Autumn 4th Quarter Journal 2003 October-December

 

OCTOBER

1 October 2003 Wednesday

Michael N. Westley SL Tribune Page: D4 Police find stolen car of dead senior

Police have recovered a stolen vehicle belonging to a Salt Lake City man who was found dead Sept. 24. The body of Leo P. Anderson, 69, was discovered in his basement apartment near 1200 East and 1900 South by a friend. Officials have not yet released the cause of Anderson's death but call it suspicious and are investigating it as a homicide.

Officers in Las Vegas found the truck, a green 2000 Mazda, with Salt Lake City resident Ira Eugene Hensley, 40, at the wheel Sunday night.

Hensley was charged with the theft, a second-degree felony, in 3rd District Court on Tuesday, according to court documents.

Police detectives are searching for a link between Anderson and Hensley. Those with information about how or whether the two knew each other may call Salt Lake City homicide detectives at 799-3730.

Deseret News 1 Oct 2003 Police look for links in beating death Homicide investigators believe the binding and beating of a man in his Sugar House apartment last week was not a random crime.

Salt Lake police are asking the public to help clarify the relationship between Ira Eugene Hensley and Leo P. Anderson, found murdered in his apartment Thursday. Hensley, 40, remains in a Las Vegas jail for investigation of possession of a stolen vehicle, Salt Lake police detective Dwayne Baird said. A Mazda pickup that belonged to Anderson had been missing when police found his body. That pickup was involved in an accident in Las Vegas earlier this week, Baird said.

Hensley allegedly "tried to leave the scene of the traffic accident," Baird said. He was caught by Las Vegas police and booked into jail. "We're trying to figure out what the connection is between these two guys. Why would they know each other?" Baird said. Police originally said the motive in the murder was robbery. Besides the truck, investigators do not think any other possessions were taken, Baird said, and now they believe the two men knew each other. Anderson, 69, was a registered sex offender with previous convictions for sexual exploitation of a minor, dealing in harmful materials to a minor and sexual battery.

A friend discovered Anderson's body about 3 a.m. Thursday. Anderson had been bound and beaten, although an official cause of death will be determined by the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office, Baird said.

            LGBT Resource Center University Pride 2003 ~ Many Myths, Our Truths Margaret Cho, Comedian October 1, Wednesday Kingsbury Hall, 7:30pm Tickets $30 for general public and $15 for students with valid ID. Tickets are available at the Kingsbury Ticket Office or the Union Main Desk.

David Nelson announced Just 16 days before the first Pink Pistols of Utah anniversary, group members will join and speak at the premiere gender- and sexual-minority Southern Utah Pride Celebration. The discussion will be a part of the day-long celebration on Nov. 8 at 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Springdale Town Park in Springdale, Utah, near Zion National Park.

With the recent introduction of a new state-ballot initiative to ban state concealed-firearm rights at schools, the firearms discussion will engage the ideas and information of gay political leader David Nelson who also serves as the founder of PPU.

PPU is a group of gender- and sexual-minority firearm advocates and owners in the state, and supporters of the Pink Pistols idea that was described nationally in 2000 by writer Jonathan Rauch for the legal, safe, and responsible use of firearms for their self-defense and shooting-sport competition, including those of them who are gay and Lesbian, and that of their families and friends. The group is the largest such group in the United States with more than 264 members.

 

2 October 2003 Thursday

SLTribune Victim's fatal injuries consistent with beating Police have confirmed that Leo P. Anderson, 69, died from injuries consistent with a beating. Anderson's body was discovered in his home on Sept. 24 by a friend. Salt Lake City detectives were sent to Nevada to question Ira Eugene Hensley, 40, who was found in possession of Anderson's truck and detained by police in Las Vegas on Sunday, according to Detective Dwayne Baird of the Salt Lake City police. Investigators fielded several calls Wednesday from individuals with information about the relationship between Anderson and Hensley.

 

4 October 2003 Saturday

Jay Bell wrote me “An ex-Mormon and the top gay Australian comedian is coming to SLC to perform at the Affirmation Conference and Coming Out Pride day celebration A documentary for Australian PBS of the trip is being shot while she is over here. Thursday morning we will be up at the U of U archives with Stan Larson explaining the total gay collection up there.

I know you teach during that time, but is there any way you or another rep. from the Stonewall History association could make it? I'll be glad to represent and plug both Affirmation and the Stonewall History association, but I think you Ben NEED to be there considering all the selfless work you've done. After all Ben, most of what's up there is because of you. You deserve some payback my friend. Take care and hugs, Jay Bell

 

Chad Keller wrote AIDS Awareness Week Starts October 4, 2003 at Memory Grove, the community is encouraged to begin to gather at 6:00 p.m.as the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire (RCGSE) solemnly begin the Utah's 19th Annual AIDS Awareness Week, with "Requiem" a special community vigil and instillation of a temporary AIDS Memorial in historic Memory Grove.

The event is free and open to the public, and will provide an opportunity to pause and reflect on the 20 plus years AIDS has impacted society through music and spoken word beginning at 7:00 p.m. As night falls on Salt Lake City a temporary AIDS memorial will be illuminated and be illuminated on various evenings throughout the week in observance of those lost to AIDS.

The Memorial was conceptualized by Chad Keller and is made up of over 300 small red paper makers, one for each AIDS death or HIV infection since 1983 when the Center for Disease Control required statistics to be recorded. The creation of the memorial has been made possible through the efforts of many volunteers. It is the first of its kind for the state of Utah.

Markers in the instillation may be dedicated to someone who has succumbed to AIDS by logging on to www.rcgse.org and click on the link "requiem" or they may stop by Memory Grove located below the Utah State Capitol on the morning of October 4, 2003 starting at 8:00 am Now in its 29th year, the RCGSE is one of the longest standing GLBT organizations. It has and continues to provide funding to many people and community projects through a grass roots effort. For more information on the organization or the 19th Annual AIDS Awareness week log on to www.RCGSE.org. ---end--- Special thanks to the Salt Lake City Parks Department and the Memory Grove Foundation.

Utah's First Ever Alternative Women's Health Fair October 4th 11am-3pm, Saturday Salt Lake City Main Library Health care info & services for LBT women, alternative medicine, live entertainment, food, low-income resources, free stuff & more!

Don't Forget - This Saturday - Oct. 4th at the Downtown City Library Alternative Women's Wellness Fair  11:00 am - 3:00 pm * Drawing to win prizes from: Cahoots, Sam Weller Books, Wild Oats, Virgin  megastores, Water & Wellness Center, Stonewall Coffee & Salt Lake Roasting Co. * Live entertainment by Debi Graham at 12:30 & Becky Elmer at 1:30. * Free services such as chair massages, Reiki Demonstrations, Bone Density, and  blood pressure screenings. * Free snacks & grab bags. * Tons of information on health issues for lesbian, bisexual and trans women! * Low income access presentation at 11:00 am in the auditorium. * See the movie "Cancer in Two Voices" at 2:15 in the auditorium. ITS ALL FREE & EVERYONE IS WELCOME! DONT MISS IT! Jennifer Nuttall Director of Adult Programs Gay and Lesbian Community Center 801-539-8800 ext. 13 jnuttall@glccu.com

Carey Hamilton of The Salt Lake Tribune Reported Fair to focus on health needs of women who aren't heterosexual  Broaching the subject of sexuality with a doctor can be embarrassing, especially for those who are gay.

            For that reason -- and others -- lesbians and bisexual and transgender women don't see health-care providers as regularly as heterosexual women and often avoid discussions about their sexuality if they do see a physician, according to experts.

             "We have to empower lesbians because it's important for them to disclose their sexuality," said Jennifer Nuttall, the director of adult programs for the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah in Salt Lake City.

            To help them, the group will hold a first-ever wellness fair for lesbians and bisexual and transgender women at the downtown Salt Lake City Main Library on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

            "The goal of the health fair is to have a place where lesbian, bisexual and transgender women feel comfortable and for service providers to show they are gay-friendly," Nuttall said.

            Health-care professionals and other volunteers will offer free vouchers for Pap smears, mammograms and testing for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Women can find information about domestic violence, nutrition and diet, cardiovascular health, artificial insemination, pregnancy, depression, substance abuse and safer sex.

             Women who don't have children are at higher risk for breast cancer, and those who have had sex with men can be at higher risk for cervical cancer.

             "A lot of lesbians don't go to OB-GYNs because they don't think they're at risk because they don't have sex with men," said Maggie Snyder, a board member for the center and a physician’s assistant. "But if you've ever had sex with a man, you can contract human papilloma virus [HPV] and get an outbreak on your cervix and not know it."

            HPV is a precursor for cervical cancer.

            Health professionals also say lesbians are more prone to suffer from depression and addictions.

            "I believe they are at higher risk for depression and anxiety because of the world we live in, and what also goes along with that is substance use and abuse," Snyder said. " Our world is becoming more aware of gay issues, but it still has a ways to go. There are a fair amount of people who aren't knowledgeable and don't want to be."

            In the future, the center plans to hold workshops to help make doctors more aware of lesbian health issues and how to overcome any stereotypes.

             "Some lesbians may not even access health care because of the fear of discrimination," Nuttall said.

Eight grandchildren of Ernest Hemingway have settled a dispute over the $7.5 million estate of the writer's transsexual child, Gloria, averting a ruling from a judge on whether the heir, whose birth name was Gregory, died a man or a woman. Lawyers from both sides disclosed the settlement Friday. The details were confidential. The dispute was between the grandchildren and Gloria Hemingway's widow, Ida, and stemmed from her assertion that she was entitled to the estate because she had remarried Hemingway in 1997, after Hemingway underwent sex-change surgery and began going by the name Gloria. The grandchildren contested the validity of the marriage, since Florida law does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Where have all the Mormon feminists gone? No banners proclaiming "Mormons for ERA" will be soaring over the LDS General Conference this weekend as they did in the 1970s. No Mormon women will be picketing the semi-annual meeting or praying to their Mother in Heaven over ward house pulpits, as they did in the 1980s. None will be speaking out on women's rights on the steps of the state Capitol or on TV, getting themselves fired from Brigham Young University or excommunicated from the church as they did in the 1990s.

    In other words, Mormon feminists are awfully quiet.

    The Mormon Women's Forum, established in Salt Lake City in 1988, can scarcely draw a crowd to its annual fall conference. Exponent II, the Boston-based quarterly for Mormon women, which led its readers "gently, gently towards feminism," is still publishing nearly 30 years after it was launched. But it is more likely to take up issues of grief, aging and being single in a married church than the question of priesthood power.

    These days, Mormons feminists are less likely to publicly cut their ties to the church than to quietly slip into inactivity or simply go underground, nursing their concerns in private.

    Feminism as a movement within Mormonism "is dead or dying with our generation," says Claudia Bushman, an LDS historian who teaches at Columbia University. "Feminism is such a potent word, it's been expunged from our vocabulary."

    But does that mean there are no independent, free-thinking women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Or that all women's issues have been resolved? Or that they no longer care about the questions that remain in a church which excludes women from its top offices?

    The answer to all three is no, says Jill Derr, managing director of BYU's Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History.

    Young Mormon women today "take equality between men and women on a personal and professional level as a given," she says. "It's not even a question."

    Young scholars are more well-rounded, more disciplined, and less scarred by the experience of overt discrimination, Derr says. They expect to balance family and career and presume the church's approval.

    "They did not live through the polarizing era that was such a marked part of our lives," she says. "They can look at our history through a more nuanced, complex lens."

    It may be just the term "feminism" that makes people wince.

    For some, it carries too many negative connotations derived from past battles and is synonymous with a confrontational style or hostility to motherhood. Or they feel it has been co-opted by those who define it solely in terms of reproductive rights or competition with men.

    One BYU professor says "feminism" has been dropped from women's studies discourse almost entirely, replaced by the more neutral term "gender."

    Besides, the church has changed a lot since the 1970s.

    Issues that electrified earlier activists have slowly declined or disappeared, Bushman says. Female participation and visibility in the church are on the rise.

    At this weekend's conference, at least one woman will likely speak in nearly every session (except tonight's priesthood session, open only to men).

    Women can preach and pray over ward pulpits as often and as prominently as men. They sit on ward councils, serve as presidents of women's organizations such as Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. They officiate at some women-only temple ceremonies. More and more of them are serving full-time missions for the church, becoming just as well-versed in Mormon scriptures as their male counterparts.

    On the home front, the church has stopped pushing big families and talking about birth control. Mormon leaders still see the nurturing of children as the most important thing a woman can do but are more sensitive to the needs of working women. They encourage couples to make family decisions prayerfully, based on individual situations, not on a universal mandate.

    Last summer the Smith Institute hired Bushman to direct a seminar for graduate students on LDS women in the 20th century. Organizers had to choose qualified fellows from among dozens of applicants. They settled on eight women from Harvard, Yale, Brown, the University of Utah, Claremont College and BYU. Some were married with children, some without children, some single. At least half had served LDS missions.

    "They were all very ambitious, very able and very devoted to the church," Bushman says. "When I was that age, you could not have assembled a group like that."

    They spent eight weeks in Provo, researching topics ranging from LDS participation in the National Council of Women from 1888-1987, the history of the church's stance on birth control, rifts among LDS women created by the Equal Rights Amendment, and the relationship between patriarchy and contentment.

    "We tend to tell our story by jumping from event to event, mostly negative," Bushman says. "We wanted a better way of looking at it."

        Back to the future: Whenever Derr goes to academic conferences, she encounters people who say, "I know the history of Mormon women. They had a lot of power. Now they've lost it."

    That's not the way she sees it. But there's no question that the institutional roles of LDS women fluctuated throughout the faith's 163-year history.

    In the 19th century, many Mormon women did feel a stronger sense of their partnership with the priesthood. They were outspoken leaders of their own female organizations, especially the Relief Society.

    Ironically, polygamy and the church's outsider status in America gave Mormon women some freedom from the reigning Victorian ideals of domestic life. Leaders like Eliza Snow spoke openly of their spiritual powers and being the offspring of heavenly parents -- one of them God the Mother.

    Mormon women were early suffragettes, forming alliances with national leaders such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who spoke in Utah. They were the first in the nation to vote and among the first to pursue professional careers in medicine, business, and law. State Sen. Martha Hughes Cannon was the first U.S. woman to be elected to a legislature.

    These women owned their own buildings, organized a hospital, and published a newspaper, Woman's Exponent, which was edited by Emmeline B. Wells, a plural wife and mother of five daughters, from 1877 to 1914. In the newspaper, Wells and women like her promoted female education and careers.

    But when the church gave up polygamy in order to gain national acceptance, its women struggled to maintain their independence.

    "The image of Mormon women as docile homemakers, a la June Cleaver serving Jell-O to a smiling family in a 1950s sitcom, is just one of the many things Mormonism adopted from conservative American culture," wrote Margaret Toscano, who was excommunicated on Nov. 20, 2000, for her feminist heresies.

    Perhaps the biggest loss to Mormon women in the early 20th century was the spiritual gifts they had enjoyed, including blessing the sick, a rite now performed only by men.

    Then came the 1970s movement to add an Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which the LDS Church helped to defeat.

    Some Mormon women were for the amendment and some against it, and that conflict erupted bitterly in 1977 at a meeting of the International Women's Year in Salt Lake City. Organizers planned for 3,000 women, but 10,000 showed up after getting marching orders from church headquarters. The nearly hysterical mob voted down every proposal.

    Next came activist Sonia Johnson, who sparred with U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch over the ERA in Senate Committee hearings and exposed the LDS Church's behind-the-scenes opposition to the amendment. She was excommunicated in December 1979, and her case became a cautionary tale to Mormon feminists everywhere.

    In the 1980s, women again began talking among themselves about a Heavenly Mother -- a concept that for decades had lost its potency -- and some acknowledged praying to her. Church leaders swiftly condemned any public display of devotion to her.

    And women speculated about the possibility of being ordained to what has always been a male-only priesthood.

    "There doesn't appear to be much interest in the priesthood question anymore," says Nancy Dredge, editor of Exponent II. "It's been talked to death."

    Derr says young Mormon women still want to explore their relationship to the priesthood, but they raise the issue with family and in private settings.

    "The questions haven't changed," she says. "Just the venues for discussing them."

        Woman vs. woman: One issue that still percolates in the church -- as it does in the rest of American society -- is the importance of having a full-time career versus staying at home with the kids.

    On Feb. 22, 1987, LDS Church President Ezra Taft Benson sounded the battle cry with his speech, "To the Mothers in Zion." He told Mormon women in no uncertain terms not to postpone having children or curtail the number of children for "personal or selfish reasons." He also said unequivocally that mothers belong in the home, not the workplace.

    The speech had an immediate and overwhelming impact: Dozens if not hundreds of Mormon women quit their jobs, believing that was what their prophet wanted, while others felt guilty for ignoring that mandate.

    And the church tried to implement institutional policies that would enforce women's role. For a long time, women were forbidden to teach at LDS Institutes of Religion, but now they can be hired -- as long as they have no children under 18.

    Nor can women with children under 18 be temple workers to assist with rituals, but they can volunteer in the laundry.

    Since ascending to the LDS presidency in 1995, however, Gordon B. Hinckley has presented a more variegated stance.

    The work of raising a family should be tantamount in a woman's life, he says, but it is up to individual women (with their spouses) to decide when and how best to accomplish that. Education is important for women and so is self-respect. Simple ideas, maybe, but in a Mormon context almost revolutionary.

    Last spring Hinckley told the church's 12- to 18-year-old girls to "study your options. Pray to the Lord earnestly for direction. Then pursue your course with resolution. The whole gamut of human endeavor is now open to women."

    He described meeting an LDS nurse who was raising three children while working.

    "There is such a demand for people with her skills that she can do almost anything she pleases," 93-year-old leader said. "She is the kind of woman of whom you might dream as you look to the future."

    Of Hinckley's speech and emphasis, Bushman says, "That's the new model. I like it."

    Emphasis on education, formal or self-selected, seems to be working.

    Thousands attend BYU's annual three-day Women's Conference each spring, where many of the speakers are female scholars, writers, and thinkers. And now Deseret Book, the church's publishing arm, is taking some of its writers to one-day seminars for women across the country. So far they've been filling gymnasiums and stadiums in cities from San Diego to Orlando, Fla..

    The number of women faculty at BYU has steadily risen from 13 percent in 1983 to more than 20 percent today, says spokeswoman Carrie Jenkins. More Mormon women are graduating from college and professional schools than ever.

    Elizabeth Harmmer-Dionne, a Boston attorney and mother of three young children, is one such woman.

    Harmmer-Dionne graduated from Wellsley College where she says she constantly got the standard question: How can you be in that patriarchal church?

    Her reply was her life, she says. "A lot of what I am, I owe to the church. If feminism is empowerment, so is the gospel."

    In her Cambridge ward, Harmmer-Dionne sees a lot of female graduate students. Many of them feel a strong sense of mission about their careers.

    "It comes out of their sense of personal revelation," she says. "That is the quiet story of feminism no one notices."

 

5 October 2003 Sunday

Kathy Stephenson of The Salt Lake Tribune reported Some say lesbians' health suffers from lack of care -    With a high risk for depression, alcohol and drug abuse and certain forms of cancer, lesbian and bisexual women have plenty of reasons to visit a doctor regularly.

    Too often, however, it is the fear of discrimination that keeps them from making that appointment.

    "Sometimes it's hard to talk about things with your doctor," said J.C. Graham, one of about 200 people who attended the Alternative Women's Health Fair at the Salt Lake City Main Library on Saturday. "You don't know if you will be treated differently."

    Sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah, the event brought together 40 health and community agencies that willingly provide health care services to diverse populations.

    "We want to empower them and make them better advocates for their own health care," says Jennifer Nuttall, director of adult programs at the center. The nonprofit organization received a grant from the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to hold the fair.

    Many lesbians and bisexual women do not inform their physician of the sexual preference because they fear the doctor's response, Nuttall said. But sharing the information is critical for an accurate diagnosis. "If they have a good relationship with their doctor, they are more likely to follow through on their health suggestions," she said.

    Sue Gore said she is one of the lucky women with a doctor who understands her medical needs. Still, the Salt Lake City resident was surprised by some of the health statistics she heard on Saturday.

    "There are more risks for gay women than I thought," she said.

    Because women typically earn less than men, many lesbians find themselves without insurance or struggling to pay for medical services, especially for a single mother raising children. Saturday there were agencies -- Planned Parenthood of Utah to Community Health Centers Inc., -- that offer services based on ability to pay.

    Whatever their income, lesbians should make the call to a doctor, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

    The women's health organization based in Washington, D.C., said that lesbians may be at an increased risk for ovarian and uterine cancer if they have never given birth or used oral contraceptives. Women who have never had children or breast-fed also are at a higher risk of breast cancer.

    Cancer of the cervix is less common among lesbians than heterosexual women, the gynecological group states.

    Lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered who do not reveal their homosexuality to family and friends can also feel isolated. That can lead to sadness and sometimes depression, making them more open to alcohol and drug abuse, said the group.

    Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or AIDS are less common in lesbians than in heterosexual women, but still can be a health risk.

    The health of the Utah's gay and lesbian community was also on the minds of people who attended a special community vigil in Memory Grove on Saturday at dusk.

    The requiem, sponsored by the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, marked the beginning of the 19th annual AIDS Awareness Week.

    Volunteers created a ribbon-shaped memorial -- made from 4,237 red paper markers -- that will be on display throughout the week. Each red paper represents Utahns who are HIV positive or who have died from AIDS since 1983, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began keeping statistics.

 

6 October 2003 Monday

'Two Handy Women' making the cut  Barbara and Debbie Clinard are self-employed. Not that they had much choice. People kept asking them to fix stuff -- leaky pipes, clogged toilets, cracked tile, unfortunate paneling. At first, doing odd jobs in their University Heights condominium complex seemed like a good way to put themselves through school. Eventually, they bought a business license and began managing their building.

    Then came the tornado.

    The freak twister tore through downtown Salt Lake City on Aug. 11, 1999, leaving behind $150 million worth of property damage. On a whim, Barb put up a few fliers offering repair discounts. Before long, the two were strapping plywood to the top of their Accord.

    The couple never had the courage to go out and just start a business, Barb says. It just sort of sucked them in.

    Theirs is a success story, a love story, a study in shifting demographics, a formula for female empowerment, and an allegory of affirmative inaction. At its most basic, theirs is a tale of Two Handy Women and a truck named Butch.

    Reaching a crossroads: Barb grew up in West Jordan and got out as soon as she could. She followed a boy to Florida, married him, went to college. She earned a degree in chemistry and took a research job at Monsanto, makers of everything from NutraSweet to wear-dated carpet to weed killer. Her college adviser told her it was the best job she would ever get with a bachelor's degree.

    As a kid, Barb had always wanted to be a doctor. As a woman, she wanted to be happy. She ended up getting a divorce, and, one Memorial Day, met Deb at the beach.

    Deb was born in North Carolina, spent her teen years in Tennessee, and has since lived in California, Colorado, Nevada, and Florida. But she is more apt to call the Appalachian Trail home.

    In 1989, Deb sold everything she had to hike the 2,000-mile trail from Georgia to Maine, a journey that took six months and required her family and friends to mail food and supplies.

    "I didn't want to come back," she says. "When I did, I spent the next three months sleeping outside on the porch. . . . I like being free, alone with nature. I like having low overhead and no ties."

    Somehow, sensible Barb and carefree Deb came up with the following plan: move to Utah -- a state not known for its tolerance of gays -- go back to school and become nurses.

    Deb wanted to be near the mountains. Barb wanted to be near her family.

    "I had a great job with great pay, a 401(k), my own staff and a lab coat. I had it all," Barb says. "But it was just a big plant with nothing to stare at but concrete walls. I needed to do something with people."

    For the first time since high school, Barb was about to be unemployed. For the first time in her life, Deb was about to settle down.

    Barb already knew how to do basic home improvement. She and her husband had renovated two houses. As for Deb, she used to stay up at night building miniature radios. She learned to be handy from her mother and grandmother, she says. When the toaster needed fixing, they just took it apart.

    Still, it didn't dawn on them to become handy ma'ams. And no wonder.

        Breaking the mold: In 2002, 91.9 percent of all registered nurses were women, compared with 2.5 percent of workers in the construction trades, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

    And yet, as the couple discovered, market conditions were ripe for Jills of All Trades.

    The U.S. homeownership rate for women-headed households climbed from 48 percent in the early 1980s to 53 percent in 2000, according to the National Association of Realtors. Fannie Mae estimates that by 2010, 31 million homes will be owned by women.

    And when it comes to single women -- the second-largest group of home buyers after married couples -- nearly 90 percent describe themselves as "do-it-yourselfers."

    Spurred on by the explosion of home-improvement shows and how-to classes, women now account for 55 percent of Home Depot's non-contractor business and 42 percent of Ace Hardware's customers, according to Business Journal. They also spend 30 percent to 40 percent more than men do per visit.

    So how does this translate into more business for the Clinards?

    It's pretty simple, says Barb. Women are sick of being talked down to. And the more they know about a skill or subject, the less likely they are to tolerate condescension.

    Women also think of themselves as "the fairer sex," albeit by a different definition. The Clinards say their clients, 80 percent of whom are women, just trust them not to overcharge, rob or cheat them. Women also find other women more meticulous, courteous, and clean.

    It is not unusual for female customers to just hand over the keys to the house and go to work, Deb says.

    "For many, many years, women have been told what to do by men and gouged by men and now they don't have to put up with that crap," says Barb. "With us, they're not going to get the 'hey, little lady' attitude -- and they're not going to get the butt crack."

    Adds Deb: "I've had a lot of women say, 'I'm uncomfortable with a man here. I can't let my guard down.' It's probably all based on stereotypes and it's a little unfair. But, hey, we'll take advantage of it."

        Serving notice: The name Two Handy Women was Deb's idea.

    She came up with it years ago during one of those "if we ever start a band -- or a business -- we should call it 'X' " moments.

    It was catchy and to the point and, more important, it took a supposed handicap -- their gender -- and turned it into their best marketing tool. Of course, they didn't know this until they met Butch.

    If Butch were a man, he would be Clint Eastwood -- hard outside, soft inside and handsome in a broken-in sort of way.

    Buying Butch was one of the best business decisions the pair has ever made; a more expensive truck would have put them too far in debt. From the moment Barb and Deb stenciled the company name to the doors of the aging Ford F-150, Two Handy Women has attracted almost too much business.

    Would-be customers are always following Butch home. They flash their lights and wave the pickup to the side of the road. They pull up at stoplights and ask for a business card. Sometimes they just honk and give a big thumbs-up.

    Barb and Deb receive similar attention at the grocery store and the post office whenever they wear their matching knit shirts with the company name.

    What they haven't attracted is a lot of harassment. The fact that they're a couple rarely comes up in conversation, the women say, even though Barb changed her last name to match Deb's.

    The couple recently started advertising in The Little Lavender Book, a guide to gay-friendly businesses in Utah. And satisfied customers provide countless referrals. But for the most part, Butch is in charge of marketing.

    Kris Pierce saw Butch uptown and called for a bid.

    The Pierces found their East Millcreek hideaway while at an estate sale. Kris went for the potato peeler; her husband went back for the big, creekside yard. The inside of the house was less enchanting.

    "Everything was Barbie Doll pink," she says.

    The couple remodeled the kitchen and most of the bedrooms, but never got around to doing the living room. Kris, aware that the paneling around the fireplace wasn't getting any prettier, decided to take charge. Although she likes helping out underdogs, that's not why she hired Two Handy Women.

    "They were concerned about what I really wanted, and they were the only ones who took pictures of the room before submitting a bid," she says. "I'm just glad I got to them before I was at the end of a six-month waiting list."

        Settling in: In the early days of the business, Barb and Deb never kept a waiting list. Nor did they turn down any jobs. At one point, says Deb, they worked 76 consecutive 16-hour days. The schedule affected the quality of their work and the quality of their relationship.

    They made a decision that probably saved both: no more weekends. They also knock off at 5 p.m. Customers don't seem to mind. They seem thrilled that the two show up at all, let alone on time.

    That was certainly true of their very first customer. The story goes like this:

    Deb went to the University Heights mailroom one day and saw water leaking from the light fixture. She called the fire department, which traced the leak to a valve in an upstairs condo that was being renovated. Barb contacted the owner and learned the contractor had taken the $3,000 deposit, worked for a week, and walked off the job. As a favor, Barb offered to complete the project.

    Word got out and the work orders started piling up. When they came across a job they didn't know how to do, they went to Home Depot and asked for instructions.

    Today, says Barb, their biggest problem is keeping up with the flood of new business -- "and deciding who's boss."

    The Two Handy Women say they would love to expand the payroll. But they can't afford to hire a drywall specialist, a tile expert and so forth. And they haven't had much luck finding women with a wide range of skills.

    They could hire men, but that might be tantamount to false advertising, they say. Besides, it would take some of the fun out of the job.

    Like the day Deb and Barb took Butch to the hardware store to rent a chop saw that would cut through 4-inch concrete. The women promised to have it back in a few hours. The men running the store laughed.

    "See you tomorrow," they said.

    Later that same day, enroute to return the saw, Barb and Deb couldn't help themselves. They made up a little song: "Two Handy Witches, Two Handy Witches," or something to that effect.

    "Anybody can do it," Deb says of this so-called men's work. "All you need is time and a lack of fear."

 

The Daily Utah Chronicle - News  U LGBT community ready for Pride Week By Sheena McFarland The U Pride celebration started with comedy and will end with music, but the focus is breaking down stereotypes. Organizers hope this year's theme, "Many myths-our truths," will increase understanding and bring the campus together. "People can come and understand, and this is a great chance for the LGBT community to start really developing an identity on campus," said Charles Milne, director of the U's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, which is hosting the events. Organizers worried the unity they hoped for might not happen because Homecoming Week coincided with the event. They had already signed contracts with some of the performers and speakers, but organizers tried to schedule the events at times different from Homecoming events. "It's a lot in one week, but I think it will work out," Milne said. The timing inspired Pride organizers to host "The Homecoming You Never Had" dance on Saturday. "We wanted to create a safe space where people could dance with their partner and not have to worry. Most LGBT students didn't get to go to a dance in high school with their boyfriends or girlfriends, so this is kind of a make-up dance," Milne said. Activities such as the dance may create a secure feeling for LGBT students, but it can also divide the campus, Milne said. "It really gets dialogue on campus and allows students to realize how they feel and where they stand on the issue," Milne said. "That's part of why we host Pride Week, to open dialogues and discussions.

Sheena McFarland of Daily Utah Chronicle - News  Interns help out gays on U campus- The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center may be more active than usual, but it's not just because of U Pride Week. For the first time, interns are working at the center, taking the load off of Director Charles Milne's shoulders.

The four interns each focus on different areas of the center. "Interns have always been in the plan for the center," Milne said. "We're at an educational institution, and we wanted to help students develop skills and get working experience along with their educational experience." Milne says he enjoys having the interns because it frees him up to pursue more than just the day-to-day activities of the center.

"The interns have allowed me to increase programming and focus on the vision and the mission of the center," he said. He also says more people in the office allows for more brainstorming and input about the various programs the center runs. The interns say they are happy to help out and are grateful for the opportunity to gain that experience.

 Alan Finch, a sophomore studying political science and modern dance, wanted to create a "more aware, accessible and accepting" community on campus, and he says he's been able to do so. Finch coordinates the resources at the center, which means he provides information to organizations, connects with other campuses and community groups, and keeps the center's books and online information updated. "With what I'm in charge of, it's a ticket to freedom and understanding. I get to facilitate that and give back to the student community," he said.

Lauren Littlefield, a sophomore studying gender studies and the co-president of the Lesbian Gay Student Union, focuses on lesbian programming, the center's Web site research and resources and a newsletter. "I decided to get involved because I wanted to see the center grow because it's necessary. People can be so afraid, but the center is a non-intimidating place to be," she said. Littlefield co-hosts "Thespian Thursday" with the Women's Resource Center every second Thursday of the month. The night features a film that deals with lesbian or bisexual issues. She says she also hopes to start a lesbian softball team in the spring. One of the projects Littlefield is working on that Milne is excited about is an online Frequently Asked Questions sheet. The idea for the sheet came about because members of the center participate on in-class panels and often face the same questions. Milne and Littlefield says they hope the online page will help answer questions many students have. In another attempt to reach more than the LGBT community, a periodic newsletter should publish its first edition this week.

Jesse Seethaler, who graduated last December, focuses on the center's Queer Peers program. The program is a feature on the Web site where students can confidentially ask a question concerning LGBT issues. The question is then sent to a limited-access server, so a student's name and e-mail address is never revealed. A person from a group of about 20 people with a "broad range of experience" will answer the question, Seethaler said. "It helps people in a safe way," she said. "To the general public, the LGBT community is all the same, but people are totally different, and this helps everyone who is looking for information," she said.

While these three interns receive a $500 stipend per semester, Creig Nielson volunteers his time to help the center write grants and raise funds. Though the interns started at the beginning of Fall Semester, Nielson has volunteered since the spring of 2001.

The center receives funds from the U for the director's position, one work-study student and the rent for its space on the Union's third floor. However, the rest comes from private donations and grants. The center receives about $50,000 in grants and in-kind contributions a year, and much of the responsibility for securing money falls on Nielson, who is taking a break from school.

 "Being able to give back is nice. I get to do a little of everything, and I do enjoy the work," he said.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Film Festival University Olpin Union Theater 

1 p.m. Watching You (lesbian shorts), 103 minutes

3 p.m. Transgender Program  Junk Box Warrior , 5 minutes  Just Call Me Kade , 26 minutes  Unhung Heroes , 15 minutes

5 p.m. Fight Back, Fight AIDS: 15 Years of ACT UP , 75  minutes

Broadway Centre Cinema, located at 111 E. Broadway, in downtown Salt Lake City. Free, required tickets may be picked up from the box office.

7 p.m. Babies Come from Paris, a film by University graduate student Michael J. Cox , 15 minutes  The Trip , 93 minutes

A special screening of Flag Wars will be shown at the Salt Lake City Main Library Auditorium at 7pm, October 6, in partnership with GLCCU and KUED.

 

7 October 2003 Tuesday

Elizabeth Neff  The Salt Lake Tribune Challenge to Utah's anti-sodomy law tossed 

    The nation's highest court struck down laws banning consensual sodomy in June, but a judge has tossed out one man's bid to get Utah's anti-sodomy law -- and another one banning premarital sex -- off the books.

    Third District Judge L.A. Dever ruled a man identifying himself as D. Berg had no right to challenge the laws in court because he had not been charged with either crime.

    The ruling apparently now leaves it up to state legislators to repeal both statutes. Dever rejected an exception for "matters of great public interest and societal impact," which he said could have kept Berg's case alive.

    "The Court concludes that the matter would be more properly addressed by other branches of government, such as the Legislature," Dever wrote, "and therefore the issue is not of such great public importance to grant Berg standing."

    Berg claimed he feared future arrest because he has privately violated the sodomy law by having heterosexual oral sex, and the fornication law by having sex with another unmarried person.

    Utah's consensual sodomy law forbids "any sexual act with a[n] [unmarried] person who is 14 years of age or older involving the genitals of one person and the mouth or anus of another person, regardless of the sex of either participant." The anti-fornication statute bans premarital sex, saying "any unmarried person who shall voluntarily engage in sexual intercourse with another is guilty of fornication."

    Both crimes are class B misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Salt Lake civil rights attorney Brian Barnard said his client will appeal Dever's ruling.

    "Deference to the legislative branch of our state government on this issue is troublesome, to say the least," Barnard said. "Our lawmakers are unwilling to protect the interests, including privacy, of citizens outside the Legislature's conception of the mainstream. Hopefully, the Utah Supreme Court will better understand and apply the law to resolve these issues."

    Berg had sought a temporary restraining order preventing the laws from being enforced while the lawsuit was pending, $1 in damages, and attorney's fees.

    In its June ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court held a Texas law banning gay sex unconstitutional. The justices said consensual sodomy laws are unconstitutional attempts to control personal relationships that are "within the liberty of persons to choose without being punished as criminals."

    The decision did not apply to two other portions of Utah's statute that prohibit forcible, or nonconsensual, sodomy and sodomy on a child.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Film Festival University Union Theater

1 p.m. Short Shorts , a compilation of lesbian short films,           135 minutes

3:30 p.m. Totally Rosie , 90 minutes

5:30 p.m. PlanetOut.com shorts, 83 minutes

Broadway Centre Cinema. Free, required tickets may be picked up from the box office.

7:30 p.m. Kilometer Zero , 135 minutes

 

8 October 2003 Wednesday

Dear Friends, I have to inform you that after much soul searching the Executive Committee has decided to cancel the Eric Marcus/ Banquet Awards. This was not an easy decision and one that is painful to do because of the disappointment it will cause some people. The decision to cancel was made for several reasons however the main one was the dismal ticket sales and response to the event.

Only 1 ticket had been sold since the event was announced in September and there have been no inquiries about reservations or how to acquire tickets.

While we can only surmise why the ticket sales flopped; for whatever the reasons, poor economy, too many competing events, or simply lack of interest- the bottom line is that we cannot financially afford to go into debt for an event that does not seem to be appreciated or supported by the general community.

We can congratulate ourselves for wanting to do something good and nice for the community but eventually we have to become practical. All the hard work and best intentions cannot overcome apathy and we need to recognize our limitations.

Obviously, we are too new and too few to carry off such an ambitious project. We know that now. The Utah Stonewall Historical Society was revived a year ago October 14th. Over the course of the past year we have accomplished some pretty exciting goals. We created logos for our organization.

We adopted by-laws and articles of incorporation. We registered with the state as a corporation. We established a board of directors and executive committee. We created and displayed historical kiosks for Pride Day. We filed and received a 501 (3)c status from the IRS as a nonprofit organization. We presented a paper to the Utah State Historical Society. And we have maintained an on line Yahoo Group site for nearly a year. We have had disappointment also.

The August hullabaloo over having a membership requirement to access the society's archives and the termination of the original yahoo group site. The loss of goodwill that the motion incurred.

The financial setback for cancelling the October History Month events. We need to publicly thank our friends who have been so patient with us over our struggle to find our niche in the Lambda Community of Utah.

Special thanks go to Todd Dayley, Michael Aaron, and Jim Dabakis. We apologize to all our nominees and lament the fact that we did not have the opportunity to honor them publicly for which they so richly deserve.

Now taking a deep breath we are proposing reinventing ourselves again. It has been suggested by a board member that the Historical Society stop having monthly meetings and go cyberspace until further notice. It has been also proposed that dues paid by members be rescinded and access to the Group-site be free.

Additionally it has been proposed that we focus solely on our educational and research mission. We also need to mention that we regret to announce that our co-founder Chad Keller has resigned as co-director to pursue other objectives. Best Regards and with sad regrets Ben Williams Co-Director USHS Historian

Deb Rosenberg wrote me Ben  We just received our postcard about the banquet, and Carla tried calling to get reservations for us, but just got a message. I wonder how many other people are just procrastinators, or just received the hard copy invitation in the mail. So, there is my two cents. I guess we will have to take our honorees out to dinner that night for a private party. Anyone else? -

 

LGBT Resource Center University Pride 2003 Colors of the Rainbow: Ethnic Minorities within the LGBT Community October 8, Wednesday Union Theater, Noon 8 October 2003

 

9 October 2003 Thursday

The Utah Stonewall Historical Society's Quarterly Board Meeting was held 9 October 2003. In attendance were Mike Romero, Mark Swonson, Chuck Whyte, and Ben Williams.

New Business Cancellation of Honor's Banquet was discussed with remaining executive committee agreeing to assume any financial responsibility. It was agreed to let Eric Marcus retain his plane ticket and refund Jim Dabakis' generous contribution. Other fiduciary expenses will be addressed as they are presented.

Cathy Cartwright emailed that she was unable to attend but that the awards were almost ready. It was agreed that the awards will still be presented to the honorees either at a private function or a public one in January.

Mark Swonson, Secretary, reported that The Pillar was very understanding and cooperative with canceling advertisements for the event. Chuck Whyte, Treasurer, reported that he is in contact with the Sheraton to settle any contractual obligations.

Ben Williams, Historian, reported that from email correspondence, it appeared that Eric Marcus was somewhat relieved to not have to heading to SLC the day after his graduation and was very sympathetic to our position.

Chad Keller's resignation from the board was accepted and Ben Williams was nominated to serve as temporary director until January's Quarterly Meeting. He accepted. It was proposed and passed: That membership fees will be rescinded and refunded.

The Yahoo Group Site will be open to all individuals who abide by our mission statement. Monthly meetings will be suspended until January. The UHSH will be a cyberspace entity until further notice The USHS will focus primarily as an educational resource to the Lambda Community rather than fundraising events. The executive committee thanked in absence Chad Keller as being a co-founder of the UHSU and wished him good luck on future endeavors.

Minorities speak for Pride Week

By Adam Benson

Struggles with sexual orientation can be compounded for ethnic minorities, as they fight to be accepted by two cultural circles. The topic of ethnicity and sexual orientation was the subject of a panel discussion in the Union Theatre Wednesday afternoon as part of U Pride Week. "I've lost a lot of ties with my racial community because of my coming-out experience," said U student Amanda Gonzalez, who hails from a biracial family and is bisexual. "I don't really fit into one box, and if I did, I'd really feel like I'd be losing part of myself," she said. Gonzalez was joined by students Patrick Lagua and Tony Shirley and Planned Parenthood employee Maui Drabner, who all share the bond of being minorities in both ethnicity and sexual orientation. Tony Shirley grew up with his grandparents on a Navajo reservation and as the Inter-Tribal Student Association adviser for the Center of Ethnic Student Affairs, he told the audience of fewer than 10 people that his experiences as a gay man on a reservation differed from those of others in ethnic minority groups. "Within the Native American society, there's a wide acceptance of being gay because there's so many stories of creation...I think spirituality is the main struggle," he said. Planned Parenthood employee Maui Drabner, a Tongan who was raised by his Hispanic stepmother, said that fitting into a specific culture-whether gay or racial-poses unique challenges. "I think that in any community you find yourself in, there's some pressure of conformity...I think it's OK to wear one hat at a time to explore what each trait means to us," he said. U student Patrick Lagua, a gender studies major of Filipino descent, said his experiences as a gay man created a rift with his ethnic identity. "For most queer people of color, there's this necessity to fracture your identity, and that doesn't work...For the time I've been out, I've sort of neglected my identity," he said. Though the four panelists grew up in different ethnic circles, all agreed that maintaining an individual identity is vital. "Before coming out, it was very important for me to cross over to the gay community...I found that if you're uncomfortable talking about your own sexuality, people will feel uncomfortable being around you," Drabner said. Shirley agreed, adding that staying true to oneself makes cultural identification easier. "I went through a trial where I had to watch what I say and watch what I do, but then I realized I don't have to do that, because this is who I am...I don't think I really change the things I do or how I act when I go home," he said.

LGBT Resource Center University Pride 2003 Keynote Address, Rebecca Walker Author of Black White and Jewish October 9, Thursday Union Ballroom, Noon Considered one of the most audible voices of the young women's movement, and recently named by Time magazine as one of the fifty future leaders of America, Rebecca currently speaks on Third Wave feminism and the many forms of activism at colleges and conferences across the United States and Canada.

Rebecca Walker was born in 1969 in Jackson, Mississippi, to an interracial "movement" couple who married in defiance of Mississippi's anti-miscegenation laws. She grew up in San Francisco and New York City and attended Yale University where she graduated Cum Laude in May 1992. After graduation, she founded Third Wave Direct Action Corporation, a national non-profit organization devoted to cultivating young women's leadership and activism. In their first summer, Third Wave initiated an historic emergency youth drive that registered over twenty thousand new voters in inner cities across the United States.

Rebecca is also a writer and has been a contributing editor to Ms. magazine since 1989. Her writing, which engages such issues as reproductive freedom, domestic violence, and sexuality has been published in Essence, Mademoiselle, The New York Daily News, SPIN, Harper's, Sassy, The Black Scholar, and various women's and black studies anthologies including Listen Up (Seal) and Testimony (Beacon). Most recently, she has edited an anthology exploring young women's struggles to reclaim and redefine feminism entitled, To be Real: Telling the Truth and Changing the Face of Feminism (Anchor/Doubleday, November 1995).

In January 1996, Rebecca added "socially mindful entrepreneur" to her list of activist activities when she and partner Angel Williams opened Kokobar, a Cyberlounge/Expresso Bar/Bookstore in Ft. Greener, Brooklyn, designed to provide Internet access and education to urban multi-cultural communities.

Equally concerned with communicating with people who do not read, Rebecca has hosted a television forum on inner city teen violence (WGBH-Boston), as well as about pregnancy and drug abuse. She has also produced segments for young activism among homeless teens, and the youth-response to nuclear weaponry (KRON-San Francisco).

For her work, Rebecca has been featured on CNN, MTV, The Charlie Rose Show, The Joan Rivers Show, and in The New York Times, The Chicago Times, The Atlanta Constitution, the San Francisco Examiner, Harper's Bazaar, Working Woman, Elle, Esquire, and U.S. News and World Report. She has received the "Feminist of the Year" award from the Fund for the Feminist Majority, the "Paz Y Justicia" award from the Vandguard Foundation, and the "Champion of Choice" award from the California Abortion Rights Action League (CARAL).

LGBT Fundraiser Dinner & Auction October 9, Thursday 23rd Floor, Wells Fargo Building, 6-10pm Featuring Keynote Speech by Australian Lesbian Comedian Sue Ann Post

The Daily Utah Chronicle - Opinion Gay and lesbian community should respect rights of opposition By Bart Gatrell With the rainbow flags waving in the breeze, there couldn't be a better time for a voice of reason as mine to speak on such an important issue. For freshman and transfer students, let me bring you up to speed. When the flags came up last year during Gay Pride Week, I wrote a letter that opposed their display, which I perceived as excessive freedom of speech. An information booth or desk outside the Union is totally cool-I just thought the flags were too much because other groups would never be allowed the same privilege. I believe in equality.

However, some of my fans called me a right-wing Christian fanatic and other ugly things. So if they're going to make it a religious issue, I'll reluctantly play along. And since members of the gay and lesbian community pride themselves on promoting an open dialogue, I'm sure they'll welcome this article. Hopefully, they'll respond more appropriately then their tirade of last year that followed my letter.

In this column, I hope to give some guidance and explanation to both the gay and lesbian community and the Christian right. Jesus of Nazareth and his followers taught tolerance and love, but they also taught obedience-and homosexuality, along with adultery, sorcery, lying, lust, and other actions, is a sin.

The gay and lesbian community are not the only target of the Christian right today. I admit that they are the most persecuted of these behavioral groups, but it pales in comparison to other groups' suffering. Members of the gay and lesbian community use the term "diversity" as a nice buzzword because it is difficult to oppose and it places them in the same camp of other persecuted minority groups. The problem is that instead of seeing "sexual diversity," some of us see "sexual perversity." In reality, there is no sexual diversity in the United States because some sexual acts are so perverse they are illegal. Where are their freedoms? Why are they not socially acceptable? It's all about perceptions, and some of us perceive homosexuality as being perverse.

If the gay and lesbian community doesn't defend all sexual activities or try to make them legal, then they're hypocrites. And if someone doesn't draw the line, who's to say that in a few decades from now, illegal practices will become acceptable through grass roots protest? Should homosexuality be illegal? No, but being opposed to "sexual diversity" is not the same as opposition to "racial diversity," and you know it.

The First Amendment guarantees me the right to label any practice morally wrong. However, the Fourth Amendment states that people have the right "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects," and "shall not be violated" without due process of law. Therefore, any "Christian" that conducts his or her own form of vigilante justice against the gay and lesbian community should be thrown in jail for hate crimes.

On the other hand, the gay and lesbian community should never use the deaths of Matthew Shepard and Brandon Teena to silence any form of opposition-and it does. Where's the open dialogue in that? It's no different from the Zionists using the Holocaust to expunge Palestine of its native inhabitants since 1948.

So why does the gay and lesbian community meet so much resistance? First of all, Christian groups today resist practices they view as immoral-and homosexuality is a practice, along with drug use, pornography, and gambling. Secondly, anyone who tries to make his or her private behavior into a public lifestyle is asking for trouble.

Let's hope that the Christian right and the gay and lesbian community keep their debate in a legal framework-let democracy work. As far as this article and last year's letter is concerned, I'm not sorry for what I've said. I am sorry if you are offended, but I tried to explain in the simplest way I know how. Maybe I don't understand your point of view. Then again, maybe you don't understand my point of view. Maybe we should all try to understand each other.

The Daily Utah Chronicle - Opinion Tolerance is not enough, pride is the best means for healing. By Kristopher Cannon Though people may find me at various protests and rallies, I usually lack the enthusiasm to shout slogans like, "We're here and we're queer"-possibly because I find my queer identity fiercely evident.

In trying to cope with the social responses to my queer identity, life becomes a battle to constantly heal wounds-not always physical wounds, but more often wounds of social alienation and rupture. This is to address those that create the wounds with the enactment of homophobic candor, whether intentional or not-those who wade in the shallow end of the acceptance pool. Because these wounds originate at a societal level, the responses to heal them generally arise most adequately through public address.

With the many problems that arise because of social biases against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and otherwise questioning individuals, and the escalation from these biases to crimes of hate, a public venue to affirm and dispel myths is necessary.

Gay pride functions as one of the most visible and large venues to assist in this endeavor. Queer pride offers me, and many others, a response to the biased and hateful individuals within our society. Pride offers not only the visibility of self-love that each queer person has, but a reassurance of the communal dignity that queers and their allies share.

 University Pride provides this same function in the university community. I actually wonder why anyone would find offense seeing two men kiss. I can probably say that with ease because I am homosexual, but it still baffles me.

It seems that there is a social pressure by many people to condemn such behavior because of moral convictions that reassert heteronormativity within the world community. I would never advocate anyone to deny their his or her convictions yet question how queers within the community even affect these people who appear to be so morally appalled.

Kathryn Stockton asserts, and I concur, that it requires identity displacement for anyone to be psychologically harmed from the visibility of homosexuality or queerness. It seems that the archnemesis to queerness in Utah, Gayle Ruzicka, confuses herself for one of the homosexually engaged when she sees two women holding hands at the mall.

 Merely seeing such an act would have no psychologically damaging effects on Ms. Ruzicka, unless of course she is somehow confusing her identity with one of the homosexually engaged-and from all of the nasty and hateful comments that seep from her mouth, I have no reason to believe that she is confused. Ruzicka actually has the power to enact her biased opinions because she embodies so many powers from "the man." This force comes from the white, heterosexual, Christian, middle- and upper-class male persona.

Every pride movement by a marginalized group attempts to disengage the hierarchal power of "the man" and create a more equal society. Queers just happen to be one of the largest populations remaining that is wounded by an overwhelming assumption that our subjugation is acceptable. So many people find ease in laughing at sitcoms like "Will & Grace" or the queer eyes that are making over so many straight guys but lend little assistance to enact hate crimes legislation or befriend an estranged transgender classmate.

Think about how the visibility of queers actually affects your life, your identity, and your moral actions. You may find that you are not morally responsible for the actions of others and that the actions of others are not immediately affecting your physical or psychological well-being. From here, we may find the social Neosporin to heal the many wounds that marginalized groups embody. This Neosporin will not come from tolerance or acceptance, but the pride and celebration of individual difference.

 

 

10 October 2003 Friday

My mom wrote me upset. “ HI well we have been robbed again. We  were not home. they broke the side door. I am all up set again. Told you dad we were going to sell r get a pit bull dog. Love mom.”  They are still just recovering from being kidnapped by those punk at the last robbery

LGBT Resource Center University Pride 2003  Def Poetry, Featuring Marty McConnell October 10, Friday Kingsbury Hall, 7:30 PM Ticket prices for Poets from Def Poetry are $16 and $24 for General Public and $8 for U of U Students with valid ID. Tickets are available at the Kingsbury Ticket Office  or the Union Main Desk.

Affirmation National Conference October 10-12, Friday-Sunday

Mark Swonson wrote Dear Community: The Executive Board (Ben Williams, Mark Swonson, and Chuck Whyte) of USHS unfortunately had to cancel The Milestone Awards a week before they were to be presented. We know this disappointed many who were looking forward to honoring Joe Redburn, Luci Malin, Becky Moss, Stephen Holbrook, RCGSE, and posthumous David Sharpton who founded PWACU. Each of these individuals and organization has given so much to our community.

The USHS Nominating Committee and USHS Board thought it would be only proper to give The Milestone Award & Banquet in their honor. For whatever reason, there wasn't much response to our ads that generated enough ticket sales prior to this event. Yes, we the Executive Board take full responsibility for canceling this event. This was a wonderful idea and vision for all our community to share in honoring The Milestone Award recipients. Unfortunately, others in our community didn't see the vision what placed before their eyes. We were hoping to make this annual event but we need more bodies to participate at USHS as well as members to volunteer for such a big event.

So at this time this vision is on hold until more people are willing to come forth to honor those who are part of Lambda History. Many hours where spent in preparing for The Milestone Awards & Banquet as well as some sponsors who donated much of their time, money, and energy for this event.

These men and women of our community should be recognized for their participation even though this event never to place: Michael Aaron, Jim Dubakis Pillar-Todd Dailey, John Saltas-City Weekly Monaco Hotel, RCGSE Sheraton Hotel-Bob Childers, Éric Marcus-Author & Lecture

Also, a special thanks to a wonderful man who has given much to our community over the past 20 years for his dedication, caring, and visionary ideas that have lifted our community to new highs. The USHS Executive Board and Board Members give a special "Thanks" to Chad Keller for his work on The Milestone Award and Banquet. Chad, we wish you well in all that you do and we are proud to call you a "Friend" from USHS Executive Board. Utah Stonewall Historical Society Chair-Ben Williams Treasure-Chuck Whyte Secretary-Mark Swonson

Mark Thrash Emperor 28 announced Dear Community, Requiem - an AIDS Memorial installation at Memory Grove served as the kick-off for the 19th Annual AIDS Awareness Week. The temporary memorial served as the first reminder of why we have this week each year. There are 4237 red markers that signify the number of HIV infections, AIDS cases, and deaths in Utah since 1983 - when statistical data began to be recorded. Markers have been installed in the shape of a red ribbon and illuminated so the memorial is visible from an astounding arial view each night. Please take a moment to go to Memory Grove and experience this first ever  Utah AIDS Memorial. Not only is this a monumental moment in our  history - but we often times need to be reminded of the "awareness" that is missed in the midst. Thank you to everyone who has supported the 19th Annual AIDS Awareness  week!!!

The final weekend of the 19th Annual AIDS Awareness Week is here. There are still many creative and exciting events to attend... something for  everyone!

Threads of the Red Ribbon - independently produced play about the experience of being gay and/or HIV/affected in Utah. Run time: 1 hr. 15 mins. Gay and Lesbian Community Center Black Box Theatre, 7:30 PM - Tickets are $7.00

100% RAW MALE - All Male Date Auction, Club Splash* - 11:00 PM. Dinner for  two auctioned with one of Utah's sexiest men and featuring special guest,  Exclusive Falcon Porn Star Anthony Shaw for auction - bring your coins

for  this one girls!

    To launch the 19th annual AIDS Awareness Week, the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire over the weekend unveiled a temporary ribbon-shaped memorial made of 4,237 red paper makers, one for each Utahn who has died of AIDS or been diagnosed with HIV since 1983. The display is at Memory Grove in Salt Lake City.

   

11 October 2003 Saturday

LGBT Resource Center University Pride 2003 National Coming Out Day “ The Homecoming You Never Had” Dance October 11, Saturday Union Ballroom, 9pm Featuring music by The Saliva Sisters

Threads of the Red Ribbon - independently produced play about the experience of being gay and/or HIV/affected in Utah. Run time: 1 hr. 15 mins. Gay and Lesbian Community Center Black Box Theatre, 7:30 PM - Tickets are $7.00

KEMISTRE - Red Party 2003, Trapp Door* - 10:00 PM. The official Red Party  of AIDS Awareness Week with scrumptious circuit party decor, red costume  contest, glow sticks, circuit show, dancing, and prizes.

Derek P. Jensen of The Salt Lake Tribune First-degree murder charges are filed in Salt Lake County cases     First-degree murder charges were filed Friday in two Salt Lake County cases. One suspect allegedly beat a Salt Lake County man to death in his apartment after arranging to meet him through a telephone dating service, then stole his truck and was later arrested in Las Vegas, Nev.

    Another man allegedly forced his way into a Salt Lake County home and shot a man to death in an incident police say revolved around a girlfriend.

    The first crime happened Sept. 23. Police say Ira Eugene Hensley, 40, went to the home of Leo Anderson at 1175 E. Westminster Ave., bound Anderson's wrists, wrapped a telephone cord around his head, neck and mouth, and struck him in the head. An autopsy revealed Anderson, who also had six rib fractures, died of blunt force trauma to the head.

    Hensley was arrested four days later in Las Vegas after getting into a traffic accident while driving Anderson's green pickup truck, according to charges filed in 3rd District Court. Police found several pawn slips on Hensley, and Anderson's sister identified one of the watches he pawned as Anderson's.

    Cell phone records show Hensley called Anderson's voice mailbox at a telephone dating service the day of the death.

    When Hensley returned to a Salt Lake City Ramada Inn that evening, charges say, he told a niece with whom he was staying that he had tried to "zap" Anderson with a stun gun, and when that didn't work he killed him.

    Hensley also faces counts of aggravated burglary and robbery, first-degree felonies and two counts of theft, a second-degree felony.

Deseret News reported Multiple charges filed in September slaying A Salt Lake City man has been charged with first-degree felony homicide in connection with the September death of an elderly Sugarhouse man.

Prosecutors say Ira Eugene Hensley, 40, killed Leo Anderson, 69, in his East Westminster Avenue home (1900 South) after Hensley went there under the guise of having sexual relations with the older man, charges filed Friday in 3rd District Court state.

The charges say Hensley contacted Anderson through a dating service and arranged a meeting. Anderson picked Hensley up at a Salt Lake City hotel for their "date" at about 9 p.m. on Sept. 23.

They drove to Anderson's home, where, charges state, Hensley beat the older man to death and then robbed him, taking personal items and Anderson's pickup truck. When Hensley returned to the hotel, he told his niece that his date had tried to "zap him with his stun gun, but it didn't work so he had to kill him," the charges state.

Hensley later tried to pawn Anderson's personal items, including a watch. Henderson was found dead in his apartment two days later. Hensley was arrested later in Las Vegas.

Hensley, in the Salt Lake County Jail with bail set at $1 million, faces multiple other charges, including aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.

 

12 October 2003 Sunday

 Family Fellowship Summit October 12, Sunday Social & Behavioral Sciences Building (BEH S)

Threads of the Red Ribbon - independently produced play about the experience of being gay and/or HIV/affected in Utah. Run time: 1 hr. 15 mins. Gay and Lesbian Community Center Black Box Theatre, 7:30 PM - Tickets are $7.00

FAT LADY SINGS - Annual Monarchs Show, Trapp Door* - 7:00 PM. Horsd'oeuvrs and cocktail hour for the early attendees - show begins at 8:00 PM. Final event of AIDS Awareness Week and a great time to reflect on the reason we're  here. Thanks in advance for your continued support!!  I hope to see you this weekend!! *Private clubs for members

 

13 October 2003 Monday

Just a reminder! (please share this widely and often) Community Leadership Forum Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at Metropolitan Community Church (863 South 600 East) at 7:00 PM The Next Meeting will be October 13, 2003. Duration 60 minutes Topics of Discussion: Community Review and announcements  Final Review of On Line Community Calendar before going Live  Online Calendar Posting Policy Discussion A special kickoff party for the on line calendar and membership drive will be held November 10, 2003, following the General membership meeting. Due to the review of the Online Calendar, its Launch Party, and the upcoming holiday, Inservice and community Action segments will not be regularly held. Both will continue regularly at the January 12, 2004 Meeting. Topics for Inservice vary. Community Action discussion are dictated by the needs of our community and where we can come together as many organizations to create collective positive community change. Thanks! Bob Childers  Chair- GLBT Community Leadership Forum 2003-04 Chad Keller  Emeritus Chair- GLBT Community Leadership Forum 2001-02 Special Thanks to the Utah GLBT Community Leadership Forum Sponsors and Partners. The Pillar--Todd Daily Publisher The Utah Stonewall Historical Society Austyn Riley Mixed Media

The Daily Utah Chronicle - News LGBT dance brings Pride Week to an end By Adam Benson  Oliver Schultz never got to attend his senior prom. "I'm a transsexual male who didn't attend high school, so I never got to go. But even if I did, I probably would have gotten the piss beaten out of me," he said.

Schultz and about 150 others were on hand in the Union Ballroom Saturday night to celebrate "The Homecoming You Never Had" to culminate Pride Week at the U.

With local Utah band The Saliva Sisters on hand, the party was co-sponsored by the National Affirmation Conference, an organization that serves the needs of gay and lesbian Mormons.

The usually divisive atmosphere Pride Week brings to the U was more subdued this year, said Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center intern Creig Nielson, one of the week's organizers.

"The week went really well...It's going to be hard to top next year," he said.

LGBT Center Director Charles Milne agreed, adding that the timing of the National Affirmation Conference allowed Saturday night's dance to really come together.

"We wanted something for them to do on a Saturday night, and this gives U students and members of the conference a chance to have a formal dance with the partner they're with," Milne said.

Milne and Nielson said the objective of the week's events was to spur dialogue and open the doors of acceptance for members in the LGBT community.

"The dialogue that this week has opened up on campus has been incredible," Nielson said.

But for Schultz, events like Saturday night's meant more than stoking the flames of discussion.

"I certainly think that any dialogue is better than none at all, but really, it's just nice to have somewhere safe to go for something like this," he said.

The Daily Utah Chronicle - Laurie Mecham’s Letter to the Editor: Homosexuals need not fear Editor: What an interesting study we have in the small drama of censorship at the Pride Week art show.

Jasmine Linam is a co-vice president of the Lesbian and Gay Student Union and a member of the Diversity Board. Based on these positions, one would expect Linam to champion all aspects of being out. Her comments that the photo of two young men kissing was "too in your-face," and her concern that people would "see two men kissing, get offended and walk out without seeing the other art" echoes a tired old refrain-"I don't care what homosexuals do in private as long as they don't flaunt it."

The common factor that motivates these kinds of behavior is fear. Linam is afraid that people will be offended by one aspect of the show and that it will undermine the whole show's effect. And homophobia in general is about the fear of difference.

That fear is what causes people to hate, violate and discriminate against us. The sweet kiss captured in Heather Franck's photograph would go practically unnoticed if it were between a man and a woman, but if gays dare to be so open, they can get killed. These violations of the right to be open about who we have given rise to educational events like Pride Week and the Pride Art Show.

The key to overcoming fear is openness and learning, where the unknown is seen and therefore demystified.

The idea that the representation of our gay lives needs to be toned down in order to be palatable is as objectionable as the idea that we have to monitor our public behavior in ways that straight people do not. Fear is always a shaky foundation on which to base actions.

Perhaps Linam is trying to overcome homophobia by convincing folks that gays are just like other people-that being gay is not just about sex. Maybe that's why, when she sees an image of gay intimacy, she is afraid that people will get offended and not see the other art.

Perhaps she thinks that showing art about everything except sexuality will prove that gay artists are "just like everyone else."

And maybe this whole story really does serve to illustrate that homosexuals and heterosexuals are more alike than they are different. It may only be a matter of degree, but aren't we all afraid?

Letter to the Editor: Pride Week does not promote equality Editor: Equal rights-it's a beautiful thing. As everyone is quite aware of, last week was Pride Week. Does this seem strange to anyone besides me? The LGBT has Pride Week to promote equal rights for the group it represents. I really don't think that we need a week to celebrate one's sexual identity. There is never a Heterosexual Pride Week or anything of that sort, so why is there a week for those of different preferences? To put it bluntly, Pride Week celebrates one select group of people. That's not equality to me. Parker Williams Freshman, Mass Communication

 

14 October 2003

Mom wrote me Just a line to say hello that we are doing ok after our break in they only took the camera that you  gave me, damaged our vcr could have been a lot more love Mom and Dad

 

17 October 2003 Friday

DRAG IDOL "SHOW STOPPERS" - Friday, October 17 Once again Crown Prince & Princess 28, Chad & Paris did a great job with

another installment of Drag Idol. Congratulations to Jessica for

finishing first place in Round 4 and Kassidy Vaughn for being the newest Wild Card entry. All of the contestants did a great job... don't miss Round 5 "Rope n' Ride" - November 28.

 

18 October 2003 Saturday

BREAST CANCER WALK - Saturday, October 18 congratulations to Princess Royale XXVII Syren Vaughn for her amazing  efforts in spearheading TEAM RCGSE for our 3rd year to be in the annual City of Hope Breast Cancer Walk. Under Syren's leadership, the RCGSE donated over $2000 to the City of Hope organization, and as the challenge stipulated – Syren completed the walk in drag. Thanks also to Krystyna for joining Syren in drag Saturday morning and showing sisterly Princess support - yeah Princess Power! Much appreciation goes to all members of TEAM RCGSE: Michael Canham, Ray & Alan, Mike & Alfredo, Thom Lee, Derek Beebe, Dixxie Vaughn and Jenni Sessions. I must say that watching Mike, Alfredo, Ray, and Alan doing aerobics before the walk was truly on of the highlights :-)

DIVAS LAS VEGAS II - The audience in attendance and the number of performers were both few Saturday night, but Princess Royale XXVIII Krystyna Shaylee presented a

wonderful show which raised $615 for the People with AIDS Xmas Fund.  Reincarnating herself completely four times that evening: Liza, JLo,  Selena and Tina - Krystyna was truly a diva that evening. Thank you to all the performers: Kennedy Cartier, Thom Lee, Princess Royale XIX Chyna Cartier, and Kassidy Vaughn. Thank you to Sebastian Cruz for overseeing the raffle and for your generous donations! I hope to see everyone at Court Meeting this Tuesday, City Library - 7:30 PM. In Service... Mark Thrash Co-President Emperor 28

LGBT Resource Center University Pride 2003 Ani DiFranco in Concert October 18, Saturday Huntsman Center, 7:30 PM Tickets $27.50 for general public and $17.50 for students with valid ID. Tickets are available at the Huntsman Center Ticket Office (801-581-6641), Ticketmaster (801-325-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com ), Graywhale CD stores (801-964-5700), all Fred Meyers (downtown 801-328-6000), Rice Eccles Stadium Ticket Office, or (a limited number) at the Union Main Desk

 

19 October 2003 Sunday

It's that time again! It’s the beginning of the 21st season of the Salt Lake Men's Choir! We're starting off with a concert next Sunday, October 19th at the Jeanne' Wagner Theatre--138 W Broadway (300 So) at 7:30 pm. The concert is entitled: TORCH: Music Halls, Bar Rooms and Cabarets We have everything from drinking songs, love ballads, torch songs, silly English Music Hall numbers and even cabaret numbers your mother probably wouldn't approve of. This is not to be missed. Call ArtTix today and get your tickets now!! ArtTix can reached at 355-ARTS. Jonathan Stowers, President

 

20 October 2003 Monday

As I reflect on the events held during the 19th Annual RCGSE AIDS Awareness Week, I'm overwhelmed by the community response to our efforts. When I began plans for the week, it was very important to me to focus on awareness while raising funds. What does it mean to be aware? At a very early age, my mother taught me to be aware. She would say, "Try to notice the people around you each day and see if you can imagine what they're feeling."  Lately I have contemplated that very question of awareness, and it amazes me at the number of people  that exist each day in oblivion to the lives and existence of others around them. In 1983, the Utah Department of Health began tracking statistical data regarding the number of HIV infections, AIDS cases, and deaths in Utah. Since that time, there have been nearly 4,000 reported cases and these numbers do not include those individuals tested anonymously. On May 30, 2003, the Utah Department of Health reported 2,157 total AIDS cases and 1,081 AIDS deaths - making the morbidity rate more than fifty percent (50%). When AIDS Awareness Week first began in 1985, its primary purpose was "raising funds for AIDS projects and providing the community with current information."  Although all the funds raised go to assist individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and the organizations that provide services for them, it is just not enough to keep raising money without helping to make others aware. In 2002, Utah had its second largest increase in reported HIV infections since 1983. That alone should tell us that it’s time to open our eyes and notice what is going on in the lives of others. We can no longer live our lives in a bubble and only be concerned with our small circle of  existence. The circle of life is shared by everyone and we should all take the necessary steps to preserve it. If not, the circle will continue to decrease until we are forced to notice others. Please make your effort to be aware and have an impact before we can no longer make a difference. Thank you to the many individuals who gave so willingly of themselves to help in raising the nearly $9,000 received during the 19th Annual AIDS Awareness Week... Chad Keller, Shawn Houston, John Apel, Mame Cherie, Ray Duncan, Alan Stephensen, Heidi Ho West Waters, Nova Starr, Tiffany Krystal, Sebastian Cruz, Mike Sperry, Alfredo Boscan, Krystyna Shaylee, Dewayne Sessions, Jerry Rapier & Lu Prichett, Linda Thorn, Michael Canham, Vicki Pugmire, Cora Allen, Molly Thorn, Aaron Adams, David McIntyre, Richard Scharine (unyielding cast & crew of Threads of the Red Ribbon), Michael Aaron, Display Business, Alan Anderson, Marshall Brunner, Chuck Whyte, Patrick Hoagland, Forum Gallery, Jane Erickson, Phil Erikson, Auntie De, Leota Peterson, Utah AIDS Foundation, Utah Humanities Council, Fox 13 News, Salt Lake Tribune, Pillar Magazine, the volunteers who gave countless hours to help construct & install Requiem, Document Express, Charles Black, Peter Christie, Scott Alexander, Tavernacle, performers at Turnabout is Fair Play, LIVE for Life, Kemistre and Monarch Show, artists who submitted work for Art Positive, the staff who catered the guests, Cyber Sluts & Paper Moon, Rob Blackhurst & Club Splash, Anthony Shaw and auctionees for 100% RAW MALE, Chilis, Gastronomy, Third & Main, Trofi Restaurant in Hilton Salt Lake City Center, Noodles & Company, Macaroni Grille on West Temple, Frank Chugg, Trapp & Trapp Door, Rhett Larsen, Earl Kane, Felicia, Scott Stites, Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Salt Lake City Library, Michelle Vreeken, Cortney M. Cartier, the speakers & performers at Requiem and anyone who attended an event during the week.

There are two more Mondays of Cyber Slut Bingo left at Paper Moon to help reach our $10,000 goal for AIDS Awareness Week. So don't miss out! Thanks again to everyone for all of your support! My cup truly runneth over. Mark Thrash Event Coordinator AIDS Awareness Week 2003 RCGSE Co-President

 

21 October 2003 Tuesday

Please forward to any and all of your friends, family, and associates. TUES OCT 21 7 P.M. A reminder that the Utah Stonewall Democrats are holding the first of three training sessions for delegates to the State Party on Tuesday, October 21, 2003. These delegates, who will be selected at the March 2004 mass meetings, will choose the candidates of the Utah Democratic Party in 2004 and 2005. This month's session will be at 7:00pm at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 361 North 300 West in the "gallery" above the Coffee Shop. The training will be SHORT and concise. I hope to see many of you there. We do make a difference. Mike Picardi, Chair, Utah Stonewall Democrats njmikeutah@yahoo.com

 

23 October 2003   Thursday

Anderson's endorsers said they back him because he is outspoken, inclusive, accessible, and supportive of working-class issues. "He is a man who works to make Salt Lake City work. He eats, sleeps and breathes this city," said Michael Mitchell, director of Unity Utah, a gay political action committee. SLTribune

Two 16-year-old Salt Lake City boys sustained minor injuries Wednesday morning when the car they were in crashed into a building, police said. Skid marks stretched for more than 100 feet in front of the Utah AIDS Foundation building, 1408 S. 1100 East, as the driver tried to stop after traveling down residential Browning Avenue. Investigators say the car reached speeds of more than 70 mph. The car -- which belonged to the mother of the driver -- was launched airborne on the entrance to the foundation's driveway, which drops to a throughway under the building. The roof of the car was flattened as the car collided with the underside of the building. The minimal damage to the building did not affect operations at the office, according to Stan Penfold, Utah AIDS Foundation executive director. The teens were cited for reckless behavior, treated for burns from the airbags and taken back to school.

 

25 October 2003 Saturday

BARBARA ESTER AND BETH YORK IN CONCERT OCTOBER 25 7:30 P.M. THE CENTER, SLC  Barbara will perform a variety of her music and some "Women's Music" favorites Be Prepared for a heartfelt and engaging evening  Barbara is a lesbian singer/songwriter with three recordings on her own label. She has been singing her heart out for audiences for over 30 years. Her message is passionately Lesbian affirming,  her voice strong like the wimmin she sings about. Living in Utah since '95, she opened for Alix Dobkin in Salt Lake in '96. This past May, Barbara and Beth performed at the Southern Womyn's Festival. Beth, a sensitive musician, and composer, heads the music therapy department at Utah State. Barbara is also a featured soloist on Kay Gardner's, "OUROBOROS" which premiered at the 20th National Women's Music festival. Ticket sales 7:00pm at the door $15.00/Sliding Scale Performance held at the Gay & Lesbian Center of Utah Black Box Theater 361 North 300 West Salt Lake City

 

26 October 2003 Sunday

Gay Navajos are walking a cultural tightrope By Leslie Hoffman  The Associated Press

    WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. -- Darrell Joe sits across the table over a Denny's breakfast, cup of coffee in hand, rattling off projects he is working on and programs he wants to start in his new job with the Navajo Nation's AIDS office.

    He is a respected 30-year-old professional in a high-profile position, his calendar filled with meetings and conferences. There is an ease in his voice. He knows who he is and what he wants. He is happy.

    But it wasn't always like this.

    Joe remembers when his journey began: when he and his cousins, playmates growing up in the small Navajo community of Iyanbito, N.M., went off to school.

    That's when other kids started hurling words like "fag" and "queer" at him. Soon, some of his cousins were embarrassed to be seen with him.

    "That's when I started to think, 'OK, I'm different.' I couldn't figure it out, and I think that's when I started pretending that I lived in certain worlds," he said.

    His search for a place to belong both as a gay man and as a Navajo would take him far from his home and his culture to an urban existence in Western society -- and back again.

    Joe is one of the growing number of gay, lesbian and bisexual Navajos walking a cultural tightrope, uniting elements of Navajo and Western culture to establish a place for themselves.

    "They sort of had to create their own world," said Wesley Thomas, an assistant professor of anthropology at Indiana University who specializes in American Indian gender studies.

    The modern view of homosexuality in the Navajo Nation is shaped both by tribal tradition and Western influence, according to Thomas.

    Navajo origin stories embrace the idea of cross-gender identities. In some of these stories, men with feminine characteristics are known as "nadleeh" -- they dressed like women and were considered important religious figures with a special role in ceremonies. They also shared in conventional female duties, such as cooking or caring for children.

    In Navajo tradition, sexual relationships between nadleeh and non-nadleeh men were considered heterosexual.

    "In the Western gay culture, you have men who look like any other guy and behave like men and that's their identity as a gay male," said Jack Jackson Jr., a gay Navajo who serves in the Arizona House of Representatives. "On the reservation . . . you see a lot of gay men who look more feminine and act more feminine, and it seems it's from their upbringing in a more traditional way."

    A modest number of nadleeh have lived openly as transvestites on the reservation for generations, said Harry Walters, an anthropologist who teaches Navajo culture at Dine College in Tsaile, Ariz.

    Some in the community now see "nadleeh" as an early manifestation of homosexuality and use it as a broad term for anyone who isn't heterosexual.

    Yet Thomas and Walters said the traditional understanding of nadleeh is disappearing, in part because the cultural significance has not been passed from one generation to the next -- but also because of changing attitudes.

    With the arrival of Western religious influences, Navajo families began to hide away homosexual relatives or encourage them to live a heterosexual lifestyle, Thomas said.

    "The nadleeh were very much a part of Navajo culture right into the late 1800s," said Thomas, who is also a gay tribal member. "Now we have children and grandchildren who dismiss [nadleeh] as part of Navajo culture. It was . . . relegated to something that was part of Western culture and not Navajo.

    "There is now a search by these Navajo gays and lesbians to find out who they are," he said.

    With that search has come an attempt to organize.

    Melvin Harrison, head of the Chinle-based Navajo AIDS Network, said there wasn't a community for homosexual, bisexual, or transgender Navajos when he began HIV prevention work on the reservation in 1988.

    "Ten years ago, 15 years ago, there was no place for these individuals to go," Harrison said. "That's the big change I've seen is that we have people who come to our office just to get a hug, to laugh, to wear makeup. Then they wash up and go home and be their other selves."

    To celebrate National Coming Out Day earlier this month, the network's office in Gallup, N.M., organized a coming-out party at a nearby state park. More than 50 people showed up for the third annual event, which included a drag show and a dance.

    No one can remember a formal organization that served homosexual, bisexual, or transgender Navajos before the network's formation in 1990. Homosexuality is simply not discussed within the traditionally discreet Navajo Nation.

    "It's always been accepted, but deep down it's seen as something that's not normal," Walters said.

    Some credit the traditional nadleeh teachings for greater tolerance among older generations. Joe said his grandmother, for instance, always knew he was different but never judged or ostracized him.

    Still, the homophobic attitudes that first emerged with the decline of the nadleeh persist today, although tribal members disagree to what extent.

    Pernell Sam, a transgender Navajo from the small town of Many Farms near Chinle, said the 2-inch scar on his back is painful proof. The 28-year-old was stabbed at a party seven years ago by a man who he said used to call him "fag" and "queer" in high school.

    "They never caught that guy," Sam said. "I still see him around."

    Countless tribal members stay in the closet, fearing that kind of backlash, Harrison and others said. As a result, it's hard to know just how large the gay community is on the reservation.

    As a young man, Joe was simply too afraid of the reaction he might get from friends, classmates, and others if he came out. A cross-country athletic scholarship to college in Idaho was his ticket away from the reservation.

    Eventually, Joe set out for San Francisco. There, a stint as a volunteer with an AIDS prevention organization led to a career. But something was still missing.

    "I was living in two worlds," Joe said.

    He returned to Gallup, eager to reconnect with his culture and help the local AIDS prevention effort, using models from his work in San Francisco.

    That work led to the Naa Ts'iilid Hozho, or Beauty Rainbow Project. The HIV prevention group, which is part of the Navajo AIDS Network, targets the homosexual, bisexual, and transgender community. The rainbow is a symbol in both Navajo religion and the Western gay movement.

    Beauty Rainbow Project is both a public health effort and an important support network. "As far as the gay community on the Navajo reservation, we're it," said Marco Arviso, who heads the group of about 20 people.

    Pernell Sam said he revealed his identity 10 years ago and will not go back in the closet. "It's too hard," he said.

    Sam is dressed in a plain gray cotton top and white pants, his face flawlessly smooth with strong feminine lines defining his cheekbones -- all changes from hormones he's taking in the hopes of someday getting a sex change. His personal mission is to help other Navajos understand.

    "I have nothing to hide," he said.

   

 

 

NOVEMBER

7 November 2003Friday

Mu mom wrote me Hi  how are things with you? I have broken out in mouth. Drs don’t seem to know what is. I talked to Jean [Horan] and she said all her family homes were o.k. up at Big Bear and Running Springs. She had them all at her house. What a mess. Your dad is doing o.k.. Love Mom. A major forest fire was burning communities up in Big Bear and Running Springs where Jean Horan has a cabin.

 

9 November 2003 Sunday

Art Carney died today. He was the other half of the Honey Mooners with Jackie Gleason (1918-2003)

 

10 November 2003-Monday

Ben Williams has been invited to speak at LGSU on the U of U Campus tonight November 10. Williams will speak on the Growth of the Lambda Community over the past three decades, followed by a question and answer period. Time: 7:30 p.m. Where: Rm 411 Union Bldg. U of U Campus SLC

 

12 November 2003 Wednesday

Dad wrote me a quick note. “Hi, its cold and rainy but we need the rain. Marie may come for thanksgiving don't know if Charline will come or not. glad Jim and kids came through fire ok. [Jean Horan’s son and grandkids]  We had smoke one day the wind change changed. Your moms back is hurting, went the Dr this morning got some shoots, maybe she will get better . She got a lady to clean the house ever two weeks that will help her a lot      love Dad

 

15 November 2003-Friday

The December Issue of the Historical Society’s News Letter is being laid out. If you are wanting to place an ad please contact utstonewallhs1969@yahoo.com. Ads sent to PO Box must be received before 20th. Ads can also be sent as an email attachment. If you are just willing to help underwrite this project please send donation to PO Box 252 SLC UT 84110-0252 by the 25th for inclusion as a supporter. Thanks$25 for a full 8 1/2" x 11 " ad $15 for half page $10 for business card size. We are also looking for underwriters who just want to help pay printing costs because they believe in our Mission Statement.

 

20 November 20 2003

The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, a long standing source of Utah Gay Community strength is hosting two big community fundraisers November 28 and 29, 2003 and you're invited. So come on out and get out of the house and into the excitement! DRAG IDOL--Rope & Ride edition! November 28, 2003 8:30 PM Trapp Door (a private club for members)$5.00 cover for the People's Concerned Fund. With a portion of the proceeds benefiting the PFLAG, SLMC, UGRA and Volunteers of America. Imperial Crown Prince Chad Keller and Imperial Crown Princess Paris Brunner-Childers host the next installment of their over the top winner take all Contest! Come on out and see Utah's top "Kings" and "Queens" compete for the title of Utah's #1 Performer as we put them to the test with Songs from Nashville. Constants can still wild card in! Entries for Wild Cards taken up till show time. Imperial Holiday--A Celebration of Community November 29, 2003 Catered Dinner @ 8:00 Community Talent Show @ 9:00 Dancing @ 10:30 with DJ Julie! Trapp Door (a private club for members) $7.00 for the People with AIDS Christmas Fund. About the People with AIDS Christmas Fund Annually the RCGSE obtains a list of individuals with HIV/AIDS from several HIV/AIDS support organizations and provides each individual with $100.00 in cash at Christmas time to be used as they need. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, any excess funds may be donated to HIV/AIDS service groups. $11,400.00 was disbursed in fiscal year 2002 and included $1,000.00 to the People with AIDS Coalition, $1,000.00 to the University of Utah HIV/AIDS Clinic, $1,000.00 to the Pediatric AIDS Unit, $1,300.00 to the Utah AIDS Foundation Food Bank, $7,100.00 to 71 individuals with HIV/AIDS Emperor X Scott Stites, Emperor XXVIII Mark Thrash, Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII Chad Keller, Imperial Crown Princess XXVIII  Paris, and Czar XXVIII  Mike Sperry are pulling out all the stops for this community gathering to celebrating our diversity!  It will be an outrageously fun evening to help people and families impacted with AIDS this holiday season. If your talented, Mark Thrash still has some room for talented people to join with other Community Leaders and figures on stage in the Community Talent Show. Email him at  thrashma@hotmail.com To learn more about the RCGSE and its many philanthropic community focused funds log on to www.rcgse.org  The RCGSE is a volunteer based  independent 501-(c) (3) organization. Donations are always accepted to any of its funds and are tax deductible! Thanks! Chad Keller  Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII

 

 

Just wanted to send out a note and thank everyone that participated and shared in Imperial Holiday November 29. Mike Sperry did an outstanding job with the Buffet, and Mark pulled together a great show. We raised over $800.00 for the People with AIDS Christmas Fund.

  

About the People with AIDS Christmas Fund

Annually the RCGSE obtains a list of individuals with HIV/AIDS from several HIV/AIDS support organizations and provides each individual with $100.00 in cash at Christmas time to be used as they need. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, any excess funds may be donated to HIV/AIDS service groups. $11,400.00 was disbursed in fiscal year 2002 and included $1,000.00 to the People with AIDS Coalition, $1,000.00 to the University of Utah HIV/AIDS Clinic, $1,000.00 to the Pediatric AIDS Unit, $1,300.00 to the Utah AIDS Foundation Food Bank, $7,100.00 to 71 individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Experience the Spike

 

For 28 sparkling years the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire has brought a diverse line up of activities to the community all to change lives and assist in building the Utah Lambda Community. To learn more about the RCGSE and its many philanthropic community focused funds log on to www.rcgse.org  The RCGSE is a volunteer based  independent 501-(c) (3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors and community elected co-presidents.

 

Donations to any of the RCGSE Funds are always welcomes and accepted. Donations to the RCGSE are tax deductible.

 

The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire

P.O. Box 11793

Salt Lake City, UT 84147

 

23 November 2003 Sunday

The local newscasts reported a fire at the Try-Angle Club on 260 West 900 South. Over $200,000 worth of damage.

 

28 November 2003 Friday

Issue 2 of the USHS Newsletter has gone to press and will be distributed this weekend to The Trapp, GLCCU, SLCMCC, Paper Moon, and MoDiggity's. Contents: Sex Crimes Recorded in 3rd Judicial Court 1896-1916 This month in Lambda History- December 1970's Who's Who in Utah- Lucia Malin and Utah Chapter of NOW Homosexuality and Native Americans Organization Recognition-Metropolitan Community Church of SLC

Musings by Ben Williams- What is Stonewall? December's Issue of the Pillar will have a USHS Time Capsule article on the 30th anniversary of the American Psychiatric Association's historic removal of homosexuality as a pathology

 

29 November 2003 Saturday

A Celebration of Community November 29, 2003 Catered Dinner @ 8:00 Community Talent Show @ 9:00 Dancing @ 10:30 with DJ Julie! Trapp Door (a private club for members) $7.00 for the People with AIDS Christmas Fund. About the People with AIDS Christmas Fund Annually the RCGSE obtains a list of individuals with HIV/AIDS from several HIV/AIDS support organizations and provides each individual with $100.00 in cash at Christmas time to be used as they need. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, any excess funds may be donated to HIV/AIDS service groups.

Emperor X Scott Stites, Emperor XXVIII Mark Thrash, Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII Chad Keller, Imperial Crown Princess XXVIII  Paris, and Czar XXVIII  Mike Sperry are pulling out all the stops for this community gathering to celebrating our diversity! It will be an outrageously fun evening to help people and families impacted with AIDS this holiday season. If your talented, Mark Thrash still has some room for talented people to join with other Community Leaders and figures on stage in the Community Talent Show. Email him at  thrashma@hotmail.com To learn more about the RCGSE and its many philanthropic community focused funds log on to www.rcgse.org  The RCGSE is a volunteer based  independent 501-(c) (3) organization. Donations are always accepted to any of its funds and are tax deductible! Thanks! Chad Keller  Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII

Just wanted to send out a note and thank everyone that participated and shared in Imperial Holiday November 29. Mike Sperry did an outstanding job with the Buffet, and Mark pulled together a great show. We raised over $800.00 for the People with AIDS Christmas Fund.

 It’s never too late to help or contribute! More events coming up soon for this longstanding and important holiday effort. Donations are always accepted and put to good use.

 About the People with AIDS Christmas Fund Annually the RCGSE obtains a list of individuals with HIV/AIDS from several HIV/AIDS support organizations and provides each individual with $100.00 in cash at Christmas time to be used as they need. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, any excess funds may be donated to HIV/AIDS service groups. $11,400.00 was disbursed in fiscal year 2002 and included $1,000.00 to the People with AIDS Coalition, $1,000.00 to the University of Utah HIV/AIDS Clinic, $1,000.00 to the Pediatric AIDS Unit, $1,300.00 to the Utah AIDS Foundation Food Bank, $7,100.00 to 71 individuals with HIV/AIDS. Experience the Spike

2003 From Donald Steward to Ben Williams –“ Ben, Thanks for the piece on David Sharpton it brought back a lot of memories. As a volunteer and employee of the Coalition I worked with David for several years through his lucid periods and also his angry and frustrated bouts. As you know, being in such close proximity to David was exhausting, and for much of our working relationship and friendship I wanted to alternately strangle him and protect him at the same time. In this age of drug cocktails and viral suppression it seems difficult to remember how compressed and urgent the AIDS arena was back then. The idea of a chronic manageable illness was years away and the whole illness just seemed so fast and so inevitably terminal. It was that sense of finite urgency that drove David and God help the person that stood in his way and wasted his time. David broadcast the AIDS message when no one else would, but he was also capable of incredible destruction, and an explosive lack of tact that usually made everyone around him bristle. In hindsight, David was the right tool for the right job early in Utah's epidemic. His brashness and ability to kick in doors was just what was needed to wake up Utah's public health officials and policy makers, and to mobilize the gay community. With that said, his gradual decline both mentally and eventually physically, coincided with the slow mainstreaming of the public health response, and what I would describe as the commercialization of the AIDS arena. The pioneers that created community based AIDS programs like the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation, and the People With AIDS Coalition, etc. were charismatic and passionate grass roots organizers, but eventually their agencies aged and matured to the point that they needed managers and bureaucrats who were better suited to the mundane long haul, rather than flashes of fire and vision. The type of angry energy and drive that David had simply did not fit into the mainstream. I often wonder what he would think of the current cohort of people with AIDS and the bureaucracy's that cater to them. Some personal thoughts: I was really lucky to go to the AIDS conference you mentioned in San Francisco with David (we went for four days and of course David being David he took four suit cases!) I still remember David’s rage when the National Minority AIDS Coalition sent out invitations to their hospitality suite on hand pressed Japanese rice paper. David was livid at their extravagance and waste when people with AIDS were going hungry in San Francisco. The other standout memory is my favorite. David and I totally blew out one afternoon of the conference to play tourist and I dragged him onto the ferry to Sausalito. It was sunny and clear and the view of the city was amazing. I had never really spent any one on one time with him and it was such a revelation to see him away from an audience. On the water and in the sun he was calm and dare I say it...happy! After he died that memory gave me a lot of comfort. David was very proud that the PWA Coalition helped bring the NAMES Project Quilt to SLC. But what most people don't know was David's biggest thrill came when Channel Two interrupted its regularly scheduled prime time programming to cover the Opening Ceremony live. After that he never let us forget that HE upstaged Miami Vice! Don Steward.

30 November 2003

 

December

1 December 2003 Monday

2003 Artists put AIDS awareness in the Utah, global spotlight Three million people have died so far this year from AIDS. And 40 million are living with HIV, including 2.5 million under 15 years old. Five million people were newly infected with a virus that many people believe is "under control." The worldwide statistics, released by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, may surprise many Americans because they do not reflect merely what is happening in Africa, central Asia, and Eastern Europe; the trend is the... Author:  The Salt Lake Tribune  Page: A1

 

3 December 2003 Wedneday

2003 Gay marriage ruling brings hope to Utah couples by William Hampton The Signpost Weber State University-In a changing world, gay and lesbian students have reason to be optimistic about the future. In the past year, a number of events have reflected an increasing acceptance toward the idea of gay marriage. In Lawrence v. Texas, Supreme Court justices ruled with a 6-3 majority that sodomy laws unconstitutionally infringe on individuals' right to privacy and equal protection. Canada is going through the transition to allowing gay marriage. And recently the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that seven suing lesbian couples could not be prohibited from getting married. "I really think it's going to cause a mental deconstruction of marriage," said Julie Drach, co-president of Delta Lamba Sappho Union, Weber State University's gay-straight alliance organization. "It's going to have to, because there are going to be people that that rubs the wrong way. I mean even if they agree with saying 'Wife and wife' ... it puts perspective on things." Drach and her long-time partner, Cassie Meyerhoffer have a strong private commitment, but look forward to a time when their relationship could be deemed publicly legitimate. "We share our lives together," Drach said. "We've been living together for almost the entirety of our relationship. We both know where we stand with each other, where our commitment levels are." Drach said while she is patient for reform, she is wary of piecemeal measures that would only go halfway toward equal rights, such as Vermont's enactment of civil unions which are not transferable from state to state and can't grant federal benefits as long as the Defense of Marriage Act is on the books. "It's like throwing the guard dog a steak," Drach said. "It's insulting. It's giving special benefits to gays and lesbians just to meet a quota. We're not the people that need to be shown special privileges. We just want what's ours." While benefits would be nice, it's really the mental image of togetherness the couple would like to change. "The biggest problem we've probably seen is a lack of recognition, lack of respect for our relationship," Drach said. Meyerhoffer agreed. "I've had family members say, 'Sorry, Julie's not invited, it's just for the family,'" Meyerhoffer said." And my sister and her husband are there. So because we can't get married, she's not family." Both believe that, as long as momentum keeps up, there is hope for a change in the public conception of "family" that would include the two of them. "Change is always good," Drach said. "Transition is always good. It's some movement, it's not stale. It's not lying there stagnant. It's being dealt with. Some believe that the reason the state is heading for trouble with the imminent fight over gay marriage is that a legal definition of marriage interferes in what ought to be private affairs. One of these is Joey Marchant, last year's Delta Lambda Sappho Union president. He and his husband, Christopher Smith, have been together for two-and -a-half years. "It doesn't matter if the federal or state governments recognize us, because it's a ceremony that's between us anyway," Marchant said "If they don't want to recognize our marriage, that's fine; we don't recognize their authority not to recognize our marriage." Marchant and Smith had a handfasting ceremony performed in January, replacing the traditional pagan knot with wedding rings. In their own eyes, they are husbands, regardless of what the state may say. Still, the couple admits it would be nice to transcend the legal hassles that come with not being legally married, like health coverage. "I can share my employee discount with Chris," Marchant said, "but with Utah state law, the way it's set up, I cannot share my health benefits with him. In other states my employer is allowed to do it, but not in Utah." Smith said inheritance issues are also a concern. "I would choose to go through a marriage because right now if I died he couldn't receive anything from me monetarily," he said. In 1996 President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, which not only permits each state to refuse to recognize homosexual marriages issued in another state -- an issue which could be contested by the recent Massachusetts ruling -- but also defines marriage for purposes of federal law as the union between one man and one woman. Merchant gave a succinct reason for the recent culmination of the cry for gay equal rights. "I think people are running out of arguments against it," he said. The two agree that current events are a hopeful step forward for people in their situation. "Massachusetts did the right thing," Marchant said. "It's a long battle for gay marriage. It's just getting started."

 

4 December 2003 Thursday

2003 Gay, lesbian students get support at USU  Wednesday, December 3, 2003 Arrin Brunson USU Faculty Senate approves proposed faculty ally program Gay and lesbian students at Utah State University may have a new faculty-approved support system on campus. A proposed faculty ally program for gay and lesbian students received an overwhelming vote of support Monday from the USU Faculty Senate, with a few abstentions and only one objection. Professor Elizabeth York, director of music therapy at USU, told the faculty senate that 15 of her colleagues have agreed to step forward and be allies to acknowledge and advise lesbian and gay students. "This will allow USU faculty to give visible support to students and staff as we all come to accept ourselves and who we are," York said. In the eight years that York has worked at USU, she has advised and participated in gay and lesbian student groups on campus, such as the Gay Pride Alliance, the Gay and Lesbian Student Resource Center and the recently formed group called Rosie. York said these organizations have proved meaningful programs to Courtney Moser USU/s gay and lesbian students, but they have been largely student-led. "My concern is that … despite these strides, students cannot identify faculty who they consider allies at this university," she said. In 2002, former USU employee Courtney Moser was asked to resign following the circulation of a salacious e-mail using his university account. Although Moser was listed as the club/s advisor on the Pride Alliance Web site, USU officials said the leadership designation was unofficial. Since that time, York said, the USU Pride Alliance has been without leadership. A newly appointed advisor will begin meeting with the club in the fall, she said, and the group/s scholarship will also be reactivated. While these are good signs, York said Utah State needs to do more to welcome gay and lesbian students. Research of peer institutions shows that trained faculty identify themselves with designations at their offices that say, for example, "Safe Space" and "Hate Stops Here." "At other universities, trained faculty have identified themselves by putting an insignia on their doors," she said. "They’ve identified themselves openly. Faculty are coming out to those students and to each other." An ally is someone committed to being understanding, supportive and trustworthy if a gay, lesbian or bisexual student needs help, advice, information about university and community resources or just needs someone with whom they can talk about sexual orientation issues openly and constructively, York said. "I propose that a similar program be developed at USU. I think it/s long overdue," she said. Michael Wallar, a former USU student and current USU employee, is a member of the Gay Pride Alliance, whose members have discussed the faculty ally proposal. As a former student at USU, Wallar said he never felt like he was in any danger, but he is optimistic about its implementation. "I think it’ll be something great for the university," Wallar said. "Students will know who they can go talk to as a support network."  When questioned by senators about the cost of implementation, York said the investment will be minimal and that faculty members could pursue funding for stickers or another kind of insignia for office doors through the Women and Gender Research Institute at USU. The faculty training component of the program could be handled by a clinical psychologist at the counseling center who is already researching the issue, York said. Faculty advisors would be expected to be an "open channel and referral source to the students," not an expert, she said. Although it wasn’t necessary for the faculty senate to vote on this particular issue, the group/s support could help President Kermit L. Hall gauge the commitment to gay and lesbian rights at Utah State as he reviews York/s faculty ally proposal. "I felt it was time for me as a faculty member to step forward on this issue," York said. "We really haven/t, as a body on this campus, come together on this issue."

 

7 December 2003 Sunday

Derek Jensen Deseret Morning News Sex arrests still high profile in Fresno Officers' approach is opposite of the method used in S.L. Cruising arrests may be low-profile in Salt Lake City, but they're major news in Fresno County, Calif. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office likes it that way. "Then it just doesn't become the dirty little secret and nobody knows what's going on," Fresno County Sheriff's Sgt. Rick Ko said. The idea in both Fresno and Salt Lake City is to stop the problem. The approaches are near opposites. Salt Lake police and prosecutors offer therapy and anonymity for men arrested for cruising. Authorities in Fresno County arrest offenders at their homes or businesses and often share the information with local news media. The involvement of the media puts the problem out in the open and makes everyone aware that men who engage in lewd behavior in public restrooms will be arrested and prosecuted. "I hate for it to get confused with social issues because we're just investigating crimes," Ko said. "I think that Salt Lake City's counseling program is great, but for our team I'm not going to hide these arrests and try to minimize the exposure for these people. That's not my job. My job is to stop the activity, and the court decides on what the punishment is." Here's how Fresno authorities handle the problem. When undercover officers observe lewd behavior in a public restroom, they don't immediately arrest the individual but instead watch to see which car the person leaves in. They then run the car's license plate number to pull up the vehicle's registered owner. If the person's photo in the vehicle database matches, police submit a warrant with the courts for an arrest. If the photo does not match the offender, police perform a minor traffic stop on the car to obtain the necessary information to find the person at a later date and arrest him. Police then write a warrant that provides for a judicial review before police can make an arrest. "A judge is reviewing the case and saying, 'Yes, there is probable cause.' That's a lot higher standard," Ko said. Police later designate an arrest day in which three detectives show up at the offenders' homes or offices. "They do not kick in a door, throw the person on the ground and handcuff them, it's not one of those spectacles you see," Ko said. The men are then sent through the court system — just like any other person charged with a crime. "When a gang member shoots somebody in Salt Lake City, do they shield someone that same way, even if he had a messed-up life?" Ko said. "I just think it's an equality issue. If you're going to do it for one, do it for all of them." Part of the reason for Fresno's approach may lie in the fact that local attorneys often sling allegations that police are targeting gay men. "We bend over backwards not to target a class of people, but by providing special treatment you're acknowledging that you're doing this against a certain group of people," Ko said. "One guy is carving out a living. What he's trying to show is that we target gay males. That's not correct. We are looking for lewd acts in public that violate the law." In contrast, a recent arrest of a man for exposing himself in a park bathroom to an undercover Salt Lake officer went like this. After leading the pudgy, middle-aged man from the bathroom without handcuffs, they took him to a nearby unmarked vehicle where he was issued a citation. The officers checked for any outstanding warrants. During the process, the West Valley City man sat in the front seat biting his nails. After asking for the man's home and office telephone numbers, the officer told him, "We do not call your employer, we do not call your home." "OK, I appreciate that," the man replied. After confirming the man did not have any outstanding warrants, officers explained that there was a program he could enroll in with the prosecutor's permission. "I'm going home," the man told the officers. "I wished I'd have done that and not stopped here tonight." As he was exiting the vehicle, the man told the officers, "Thank you, gentlemen, you've all been very courteous tonight."

Derek Jensen Deseret Morning News  Kindness is curbing gay cruising S.L. police report progress with a therapeutic approach They're not so hard to find if you know what you're looking for. Go to any number of parks or public restrooms, and you'll find a subculture of men who aren't always what they seem. Many are married with children, some are leaders within their churches and some, like former state Rep. Brent Parker, are leaders in the community. Behind their clean-cut, family-man facades, however, lies a complex inner conflict that pushes these men to seek out anonymous sexual encounters with other men in public places. “It’s a problem that cuts right through the middle of society," said Salt Lake Police Lt. Kyle Jones, who oversees the city vice squad that is responsible for arresting these men when they have sex in public.

Such encounters, which are typically referred to as cruising, are not a new social phenomenon even in relatively conservative Salt Lake City. "Park cruising is as old as time itself," said Don Steward, co-chairman of Salt Lake City's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) Liaison Committee. "It's not something that's happened overnight." Historically, the practice has also pitted a largely homophobic police force against the gay community. This chasm led to misconceptions on both sides law-enforcement agencies were too often lumping such men into categories with some of society's worst sexual predators, and the cruisers believed police unleashed a sweeping dragnet into one of the few places many felt comfortable expressing their attractions to men. And despite constant arrests, the long-held stereotypes on both sides did little to solve the problem. "We've been writing citations and citing these people for years and had no impact," Jones said. A new approach That started to change about three years ago. Frustrated by the number of men engaging in sex at Oxbow Park, a coalition of police, prosecutors, gay community leaders, government officials, therapists and public health officials met to discuss the problem. "It became clear that we had been shooting

ourselves in the foot," said David Ferguson, program director for the Utah AIDS Foundation.

Out of that initial groundbreaking discussion was born the GLBT Liaison Committee. The committee eventually developed a kinder, gentler approach to dealing with the problem. Instead of throwing men into jail for having sex in public places, offenders were allowed to participate in a therapy program called Healthy Self Expressions. The therapy is designed to help the men deal with their conflicting self-image in a healthier and legal way. "You absolutely have to deal with it in a humanistic way to address the real problem," Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill said. "Look, people hook up. It's not against the law to meet somebody that's  a human need. It crosses the line when there is a public behavior in a public place."

To enter the program, cruisers must first take responsibility for their crime by pleading guilty to the charge against them, typically a class B misdemeanor. The plea is then held in abeyance until the participant finishes the program and successfully completes his probation without further violations. During the program's two-year existence, 144 men have completed the program. Only four have reoffended. Currently, 48 men are enrolled. “You respect somebody, you get these kind of results," Gill said. "You humiliate someone, you end up getting the kind of results you did under the old model." The new approach, however, hasn't been without opposition. "I got a lot of nasty phone calls from people saying, 'You're going after your own,' said Paula Wolfe, director of Salt Lake City's Gay and Lesbian Community Center. "There was a lot of mistrust about what this whole program was really about," agreed Ferguson. "We really had to do a lot of sensitivity training on all sides. It took a long time, and we're still not there yet." A life-shattering arrest Therapist Jerry Buie, who is openly gay, counsels men arrested by Salt Lake police and referred to the Healthy Self Expressions program. His patient breakdown represents a cross-section of Utah men. About 40 percent are married, he estimated. The average length of those marriages is 23 to 24 years. More than 75 percent identify themselves as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His oldest client was 89 years old, his youngest was 20. Less than 1 percent of the men Buie treats have had substance-abuse problems. "Most of these guys have absolutely nothing on their record," he said. For many men, their arrests break open a secret compartment of their lives they have worked to keep hidden from wives, children, and the community. "We're talking about a class B misdemeanor being a life-altering crime," Jones said. Parker declined to be interviewed for this story, but his experience highlights the drastic impact such an arrest can have. After learning the Deseret Morning News was printing a story about his arrest for soliciting sex from an undercover male police officer, Parker abruptly walked off the House of Representatives floor in the middle of the 2003 legislative session and submitted his handwritten resignation to House Speaker Marty Stephens.

 "(Cruisers)  don't identify as gay," said Michael Mitchell, who is executive director of the state's gay/lesbian political action committee Unity Utah. "It's a part of their lives they cut completely off, and just to throw them in jail does a great disservice to not only them but their families." Living a lie -John, who asked that his last name not be printed, led a double life before separating from his wife in 1988 and living openly as a gay man. Before coming out of the closet, John appeared to be a typical Utah man. He was born a sixth-generation member of the LDS Church, served a proselyting mission and was married with four children. But under that shell, John, now 57, said he'd struggled with an attraction to men since age 3 or 4. "I was just fascinated by the male body," he recalled. He married his wife in September 1968 but struggled in private for two more decades with his ongoing attraction to men. "I only knew two people who were gay, and I was not like them, so I figured, 'I'm not gay,' " he said. John's struggle to identify with openly gay men is typical of many males his age, experts say. Most of Buie's clients are middle-aged men. Cruising among men in their 20s and younger is much less common now, he said. Buie and others in the gay community say that may be indicative of society's increased acceptance of homosexuality. John and other males his age grew up in an era when being openly gay wasn't widely accepted. "Many of these older men didn't have permission to deal with sexuality as juveniles," Buie said. John's first sexual encounter with another man came in April 1971. He was fresh out of the military and had a job reading gas meters in Salt Lake City. After finishing his job early one day, John strolled into a magazine shop. "You could tell there was a group of guys there looking at the magazines and getting excited, and I found that quite exciting myself," he said. After John left the shop about 20 minutes later, one of the men in the group followed him up the block. "We ended up having an experience," John said, recalling the ensuing guilt. "I didn't want to do it, yet the attraction was still there," he said. "It helped to perpetuate the secrecy and the isolation of that part of my life." Before ending his marriage and active participation in the LDS Church, John had served as ward executive secretary for three different bishops, Elder's Quorum president and counselor in an Elder's Quorum presidency. Despite his sexual forays, he continued attending the temple, a place that allows only upstanding members who are following all of the church's standards and commandments including shunning any homosexual relationships. "You're waiting for that tap on the shoulder to invite you out," John said. John's double life continued until 1988. His son had just left on an LDS mission. John went to a Salt Lake gym, met another man, and went to a park with him. His wife was suspicious when he got home 1 1/2 hours after the gym had closed. She eventually confronted him, and the two separated in October of that year. Their divorce was final by the following April. Breaking the law- A few years later in 1993, John was arrested for cruising in Sugarhouse Park. He has been arrested twice since then, most recently in March, when he engaged in a sex act in front of an undercover Salt Lake City vice officer in the steam room of a local gym. In the 10 years spanning his three arrests, John has noticed a subtle change in the way the justice system treats park cruisers. "Back then, you were basically a child molester and more into pedophilia than just someone who enjoyed sex with the same gender," he said.' During his court appearance following his 1993 arrest, John recalled the judge taking particular delight in demeaning and humiliating him. The judge read the charges out loud in front of a crowded courtroom filled mostly with people who were appearing on traffic violations, John said. After the verbal berating, the judge fined John $500, placed him on six months’ probation and ordered him to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. "It was very embarrassing extremely embarrassing," John said. "It seemed like the whole focus of it all was to embarrass you and make a spectacle." The public flogging, however, did little to keep John from cruising. He was arrested on the same charge three years ago in Alexandria, Va. Following the arrest, John says he was treated much the same way by Virginia law enforcement. After moving back to Utah more than a year ago, John continued cruising at local gyms until his arrest in March. John said he did notice a definite difference when he appeared in court on the charges. The judge allowed John to waive a formal reading of the charges, sparing him the repeated humiliation of being labeled in front of a courtroom full of people. John said the court's treatment of him after his latest arrest was "one of the better experiences for me." "There was a more civil way of treating me," John said. "It's a more human way of dealing with this. I think they're learning that cruising is not just about the sex." So what is it about? Why some men, many of whom don't openly identify themselves as gay, cruise is complex. To say that cruising is only about sex would a be gross generalization, say those familiar with the practice. There are varied levels of cruising some of which are more about meeting other men who can relate to the inner turmoil over one's sexuality. Sex isn't always the inevitable conclusion. In fact, some men who go to well-known cruising spots simply sit in their cars without speaking or engaging in sex with other men. The need for an emotional bond drives many of them. "Really, what cruising is all about, yeah, the sex is there, but it's more to make a connection," John said. "Especially here in Utah. You can't go to priesthood meeting and talk about your personal problems, where you can meet somebody at the park and just talk about the frustration you're feeling. It's not necessarily the sex, it's being able to talk to someone else who knows where you're at." Perhaps to a certain degree, men cruise public bathrooms for the same reasons teenagers used to spend their summer nights driving up and down State Street. "I think what starts out with a social aspect of 'how do I get connected' becomes sexualized very quickly," Buie said. Police and public health officials worry about cruising's effect on health and public safety. Police and prosecutors express concern over the possibility that a child playing at a park could walk into a public restroom and witness a sexual encounter between two men. During a recent operation at a Salt Lake park, vice officers arrested eight men in the space of three hours for engaging in lewd acts in a public restroom. Less than 100 yards from one of the restrooms, two groups of children were playing football and soccer. Besides being illegal, having unprotected sex leaves cruisers susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases, a cause of great concern for Ferguson's Utah AIDS Foundation. The new focus on addressing the reasons for cruising has helped address that health concern, Ferguson said. "We were going and saying you need to wear a condom," Ferguson said. "They didn't care about that. . . . Until we had conversations with guys that were cruising, we didn't understand that." Sexually transmitted diseases aside, cruising can be risky in other ways. "You play a cat-and-mouse game, and it's a dangerous game," John said, recalling the time he met a man who appeared to be making sexual advances toward him at a local gym. John approached the man and was assaulted. "He put a half or full nelson on me. I passed out," John recalled. "He was standing over by the door ranting and raving homophobic rants and saying, 'If you ever do anything like that again, I'll break your (expletive) neck.' " Desexualizing conduct Buie's counseling sessions aim to desexualize the desired connections of men like John. Buie avoids dictating what kind of lifestyle his clients should lead. Whatever their choice, the point is to teach men that sexual rendezvous in public restrooms are physically and mentally unhealthy ways of dealing with their same-sex attractions. "I try to put in perspective that, for whatever reason, homosexuality gets defined as purely a sexual thing," Buie said. "Socially, that's where the emphasis is. What I try to do is, if you will, desexualize what it means to be gay. What I ask people . . . is 'What are your values? What is your sense of who you are?' " For John, who has meant becoming an openly gay man. He hasn't cruised since his arrest in March and now fills his days with work and numerous outside activities. When he does face the urge to cruise again, John goes through a mental checklist using the acronym HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired). "All of those things were things that I'd misinterpret as I needed a fix," John said. "I learned to do more introspective thinking. If I satisfied all those needs, then generally that drive to go to the park would subside. However, if the feeling for the need was still there, then the theory was it's still OK to go to the park to cruise, but take it somewhere else, take it home."

 

8 December 2003 Monday

Carrie A Moore Deseret Morning News Christmas spirit celebrated  Christ gave laws to live by Pres. Hinckley says As the traditional family comes under increasing attack, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley says it was Jesus Christ, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, who set out the commandments upon which personal behavior and family relationships are based. In his centerpiece address, President Hinckley said, "It was Jehovah whose finger wrote on the tablets of stone the Ten Commandments which have become the foundation of much of the law which circumscribes our behavior and defines our relationships. The further teachings of the Old Testament become the safeguard of the traditional family" at a time when that institution is "under attack" and "seems to be falling apart all about us." The biblical Sodom and Gomorrah "became examples of that which was evil and abominable in the sight of God," President Hinckley said. "It was Jehovah, speaking through his prophets, who decried evil and pleaded for righteousness. When there was no repentance, it was his withering hand that destroyed them." Quoting Matthew from the New Testament, he said Christ prescribed marriage between a man and a woman, "and the twain shall be one flesh. . . . What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." His message comes just weeks after a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court ordering the state legislature there to provide for the establishment of same-sex unions. The move comes as Congress considers legislation that would define marriage nationally as a union between one man and one woman.

 

12 December 2003 Friday

Ursel H. Allred A Class Act  Ursel took a final bow and the curtain closed on the life of a fascinating human being and a remarkable teacher  Dec. 12th. Born July 23, 1925 at Leeton, Utah to Ines Meranda and James Heber Allred. Home was a farm in the Uintah Basin, he excelled in school and participated in extracurricular activities to stay away from the farm. Graduated from Alterra High, class of 43. To avoid the draft, he joined the Navy. The Navy shipped him to Saipan, Mariana Islands and later to Japan as part of the post war occupation force. Claims he grew up fast. Out of the navy, into BYU obtaining degree in theatre arts in 1949. As he wrote "I found a field of work I loved and now on to teaching." First stop was Uintah High School between 1949 to 1951 while attending graduate school at the U of U during the summers. He took a year off to attend grad school learning as much about "acting, directing and all facets of theatre" as possible. Signed on at South High in 1952 where he met "great students and did exciting plays. and theatre work." In 1957, he transferred to Highland High where he spent the next thirty years having the time of my life-working with outstanding students and colleagues, producing, directing, and teaching theatre They produced "nearly all the big and exciting musicals during those years "for the school play. Ursel liked pushing the envelope, he selected interesting material, demanded a lot, and gave a lot. Consequently, the students won many state drama awards for best play and individual acting during his tenure. He retired in 1987. Retirement did not diminish his love of theatre, it merely put him in the audience rather than directing. He embarked on theatre and opera tours to New York, London, San Francisco, and Santa Fe along with attending "local theatre productions, the symphony, the opera and having a pleasant life'" working in his yard, reading vociferously, and cultivating friendships. He managed to stay incredibly active in spite of a number of health problems over the past few of years. Preceded in death by parents, brother and his closest friend and lifelong collaborator, Jack Vigos. Survived by nephews, colleagues, former students, and friends along the road. A special thank you to the crew and patrons at Over the Counter cafe. He appreciated the service, friendships, and conversations. The flowers were a great tribute. As per his wishes, his remains were cremated to be interred at Wasatch Lawn. A memorial service will he held. at the First Unitarian Church at 569 South 1300 East, on Monday_ January 12 at 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, he suggested a contribution to any theatre group, the symphony, or the opera. Urs, we'll miss you.

Harold "Jack" Vigos, of Salt Lake City, 1914-1983 was a talented painter and teacher who studied with Mabel Frazer(among others) at the University of Utah (Phi Beta Kappa, B.A.) before becoming an art instructor at several local high schools. he also studied in France and took private lessons later from the well-known muralist Florence Ware (q.v.). Vigos was a teacher at South High School from 1945 to 1956, and then initiated studio art courses at newly built Highland High School. This energetic man was also an instructor at the Pioneer Craft House (q.v.) for fifteen seasons; he spent a total of forty-five years as a teacher in the Salt Lake City schools. During his long and productive career, the painter was also very active in the Associated Utah Artists and is represented by his work in numerous area collections. The style of Vigos' paintings is essentially realistic; his Sea Gulls (1950), perhaps this artist's best-known work locally, is owned by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

 

13 December 2003 Saturday

Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, is captured in the small town of Ad-Dawr by the U.S. Army.

 

15 December 2003 Sunday

Wayne Hansen Member of the GLBT Community wrote “Enough is Enough Well everyone your new fearless leader has done it again. Yes, Ms. York has tooted her own horn to the Herald Journal. I have waited to see If she ,herself would respond to the article but obviously she thought the way it was written was O.K.. I on the other hand do not. I can't believe the wording of the article. It is possible that it was the writer of the Herald Journal who got a little confused because it sounded like Beth York has been a stalwart leader of the gay community for years.

Beth also had to have seen the mention of Courtney [Moser] . How TACKY! Maybe it was the Journal and perhaps Ms. York mentioned it, either way they share a 50-50 share of the blame.

If I was Beth York I would have at the very least, contacted the Herald Journal to inform them that if they continue their defamatory way of reporting that they would never get another interview with me!

Courtney's name DID NOT NEED TO BE MENTIONED AT ALL! The article made it sound like Ms. York has and will be the New Leader- Advisor for the Pride Alliance and Community at large, but the article left out a couple of groups.

Not only is Pride open to Gay Men and Lesbians, but there was also no mention of Bisexual and Transgender people. ( We can't Leave anyone out).

I wondered exactly what Ms. York has done in her eight years here in Cache Valley , for the Community as a whole. Men and Womyn included. I know she hasn't reached out to the Men in this community that's for sure.

Two years ago " The Men " tried to bridge the gap between the men and women, we set up meetings, three in fact, and the womyn canceled all three times. I must say one was because Ms. York’s father was ill. Ok two times. Nothing more was said, and the womyn didn't respond.

I do know that one of the key men was Courtney whose service to the gay community has been Outstanding to say the least. In years past Here are a number of things he has done.

PRIDE ALLIANCE: President 1 year and half. Officer 2 years Advisor 5 years Helped re-instate GLA on campus after the collapse in 1998 13 years- Participated in several radio call in shows about GLBT issues AIDS: Served on the Cache Valley AIDS council for 12 years 4 years as chair Facilitated the weekly support group for HIV pos and relatives Certified HIV test administrator/councilor by Utah AIDS Foundation Volunteered at Utah AIDS Foundation Booth testing 125 people on Pride Day. Organized the display of the AIDS Quilt in Logan 3 times. Organized and staffed AIDS info booths for 12 years at Cache Co., Fair, Box Elder County Fair, Franklin Co. Fair, Rich Co. Fair, Hyrum City Celebration, Lewiston City Celebration, Wellsville Celebration, Smithfield Health Day, USU Health Fair and others. 4 years- Volunteer for Hospice of Cache Valley Helping 3 individuals in their last months of life. Organized and Executed 2 fund raising AIDS Walks in Logan. For 10 years, taught several thousand students HIV/AIDS Prevention Classes for the American Red Cross at the Locations: Logan High, Mountain Crest, Sky View, Cache High, Preston High, West Side High, North Gem High, South Cache Middle School, Lewiston Elementary, Bear River High, Box Elder High, Fremont High, Adel Young Middle School, Bear River Middle School, Planned Parenthood, Sunshine Terrace, Utah State University, Paradise Lions Club, Police Academy. Established condom distribution program for men.

COMMUNITY 11 Years- Established weekly movie night activity, for first four years in his home. 5 years- Established and executed Weekly Coffee Klatch gathering. 12 years- Organized Annual camping Trips to High Creek. 11 years- Organized Annual River Trip " Fruit Float" 11 Years- Organized and Sponsored several dances, Including the "Gender Blender" Halloween dance. 4 years- Published Community Events Calendar and News Letter, and E-mail. Helped organize the first GLBT Youth Group in Logan, after the President left town, Facilitated the continuation for 3 more years. Helped organize and Participated in the first ever Drag Show in Cache Valley. Board Member- Faith and Fellowship Center for 3 years. Board Member_

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN- LOGAN CHAPTER SPECIAL PROJECTS Planned and executed first Gay Float in a Parade in Utah Planned and executed Gay Human Rights March on the Herald Journal Co- founder/ organizer USU Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 3- Years. Created Gay Cache Valley History Display Organized Gay and Lesbian Leadership training Weekend Written and had published dozens of letters to the Editor defending the GLBT community.

I think Courtney deserves a little more respect that having his name defiled in an article that was supposed to be something positive for the gay community not only at Utah State , but the gay community as a whole.

I did some research of the USU Pride Group Page of messages that are Archived There have been 2210 messages sent since Feb 9, 1999. Courtney has sent 474 messages broken down as follows: *110 general GLBT community announcements. *205 announcements of activities he has personally planned and or hosted to which the ENTIRE GLBT Community has been invited. *105 interesting articles about GLBT issues forwarded from other sources. * 7 letters to the editor that he has written and has submitted to the newspapers about GLBT issues. *47 messages About Pride Alliance administration or Business *Of all his messages at least 95% were of interest or invitation to the ENTIRE GLBT Community. * AT LEAST 10 OF HIS MESSAGES WERE OF EXCLUSIVE INTEREST TO LESBIANS ONLY.

During this same time frame, Beth York submitted 2 messages. One was an advertisement for her partners Massage business, and the other was to announce a Lesbian Only Pot Luck.

This Only represents the Last Five years. Courtney has been in the Cache Valley for 15 years , so there is 10 more years of unrecorded efforts before this record begins. I myself resent having the womyn ignore all the work that Courtney and Others have done for the Benefit of the GLBT Community. I also resent that the Church which I attended regularly and which WELCOMED WOMYN and Women. ( take your pick!), and that all the GAY MALE ACTIVITIES were kicked out of the FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP CENTER, and that our Pastor Kelly was Kicked off of the Board of Directors, Largely due to the Influence of BETSY FRANCHINIA, Beth Yorks " Good Friend" and that Beth York was Immediately Added to their Board of Directors, and that SAPHO which expressly Prohibits participation by men, ( visit the website you'll get the picture) Now meets at the FFC Building! Does anyone smell something fishy???????

Oh and by the way, don' t let anyone see two women hugging or kissing in front of the building and make sure the drapes are drawn so no one knows that Lesbians meet there.

Before too Long the Board of Directors may even ask for a disclaimer to be placed on the door , so anyone coming to the building will know just what type of people use the FFC building.

If there happens to be an Incident with your group don't expect the Board to meet with you to discuss ways of resolution, they will just prohibit all activities you have and say ABSOLELUTLY NOTHING.

Because , they are loving caring people and they would never say that it is because one of your group had some personal problems , so instead we are going to get rid of all of you. Sound Insane?? you bet. This will probably happen after 12 years or so. Be prepared.

Oh, the other thing that will happen is, people who should be your allies and stand with you during the hard times will turn on you , discount all the work you have done. Who knows you may even lose your job and believe it or not you may even know the person who decided that he wanted to dismantle your life. These people will knock you down again and again all for POWER! And to say that their moral values are better than yours and that THEY will save you and ridicule you. These people will be GAY MEN. The ones you trusted , and knew would stand by you, but instead they will start a Civil War and men and women will be divided forever. So guys here your new leader stepping up to bat. If I were you I would keep looking, for someone with a little more integrity.

 

16 December 2003 Tuesday

Historian Jay Bell, a member of the USHS Board of Directors, was struck by a car Tuesday December 16, and is in a coma. He is in critical condition. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

 

17 December 2003 Wednesday

Deseret Morning News, Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Man struck by car and is hospitalized A 55-year-old man was in emergency surgery Tuesday night after he was hit by a car near 4450 South and 1300 East. About 5:50 p.m. Tuesday, a vehicle traveling south on 1300 East moved into a left turn lane and struck the unidentified man as it turned. "We don't have a lot of information about what the pedestrian was doing at the time. Witnesses are scarce," Salt Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Todd Griffiths said. The man was transported to University Hospital with extensive injuries and was in extremely critical condition Tuesday night.

 

18 December 2003 Thursday

Jay Bell Gay Historian died. Today. I believe Jay Bell is at University Hospital. Ric Bickmore of Wasatch Affirmation is posting more information on their web site. I just heard about the accident on the 17th and will post updates on his condition as I am informed. Jay was instrumental in saving the old Utah Stonewall Center's archives from lost and also having the Marriott Library accept it as the bulk of their Lambda collection at the U of U. He was working on a definitive history of the LDS church's struggle to derail Equal Rights for homosexuals. Members of Affirmation are working with members of Jay's family to keep his life work from being lost if he does not recover.

Jay Bell, Gay historian, and board member of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society died December 18th 2003 at the age of 55 years from the results of a tragic auto pedestrian accident. Jay was a scholar whose collections of papers and research on the Mormon Gay community in Utah reside at the University of Utah Marriott Library. According to his friends he was an important link between the Mormon Gay community and the Sunstone and Dialogue groups. He collected the history of Affirmation and its chapters across the nation and around the world as well as drafted an 800-page book to organize and present this information in a readable way. I am deeply sadden by the passing of Jay Bell. I have his voice on my cell phone answering machine from just a couple of days before his accident. I never got back with him because of the hectic holiday schedule. I will never know now what he wanted to share with me to my deep regret. Jay and I shared a love of being Gay and of history. It was he who approached me with the concept of saving the old Utah Stonewall Archives by having the Marriott Library be a repository for them. He made all the contacts between the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah's board and the Marriott Library's special collection department. One very hot summer day Jay and I spent the afternoon lugging out over 30 cardboard boxes from a dusty and dirty garage. Jay was a doer. More so he was a visionary. He understood that our time here is so fleeting and it is the records that we leave behind which will make us immortal. Jay has left us a legacy insuring his immortality. He was dedicated in preserving the history of Affirmation in Utah and of the LDS church's recessive attitude towards homosexuality. The Board of Directors of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society shall miss him not only for the giant he was in historical research but also for his wicked humor and tidbits of gossip that also makes history exciting as well as entertaining.

 

19 December 2003 Friday

Jay Bell died night before last at 1:30 a.m. The funeral is to be Monday at 11:00 a.m. Information

-- Rick Bickmore  wrote Information about Jay's Funeral Jay Bell's funeral will be held Monday, December 22, at 11:00 am, at the Mountain View Memorial Estates, either in the chapel or in one of the viewing rooms. Family and friends (including Affirmation members) are invited to attend the service. In addition, the room will be open one hour previous to the service for those who would like to pay their respects. Jay's family has graciously invited Brent Pace, from

Salt Lake City, to be one of the speakers and to help coordinate some participation by the Affirmation community.

Address: 3115 East 7800 South (Bengal Boulevard) Directions from downtown Salt Lake: Take 215 South, as if going to Brighton. Take the 6200 South exit. Go under the freeway and take Wasatch Boulevard; keep going south. The first light after the intersection to Brighton will be 7800 South (Bengal Boulevard). Turn right on 7800 South (Bengal Boulevard) going west. At 3115 East, turn right.

            The burial will take place in the Estates right after the service. Friends and family are tentatively planning to hold a social gathering in the Marriott hotel right after the service; more details to come.

An obituary notice will appear in the Salt Lake City papers this weekend. An account will be opened to help pay for some of the expenses in connection with the funeral. More information will be posted soon.

TRIBUTES: A webpage with tributes & anecdotes about Jay will be posted at the Affirmation national website (www.affirmation.org). Please send your tribute to James Kent, OhanaNews@aol.com, who's helping us prepare the tribute page. Thank you, James, for helping us with this matter.

Dear Friends of Jay Bell: I just wanted to post some information about Jay Bell's funeral, since I was at the planning meeting today at the hospital. Bob Bell, Jay's half-brother, was there, along with his wife, representing the family; a number of Jay's friends were there, including Brent Pace & his partner Ralph, Jed Brubaker & partner Josh, and a neighbor of Jay's. Current information regarding the service is posted at http://www.rick.bickmore.net/jay/

Ralph's role has been wonderful, because he works at the hospital and helped us find a quiet room where we could meet. The meeting was very positive, and we found common ground for a funeral service in which both biological family and his family of choice (i.e., us) will attend. The family was opened to having Affirmation people speak & participate. Jay was out to most of his family; most family members are not pleased that he was gay & open about it, but some compromises have been reached regarding the language and explicitness in the service.

Brent Pace will most likely be our speaker. This is very appropriate, because Brent was very close to Jay--more than I or other Affirmation friends.

            Jed Brubaker is setting up a bank account for receiving donations to help pay for some of the funeral expenses; information will be posted as soon as we have it at http://www.rick.bickmore.net/jay/

Besides providing one or two speakers at the service, Affirmation will be in charge of planning a reception at a room at the Marriott after the burial. Apparently the Marriott has offered a room for this  event because of Jay's involvement with the company (Jay worked for the Marriot). Affirmation will help pay for the refreshments, etc. More information about this will be posted as soon as we have it at http://www.rick.bickmore.net/jay/

Several Affirmation friends are planning to travel from far away to the service. Others are sending money or flowers. I would like to invite everyone to send tributes to James Kent for a memorial page that will be permanently posted at the Affirmation national website.

Obituary notices will appear in the Salt Lake City papers this weekend and in the next issue of Sunstone magazine.

Hugo Salinas wrote Regarding the accident in which Jay lost his life, Robert Bell told us that he talked with the sheriff, and it is believed that it was a genuine accident. Jay was legally blind. Apparently Jay was crossing the street between some cars that were stopped as they were waiting to turn, and a car in the other lane hit him. The driver immediately stopped and tried to help. The police do not believe the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Jay was hit in the head, went into a coma, and never regained consciousness.

            Let me add that the family knows perfectly well about the importance of Jay's research and are committed to make sure that his papers and research, including files in his computer, be donated to the University of Utah.

His papers belong in the very collection that he was instrumental in creating. When I contacted the Special Collections desk with news of his demise, the staff was shocked--Jay had spent many hours that very week doing research there.

Something very interesting that I didn't fully know is that Jay had recently been making what now seem "preparations" for death. And there was a sense of urgency about his research projects. Recently he had finished a new version of his CD-Rom on GLBTI Studies. He felt very honored by Affirmation, which nominated him for a second year in a row as a Paul Mortensen Award candidate and gave him a special award of $1,000 for his remarkable contributions to gay Mormon research. He was very excited about the Mormon Alliance publishing some of his research in an upcoming report. And at the time of his death he was dedicating many hours to gay & lesbian research in the Special Collections at the University of Utah with a renewed sense of urgency.

            Jay had also recently talked with close friend Brent Pace about some of his wishes for when the time came to go. Specifically, he had told Brent that he wanted to be an organ donor--a request that the family honored.

            Jay's life touched the lives of many people. Despite his bad sight, despite his terrible spelling, despite his love-hate relationship with his hard drive and its tendency to crash, and despite his uncontrollable urge to spread juicy stories (often based on unconfirmed, or totally false, rumors), Jay's passion for life and for research are an inspiration for us all.

Jay knew that the dead are not really dead--that they continue to talk to us through the documents and the papers they leave behind.

Jay inspired me to start doing my own research on gay Mormon topics. He also inspired me to start expanding the Affirmation website in celebrating the history of our tribe and giving tribute to those who have helped us make that history. He started to do gay Mormon research in 1995--the same year he came out.

His first research project was looking for gay Mormon related articles in the local

papers--especially the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune. He later expanded his research over the internet, "capturing" hundreds of pages with gay Mormon-related articles from the web. He also conducted research outside Utah--at the One Institute and Archives in Los Angeles (http://www.oneinstitute.org/) and at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

Research was Jay's passion. He was a fixture at the Church Historical Library and Archives, and at the Special Collections reading room in the University of Utah. He was also a fixture at Benchmark Books on Main Street, the place where he would go to buy & sell books--and to gossip with Dan Wotherspoon and Anne Wilde. He was also a fixture at the Sunstone Symposiums, which he would attend every year, either to present papers or to chair sessions.

Jay is gone precisely when his vision was beginning to take flight; a number of articles that he was writing for the Affirmation website are left unfinished, including one on the life of Steve Zakharias (a.k.a. Matthew Price), one about Affirmation's "mother" Ina Mae Murri, and one on the important connection between the Advocate magazine and Affirmation in the early days of our organization.

I am committed to either finish the articles myself, or hopefully recruit someone's help in celebrating these and other aspects of gay Mormon history.

In Affirmation, Jay Bell blossomed. His interest in Affirmation, and his desire to start his coming out process, began, like many of his passions, in a very intellectual way: One day, BYU zoology professor Duane Jeffries gave Jay a copy of Prologue, the article that had caused a stir at BYU. Sometime after that, Jay started to attend Family Fellowship forums, still very closeted and shy.

He attended his first Affirmation meeting in Salt Lake City in 1995--a meeting conducted by Duane Jennings. Jay recently told me that he went to that meeting "chaperoned" by Gary and Millie Watts, afraid that "people would be interested in [my] body"--"and I left," he quipped, "disappointed that they weren't!"

Let me finish with two quotes from an article that Jay wrote for Affinity in March 2000, shortly after visiting Washington DC for the Millennium March: "As I sat on the grass of the National Mall [during the Millennium March in Washington D.C.], I found myself reflecting on what had brought me here from a very closeted and homophobic condition. I remember gingerly going to a Family Fellowship quarterly forum, and then under the "protection" of Gary and Millie Watts, attending my first Affirmation meeting in Salt Lake City. I soon found out that there was no need for my homophobia or stereotyping of gays. I was brainwashed and I needed reeducation."

"I sat there on the National Mall grass realizing that each Affirmation conference has empowered and refreshed me, making me a better human being. It's helped me feel secure in my identity. I'd come a long way from those days when I thought the conferences were evil."

            So long, my dear friend. I am so sad that you left us, and yet so glad that you made it to the Gaylestial Kingdom before me; when I get there, I'll learn all the local gossip from you. Hugo Salinas, December 2003

 

20 December 2003 Saturday

Dear Friends: At this point we are not sure how much participation Affirmation will be allowed to have in the funeral. But a Celebration of Life, where we can all participate, will be hold in the evening. Please bring food & drinks and join us!

Celebration of Jay's Life Sponsored by Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons invites Jay's friends to a Celebration of Life and Soiree to be held at the home of Steve and Kevin on Monday, December 22, at 6:00 pm. Please bring food, drinks, and a story about Jay to share with the group. Address: 1630 East Arlington Drive, Federal Heights

 

21 December 2003 Sunday

I wrote  This is Jay Bell's obituary from the SL Tribune. (On a personal note I feel sadden that his family chose to ignore his life work and his passion for chronicling the history of the Lambda people in the LDS Church. Again I am reminded how it is so important that we reclaim our histories and our lives from heterosexual bias. This is not how the Jay Bell I knew would have wanted his obituary to read as if his homosexuality was a dirty little secret).

Edward Jay Bell Edward Jay Bell 09/04/48 ~ 12/18/03 E. Jay Bell was born in the

small town of Trona, California in the Mojave Desert on September 4, 1948 to Clarence M. and Deola S. Bell. After graduating from Trona High School, Jay went on to serve an LDS mission, then to BYU where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986. Since then he has lived and worked in the Salt Lake Valley and dedicated many hours to research and in support of the diverse cultures of America. Jay will always be remembered for his brilliant mind, his love of knowledge and especially his delightful sense of humor. Jay is survived by his mother Deola; two brothers, Ray (Gloria) and Lynn (Debbie); nieces, nephews, and cousins. His father Clarence preceded him in death. Funeral services will be Monday, December 22, 2003 at 11:00 in the Mountain View Memorial Chapel, 3115 East 7800 South (Bengal Ave). Friends and family may visit one hour prior to service. Interment Mountain View Memorial Cemetery.

Michael Pierce (Spanish Fork, UT ) wrote “Jay, You are embarked on a great adventure. We are all spirit beings temporarily living a human existence. Congratulations, Jay, on graduating this life and on your advancement into the next. No one dies. We just change form. I love you, Jay. See you soon. December 21, 2003

        David Knowlton (Salt Lake City, UT ) wrote “Jay was a wonderful person, a true saint, who influenced many in his daily activities. He always had a smile, a hug, and words of support for all who came his way. As a result his friends are numbered as the sands of the sea. He will be remembered by many who knew him and his influence in the causes that mattered to him will live on. His research will provide future generations of Mormons, struggling with themselves and their religious community, a platform on which to understand the past and live for the future. Bless you Jay for a life well lived and for the example you leave all of us. There will always be a rainbow to remind us of you just like the one that spun in the wind from your balcony.

Marty Mankins (Salt Lake City, UT ) wrote “I knew Jay for 16 years and there never was a kinder person in life. Jay had an enormous impact on many individuals throughout his life. He was active in a variety of civic and religious organizations. He will be remembered for his intense, personal commitment to research on a variety of subjects but particularly on the issue of civil rights. His pursuit of knowledge was driven by a desire to better understand and appreciate diverse human experiences and to raise awareness about the need for social reform. He was a strong advocate for anyone who has struggled to find a place in mainstream society and he frequently opened his heart and home to people in crisis. I was one of those people and I will always be grateful for that. He always inspired me to follow my passions and to trust in my heart and know that the simple belief was the true way of life. He taught me the deep meaning of tolerance and that we are all human, regardless of who we all. Jay, I will miss you and the many talks we had on just about every subject in life. All of the phone calls and emails we shared from an informative article to a joke that made us laugh. You were a true friend to me and my life is better because of that. May you touch the hearts and minds of others that you meet with as you did in this life.

  I wrote “Jay's death diminishes the community that he so loved. The Utah Stonewall Historical Society on whose board he was a member sends our deepest condolences in this time of sorrow.

Earle Jensen (salt lake city, UT )wrote jay will be missed in the community December 21, 2003

Michael Kenyon (St. George, UT ) wrote ,”dear deola and family: my condolences to you all at the passing of your son, ed. may the lord comfort you in this time of need. Michael c. Kenyon (son of nellie Kenyon, one of your teaching associates

Scott Faulring (Orem, UT ) wrote “I have known and loved Jay as a friend since our BYU days in the early 1980s. We shared an interest in LDS Church history and culture. From there our friendship grew over the years. My wife (Barbara) and I considered Jay as one of our dearest friends. It was a sad time when Jay moved from Orem to Salt Lake because we did not get to see him as much. We spent many delightful days and evenings together at family events, dinners, and movies. Jay and I researched together in the libraries and archives here in Utah. Jay would also call me to catch up on what was going on in my family's life and my work as a research historian in early Mormon history. My children all loved Jay for his honest and true concern for their happiness and wellbeing. He was closer to me and my family than any of my siblings. My now- grown children all thought of Jay as family and a true friend in whom they could confide in. I will miss my friendship with Jay but know that we shall all be together in the eternities. Farewell for now my friend. I love you as a brother and comrade in our research of Mormonism.

 

22 December 2003 Monday

 

23 December 2003 Tuesday

As of Tuesday morning 7:44 am the American Family Association votes regarding Gay Marriage were 189194 (33.67%) in opposition to Gay Marriage 326203 (58..06%) for legalization of Gay Marriage, 46478 (8.27%) in favor of some sort of Civil Union

            Please remember that polls such on the internet are presented in two part when used as a tool to promote their agenda, 1) the statistics as presented above from the poll, and 2) supporting internet documentation.

 

24 December 2003 Wednesday

 

25 December 2003 Christmas Thursday

 Really not in the Christmas spirit as Mike is being so moody. He didn’t even wish me a happy birthday. We gave the pups their Christmas treats but that was about it.

            I called Bill and Faye Romero to wish them a Merry Christmas. They stayed home this year and just spent it with Michelle and with Nora who is now in a rest home there in Rawlins.

            I then called mom and dad in Palmdale and Charline and Dennis came up from Stanton. Mom fixed a small dinner because only James came up also.  So its kind of a lame Christmas for everyone on and it rained for much of the day then turned to snow and its been snowing all night.

            In the news Utah is worried about Mad Cow disease affecting the cattle ranches.

 

26 December 2003 Friday

I received news that my father died this morning in Palmdale. He had a major stroke when his heart gave out. I don’t know what to do. It snowed about a foot of snow what night and the power was out this morning so I just put on my snow boots and went outside to start shoveling the driveway when Mike hollered at me that my mom needed to talk to me.and then that was when she told me she found dad dead on the foyer after coming back into the house with a morning newspaper.

            I was frantic but the power was off all through the city from the wet heavy storm bring down tree limbs and power lines. It was a historic storm with 12 inches at the airport and 2 feet on the benches. None of the side streets were plowed all day so we were basically locked in.

            I started calling people so mom wouldn’t have to, and Charline and Dennis went up to Palmdale as soon as they could.

            When I called my uncle Wallace he was in shock because he just talked to Dad yesterday when he called a bunch of people for Christmas.

            I cried a lot today frustrated that I can’t get to California because the airport is shut down. We have been with out power all day so no lights except for my karoscene lamp. At least I have a gas stove so I could cook something all though wasn’t hungry and we just huddled in blankets all day without any heat.

            Delta canceled 33 flights into Salt Lake.

27 December 2003 Saturday

It’s day three of one of the biggest storms to ever hit Salt Lake we finally had the power come back on after using candles and th kerosene lamp. Kimberlee Giles who works for JetBlue was able to get me on a plane tomorrow so I can be home with mom. I have been sick with worry trapped for two days and feeling helpless.

28 December 2003 Sunday

Mike was able to get me to the airport and I flew into Long Beach airport where Dennis met me to take me up to Palmdale and I finally was able to be with mom. She seems to have shut down due to hiding her grief and being stoic like I do but I was there to do what I can.  I went through dad’s things and picked out the suit and tie for him to be buried in. Tomorrow We will go pick out a casket for dad.  Since it so close to New Years dad can’t have his funeral until after the 1^st.

29 December 2003 Monday

            I took Mom to pick out a coffin for dad. It was nice, not too expensive but it seemed so surreal. Mom made arrangements with the Church of Christ minister to do the service on the 2^nd of January I believe. I wrote dad’s obituary and sent it in to the paper.

30 December 2003 Tuesday

            J.W. and Pauline drove into today from Texas to be with Mom and here for Dad’s funeral. Charline came up but Dennis had to work. I went through dad’s clothes as mom wanted me to take what I wanted and give the rest to Goodwill. I mainly just took his collection of Bolla Ties that he had made the stone clasps for.

31 December 2003 Wednesday

This is the first time I spent New Year Eve with my family in years and under such sorrowful conditions. My Aunt Marie came in from Arizona to be with Mom and between her and Aunt Pauline they did most of the cooking. Mom just sits in her recliner and kind of just zones out I think the realization that dad is gone is finally kicking in.  Mom and Dad had been married since 1946 and Mom has not been alone without Dad since she was 16 years old. 

            I have been sleeping on the couch in the front room and at night I finally have been weeping as it hit me also that my life without my dad will be the rest of my life.

            Its been a tough year as Mrs. Park my principal I dearly love and respect is leaving Orchard this year and that means a lot of changes there. Mike and I are really not lovers anymore but have settled into a strained relationship within the house. I know he is unhappy but feels trapped. I stay with Mike I think more because I love Bill and Faye Romero for accepting me more than because I love Mike. Its just kind of sad.

            Well so ends 2003 and we are at war in Iraq, President Bush is an idiot, there’s no weapons of mass destruction which they claimed.  I am tired of teaching in Utah and barely wrote anything about Orchard being remodeled and what a mess it is down there. I teach with Dan Unger and Karen Fisher and I can hardly stand Unger who has rows and rows of computers in his classroom rather than teach.

My distant Peacock cousin wrote “Well, I do hope that they all recover. It is a terrible shock for them (and you too) I know. Will be thinking of you. If you remember to, please save me a copy of the obituary. Or send it later on as an email. I would appreciate it.

It seems like we are losing so many of our family. We lost several too this year. In Mom's family, only one brother living now, and one great-uncle. And we lost some of our dear Peacock family members too.

Well, you take care of yourself. Please tell your mother that we are thinking about and praying for all of your family. This is a hard  time for all of you. Thank you for letting me know when the services will be. I wish I Could come, but just not possible right now.

With Love, Cousin Nancy Hough

My cousin Terri Williams wrote: what day is the funeral? You have times but I didn't notice the date. I wrote her back “Friday Jan 2 9:30-10:30 Viewing and 10:30 am funeral at the Church of Christ on Q and 25th. Dad will be buried at Rose Hill but no graveside service. Cousin Jr.

Dad's Obituary WILLIAMS, Edgar H. age 78, departed this life December 26, 2003, at home in Palmdale, Calif. Born January 19, 1925, in Portales New Mexico, the son of Louis and Anne Danforth Williams. He was raised in Earth, Texas before joining the Navy in 1943, where he served on the USS Gamble. After World War II, he married Wilma June Johnson to whom he was married 57 years. Edgar and Wilma lived for over thirty years in Garden Grove, Calif. until he retired from work as a steel fitter. They then relocated to Palmdale Calif., where they lived for the past six years. He was a member of the Church of Christ. Edgar is survived by his wife, and children Charline and husband Dennis Wachs of Stanton, Calif., Donna F. and husband Kenneth Jones of Yucaipa, Calif., and Edgar Williams Jr. and Michael Romero of Salt Lake City, Utah. Grandchildren James Edgar  Clark, Denise Wachs, Michael Wachs, Kenneth, and Kevin Jones. Great-grandchildren Nathan Ferguson and Abagail Allman. He is also survived by two brothers Raymond L. Williams of Calimesa Calif., and Wallace W. Williams of Lubbock, Texas, their spouses and numerous nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by two sisters, Minnie Williams and Bonnie Fagen and brother Milton Williams. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with Funeral services to follow at 10:30 a.m., both at the Palmdale Church of Christ. Interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif. Chapel of the Valley Mortuary Palmdale, Directors.