April
1
April 2004
Kirsten
Stewart of the The Salt Lake Tribune reported “Groups at U. face off on gay
marriage MOCK BRIDE AND GROOM Suzy Richardson and Matthew Overly, representing
the College Republicans Utah Chapter, talk with people from the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Student Union on their views about gay marriage
Wednesday near the library on the campus of the University of Utah.
The
College Republicans were on campus asking people to sign a petition in support
of federal legislation banning gay marriage. The LGBT Student Union organized
its rally to coincide with the petition drive.
Tim
Carter considers himself "politically dispassionate." He doesn't
subscribe to a political party, sign petitions or write to elected officials.
But a contentious debate over gay marriage sweeping the United States has
stirred the 28-year-old University of Utah student to activism. "I'm fed
up with fear; sick of my own fear and sick of their fear," said Carter,
gesturing to a gathering of College Republicans who staged a mock heterosexual
wedding Wednesday at the U. campus and handed out cake to passers-by who agreed
to sign a petition against gay marriage. Responding to the stunt, Carter and
other members of the university's Lesbian, Gay and Transgendered Student Union
organized their own demonstration, marching and carrying signs that read:
"Discrimination is not a family value" and "With justice and
marriage for all." The opposing groups -- each 75 to 100 people strong --
faced off at the Marriott Library plaza. And while demonstrators kept the
peace, the fear and anger were palpable as students sporadically crossed the
plaza to confront one another and erupted into shouting matches. "Both
sides are afraid of each other's agenda," said David Cunliffe, a
25-year-old majoring in Chinese. "If all the liberals get their way and
homosexual marriage becomes OK, what's next, polygamy? Where does that leave
our country?" Cunliffe, who is engaged to be married, takes comfort in
polls showing most Utahns support proposed amendments to the U.S. and Utah
constitutions banning gay marriage. But he worries that the growing gay rights
movement will eventually take hold and prevail, even in "Mormon
country." "We're doing our best do slow it down," said Cunliffe.
"Marriage should be between a man, woman and God. It's that simple."
But Carter doesn't understand why people consider his lifestyle threatening.
Nor does he hold out much hope for rapid change in Utah, where civil unions are
illegal and lawmakers recently passed a law prohibiting the state from
recognizing same-sex unions performed in other states. Legislators also
approved an amendment to the Utah Constitution, which voters will have a chance
to approve or reject in November. "Win or lose, I figured it's time for me
stand up for something I believe in. I want kids, I want a family. And I don't
want my children to grow up in a world that preaches hate," said Carter.
Carter and other gay-rights activists found allies in another group of campus
Republicans who decried Wednesday's mock nuptials as "tasteless."
Dave Busby, president of College Republicans at the University of Utah -- not
to be confused with College Republicans -- said his group neither endorses nor
opposes efforts to ban gay marriage, although he believes a constitutional
amendment is unnecessary. "We're here to send a message that to disrespect
and make light of another group's differences is unacceptable," he said.
2004 Austrian
Film Makers Carl Achleitner wrote me
after being referred to me from the Gay
and Lesbian Community Center
“Dear
Ben Williams ! My name is Carl Achleitner. I got your email from the
gay&lesbian community center in Salt Lake City. They said that you might be
the right person for me to talk to. I am an actor/screenwriter from Austria,
Europe.
Together
with Austrian film maker Ulrike Schweiger, I am developing a movie script for a
90 min feature film. Our story takes place in 1986/87, and it is "based on
a true story". A major part of it takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah,
another one in Salzburg, Austria.
One
of our main characters is Scott, a 19 year old gay musician, who lives in Salt
Lake. Scott has an important reason to go to Austria in our story. But - he cannot
leave the country for several months for some legal matter, connected with his
homosexuality. What we don't know is:
What could this "legal matter" be?
We
have got the script development financed, and we will be in Salt Lake to do
some research from April 6.th to April 13th.
So may I ask you two questions: 1) According to the legal situation in
Utah in 1986/87 - what gay-related "crime" could Scott have committed
that would cause him not to be able to leave the country? We only know that
there are some states that forbid certain sexual practicies by law. But we
don't know the situation in Utah in '86.
Is there an authentic basis to say that Scott was caught/observed in any homosexual activiy that would lead to
such a stiuation ? Maybe he was reported and "listed" ? What could he
have done in specific ? 2) Could you name
us a contact person (maybe yourself ?)
in Salt Lake who could meet with us between 6th & 13th April, to discuss this and answer a few other
questions ? The best time for us to meet you would be either Wed., April 7th in
the afternoon/eveneing, or at any time on the 8./9./10. or 11 April. If any of
those days is convienient for you, please just give me time and location by
email. I'll confirm that and we will show up. I did not get your phone number,
but of course you can also call me. My phone-number from the US:
011-43-2237-8503 (We're 9 hours behind your time.) I can promise that this is
going to be a beautiful film. We'd very
much appreciate your help !! Thanks for your answer and best regards from
Austria, Carl Achleitner Sittendorfer
Str. 35 A - 2531 Gaaden, Austria
www.austrian-actors.com
To: Carl
Achleitner Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 4:20 AM Subject: Re: reffered from
glccu - movies script research I will be happy to assist in anyway I can. Right
now I came down with a head cold and am doped up with cold medicene. I will see
what I have in my files as soon as I can and email as attachments what I may
have. Sincerely Ben Williams Utah STonewall Historical Society
Carl
Achleitner wrote: Great !! Thank you
very much ! We hope you'll get well soon !
All the best so far, Carl Achleitner
p.s.: Given that you're in town and fine again - do you think we could
meet ? As I wrote in my mail, we'll be in Salt Lake from 6. - 13th April.
From: Ben
Edgar Williams To: Carl Achleitner Sent: Friday, April 02, 2004 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: reffered from glccu - movies script research I am going down to
Southern California from April 3-April 8. I should be back in SLC on the 9th.
April 10-11 look open. cell 801-631-8243 landphone 801 364-3713 "Carl
Achleitner" <carl.achleitner@aon.at>
To: "Ben
Edgar Williams" Subject: Re: reffered from glccu - movies script
research Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 19:17:31
+0200 This is just perfect ! Would the 10th at 10 a.m. be good for you ? We're
at the Holiday Inn downtown, but of course we will come and meet you anywhere
else you want. Just let us know which
location you'd recommand. As soon as we're there, we'll get us a cell phone and
leave our number at your mailbox.
Very much looking forward to talk to you, and again, thank you for your
support. Carl p.s.: Could you let me
know if the 10th at 10.00 is ok, and if not, just give us any other time ?
Wed, 19 May
2004 10:18:39 Subject: "Hedy's
Lullaby" – script From: "Ulrike Schweiger" To:
utstonewallhs1969@yahoo.com Dear Ben,
thanks to your great help we now have a new version of our script. We would love to hear your opinion about it.
Would you be interested in reading it?
We would very much appreciate if you could check if the story is as near to
life as possible. If you agree to read
it, we would have to ask you to treat it strictly confidentially and not show
it to anybody else. We hope that you are doing fine and are very much looking
forward to hearing from you. Best, Carl & Ulrike Ulrike Schweiger
Silbergasse 19/8A -1190 Vienna, Austria
Wed, 19 May
2004 20:56: Subject: Re: "Hedy's
Lullaby" - script From:
"Ulrike Schweiger" To:
"Ben Edgar Williams" Dear Ben,
that was quick! Thanks a lot for your interest.
We are very happy to send you the script and are very much looking
forward to hearing what you Think about it.
Please feel free to be even "strict" with us, so we can make
as many improvements as possible. Good to hear you're doing fine! Take care,
Ulrike & Carl
Wed, 19 May
2004 21:01:Subject: PS From:
"Ulrike Schweiger" To: "Ben Edgar Williams" Dear Ben, us
again. One more little thing. If the language in our script (especially the
dialogues) seem strange to you, please let us know as well. (As non-native speakers we are very much
aware of the fact, that our English needs some polishing still ...) Best, your
Austrian friends Ulrike Schweiger
"Carl
Achleitner" To: "Ben Edgar Williams" Subject: Hedy's lullaby Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004
09:24: Dear Ben! How are you ?!? Since
we did not hear from you for such a long time, we think it's time to ask if
everything is ok with you? Did you have a chance to read our script yet? If
not, no worries. I include the latest version, which is in a better
english. Your help and advice was
absolutely essential to us, you'll find some of it included in the script. Of
course we would be VERY interested in your opinion. We are in the most difficult part of
developement ritght now, which of course is the financing. But we're confident
to get the money together and make this script into a movie, hopefully soon.
You're probably very busy with getting rid of George W., (and we hope you'll
succeed...) so if you don't have the time to read the script before the
elections, no problem. We would just like to hear that you are doing fine, so
please give us a short note. All the best for you, and once again: Thank you so
much for your support! We really had a great time with you!! Big hug,
Carl p.s.: Ulrike sends
greetings, too. She is in Berlin right now
Urilke to Ben
Williams ben, thanks again for all your help with our research. it was
wonderful going toall those places and spending time with you. let's keep in
touch. take care, Ulrike I could send more pictures.
2
April 2004 Friday
I wrote my
cousin Terrie Williams: I got a phone message left on my machine from
Wade
A. DeForest (Empress 25 Felicia) and former President of the ROYAL COURT OF THE
GOLDEN SPIKE EMPIRE Board of Directors, died of lymphoma cancer
2004
Wade A. DeForest (Empress 25 Felicia of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike
Empire) and former President of the RCGSE Board of Directors, died of lymphoma
cancer Felicia Empress 25's passing
utstonewallh... Dear Fellow Courtiers & Community Supporters--As
most of you are aware, Empress 25 and former President of the Board of
Directors, Felicia, has been battling lymphoma cancer since September `03. It
was originally anticipated that remaining chemotherapy treatments would remove
the cancer from her body by the end of February `04. After a recent relapse,
the lymphoma cancer moved into her bone marrow with results far too severe to
continue with additional treatments. At 6:30am, in the company of her loving
family and the comforts of her home here in Salt Lake City, Felicia passed
away. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. There will be
services held in Salt Lake City. We will keep you posted as more information is
available. In addition, a memoriam will be held at the Salt Lake City Coronation
on Sunday, May 30. Please send any correspondence to our Court mailing address:
RCGSE – Salt Lake c/o Felicia P.O. Box 11793 SLC, UT 84147 In Service... Mark
Thrash Emperor 28
• 2004 Wade A. DeForest Wade A.DeForest
1970 ~ 2004 Wade Adam DeForest, 33, of Salt Lake City, passed away April 2,
2004, after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral
Wade
DeForest
services are pending. Funeral Directors, Neil
O'Donnell and Sons. Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 4/4/2004. Services
for Empress 25 Felicia (Wade Deforest) have been scheduled: Saturday, April 10,
2:30 pm Neil O'Donnell & Sons 372 East 100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Wade Adam DeForest 1970 ~ 2004 Wade Adam DeForest, 33, passed away on April 2,
2004, at his home in Salt Lake after a six-month courageous battle with cancer.
Wade was born on July 2, 1970 in Honolulu, HI to Paulette Fee (step-father Dennis)
and Clyde DeForest (step-mother Trina). He graduated from Snake River High
School and attended Rick's College in Idaho. He was a talented artist and won
awards and scholarships for his work. He was active in the speech and debate
clubs in school, and won many awards. He worked at Gem Insurance, O.C. Tanner
and Utah Food Services as a Banquet Planner in Salt Lake City. He was an active
member of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, and was well known in the
community for his volunteer work. Wade had an incredible zest for life, and his
very being radiated the ALOHA spirit. Making friends came easy for Wade, and he
had many. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived
by his parents, brother Bryce DeForest, sister-in-law Sarah Jo, and nephew
Kawika Jo. The family wishes to thank the nurses and doctors on the 5th Floor
at the U of U Hospital for all the love and care they gave to Wade. Funeral
services will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 10th at the Neil O'Donnell &
Son's Mortuary in Salt Lake, and his ashes will be placed in the Pacific Ocean
at Honaunau-Kona, HI on his birthday. Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on
4/7/2004. TRIBUTES:
• I have not seen Wade in many years.
Despite that, I will never forget what a PLEASURE it was to work with him at
Holiday Inn. He made a not so great place to work at GREAT. Probably one of the
funniest people I had ever met. I did not know he was sick... Sorry we did not
stay in touch. I am very sad to hear of his passing. Lisa (Salt Lake City, UT )
April 4, 2004
• How much more fun and glamorous Heaven
will be now that you are there. Til we meet Again Ben Williams (SLC) April 4,
2004
• Heaven will be brighter, more glorious
and everyone will have a personal shopper! We'll all miss Wade! Mare Mare
Shepherd (SLC, UT ) April 5, 2004
• My heart goes out to Wade's family
& friends. He will definitely be missed. He was one of a kind. Chris Nelson
(Bountiful, UT ) April 5, 2004
• When Wade walked into a room the
energy of that room changed. He always had a way of making anybody feel good
about themselves. He was and always will be held in high regards by everybody
who's life he has touched. I will miss him deeply cary hasler (west valley, UT
) April 7, 2004
• Wade - You were always the one that
made me laugh! What a wonderful spirit. I am truly sadden by this news, but
grateful for knowing you. Luv-Meghann Meghann Griggs (Salt Lake City, UT )
April 7, 2004
• What a classy act... Oz will never be
the same without you, but we all know that you are Somewhere Over The Rainbow
drinking a cocktail for us! Thanks for doing your best to make Glinda
pretty...tough job. I will miss your devilish smile and wonderful wit. Glad you
are at peace. You will be greatly missed by all. All my best to your family.
Tell my Brother hello... Michael (SLC, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Wade taught me the true meaning of
friendship. He forced me to meet people and always made sure I was included in
whatever group he was with. Wade had a way of putting people at ease and he
always made them feel included and special. Wade will always be one of my best
and dearest friends. Rhett Larsen (West Jordan, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Wade! You always brightened my day
when I saw you, and everytime you walked into a room with your wonderful smile
it was very contagious, you made us all smile. I Love you!!!! Michelle Vreeken
(SLC, UT ) April 7, 2004
• What an incredible life experience it
is to have you a part of my life forever. Your joyous energy is still an
inspiration to me. It's rare when someone not only touches our hearts but our
souls as well. Until we meet again my dear friend. Hello. Jeff Freedman XVII
(Pittsburgh, PA ) April 7, 2004
• Our thoughts and prayers are with his
family at this time. Wade was such a dynamic individual; fun, vivacious and
loved life to its fullest. As we are all saddened by his passing I am sure he
is enjoying the company of his loved ones and enjoying that reunion. With our
deepest sympathies Micheal and Aaron Aaron Lewis (SLC, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Wade! you always brightened my day
when I saw you and always put a smile on my face when you walked into a room.
You are going to be missed very much. LOVE YOU!!!! Michelle Vreeken (SLC, UT )
April 7, 2004
• To Wade's family, Please know that he
was universally loved, and truly an inspiration to all. Witty, caring, and
sincere. We will always feel his absence. To the rest, Be ready for when we
catch up with him; can you imagine the reunion show? Mike and Alfredo (Salt
Lake City, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Thanks for all you did for the
community and everyone. You will be missed by all. HUNTER DOWN (SLC, UT ) April
7, 2004
• I worked very closely with Wade when
he was a Human Resource Assistant at O.C. Tanner Co.. What a character he was!
I am very sorry for your loss. Sandy Vaseleou (Sandy, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Wade was always a bright light on an
otherwise dreary day at O. C. Tanner. My heart goes out to his family and MANY
close friends. Penny Penny Armitage (West Jordan) April 7, 2004
• I have such fond memories of working
with Wade while I was at the Utah Symphony - he was always a favorite! He was a
true professional, and at the same time full of fun and wit. I will never
forget his rendition of Betsy Ross at the Symphony Holiday Party in 2001, the
wig, the dress and the facial hair were remarkable. I still laugh hysterically
at that Yankee Doodle evening! I will miss Wade and his beautiful smile. My
best to his family and his Utah Foods family. Laurel Ingham (Salt Lake City, UT
) April 7, 2004
• I miss you so much, Wade! You inspired
me and you were such a funny and warm person. I thank God you've gone home and
are no longer suffering! Till we meet again. I love you! Doug Tollstrup (Salt
Lake City, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Even though, I had meet Wade once and
been around the court, he was a character with a great attitude. I wish the
best to his family. Crystlll Blue-Ashton Benoit Stilleto DeVine Vain
(Pocatello, ID ) April 7, 2004
• Wade! God must of needed a new sun
ray. You are a ray of sunshine over the Pacific Ocean know shining like you
always did. The short time I knew you, you had such an impact. Your BRIGHT
smile and enthusiasm was contagious. Tami Gallagher :0) O.C. Tanner Company
Tami Gallagher (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Wade, you're only a breath away, but I
know you're now closer to all of us. This world grew a bit darker, but the
stars are sparkling more than ever! Thanks for the laughter and love. Till our
paths cross again... Chad Keller (Salt Lake City) April 7, 2004
• Wade brought humor and fun into
everything he did at Tanner. The loss to us is immeasurable, as is our gain in
having known him for a short while. Holly Fisher (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 7,
2004
• I will never forget you my Friend (I
don't think you would let me anyway) I am sure there is a stage in heaven and
you are showing them all how it's done (snap). What a great life you had a what
a great friend you were. Love, Miss Geri Geri Cordova (Salt Lake City, UT )
April 7, 2004
• fillie thank you for all of your
encouragement, and for teaching me to ignore the drama, you truely touched my
heart and taught me a lot i will miss you! to his mother thank you for giving
us such an amazing person to have in our lives. i will never forget you!!
MacKenzie (ogden, UT ) April 9, 2004
• My thoughts and prayers go out to
friends and loved ones that were so close to him. May his journey continue
upwards and that his love & memory remain here on earth. Brenda Harris
(Stockton, CA ) April 8, 2004
• Wade, you were truly a person who
loved life and lived it loud, where ever you went there was sure to be
laughter, we will miss your smile...Love Brat and Danny Ricky (Brat) Montoya
& Danny Entler (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 8, 2004
• My Friend. You have and will forever
be in my heart. I am very thank-ful that you came into my life.Fly free Watch
over us and know you will truly be missed. Your lil nut.... Rainier XXVI
SHELLEY Shelley Denton (Seattle, WA ) April 8, 2004
• Our most heartfelt sympathy at this
time. May God be with you and comfort you as he is Wade now. You will be in our
prayers. Sometimes the end is really a new beginning. In Love, UGRA Board 2004
Utah Gay Rodeo Association (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 8, 2004
• Wade, You were one of the funniest
people that I ever knew. You had such a bright, fun filled spirit. You you be
greatly missed. I'm happy that you are now in a place of peace, with no more
pain. God Bless Darren Hanks (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 8, 2004
• People such as yourself will ensure
that one day everybody will be recognized for their life's legacy, not
oppressed for their differences. Thank You and sweet dreams while you rest. J
Wilkes (Salt Lake City, UT) April 8, 2004
• Wade, darling. The world was brighter
with you in it. The memory of you will live on in the many lives you have
touched. Thank you for being a bright spot in my experience. David Ferguson
(SLC, UT ) April 8, 2004
• Empress! You were the heart... and the
mind that lit the Golden Spike Empire! Your intelligence, Witt, charity,
kindness... and happiness touched us
all! Blessed are the Hawaiian Islands for having gifted us with you for a
wondrous season! Empress LEILA LEILA VINDEL (WASHINGTON DC, VA ) April 8, 2004
• Wade, You were a man of great
integrity. I will always remember you for the person you were, committed,
focused, non-judgmental, and fun. I loved being able to be among those who got
to know you, you were truly a gift in life. Bruce Butler Emperor 23 & 26,
Eugene Bruce Butler (Everett, WA ) April 8, 2004
• Wade, you will be truly missed by all
those who you touched and inspired through your leadership, kindness, and love
you showed to others. Mark Swonson (Salt Lake City) April 8, 2004
• To the funniest entertainer, and one
of the warmest people I know...thank you for always being open and accepting. I
will always feel comfort in knowing that you have been a part of my life, and
that you will continue to glow in our hearts. Miss MeMe Jenkins (Seattle, WA )
April 8, 2004
• Hey Baby, Get the stage ready for us.
And order me a Drink. You will be missed by many. With much love,Paris Paris
(Salt Lake City, VA ) April 8, 2004
• You will truly be missed... your smile
& gentle nature made us feel very much at home. You were an inspiration to
many and will always continue to do so as you watch & guide all of us...
With love & prayers, MATT & ALEKSA (SEATTLE, WA ) April 8, 2004
• Dearest Fillie, You are the person I
will always remember as having that larger than life smile in every situation.
I will miss those larger then life purses, your smile, your laughter and the
devotion you had to everyone you met. Thank you so much for your hug last year
and reminding me that it's ok to smile. "It's all good gurl" he said
once then smiled, turned on his heel and waved across the room. There was a
rainbow today, it was definately you....storm clouds all around and you were
showing off again. I love you. Makayla Barrandey PRXXII (Salt Lake City, UT )
April 8, 2004
• We will miss the laughs, the smiles
and the jokes. What a wonderful person. We have an angel watching over us Love
Jazmine and Robert E&E 29 of Denver Jazmine James Robert Flores (Denver, CO
) April 7, 2004
• WADE YOU WILL BE IN EVERYBODYS HEARTS
YOU GOING TO BE MISSED.TO HIS FAMILY I WILL PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU. NEFI
DARELLI(MURRAY,UTAH) April 7, 2004
• Wade will always be remembered in my
heart and prayers, I had the pleasure of being able to spend time in his
company and share many laughs. I will always remember him smiling and laughing,
and sharing a kind word . Celine Martin (Madera, CA ) April 7, 2004
• You are missed by all my dear friend.
I am blessed to have known you and will never forget you. Mahalo for your smile
and your wit and your contagious zest for life. You made me laugh, smile,
think, and you made me act to make this community a better one. Thank you for
adding so much fun and meaning to my life. I'm gonna miss you. Gary Holstein
(Salt Lake City, UT ) April 7, 2004
• My heart goes out to Wades Family and
Friends. I worked with Wade at O.C. Tanner for a short time. However, during
this time I worked with Wade, I have some great memories. He was always so full
of life, laughter and smiles. Wade will truly be missed and never forgotten.
Laura Gallegos (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 7, 2004
• Someone in Texas loves you. We will
miss you surely. Good bye my "Pacific Islander Friend" From your
"Chicana Baby". John John Green (Dallas, TX ) April 7, 2004
• Wade, The world has lost a beautiful,
vibrant, entertaining, flashy, sexy, courageous, caring, funny, loving, spirit.
I selfishly wish you were still here, however I know it was time to spread your
wings. Thanks for being my friend! I'm a better person for having known you!
Love you , as you liked to call me Sherry,Shauna, or whatever... Sheryl
Thornblad (Salt Lake, UT ) April 7, 2004
• My dearest Wade, It only seemed like
yesterday I truly got to know you as a person. You don't know how much you
meant to Mackie and I and we will never forget you. Now we truly do have an
Angel looking over us. To the DeForest Family, Wade was a very special person
in so many people's lives. He touched so many people with his love for life,
his smile and his laughter. He had a way to make every person he met feel so
special. Whenever you needed his advice, Wade would be there for you. I truly
hope the DeForest family knows how much Wade was loved by all and will be truly
missed by all. Until we meet again my friend, MAHALO. Tim Hile (Colorado
Springs, CO ) April 9, 2004
• To Wade's family....you raised a
wonderful son. For the short time he was on this earth he made such a lasting
impression on those who knew him. You should be very proud. Felicia...you
always made us smile. Your outrageous sense of humor always made the room
happy. You will be one of the brightest stars in the heavens. Love
Always,.....Kim & Karen Keesler Kim & Karen Keesler (Roy, UT ) April 9,
2004
• An angel from earth is now watching us
from the heavens. "Mahalo". To Wade's mother, thank you for raising a
loving and caring son. Chuck Whyte (Salt Lake City, UT ) April 9, 2004
• What the world is now lacking- Heaven
is welcoming. Wade, you made my stay in SLC the best I could ever wish for. You
always had a smiling face, a cheerful attitude....and you were a performer that
could never be topped. I will miss you and can't wait to see you again. Save me
a seat down front, I may be a little late. Love ya, man! Cody Cosby (Blanding,
UT ) April 10, 2004
• Best wishes and condolences from
Taylor Maid - Empress 26 of Boise, Idhao Ron Peterson (Boise, ID ) April 9,
2004
• It is not often in life that we meet
extraordinary people who change our lives and help us strive to become more
than we ever hope to be. Wade was one of those remarkable people. As I look
back on my life I can honestly say that my life has been richer with wade in
it. Wade, thank you for the long talks, letting me cry on your shoulder,
letting me yell at you when the world tried to push me down and then picking me
up, dusting me off and sending me back in for another round. Thank you most of
all for just letting me be me and for sharing your friendship with me. I miss
you! Chaise Manhattan (Boise, ID ) April 9, 2004
• I am deeply saddened to hear of this
trememdous loss. I worked with Wade for a short time in Human Resources at O.C.
Tanner. Wade made my day more pleasurable with him in it. I will miss your
vibrant young colorful spirit. Felicia you go girl! Keep doing what you do
best, making people smile! Mary Moroyoqui-Harris (Salt Lake City, UT ) April
13, 2004
• It is not often that we meet people
who are so remarkable that they impact our lives so much that they want us to
strive to our best. Wade was one such person. Thank you Wade for always helping
me strive to do better, accepting me for I am, and most of all for being such a
wonderful friend and confidant. I will miss you dearly. Chaise Chris Smith
(Boise, ID )April 12, 2004
• I am saddened to hear of this
tremendous loss. Thoughts of Wade bring a smile to my face. He was such a
delight to be around. He could always make me laugh. He also worked very hard
to give back to our community. I will miss him so much. I love you honey!
Jackie- Jackie Biskupski (Salt Lake City, UT )April 12, 2004
• I am very sad to hear of Felicia's
passing. She is at peace now. Her smile and laugh will be remembered forever.
Laura O'Rourke (Lincoln, CA )April 11, 2004 Aloha to all of Wade's Friends:
Thank you for sharing your feelings and experiences with my son Wade Adam. I am
overwhelmed with your messages. I am so happy each of you had an opportunity to
know him. Wade was a special person, full of life and aloha to all he met. I
was honored to meet many of you at Wade's funeral services, and I appreciate
all the comments made during and after the services. I want to thank you all
for the cards and flowers we received. I returned to Idaho Falls Sunday, and
put the urn containing Wade's ashes on the dining room table. Then I surrounded
the urn with all the beautiful floral arrangements we received. On or about
July 2 (Wade's birthday), friends and family members will take the urn in one
of two canoes and paddle out to sea where Wade's ashes will be released. After
the canoes return to shore, we will have a traditional Hawaiian Luau with
Kalua-Pig, Chicken Long Rice, Lomi Salmon, Poke (raw tuna), haupia (coconut
pudding), poi, fried or barbequed fish, salad, drinks and dessert. We welcome
all of Wade's friends to Hawaii, and will help to make your trip enjoyable.
Please let me know if you will be able to attend and if I can help in any way.
My email address is noted below. Mahalo (thank you) and God be with you all.
All my love, Wade's mother Paula Fee and Family Paula Fee (Idaho Falls, ID)
April 15, 2004 feep@ida.net
3
April 2004 Saturday
Rev. Dee
Bradshaw of Sacred Light of Christ Metropolitan Community Church (SLCMCC) of
SLC debated with Dr. James White of the Reformed Baptist Church of Phoenix
Arizona over issues of Gay Marriage.
4
April 2004 Sunday
Wasatch
Affirmation's Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered Intersex Mormon Mission
Reunion and Fireside was held at SLCMMC.
• Don Farmer, photographer who gained
notoriety with his art show depicting two Gay Mormon missionaries, was guest
speaker.
• The ROYAL COURT OF THE GOLDEN SPIKE
EMPIRE's Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII Chad Keller and Imperial Crown Princess
XXVIII Paris hosted CP Ball 2004: Purgatory; Where Heaven and Hell Collide at
the Trapp Door.
2004 LAMBDA
MORMON MISSION REUNION Sunday GLBTI
Mormon Mission Reunion Sunday, April 4 @ 5:00 - Metropolitan Community Church
Affirmation & Reconciliation will host a mission reunion and fireside, on
Sunday, April 4, 2004. The event will be held at Metropolitan Community Church,
823 South 600 East. The evening will start at 5:00 pm with a potluck, followed
by music and guest speakers. We are please to announce that Don Farmer will be
our special guest speaker. Farmer is the photographer who gained notoriety with
his art show depicting two Gay Mormon missionaries. The exhibit was held at
South Campus Salt Lake College in March 2004. Several of his photos will be
shared at the reunion. Don Farmer is a graduate of Westminster College. Farmer,
who is Gay, was raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Professor David Knowlton, currently teaching at Utah Valley State
College, will be our concluding guest speaker. He will share a few thoughts on
missions and life journeys. David is an engaging speaker and frequent
contributor to Sunstone symposiums and the Sunstone magazine. All GLBTI, family
and friends are invited.
2004- The
RCGSE's Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII Chad Keller and Imperial Crown Princess
XXVIII Paris present CP Ball 2004: Purgatory Where Heaven and Hell Collide
April 04, 2004 @ the Trapp Door* Cocktails 7:00pm Dinner at 7:30pm Cabaret starts at 8:00pm
Tickets are $10.00 to benefit the
philanthropic mission of the RCGSE Don't miss a
Heavenly evening of Hellish
proportions in celebration of the Last Days! Fetish, Fantasy or Formal Attire
requested As earlier stated the evening will begin at 7:00 at the Trapp
Door. At around 8:00 (The cabaret will
begin. The Emperor, Empress and Princess
Royale will enter and be introduced through parted curtain. Once Mark,
Heidi, and Krystina have been seated or take their place in the
audience, they will announce Mike Picarrdi of the Utah Stonewall Democrates. You will enter through the same parted
curtain that the Imperials and the Royale entered though. Please stand on the stairs. A podium of some sort will be provided with
reading light. You have 3-4 minutes (longer if you're real good baby) to Pay
Tribute to the Empire, and Call the Community to Action. The Call to Action is a compromise to hanging
the American flag upside down, a sign of distress. At the completion of the
Call to Action you will need to take the following steps of Protocol. (Commentary--Truly, and I don’t care who
knows, if the marriage amendment passes,
I think that the National Anthem and American Flag be banned from every
Gay event, and until this is all decided that the flags be posted in silence
with those who which to remain seated can without guilt. But that’s why I don’t sit in Political
Chairs. Paris and Bobby would have my
head if I tried it at CP Ball or anywhere....)
1) Call the
UGRA Color Guard to attention
2) Invite the
audience to rise for the symbol of democracy and freedom
3) Call UGRA
to Post the Colors
Syren Vaughn
As the Audience rises, Syren Vaugn will appear
somewhere beside you on floor
level. She will have her own Mic. UGRA
will walk with folded flags to the presentation area. The Color guard will connect the Utah State
and American Flag. We will need to
coordinate how you and Syren will know they are ready. You should be very close
to them. When securely connected, the
flags will be drawn upward to the ceiling, as it goes up, Syren will sing the
National Anthem. Once posted, American Flag bearer, and Utah State Flag bearer
will step back into line. At that time
please ask that the colors of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered
Community be posted. Once Secure. Please state to the audience something like:
"that as a community in our diversity we have many anthems. This evening in tribute to Crown Princess
22/Empress 25 Felicia the Point of the Spike one of her favorite community
anthems has been selected." I will
get you the song title by Sunday. You
will signal the DJ who will flip the switch and the flag goes up (song to yet be selected) Once Posted Music Fades and you may dismiss the color
guard and exit the stage. Syren is also the Ball Coordinator, and will be right
there to help you. She is a old pro in being aware of whats happening on
stage. Just remember she will be there,
and when if asked will be of assistance.
You're a political pro, so I do not anticipate any problems. Be careful though, she has been known to get
speakers to laugh on stage when stressed.
(wink) I have found in public
speaking that in things like this it is easier if the speaker is calling the
shots and sending the cues. It makes it
much easier to know when and where you need to speak. DONT BE OVERWHELMED. Again remember....IM WORDY...so This ONLY
SEEMS LONG, I walked it out with people
and it really goes fast. If you need more info or clarification or need to
discuss. This seems long only in
word, Action will go really fast!
Thanks! Chad
7
April 2004 Wednesday
I wrote
Charline: I got home about 9:30 your time. Let me know what the dr says
tomorrow Love Jr
8
April 2004 Thursday
A farewell
reception at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of
Utah for outgoing executive director Paula Wolfe, who resigned, was held.
9
April 2004 Friday
Murderer David
Thacker was released from Prison. In
1993, a gay Salt Lake City businessman, Douglas Koehler, was targeted by David
Thacker due to Koehler’s sexual orientation. Due to the lack of a meaningful
hate crimes statute, Judge David Young was able to allow Thacker to accept a
plea deal resulting in Thacker’s release.
10
April 2004 Saturday
My 53 birthday
and I spent it going to the Tower Theater with my Austrian friends to see
Latter Days.
11
April 2004 Sunday
Marie Williams wrote: Hope you
had a good time with your mom. How was
the weather. We finally got some rain
here is
I wrote on the Yahoo Group Site “It
may appear that the historical society has been dormant lately and it is true
we have not had a monthly meeting in a while. However the society has been
active in several projects helping community members.
The Lambda
Community Center had several requests for information that
were referred to USHS. A request
was made by a U of U student working on a Master Thesis needing criminal cases
and vice squad activities in Salt Lake City.
The Utah
Chronicle requested a time line of Lambda civil right events in Utah for an
article for the university paper.
I have been
working closely with a pair of Austrian film makers and playwrights on
historical material on a film they are wanting to make placed in Salt Lake City
in 1986 involving a young Mormon coming to terms with his homosexuality.
I have been
asked to write a history column for a new Lambda publication, the SL Metro
which is expected to come out around the first of May.
We would like to
begin monthly meetings again if there is the interest. Feed back would be
welcomed.
PS I went to see
"Latter Days" finally with my new friends from Austria who have received awards at the Toronto Film Festival
for their work. For what it is worth, they enjoyed Latter Days for the genre it
was and the only technical compliant was maybe it was a bit too long and had
too many distracting side characters. However it was definitely not this
"poor quality" film that Madstone used as an excuse to not distribute
it.
It does depict a
Mormon family in a harsh light but while perhaps not stereotypical-it's one
that anyone who has spent time in the Mormon culture has experienced.
For myself, because I am a hopeless
sentimental romantic, I really liked it and am not ashamed to say made me tear
up in parts.
15
April 2004
Tami Marquardt
chosen interim executive director of GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CCU..
• A Marriage Equality Rally was held in
St. George, Utah as 2 teenage boys
yelled out "Fucking faggots" to a group of females.
2004 Salt Lake City Weekly Gay Latter Days Director C.
Jay Cox talks about the queer experience of movies, missionaries and growing up
Mormon. by Barney Hazen The director arrives, smiling. We’re meeting at Green
Street Social Club in Trolley Square, just a stone’s throw from the theater
that refused to participate in the premiere of his new film, Latter Days.
Clearly, he is having the last laugh. Tonight the Tower Theater will screen his
movie locally for the first time, and he’ll be there to introduce it. C. Jay
Cox looks about as I remember him, minus the white shirt, tie and white
nametag. (Black nametags are considered funereal in the Philippines.) We were
both many years younger when he arrived as a “greeny,” and I was first district
leader during his LDS mission, but despite the 21- year interruption in our
friendship, we still seem to like each other. We shake hands, but it seems too
little, so I clap him on the back. He returns the gesture, and suddenly we are
in an oddly familiar ritual embrace. We are here to talk about his
controversial film but also about him and how he came to write and direct. Latter Days is going to be a hard sell
anywhere, but particularly in Salt Lake City. It deals with spirituality and
religion, particularly the Mormon religion. Mormons would be a natural
audience, as films like The RM or Pride and Prejudice attest. However, this
cinematic work intersperses scenes suggesting that religion and service can
redeem the world with long scenes of men kissing and caressing, performing and
discussing sex acts that may turn away religious viewers. But those who can
watch from beginning to end are likely to feel that only someone who was raised
with, and still clings to, Mormon values could have made the movie. It’s been
raining most of the day, ending a string of good weather that threatened to
turn the whole city into sun-worshipping hedonists. When the director arrives
in his T-shirt, jeans, buzz-cut and earring, he is in the rain, but not of the
rain. How difficult is it to get an independent project like Latter Days made?
It took several years. I finished the script—the first draft—Thanksgiving of
2000. Then we started shooting in August of 2002. During that time, I had a
producer who was involved and then fell out of the project. I got set up with
another producer, and then we had to raise money. Then we
were ready to
start production in the summer, and we had to push back into the fall. We
started production without all of our budget, so it’s always this really
treacherous path doing independent projects as opposed to studio projects. But
this wasn’t one of those projects where you max out your credit cards and beg
your parents to mortgage the house. Yeah, it was because the big rule is that
you never make a movie with your own money, but right before we went into
production, one of our investors lost a million dollars in the market. So we
weren’t going to be able to go into production. Fortunately, Sweet Home Alabama
[which Cox wrote] had just opened. ... And it made a lot of money that opening
weekend. Yeah. So I put everything I made from that into this movie. There were
rumors the venue at which the film was originally scheduled scratched it
because of the threat of protests. When the chain released a statement, they
claimed the film’s poor quality was the reason they dropped the booking. Do you
want to weigh in on that? No. It would be interesting to see what other movies
they’ve screened there. I never knew that movies were booked based on the taste
of the theater chain. It was interesting that two weeks before, they’d been
thrilled, and they were really anxious to book it in other markets. It just
seemed that there was a different artistic standard for Salt Lake. I was
actually surprised by the whole controversy. I can understand if they were
talking about a new theater chain. They’re just trying to get established, and
they don’t need the threat of a chain wide boycott or anything like that. But I
really thought that people would just sort of let the movie come and go under
the radar without drawing attention to it. They certainly raised the profile of
it. What do you think Mormons don’t like about this movie? (Laughs) I guess we
could start on a list. … It’s not like a personal screed against Mormonism. I
just wrote it from my experience having been on both sides. I guess, possibly,
one of the things people don’t like about the movie is the possibility that it
presents an alternate viewpoint. Especially people committed to the idea of
convincing their sons and daughters that this is the only way that you will
survive the world. The fact that there are other possibilities for finding love
and joy and acceptance: all that’s available. I’m going to go through four or
five complaints that I’ve seen Mormons make against the film’s realism in
portraying Mormonism. Is this the way it really is? Let me get you to comment
on each one. OK. Elder Davis is alone much of the time in the movie, and it’s
necessary for plot development that he be alone. How realistic is that? How
does it jibe with your experience as a missionary? A lot of those
episodes—doing laundry, stepping outside to study in the sunshine—we don’t have
him going off tracting by himself or anything like that. When I was a
missionary, especially that first companion and always having him at my
shoulder, after a couple of months of that, it made me crazy. I needed to just
sit outside and read by myself. I just needed a minute alone. I think it was
realistic, but I wasn’t trying to defend every aspect of the film. It was true
to my experience. LDS critics are concerned about the portrayal of aversion
therapy and the genitals shocks. It’s not that they deny that such things ever
took place, but they say it was 30 years ago, so it doesn’t belong in a film
now. OK, although I don’t know whether I want to get into a debate about the
veracity of their claim of 30 years ago. I have friends who have gone through
it, either voluntarily or their parents committed them to an institution like
that. I had to research that. It’s no longer church sanctioned. Let’s put it
that way. In the early days, it was conducted right at BYU. I think almost all
therapy—not just aversion therapy, but there’s a lot of talk therapy and a
group called Evergreen that attempts to work with homosexuals—is divested from
the church although bishops are kind of made aware that it’s available. Right.
Here are referrals that we don’t sanction if you’re interested. I just think
the fact that it ever did go on, however recently, is pretty barbaric. The
church treats homosexuality as a mental aberration of some kind—maybe not a
mental illness or a syndrome. I guess. I mean they’ve degraded it from a major
abomination, but I don’t know what category it’s in now. I remember when I was
in seminary, it was just one step down from murder. I think that’s still the
theological position of the church: It’s the same as adultery. Yeah, it’s
interesting though because in some of my research as far as excommunication
goes, people I’ve talked to have been excommunicated for being gay so much
faster than people who have committed adultery who were slapped on the wrist
and allowed to linger. You mean, don’t do it again, and if you can stop, then
you’ll be OK? Yeah. Speaking of excommunication, there’s a line in the film
when Elder Davis says he will probably be excommunicated. At that point, he has
only engaged in one homosexual kiss. Is the movie making the claim that people
are excommunicated for a kiss? I think it’s a statement of his fear of the
situation and the way that he feels about it. Certainly, getting sent home from
a mission for that reason is pretty devastating. To a small town where everyone
will know what happened. It’s got to be harsh. I have friends who were kicked
out of BYU, and immediately a letter was sent home to their parents explaining
exactly why they were. So not only were they expelled from college, but they
were outed to their parents. You might want to give people a chance to confess
to their parents in their own way. As far as excommunication goes, I understand
that it’s the church doctrine that you can be gay so long as you don’t ever do
anything. They don’t like the word gay. They prefer “experiencing same-sex
attraction.” You can be homosexual. Or you can be homo; you just can’t be
sexual. And the church is adamantly opposed to same-sex marriage; I think
that’s worse. They just sort of doom people to a loveless existence. That’s a
perpetual conflict. Excommunication is, in some ways, a little kinder. It
allows people to go out and find their own way in the world. It allows people
the opportunity to learn that there are other ways of being. Have you ever seen
a church court? No. I talked to people who had been through it. Originally, I
pictured it with just three people, but they said no. It was a full 15. They
described the folding tables. It is a little bit of an inquisition, I guess. That’s
got to be intimidating, especially to some 19-year-old kid. A general question:
How do you think homosexuals are treated in the church? My personal experience
was that you could be gay or be Mormon, but you couldn’t be both. I know people
who are just so desperately trying to straddle that fence, but it’s almost
impossible to live happily. For me, it was a choice of one or the other, but
you can’t do both. You can’t try and live two opposite ways of being. There’s a
feeling that the LDS characters are one-dimensional. Let me ask a question that
deals with that: Why doesn’t Mary Kay Place’s character have a first name?
Well, it depends whether you’re reading the script or the credits. I think
that’s how she sees herself: she is a wife and a mother in Zion. She’s married
to a stake president. She’s a Relief Society president. That’s how she has
strength and identifies. Her first name is Gladys, for the record. I guess it’s
also just a reflection of growing up where there were so many women in the
church, and I had no idea they had first names. They were just “Sister [insert
last name].” It’s kind of funny. I haven’t done a ton of interviews, but that’s
the first time anyone’s asked that. That’s a good question. It is a reflection.
A lot of women in the church are not identified as individuals. You look at
patriarchal blessings where boys get to be almost anything, and girls get to be
wives and mothers in Zion. Mormonism’s a useful religion for playwrights and
filmmakers right now. They use it as some kind of metaphor because Mormons
believe in a God present and interfering in the modern age. No one else seems
to have flights of angels descending to the earth. Do you think Latter Days is
a Mormon movie? Yeah, I do, in the same way that Kevin Smith’s Dogma is a Catholic
movie ... and I think that it’s maybe the bastard stepchild of Mormon movies,
and I think that often we would like to distance ourselves from those bastard
stepchildren, but I don’t think we always get to make that choice. Another
thematic concern that seems to me to be at least an echo of Mormonism is the
idea that all people are, or should be, connected to each other in some way. We
are all a family, and we should all be sitting down at the table together. Does
that come out of your brush with Mormonism? It’s certainly an echo of that
belief system, but it really comes more out of my experience in Los Angeles.
After leaving the church, after leaving such a structured religion—and I think
a lot of religions are reassuring to people because it’s easy to say, “OK, tell
me what to believe” as opposed to deciding what to do ourselves. It was kind of
scary because of having to walk out there without a net, where I need to figure
out some of these things for myself. I think it did open me up to greater spirituality.
Mormonism also gives you a social safety net wherever you go because if you do
the same things you did as a child, growing up, people will like you and treat
you like you are one of the family. I think that there’s a continuum that you
fall into that is kind of reassuring. No matter what time of life you find
yourself, the church has a slot for you.
To get back to that interconnectedness, it’s weird, but my experience in
Los Angeles was much more about that. There were those odd coincidences where I
really needed something to happen, and that person just kind of appeared at
that moment. Those things just kind of seemed miraculous in their own way, and
I think the tendency to see miracles in random occurrence is definitely a
holdover from Mormonism. The most affecting musical moment in the film was that
rendition of “Abide With Me” by Heather Floyd. Where did you find that? How did
you choose it? That hymn was from my grandfather’s funeral. It has always stuck
with me. I really liked the idea of using a Mormon hymn, and that one speaks to
each of the characters at that point in the movie. I also, as does everyone, I think, like the
final scene at the restaurant, the holiday dinner. What turns a group of people
into a family? I think you have the opportunity—and that’s the great thing—that
as you explore the world, there’s always the opportunity to find family, and
it’s not just the family you were born into. It’s the people to whom you’re
drawn. That’s a holdover from Mormonism too, I guess. It’s not just your
siblings. For me, that’s definitely an homage to the group of people I
developed in Los Angeles. We’ve spent Thanksgivings together for the last 13
years. We go away and rent a big house, and it’s been great. I just wanted to
incorporate that into the movie because that was my experience: being able to
find an alternative family that in many ways was more nurturing and more
supportive than ... well, my family was pretty dysfunctional, you know. We’ll
get to them in a minute. Yeah. (Laughs). Do you think most Mormon missionaries
are hostile homophobes like the Ryder character? Hostile? I didn’t see the
Ryder character as hostile … OK, he was sort of hostile. I think he was this
kid from a tiny town in Utah who had never been exposed to anything in a bigger
world, and I think he was a little frightened by that. It’s funny because when
we were 19 or 20, we thought that we were grown-ups, and now I see these guys,
and I think, man, we were just little boys. For a lot of them, it’s the first
time they’ve been away from home. I see these kids in Los Angeles, and they
just look terrified. I think they respond to it differently. Ryder was sort of
hostile and reacted from fear. The district leader was a little more
understanding. He came from a more pragmatic place. I experienced all kinds of
different missionaries. There were really hostile, homophobic rednecks. There
were guys who were just biding their time because their dad was someone. There
were guys who just sort of needed to go out and be a missionary so that they
could get married. Do you think that you would encounter that kind of fear and
intolerance and general ignorance in American culture, or is it worse among
Mormons? Let’s talk specifically about the Ryder character, who is kind of a
representation of homophobia. I don’t think that’s specific to Mormonism. I
think you find that guy in any college frat house in the Midwest. Is there more
tolerance of difference in the gay community? Or is it just a different kind of
tolerance or a tolerance of different things? I think that the gay characters
in Latter Days are just as intolerant as the Mormons. We both have our
predispositions and our suspicions of other groups. There were certainly some
shots taken at the gay community [in the film]. Christian is, initially, very
shallow and hedonistic. The gay community can be very intolerant of people who
don’t fit in. I think there are some parallels between those two communities.
In general, in the bigger picture, Mormons are kind of looked at as an odd minority,
also. I think the two communities have more in common than they would like to
argue. Is homosexuality something you do or something you are? It’s one of
those things: hmm, it’s a noun and a verb. I think that it’s both. For me there
was never that choice of saying, “OK, if I just never do anything, it will
change who I am.” No. There’s something intrinsic about it. Same question for
heterosexuals: Is that who you are, or what you do? I just don’t think it’s
ever that clear cut. I don’t think straight people wake up one day and say, “I
think I’m going to be attracted to the opposite sex.” I don’t think it’s that
conscious a process, but that’s what some would like others to believe. Mary
Kay Place’s slap across Steve Sandvoss’ face is a big moment. There’s also a
scene in Sweet Home Alabama when Reese Witherspoon’s character comes home, and
it’s like cats and dogs as soon as she walks in. Is there some kind of
unbridgeable gap between parents and children? Is this out of your experience?
How do you get along with your parents? I have issues with my mother. Let’s
just say it. (Laughs). It’s funny because I showed Latter Days to my family
over Christmas. I just thought, “OK, at least you can brace yourself.” Because
people were talking about it. So I wanted them to know what it was about. My
mother’s response was “I am so glad I was nothing like the woman in that
movie.” I thought, “No. You’re kind of crazier.” I think that this is kind of
specific to that character. But there is a kind of burden on Mary Kay’s
character and, also, Jim Ortlieb’s character. They are really charged with
being the representation of this bigger body, the church proper. Those two
characters are the personification of the church since we don’t get to see the
institutionalized homophobia I believe exists. Has there been any hint that the
film would be protested outside this area? Do other religious groups find it
objectionable? I got a letter from the Baptists thanking me for not picking on
them. No. Actually, I haven’t received any negative feedback from other
religious groups although, strangely enough, a lot of people have responded to
the movie who come from other religious backgrounds. I have straight women
friends who feel that the movie has reflected their conflict over being Catholic
and having to reconcile their sexuality with their religion. Lots of women have
gone through the same thing, realizing that they were sexual beings too. They
related to the movie that way, and I thought it was interesting that they saw
that. How aware are you of this phenomenon of “Mormon filmmaking”? I’ve become aware of it peripherally. When we
were making the movie, my producer knew Richard Dutcher. He gave me a copy of
God’s Army. I’ve become aware of other films. Ironically, a few weeks ago, I was
in San Antonio for the opening of Latter Days there, and, in the same theater,
the same night, The Book of Mormon Movie was opening. So I snuck out of my
movie to see that. What did you think of that? Everyone had very nice teeth, I
must say that. There was great dental work. Tell me about your hometown. I grew
up on a ranch outside a town of 600, and this was in a county the size of
Massachusetts that had 2,500 people in it.
And it was founded by Mormon pioneers? Yes. And so, in this Mormon
outpost, how many non-Mormons lived in the town? It’s hard to say because we
really tried to pick them off. It was funny because the county was 75 or 80
percent Mormon, but for a long time growing up, it was still Nevada, so
prostitution and gambling were legal. Talk about mixed messages. It was
predominantly Mormon, so “the Church,” with a capital C, permeated every aspect
of the culture there. I get the feeling that you knew that you didn’t fit in
there long before sexuality was an issue. I wanted to be a filmmaker from the
time I was in third grade, but I didn’t figure out issues of sexuality until
much later. I didn’t even have an inkling.
It was such a redneck. ... Well, my mother was a world-champion calf
roper, so we were born and raised as cowboys. I wanted to make movies. Right
there, that was a problem. I remember being—I think I was about 3 or 4—and I
loved the Beatles, and my parents were just like, “Jay, I think there is a
problem with the boy.” Yeah, I always felt a little odd. You were a believer
growing up. I went through a period because my family was divorced; we were
sort of the black sheep in town. So from the time I was 14 until I was 24, for
this 10-year period, I was pretty hardcore. I was really attempting to throw
myself into the church. Yeah, I was a believer. I would have been one of those
kids out there picketing the movie. The Mormon worldview sometimes makes people
believe that if they work hard enough, and if they are obedient enough, and if
they have desire and love for God, that this will solve all sorts of problems
that they have in their life and family. Was that you, too? Mm-hmm. That if I
was good enough, not only would it solve some of my personal issues, it would
help heal this screwed-up dysfunction in my own family. I know that particularly
for me, becoming a missionary was part of this quest to deal with my sexuality.
If I went out there and threw myself into it, that would solve this problem,
erase this conflict that I had, somehow change my nature. When did you come to
grips with the fact that this difference in you had something to do with
sexuality? It didn’t really hit until after I was in college. At BYU?
Strangely, ironically, that’s where it really surfaced. But there was no
experimentation before your mission? Well, I’d had one brief little experience,
and I was fleeing that. I was kind of terrified. It was problematic because, of
course, so much of Mormonism is based on worthiness, and as a missionary, I
knew that I wasn’t worthy, so I could never be successful. So I needed to work
really hard to overcome that. And that would cleanse you, somehow, too? I
guess, but I remember that one of the things that we were required to read was
The Miracle of Forgiveness [Spencer W. Kimball’s popular treatise on sin and
repentance]. And I remember going through that, and the first thing was that
you had to have serious remorse for your sin. And I remember praying that I
would feel bad about this experience that I had. But it was really one of the
most life affirming, positive, loving experiences that I had in my life to that
point. So it was tough to reconcile that. And I knew that when I did that I
would just want to kill myself. But instead, it was like a Disney movie where
birds were singing and stuff. I really worked so hard to make myself feel bad
about it, and I could never quite get to that place of regretting the
experience. The irony was that I really
wanted to reconcile my beliefs; I was looking for answers and taking it very
seriously. I was pretty successful as a missionary, and that was a problem,
too. I felt like either I am worthy, and that means that all these prohibitions
are wrong, or I’m unworthy, and I’m still successful, and that’s still a
problem. The rules are all changed. The logic goes around in your head and it
all unravels. How afraid were you that your secret would be discovered? That’s
a big part of the film. I realized when the movie opened, with the big marquee,
I thought, this was my worst nightmare. I was so afraid that in some big public
forum, I’d be outed. People would find out that I was gay. Then I realized that
there was someone talking about [the film] on CNN, and I didn’t even consider
the Internet. I was doing it to myself! The irony was that what had been my
worst nightmare was the doorway to achieving this dream come true. Did your
mission fix you? Did it fix your family? That’s funny because when I came home,
my family was in even worse shape. That was a problem because I came home to
one of the worst periods of my life. Really horrible stuff … and I thought,
“Wow, that didn’t work.” And to make matters worse, I was still gay! Were you
feeling any pressure to get married at that point? I don’t know about you—I
thought it was just a joke—but in my interview with the stake president, he
said that my first priority was to get married, before school or a job or
anything. I got that from the mission president and the stake president. Not
only that, but they had a schoolteacher that they hired specifically to fire
her in my direction at literally every church event. We were pressed up against
each other. Why did you choose BYU?
Everyone who went to my high school went to BYU. The choice was you could go to
BYU or to Ricks College or, if you were a real hard-core loser, you could go to
UNLV. Film and theater major? I wanted to study film, but the film school at
BYU—you couldn’t get into it. They basically made church films, and you
couldn’t study film there. The feeling seemed to be that the entertainment
industry was not morally suitable anyway. What was your major? I majored in
journalism. But then I got disenchanted with that. The temptation to write
absolute fiction was too great. Did you graduate? No, I left school just before
my next-to-last semester. I thought, “I just can’t go back there. I can’t spend
another winter in Provo.” Then they won’t be able to revoke your degree if you
cop to anything now. I never realized that would be another form of
retribution. Is there a homosexual scene at BYU? For me? No. I have friends I
met subsequently who went to BYU. They said, “All that stuff going on down at
the field house?” I just had no idea. Was there a paranoiac fear of discovery
at BYU? Sure. But in my head, it was more like a scene from Invasion of the
Body Snatchers. Someone would just point at me and know. There was this
suspicion. Mormons do believe that they have discernment, so that your bishop
at any moment could say, “I’ve got your number, buddy. You are out of here.”
And how do you know anything if you don’t know that [secret of mine]? And if
you’re just left to guess on your own. ...
There’s a moment in Latter Days when Aaron says, “You don’t know what
I’d be giving up.” What did you have to give up? That’s more from his
perspective. I gave up a really messed-up family life and a lot of wretched
guilt and anguish and lots of boring Sunday church meetings that I wasn’t
interested in anyway. A lot of the stuff he has to give up he’s more closely
connected to than I was. The choice was between spending eternity with my
family and being gay. I was like, “Let me get this straight: I get to have sex,
and I don’t have to spend eternity on a planet with my family?” Bring it on. In
return you got a life that works? Yeah. Talking about that worst nightmare of
people finding out in some public forum, and it’s been so amazing to just be
able to live honestly with myself and other people and just have a little more
integrity in my life and relationships. And I think that I got a much deeper
spiritual connection. It opened me up to all kinds of things. I know some members
of my family and some people back home look at my life and think I sold my soul
to the devil, but the Mormons weren’t offering that much, apparently. I kind of
cashed in. When I showed the film to my family, my mom said that she had come
to the conclusion that homosexuality is not a choice because nobody would
choose it. It is such a terribly hard life. I look at my brother with six kids
and a wife … working two jobs to support them. I think of my parents and their
five failed marriages. And I went back to L.A. and took the top down and cashed
a check from the studio and thought life is what we make of it. For me, it was
the choice of being happy and living a fulfilled life, and still having family
and all those things that I thought had to be denied. When was the last time
you were inside a Mormon church? I went to one of my nephews’ confirmation.
It’s been years, and I still kind of felt then that lingering suspicion that
the pod people would turn on me. One last question: What God do you worship? I think
he’s much more personal and not quite so defined as what I was taught: the
white guy with the beard. But what’s interesting, having been away from
religion for so long, how much I came back to the basic precepts of
Christianity. Some of the basic teachings of Christ, I look at it and say,
there’s a simple, brilliant logic to it. I’ve come back around to the basic
tenets. When I was Mormon, I got so caught up in questions like “Why can’t I
wear an earring?” It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae.
16
April 2004 Friday
Hi Everyone,
Mom got hear left eye done yesterday and is doing fine, had the Band-Aid
removed this morning. Now she is having
trouble figuring out how far out to hold her book so that she can read it. I think she said that she had 20/40 vision in
that eye now. We go Monday to Woodland Hills to see the back specialist. We won't know anything until we talk with the
doctor. I will let you all know what we
find out. It is going to be a long day
for her as it will take us about and hour and a half to get there. But as bad as her leg is bothering her we
need to get this taken care of. It has
been windy her the last week some days windier then others. Hope you are all well. Love
Charline
Lee
Silva’s 9th Annual Diamonds and Spurs benefit for Utah Gay Rodeo Association
UGRA held at the Trapp.
LABoratory
Exhibition of Experimental Film held a film festival which featured several
films with Gay & Lesbian content including "Oddly Enough", a
portrait of a young Mormon missionary coming to terms with his homosexuality.
16-18 April 2004
17
April 2004 Saturday
Mark Swonson
Executive Board Member The Stonewall Democrats Utah Chapter announced, "BINGO
AND BROADS" The Cyber Sluts will be hosting the Bingo and show for The
Stonewall Democrats Utah Chapter. There will be lots, lots of prizes for
winning Bingo cards. The money raised will help us with the upcoming "Hate
Crime Bill" for 2005 to lobby our NEW Legislature as well as help in this
crucial 2004 Election Year.
Our
community needs to elect a legislature that can deal with the word "Sexual
Orientation" and recognize us as a community and people. Right now there
many old drabby legislatures that will not recognize us as people or community.
Unless we change the faces within our Legislature we will never have a law that
has sexual orientation written on the books. We need to vote these men and
women out of office and elect new legislatures that will recognize us as a
"PEOPLE".
I,
encourage everyone to come out and invite anyone else who might be interested
in becoming politically active this year. Remember it’s your life to live. Live
your life by participating in the system and creating change by voting, joining
campaigns, becoming delegates, and let your voice be heard. Be politically
involved otherwise the other side will always WIN because YOU decided not to
participate. Please join The Stonewall Democrats Utah Chapter1 They need your
help this crucial election year.
Thank You,
19
April 2004 Monday
Marie Williams
wrote: Glad to see June is doing okay with her eyes. I am anxious to hear about her back. I am a little tired after the taxes and
having 14 over for dinner Sunday. I gave
a shower for one of the ladies at church.
Everything is going good here so will write later..Take care all of
you....Marie
I wrote uncle
JW Johnson: Mom went to the back specialist today and will not need surgery. We
are excited about that. She will have to have pain shots and physical therapy which she can get in
21
April 2004 Wednesday
Along I-15
there are several Bill Boards with a rainbow, a church, and the slogan until death do us part?. I asked in the Yahoo
Group site, “Does anyone know what is up with these Bill Boards? Some think it
is pro-Gay marriage and others feel its anti-Gay basically saying Gays are
going to hell! Can anyone tell us for sure what the confusing message is?
Becky
Moss replied, “Word on the street is that it's a stunt by a radio station.
Definitely radio related. The website is registered to Simmons Media, owner of
KJQ, X96, and 101.5 Eagle Country. The message on the billboards is an old
fashion ploy to see what the visibility is of that billboard; this helps the
owner of the billboard to price the billboard for future sales. Respectfully,
Becky Moss
Toni
Palmer wrote; The billboards were a "media ploy" by X96. They apparently have put up new billboards
today (which I haven't seen yet) that show the "Radio From Hell"
morning crew in a mock marriage ceremony (correct me if I'm wrong). That's my understanding of the situation from
listening to the radio today. They claim it's all just a joke and no one should
be offended or take it so seriously. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it
right now, but am not real excited about having our serious struggles for
same-sex marriage, made into a joke, or a media ploy. Does anyone know anything
else regarding these billboards? Has
anyone seen the new one? What are your
personal opinions of it? -Toni P.
Mike
Picardi responded, I believe that to make fun and use our struggle is in bad
taste. We have an uphill battle ahead of us and to have this fight made into a
joke for sensationalism sake is inappropriate. If we were to mount an ad
campaign using billboards, their effect has been compromised by the flippant
use of the church, rainbow colors and the "alternative lifestyle"
copy in the X96 ads. This is serious business! Our rights have been taken from
us by the Right. We need to be as serious in our fight and determination to get
them (our rights) back. A complete lack of compassion was displayed by X96, and
I for one, am hoping for an apology and retraction.
Morning
Everyone, Yes the billboards could be read as tasteless by us, but I think they
were just lame. For a communications company whose very product is information
and clarity, they were really ambiguous and pointless (unless they deliberately
wanted to create a controversy with a Rorschach test billboard that would
inflame both the conservatives and the liberals and generate some cheap buzz).
Donald
Steward wrote, My concern is that although the Corporate parents of X96 may be opportunistic
weasels, the radio personalities on the billboards have been some of the most
vocal supporters of the gay and lesbian community over the years. They have
used their air time to forward discussion on a lot of our issues. If we ask for
an apology or retraction, let’s make sure it’s from the corporate folks and
that we reiterate our personal support for the DJ's. Fergie.
Kevin
Hillman added, I work with a very mixed group of people and most were mainly
curious about what the bill boards meant. I am troubled that many think that
our fight cannot be fought on many fronts and with humor. We need to break down
all the walls that do not lead to constructive conversation.
This
may have been and in your face ad but it didn't hurt anyone and it surly did
open up a lot of talk with people who saw it. I usually don't like to get into
the mix of these type of debates because I feel that all to often only one view
is being looked at. As a community we are made up of many different groups who
are brought together by or one common goal equality.
To
many times people attack before they know the whole story and the attack is
then seen as mean and uncalled for and many times we hurt those who are
friends.
Too
often to much energy and time is wasted fighting battles that we cannot win at
that time. I feel this bill board is the perfect example of this type of
reaction. As was said earlier lets educate our friends about bad taste and
attack or enemies.
I
have been in many leadership roles in Salt Lake and on a few national boards. I
know how we attack those that we feel are hurting us or who we disagree with.
It's okay to disagree but to react without thought is fruitless. It always
saddens me when the whole picture is tore in half so that people only see what
they want to see. Lets quit reacting to those who are our enemy's and act. We
can and will get more done that way.
Don't
get me wrong though. I do believe that in your face activism is very important
to start conversations and that we need to embrace all parts of or community
from drag to butch, transgender to leather, young to old, female to male,
lipstick to fem and from conservative to liberal.
The
marriage debate is as divided in the gay community as it is in the straight
community. What we are fighting for? I don't feel it is for the definition of a
word (Marriage) but in many ways those that have chosen to lead this battle
make me feel that that is the only thing we are fighting for. Until they, them,
me have clearly defined to me and the country as a whole what we are fighting
for we cannot have a united front.
In
this country it has taken years for civil rights laws to change and until we
educated and define clearly what we are fighting for we will keep running into
walls.
I
am truly sorry that I have let myself be drug into a debate about a bill board
that will be forgotten in a few days.
2004
Corrections officer jailed on child molestation charges David James Gomez By Ashley Broughton The
Salt Lake Tribune A Utah Department of Corrections administrator was booked
into jail on suspicion of 125 counts of sexual abuse for allegedly molesting
boys while serving as a Mormon bishop a decade ago. David James Gomez, 57, was
arrested Monday at Corrections headquarters, said department spokesman Jack
Ford, and was placed on administrative leave without pay. Police said they
interviewed more than one alleged victim, but would not specify how many. In
one scenario, a 13-year-old boy who had approached Gomez for religious
counseling was allegedly abused for three years, beginning in 1990.
Investigators allege that abuse included hundreds of incidents of inappropriate
touching, as well as oral and anal sex, and took place in Gomez's office at a
neighborhood center for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at
Gomez's home and in the parking lot of Granger High School. The allegations did
not come to light until after Gomez had been released from his position as
bishop. The alleged abuse was reported to police March 30, said West Valley
City police spokesman Capt. Craig Black. "The detectives involved
interviewed more than one victim and potential witnesses, " Black said.
Following his arrest, Gomez was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on
suspicion of 10 counts of sodomy on a child; 15 counts of aggravated sexual
abuse of a child; 50 counts of forcible sodomy and 50 counts of forcible sexual
abuse. Salt Lake County prosecutors had not filed charges against Gomez as of
Tuesday. Dale Bills, spokesman for the LDS Church, said the church was
"shocked to learn recently of these allegations, particularly considering
the relationship of trust that must exist between a bishop and the members of
his congregation." The LDS Church expresses its deepest sympathies to the
alleged victims, Bills said, and has cooperated fully with law enforcement in
the investigation. In June 2003, Gomez was appointed to his current job as
director of Utah Correctional Industries, a self-sustaining prison work program
employing about 700 inmates who make license plates, furniture and highway
signs, among other jobs. The program's projected revenue for 2005 is $17
million. Corrections hired Gomez in November 2000 as diversity coordinator,
Ford said. Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certification is not
required for that position, so a criminal background check on Gomez was not
performed, Ford said. But Corrections officials did check with Gomez's former
employers, who gave him the "highest remarks," Ford said. Before joining Corrections, Gomez was
manager of the Salt Lake County Census Office during Census 2000. A search of
statewide court records shows no previous criminal history. Gomez also served
on the state Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Legal System. Jim
Pietramali, who lives near Gomez, called him "nice and pleasant" and
said he is well-known and popular in his West Valley City neighborhood.
"He was one of those guys who was always helping everybody,"
Pietramali said. "Heck, I was with him the other day, helping somebody
move. "This is one of those mystery
ones," he said. "I just hope he didn't touch any of my kids."
23
April 2004 Friday
Marie Williams
wrote me: Jr I know Carolyn's e-mail but I don't want to broadcast it to
everyone. Let me know how to get intouch with just
you....Marie
I wrote Aunt
Marie: Marie Benedgar1951@yahoo.com is my private email address that only goes
to me. When you send me stuff on how you
have been doing I share it on the group site. I guess I should ask before hand.
I bet you are glad April 15 is over. Mom
is in good spirits about not having to have back surgery but I still think
something more could be done for the pain she gets in her leg. Do you think
Carol Walker would mind if I asked for some family dates on Winnie's family?
Mom said she thought Carol and she didn't get along. Love Jr,
Marie replied:
That is okay just wanted to send stuff about Carolyn that maybe not be
broadcasted. Jr I think Carolyn might be able to help you with Kenneth and who
he was married to. I know he married a
girl named Betty. Had two girls maybe
more. They stayed with Winnie and John
for a long time. I will try and get in touch
with her and see what I can find out.
Code
Pink, a women’s activist group protested Smith’s Food King's policy of locking
up condoms.
SALT
LAKE CITY (APRIL 21) — In solidarity with those marching in Washington, D.C.
this weekend to protest encroachments on women’s reproductive freedom, SLC
CodePink, will be visiting Smith’s Pharmacy at 9th East and 8th South in Salt
Lake City at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 23 to serve a writ of habeus corpus to
FREE THE CONDOMS, which Smith’s now keeps under lock and key!
SLC
CodePink believes all babies should be born wanted and of parents able to
provide proper prenatal and postnatal care. CodePink also believes that people
should engage in sex responsibly so as to avoid getting and spreading diseases.
To that end, all Utahns should have easy access to FREE or affordable condoms
and other birth control.
Smith’s
locks up the condoms because people STEAL them. They STEAL them because they
are trying to act responsibly but cannot afford the condoms.
Keeping
condoms locked up causes embarrassment for people who CAN afford condoms but do
not want to have to ask for them to be unlocked.
Smith’s
corporate office is refusing to allow signs in their stores telling people
where they can get free condoms. It has also refused Planned Parenthood’s offer
to replace any condoms that are stolen if Smith’s keeps them unlocked. Smith’s
corporate office (Marcia Gilford, 974-1400) told CodePink, “If people are old
enough to have sex, they know where to get free condoms.”
CodePink
believes that people don’t know where to get free condoms and that if they had
access to free condoms they wouldn’t be trying to STEAL condoms.
CodePink
also sees Smith’s actions in making it difficult to obtain contraceptives as
consistent with a cruel cultural policy in Utah that denies people information
about sexuality and birth control yet expects women to provide perfect prenatal
care and indeed may charge them with first degree murder if they do not. A
culture that places high demands on pregnant women should want to help women
who are not up to the task avoid becoming pregnant.
SALT
LAKE CITY CODEPINK is an evolving women-initiated grass-roots peace and social
justice movement that seeks a sustainable world through positive social change
with proactive, creative protest and non-violent direct action
ACTION ON
FRIDAY When: 5 P.M. Friday, Where: Smith’s, 9th East and 8th South, SLC
Contact: Bessie McIntoch, CONDOM LIBERATION DAY!
24
April 2004 Saturday
The Lesbian
Avengers organized a local march to support NOW’s national March for Women’s
Rights.
25
March 2004 Sunday
The march will
be held on April 25th and will begin at 10:00 am. The starting point for the
march is the west side of washington square. If you have any questions, please
e-mail me at volcorpwacu@yahoo.com
29
April 2004
The first
general meeting of the Utah Bear Alliance (UBA)was held at the Black Box
Theater at Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Utah
• Bishop Otis Charles, formerly of the
Utah Episcopalian Diocese, was stripped of his license after his April 24
marriage to partner Felipe Sanchez Paris.
• SLC's newest Gay newspaper, Salt Lake
Metro’s premiered at over 60 locations across the April Wasatch front. Michael
Aaron is publisher and Brandon Burt was 1st editor. Michael Aaron had a huge
opening party with news anchors and reporters, politicians, business owners,
and our fabulous community members. It was so big, the wait to get in was over
45 minutes.
May
1
May 2004
Touted at
Utah’s first ever “Queer Prom”, the Youth Activities Center (YAC) held a dance
at the GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND
TRANSGENDER CCU. Actually the Utah Gay and Lesbian Youth Group hosted a prom in
1989 at the Central SLC Community Center.
Utah Gay Rodeo
Association UGRA became an affiliated program of the People With AIDS Coalition
of Utah (PWACU)
2
May 2004
ROYAL COURT OF
THE GOLDEN SPIKE EMPIRE’s 25th annual Golden Spike Awards, Utah’s oldest
community nominated award show, was held.
5
May 2004 Wednesday
U of U’s
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC) presented first
Lavender Graduation Ceremony with Laura Milliken Gray as guest speaker.
I
wrote “I know it's just me- but it bugs me when perfectly good articles have
the wrong date on an event from our past. Once something gets written down- a
wrong date has a way of self-perpetuating. A case in point was the fiasco of
calling last year's Pride Day the 20th anniversary of Pride when Gay Pride Day
has been celebrated in one form or another in Utah since 1974!
What
piqued me was that a good article in the SL Metro about Quilts made the
statement that the writer and his partner viewed the AIDS Quilt in 1986. This
would have been impossibility since the quilt was first show in 1987 at the
March on Washington and was not shown in Utah until 1989.
Utah
is fortunate to have a Gay historical society and its free! I would like to
suggest that if anyone is writing an article on a historical event who is not
certain of the date, please take a moment to contact the society and we will
certainly do our best to get accurate and credible information from our data
base out to you in a timely manner. Misinformation passed along just makes for
poor journalism and questions are credibility. Ben Williams USHS Director
6
May 2004
Two Hillcrest
High School students were suspended for wearing T-Shirts with slogan Queers
Kick Ash as part of a youth anti-smoking campaign sponsored by the GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CCU.
7
May 2004
Brandon Carver
of Ogden appeared on a Dr. Phil show dealing with “mixed-orientation”
marriages.
7-8 May
2004
Grand Opening
of Club 161 at 161 South Pueblo Street SLC, UT.
It soon becomes home bar for Wasatch Leathermen’s Association (WLA) and
Utah Bear Alliance (UBA).
7-9
May 2004
Walter
Larrabee presented his The Wizard of Oz Show at Mo Diggity’s
8
May 2004 Saturday
Utah Stonewall
Democrats and supporters protested during U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson's speech at
the State Democratic Convention by
standing up and turning their backs to
Congressman because he favors a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex
marriage.
Thomas
Burr of Salt Lake Tribune reported, Protest planned Gay and Lesbian Democrats
and their supporters plan to protest during U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson's speech at
the State Democratic Convention today. The Stonewall Democrats voted nearly
unanimously in a caucus Friday night to stand up and turn their backs to Utah's
lone Democrat in Congress because he says he will vote for the constitutional
amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
The
move was prompted by University of Utah Lesbian and Gay Student Union President
Evan Done, who said Matheson had turned his back on gay supporters.
Caucus
Chairman Mike Picardi abstained from the vote because he questioned its
purpose. "He knows we're pissed already," Picardi said.
Matheson
said Friday night that he has always believed marriage is between a man and a
woman, but still respects the Stonewall Democrats viewpoint. "I respect
the fact that we disagree on this," he said.
• Utah Gay Rodeo Association UGRA
hosted its 2nd annual BBQ at Memory
Grove UGRA has two memorial areas that they are responsible for cleaning
up and weeding.
11
May 2004 Tuesday
About 25
Hillcrest High School teens in SLC protested the school's actions of suspending
Cody McCook for wearing a T-shirt with the anti-smoking message, "Queers
Kick Ash."
12
May 2004 Wednesday
Linda
Fantin of The Salt Lake Tribune reported, Tempest in a T-shirt: Students
bounced over logos Hillcrest High School students Samantha Harman and Cody
McCook wear the T-shirts -- off campus -- that got McCook suspended. About 25
teens protested the school's actions Tuesday morning.
MIDVALE
-- Hillcrest High student Cody McCook is no Carson Kressley, the "Queer
Eye for the Straight Guy" star who, as a kid, used to sit on the
playground and mentally mix and match outfits on his classmates. Then again,
Kressley probably never got kicked out of school for his fashion sense.
Since
May 6, Hillcrest officials have suspended McCook twice and booted at least
three other students for refusing to cover up or change out of T-shirts with
the anti-smoking message, "Queers Kick Ash." And not because the logo
was lime green. School officials claim the shirt violates Hillcrest's dress
code, which prohibits, among other things, clothing that is vulgar or sexually
suggestive, or "items which bear advertising, promotions and likeness of
tobacco." The pun "kick ash" was deemed unsuitable, as was the
word "queer."
Principal Linda Sandstrom says the label is
still seen by some as a slur and could target students for harassment.
Although
Hillcrest's Gay-Straight Alliance is not directing the anti-tobacco campaign --
the nonprofit Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah is --
Sandstrom said the school club could be disbanded if some of its members insist
on being "disruptive."
About
25 teens demonstrated near the school Tuesday morning, donning signs that read
"Homophobia is so gay," and "Queer is nothing to fear."
"This
is school," Sandstrom said. "We're trying to help kids learn what's
appropriate."
According
to the American Civil Liberties Union, educators are the ones in need of a few
lessons -- on the U.S. Constitution. Citing free speech protections, ACLU
attorney Margaret Plane called the school's response unlawful and requested in
writing that the suspensions be reversed and removed from student records, and
that administrators stop threatening the Gay-Straight Alliance.
There
is nothing lewd, vulgar or obscene about advertising one's sexual orientation,
Plane wrote to school and Jordan District officials, and the word
"queer," while once derogatory, is now considered a positive term of
self-identification. As evidence, she points to the Bravo "Queer Eye"
makeover show and the existence of queer studies programs at the University of
Utah and elsewhere.
"Students
have a right to political speech or expression, including expression of sexual
orientation," Plane wrote.
As
for the image of a stubbed out cigarette, it is not being used to promote
smoking but to curb it. In fact, funding for the gay-oriented anti-smoking
campaign comes from the state health department, part of Utah's $30 million a
year share of the national legal settlement with tobacco companies.
The
need for a gay-themed campaign is backed by the Centers for Disease Control,
which reports that nearly 60 percent of gay adults ages 18 to 24 smoke compared
with 35 percent of their straight peers.
Melinda
Maureen, director of youth programs for the GLBT Community Center, said the
shirts were created by a teen task force and given to students from several
schools, including Murray, West Jordan, Hunter, Hillcrest and Copper Hills high
schools. "Hillcrest is the only one with a problem," Maureen said.
As
for McCook, the 17-year-old isn't buying his school's rationale, especially
concerns about student safety. He says gay students are repeatedly harassed at
Hillcrest -- earlier this year McCook's ceramics locker was vandalized and
plastered with anti-gay epithets -- only to be told by administrators that the
students "bring it on themselves."
While
several Hillcrest students said statements of sexuality don't belong at school,
they agreed that there is a double standard. Sheena Steedman, 16, said straight
males are allowed to sport T- shirts with women in swimsuits. Nor has the
school cracked down on girls who wear shirts advertising "I love Mormon
boys."
Jennifer
Brown said Hillcrest has a reputation for being radical, and she's had enough.
"We have to put up with a lot of crap because people are always trying to
make a statement," the 17-year- old said. "People shouldn't go around
flaunting their sexuality no matter what it is."
13
May 2004 Thursday
Monthly
meeting of the GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL,
AND TRANSGENDER Business Guild held at
Bambara Restaurant in SLC
14
May 2004 Friday
Carrie and
Elisia Ross-Stone, two lesbian grandmothers, riding on their bicycles as the
“Rainbow Ride Across America” stopped in SLC
to raise awareness of equal civil marriage rights. Mayor Rocky Anderson welcomed them.
Rally
for same sex marriage at the Salt Lake City- County Building on west steps is
being sponsored by Salt Lake Metro. Bring signs, posters, banners, but remember
signs must be hand held no sticks according to state statutes. Carrie and
Elisia Ross-Stone are two lesbian grandmothers riding on their bicycles from
San Francisco to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to raise awareness of the need for
equal civil marriage rights for gay and lesbian people. Mayor Rocky Anderson
will welcome the duo.
Other
events over their stay: 9pm Friday May 14 Welcome reception and barbecue
fundraiser Paper Moon, a private club for members, 3737 S State St. Donation
requested.
Babs
De Lay" wrote Grandmas Cycling
Across the Country in Salt Lake thanks
michael.[Aaron]..i will announce this on the radio today [Thursday]. except for
the event at the paper moon. i don't see your group doing anything at mo
diggity's (my bar). discrimination? hope
not. we hold 325 in the main room, 45 in in the non-smoking room.
• A Cinco de Mayo Art show of local
Latino and Latina artists displayed at GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CCU
15
May 2004 Saturday
New
Bear Club in Salt Lake hosting a BBQ picnic. Contact Bear Group site for more
details.
Equality
Utah with local attorneys form the "DON'T AMEND" Campaign committee. 2004
1pm Saturday, Public Forum along with Equality Utah and local attorneys
Foothill-Anderson Library, 1135 S 2100 East SLC
Rhina
Guidos of The Salt Lake Tribune reported, “Gay-marriage backers roll into town
Salt Lake City -Mayor Rocky Anderson greets partners Elisia and Carrie
Ross-Stone on Friday at the City-County Building. The couple are on a bike trek
to gather support for gay marriage.
The
couple rode into town on twin bikes. Elisia and Carrie Ross-Stone, hardly the
average "grandmas" they describe themselves as, are making a
coast-to-coast trek in their neon biking vests to promote more than just good
health. "We're looking to get support for equal civil marriage," said
Carrie Ross-Stone, 49, on the steps of the City-County building Friday.
The
athletic Ross-Stones were welcomed into town by about 45 Salt Lake residents
who cheered them on their ride across the nation to gather support for same-sex
marriage. They talked about their children, grandchildren and retirement, and
about their worries that they won't have the same benefits and rights of
heterosexual couples.
Today
they will be part of a 1 p.m. panel discussion on gay marriage and partnership
rights at the Anderson-Foothill Library, 1135 S. 2100 East. The women married
last fall in Canada; they began their trip in San Francisco a few days ago, and
will finish at Rehoboth Beach, Del.
"Those
who advocate marriage equality are going to prevail," said Salt Lake City
Mayor Rocky Anderson, who welcomed the Ross- Stones to Utah. "It
[same-sex] marriage is now a respectable mainstream issue."
Salt
Lake resident Guy Hanna took his 1-year-old son Connor to the City-County
building to show support. "They're not asking for special rights," he
said. "I don't think we should change the Constitution [to ban gay
marriage]."
Others
in the crowd wore blue buttons that said "Don't amend." While urging
gay couples to become informed about their legal rights, the cycling grandmas
also urged them to vote in November. They compared their trek, uphill
sometimes, sometimes flat, to the national struggle for gay marriage. "I
know we will make it," Carrie Ross-Stone said. They leave Utah on Sunday
after a nondenominational service at City Creek and will head to Colorado.
17
May 2004 Monday
Tony Randall,
American actor (b. 1920)
18
May 2004 Tuesday
PFlag
Claudia's St. George Working through Anger, Grief and Loss In Our Journeys of
Coming Out Guest speakers Kraig and Chris We have some great stuff to present.
This should make for interesting discussions. BIO: We both have a Masters in
Social Work and have been involved in counseling many GLBTQ people. We use to
chair the Affirmation G/L Mormon group in Las Vegas for 5 years. We are both we
both served LDS missions. We have been together for 9 years
20
May 2004 Thursday
Hi, Hope you
all are doing well. We are fine here.
Just a note to let you know that Mom will see the therapist on the 1st of
June. We cannot wait to see what they
are going to do for her. The last doctor
was not very helpful. It was a waste of
time to see him. As soon as we get back
from the therapist I will write and let you all know what he or she had to
say. Love you all Charline
22
May 2004 Saturday
“Rally against Rage” was organized by 18 year
old Joshua Nowitz to protest the failure of the state legislature of Utah to
pass an effective Hate Crimes Bill. Jackie Biskupski and David Litvack spoke at
rally.
Protesting
the Failure of the State Legislature of Utah to pass an effective Hate Crimes
Bill increasing penalties of any crime if the defendant selects the victims
because of bias or prejudice due to the race, color, sexual orientation,
national origin, ancestry, age, or gender of any individual or group of
persons.
Rally
against Rage-Joshua Nowitz, an eighteen year old high school senior who was one
of two Utah students to represent the US at the World Individual Debating and
Public Speaking Championships is organizing this event.
While
doing research for his senior thesis project at school, he became aware of the
history of hate crimes legislation in Utah. Determined to do something about
hate crimes legislation in Utah, Josh decided to organize a rally outside of
the State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City at 1:00 PM, Saturday May 22nd.
State Legislators, Jackie Biskupski and David Litvack have committed to
attending and speaking at the rally. The Stonewall Democrats of Utah have also
committed their organizations? support to the rally.
Representative
David Litvack and others have tried unsuccessfully for years to pass a
meaningful hate crimes bill but have never succeeded. The people of Utah must
rally for hate crimes legislation and remind our government that we demand a
fair hate crimes statute.
Between
the years of 1999 to 2002 over 200 cases of Bias-Motivated crimes were reported
in Utah. None were successfully prosecuted as hate crimes. I hope that your organization will support
the rally against rage in utah. Please contact me with any questions you might
have, Joshua Nowitz
Alexandria
Sage of The Associated Press reported, “Episcopal Diocese of Utah sanctions
same-sex blessings. Ron Richardson, left, and his partner, Rex Lynn Nilsen,
pose outside St. Paul's Episcopal
Church.
A
church known for its colorful history in Utah is taking a stand as a
progressive voice on one society's most divisive issues --same-sex unions --
ruling that Episcopal priests will be allowed to bless those partnerships.
The
Episcopal Diocese of Utah has a history of open-mindedness --one former bishop
was an avowed socialist, while another was an avowed pacifist -- and dedication
to community. After the church became the first major Protestant denomination
to organize in the state in 1867, it opened the first hospital and Utah's first
private school. And now, in a state known for its religious conservatism, the
diocese has jumped into an issue that has threatened to fracture the U.S.
branch of the Anglican Communion, with its 100 dioceses domestically and 10
abroad.
"A priest said, 'Until death do us part,'
and held us up to the congregation and to the community to say 'Look, we
approve, this is all right, we love them and we're here to give them our
support and to protect them,' " said Ron Richardson.
Last
month, the 64-year-old piano teacher and his partner, 50-something Rex Lynn
Nilsen, held a blessing ceremony at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salt Lake
City to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
The
10th bishop of Utah, the Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, announced in March her
sanction of same-sex blessings in the diocese. In a statement, Bishop Irish wrote, "I believe it will
be a blessing for the Church to embrace the full participation of all her
people without discrimination." The bishop is currently reviewing three
rituals to be offered to couples for use in their ceremonies.
Priests may decline to perform the ceremonies
if they wish. Irish declined to be interviewed for this story, citing time
constraints, but a diocese spokesman, the Rev. Daniel Webster, said Irish's
decision has received "overwhelming" support statewide.
During
a national convention last summer, the church acknowledged that same-sex
blessings were already being performed in some dioceses and allowed for the
development of such rites on the local level by individual bishops.
It
is unknown how many same-sex blessings have been performed within the Utah
diocese, made up of over 6,000 members in 22 parishes. In past years, blessings
were performed quietly to deflect attention, Webster said.
"My
own opinion is I think what a lot of people in the Episcopal Church wanted to
do was to do this with integrity to come out and say, 'We've been blessing
people in their covenant relationships for several years, [now] we need to do
this in an open and public manner,' " Webster said.
Not
everyone in the diocese agrees, said the Rev. Caryl Marsh, rector at St. Paul's
who performed the blessing. "People are not of one mind about same-sex
unions," Marsh said. "Some are theologically comfortable with this,
others have some difficulty, and still others are neutral."
Blessing
the union "was a pastoral response to two people we cared about as a
congregation," she said. "I did not want it to become part of
somebody's political agenda. We want to offer hospitality to all people."
When
other gay couples outside St. Paul's have asked her to bless their unions,
Marsh has declined. The Unitarian Universalist church began performing
"gay and lesbian services of union" nationally and in Utah in the
mid-1980s.
Rabbi
Tracee Rosen of Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City, a lesbian, said she is
"certainly comfortable" performing same-sex blessings, but no couples
have come forward to request them.
Many
of the Utah couples receiving same-sex blessings, including Richardson and
Nilsen, are former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
which rejects homosexuality and same-sex unions. The Catholic Church also
frowns upon same-sex unions and does not perform same-sex blessings. But the
issue still invites controversy even among Episcopalians.
A
former bishop of Utah, Rev. Otis Charles, became the first bishop in the world
to wed his same-sex partner in church last month in San Francisco. Charles was
subsequently stripped of his license to officiate by the Episcopal Diocese of
California. And the decision to confirm an openly gay priest as bishop of New
Hampshire was hotly debated at last year's national convention.
Conservative factions within the church have
threatened that the election of Gene Robinson will lead to a split within the
church.-- Salt Lake Tribune reporter Peggy Fletcher Stack contributed to this
report.
Kyra
Faye Prespentte wrote, Voting Today hey
everyone, This I just a reminder that today from noon until midnight, is voting
time for your new monarchs for the RCGSE. come out and cast your vote as to the
persons that you feel will do the best job for the community. You may cast your
vote at: Hilton City Center 255 S West Temple Salon 3 (III) And again the times
are 12pm until 12am Please come out and support your community. Your vote is
your voice, so let it be heard. With and Open Heart Candidate for Empress 29
Kyra Faye Prespentte
23
May 2004 Sunday
Ninth Annual
Food for Hope benefit for HIV/AIDS services held at Panini.
27
May 2004
Sally
Neilson writer for SLMetro Issue 3 2004
End of a Reign Heidi Ho Reaches Out By– MAY 27–JUNE 9
Red feather
boas, sparkling outfits, champagne and drag performances every night: the
glamorous life of an empress, right? Think again — ruling an empire is hard
work.
Empress
XXVIII Heidi-Ho West Waters says the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire has
spent the last year raising $45,000 for charitable organizations and $5,000 for
scholarship funds. People living with AIDS and homeless youth alike have
benefited from the Court’s largesse.
The
position of empress carries a lot of responsibility in its title: “A lot of our
fundraisers are drag shows, so people stereotype us as ‘the drag queens,’”
Waters said, “but the focus is to come out and have some fun and raise money
for people less fortunate.”
Not
all members on the RCGSE board are performers. Waters herself is not — although
she is willing to lip sync “I Am Woman” for the shows. Waters is also not the
first straight woman to be empress — she believes in diversifying the community
by working not just inside it, but outside of it as well. That way the Court
can show what it — and the community as a whole — can do.
“If
we demand tolerance, we need to live tolerance,” she said. Waters says she has always been involved in
the gay and lesbian community. She’s been involved with the court for 22 years.
“I
like the acceptance and the way I am treated in this community,” she said. Her
ties to the community run deep: According to Waters, most members of her
immediate family are gay.
During
her reign, Waters has placed a strong focus on cancer-related charities. She
oversaw Cancer Awareness Week and raised money for the Cancer Wellness House
and for City of Hope, as well as for a private recipient who needed
reconstructive surgery after having a facial tumor removed.
During
her own battle against cancer, Waters came to understand the difficulties faced
by patients applying for state medical assistance. “You try to get help from
the state and basically they say, ‘Well, you make too much money or you’re not
totally disabled,’” she said. “There aren’t a whole lot of support groups out
there for women with cancer, or for children.”
Over
the last couple of years, the RCGSE has also become involved in outreach
programs to benefit youth and to get more women involved in the organization.
“What’s really made me happy is the response and support from the women in the
community. That’s very exciting for me,” said Waters.
Waters
has been concerned with reaching out to gay people of color, combating bigotry
and ignorance. “Someone of color who is gay has more challenges than someone
who is white and is gay,” said Waters. “We need to be aware of those
challenges.
I
would like to see a little more cohesiveness with different organizations in
our community. We’re all in the same boat — we need to love one another.”
According to Waters, it is important for the community to stand together as a
whole, perhaps now more than ever: “We get enough flak from people outside our
community. We need to be unified.”
30
May 2004 Sunday
ROYAL COURT OF
THE GOLDEN SPIKE EMPIRE Coronation held at the Hilton. "NAMASTE: Evening
At the Majestic Ruins of the Maharajah” was hosted by Mark Thrash and Heidi Ho
Waters. Mike Sperry and Syren Wind Archer Vaughns were crowned Emperor and
Empress 29.
2004 The 29th
Royal Court Coronation was held with Mark Thrash and Heidi Ho West Waters
stepping down. The new officers were The Steele Stag Celtic Emperor Emperor
XXIX Mike Sperry and The Only Sapphire Diamond, The Absolute White Fire Greek
Goddess Empress, Empress XXIX Syren
Vaughn. Prince Royale XXIX was Michael
"Spam" Canham and Princess Royale XXIX was Paris Silver.
June
1
June 2004 Tuesday
Heather
Borski, of the Utah Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program
opted not to renew the GAY, LESBIAN,
BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CCU's grant to "prevent the anti-tobacco health
message from being overshadowed by unrelated advocacy activity." The grant was for an expected $200,000 over
the next two years.
2004 Tuesday
Subject: History of Kristen Ries Community Service Awards THE KRISTEN RIES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD The
first Pride Day community service award was created by Donny Eastepp, Emperor
XII of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire while serving as Gay Pride
Day Chair in 1987. The award was established to recognized outstanding service
to the Lambda Community. It was presented to Dr. Kristen Ries for her
humanitarian efforts in dealing with the AIDS crisis and being the first Utah
physician to serve the AIDS community. The award was afterwards named in her
honor. The 2nd recipient of the Kristen Ries Award was Rev. Bruce Barton former
pastor of the Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church of Salt Lake City.
Rev. Barton was recognized for his ministry to the entire Lambda Community of
Utah, not just his church. In 1989 the 3rd honor was given to KUTV Channel 2.
The choice was controversial since many felt the award should be given only to
members of the Lambda Community. However the Pride Day Committee felt that
KUTV's contributions in bringing the AIDS Quilt to the Salt Palace merited
recognition. Afterwards however, the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah
voted to have the award given only to individuals or organizations from the
Lambda community. The first award of the 1990's was given to community activist
Chuck Whyte. He received the 4th award for his annual Unity Show fundraiser and
for helping to establish a food bank for the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation. In
1991, the Kristen Ries Award was offered to three individuals, Nikki Boyer,
Becky Moss, and Ben Williams. Boyer was honored for her 20 years of Community
Service. Moss was recognized for hosting Concerning Gays and Lesbians" on
KRCL FM91 since 1983. Williams was acknowledged for creating a summer retreat,
Beyond Stonewall and for building community organizations. The 6th Kristen Ries
Award was presented to the College of Monarchs of the Royal Court of the Golden
Spike Empire and to Craig Miller. Miller was recognized in 1992 for serving as
first director of the Utah Stonewall Center and the Royal Court's Monarchs for
their charitable contributions to the Gay and straight communities since 1975.
After some concerns over the selection process of recipients for the award, in
1993, Pride Day Co-Chair, Kevin Hillman established the procedure for choosing
recipients, which is still followed today. Hillman established an award
committee made up of past recipients. This committee chose the recipients
rather than Gay Pride Day committee members doing the selecting. Nominations of
candidates for the award however was and still is open to anyone from the
Lambda community. Ben Barr, Val Mansfield, and Kathy Worthington were all
honored in 1993 under this new procedure. Barr was honored as an AIDS educator
and executor director of the Utah AIDS Foundation. Mansfield a long time Gay
Activist and artist was acknowledged for his Outreach Program and political
activism. Worthington was honored as founder of the Women's Community News and
for her service to the Utah Stonewall Center. The 8th Dr. Kristen Ries Award
was presented to Kim Russo for her AIDS education outreach and service to the
Lambda Community. The following year, 1995, Bruce Harmon, Emperor XV of RCGSE,
was bestowed the Dr. Kristen Ries Award for his long term charitable service
and for his efforts with establishing the annual Gay Pride Day Parade. Harmon
joined his partner Rev. Bruce Barton as an honoree. In 1996 the 10th Kristen
Ries Award was shared by Clariss Cartier Empress XI of the RCGSE aka Doug
Tollstrup and Charlene Orchard. Orchard was honored as co-chairwoman of the
Utah Human Rights Coalition and promoter of the Utah Stonewall Center.
Tollstrup was honored for his raising money for charity under the stage name
Clariss Cartier. In the 11th year of the award, it was presented to four
individuals, Barb Barnhart, Rev. Kelly Byrnes, Jeff Freedman, and Maggie Snyder
PA-C. Barnhart was acknowledged as a tireless AIDS Activist. Rev. Byrnes was
recognized as pastor of Bridgerland Metropolitan Community Church and Cache
Valley activist. Freeman, Emperor XVII of the RCGSE, was complimented for his
charity work, founding the Goodtime Bowling League, and being chair of Pride
Day committee. Snyder was praised for her devotion to the care of People With
AIDS. Barnhart, a partner of past recipient, Kim Russo, later passed away that
year. In 1998 the Kristen Ries Award was presented to LaDonna Moore, former
executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation. Dr. Patty Reagan was awarded
the 1999 honor for her pioneering AIDS education and founding the Salt Lake
AIDS Foundation. The new Millenium saw Marlin Criddle, Laura Millikin Gray and
Brenda Voisard received the 2000 for their activism and service to the Lambda
community. Criddle was honored for his service as Chair of the Board of the
Utah Stonewall Center, his creation of a Lambda Film Festival, and his devotion
of countless hours of pro bonum legal service to the Lambda Community. Voisard
was valued as chair of the Lambda Community Council of Utah and a heavy
involvement in womyn issues. Millikin Gray was credited also as an attorney
using her considerable talent to strengthen our Lambda Community. In 2001 Brook
Heartsong was honored with a Kristen Ries Award for being a past chair of the
board of directors of the Utah Stonewall Center and for over seeing the
transition of the Utah Stonewall Center to the GLBT Community Center and
Stonewall Coffee Shop. Kevin Hillman, long time activist and member of Utah Gay
Rodeo Association, GLCCU, and past co chair of two Pride Days was honored in
2002 on the 15th anniversary of the award. Finally in 2003 Doug Wortham, a co
founder of GLISTN, interim director of GLBTCCU, and political activist was
given the award. The Kristen Ries Community Service Award Recipients while
seemingly diverse have the commonality of having given time, service, and
commitment to the Lambda Community. They are positive role models and like Dr.
Kristen Ries "exemplified everything that the award has stood for:
compassion, leadership, and courage."
4
June 2004 Friday
Marie Williams wrote: Things are going good here in
Sedona. Getting as much done at work as
possible so Hass doesn't have to do both jobs.
She is a real nice boss. Glad to
hear about Charlene. What a relief. Sorry to hear that June fell hope she is
doing okay. Well take care favorite
nephew......Love your favorite Auntie
6-13 June 2004 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender
Community Center of Utah sponsored PRIDE Film Festival - DAMN THESE HEELS! City
Library Auditorium, 210 East 400 South
2004 Friday Subject: Pride Parade 2004 - Logistics from Donald Steward Darlings, Here is
everything you need to know (and more!) about the 2004 Pride Parade. ROUTE The
Pride Parade route is identical to last year so the Parade will assemble on 3rd
South between Main Street and State Street. At the end of the Parade floats
will be emptied of participants between 3rd and 4th south, and they will drive
East to the float parking area on 3rd East between 4th and 5th South. PARADE
ASSEMBLY & LINE UP The Assembly Area on 3rd South will be closed to traffic
at 8.30AM. Enter from the West end off Main Street heading East. There will be
a Check-In Volunteer at that entrance. All entries will be sent to one of four
colored columns or lanes. At step off, a Parade Volunteer will direct you when
to start moving. The outside lane will be left clear for emergency and public
safety vehicles. If you only have one float or vehicle you will be directed to
one of the colored columns at the East end of the area. However if your entry
has multiple vehicles arriving at different times you will be held back at the
West end until all of your group is assembled and then you will be inserted
into the line up. Floats with sound systems will be given time to adjust their
volume levels but they must be left off during the remainder of the Parade
Assembly. All engines will be turned off until immediately before stepoff. Any
entries violating these rules will be removed from the parade. Safety
instructions and a final briefing will be held at 9.45AM at the back of the
Parade Line Up. All entry and float leaders are required to attend. STEP OFF AT
10.00AM The Parade will begin promptly at 10.00AM, and is to be completed by
11.30 AM so that the city streets can be reopened to traffic. We have a higher
number of entries this year so flow and continuity is vital if we are to end on
time. PARADE CONCLUSION The Pride Parade volunteers and Salt Lake City Police
will have 2nd East blocked off between 3rd and 4th South. Only floats and
Parade entries will be allowed into that block and it is essential for speed
and safety's sake that it remains clear. Important! Please tell all of your
friends and supporters to move North away from that block to watch the parade.
When your entry is directed into that block move halfway down to the Parade
Volunteer and stop. Remove the participants off your float. They will exit to
the sidewalk on the right. The empty float or vehicle will be sent forward to
line up at the traffic signal and will turn left with the traffic signal
sequence (going across the Fourth South Trax Lines and then take a right on 3rd
East to the Float Parking area). FLOAT PARKING The 3rd East block adjacent to
Library Square has been set aside for Float parking. You will be directed by a
Parade Volunteer to move as far South as possible and park facing fifth South.
OTHER PARADE CONSIDERATIONS For important safety and liability reasons, no
items can be thrown from a float to spectators. This means candy, Frisbees,
water bottles, t-shirts, etc. People walking beside a float can carefully
distribute items by hand but we do not want spectators surging forward into
parade traffic. If you have choreographed presentations that require your float
or entry to stop, please make them short so that the Parade can keep moving.
The Salt Lake City Police Department has the authority to remove any entry
along the Parade route that violates this rule. DRESS & BEHAVIOR Pride
Parade is a chance to express your individuality and identity but the public
nature of a Parade requires adherence to all local laws pertaining to decency
and safety. Please follow common sense and act appropriately. If your outfit is
too revealing and does not conform to state or local law, you will not be
included in the line-up. We have to apply for a city permit every year to
conduct the Parade, to get street closures, and have public safety resources
assigned, so your behavior directly impacts that approval process. PROTESTERS
Pride Parade inevitably attracts street preachers and protesters. Ignore them
and keep your parade participants away from them. Do not engage them in any way
because that is the type of attention and conflict they crave.
5 June 2004
Ronald Reagan, American politician and actor, 40th President
of the United States (b. 1911)
(Note Billy
Cat died June 5, 2004 age 18 years).
2004 Gay
Mormons find acceptance in Restoration Church Larry Tidwell speaks to
parishioners at the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ. (Isaac Brekken/The Salt
Lake Tribune) Parishioners of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ
participate in the sacrament at a service. The church has a primarily lesbian,
gay and bisexual membership. (Isaac Brekken/The Salt Lake Tribune) This is the
logo of The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ. "Our mission is to those
who feel outcast and lost," says Larry Tidwell, presiding patriarch of the
church. By Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune The small chapel looks like hundreds of
others in the Salt Lake valley: powder blue upholstered pews with back pockets
that hold green hymn books, auditorium-style seats in the front for speakers, a
white lace tablecloth draped over a table for blessing the sacrament. But the congregants set this chapel apart
from any wardhouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The
Restoration Church of Jesus Christ has a primarily lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender membership. But this is not a "gay copy of the LDS
Church," says church president Robert McIntier. The Restoration Church teaches that Joseph
Smith restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth and that the Book of
Mormon
Robert
McIntier
is an
authentic scripture, but it also has many teachings that are distinct from the
LDS Church. The LDS Church teaches that it is not a sin to be attracted to
others of the same sex, but that those Mormons who do should ignore those
feelings and live the law of chastity, abstaining from sexual activity outside
of marriage. Mormons are also taught
that heterosexual marriage is sacred and essential to reach the highest realm
of heaven. But these teachings leave many gay Mormons torn between a religion
that promises eternal salvation or accepting their sexuality to find a loving
relationship in this life. In The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, members
don't have to make such a harrowing choice: gay people can have sexual
relationships while receiving the blessings of the gospel. For them, chastity
means sex between two people who have mutual love and respect. "The Lord can't require gay people to
have sex within the bond of marriage if they can't get married," says
Larry Tidwell, presiding patriarch of the church. "My own feeling is that
those who have the law will be judged by it, and those who don't have the law
will not." Believing that the
faith's first president, Antonio A. Feliz, received his priesthood power in
1973 from LDS Church President Harold B. Lee, The Restoration Church performs
"sealings" -- much like marriage ceremonies in the LDS Church -- in a
room of the chapel that has been dedicated as a "temple." Like the LDS Church, Restorationists have
endowment ceremonies but they do not do them as proxies for others nor do
baptism for the dead. The church believes in the same scriptures used by the
LDS Church, but also has its own book of scripture, Hidden Treasures and
Promises, which contains revelations members believe were given to church
leaders by God. Unlike the LDS Church, which limits priesthood membership to
males 12 and older, the Restoration Church allows women to hold the priesthood
and any church office, including president. Members believe in a Heavenly
Mother along with Heavenly Father and speak openly about her. They believe in the Word of Wisdom, which
forbids the consumption of alcohol and tobacco, but that it is a health
guideline, not a requirement for church callings or temple recommends,
documents that attest to a candidate's "worthiness" to enter the
temple. It was in 1985 that six men in
Los Angeles who had left the LDS Church founded The Church of Jesus Christ of
All Latter-day Saints -- later changed to The Restoration Church of Jesus
Christ to avoid confusion with the LDS Church -- as a haven for gay Mormons who
feel estranged from the LDS Church but still keep the faith. Feliz, author of
Out of the Bishop's Closet, was named the first president but was voted out
eight months later when members disliked changes he made without their consent.
The Los Angeles congregation disintegrated after Feliz left. In 1989, there
were congregations -- called "families," not wards -- in Salt Lake
City, Sacramento, Houston, Albuquerque and San Diego, but now only the Salt
Lake City group remains. "Our
mission is to those who feel outcast and lost," says Larry Tidwell,
presiding patriarch of the church. "This church is an option, a choice for
the marginalized." Angela Carter attends the Restoration Church with two
of her kids and her partner Bonnie Workman. She enjoys being able to worship
the way she learned in her youth in the LDS Church, but without feeling judged
for her sexuality. "It's very different from the LDS Church," she
says. "We accept one another." Carter and Workman are among only
about 10 people who attend Sunday meetings regularly, and Tidwell recognizes
this church is not an option that appeals to everyone in the gay LDS community,
which likely numbers in the thousands. Some reject religion entirely when they
come out, especially those who maintain Mormon beliefs, he says. "They've been burned [by the LDS
Church], and they don't want to come here and be burned again," Tidwell
says. Other gay Mormons may try to
remain active in the LDS Church or become inactive but hope the church's policy
on homosexuality will eventually change.
Rick Bickmore followed LDS principles for many years. He served a
mission, married in the temple and tried to overcome his attraction to men. When
he realized he couldn't love his wife the way she deserved, the two divorced.
He stopped attending LDS services because he disagreed with the church's
teachings about homosexuality. "I
knew in my heart that it was right for me to be gay and that wasn't something
that should be changed even if it could be," he says. For the past six years, Bickmore has directed
the Wasatch chapter of Affirmation, a national support group for gay and
lesbian Mormons. He has investigated other religions, but he has decided
against joining another church, including the Restoration Church. He says the
LDS Church is "the most true church, the one that comes closest to the
mark." Bickmore holds onto the hope
that some day a new divine revelation will change LDS policy on homosexuality,
just as the church received a message in 1978 to open its once-closed
priesthood to black men. The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ does not claim
to be the only true church, but rather sees truth in all churches spawned by
Smith, including the LDS Church and the Community of Christ (formerly the
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints). The Restoration
Church has experienced a lot of flux in its 19-year history. Two years ago,
McIntier and Tidwell were the only two people showing up on Sunday. Now a few
more come regularly to meetings, and McIntier says he is in touch with about 50
people who are affiliated with the church but live too far away to be active
members. "There are so many times when it would be easy to give up,"
says McIntier. "But little things keep happening to make me think this is
still the right path, this is still what God wants us to do."
6 June 2004
2004 Bruce
Bastian was asked to be Grand Marshall of the Pride Day Parade. The festival
Luci Malin
was held at
Washington Square. Luci Malin recieved the Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service
Award. The theme was "Come Out Come Out Where Ever you are" Anti-Gay
protesters stood just outside the north gate of the festival. Police were
either filming the confrontations between the anti- and pro-gay supporters or
ignoring them.
Bruce Bastian
2004 Thousands turn out for gay pride day Tyler
Jensen, of Salt Lake City, and friends from Westminster College join members of
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays as they carry a giant
rainbow through the streets Sunday as part of the Utah Pride 2004 festivities.
(Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune) By Derek P. Jensen The Salt Lake Tribune
What do Pioneer Day and the annual Pride festival have in common? They both
draw hordes of stroller-pushing, dog-walking Utahns to downtown Salt Lake City.
And they rank one, two, respectively, as the state's largest parades. On a sun-
and rainbow-splashed Sunday, a crowd that organizers estimated at 50,000
celebrated the final day of Utah Pride 2004 with food, drink, song and politics
at Washington Square. An amalgam of diverse stylings, the crowd's only common
denominator was a blue sticker -- worn by virtually all in attendance --
proclaiming "Don't Amend." The reference: the state government's
consideration of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. "Now is
the time," parade Grand Marshall Bruce Bastian urged the boisterous group.
"We need our families, our friends, our parents to help fight this
discriminatory amendment. Help register everyone you know to vote." Sunday
was equally engaging for throngs of kids, many of whom romped on inflatable
slides and trampolines after watching the floats. "He loves the
parade," Sandy's Jai Hogue said about her young son -- attending for the
third consecutive year. "It's about teaching him there's things outside
the norm in Utah." Mary Hutchings arrived early to set up shade hutches
along the parade route for her children and grandchild, Julian. "I loved
it, I loved it," the 4-year-old yelled moments after watching the final
entry. "It's bright and colorful and I thought it was extremely
tasteful," Hutchings said, adding her Seattle relatives complain that
city's pride parade is "quite raunchy." Men in drag and same-sex
couples clad in leather were far outnumbered by those preferring shorts and
T-shirts. Parade regular Kris Bengtsson complained about the tame display while
walking with her daughter. "We needed more dykes on bikes at the
front," she joked. Festivalgoers were offended, however, by a small group
of protesters who spent hours ranting through a chain-link fence. "Most of
you will die and go to hell," yelled the ringleader, wearing a placard
with the pink initials G-A-Y spelling out God Abhors You! With police keeping a
close eye, most chose to ignore the insults. Provo resident Mark Hedengren said
he recognized several protesters from the dust-ups during LDS Conference
weekend. "They just want to hate," he said. "They don't care who
The Saliva
Sisters
they yell
at." Inside the festival grounds, popular satirists the Saliva Sisters
performed following an a capella version of "The Star-Spangled
Banner." College students wearing purple "Westminster Pride"
T-shirts marched down the street connecting the City-County Building with
Library Square, carrying a 100-foot rainbow flag. And many people stopped to
gander at the just-launched gay tabloid, Salt Lake Metro. Booths represented
groups ranging from the Utah Gay Rodeo Association and a group signing up
"Gay Brothers" for molecular genetic study of sexual orientation, to
one promoting the Utah Gay Men's Health Summit. Nearby, a long line extended
between the rows of vendors, made up of those seeking a free HIV test.
"Get tested, it's cool," said Salt Lake City resident, James Nelson,
while chatting with friends in line. Despite a bevy of tents and eager
representatives, interest was weaker when it came to joining the sponsor
organization, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah.
By midday only 10 people had paid a $35 one-time fee or $5 monthly donation to
join the GLBT group, according to board secretary, John Johnson. "It's
kind of an uphill battle," he said. Many participants, including Salt Lake
City Mayor Rocky Anderson, expressed their determination to defeat Utah's
amendment to ban gay marriage. "I think it's a horrendous thing,"
Anderson said after rallying the crowd in an appearance onstage. "Not only
for the people of this community, but for our economics. We've lost conventions
and businesses as a result of the perception of this place caused by
discriminating legislation." Karla
McGuigan said she hopes festivals such as Utah Pride will continue to erode
stereotypes that dog the gay community. "We're doctors and lawyers and
rich people and poor people and mechanics and bank presidents," she said.
"I love the diversity." Others, like Provo's Jeremy Owens, were less
circumspect. "It's great to actually see Utah has queers," said
Owens, sprinkled in glitter and wearing a tiara. "After the festival, it's
off to Vortex to see RuPaul -- home girl is in town.
2004 The SLC
Film Center was asked to curate a series of films during Pride Week that
reflected the best in Gay cinema. The festival
was called "The Damn These Heels film celebration was held annually
afterward.
2004 Sunday
Subject: Gay Pride Day Why Celebrate?
From Ben Williams I've been reading articles lately on whether
celebrating Pride Day is relevent anymore. As some have asked "why should
we be celebrating our sexuality?" These types of questions infer that the
nature of Pride Day festivals has always been to celebrate homosexuality. That
is where the lack of understanding of Gay Pride Day in its historic context is
quite evident. To question the need to celebrate Pride Day is akin to
questioning the celebration of the 4th of July! The historical meaning behind
annual Pride Day celebrations have been lost in the stampede for mainstream
acceptance and Lambda youth today are sorely lacking an understanding and
appreciation of the true meaning behind Gay Pride Day. First and foremost Gay
Pride Day was established to recognize the historical sugnificance of the
Stonewall Riot in New York City that precipitated the National Gay Liberation
movement of the 1970's and 80's. Prior to 1969 there were less then 50 FIFTY
homosexual organizations in all of the United States. The Stonewall Rebellion
was the catalyst for establishing Gay Student Unions, Health Clinics, grassroot
political activism across the nation. The paradigm shift from homosexuality
being seen as a perversion to just another expression of human sexuality came
from this liberation movement. Stonewall changed what "coming out"
meant. Prior to 1969, “coming out” simply meant an acceptance of one's
homosexuality. However after 1969 "coming out" was charged with
political significance because coming out meant telling at least one other
person that you are Gay! The psychological ramifications behind this was that
now your fate was tied to the fate of all others who had "come out".
Community was being built and the idea that homosexuality was a sexual minority
was being created. We were no longer alone...we were no longer invisible..we
overcame our fears and came out of the shadows..the threshold that generation
crossed was monumental and all who follow should remember that. Today as you
are walking through a sea of rainbow paraphenelia remember the struggle,
remember the Anita Bryant Crusade against the Gay Movement, Remember the AIDS
Wars, Remember the East High Gay Club struggles and more- for truly that is what
Pride Day signifies-the commemoration of the historic homosexual civil rights
movement! Then go have a beer and part hardy. We have earned it!
7
June 2004 Monday
Mom fell last
week but felt good enough to go to church on Sunday. Second time she's been
since dad passed away. She said that the hoodlums that kidnapped them two years
ago were sentenced to 25 years to life and she did not have to go to court to
testify. So that is goodnews Hope all are well...I have a flu like crud that is
no fun but am slowly getting better. Jr.
Williams
Marie
Williams replied: Boy that is a long time for them to be in jail. I bet they are having second thoughts
now. I talked to your mom Sat and she
seemed okay and cheerful. Take care of
yourself. Love Marie
9
June 2004 Wednesday
I wrote
Charline Williams: Happy Birthday I
still have the crud....yesterday I thought I'd cough up a lung...cough so much
I felt like I'd throw up I was gagging.
I am over the achy sore throat part but every time I feel well enough to
do something I start having a fit. I've been up at school a little each day to
clean up my room and put things away I just left because I was so sick last
week. So not sure when I will be down. Maybe this weekend if it clears up.
1o June 2004
Ray Charles,
American singer and musician (b. 1930)[115]
11 June 2004
Richard
Milton, deputy director of the Utah Health department stated GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CCU’s
anti-tobacco project's "use of sexually related messages . . . was
inconsistent with the department's general approach to addressing tobacco
use." The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Utah
was the only organization receiving state anti-tobacco money that did not earn
a grant renewal.
• Clair A. Wade former President of Utah
Gay Rodeo Association UGRA, died from complications from AIDS.
12
June 2004 Saturday
National
comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer performed at Mo Diggity's,
• Two hundred lesbians participated in
2nd annual Dyke March in SLC with Rep. Jackie Biskupski addressing marchers on
the Capitol steps.
13
June 2004 Sunday
Entertainer
RuPaul performed at The Vortex, as a rare Salt Lake City appearance for Utah
Pride
• Pride Day’s Parade and Celebration
held at Washington Square. Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Utah organizers estimate 50,000
in attendance. Grand Marshall was Bruce Bastian and 18th Kristen Ries Award
recipient was Luci Malin.
17
June 2004 Thursday
I wrote
Charline Williams Wachs: Sorry I haven't called or written in a while. I have
been really sick. Been coughing so hard that I was throwing up. My regular
doctor is out of town but decided I better go any way. The doctor took x-rays
and saw some streaking on my lungs on my lungs. Said my cough was viral (like I
thought) and has to run its course but she gave me some anti-biotic and codeine
cough syrup. I feel so dizzy and weak
that I just stay in bed. So it will be at least a week before I think I will
feel well enough to drive down. I want to see my own doctor about the streaking
on my lungs after the antibiotic take effect. That’s all I need is to have
walking pneumonia. I will call as soon as my voice is not so hoarse. Love Jr.
Charline
replied: Hope you are feeling better.
Mom was getting worried about you.
Was going to call you to see if you were a live. Mom said to tell you
not to rush down here until you are feeling better and have talked to your
doctor. She is doing pretty good has bad and good days. Here Stomach has been bothering her a
little. If that does not clear up I will
make her see the doctor about it. James is up here for a couple of weeks. He is doing good. Denise has Nathan for the
summer she flew in to phoenix to pick him up.
He was happy to be with her this summer. Michael is in another block at
school. He is doing well. Take care of yourself. We love you.
Get better soon. Love, Mom and Charline
18
June 2004 Friday
Stephanie
Williams wrote: Hi Ben, how are you. I have been enjoying reading the posts
about
20 things you
have to believe to be Republican
1. Being a
drug addict is a moral failing and a
crime, unless you're a
conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery
2. The
3. Government
should relax regulation of Big Business
and Big Money but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness.
4.
"Standing Tall for
5. A woman
can't be trusted with decisions about
her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind
without regulation.
6. Jesus
loves you, and shares your hatred of
homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
7. The best way to improve military morale is to
praise the troops in speeches while
slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
8. Group sex
and drug use are degenerate sins unless
you someday run for governor of
9. If condoms
are kept out of schools, adolescents won't
have sex.
10. A good way
to fight terrorism is to belittle our
long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
11. HMOs
and insurance companies have the
interest of the public at heart.
12. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound
policy. Providing health care to all
Americans is socialism.
13. Global
warming and tobacco's link to cancer are
junk science, but creationism should be
taught in schools.
14. Saddam was
a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy
when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business
with him and a bad guy when Bush needed
a "we can't find Bin Laden"
diversion.
15. A
president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to
enlist support for a war in which
thousands die is solid defense policy.
16. Government
should limit itself to the powers named
in the Constitution, which include banning
gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
17. The public
has a right to know about Hillary's
cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.
18. You
support states' rights, which means Attorney
General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they
have a right to adopt.
19. What Bill
Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital
national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.
20 Trade with
19
June 2004 Saturday
Mom wrote: HI
SORRY YOU ARE SO SICK. yOU SOULD LEASTEN TOYOUR MOM HA,do drink lots of water
and soup, Even if you dont feel like it.
I know what you are going thought. I had walking pneumonia. I sure was
sick. Did you you have the pneumonia. shot? If not when you get well. Be sure
and have. I am doing pretty good. Love Mom.
Marie
Williams wrote: Hello from
19 June 2004
UAF’s 16th
Annual Walk for life held with 500 participants.
2004 ANNUAL
WALK FOR LIFE Just a reminder that the 16th Annual Walk For Life, a fundraiser
for the Utah AIDS Foundation, is on Saturday June 19 in downtown Salt Lake City
This year, the event will begin and end inside the Folk & Bluegrass
Festival on Saturday, June 19. The Walk
begins at 6pm. Please visit
www.utahaids.org for all the info (including Registration/Pledge Forms, this
year's route, the schedule for the Folk & Bluegrass Festival). Plan now to get your friends, family and
co-workers together to walk and raise funds for UAF. AND... Plan to join us on
Tuesday, June 15 at Madstone Theatres for our pre-registration party. Register at 6pm, pick up your Walk For Life
t-shirt, and see the Madstone flick of your choice that night absolutely free!
20 June 2004
The SL Men's
Choir Summer concert was held at the
Jeanne Wagner Theatre.
22
June 2004 Tuesday
Mom wrote: Be
side you being sick. What is goiing on up their? what it Mike doing in out of town with you
being so sick? Who is taken care of you? Mike said you could not see the doc
till Fri. you call the doc nurse and tell you have to see the doc now. Tell her
what is going on and she to get you in now. if you are not getting better and
don't lie to me Charlene and I .you better ans. me now or we.are coming up.
24
June 2004 Thursday
THIRTY YEARS
OF UTAH GAY PRIDE Issue 24 Volume 1 Ben Williams Lambda Lore
We
celebrate Gay Pride Day in Utah as part of a national directive, which
originated in 1969 when the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile
Organizations (ECHO) adopted the motion to hold “parallel demonstrations on the
last Saturday in June”. This was to commemorate the rebellion at the Stonewall
Inn (June 26-27, 1969), which began the modern Gay Rights Movement.
Utah has celebrated being Gay and
Proud for the past thirty years- if one counts a “Beer Bust Kegger” sponsored
by the Sun at what was once known as Bare Ass Beach. The event was sponsored by
Joe Redburn, whose Sun Tavern was, in the 1970’s, the de facto Gay Community
Center. Over 200 Gay men and women
congregated on the southeastern shores of the Great Salt Lake to revel in being
out of the closet and to celebrate the Stonewall Rebellion. The numbers at this
event may appear to be small but consider the fact that this number comprised
nearly the entire Gay community from back then.
The
first “official” community wide sponsored pride celebration was held June 1,
1975 and was called Gay Freedom Day. The event was held up City Creek Canyon
and was sponsored by the Gay Community Service Center, still ran out a Redburn
bar. Festivities included free beer, food, soft drinks, volleyball, and an all
day “do your own thing”.
For
the next several years Utah’s Pride Days were known as Gay Freedom Days. The
most ambitious of these Gay Freedom Days was the 1977 symposium in which Sgt.
Leonard Matlovich, an ex-Air Force Sergeant and winner of the Bronze Star and
Purple Heart, came to Salt Lake to deliver a keynote address.
As
the heady “Gay Power Days” of the 1970’s began to wane, a fragmented community,
along gender lines, tried to hold Gay celebrations- but without much
support. The spirit of Gay Pride was
kept going however by individual groups such as the Tavern Guild, Affirmation
and LGSU. Gay Day at Lagoon became an
annual event tagged on to Gay Pride during these years.
In
1983 members of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire met to revitalize
the true concept of a “Gay Pride Day.” They formed a committee and put together
an event billed as a “Basket Social” and Picnic In the Park. This Pride Day
Committee sponsored the next several events and was the first to adopt a
National Pride Day Committee’s Theme.
In
the late 1980’s the newly formed Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah took
over the responsibilities of holding Utah’s annual pride days. Donnie Eastepp created the first Pride Day
Community Service Award. It was presented to Dr. Kristin Ries for her
humanitarian service during the worse of the AIDS epidemic. Pride Day
Committees of the GLCCU over the next seven years provided consistently
successful events, celebrating Utah’s sexual minority communities. Under
GLCCU’s direction Salt Lake City’s politicians even began to attend and the
quality of Pride Day entertainers and speakers improved considerably.
With
the election of Jeff Freedman, the GLCCU’s Gay Pride Day Committee began its
transition from being just a committee, to being its sole entity. Freedman
along with his many co-chairs operated the Gay Pride Day committees after GLCCU
dissipated in 1995. The Pride Day events of the latter half of the 1990’s were
stamped indelibly with Freedman’s vision of changing the event from a Gay and
Lesbian celebratory rally to that of a non-political community party. He also
served as co-chair of Pride Day longer than any other activist in Utah’s
history.
Gay Pride Day grew exponentially
during the late 1990’s becoming one of the premier summer festivals of Utah. It
became necessary for the event to become its own entity with its own non-profit
status. Lesbian activist Kim Russo over saw this transition and while these
Pride Days were extremely successfully they were also becoming extremely
expensive. Checks and balances were not in place and the organization found
itself in financial trouble, when the integrity of Pride Day leadership was
questioned.
In
2002 the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah Inc absorbed the troubled
Pride Day Organization in a manner that was controversial due to the lack of
community wide input. Since then “Utah Pride’ has operated as subsidiary of the
Center which has ownership of the event.
U of U’s LGBT Resource Director
Ruth Hackford-Peer was fired by interim the Student Diversity Center Director.
26 June 2004
Utah Gay Rodeo Association UGRA held a Gymkhana Day at the
new Bluffdale arena.
- Herriman Mayor Lynn Crane
refused to allow a Don’t Amend Alliance booth at the 5 year old city’s
founders day party.
27
June 2004 Sunday
Marie wrote: Well
got home late Sat nite. Have a bad
cold. Maybe pneumonia. Had a wonderful time and enjoyed the trip and
the people so much. I don't think the
English like Tony Blair. He may lose the
election. The dollar wasn't worth
much. Also Carlos was glad to see
me. Hope all is well with everyone. Will write later when I feel better.....Love
Marie
I replied: Glad
you made it home okay and hope your cold isn't severe. I've been sick since
June1 with pneumonia. Been coughing for nearly 4 weeks. I've been to the
doctors twice and am finally feeling a little better. Haven't been down to Ca
yet. Been too ill. Love Jr
I wrote
Stephanie: Marie is back from
27 June 2004
The Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSTN)released its 2004 state
of the States report with Utah
29
June 2004 Tuesday
I wrote
Stephanie Williams: Your mother sounds like she had a good time in
29
June 2004 Don't Amend Alliance Partners Coalition meeting held at the SLC Main
Library
30
June 2004 Wednesday
Charline
wrote: Hi, Hope you are feeling better.
We were really worried about you.
It will take sometime for you to get your strength back so do not over
do. Mom was doing better went to church last Sunday both morning and
night. We still are not sure what happen
but getting out of bed Monday morning she fell.
She is okay just sore and stiff.
She went to the doctors yesterday (she wanted to see her doctor and he
was not in Monday) and had x-rays done.
Nothing broken thank the Lord.
But she is badly bruised. She is
not sure how she fell. She did not have
any chest pain or anything. I think she
must have gotten up to fast and lost her footing. It seems like for every two steps we take
forward we take one back. But she is
getting better and that is the most important part. The kids are all fine. Mike will be out of school in Oct. He is thinking about working with
helicopters. Denise is still crazy about
planes and is learning to fly. Still
working on getting James to VA to be with Denise. Dennis was just up with Abby, Ryan and
Timmy. It was a long two days, you
forget how noise kids are when you are not around them all the time. Next time Dennis comes up he is coming up
alone. We did get the lawn mowed and one
day at the park. I am still riding my bike at least every other day and still
watching what I eat. I have lost 32
pounds, I am not sure were I seem to be losing it all over. I guess Kay had a lot of hail damage to her
cars and to the roof of her home but they are all okay. Mom heard from JW yesterday. I went to Dads
grave the Friday before Father's day. It
was time for me to go. It was hard but
something I needed to do. I felt better
having gone. I did find out one
thing. His marker is wrong. They have him as a Korean Vet and not World
War II vet. We need to get that
changed. I do not know who I need to
talk to. I thought I would call
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