officers were on hand to ensure the display remained
orderly, Louis said, but never intervened except to remind protestors to stay
out of the roadway.
Picketers also plan to appear this weekend at churches they
believe to be sympathetic to gays and lesbians, such as The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, All Saints Episcopal, Our Savior's Lutheran and
United Church of Christ.
7 October 2001Sunday
Sunday October 7, at 5:00 will be the traditional "After Conference Sunday
Fireside" and will be held at the
600 East. The featured guest speaker is Salt Lake Tribune humor columnist Robert Kirby's whose weekly religion article is syndicated in newspapers across the country exposing the humor, humanity and spiritual struggles of Mormons and other people of faith. He also has two additional columns of a more secular
manner in the Tuesday and Thursday editions of the Tribune. Robert Kirby was
raised in a military family. After serving an LDS mission to
Mr. Kirby has been writing for the Tribune since 1994. He has three daughters
and one (only) wife. He lives with his long-suffering family in Springville,
where his neighbors no longer speak to him. These two events promise to be highlights of this year's Affirmation activities along the Wasatch Front
12 October 2001 Friday
Worthy Cause: Centerpeace, the annual fund-raiser for the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah, will feature three stages of entertainment this year, with performances by the likes of Lisa Marie & The Codependents and Gearl Jam, and many others, and emceed by the always-entertaining Babs Delay. Aside from hours of music and dancing, there will be a cash bar, silent auction and special-guest appearances by Mayor Rocky Anderson, state Rep. Jackie Biskupski, artist Trevor Southey and TV newsman Chris Vanocur. Tickets are $25; $15 for kids, to benefit the Center's ongoing programs and new youth center. Centerpeace is Saturday, 6:30 p.m. to midnight, at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah, 361 N. 300 West.
17 October 2001 Wednesday
I took off right after school to head to California to see Mom and Dad over DEA break. I spent the night in Cedar City.
18 October 2001 Thursday
I arrived in Palmdale about 3 and Mom and Dad took me out to dinner. I saw a lot of small American flags on cars and everywhere. People say “be safe” anymore instead of goodbye
21 October 2001 Sunday
I left out early this morning and drove straight through back to Salt Lake City for school tomorrow. It was a good visit and Charline and Dennis came up yesterday
22 October 2001 Monday
Adoption Dispute-Lesbian Parents Debate Ruzicka On National
TV BY GREG BURTON THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Gayle Ruzicka is the mother of a dozen and
grandmother of 18 who likes to do needlepoint in the gallery of Utah's House of
Representatives while reigning as self-appointed overseer of the state's moral
climate.
Cristy Gleave and Roni Wilcox are the lesbian parents of a
2-year-old son, Yeager. In their spare time, they have spearheaded the fight
over a
Will they "Talk or Walk"?
They do mostly the former on a new nationally syndicated talk show
set to air in Utah on Thursday at 9 a.m. on KJZZ-TV and across America on
Chicago WGN Superstation.
Pitched to the world as "Lesbian couple challenges
homophobes," Gleave, Wilcox and Ruzicka go nose to nose on homosexuality
and the fitness of gay couples to adopt and raise children in a show taped in
September. The sparring is predictable, but the ending -- when the
audience votes on whether the combatants should talk further or walk away
forever -- is surprising.
A hint: A
Not quite two years ago, Eagle Forum state President Ruzicka led
her followers to Capitol Hill to successfully lobby for a law denying
unmarried, sexually involved couples the right to adopt. Gays contend the law
is aimed straight at them.
Wilcox conceived Yeager after she and Gleave chose to become
parents. Gleave was in the process of legally adopting Yeager while Ruzicka was
helping pass the law that would prevent such adoptions from ever happening
again in
"I saw their little boy," Ruzicka says about her brief
encounter with Gleave and Wilcox in
"It's their choice if they choose to live an immoral, illegal
lifestyle. . . . I don't go down to the local
Reminded that it was she, not Gleave and Wilcox, who went about
changing existing adoption law, Ruzicka argues that the authors of the original
law never intended gays to be parents.
If Gleave and Wilcox choose to become parents a second time,
When producers at "Talk or Walk" approached Gleave and
Wilcox for a show based on their story, the
"Gayle was actually perfect," Gleave says. "The
more she spews her ugliness, the more normal people tend to empathize with me.
. . . I just want her to stop. Stop spreading her message of hate. If she feels
that way, fine, but shut up about it."
27 October 2001 Saturday
The Utah AIDS Foundation is bringing "Gay Bingo"
to town, in conjunction with Gay Comedy Jam, featuring the fabulous, the sassy
and most of all the gut-wrenching comedy of Mark Davis. Enjoy a fabulous
evening of enchanting encounters and wanton comedy. Bingo prizes include tickets to the 2002
Winter Olympic Games, plus TONS of other exciting prizes! Gay Bingo will feature
8 games of bingo followed by the comedy act of Mark Davis. Visit
NOVEMBER 2001
2 November 2001 Friday
Please share the
information below about Judy Shepard's visit to
3 November 2001 Saturday
Mother Pleads for End to Hatred -She tells WSU conference
her gay son was slain out of ignorance BY LISA ROSKELLEY SPECIAL TO
THE TRIBUNE
OGDEN -- Without the kind of hate that killed her son, Judy Shepard
said, the world would be "safer, happier and oh, so much more
productive."
Matthew Shepard, a gay
On Friday, his mother visited
"Hate comes from fear and ignorance," Shepard told about
800 people in her keynote speech at the university's diversity conference.
Hate crimes will only end, she said, if people "get over the
ignorance," and "understand that God loves everyone." She also
emphasized education on civil rights, liberty and respect.
At times fighting tears as she spoke, Shepard told the group one
person can make a difference.
"Find something that interests you and be part of the
system," she said. "Do something. Do something to help your fellow
man."
Hate-crime legislation, she said, should be proactive instead of
reactive, and more inclusive of sexual orientation.
People concentrate on their differences more than their
similarities, she said, and should move past such thinking.
"All our hopes for Matthew were killed for $20 and some
twisted reason we will never understand," she said.
WSU last year awarded a full-tuition scholarship in Matthew
Shepard's name to senior Emilie Turner. Two other students received
partial-tuition scholarships.
An independent committee of university and community members
raised funding for the award.
5 November 2001 Monday
Gay Vote Utah's Goal Is Political Clout -Gay Vote Utah Seeks
Voice in Utah Politics BY GREG BURTON THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE In the
first effort of its kind in Utah, gay and lesbian residents are registering to
vote through a concerted campaign they intend to make a permanent fixture on
the state's political landscape. GayVoteUtah began a month ago over the
Internet, but will expand through marketing and direct mailings, fliers and, as
campaign workers put it, face-to-face "evangelizing." While the
campaign's launch coincides with state municipal elections on Tuesday, it is
geared toward statewide elections in 2002 and beyond. Organizers are focusing
on voter registration and issue-oriented networking within
6 November 2001 Tuesday
Washington Blade Campaign seeks to register gay Utah voters
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A campaign has been launched to get gay Utah residents
to register and vote. GayVoteUtah began a month ago over the Internet, and
organizers plan direct mailing, fliers and face-to-face
"evangelizing." With the campaign's launch coinciding with the
state's municipal elections on Tuesday, November 6, it is geared toward
statewide elections beginning next year. "We're trying to be as objective
as possible and as nonpartisan as possible," said GayVoteUtah creator
David Nelson, co-founder of
Standard-Examiner Campaign seeks to register gay and lesbian
Utah votersThe Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY -- A campaign has been launched
to get gay and lesbian Utah residents to register and vote.GayVoteUtah began a
month ago over the Internet, and organizers plan direct mailings, fliers and
face-to-face "evangelizing. "While the campaign's launch coincides
with state municipal elections today, it is geared toward statewide elections
beginning next year. "We're trying to be as objective as possible and as
nonpartisan as possible," says GayVoteUtah creator David Nelson,
co-founder of
The Daily Herald Campaign seeks to register gay voters The Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A campaign has been launched to get gay and lesbian Utah residents to register and vote. GayVoteUtah began a month ago over the Internet, and organizers plan direct mailings, fliers and face-to-face "evangelizing.” While the campaign's launch coincides with state municipal elections today, it is geared toward statewide elections beginning next year.
9 November 2001 Friday
'98 Gay Bias Vote May Have Hurt SLC Councilman-Council
May Show Slight Balance Shift BY REBECCA WALSH THE SALT LAKE
TRIBUNE Salt Lake City Councilman Roger
Thompson dreaded facing voters a second time. Nearly four years ago, a green Thompson cast
the deciding vote against a new ordinance meant to protect gay city employees
from discrimination. Many of his neighbors felt betrayed by their new
councilman. And a few vowed to kick him out of office. Thompson now wonders if
that controversial vote in January 1998 contributed to his loss this week to
Jill Remington Love. "It's always been in the back of my mind,"
Thompson said after Love collected nearly 60 percent of the District 5 vote.
"Incumbency for me was not necessarily an asset. It seemed more a
liability. We made some tough decisions in the last four years."
A moderate conservative, Thompson often was the swing vote on
controversial council decisions. Members of that City Council decided to repeal
the anti-discrimination ordinance their predecessors had approved just a month
before. They also voted to sell one block of
Thompson's ouster may shift the balance on the nonpartisan Salt
Lake City Council, but only slightly.
Love, 39, a longtime Democrat who worked for former Mayors Ted
Wilson and Palmer DePaulis, will be the second woman on the council, joining
Councilwoman Nancy Saxton. Eric Jergensen, a 42-year-old businessman and
Capitol Hill resident, will replace retiring Councilman Tom Rogan, a devoted
liberal. And Dale Lambert, a 55-year-old attorney and former State Democratic
Party chairman, will take over for Councilman Keith Christensen.
Unity
Thompson first ran for city office four years ago, touting his
vote while a Salt Lake City School Board member to allow the Gay-Straight
Alliance to meet at
"People are definitely holding on to that," Unity Utah
Director Michael Mitchell said. "[Roger Thompson] was seen as the point
person on that issue. And he's bearing the brunt of his vote."
The PAC sent a questionnaire to the candidates, asking them if
they would reintroduce the anti-discrimination ordinance. Remington pledged to
do so; Thompson declined.
Currently, city law -- adopted nearly a year after the
anti-discrimination ordinance was repealed -- requires city
managers to base their hiring and firing decisions on "job-related
criteria." And Mayor Rocky Anderson signed an executive order last year
that adds "sexual orientation" to the list of classes protected from
discrimination in city administration policies.
"I will do it at the right time," Love said. "It's
not going to be the first thing on my agenda. The economy's the biggest thing
facing the city. The Olympics and the budget are right in front of us. And we
have serious problems on
Love received Unity
Mitchell, Love and even Thompson do not attribute his defeat
entirely to that vote four years ago. Love figures Thompson's decision was more
symbolic of his ideological distance from his liberal district. And Thompson
gives Love credit for hard work and a resonating message.
With Tuesday's results, two more liberals will sit on the council.
And Councilman Carlton Christensen, just elected to his second term, will be
the senior member.
The Salt Lake City Council forms the legislative arm of city
government, a balance to Mayor Rocky Anderson's executive branch. Council
members generally set city policy and hold the purse strings. But the activist
mayor has forced a sometimes-reluctant council to address issues ranging from
after-school programs to curfews for dance halls.
Still, Keith Christensen does not expect much to change.
"This will not hurt the relationship with Rocky," he
said. "But I don't think this council will form voting blocs. You'll
continue to see a divergence of opinions from time to time on different issues.
And there will be some fresh looks at issues. That's a healthy thing. I don't
expect a major swing."
11 November 2001 Sunday
Cho on Show: "I'm the One That I Want," the film
version of comic Margaret Cho's funny and revealing one-woman show, will be
screened today at 4:45 and 7 at Brewvies, 667 S. 200 West in
Admission to the show, first of a monthly film series organized by
the gay/lesbian political action committee Unity
Cho's monologue chronicles her Korean-American upbringing, her
rise in stand-up comedy, her short-lived ABC series "All-American
Girl" and the network's pressure for her to lose weight, and the emotional
spiral -- augmented by alcohol, booze and promiscuity
-- after the show was cancelled.
Unity
13 November 2001 Tuesday
Join us for GAY SPIRIT! Tuesday, November 13. A
discussion of spirituality, religion and being gay. Are you a spiritual person,
attend religious services, or just find the role of spirituality in gay lives
intriguing? Do you feel you are spiritual without attending any specific
spiritual or religious groups? Then join us at the
build up existing gay community organizations through supporting their events
and activities and The Village hosts a few events, discussions and workshops of
its own, with the goal of helping gay people feel more connected to the gay
community as a whole. GAY SPIRIT! Tuesday, November 13 Jubilee Center
309 E. 100 South
14 November 2001 Wednesday
Supreme Court Backs Deadline for Lawsuits in Identity Theft
BY ANNE GEARAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- Among other action, the court: Refused to
consider a new trial for a Utah killer who claimed he got directions from God
and homosexual spirits. Ronald Lafferty's lawyers claim he was not mentally fit
for trial.
18 November 2001 Sunday
In 'Mormon Boy,' A Fond Farewell To the Faith-'Mormon Boy':
Fond Farewell To the Faith BY BRANDON GRIGGS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Steven Fales could have been a poster boy for
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The sixth-generation Mormon
became an Eagle Scout, completed an LDS mission in
But Fales was living a lie. Attracted to men since adolescence, he
tried to suppress his homosexual urges through extensive LDS Church-sponsored
therapy. Six years of marriage and two children later, he gave up.
"I did everything in my power [to live a straight
lifestyle]," says the 31-year-old actor. "I white-knuckled it, and I
slowly stopped smiling. And I don't believe people can smile unless they're
being authentic."
Now divorced and living openly as a gay man in New York City,
Fales returns to Utah this week with "Confessions of a Mormon Boy," a
one-man play inspired by his former life. Fales wrote, directed, produced and
stars in the 90-minute show, which opens Friday at the Rose Wagner Performing
Arts Center in
In a telephone interview from
"This show is done with a lot of warmth and humor," says
Fales, an experienced stage performer with more than two dozen productions on
his resume, including roles at Pioneer Theatre Company, Sundance Theatre and
the Utah Shakespearean Festival. "It was very important to tell it in a
humorous way. The last thing people want to see onstage is a victim."
Considering the
"I see this piece as a Valentine to Mormonism and my
kids," he says. "That's the irony. You're going to expect this guy to
get onstage and be bitter. But that's not me. I think fondly of some wonderful
people in the church."
Closeted Mormon men cloaked in the respectability of marriage are
not uncommon in
Contacted at her home in
"We need to be more aware of the realities," says
Pearson, who, like her daughter, knew of her husband's same-sex attractions
before they married but believed he could overcome them. "Because every
day there are marriages being contracted in the
Fales remains on good terms with his former wife and their
children, ages 6 and 4, who live in
Assuming the show succeeds here, Fales hopes to stage it next year
in
"It's not just for gay men and women," he says."I
think everyone can relate to this story." Bye, Now
At Rose Wagner
Steven Fales' "Confessions of a Mormon Boy" opens with a preview
Friday at 8 p.m. at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South in
Salt Lake City. Performances continue Saturday at 8 p.m., Nov. 25 at 3 p.m.,
Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15; $10 for
students, and are available through ArtTix (355-ARTS). Steven Fales takes on
Evergreen and excommunication in Confessions of a Mormon Boy. Steven Fales
remembers the first time he walked into a meeting of Evergreen International,
the organization dedicated to helping LDS men and women overcome same-sex
attraction. A devout Mormon, he had already spent years trying various
therapies to suppress his sexual feelings for men, desperately hoping to save
his marriage and "turn straight." By the time he came to Evergreen he
was ready to be their poster child-the happily reformed ex-homosexual. Then he
saw the other people at the meeting. "I'd never seen more rainbow earrings
and tight pants in my life," Fales recalls from his home in
Mormon boy-Eagle Scout, missionary in
father. He also knew from an early age that he had no sexual interest in
girls whatsoever. "My first make-out session was at 17 with this real hottie girl," Fales says. "I was every father's dream, because I was not in the slightest
interested in getting down her pants." He was plenty interested in theater, however, having performed since childhood, including Christmas shows at Caesar's Palace. Fales left home for the theater program at the Boston Conservatory, despite warnings from the director of the musical theater program at BYU that "there's a lot of homosexuality in the Boston Conservatory." But even when he was in the middle of that community, Fales kept up the straight, happy Mormon front. "I dated the Liza Minnelli of the freshman class," he notes. "I'd leave my brownstone dorm room on a Sunday morning, step over the bodies in the lobby from the party the night before and go to the local ward. I even baptized my girlfriend." Ironically, it was only once he was a member of the Young Ambassadors at BYU-after transferring from Boston Conservatory after his freshman year and his LDS mission-that he had his first homosexual experience.
So, like any Mormon boy trying to be good, he tried to get rid of his homosexual attractions. He tried programs by the score-hypnotherapy, phone therapy, evangelical Christian men's support groups, "weekend warrior" groups to heighten masculinity and, yes, even Evergreen. And those feelings didn't go away. Along the way he met and married Emily Pearson, and added yet another layer of irony to his journey. Emily's mother is Carol Lynn Pearson, the popular
Mormon author and poet whose 1986 memoir Goodbye, I Love You
chronicled her life with Emily's father, who also was gay. "We decided we
were going to write a different story," Fales says of his decision to get
married. "We were going to write Hello, I Love You." Seven years and
two children later, it was clear that their story would have a familiar ending.
Fales and his wife moved to
Most of all, Fales says he intends Confessions to serve as his "valentine"
to the faith in which he was raised, though he now calls himself a humanist.
"I'm not getting up on my soapbox to talk about how I hate the Mormon
Church," he says. "I believe in these concepts of eternity in many ways.
Just because there's this incongruity I'm illuminating, or a complexity, or
even an absurdity, that doesn't mean I don't love the church." Fales stops short with a slight gasp. "Did I say that?" Confessions of a Mormon Boy, Nov. 23-Dec. 2, The Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets: ArtTix, 355-ARTS.
19 November 2001 Monday
Lafferty Loses Last Court Bid THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- A convicted killer who claimed he got directions
from God and from homosexual spirits lost a Supreme Court appeal last week.
Ronald Lafferty sought to overturn his conviction and death
sentence for the 1984 killings of his sister-in-law and niece. His lawyers
claim
At the time of his trial, Lafferty heard voices and
"buzzing" from God and spirit invaders, who sought human hosts, his
lawyers said. He now believes he is Jesus Christ, that he is the most powerful
being on Earth and that he can erect shields to ward off the spirits, they
wrote in asking the high court to consider whether Lafferty got a fair trial.
The court, without comment, left intact a Utah Supreme Court ruling that upheld
the conviction and sentence.
The
Lafferty was convicted in 1996 on two counts of first-degree
murder. He and his brother Dan admitted they killed another brother's wife and
her infant daughter.
Dan Lafferty also was convicted but given a life sentence because
jurors in his case could not decide on the death penalty.
Several mental health professionals disagreed whether Ronald
Lafferty was fit to stand trial, and his first trial, in 1985, was suspended.
After numerous evaluations, Lafferty was again deemed fit for trial. Jurors at
his second trial convicted him and gave him the death penalty.
Lafferty was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints after forming a cult called the "School of the
Prophets," with his brother in the early 1980s.
On July 24, 1984, the two went to their brother Allen's house and
beat and strangled his wife, Brenda, before slitting her throat. They also slit
her daughter Erica's throat. Lafferty claimed he had received a revelation from
God to kill them and two other people.
22 November 2001 Thursday
Mike Romero and I went to Little America in Wyoming where we met Bill and Faye to spend Thanksgiving at the restaurant there
23 November 2001 Friday
Lafferty's Legal Fight for Life
Not Over Yet- Supreme Court refused his appeal, but killer still has options for
challenging death sentence BY STEPHEN HUNT THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Despite losing his appeal last week before the U.S. Supreme Court, convicted
killer Ronald Lafferty's date with a firing squad could be years away.
The high court's decision marked the end of Lafferty's direct
appeal of his conviction and death sentence for the 1984 killings of his
sister-in-law and baby niece in
But defense attorney Michael Esplin said Lafferty may now file
writs of habeas corpus in both state and federal courts. "His court
remedies are far from over," Esplin said this week.
Assistant Utah Attorney General Kris Leonard agreed: "It
could be a long time before he is executed."
Leonard said she will request a new execution date from the trial
court, after which the defense will seek a stay and the new round of appeals
will begin.
Lafferty, now 60, was tried and convicted in 1985 but won a new
trial when the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found he was not mentally
competent. He was tried and convicted a second time in 1996.
In the next appeal, Lafferty will be able to claim for the first
time that Esplin, his trial attorney, was ineffective. Esplin said he
will ask to be excused from the case to facilitate that claim. Lafferty could
also once again claim mental competency as an appeal issue.
During his 1996 trial before 4th District Judge Steven Hansen,
Lafferty acted out in the courtroom and verbally abused the judge, prompting an
emergency competency hearing that forced a two-week hiatus in the trial.
The self-described prophet of God claimed he was the most powerful
being on Earth, and endowed with the ability to detect the presence of
righteous and evil spirits. Lafferty claimed an evil homosexual spirit called
"
Hansen heard eight mental health professionals testify about
Lafferty before ruling the defendant was well enough to stand trial.
Trial testimony indicated that Lafferty, in what he claimed was a
revelation from God, was ordered to "remove" the wife of his brother,
Allen Lafferty, and two others. On July 24, 1984, Ronald and Dan Lafferty
slashed the throats of Brenda Lafferty, 24, and her 15-month-old daughter, Erica,
at the victims' American Fork home. The brothers were unable to find the other
intended victim.
Ron Lafferty -- who chose a firing squad instead of
lethal injection after his 1996 convictions -- has claimed he was
framed. In testimony at Ron Lafferty's trial, Dan Lafferty took responsibility
for both killings. Dan Lafferty was also tried on capital murder charges but is
serving a life prison term because his jury could not unanimously agree on a
death sentence.
December 2001
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