JULY
1 July 2003 Tuesday
I have been out of school a month
now and the only place I’ve been is to California for Father’s Day. Most of the
month of June was taken up with Pride Day and Gay history stuff.
Chad
Keller wrote me regarding a library Reservation
for our Utah Stonewall Historical Society meeting on the 16th. “here
is the confirmation for the rest of the year. I took the liberty move us up to Conference
room three where the acoustics are better for
presentations.
7/16/03 6:30 pm
8:30 pm *Conf. Room 3 CONFIRMED
8/20/03 6:30 pm
8:30 pm *Conf. Room 3 CONFIRMED
9/17/03 6:30 pm
8:30 pm *Conf. Room 3 CONFIRMED
10/15/03 6:30 pm
8:30 pm *Conf. Room 3 CONFIRMED
11/19/03 6:30 pm
8:30 pm *Conf. Room 3 CONFIRMED
12/17/03 6:30 pm
8:30 pm *Conf. Room 3 CONFIRMED
He also sent me the Gastronomy
letter to please proof: Gastronomy, Inc 35 West Market Street Salt Lake City,
UT 84111 Attn: Judy Reese
Dear Judy; Thank you for taking a
moment to review with me ideas for the Utah Stonewall Historical Society’s
first Conference and History Fair to be held October 17-19 2003 in downtown
historic Salt Lake City as the centerpiece of Utah’s contribution to National
Gay History Month. This centerpiece weekend should be an exciting first as we
bring together many organizations to work in unity to share the very colorful
history of the Utah Gay community.
As discussed we will be featuring as the keynote address
nationally renowned author Eric Marcus. Eric will be reading from and
discussing his book Making Gay History; the Half-Century Struggle for Gay
Rights. Mr. Marcus is also known for such books; Is it a Choice?, Why Suicide,
The Male Couple, and the New York Times Best Seller, Breaking the Surface: The
Greg Louganis Story. To add to the excitement, of his attendance, the evening
prior to arrival (October 16) will receive his doctorate. A tremendous accomplishment
for anyone Eric has chosen to share his milestone celebration with the Utah Gay
Community in hopes of inspiring members of our community of all ages in the
value of education.
October will be an event filled month. We have begun a process of
working with each willing GLBT organization to prepare a complimenting event or
historic presentation to showcase their specific history and their
contributions to the Utah Gay Community, as well as assisting each with
community outreach presentations and displays at the centerpiece event the
afternoon of Saturday October 18. Several events have been created to cover the
costs of the main event to insure that we can share Mr. Marcus’s presentation
free of charge to every member of the Gay and mainstream community. We feel
that with the experience of the USHS board of directors that we have a
streamlined and effective event with limited costs.
Gastronomy
is a long-standing supporter of the Utah Gay Community. It is our hope that in
the centerpiece line up, that the Gastronomy partners will find one or more
events that they would be willing to lend the expertise, reputation, as support
to as a partner with the historic society to produce and finance an event of
the highest quality. We see the following as great possibilities, and of course
are open to further suggestions:
October
17, 2003—Ticketed cocktail reception for Eric Marcus. This event would have a
ticket price of $25.00 to $50.00. Location to be determined based sponsorships.
Several locations are under consideration, including Market Street—Cottonwood.
October 18, 2003—Ticketed Dinner party with Eric Marcus. This
event will be more intimate and relaxed. It will be limited to up to 20 people
with a suggested ticket price of $75.00 to $100.00. This will allow for quality
in-depth conversation with Eric on various subjects from philosophical to
political.
October 19, 2003—The Milestone Honors Brunch. The Milestone Honors
were created by the USHS board to acknowledge and pay tribute to individuals
and organizations each year for their longstanding contributions to the growth
and development of the Utah Gay Community. In discussions with our Board of
Directors, we see the new Gastronomy facility in Cottonwood as our best option
and see it the perfect setting to showcase a quality facility. The 2003 award
has been commissioned through a generous donation of an Ogden Glass artist.
Each will be a one of a kind artistic tribute.
The above listed are from a refined list of possibilities. Each
are open for total or partial sponsorship at various levels. These events will
serve a financing tools of the conference and the ongoing mission of the Utah
Stonewall Historical Society. We would appreciate and accept any underwriting,
in-kind sponsorship, or discount that Gastronomy, Inc could provide. At any
level of donation the Gastronomy logo would be featured as a producing partner
and would be featured with your approval in a variety of ways to promote the
event. As well we are prepared to create a package that will be suitable of a sponsor
of the caliber of Gastronomy.
As a Historical Society, our mission is simple, to preserve and
protect the history of the Utah Gay Community. As our Co-Founder Ben Williams
states "If we do not write and persevere our own history, it will be
written by someone else, and may not be told in the manner which shares our
actual struggles as a culture, a people, here in Utah."
The Utah Gay community is seeing the value in our collective
community history. This vision of the USHS is catching on as we have chapters
currently forming in Cache Valley and the Utah Dixie Area. By October we hope
to add a chapter in Weber County. Our Board is ambitious and will by the end of
the year will have contacted and brought on board a historian from each Utah
GLBT organization to our Organizational Archives and Collection.
This collection will be unique as it will have a shared ownership
by the community with each of the organizations that accept a seat on its
council. This is to insure that every aspect of our history from many
perspectives is included so that those who will use the collections in the
future might tell an accurate depiction of the events, people, and places that
shaped the Utah GLBT community. This is all part of our long-term master plan
to rebuild the once massive Utah Stonewall Archives, which were sadly dismantled
and mostly destroyed in 1990.
We hope that Gastronomy will be find it appropriate to join us in
producing this great event as we join locally with 36 other Gay history groups
across the nation to create the largest Gay History month to date this October.
We would be happy to meet with you, or the partners for further discussion on
Gay History Month. Please feel free to contact me at (801) 661-0533 (cell) or
(801) 325-3758 (work) should you need further information or to confirm an
appointment to fine tune details pertaining to a partnership. Sincerely, Chad Keller Co-Chair
Alan Anderson wrote me regarding the July Quarterly Board of
Director's Meeting, “Ben, I want to let you know I support your organization
and will try in assisting you in ways I can, but I do not have the
"heart" to be totally involved, and I am having time constraints due
to other duties. I would appreciate still receiving emails about your
activities and about Utah gay history,
but respectfully ask that my name be removed from the board of directors (or whatever
board I was on). As ever, Alan Anderson
Charles Milne announced “Candlelight Vigil tonight for Gay
Suicides TONIGHT!!!
Please
forward as appropriate "Vigil for Chris, and other Gay Suicides"
Please join us for a candlelight vigil to honor Christopher Paul Ricksecker and
others who have died of suicide to due unacceptance of their sexuality. January
22, 1982 - June 16, 2003. Where
Lake
Pavilion Sugarhouse Park Salt Lake City, Utah.
Even if you did not know
Chris, it is likely that there is someone you know and love who lives in pain
because of the intolerance they face every day. Chris' family and friends
invite you to come and share in a desire for a more enlightened world where our
sons and daughters can live and love with confidence that they are
unconditionally loved and accepted. Refreshments, music, and candle lighting
ceremony.”
KSL reported “Vigil Held to Remember Gay Suicide Victim A Salt
Lake City family is grief-stricken and angry over the suicide of their son.
They say he killed himself because he was gay. And they're using his death to
raise awareness, of a seldom addressed but preventable tragedy.
News Specialist Richard Piatt is live at Sugarhouse Park with
more. Chris Ricksecker killed himself two weeks ago and had tried several times before that. The
family's vigil here tonight was meant to do two things: Affirm his life and reject those they say
rejected him. It is never easy to say goodbye to a person people remember as
'caring'. It's harder when that person is young, and harder still when that
person leaves a note saying they couldn't stand rejection any more. That's the
kind of grief the family and friends of Chris Ricksecker are sharing at this
vigil along with a little anger.
David Ricksecker/Father:
"As far as I'm concerned there was nothing wrong with Chris. It's
just the way the world treats gay people."
But, David Ricksecker admits, it took time for him to accept his gay
son. But he says it was even harder when he asked for help dealing with
it: Hearing Chris described as 'bad' and
'evil' words Chris himself no doubt heard. They're the kind of words experts
say can cut deep.
Charles Milne/Univ. of Utah Resource Center: "Any kind of comment can really affect
someone on the inside and you may not even know it. Even the comment of 'that's
so gay', or things of that nature."
In life, Chris took comfort in his stuffed animals, good food;
funny jokes. He had his share of problems. But his family believes judgmental
people made those problems worse.
Sheri Young/Stepmother:
"I just think it needs to get out there and be said: Stop killing
our kids with your moralizing everybody. Stop killing our children."
David Ricksecker/Father:
"The most precious gift god has ever given me was my gay son and
he's gone."
Studies show that between 30 and 35 per cent of young gay men
consider or attempt suicide. A few of them like Chris Ricksecker succeed.
A conservation website CommonConservative.com commented on David
Nelson’s Pink Pistol Shenanigans, B.J. Browning
wrote, “ Gunfight at the Rainbow Corral- Gays and guns This year's Gay
Pride Day in Salt Lake City was full of fun and comradery. Added to the usual
parade and various surrounding events, a new feature was introduced. New this
year was the "Political Stage," a cement Amphitheatre beside Salt
Lake City's library featuring Mayoral candidates vying for the "gay"
vote.
2 July 2003 Wednesday
After announcing a Board opening
for the USHS Cathy Cartwright wrote to me, “Ben, I would like to be considered
for the opening. Please let me know what
I need to do to further indicate my interest or apply. Thanks!”
I
then wrote the rest of the Board of Directors; “ Cathy has emailed me wishing
to be on the Board of Directors of the UHSH.
Cathy contacted me initially to join the group and came from Ogden
to attend our June meeting. She is designing a piece of artwork to present to
Milestone Recognition Recipients and shows a lot of enthusiasm for our group.
She lives in Ogden so she could represent the Weber and Morgan county area. She
also is a mother of two children and is involved in a Ogden women's group. If I
do not hear back from you within 48 hours I will accept your vote as in the
affirmative. Best Regards Ben Williams
I later wrote Cathy back, “Cathy I
just sent out your nomination to our board of directors and said that if I do
not hear back in 48 hours I will assume the vote is in the affirmative. If it
was just up to the EC you would be on board right now, but if you have bylaws
you ought to follow them or amend them I say.
I finished working on the non-profit status and have all the paper
work ready. What a pain!! They wanted two year budget for the next two years!
That will be one of the BM agenda items. Hope you are staying cool. Best
Regards Ben Williams.”
She responded, “Ben, not a problem. Should
I not be selected, please consider me for any other jobs/duties that need
attention. I have been very impressed with UTSHS's leadership; its goals; and
its community involvement/ education initiatives. And I have been quite taken
with you and Chad--what dedicated leaders you are! I look forward to helping
UTSHS in any way that I can. Thanks!
Randal Meyers wrote to me in regards to Cathy Cartwright being a Board
Member. “Ben, I am sure she will make a great addition to the Board. I have
been terribly ill with seizure problems. Sorry that I have not been as involved
as I would like to be. I still want to make the website better, with your help.
Randal Meyers PS so you know, there's an s at the end of my name, like yours.
I later wrote Cathy regarding the Board Of Directors Opening. “Cathy,
you will be our newest board member. Six people have responded in the
affirmative out of our 11 remaining board members. Five have not responded yet.
positions are filled by a simple majority. By our bylaws you have the right to
fulfill the un-expired term of the vacancy. I am just waiting for more board
members to have the opportunity to read their emails. In any case I will
announce tomorrow that you are our newest board member. Best Wishes Ben
Williams.
3 July 2003 Thursday
"James
Sever" Subject: gay Professional Tattoo Artist Utah's only Licensed openly
gay Professional Tattoo Artist - 18 years exp - Naughty Jimmy serves only the
gay community and doesn’t charge an arm and a leg for quality work. By
Appointment only in SLC Downtown parlor on State Street- After hours Privacy
available. Looking to fulfill a fantasy - Having fun while putting a tattoo on
ya at the same time. See ad in Little Lavender Book pg. 56.
4 July 2003 Friday
I
met Chad Keller down at the Trapp for a 4th of July party and BBQ
that Joe Reburn put on for the community. Chad was already loaded which
concerned me as he was flitting around kind of being obnoxious. I sat with Kevin
Hillman Mark Swonson and Jan Sylvester out on the patio but didn’t stay long. I
wanted to be home for the pups as firecrackers and fireworks are really hard on
Priscilla.
Mike Romero is in Cheyenne visiting
with his friend Troy and took Smokey with him so I need to be with the pups and
feed them. It’s just Priscilla and Saffy with me this year.
The kids behind me have been setting
off firecrackers since this morning.
6 July 2003 Sunday
“well doggies,” Buddy Ebsen best known as Jed
Clampett on the Beverly Hill Billys died today (1908-2003). He later became a
lawyer on the show Barnaby Jones. Actor and dancer Buddy Ebsen is best remembered
for playing Jed Clampett in the CBS television sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies.
In a career spanning seven decades, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows,
playing versatile roles. Beginning his career as a dancer, he soon ventured
into acting. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Eric Marcus wrote to Chad Keller, “Dear Chad, Thank
goodness for holiday weekends. I realize that your request for information was
a modest one, but I could not bring myself to redo my bio or look through my
files for a Making Gay History press release.
But on a perfect summer
afternoon, I have finally gotten down to business, so attached you'll find a
new bio, as well as a press release for Making Gay History. The head shot on my
web site (www.ericmarcus.com or www.pessimisms.com) is the photo I use for
press purposes. I'm assuming you can pull the photo from either of the web sites, but if you can't, let me know and I'll
dig up a copy of it and send it along.
I will be glad, as
well, to send you copies of Making Gay History, and copies of my newest book, Pessimisms. You may
also be interested in having a copy or
two of Together Forever, my book about happy, long-lasting gay and lesbian
couples. With gay marriage so much in the news these days, this may be a
potential hook for Salt Lake media. Let me know what books you would like and
where you would like me to send them.
Regarding my travel
schedule, I would prefer to depart from Newark Airport on Friday, October 17 (preferred airline is
Continental). A late morning flight would be better than early morning. Unfortunately,
I will need to be back in NYC by Sunday
evening, so that will mean I won't be able to attend the Milestone Honors
Brunch. Thank you for thinking to include me.
Unfortunately, Barney
will not be able to join me on this trip, so I'll be traveling solo. If you can
save the organization money by booking me into a smaller room, please do so. Of
course I won't complain about a suite at Monaco. That should do it for now. Let
me know if you need anything else. Thanks for all of your hard work. Sorry for
being so late with this. All best, Eric P.S. We wound up raising a total of
$54,000 for Howard Dean's campaign.”
Paul Rolly a columnist
for the Salt Lake Tribune wrote, “Gay and lesbian community could decide SLC
mayor's race The Democratic Policy Commission was established in the mid-1980s
in an attempt to align the national Democratic Party to the psyche of Middle
America, which Democrats feared they had lost in the Reagan revolution of 1980
and the country's sharp turn to conservatism.
A series of panel discussions were
scheduled, including one on family values, which was to be chaired by Utah's
recently retired governor, the late Scott M. Matheson, and held in Salt Lake
City during the same weekend one of the LDS Church's general conferences was
scheduled.
But the dream of showing middle America
that the Democrats were not the liberal demons the Reagan Republicans had made
them out to be blew up in the Democrats' faces when the National Association of
Gay and Lesbian Democratic Clubs demanded a seat on the family values
roundtable.
The party faced a dilemma because the
gay and lesbian groups were among the most significant financial donors to the
national Democratic Party. But having a gay representative on a family values
panel during LDS conference weekend caused great stomach pains for party
officials, especially those in Utah.
Attention all Utah gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals,
and cross dressers: You've come a long way, baby.
The gay and lesbian community figures to play
a major role in the Salt Lake City mayor's race this year. In fact, some
observers believe that group could decide the election.
About 30,000 people attended the gay and
lesbian-sponsored Pride Day celebration last month, and while there is no way
to determine how many of them live in Salt Lake City and how many would vote,
any percentage of that group voting would be significant since the mayor's race
in Utah's capital seldom attracts more than 40,000 voters.
Incumbent Rocky Anderson and
challengers Frank Pignanelli and Molonai Hola were on the stump at the Pride
Day celebration, although Anderson seems to be resonating the most with this
emerging political force in Salt Lake City politics.
Unity Utah endorsed Anderson early. The
Utah Chapter of the National Stonewall Democrats has not made an official
endorsement, but Anderson clearly has the momentum among the gay community. His
campaign brochures are readily available at the Gay and Lesbian Community
Center and some gay bars have held Anderson fund-raisers.
The support frustrates Pignanelli, who
considers himself one of the pioneers at the Utah Legislature in advocating for
civil rights and legal protections for gays and lesbians. Pignanelli, as House
minority leader several years ago, initiated hate crimes legislation and was
persistent in advocating that gays and lesbians be among the protected groups.
He pushed for legislation to give AIDS victims
their life insurance benefits before they die so they could use the money to
fight the disease and he was one of the most vocal opponents of a proposal to
prohibit gays and lesbians from being public school teachers.
Anderson, too, has a strong and
far-reaching record on behalf of gays and lesbians. When the Salt Lake City
Council waffled on an anti-discrimination ordinance to protect gays in the
workplace, Anderson put the protection into law with an executive order.
Anderson has long championed legislation to protect gays and lesbians, as well
as other minority groups, against hate crimes.
But the issue that separates the two
and gives Anderson the advantage in the gay-lesbian community is that Anderson
has championed the legalization of same-sex marriage. In fact, Anderson has
stated he believes he lost the 2nd District congressional race to Merrill Cook
in 1996 because of his stand on same-sex marriage. That has made him a hero in
some circles of the gay-lesbian community. Pignanelli does not favor legalizing
same-sex marriage, although he advocates having legal and economic protections
for partners in gay and lesbian relationships.
Anderson cannot be accused of jumping
on the gay-lesbian bandwagon now just when it seems politically expedient
because his support for that community has been consistent for years, even when
it seemed to hurt him politically. But his heavy courting of the gay community
and his recent appointment of white lesbian Blythe Nobleman as the city's
minority affairs officer can be seen as politically smart, if nothing else.
Whatever political support the mayor gains
from the gay-lesbian community could help overcome what he has lost in the
Latino community, which supported him almost universally in 1999 because of his
promise to fire Police Chief Reuben Ortega, an unpopular figure among Latinos.
This year, Anderson has support from
some Latino groups and recently accepted a $12,000 campaign donation from
Latino businesses. But some Latino organizations have come out against him,
claiming he has not lived up to promises he made to increase Hispanic
employment in Salt Lake City and economically revitalize the west side. Several
members of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus, who endorsed Anderson four years
ago, are poised to publicly endorse Pignanelli.”
7 July 2003 Monday
Chad Keller wrote on the Yahoo Group Site, “I
invite those members of the Utah Historical Society or any other interested parties to join me on Monday July
7 at 7:00 pm at the City Library in the Atrium Reading area above the Atrium
Shops.
This will be a
preliminary planning meeting to determine what our direction will be and to
make assignments. Members of the board are encouraged attend, and everyone
looking for assignments.
We will review the
Milestone honors guiding rules that Ben has written that will be voted on by
the board of directors, discuss location, and make recommendations to the
Historical Chair on what subjects we see that would generate interest for
people to attend.
We may also have conceptual drawings for the
Milestone Award from our great Artist in Ogden [Cathy Cartwright]!
Mark Swonson has a
great letter that we will need the help of those participating to see gets out
to the community so that the History Fair portion is focused and a nice
compliment to the Historic Presentations.
In review, if anyone is specifically
interested on a Kids segment or Kids track those ideas would be appreciated. As
we have many parents in the group, if you have kids, bring them along, the
meeting will be kept to a minimum of 2 hours, and I just bought some great new
coloring books for the "keep em busy box." Thanks! Chad Keller Co-Chair
Cathy Cartwright wrote
me; “Ben, I have a question to ask about the 'This Month in History'. And I ask
this with all due respect. Why was the paragraph on Gary Bishop included? He
was a pedophile, not a homosexual. I think far too often right-wing
conservatives lump homosexuals who have consenting adult relationships with
pedophiles who victimize same sex children. I think we need to educate the
straight community on the very real
difference between the two. Thanks! Cathy C.
I responded “Your right
Cathy...pedophilia and homosexuality are two different critters. I have within
my archives a whole file also on sex crimes and strange Utah sexuality
proclivities and sometimes I don't edit well enough or clarify enough. I also
include a lot about AIDS although some would argue that it’s not a Gay disease.
I guess I included the info on the Bishop brothers because it was not a high
point of Gay history but as you pointed out a low point because the right wing
did use this episode to paint Gay men with the same brush they did Gary Bishop. It was a very difficult
time to be openly Gay because of the
Bishops' pedophilia towards young boys.
Cathy I have no qualms
about being asked questions why things get included. Sometimes its thoughtfully done and
other times simply because it happened that month and I included it. Hope that
answers your question. Other may have had the same thought. May I post this to
the group site? Ben W.”
Cathy wrote back “Ben,
feel free to post it to the board. And thank you for answering my question. Now
I understand why you included it. However, without that editorial statement,
some may misread/not understand why it was noted in our history. Thx!”
Deb Rosenberg to wrote
me, “Ben, I'm so glad to have run into you at the
celebratory rally after the decision by the US Supreme Court to de-criminalize
me (and most of my friends.) I just read
this whole thing on July 1991 and wish I had seen the June one. Kinda takes me
back if you know what I mean. Those were the days when we NEEDED to be soooo
radical- and when it didn't take much to be "radical" in the eyes of
others. Thank you for keeping the collective memory. Deb Rosenberg
Mark Swonson wrote to
ALL, “Hello Everyone- I am going to be moving and I just need a few helping
hands so I can get this done and over with. I have only seven pieces of
furniture and the heaviest is my bed/couch plus several boxes and containers.
So if you are available on Saturday 26th at 10am that would be great. Also I am
moving about a block from where I am now so its long a drive. Lunch will be on
me.... Thanks, Mark Swonson
Karl Bennion wrote to
Chad Keller, “Chad, I hope you and I can repair our working relationship. I
apologize for any hurt that I caused you. The work that we are doing as a guild
is very important and it is imperative that you and I work through our personal
problems. I assure you that I did not mean to offend you and I sincerely want
to apologize for any offense that I caused. Please let's talk and work through these issues. At our last
meeting you talked to me about making some introductions to people in the
community and I would love to have us work together to build the image of the
Guild and promote the Guild. These are areas where you are invaluable to the
Guild. I hope that we can count on you for the things that you do so well. Our next meeting is
scheduled for July 18th at Club Splash. Are you still working on that event?
Please let me know ASAP. We should already
have our announcement out promoting it. I appreciate very much all the
work you have done for the Guild and
Hope that we can still work together for the good of the community.
Ciao',”
Chad Keller responded
to Karl Bennion, “Karl, I'm not sure what to say. I will be happy to have a
discussion. But need to get through this month first as life is kinda needing
some attention so that I don't crumble. Too often in our community people rush
to judgment on others as to who they are, what's their motives, or through
innuendo determine through some odd formula where they will fit in the
structure of the community.
Then there is this movement to make everything in
our community "acceptable" to
the outside world. This is something that I have faced time and time again, and it was more I guess more than a
little ouch at the time, as it was the frosting on the cake so to speak on
several other issues where it was that I was too 'gay' or that too strong of a
personality. That strength has come from a lot of soul searching, and a lot of
being told 'no' or just plain used to fill others agendas or pocket books.
Don’t get me wrong I
want equal rights. I just don’t want to get them if it means sacrificing the
brilliant color and diversity of who I, friends, colleges , or the community
is. I don’t want to see us or those close to us short sell ourselves.
We cannot afford to
make the same mistakes that other communities have made when they sacrificed
part of their identity. The Far Right is getting wise, and they will soon find
ways to put up more roadblocks. Reclaiming our identity will be as, if not more
difficult.
Every business owner is
welcome to the Guild, and if they choose to participate, should be welcome as a
leader. With that I do accept your apology but let’s still sit down and talk.
As for the 18th I have been very busy here at work, and under the gun so to
speak. As it was just a social, I figured that the booking was all taken care
of and would find something to compliment it by getting a few people from other
professional groups to come to share information. As I need to focus here, I
hope that you or whoever booked it with Rob Blackhurst could confirm that they
will be open and ready. The advertising would fall under Michael Aaron. I have
been working on something for August but need to get with the rest of the
board. Call me later tonight. CK
I wrote Kathy
Worthington in response to her announcement “Re: will be gone for a few days.”
I asked,”Did you get hitched? And what
date? Ben.”
She responded, “Sara [Hamlin]
and I didn't get married last week after all. Sara was told at the last minute
that she wouldn't be able to have the time off, so we had to postpone our plans
to go to Canada. We have a week of vacation in August, (the 17th - 24th) so
we're going to go get married then. Thanks to all of you who have sent your
congratulations and to all of you who've inquired about our wedding. Kathy.”
Rebecca Walsh Tribune
reporter and Elizabeth Neff contributed to this story.
SL Tribune reported “Sonja Kaufman and Kari Fuller's lives are cluttered with
the accessories, the decisions, the sweet angst of family. Baby pictures hang
in a cluster on the wall. An Elmo doll is tucked into a corner. Children's
stories and board games fill the bookshelves. Agonized by sending the baby to
day care every day, 38-year-old Fuller decided to stay home to take care of the
kids. And Kaufman and Fuller are beginning to realize their two-bedroom
townhome is too small for four. Just like any other family. But Kaufman and Fuller are no ordinary family.
As lesbians in Utah,
they face the prospect of having their household split if they separate or one
of them dies. Utah law does not recognize their relationship or Kaufman's
connection to one of their two children -- 7-month-old Karson. Although she
formally adopted 6-year-old Angus, legislation added to state code in 2000
specifically prohibits her from becoming the legal parent of the daughter she
is raising.
The women are willing to upend their anonymous
existence to become plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the adoption statute.
"The law doesn't make sense to
me," says 46-year-old Kaufman. "They find me fit to parent one child
and then say I can't parent the other one. I'm parenting Karson anyway. But
there's that little bit of anxiety, knowing that, in a way, you're living on
the edge."
It's not that they are gay rights
activists. The women say they just want what is fair. And in the wake of the
U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision to strike down sodomy laws, they figure
now is the time to challenge Utah's ban on gay adoption.
Human rights groups nationwide claim the
ruling will be a catalyst to overturn state statutes that treat gay families
differently, from restrictions on medical benefits to some states' refusal to
recognize marriages between gay couples.
Utah's gay community is more restrained,
quietly strategizing.
"All of the laws that discriminate
against homosexuals in Utah have the same underpinnings -- the sodomy
law," says attorney Laura Milliken Gray, who keeps a list of potential
plaintiffs like Kaufman and Fuller. "They've always tried to use that as a
sledgehammer to pound us over the head. That's gone now. The implications are
huge."
Utah advocates are not talking about the
emotionally charged issues of partner benefits and same-sex marriage yet.
Instead, they are focusing on the sympathetic instances of adoptions thwarted
-- cases where their legal footing is well-grounded and political opposition is
weaker.
Two weeks ago, a split court determined a
Texas sodomy law specifically aimed at homosexuals violated the right of
consenting adults to choose what they do in their bedrooms, effectively
nullifying similar laws in 13 other states, including Utah. Most of the
justices concluded the law violated the U.S. Constitution's due process and
equal protection provisions by singling out gays.
Utah gay and lesbian advocates say the
state's adoption law does the same thing.
"Sodomy has been used to deny equal
rights and equal protection to a group of people," wrote Paula Wolfe,
director of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah in an opinion column
for The Salt Lake Tribune. "Lesbians are more likely to lose custody of
their natural-born children, and men and women without any criminal conviction
are denied the right to adopt a child."
Three years ago, lawmakers debated a
bill drafted by Brigham Young University Law School professor Lynn Wardle to
prohibit co-habiting adults, heterosexual, or homosexual, from adopting
children in state foster care or their partner's children.
State Rep. Jackie Biskupski, the only
openly gay member of the Legislature, says the adoption ban and Utah's sodomy
law are carefully written to make it appear they do not target gays, but the
effect is the same.
"The laws are connected," the
Salt Lake City Democrat says. "Clearly the laws are discriminatory."
At the time, gay rights groups protested
loudly, pointing to the sodomy law as lawmakers' justification. Their
complaints did no good.
Scott Clark, an attorney on the Division
of Child and Family Services board when it adopted administrative rules on
which the law was based, says state leaders simply were looking out for the
welfare of children.
"The state has a compelling reason to
protect children," Clark says. "Some relationships are sanctioned and
people in those relationships can adopt. I'm not trying to criticize any other
nonstandard relationship, but I think it is a legitimate interest of the state
to prefer families with a mother and father."
Sutherland Institute President Paul Mero
backs up Clark. "A family is more than love," he says. "There is
a structure involved. There are complementary roles between a male and a female
in a family that a homosexual couple just does not have.
"It doesn't matter whether we're talking
about homosexual couples or a single woman who decides she needs to have a
child in her life. Those children are at risk."
Kaufman and Fuller defy Mero and Clark
to prove that.
Together for 10 years, the women say
they are as committed as any heterosexual married couple. Although raised
outside Utah -- Fuller in Illinois and Kaufman in Idaho -- both come from LDS
backgrounds. They served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Kaufman works for an insurance company. Fuller is a full-time mom.
They were preparing to become foster
parents when Fuller learned she was pregnant after the eighth round of
artificial insemination. Kaufman managed to adopt Angus after he was born. But
Karson was born after the adoption ban passed. Kaufman and Fuller share legal
guardianship of the little girl so Kaufman's health benefits can cover her. But
Karson still falls into a limbo that scares her mothers.
"I worry what would happen if
something happened to me," Fuller says. "I have family members who
think it might be the right thing for them to do to get custody of my children.
That's scary. I'm a little nervous."
Before lawmakers changed the statute,
Gray says, Utah judges reviewed gay adoptions as a matter of course. Only one
of her cases was denied by a Davis County judge.
Since the ban was adopted, DCFS records
show even single-parent adoptions have dropped. In 1999, the year before the
adoption ban went into effect, 30 single parents adopted foster children. The
next year, that number dropped to 14. And last year, 12 single men and women
adopted.
Second-parent adoptions have been
sanctioned by the highest courts of four states: Vermont, Massachusetts, New
York, and New Jersey. Courts in 21 other states have allowed second-parent
adoptions for same-sex couples. And internationally, gay couples are allowed to
adopt in Ontario, Canada; London and Manchester, England; and in the
Netherlands.
Two other states -- Florida and
Mississippi -- block gay couples from adopting. And Arkansas restricts gays and
lesbians from being foster parents. Two gay couples who are foster parents have
challenged Florida's 16-year-old law. That case is pending before the 11th U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals.
Gray has 40 families -- families where
the nonbiological parent adopted the first child, but Utah's ban blocked
adoption of the second -- on her list of potential clients. "In those
families, the second child is a second-class citizen in their own home,"
Gray says. "One child gets two legal parents with all the benefits that
includes -- Social Security, inheritance, health insurance. The other child
doesn't get any of that.
"Whenever you have a law that has
no rational basis except discrimination, you get bizarre and irrational results
like this. I've been waiting since that ban was passed to challenge it. I can't
wait."
While Gray anticipates the legal battle, some
state lawmakers say she has her work cut out for her connecting the Supreme
Court's decision on sodomy laws and the ban on gay adoptions. They question a
lawsuit's chances.
"In my mind, they're two separate
and distinct issues," says state Sen. John Valentine. "The sodomy law
applies equally to heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. And the adoption law
was a public policy decision that homosexual relationships are not a proper
place for the raising of children. "People who want to foster an agenda
will try to argue the connection," the Orem Republican says. "But I
find nothing in the words of the Supreme Court's ruling."
But Mero figures the high court's decision
might give gay rights groups a basis for litigation. "The Supreme Court punted and is going
to allow a multiplicity of lawsuits," he says.”
Harold Meyerson wrote a Special piece
for The Washington Post reprinted in the SLTribune; “Is U.S. Congress being led
by grand old gay bashers? Scalia's justifications for discriminatory conduct
sound terribly familiar. Change "homosexual" to "Negro" and
Scalia is at one with the authors of Plessy v. Ferguson's mandate for "separate
but equal" schools, and the judges who upheld anti-miscegenation statutes.
Antonin Scalia is raging against the coming of
the light. Scalia's dissent from the epochal Supreme Court decision striking
down Texas' anti-sodomy statute confirms Ayatollah Antonin's standing as the
intellectual leader of the forces arrayed against equality and modernity in the
United States.
In establishing the
deep historical roots of anti-gay sentiment in America, for instance, Scalia
took pains to note the 20 prosecutions and four executions for consensual gay
sex conducted in colonial times. He noted, approvingly, that even today, "many
Americans do not want persons who openly engage in homosexual conduct as
partners in their business, as scoutmasters for their children, as teachers in
their children's schools or as boarders in their home."
Actually, back in 1978, a California
electorate far more conservative than today's massively repudiated an
initiative seeking to ban gays from teaching school, but this inconvenient fact
-- and other evidence of a massive shift in public sentiment on gay rights --
doesn't have quite the legal majesty of those four colonial executions. (Scalia
is uncharacteristically short on detail here. Were they hangings or burnings?)
Scalia's justifications for
discriminatory conduct sound terribly familiar. Change "homosexual"
to "Negro" and Scalia is at one with the authors of Plessy v.
Ferguson's mandate for "separate but equal" schools, and the judges
who upheld anti-miscegenation statutes.
Indeed, of the 13 states whose
anti-sodomy statutes were struck down in the court's decision, 10 were once
slave states of the South. In what has always been the main event in American
history -- the battle to expand the definition of "men" in Jefferson's
mighty line on who's created equal -- these are the states that have had to be
dragged along kicking and screaming.
More immediately, 12 of the 13 states
with sodomy laws were states that George W. Bush carried in the 2000 election,
and the 13th -- Florida -- was the one that Scalia and company handed to him.
The culture wars over legal equality for gays -- save on the question of gay
marriage -- are pretty much settled within the Democratic Party. It's the
Republicans who are split on the question of equal rights for gays.
And in this battle, Scalia has no
shortage of allies -- the recent and current Republican congressional
leadership first and foremost. From Dick Armey, who referred to gay Democratic
Rep. Barney Frank as "Barney Fag," to Rick Santorum, who equated
consensual gay sex to "man-on-dog" fornication, to Tom DeLay, who's
declared that the United States is and ought to remain a "Christian
nation," to Trent Lott, who pined for segregation, the recent and current
leaders of the Republican Party in Congress have compiled an impressive record
of industrial-strength prejudice.
So where's the outrage? Lott, to be
sure, had to step down, but for the rest, it looks as if gay-bashing is not
only accepted in the highest Republican circles but actually a prerequisite for
leadership. Just a week ago, Bill Frist took to the airwaves to tout a
constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Frist looked mighty
uncomfortable in the part, conveying the sense that he was speaking less from
personal passion than from partisan duty.
Of course, plenty of Republicans
welcomed the Supreme Court's decision. Plenty of Republicans are appalled when
the United States votes in international bodies with Saudi Arabia and a handful
of fundamentalist states against women's rights, reproductive freedoms, and
contraception distribution programs. Plenty of Republicans sicken at the
hatreds expressed by their legislative leaders. But plenty or not, try to find
a national Republican who speaks out for equality of sexual orientation or
condemns the expressions of bias.
It's way past time for a prominent Republican
to give a Sister Souljah speech. In a period when the United States finds
itself threatened by an international network of religious intolerants fuming
at modernity and equality, you would think some GOP notables might step up to
condemn the like-minded intolerants in their own ranks -- indeed, atop them.
Is there no decent Republican with the
guts to note that his party could do better than be led by a rats' nest of
bigots? ----- Harold Meyerson is editor at large of the
American Prospect.”
8 July 2003 Tuesday
I picked up a check
from the PO Box last night after taking Chuck Whyte home. Jim Dabakis sent a
check for $100. He said he "admires the work" and believes the USHS
will be "a valuable asset" in the community. He had Alan Thompson
send it because Jim is out of the country. We are still in the hole financially.
At the Board Meeting for next Monday if the 501 3c application is approved it
will cost $150 to file. Chuck has generously fronted the money so we will owe
him $50.
Chad Keller wrote “There
is an opportunity that has just been made available to have Pat Bagley (SL
trib) and Jonathan Brown (Deseret news) as a special presenters. This could be
used for your segment, or It could be used as part of Brunch. They have many
great political cartoon that focus on our community. It might be fun and
interesting as a look at what was going on in the news room. at the time of
specific events. if you’re interested let me know.
Cathy Cartwright wrote me regarding “Subject:
Bagley” Ben, this sounds great. .again,
time, money, and other resources will be an issue. Perhaps we could put it on
the agenda for the next board mtg. By the way, who compiles items for the
agenda? Is one published and distributed? Let
me know who oversees this and I will forward the idea for the agenda. Thanks!
I wrote to the USHS
Board “Re: Bagley -Mark Swonson as Secretary is the one to send agenda items. I
have contacted Adela Genovas at the library to get a room for next Monday. She
had me fill out an application and I sent it back to her this morning..haven't
heard anything back from her yet. Ben
Cathy Cartwright wrote to Mark Swonson, “Mark, could you put
the Bagley suggestion on the agenda for the board meeting? I like the idea and want to discuss
it and perhaps get the board's support
to pursue it. Thanks!
Randal Meyers wrote to me
:Subject: seized up “Hi Ben, It’s just me, you know, the stupid dope who keeps
having seizures and can't keep track of much of anything. I get a lot of email
from you and I'm having a hard time figuring out what email is important and
sent directly to me and what isn't. I end up deleting a lot because I
desperately need to clean out my email. I still want to work on the website,
but I need my little world to calm down. So, sorry if I have messed up anything
or deleted something that was important. My disability causes me a lot of
problems, which seem to cause others problems as well. Randal.”
I wrote back, “Everything
sent to you is duplicated on my computer so don't be concerned. The only
messages that you might want to be aware of our Board of Directors since as a
member of the board we need your vote on some issues. Our next quarterly board
meeting is this Monday at 7:00. It should not take long. If you want to be on
the board by our bylaws you have to attend quarterly board meetings however
illness can exempt you. Hope you get to feeling well soon. Ben.”
Chad Keller wrote to Mark
Swonson; “With things in life as they are....and I don’t deal well with big
problems...I really needed to see to handling the calls from my mom and get
things all fixed...again! Thank you Mark for stepping in.
Like the Rodeo, Pride,
or any other community event, outstanding well produced events are a shared
experience. Please send me a list of who accepted what areas so I can recruit
the rest of the committee. Also send me an update as to what was discussed.
Again thanks mark!! CK.”
Chad Keller wrote to Eric
Marcus “Eric, Got the email, unfortunately another firewall was installed and Attachments won't make it through. Please send
the file again, but to Ben Williams my Co-chair. His email is:
benedgar1951@yahoo.com. Great job on the Dean Fundraiser, We will be doing one
here in SLC. I was asked to do it, but just have enough to do right now.
Thanks...and sorry. CK
Chad Keller wrote me “Eric
is trying to get a bio and photo to us for October. I and receive attachments,
so I have asked that I send them to you. CK
9 July 2003 Wednesday
I wrote to USHS Board the
minutes of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society Business Meeting 07-07-03.
“Present: Ben Williams,
Cathy Cartwright, Chuck Whyte, Mark Swonson
Cathy Cartwright-
presented her drawings for the Milestone Honorees. Chad needs to get with her
about the base of the awards. We especially liked the "beehive"
drawings and suggested she bring them to our Board Meeting on July 14th.
In order for Cathy to
produce these we set a deadline date as of 3rd Week in August. This will give
her enough time to produce these. Cathy will also do some proto types prior to
making final decisions on Milestone Awards. Also, was discussed that we can
sell beehive rainbows for a fundraiser as well.
Ben- presented us with
the guidelines for the “Milestone Honorees" and they will be discussed
further at the next Board Meeting July 14th. Also was discussed the nominating
process and qualifications for the honorees.
At the meeting we
discussed that the assignments will be presented and handed out at next Board
Meeting July 14th on approval so that all Board Members have an opportunity to
participate in Gay History Month which is the month of October.
We also discussed that
our 3 priorities for an October Conference are as follows:
1.
Eric
Marcus- have a time and place set to present his lecture to the community.
Then we need to start advertising as soon as
possible as we have things in place regarding time, facilities, regarding Eric
Marcus.
2. Milestone Banquet-
We need to secure a place for the Milestone Banquet in writing as soon as
possible. Pre plan estimate how many will attend. We also want to do this
professionally and nicely.
3. Cocktail Fund
raiser- Need more details on this fund raiser. How many people, location, and
cost. Who will provide food and drinks for this cocktail as well? Also, we
discussed sponsorship and who will provide the necessary funding for priorities
1,2, and 3.
We agreed to discuss
this and other matters at our next General Board Meeting which will be July
14th at 7:00pm at the Salt Lake City Library. Mark Swonson USHS Secretary *All minutes are sent to Ben Williams and
Chad Keller for approval and so they may make any changes necessary to them.
I
wrote Chad Keller Re: USHS Board Meeting “Chad basically nothing could be done
at the business meeting other then look at Cathy's drawings and my milestone
Honoree criteria without you being there since you called for the meeting. Mark
knew nothing more than you wanting him to keep notes. No one was willing to
commit to assignments until more details were available. It just seemed more
logical to wait to the Board Meeting next Monday where then you will have some concrete
info on Gastronomy and the library.
If you are getting
frustrated perhaps it’s because this is becoming a bigger deal then it needs to
be. May I also remind you that Eric Marcus was your idea and project so if it’s
becoming frustrating for you it may be also overwhelming for others.
If you are having
people unwilling to commit to fundraising then we need to seriously reconsider
expenses. It would be a serious waste of resources and people's efforts if
deadlines are not met. We need an absolute deadline so that Eric Marcus is not
left hanging.
This is what I see. Its
mid-July and still we have no location (contractual) to have Marcus speak. We
have no funds to pay his fee. We have no funds to pay for a plane ticket.
While the Drag Idol fundraiser
may or may not generate revenue for some of the above expense we cannot being
operating on simply "projected income". Maybe the Board will have
some solutions when we meet on Monday. I have contacted Adela for a room for
Monday but she has not confirmed yet. I need to do some errands and then I
double check. Hope you stepfather is better. Ben.”
Becky
Moss wrote me Subject: Re: Retirement, “Ben, I have retired from Concerning
Gays and Lesbians, 20 plus years is enough for me. I will help Stan with the
show up to the end of the summer, Labor Day weekend. I am still very active
with the station [KRCL]. My retirement from the show was effective June 16th.
No big deal, I want to do something else now. Becky.”
Chad
Keller wrote me, “Since I’m frustrated today bear with me. Paula Wolfe
mentioned in July the Community Partners would be thanked and get their checks. Has the invite come in the mail?.”
I
wrote back, “Mark Swonson went in June and was told that they needed until July
to sort out how much money was made. I will ask Mark to contact them again and
see what the scoop is.”
Chad then added, “All I
will say right now is that the SL Public Library needs to get their crap
together and share information between its different departments which makes
schedules. If we have Eric at the Library it will be during the Day, on
Saturday. Or on Friday at after 6:00 pm due to the Center’s GL Struggle for
Human Rights film Festival. I have contacted other facilities that in anger I
have remembered and will see what that brings up. At this point, I no longer
see the library as a good option, as the whole local historical aspect is
thrown out the window.”
The Gay Provo Group
announced, “We are having a PARTY!!! @ my place at 9:00 pm July 9th Wednesday....
YAY...please confirm by calling and also we are going to talk about hiking trip
to Moab sometime in July... I will provide light snacks and drink so eat a meal
before you come... Please call and let me know...hope to you see all... Eric.”
UTAH MALE NATURALIST
GROUP Hey, Guys..... Just a reminder that the Naked Backyard BBQ and Hot Tub
Gathering is THIS Saturday at John's.
The party starts at 8pm. It will be a nice way to end a long hot day. Bring
something to cook on the grill, a side dish to share (if you'd like), a beverage, and a towel. It will be a
wonderful opportunity to socialize and get naked with the guys! Email me
directly to let me know that you can make it. I will also give you my address
and phone number. I will also post my address for the group on Friday in case I don't hear from
you. And don't forget....there are some other events happening this month that
you don't want to miss. JeepNekkid is hosting another Naked Brown Bag Lunch this
Friday afternoon. DON'T MISS IT! He's a great host! Check out the group
calendar to see the other events planned. Looking forward to seeing you guys!
Have a great week. Stay cool!! John
Adela Genoves wrote me Hello- Here is the meeting room application
and the library's policy. You can call 524-8230 if you have any questions.
Thank You, Adela Genoves SLC Public Library, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84111, fax: 322-8194
Chad Keller wrote me, “well now we
are only a $100.00 in the hole, which ain’t bad.... Sorry about last
night....for some reason I have the need to be the responsible son or have had
the responsibility given to me....all fixed now, and a big this has to get
under control to the other family members....it’s like hello, you all have the
bishops number....I just vented...sorry...
CK
The Utah Stonewall
Historical Society would like to acknowledge and thank Jim Dabakis for a
generous donation to the society. Jim is well known for his love and dedication
to the Gay communities of Utah ever since his early activist days in
Affirmation. He has always been a valuable asset to Utah whether it was
promoting Civil Rights as a Radio Talk Show host, serving as chair of the Board
of Directors for GLCCU, or in his quiet usually unheralded generosity to new
and struggling organizations. So not only do we thank Jim for his donation but
we thank him for his service to our "queer" community in Utah.
Jim Dabakis wrote me, “hi
ben thanks for your kind comments. you have been a quiet hero of mine for many
years. thank god that you have been writing all this down--in 50 years they are
never gonna believe it. you have efficiently and with determination and
fortitude been chronicling our lives. as I have been reading all your material
on the internet (lately, from Russia) i have been overcome by reminiscences and
the power of how far we have come. I will look forward to going to a few
meetings (if I ever can find my way home). warm regards JIM
Chad
Keller wrote, “There is an opportunity that has just been made available to
have Pat Bagley (sl trib) and Jonathan Brown (Deseret news) as a special
presenters. This could be used for your segment, or It could be used as part of
Brunch. They have many great political cartoon that focus on our community. It
might be fun and interesting as a look at what was going on in the news room.
at the time of specific events. if you’re interested let me know. Ck
10 July 2003 Thursday
Erick
Meyers wrote me regarding the mentioning on the UTStonewallHS Group site about Becky Moss Retiring from Concerning Gays and
Lesbians.
“Hi Ben, I don't know
exactly how I got on your email distribution list, but I have been receiving
the voluminous epistles you pen daily. [One could argue that you need to get a
life, but on the other hand, what's a teacher going to do during the summer holidays
anyway?;-))) ]
This one finally caught
my eye: I worked with Becky for a brief period on the radio program and was
honored to be part of the show. When I was married and struggling with how to
deal with who I am, I, too, listened to Becky's program. Her intelligent, gentle,
and caring attitudes were evident in every program. Her encouraging,
supportive, and a much-needed alternative point of view in Utah was one more
factor that helped me to leave my marriage and come out of the closet.
An indirect evidence of
Becky's impact was the fact that former US Senator Jessie Helms had placed her
on his list of enemies. High praise from an unexpected source!
From my current life as an
American-trying-to-become-a-European by working and living in Brussels,
Belgium, I wish Becky all the best. She has been a tremendous friend to me over
the years. Her selfless devotion to the liberation of sexual minorities has had
far-reaching impacts, the extent of which is still being felt today. Whatever
is next for Becky, it will be something worth watching. Very best wishes, Erick
Myers Past Officer Utah Gay & Lesbian History Association.”
I
wrote Erick back, “Hi Erick, Hope life is going good for you.. If you would
like to be deleted from the site I can do that for you. Or just delete the
messages in your email account for they are all on the Yahoo groupsite.
I am trying to get my
voluminous archives off just my hard drive into cyberspace. Until we get our
web site up and going the group site is all we have. Unfortunately, it does
fill up people's email sites. So just delete them and if you ever have the time
of inclination just go to groups.yahoo.com/UTStonewallHS. Sorry for the
inconvenience Best Regards Ben Williams
Phyllis Polster Salt
Lake City had a letter printed in the Salt Lake Tribune Public Forum “Lesbian
couple To counter the certain flood of anti-gay letters regarding Kari Fuller
and Sonja Kaufman ("Lesbian couple challenging gay adoption ban in Utah,"
Tribune, July 7), I would like to say that these ladies deserve a lot of
credit. Here's what I got out of the story: 1) that Fuller and Kaufman are
willing to become targets of narrow-minded individuals who will throw all kinds
of judgment their way in the hope that legal action will secure their right to
remain a family with full entitlements; 2) that Fuller and Kaufman are not
typically tied to money and have decided in the best interests of their
children to have one parent stay home to care for them; and 3) that Sutherland
Institute President Paul Mero (Opinion, June 29) needs to do a little catching
up on the state of families in the 21st century if he thinks
"complementary roles between a male and a female in a family" trumps
love.
11 July 2003 Friday
Kathy Worthington wrote on a plea from the Utah
AIDS foundation, “Subj: Toilet Paper drive
Right now, the Utah AIDS Foundation foodbank is completely out of toilet
paper. New medical advances are prolonging lives and supporting long term
health for our clients. But as our clients live longer, they also face
significant financial hardships. Even UAF clients who are eligible for food
stamps struggle to make ends meet each month. And food stamps don't cover
personal care items like soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, shaving supplies,
feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, and baby diapers.
Even the simplest item,
like toilet paper, becomes a luxury. Here's why your donation of personal care
items to the Utah AIDS Foundation is so important: when we are out of a
personal care item, our clients must simply go without it. They often have no
other recourse. When we don't have something as simple as toilet paper, neither
do they. Please bring your donation of toilet paper to the Utah AIDS
Foundation, at 1408 South 1100 East, in Salt Lake City. Every roll helps.
Mark
Thrash wrote “Mr. Gay Utah, Hunter Down, presents "Organized Chaos"
at the ALL NEW Paper Moon* located on 3737 S. State Street at 9:00 PM - $5.00
donation to the RCGSE Cancer Fund.
Michael Aaron commented
on the Utah Male Naturalist club and his Naked Lunch he hosts at his house, “Lunch
was fun. Over 200 members Hey all, Just wanted to touch in and thank those who
attended today's Naked Lunch. We had about a dozen guys here and had a great,
mellow time. Our group now has over 200 members! If you know of other guys who
like to get naked with other guys, please forward this email onto them and
invite them to join by going to Utah Male Naturists Yahoo Groups. Our
activities are drawing a great mix of men. What do people think about an
overnight campout, maybe at the nude beach? Other locations could work too if
people have suggestions. See ya in the nudes! JeepNekkid [Michael Aaron]
12 July 2003 Saturday
I belong to the Gay
Provo Group to stay in touch with what is happening in Utah County and I saw
this post, “Hey y0ung3rh0tb0i3" Hey boys, if you guys Wanna fool around
with sexy 15/m, email me, I love to be
dressed up in women’s lingerie and I will do whatever you want, and filming is
a big turn on, so email me!! I am not around Provo though, so if you could meet
me in slc.”
I
wrote to the Gay Provo Group saying, “Hey Why does the moderator of this site
let postings like this occur? First of all its illegal to have even consenting
sex with a minor-prison time- and it is quite common for vice departments to
use sites like this to find pedophiles. Young man, if you are in SLC I suggest
you go the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah where they have many youth
oriented programs and met people your own age in a healthier setting then
cruising cyberspace. Who knows you might even meet friends to hang out with.
Being Gay is a journey, don't fall into pits where vipers are ready to get you.
Pride is more than a party.”
The Utah Male
Naturalists held a Nude Utah’s July Swim, Utah male naturists Nude Utah’s July
Swim from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Absolute Scuba, in Orem Cost: $5.00 per person. Contact: Bill
Marty Pollock wrote to Chad
Keller, “Subject: Remove Me From Contact List Please remove me from your
contact list and have Ben and all the rest do the same. Thanks, Marty.”
John Cooper who was
once the leader of Affirmation in the 1980s wrote “Subject: Joining USHS Group
site Ok you can now sign me up for the USHS group site at this address:
box31415@xmission.com This will be my Yahoo groups address. Thank you for being
patient with me. Below is an advisory I got from my old provider, which is part
of why I have been paranoid.”
Mark Swonson wrote to Paula
Wolfe “Subject: Pride Partners Hi Paula-This is Mark again for the Utah
Stonewall Historical Society. We again where wondering when we will receive the
checks for the partnership with Pride. Are you all complete with the books yet
or do you need more time?
A Naked BBQ was held
and called “A Success. “Greetings, Gentlemen! I just have to say that the naked
BBQ and hot tub party was a grand success Saturday Night. Most of the guys
arrived promptly at 8pm ready to shed their clothing and gather in the backyard
for grilling, tubbing, and socializing. (The massage table was also a VERY popular item later in the evening.)
The official count was
23! WOW! Great turn-out! And that doesn't include your hosts John and Jeff. I
would have to say that everyone had a good time. People were there until the
late evening hours. It's so hard to put on your clothes again and say goodbye.
But the experience doesn't have to end. Remember there are folks heading out to
the beach on July 13th and again next Sunday (July 20th). Put a reminder on
your calendar so you don't miss upcoming events! This is a great group with
wonderful, positive energy. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again. Have a
great week. Stay cool.....and naked! John Cottrell (SkUTJohn)
13 July 2003 Sunday
Jim Dabakis responded to Chad Keller who had
asked for a meeting with him. “hi Chad, I am in Russia until the middle of next
week. I have been here for 2 months--longer than usual. give me a buzz at or
email me. Jim”
I
received the following from the library, “Subject: Board of Trustee's Quarterly
Meeting, Ben Williams Thank you for booking your event at the City Library.
Please verify that all of the details on this Confirmation are correct and
notify the Library of any errors or changes for your event. Please be advised
the City Library cannot guarantee alternate space in the event your estimated
attendance increases, however, we will make every effort to accommodate your
request. Summary of bookings for reservation 2166 Event Name: Board of
Directors Meeting 07/14/03 6:45 pm 8:30 pm
*Conf. Room 3 CONFIRMED Thank You.”
More
discontent over the ridiculous expansion of the ACRONYM. Jacob Groninger
Wrote Subject: Fwd: LAMBDA ....instead of
Alphabet Soup! For over 25 years we have been using LAMBDA for our various
groups we have started instead of the many letters, names - most of them
denoting our sexual practices, to describe our community. We often referred and
preferred to call ourselves LAMBDAS rather than sexually described terms that
have been in effect for decades.
We disliked the "Q
Word" also, because like the "N Word" is derogatory and even if used by our own
community distasteful. We also disliked the word Gay to describe the entire
community was not inclusive of the womyn members.
We now have over 5,000
Members in our LAMBDA GROUPS throughout the country and hope to form a more
sincere, welcoming, and loving LAMBDA COMMUNITY! This is both a cause, legacy,
and goal. We hope the entire LGBTIQ...sometimes TS, P, O, SGL, MSM, WPW, CWS groups will adopt the word LAMBDA as
a more encompassing and descriptive term than those previously utilized. The
practice of adding more letters will only serve to separate, not unify. When we
think of ourselves as separate groups that only come together in times of crisis we fail to
discover what a potential there is by trying to become a unified LAMBDA
COMMUNITY!
We recently sent out a
press release regarding the establishment of two new chapters - LAMBDA GROUP
RAINBOW NEWS and a LAMBDA GROUP - FLORIDA. In our press release we stated,
"our GLBT Chapters". Tom Dempsey of "Queer Atlanta" and
"Queer South Florida" would
not post them stating that he did not "because GLBT should be LGBT not q
or I or etc." "In the south,
its women before men and that he would not post GLBT on his lists and actively
discourage it."
Tom had previously
wondered why if we objected to Queer so much we would even bother with posting
items to his group. We simply replied that, although we disliked the word
Queer; certain groups that still use this term have attempted to "wake
up" our community on issues and accomplished certain overall benefits for
us.
He (Dempsey)
likes the word queer since he prefers a more radical group rather than
the mainstream. He also believes that gay men use LGBT and lesbians use GLBT
and HRC uses both, which he states is unprofessional. I'm presently totally
confused and probably you are also about what is politically correct! ?
We should not
concentrate on what divides us but what many bring us together! These matters
of spellings, labels, group designations, order of alphabet listings...seems
such trivial superficial nonsense (alphabet soup). We are an evolving community
and to make it an issue seems trite - but we will carry on our effort for a
LAMBDA COMMUNITY! Thank you, XXXX Bob & Dave Cozzoinger, Founders of Lambda
Group.”
Carol
Goode Salt Lake City wrote in Public Forum letter “Respectful disagreement On
June 25 I attended a panel discussion that was supposed to be a forum aimed at
finding common ground between Utah's ethnic minorities and the lesbian and gay
community.
This panel, "Defining Minority: A
process of inclusion," was sponsored by the University of Utah Gay,
Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender Resource Center and hosted by the Hinckley
Institute of Politics. As I and the audience listened to this intriguing, yet
unbalanced, discussion, an opportunity arose for the audience to ask questions
or make comments. I don't recall a warning that if I spoke freely I would be
attacked. After the panel, I was criticized in a Tribune op-ed by Blythe
Nobleman, Salt Lake City's minority affairs and communications coordinator
(Opinion, June 29). I forgive her for that.
It was difficult for me to understand why I
would be labeled insensitive, for asking a question and expressing my opinion,
by someone who worked for minority constituents. My main frustration was not
with Blythe Nobleman, but with Mayor Rocky Anderson.
I also have since discussed with community
leaders, the mayor, and Ms. Nobleman ways to work towards a resolution, and
although we may disagree on defining what a minority is, we can work toward a
common goal that will benefit all Salt Lake City residents.
I do feel that changes will be made in
the city's hiring process that will be inclusive and fair. But most of all I
have learned an important lesson, that I have the right to express my opinion,
but that I will be more sensitive to the process of inclusion.
I am
committed to positive progress and will always treat people with dignity and
respect.
14 July 2003 Monday
Our Quarterly USHS
Board of Directors meeting was this evening. Board Members are Jay Bell, Cathy Cartwright,
Chad Keller, Randal Meyers, Courtney Moser, Mike Romero, Mark Swonson, Jan Sylvester, Stephanie
Thomas , Chuck Whyte and myself.
Randal Meyers wrote to
me Board Meeting, “ Ben & Chad and all, I am sorry I will not be able to
join you this evening. The new medication they are trying me on to control
these seizures has made me very out of it. I will not be able to get to the
Library. I know you are all very busy, and the only thing I can offer is some
continued work on the website. If anyone has anything they would like to see
represented with a full graphic page with pictures and text, please send it to
me and I will get it posted. Sorry and thanks, Randal Meyers.”
It was a poor turn out
for our Board of Directors meeting with only Chad Keller, Chuck Whyte, Mark
Swonson, Cathy Cartwright, Mike Romero and myself showing up. Stephanie Thomas Courtney
Moser, Jan Sylvester, and Jay Bell were no shows and Alan Anderson and Marty
Pollack both had resigned. I think part of the problem was Chad asking Court
people to sit on the board without letting them know the extent of involvement.
At the Board Meeting I
was requested to contact Board Members who were absent and remind them that
according to our by-laws adopted in April, attendance at Quarterly Meetings are
required. "Directors must be participating members. Board Members are expected
to attend the Quarterly meetings and at least four monthly meetings, to serve
on at least one standing committee and attending committee meetings. After two
consecutive absences, the Board Chair or members of the executive committee
will contact the board member in question to confirm his or her interest in
remaining on the board. After three consecutive absences, unless proven
otherwise, it will be assumed that said board desires to resign."
(Section 3.4 Duties.)
Any trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the chair of the
UTAH STONEWALL HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Such resignation shall take effect at the
time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective- Any vacancy occurring
in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority
of the remaining Directors though less than a quorum. A trustee elected to fill
a vacancy shall be elected for the un-expired term of his predecessor in office
(Section 3.5 Vacancies)
At the meeting we voted
on requiring a membership fee to access the information on the Yahoo Group Site
as a way to raise funds. We still owe Chuck Whyte $50 and I still haven’t been reimbursed
for expenditures for constructing the kiosks and paying for lamination.
On the Gay Provo yahoo
site I saw sad and delusional posting, “Anonymous
Subject: Gay BYU dynamics- so I’ll be honest, this email is stemming from a lot
of frustrations and sadness. I have been here at BYU now for almost 3 years. It's
been an interesting experience and I have certainly learned a whole lot, mostly
from outside the classroom.
I will admit that my
learning to face up to my sexuality and accept it and still love myself has
been a bumpy road but I can finally say that I am where I want to stay. I would
think that a good majority of you reading this email are somewhere along that same path;
barely beginning or well down the road in one of the many possible directions
that can be taken.
For all of you still
trying to figure things out, for those who have been there a while and are
beginning to wonder if they have really figured things out and for those of you
who just gave up on trying to figure things out, let me share a little something
with you.
I have sat here and
listened to so many boys come to me and say, "I'm so confused I don't know
what to do. I love the church but I'm gay." Ok, story of my life. I have sat here and
heard that story from boy after boy after boy and I have stuck through it and
have done my best to give these boys the best advice possible.
I believe the church to
be true. There are no doubts in my mind about the leadership that we have. I
have no reservations, no if's no and's and no but's. I love the church one
hundred percent and believe that by relying on the lord and living church
standards one can live a full, happy, successful life.
For some marriage is
not an option, which is fine and
acceptable. The lord will provide other means
for individuals to fulfill their divine potential. I for one am not married and
do not foresee such a move in my life in the near future. it is not easy to
remain active in the church but coming from one who has seen so much
unhappiness and so much discontent and so much heartache I would recommend no
other path.
Gaining a testimony and
living by that testimony no matter how hard it may be can afford you great
blessings and allow you to live in a way that you could not otherwise enjoy. I
know that I am gay but I am a member of
the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints and want to live my faith to
the fullest.
I have made mistakes I will admit but there is
nothing like turning to the savior and finding hope in his gospel.
Now each time I have shared this the boys have
been receptive and for the most part agreed. But nearly everyone has made a
choice contrary to our conversations. Nearly everyone has left the church.
I watched and admired
so many who were wonderful examples and had strong testimonies, gradually and
even suddenly turn from the church, and lead a different life. They are void of
that joy that they once radiated. They are unhappy. They are emotional. They
are living happily yet constantly searching for something to make them happier.
This makes me so sad. It
tears at my heart. There is a statistic that says that in general only 7% of
LDS homosexuals will stay active in the church for more than 10-15 years after
their coming out. That is a sad and disheartening figure.
Why? Why are there only
7% that remain active? I guess that's my question for you? Those who are
inactive why? Why did you leave your testimony behind? Why did you turn from
the lord?
I realized in my own
life that when it came down to it I had to choose. I could choose to abandon
one part of me, be it my testimony and my faith, or my sexual indulgence and
friends and relationships in a homosexual atmosphere. I chose the latter.
If I am to live the
entirety of my life unwholly I will live it with the comfort of the gospel. Now
I’m sure many of you are saying, "sure that's what we all said at one
point in time, you'll soon forget that idealistic way of thinking and move
on."
BUT NO I won't. I
respect each of you and love you and care for you. Which is why I am sharing
this with you. I am attempting to begin a group at BYU to encourage homosexual
members to remain strong and faithful, to offer a healthy and positive
environment for social development as well and counseling and help when needed.
We're being watched by general authorities, bishops, stake presidents and
former mission presidents, temple sealers, professors, and families from all
over. They all want to see the success of this group. They are praying for us.
helping us and pleading with the lord to bless us with the strength to do his
will.
Please check it out. Please
join. Please talk and find help and encouragement. This is far from another
evergreen. We want to simply encourage a balance, to encourage living a life of
honor and standards, but also recognize that we are homosexual and need a
certain strength. I feel very strongly that we have many people routing for our
success. Please don't hesitate to join or to check it out. We'll be having a
meeting the 10th of August in Provo. All are welcome to come. Please come... Gay
Utah LDS Yahoo Group
15 July 2003 Tuesday
My niece Denise Wachs wrote me “helloooooo....,just
a few quick notes to let ya all know how thing are going. This is my last week
of school (thank the good lord, thought it would never come). Monday the 21st I
graduate (with honors 94% or better). got a few job offers back east in Virginia.
looking forward to a little R & R. Work seems a lot easier without having
to go to school too. Going to buy myself a Harley Davidson Softail heritage for
a grad present. Sometimes you just feel as if you deserve things. Is that
wrong?
Anyways Michael [Wachs]
is also doing very well. heck he’s doing better than I did. He’s allowed to
tutor!!!! What can I say the kid is very smart, always knew it.
I have finals all week.
I know I’d like to think I know the meaning of hell week. it’s really not just
some stupid movie. Any ways hoping and praying all goes well this weekend and
come Monday all my hard work will leave me standing dumb struck (is that one
word?) with my federal aviation “AIRFRAME AND POWER PLANT” mechanics
certificate. I love ya and thanks for the support. PEACE, LOVE AND RESPECT,
DENISE
I wrote to Toni Johnson
regarding USHS Membership “Dear Toni, We are now requiring membership dues for
membership in the historical society. However the board decided that members of
PWAC coalition should be reduced to either $10 or less (free) considering the
circumstances of each individual. Since it is none of our business what a
person's HIV status is, it was proposed that you be our intermediary with
members of PWAC.
Chuck Whyte is our
treasurer and his ability to keep a confidence is beyond question. If any of
your members wish to join or remain a member just contact Chuck and he will
inform me who has become a member. I am the moderator of the Yahoo group site
so I monitor the membership list on that site only. I won't know who is a paid
member of who is free. Only Chuck will. Would you be willing to support this
decision of the board and act as an intermediary with Chuck and inform your
members? Sincerely Ben Williams.”
I wrote to Chris Smith
aka Chaise Manhatten, “Your name has been removed from the USHS membership list
as requested. Sorry to hear you are leaving us but best wishes on all future
adventures. Sincerely Ben Williams.”
I wrote to Stephanie
Thomas, “Dear Stephanie, Regarding the
new email address do you want me just to change it on the group site or post it
to the message board? or do you just want it given out to other board members?
We missed you at the July Quarterly Meeting yesterday. I know working full time
and being a mom, and your RCGSE responsibilities keep you really busy.
I know that Chad asked
you to serve on this board, however I don't want you to feel obliged or overwhelmed
either. I certainly understand any decision on your part. We all have our
interests and causes and only so much time we can devote to them.
If you actually do want
to serve as a board member we would be honored, but while we would regret
losing you we certainly would understand if you would rather not serve on the
board. Thank you for all that you do. Best Wishes Ben Williams USHS Co-chair:
Historian”
I wrote to Mike Piccardi regarding the Milestone Nominations,
“Thank you Michael for your nominations. Please, if you will, have a brief bio
prepared for each individual because the nomination guide lines state that a
bio must accompany the nominations. Many of the voting member may not know
these individuals as well as you and me. Plus the USHS is wanting to preserve
all the bios for our archives as a future who's whose. We made clear the USHS
guide lines for this tribute, so that unlike the Kristen Ries Award there's
nothing vague or mysterious about the process. It will be a difficult decision
in any case and the bios will be crucial at the time of voting. Best Wishes Ben
Williams”
Cathy Cartwright to
Chad Keller and me “Subject: Ben and Chad, You are Incredible Ben and Chad,
with yet another posting to the yahoo board, I am simply amazed by your
enthusiasm and love for our history. I know you put in hours and hours--not
only preserve our history, but to educate others as well. I am honored to be a
board member of the UTSHS. From timely distribution of minutes, to planning
events, you have ensured that everything the Society produces, is of the
highest quality. Thank you! (Ben--pls forward to Chad, as I can't seem to get
his e-mails delivered by the cyber
postman!)
I wrote to Chad Keller regarding
Nominations and Royal Court Calendar, “Please do not even hint that the RCGSE
may get a recognition in asking the RC to block the 18th off. They have not
been officially nominated and the voting is not until September. Some other
organization may get it, who knows. There is a process here and we must keep to
it to maintain the integrity of the tribute. Just because you and I may think
they would be a good candidate others may not. If we are just handing out
awards to people that can help us financially we are no better than the rest.
Don't you think so? PS my cell phone bill for the past two months has been
nearly $200. I am only responding by email until I can get a resident phone put
back in the house. Ben.”
Ben Williams to USHS
Board Subject: Gay Freedom Day, “Per board instruction I have checked out the
Salt Lake City Park web site. Attached is their list of city parks and
reservation requirements. It appears that one cannot reserve a park until
March. However I will go to the city county building tomorrow and find out what
business license or permits would be required to hold a picnic/festival in the park for the last
weekend in June to commemorate Stonewall Rebellion and June 26th 2004 Freedom
Day. I know way premature but Mike [Romero] and I were thinking: Local
performers only i.e. RCGSE, CyberSluts, SLC Men Choir, Saliva Sisters etc. Only
Craft and art booths (no corporate booths)of local Utah artists Gay and Gay
friendly. Simple Picnic Fare i.e. hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salads, BBQ
Beans, pies, ice-cream, snow cones etc. Key note Speakers: Historical figures
from the community organization information booths limited to Lambda nonprofit
organizations only: i.e.-Affirmation, Reconciliation, Quac, Swerve, etc. Sound
system playing tunes from Disco Era. Soft ball and Volley Ball games. Keeping
it simple and fun
Chad Keller responded
to me “Subject: Gay Freedom Day This is a perfect concept. The first Gay
Freedom days were a celebration of us, no commercialism. I would ask that we
consider some gay artisans in an small area or games hosted by other
organizations.”
Mark Swonson wrote
“Subject: Gay Freedom Day Ben and Mike-I think this is great idea! Let’s bring
back Pride Day or Gay Freedom Day how it was many, many, years ago. Small,
simple, and without commercialism! I will be on board for this.”
Chad Keller sent this
email from Bob Childers, “Subject: Downtown Alliance, ‘Ben Hey, Brad Baird is going to send an email regarding
the review of the City Ordinance regarding events, and park reservations to the
USHS group site. Farmers Market is laying in ruins because of The Mayor, and
other events are going to be definitely effected, including Freedom Day. If
anything just forward it to me Bob, This would be a great chance to take the
lead and get many groups gay wise teamed up to with the Arts Festival, Living
Traditions, And others through the CLF.”
16 July 2003 Wednesday
I went to the library
just in case some one showed up even though the July general meeting was
canceled. I am glad I did as that we had a new person show up. Her name is
Christine W. and she heard about us from the program I did for Concerning Gays
and Lesbians yesterday. We visited for about 45 minutes and then I showed her
how to find us on the internet. There was a water main break downtown and the
library was without water...no drinking fountains or bathrooms!
Chad Keller wrote to
Mark Thrash and the court, “Dear Mark, Heidi, Shaun, and Krystina In the recent
board meeting of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society our upcoming Gay History
event was discussed. Due to the investment that is being made, I have been
asked to contact you to see if you would be willing to Block out the 18 and 19
from the Courts calendar at this time.
On those days New York
Times bestselling Author Eric Marcus will be in town as part of our event and
will be the speaker at the Utah Stonewall Historical Society's Milestone
Honors.
As a new organization
we seem to have been a little plowed over by other events in the community. We
had been working closely with other events, and thought that our event was
safe, due to commitments made, then those commitments were broken.
History as some will comment seems boring, and
thus, the events of the USHS get looked over due to their often stuffy nature.
Eric is a dynamic speaker. He will be a perfect complement to the Milestone
Honors, as we pay tribute to those historic figures of our own community who
have worked diligently to insure the equal right of the Gay Community.
Further, there event
will be quite different, and packed full of excitement, and surprises. It will
be and exciting evening, one I'm sure that you and the members of the court
would like to participate in. I am positive that the Board of the USHS can make
this workable perhaps by a couple discounted tickets, or an ad promoting the
RCGSE in our program. Any help that the RCGSE could provide in helping this
inaugural event for the USHS, whether through calendar support or financially
would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Chad Keller USHS Co-Chair
Mark
wrote back “Chad, you already have "Drag Idol" scheduled on October
17. I will 'pencil' the USHS's Milestone Honors on our Calendar of Events,
October 18 & 19, and refrain from
scheduling additional events on those dates as much as possible. Mark Thrash
Emperor 28.”
Mark then wrote Chad, “Subject:
USHS PROJECT: History of the RCGSE In many past emails sent from Ben Williams I
have read several Excerpts regarding the
instrumental role the RCGSE had in the implementation of Utah Pride Day, UGRA,
GLCC, some timeline information regarding the crowning of past monarchs and
also the origin of the RCGSE.
I would like to know
the possibility of having all the information regarding the RCGSE's community
involvement listed in one location to assist in my effort and goal to preserve
our organization's history.
I know after Pride Day Ben has been burned on
the kiosks and although that may no
longer be an option for us I would still greatly appreciate having his
assistance in compiling all of the information he has regarding the history of
the RCGSE and our role in Utah's gay community.
I have emailed Ben
directly once before regarding this project, and he mentioned that he planned
to sit down with Marita Gayle to compile this history, but I have not heard
from him again regarding the progress of his plan.
I would just like to at least start the ball
rolling by compiling the information he currently has on file and then moving
forward with Marita at a later date. Any
ideas? Please let me know the possibility of having the USHS assist in this
project, and what assistance I can be of in moving forward with this
preservation. Thanks Mark Thrash Emperor 28
Chad Keller replied to
Mark Thrash “As you are aware, I am overwhelming, and with the drama of Pride,
Then To have the Kiosks severely damaged
on their return, I’m sure left him wondering what I had gotten him into, and a
much needed and well deserved break for
him was in order. I know that he has mentioned the project, and I think is ready to be of assistance as it has been a
discussion as we have addressed the issues of meeting structure of the USHS. I
think and am suggesting that you, I and Ben Go for Coffee.
There is no meeting
tonight as we just had a board meeting on Monday. When would coffee work for
you next week. I will also contact Ben and see how I might be of assistance to
him to help us both meet the Goal of the Reign.”
Chad Keller wrote to me
“Ben, Mark is trying to get the history of the court together for future use,
and I believe for the upcoming book to be published by the International Court
System. How can we best be of assistance too him to meet his goal. thanks! CK
Wed, 16 Jul 2003
11:23:11 –0600 Subject: Re: USHS PROJECT: History of the RCGSE Mark Thrash to
Chad Keller I'm available next Wednesday or Thursday (July 23 or 24). Thanks!
I wrote to Mark Thrash,
“Dear Mark, Chad forwarded your email to me regarding compiling a history of
the RCGSE. As per our emails back in May I am still willing to help with this
project. I have tried to contact Marita Gayle several times. I was to meet with
her on Coronation Sunday but she changed her mind saying she was not in the
mood.
Later after Pride I
emailed her again asking when we could get together and she has never responded
back except for earlier this week when she asked for me to remove her from the Yahoo Group Site.
Until this year I was
never a member of the court but merely a spectator so I cannot vouch for my own
recollections. I do have quite a few items from media sources, however.
I am willing to put
together a time line of events for the court but can't vouch for complete accuracy. As a
history also it would not be the same as a PR piece. History has warts and all.
I am going to Colorado this weekend for my niece's graduation. By next week I
will send you an outline of what I have. Best Regards and wishes Ben Williams.”
Mark Thrash responded,
“Ben, Please know that I never doubted your intentions to get a hold of Marita
Gayle; my concern was that her lack of enthusiasm might deter desired plans to
compile the Court's history. I also agree that additional research with someone
who has been more involved in the Court's history will be necessary to ensure
the accuracy of your records and for the compilation of more detailed history.
My desire at this time
is to merely take a giant first step towards a significant project that I feel
has been overlooked by the RCGSE by beginning with the records you have. Then I
would like to move forward with the project and getting it the desired
promotional piece I want completed during the 28th Reign.
Have a great time in
Colorado. I look forward to reading what you have on file. Thanks again for
your dedication and willingness to assist. Mark Thrash Emperor 28.”
17 July 2003 Thursday
Chad Keller wrote to me “Subject: Milestone
Recognition Nominations -I had a couple people ask; Would the USHS be willing
to help them confirm date or provide limited info on a person that they would
like to nominate.”
On the Subject of Gastronomy
Chad wrote to me “Gastronomy has asked
that we meet with Judy Reese tomorrow at 2:00pm at their offices on Market
Street. I am asking for one other member of
the board to attend with me. So that in conversations in meeting there
is a prospective on the donation other than mine. Basically the sponsorship
will be the donation of meals at cost. Unfortunately under Utah Law, Alcohol
cannot be given away. They are excited that we are interested in the Cottonwood
location and look forward to working
with us A written letter of the donation will be forthcoming after detail are
worked out in the meeting. In Unity, CCK.”
I wrote Stan Penfold back
about some UAF history he was wanting, “I dropped a CD for you of the Patty
Reagan Lecture at your reception desk about 2:30 today. After August 1st only
USHS members will have access to USHS archives and materials. Membership is
$10, $15, and $50. All PWA's can get membership at $10 or less due to hardship.
Please do not duplicate the interview without permission from board members of
USHS. Thank You, Ben Williams.”
Stan replied “Thanks
Ben. It was great to listen to. I put it back up at our front desk with your
name on it. You can come by and pick it up anytime. Thanks again. Stan.”
Elizabeth Neff of The
Salt Lake Tribune reported “Laws on
consensual sodomy, premarital sex targets of suit Supported by a U.S. Supreme
Court ruling, a Salt Lake County man on Wednesday asked a judge to invalidate
without a trial Utah laws against consensual sodomy and premarital sex. In a
motion for summary judgment, a man identifying himself only as D. Berg has
asked 3rd District Judge L.A. Dever to determine whether either statute applies
to his "past and future conduct."
Utah's consensual
sodomy law forbids "any sexual act with a [unmarried] person who is 14
years of age or older involving the genitals of one person and the mouth or
anus of another person, regardless of the sex of either participant."
The anti- fornication
statute bans premarital sex, saying "any unmarried person who shall
voluntarily engage in sexual intercourse with another is guilty of
fornication."
Both crimes are class B misdemeanors
punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Utah Attorney General
Mark Shurtleff readily admits a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued last month has
already nullified both laws, although they have not yet been repealed by
legislators. But Shurtleff said Wednesday his office will probably still ask Dever
to throw out Berg's lawsuit, arguing Berg has no right to bring the suit
because he was not charged with either crime. Allowing Berg to bring the
lawsuit could establish a precedent for others without standing in court to do
the same, Shurtleff said.
"Right now the law
is unenforceable… for an attorney to bring a case that he knows he can't bring
is not responsible," Shurtleff said. "I have a duty to protect the
taxpayers from attorneys trying to get attorneys' fees at taxpayers'
expense."
Berg's attorney, Salt
Lake City civil rights attorney Brian Barnard, said he thinks his client can
meet the burden of standing in state court, and that the Attorney General's
Office could end the case quickly. "The
way to handle it is simply to say the statute is simply unconstitutional, and
that keeps attorney’s fees to a minimum," Barnard said.
Berg claims although he
has not been arrested, he has privately violated the sodomy law by having
heterosexual oral sex, and the fornication law by having sex with another
unmarried person. He is also seeking a temporary restraining order preventing
the laws from being enforced while the lawsuit is pending, $1 in damages, and
attorney's fees.
The U.S. Supreme Court
in June held a Texas law banning gay sex unconstitutional, as it dictates to
consenting adults what should take place in the privacy of their bedrooms. The
justices said consensual sodomy laws are attempts to control personal relationships
that are "within the liberty of persons to choose without being punished
as criminals." The decision did not
apply to two other portions of Utah's statute that prohibit forcible, or
nonconsensual, sodomy and sodomy on a child.
18 July 2003 Friday
Chad Keller and I had a meeting With Judy
Reese, the Gastronomy Rep regarding a Banquet Room and the October guest speak
Eric Marcus. We met at the Gastronomy Offices on Market Street and we confirmed
the Date of 18 October 2003 for 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Market Street Grill
Cottonwood, 2985 East 6580 South, SLC Utah.
Ms. Reese stated
Gastronomy would “comp” the cost of the Banquet Space and provide the meals at
cost. From 6:00 to 7:00 will be a “Meet and Greet Cocktail hour.” And Gastronomy
will provide a “cash bar” for those who would like an alcoholic beverage, as
well complimentary nonalcoholic beverages, ice teas, soft drinks, etc. A light
buffet of assorted cheeses, crackers, and fruit would also be served during
this time.
From 7:00 to 8:00, a
full course meal will be provided during the Milestone Banquet, with a salad,
entrée, desert, and bread. The manager will provide a couple of inexpensive
options. Suggestions were chicken or salmon. Vegetarian Meals must be ordered
minimum three days prior.
The USHS will provide a
PA system for speakers as well as the centerpieces for tables. Maximum
accommodations for comfort is 140 people. Self-Parking is available.
We don't know yet what
the cost of the meals may be yet but we are probably ask for $50 to attend the
banquet to hear Eric Marcus.
Michael Aaron posted
about Utah Male Naturists naked events, “Hey guys, thought those of you not on
the group site may want to know about
some of our outings: Last weekend's events were well attended and VERY fun.
Let's keep the summer ball rolling!!!
Naked Lunch Backyard
deck of JeepNekkid. I put up the awning
so we have more shade Bring: Lunch if
you want it, suntan lotion if you need it, something to drink Expect: About a
dozen guys lounging about, eating lunch, hot tubbing (the temp is turned down),
sun tanning, BBQing, hammocking, and general
BS-ing.Address sent under separate
Mark
Swonson wrote to Chad Keller and me, “Hi Chad and Ben- Well I sent another
e-mail concerning the Pride Partners and still no response. This was my second
e-mail sent to them regarding this matter. Also, I talked to someone else and
they are supposed to contact them too. Maybe Ben you should send an e-mail
regarding this matter and see if you get a response from them. I have written to Paula both times. Last time she
was quick to respond and now nothing. Chad, you can watch and see what unfolds.
Mark:-
I
wrote to Charles Milne to find out what the hold up is with funds from Pride
Partnership but never received a response.
Mark Swonson wrote to
me, “Ben- I thought that was great what you wrote to Charles. I am trying to
think who else to put pressure on the Pride Inc. I know I think I will write
Paul [Cucunato] from UGRA and ask him if has had any response from them. Mark:-)
Michael Aaron wrote Subject:
Lunch today, Beach Sunday. I'll see many of you at Naked Lunch today. This may
be our best turnout yet, with many newcomers. Naked Lunch at JeepNekkid's Event
Location: West Capitol Hill neighborhood. Notes: Bring a lunch (if you want)
and something to drink. Enjoy lunch out on the deck with a bunch of naked guys.
Hot tub, shade, sun, hammock, BBQ.
Sunday's Beach excursion: Meet at the Saltair
parking lot off of I-80 (Saltair Exit) between 11:45 and noon. We will leave
the parking lot at 12:05pm. We can carpool from there or you can follow us out.
Any car will make it, you do not need a
4x4 or a high-profile vehicle.
If you want to drive
out separately, just find the group of naked guys with a white Jeep and a
rainbow kite (if the breeze is up - which it will be - it always is).
Bring lots of water, a
towel, maybe a lawn chair. If you have a volleyball net and ball, or some other
beach-type fun stuff, please bring it along! Instructions on how to get to the
beach are in the files section of the group site NOTE: This is not the beach that
many have heard about that is off of I-80 at the 7200 West exit. The former
Bare Ass Beach is difficult to drive without a 4x4, is more about sex than
nudity, and nude people are prone to arrest at that beach. BURMESTER IS NONE OF
THOSE THINGS (not to say that sex doesn't happen out there).See you all there!
-JeepNekkid
19 July 2003 Saturday
I left out this morning
for Colorado to visit with my niece Denise Wachs and attend her graduation on
Monday. She’s graduating from a program to become an airplane mechanic. I was
in Denver by 3 but I didn’t want to go directly to Denise’s apartment so went
to a the MidTown Spa on Zuni street. I haven’t been to a bathhouse in years and
Salt Lake more or less closed all of theirs. It was kind of nostalgic being
there as I remember how they used to be in the 1980’s. I really didn’t do
anything as it was too early I suppose and the guys there weren’t interested in
me. I did enjoy the dry sauna and looking at the guys.
I left around 8 to head
to Thornton where Denise was living with her girlfriend Cody. She was really
excited that I came for her graduation as that Charline and Dennis would never
afforded to come.
Fred Hinckley announced
Subject: Tub Party “Everyone is invited. I won't be able to repeat this
invitation as I'm going to be lacking my computer while it is being fixed. So
please try to remember and come again. Time:
7 p.m. or when you can get here. (This will leave ample time for the
sunset.) Place: North Brookshire Drive
Kaysville How to get here. If you're coming from the south: Take I-15 to
Lagoon. Then turn off onto 89 which goes straight (past two red lights, Smith’s,
and a shopping center) until it curves up the mountainside to a higher level.
Just go up the curve past the currently blocked off "Kaysville, Fruit
Heights" exit. On the high road, go straight north. Pass through the first
semaphore (red/green light). Continue on and through the second semaphore.
Exactly .8 mile after the second red light, look for two structures on which
high wires cross the highway. (This is the one-and-only place where high wires
cross the road. You can't miss it.)
This is Crestwood Road
which, on your left, goes down the mountainside. If you're coming from the
north: On 89, pass through the red light at the road which goes down into
Layton. (A big water tank is on the north-west corner.) Pass the road called Mutton Hollow. Look for
the two structures on which the high wires cross the highway. This is Crestwood
Road which, on your right, goes down the mountainside. Take it. Once you're
going down (west) on Crestwood Road: Five streets down (all on the north side
of the road) is Brookshire Drive. Turn right (the only way you can turn). About
two blocks up the street (to the north),
Tall pines are on both
the north and south ends of the property. This sounds difficult, but many
people have arrived successfully. If you come to a cemetery on the east side of
Crestwood Road, you're gone too far. Once here, cross the front lawn and go down
the garden steps on the north side of the house. Pass the fountain on your left
and proceed to the spa area. Or, if you wish, go through the car port to the
back deck. You'll see the hot tub and dressing rooms on your right. Showers are
in both dressing rooms.
What to bring: I have
no idea how many people will show up. (We did pretty well last time, and a
great number would be too many.) I'll
put out as many folding chairs as I have (and two uncomfortable chaise
lounges), but it might be a good idea to bring something to sit or lie on. If
you desire ice, please bring it. I'll put out a card table for anything you
would like to bring to eat or drink. I'll furnish paper plates, napkins, and
cups.
May I ask you to take
your left-overs with you when you leave. I can't consume them alone and I don't
like to throw food away. The evening of the event, I'll have my cell phone on
for questions from those who may have difficulty finding their way. RSVP not
required. No charge, of course. See you then!
20 July 2003 Sunday
I took Denise and Cody out for a late breakfast
then drove back into Denver to see whether there were any more adult bookstores
with video peek shows. I found a couple of bookstores that sold videos but none
that had booths to watch any. I guess those days are gone.
Burmester Beach Outing Meet
at Saltair parking lot if you haven't been and want to follow us on in. If you
know where it is, look for the white Jeep and rainbow-colored kite surrounded
by a bunch of naked guys. Bring: WATER, suntan lotion, something to eat if you
want, a towel, anyone have a volleyball
net and balls? WATER, a kite? Expect: a few dozen guys lounging, playing,
tanning, BS-ing, eating, laughing, tooling around in the back of JeepNekkid's
Jeep terrorizing the natives, etc.
John Wright reporter for the Logan Herald
Journal wrote, “Logan, Utah Logan High gay club OK'd Principal says federal law
requires approval of students' proposal Two students apparently have won their
battle to start a chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Logan High School.
Logan High Principal Charles Nelson said Friday he plans to approve the
students' recommendation to establish the club. Nelson initially denied the
recommendation in April, saying the Gay-Straight Alliance's name and mission
statement were at odds with district policy, which prohibits any club
"whose program and activities would materially or substantially involve
human sexuality.
“However, Nelson said
school officials subsequently determined that the local policy is at odds with
federal law. According to the federal Equal Access Act, if a school allows any
club whose purpose is not directly related to the school's curriculum to meet
on school grounds, it cannot deny other groups the same access based on the
content of their proposed discussions.
"We plan to
propose the Gay-Straight Alliance in the first part of September," Nelson
said. "We're going to go ahead and approve the club, as it's named. “The
students who want to start the club, Mark Sailor and Jessica Liddell, could not
be reached immediately for comment. However, they said previously that their
goal is to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in sexual orientation,
and not to focus on sexuality.
The club's mission statement says it's aimed
at increasing "awareness of hardships faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered people." There are thousands of Gay-Straight Alliance
chapters at public and private high schools throughout the country. Both the
students and Nelson have said that intolerance of gays is a problem among both
students and faculty members at Logan High. Nelson said he's supported the
concept of the club from the beginning.
“I don't think we've
ever been opposed to it," he said. "We've known (intolerance is) a
problem. We've done things in the past to try to take care of it."
however, after Nelson's initial decision, Sailor and Liddell accused him of
stonewalling their efforts, because he did not provide a formal written denial,
which would have allowed them to appeal the matter to the District Student
Services Review Committee.
But Nelson said his
sole concern was the apparent conflict with district policy. District
Superintendent Richard Jensen said part of the delay can also be attributed to
the fact that the club was proposed near the end of the school year. "I
think the kids wanted us to move faster than we really had time to move,"
Jensen said. "I'm very satisfied that we've taken a thoughtful approach to
it. We've tried to make sure we're doing the right thing for the kids."
Shortly after Nelson's
denial, the American Civil Liberties Union drafted him a letter, which was
later posted on the group's Web site. In the letter, ACLU staff attorney
Janelle P. Eurick encouraged Nelson to allow the club, but also hinted at the
potential consequences of his decision.
"By acknowledging
students right to form GSA's, you are not only obeying the law and avoiding
potential legal liability, but you are also supporting diversity in your
schools and taking a strong step towards addressing anti-gay harassment. ... We
send you this letter to provide you with basic information you need to avoid
expensive and redundant litigation over this issue," the letter said.
Eurick said that according to the Equal Access Act, if a school district
decides to ban a Gay-Straight Alliance, it must ban all non-curricular clubs,
including organizations like the Black Students Union and Students Against
Drunk Driving.
The Salt Lake City
School District chose that route after students at East High tried to start a
Gay-Straight Alliance in 1995. In an attempt to quash the students' efforts,
the Salt Lake district in February 1996 banned all non-curricular clubs. The
decision affected 46 other organizations.
However, after the Salt
Lake board continued to allow certain non-curricular clubs to meet, the ACLU
and two other groups filed suit on behalf of the students in 1998. "We've
brought this case before and we're prepared to bring it again," Eureck
said Thursday, before learning of Nelson's decision to approve the club.
"From our standpoint, this is so clearcut."
After two years of
litigation, the Salt Lake school board agreed to change its policy and allow
the Gay-Straight Alliance. The school board reportedly spent more than a
quarter-million dollars in attorney’s fees in the case.
There is now a
Gay-Straight Alliance at every public high school in Salt Lake, according to
reports. Nelson said local school officials never seriously considered banning
all non-curricular clubs. "That was not an option," he said.
"Back when it happened at East High, I felt that was the wrong
decision."
He said Eurick's letter
was one of many unsolicited opinions he received from numerous groups, mostly
in favor of the club. "It's been interesting the number of people."
However, he said neither the East High debacle nor the public input influenced
the decision. He said school officials weren't concerned with doing "the
easy thing" or "the popular thing," but rather the right thing.
"We knew that no matter what we do,
somebody was going to be unhappy." Nelson said some school officials were
concerned that having a Gay-Straight Alliance could cause straight students to
become gay. "I'm not sure that fear is founded, but that's the underlying
thing," he said. (The club) needs to happen. We're not really concerned
with the morals. ... What we're concerned with is that everyone is treated with
respect at school."
After Nelson approves
the Gay-Straight Alliance, it will be voted on by the Logan High faculty and
student senates, which both must approve it by a majority. If one or both of
the senate’s rejects the club, the students can appeal the decision to the
District Student Services Review Committee. Like Nelson, the committee is
obligated to comply with federal law. But Nelson said he hopes that will never
become an issue. "I'm going to work as hard as I can to make sure (the
senates) don't reject it," he said. "I think the case for the club is
a good one. I think it will be approved."
Peggy Fletcher Stack reporter
for the The Salt Lake Tribune wrote “New
SLC rabbi ready for all Yearning for something greater, Rabbi Tracee Rosen
comes to the Kol Ami Congregation in Salt Lake City with a sense of 'empathy
for the stranger'; Rabbi balances
tradition with change ENCINO, Calif. --
The first thing you notice about Rabbi Tracee Rosen is her cap. The
round cloth bobby-pinned to the top of her head is black with gold-stitching,
like her silky blouse and midcalf length skirt. The rabbi has a whole
collection of these head coverings (known as kippot and usually worn by men),
each designed to match a different outfit, the way some women coordinate shoes
or purses.
Next you will see how much Rosen loves her
car. It's red and it's a convertible. But mostly, you will be drawn to the way
she talks. "Look," she says into the phone to a breathless
mother-of-the-bride in crisis. "If a couple doesn't want to elope sometime
during the process, you're not doing it right." Rosen often starts her
sentences with words like "look" and "listen" as if the
kippot and the car and the fact that the love of her life is a woman were not
enough to get your attention.
Other than that, she is the epitome of
a rabbi who can whip up a sermon about sorrow on a moment's notice and dishes
out advice like Dear Abby.
Questions are answered with stories,
like the one about the man who said he would become Jewish if the rabbis could
teach him the entire Torah while he stood on one leg. The first rabbi says,
"Go away. You cannot be serious in your desire to be Jewish."
But Rabbi Hillel,
renowned for his wisdom, takes the challenge. "Here is the sum of Judaism:
What is hateful to you, don't do to others and all the rest is commentary. Now
go and learn." That, she says, is
what she plans to do when she arrives next month as the new rabbi at Salt Lake
City's Congregation Kol Ami.
Utah seems like the right step, she
says, leaning over her schnitzel and Israeli salad at Sassi, a kosher eatery
near the Ventura Highway. It feels like the same kind of unexpected destiny
that led her to drop a career in banking and go to rabbinical school in 1996. "Look,"
Rosen says. "I was born and raised in Denver, which has a similar climate
and geography to Utah. I loved the mountains."
You might say she's always been a bit
of a nonconformist.
Though her parents were not strictly
observant Jews, she chose to attend an Orthodox Jewish Day School from fourth to eighth grade. There she became
proficient in the alphabet and grammar of Hebrew and conversant with Bible
stories and Jewish culture. When the classes were divided by sex in seventh
grade, Rosen was incensed that the boys got to study Jewish scriptures and
laws, while the girls were relegated to home economics.
"I didn't understand why there was
any Jewish learning that was denied to women," Rosen recalls. "I
definitely had a budding feminist sensibility."
So she decided to have a bat mitzvah, a
coming-of-age ritual for Jewish girls that parallels the boys' more common bar
mitzvah. She was the first girl from her school to do it. At a public high
school in Englewood, Rosen was involved in B'nai Brith Girls but also was drawn
to journalism and computers. ("I was one of the first generation computer
geeks," she says, laughing.)
After graduating from high school in
1978, she spent a year in Israel on a kibbutz, studying Jewish history and
culture. She was there when Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat signed the Camp
David Accords and grew to love the nation.
When
she returned, she enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis, where about a
third of the students are Jewish. She had a ready-made major in Jewish studies,
so she added accounting and economics courses. Within five years, she also had
a master's degree in business. With her technology background and workaholic
temperament, Rosen quickly climbed the corporate ladder at Bank One in
Columbus, Ohio. Soon her social life mostly revolved around work.
"There was a great
loneliness," she says. "I longed to belong to something
greater."
Then, she says, came a gentle nudge
from God.
A co-worker was taking a class in
comparative religions and asked Rosen, the resident Jew, for help researching
the topic of women rabbis. That coincided with her return to more active
involvement at the synagogue, which was looking for an assistant to help manage
its membership growth.
As she watched the parade of
applicants, all young, male students, she found herself thinking, "I could
read the Torah. I could do that chanting. I could say those prayers." And, for the first time, she said aloud
words she had scarcely dared to think: "I could be a rabbi."
The matchmaking committee: Kol Ami,
which means "all my people," is Utah's principal Jewish community. It
was created in 1972 by combining two smaller synagogues, Congregation B'nai
Israel (Reform) and Congregation Montefiore (Conservative) and offers services
in a mix of Hebrew and English.
"We have to be all things to all Jews or
at least lots of things to lots of Jews," says Beth Levine, a committee
member.
Its rabbi is automatically a key player
on many of Utah's interfaith councils, joining regularly with Catholic,
Protestant, LDS, Buddhist, and Muslim leaders. That person is routinely asked
to give the official Jewish perspective on public issues.
Finding just the right rabbi, then, was
important not only for Kol Ami but for Utah in general.
It fell to an "assembly of tokens,"
as Levine jokingly put it, each member representing some segment of the
community: old, young, long-timers and newcomers, interfaith partners, single
parents, retirees, progressive and conservative Jews.
At first, members of Kol Ami's search
committee were only seeking an assistant to Rabbi Frederick Wenger, whose
administrative skills were stretched too thin. But when Wenger announced his
retirement, the task became more urgent. The committee hosted focus groups, met
weekly, talked on the phone often, e-mailed back and forth and came up with a
plan.
"Soon the terms 'Conservative' and
'Reform' became less important," says Rick Rappaport, one of the
co-chairs. "We didn't define ourselves that way."
Nor did they set out to hire a woman.
They wanted someone who could help the congregation become more welcoming and
open, especially to interfaith couples and transplants from other cities.
"We wanted someone who wanted us,
who saw our reality and our potential," says Maeera Shreiber, the other
co-chairperson.
Levine helped make a recruitment video
starring Mayor Rocky Anderson, who said Salt Lake City was more diverse than
most people thought, that it had a world-class symphony that had had two Jewish
conductors and that the city had a Jewish mayor and the state a Jewish governor
before New York did. It also featured scenic mountain vistas and lively shots
of children at play in the Jewish Community Centers.
Rosen had watched the video four times.
She was ready for their questions.
How did you come to be a rabbi? they
wanted to know. How would you lead a service in the opposite
(Conservative/Reform) movement? How would you handle interfaith couples? What
would you do to attract and retain members?
In her answers, Rosen drew on her three-year
apprenticeship at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino. She realized that coming from
one of the largest and most prestigious synagogues in the Conservative movement
to a smaller, blended congregation will give her a chance to test her ideas on
leadership.
She told them she had no intention of
becoming a CEO or "parent" rabbi. She wanted the rabbi and the
congregation to be partners, and she wanted to leave the front door open.
As Kol Ami's rabbi, Rosen would work to
make everyone feel recognized and accepted
-- including herself and her
partner. "Empathy for the stranger is a very biblical thing," she
told them.
At that point, any question of her
sexual orientation became irrelevant to the committee, Levine says. The
congregation was dazzled. She had led a service, coaxed a lethargic
congregation into song, taught an adult education class and outlined a vision for
Utah's Jewish community that mirrored their own.
"She's a class A rabbi, the
Michael Jordan of rabbis," Levine says. "Salt Lake City was lucky to
get her."
The match was made.
On the road: Still, Rosen has her
worries. In Utah, where she starts work in mid-August, domestic partners do not
have joint property rights and unmarried couples who live together cannot adopt
children -- and there are few kosher delis.
But, she says, no one should have to
choose between religion and anything, "not politics, gender or
sexuality."
Like most world religions, Judaism has
been slow to open its leadership ranks to women. Orthodoxy prohibits it, but
Reform and Reconstructionist Jews have allowed women to be rabbis since the
1970s. The Conservative movement ordained its first woman in 1985 and by now,
women make up about 15 percent of its 1,200 rabbis.
The question of ordaining gays,
however, is still open. Officially, the movement forbids it, but several rabbis
have acknowledged their sexual orientation after ordination. It's a kind of
don't ask, don't tell policy, Rosen says.
It was while studying to be a rabbi at the
University of Judaism in Los Angeles that Rosen met Keren Goldberg at a
Gay/Lesbian Outreach Synagogue. A year ago, they exchanged rings in a
commitment ceremony.
Rosen wouldn't consider leaving either
Goldberg or Conservative Judaism.
"Conservative, that's who I am
theologically," she says. "My bent is towards traditional observance,
and balancing tradition with change."
Now her bookshelves are packed ("I
buy books like other people buy produce
-- by the pound and by the
bushel"). She has an embroidered prayer shawl that makes her feel wrapped
in a hug from God. She's bought a house a few miles from Kol Ami.
And
she's writing sermons in her head. "We are all still trying to hear God's
voice."
21 July 2003 Monday
I attended Denise Wachs’ graduation where she
earned a degree in Associate of Applied Science Aviation Maintenance Technology
from Spartan College in Bloomfield. I took a lot of pictures for her and after
the ceremony went back to her place where I had been sleeping on the couch. I
was anxious to get back to Salt Lake City. It took me about eight hours to get
home but didn’t have any issues after Grand Junction until Spanish Fork Canyon where
traffic was heavy.
When I looked at my
emails I had this message from Chad Keller about the Pride Day committee, “Subject:
Pride Partners, Well 45,000.00 in the hole as an organization, they I am sure,
are trying to cook the books so that the button downs stay in power.”
Patty Reagan also wrote
me “Subject: Stonewall Lecture Series CD. I think I e-mailed you a reply two
days ago, but my machine doesn't say I did, so let me try again. Thank you so
much for thinking of me and having a CD of my speech for me. I live at 514 C
street, and if you are in the neighborhood, please drop it by and stop in. You
do good work! PR.”
Mark Swonson wrote to me
“Mike Picardi, called me today and said they were going to have a dinner for
the Partners and hand out the money apparently things are okay...from what I
can tell. I will talk to Erin [Litvack] tomorrow and see what she has to say
regarding USHS and what we did and didn't do as a Pride Inc. Partner. Mark:-)”
Then he sent another to
Chad and me, “I am going to get hold of The Center. I going to be talking too
Erin Litvack tomorrow about this. Mike Picardi called and they have already
heard stuff regarding this matter. NO MORE E-MAILS ARE TO BE SENT OUT! GOT IT! Also
did we, the USHS, fulfill our contract with Pride Inc. and hand in our
Contract? Also, is there anything else I should be aware before I talk to Erin
tomorrow regarding Pride Inc. and USHS?”
Evidently Chad had been
pestering the Center as I hadn’t. Charles Milne finally wrote me back: “Ben, Here
is my understanding of the situation. I have tried emailing you a couple of time with no response. I had also
tried to call you at home but the
number, but the number I have for you has been disconnected.
The GLCCU never
received the signed contract from Chad or you in regards to the partnership. The
Contracts were due by June 30th to receive compensation. As there was no
contract turned in by June 30th from USHS (USHS was not the only organization
to fail to turn in a contract, the center is not under contract to compensate
USHS. I believe they may still be willing to negotiate some form of
compensation. I would suggest that you contact Erin Litvack directly to resolve
the situation.
As the Liaison between
the GLCCU and the Utah Stonewall Historical Society I have been trying to
negotiate between the two organizations as to get this situation resolved. At
this point it is a matter between the two of you. I also would have appreciated
Mark Swonson also trying to contact me if he was having problems getting in
touch with the Center. Let’s just get this situation resolved and quickly. I
have copied Erin Litvack so she is aware of this conversation for when you get in touch with her. Sincerely, Charles
Milne.”
I am fuming.
22 July 2003 Tuesday
Chad Keller wrote to Jim Dabakis “Hey Jim Hope
you are back in Salt Lake !! I tried the number listed here in your past email and
it referred me to another number that was stating you’re out of the service
area. Russia would be out of the area (LOL) anyway is there a way that we can
meet up later this week or next week? We have been able to secure New York Ties
Best Selling Author Eric Marcus for our Keynote speaker for the USHS weekend
and I need some advice and assistance. Let me know CK”
The Associated Press reported,
“Study to examine homosexuality and Mormons POCATELLO, Idaho -- An Idaho State
University researcher is soliciting participants for a study on the effect of
homosexuality among devout Mormons.
Ron
Schow said 100 people have already responded to the project called
"Homosexuality Among Highly Religious Mormons."
"This topic has been somewhat ignored in the Mormon Church,"
Schow said. "People don't want to know much about it because it deals with
a kind of sexuality that seems frightening."
For
another five weeks, Schow is accepting responses from members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have same-sex attractions and from
family, friends or others who have dealt with those Mormons. Schow is looking
for people who are active members.”
Chad
Keller sent the following to Mark Swonson and me “Re: USHS Pride Contract and
Partner The Form was sent in. It is nice to know that they have that much money
to throw around.
Mark, I have a feeling
what I have been hearing is what has actually been Going on, and we are getting
screwed. I’m not sure how Ben feels, but as for myself, and as a Co-Chair, I
want to express to you some info for you to take back with you.
Please let them know
that if they do not follow through, That I will
take steps in the next board meeting to insure that they are billed for
rental and services plain and simple.
It will be much more than the $200.00 pittance
that we received, further they will also be charged for the repair of the
broken kiosks. Rental of each Kiosk if I remember correctly will start at
$150.00. Repairs will be made in full, and if that means new ones made, then
they pay.
Further, I’m sure that
some well-placed comments will make sure that the conversation of who own pride
will be reopened. From two attorney's it has been explained that there have
been some laws broken on how the merger transpired, they can be considered Publicly owned
companies. And I wouldn’t have a problem from here on out calling every year
for a public audit. Whose ready to lay some odds.”
When I calmed down I
wrote a response back to Charles Milne regarding Pride Partnership, “Charles, if you
have tried to contact me then you must have had the wrong email address but you
certainly could have contact me at our group site. I check my emails daily and
save them and I have no emails from you except prior to Pride Day. Please
forward them to me at this address.
My phone number has not
been changed and has a message box so I find it hard to understand how you
could not reach me. If there was a contract to be signed it could have been
sent to our PO Box also. We absolutely got a contract to Jerry Rapier in May. I
have a copy. What he may have done with it I do not know. I am very
disappointed in the lack of professional courtesy in this matter. Ben Williams.”
Paula
Wolfe wrote to 'Mark Swonson' regarding Pride Partners, “Both Darin [Hobbs] and
I have been on vacation, so we are now planning the Community Partner Dinner
for August. I'm not sure of the exact date, but Erin has that information.
Paula”
Mark Swonson wrote me,
“Ben-Are you back from Vacation? What is your telephone number or maybe just
call me about at my work number is 531-0731 Mark:-) Chad and Ben-I
lwill et you know what Erin has to say after I talk to her this morning.
Mark:-)
Chad Keller wrote
me regarding Pride Partnership, “This is
not a good thing. I am more than unpleased, and less that impressed. I think
simply put, if the things cannot be worked out, we will need to go back to our
board, have a frank discussion and figure out the rental cost, as well as what
it will be to repair the 5 that were broken upon return. Call me at
325-3758....I am not happy, and I am sure that you are not either. They did not
make the money they thought and are trying to dig out of their own hole, and
they are screwing everyone in the process. CK.”
I
wrote to Erin Litvack regarding the Utah
Stonewall Historical Society Kiosks, “Dear Ms. Litvack, I have been in Colorado
for several days so I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I received
an email from Charles Milne about not signing some contract that was due June
30th. I am unaware of any such document. We filled out a partnership agreement
with Jerry Rapier in May, (I have that copy) but was never contracted about any
other. Charles Milne was the contact person between Pride Day and us. So I am
not sure why we were not informed about the June contract. We feel we more than
amply fulfilled our end of the agreement we had with Jerry. Thank You Sincerely Ben Williams.”
Erin
Litvack replied back, “Dear Ben, Thank you for contacting me. The contract you
received in May and signed was to be turned into us by June 30th. There was
never an additional contract and it was requested through Charles and Jerry
multiple times that that contract be turned in by the 30th - it never was since
you have it.
This is what all this
is referring to. I know before Jerry ended his contracted time here he
forwarded another contract (a copy of the same one in case yours had been
misplaced) with a deadline of the 30th, again we got no response.
If you could, please
explain to me what you feel your end of the agreement was as per conversations
through Jerry and Charles. I know their understanding of it, I'd like to know
yours, as well as why no one from USHS followed through in returning the
contract to us after multiple requests. Thank you, Erin Litvack.
I wrote back to Erin
Litvack, “Dear Erin, Jerry, and Charles NEVER requested several times to the
USHS to have an additional contract turned in. The only copy I have is an email
copy that I did with Jerry Rapier. At NO time did they say an additional copy
was needed nor any further contact needed. Charles knew that we had fulfilled
our bargain. I have pictures of the kiosks at Pride Day.
I sincerely hope that
you are not reneging on the Partnership Agreement! It was listed in the PRIDE
GUIDE so I am assuming it was accepted.
We contacted Paula
Wolfe numerous times in June for a response. At any of those times someone
could have contacted us. If indeed NUMEROUS attempts were made to contact us I
would like to see the email records which our PUBLIC RECORDS I may remind you.
We went through
considerable expense and time constructing said Kiosks and displaying them at
Pride Day.
If this is how Pride
Day Inc is operating I am sure many would be sincerely disappointed in the
shabby way it is treating its "partners".
Again I am requesting
copies of all email correspondence that Rapier and Milne said they sent.
I am also forwarding
this response to our board and will be posting your response to our membership!
I would like to remind
you that integrity in this community goes a long way and promises made should
be kept. Ben Williams.”
Erin
Litvack responded, “Ben, First of all, I'm not talking of any additional copy
of an agreement – we never received a signed one period. Second of all, I do
not appreciate your angry, rude, and combative response to my request to gather
all the facts in this case before any decisions were discussed to resolve this.
I am interested only in finding out what happened here.
You have jumped to
unwarranted conclusions and that is not fair to anyone involved. Integrity, I’m
sure you will agree, means that you gather all the facts and are fair in the
decision rendered, it is also about the way you communicate with people.
I will be happy to
gather all emails from both Jerry and Charles. If you too could gather all
emails involved as well, that should help clarify the situation. I am
interested only in finding out what happened and why your contract was never
turned in.
Please feel free to
contact me with any further questions, this is open to your board members as
well, since I'm sure they will also see my response. I do expect to be
responded to in a respectful manner or this will be My last posting to you. Sincerely, Erin
Litvack.”
I
wrote back, “I am not rude nor disrespectful nor appreciate your tone in
gathering facts! You seem to feel the need to lash out yourself, and that is
not appreciated. The facts are that we were asked to be a partner. We fulfilled
that responsibility. Fulfill Yours!
Below is a copy of the
email correspondence with both Jerry and Charles. I am not sure what the Pride
Committee did with the contract after it was delivered. However Charles Milne
understood we were a partner, Jerry Rapier understood we were a partner, and we
understood that we were a partner. If you need for us to re-sign the contract
we will be more than happy to oblige you. In this community "good
faith" agreements should count.
“7
March 2003 Charles Milne to Chad Keller Subject Historical Kiosks for Pride
Chad, I am not sure who sent this request to you. I have been working on all
the logistical aspects for this town hall meeting and not really much more than
that. For the content of the meeting I will refer you to Michael Mitchell. I
also have another request for you and the Utah Stonewall Historical Society. I
am coordinating making kiosks at Utah Pride 2003 this year and they will be
featuring the history of the LGBT Community of Utah. It is a crucial aspect to include
the historical society from the very beginning of this process. I am just the
coordinator of this project. I see this project as the communities. I am just
here to pull all the pieces together. There are going to be three kiosks around
Pride on Sunday June 8th. I would like to incorporate as much information as possible. I have asked
the U of U archives to start sorting through all of the files that were given to
them over the past several years. There have been given quite a bit of
historical documents over the years. Please let me know if this is something that
you and the Utah Historical Society would like to participate in. I am also
hoping to be able to produce a documentary on the same subject that will be
screened in the auditorium of the library. Thanks for all you do for the
community. Charles Milne
“8
April 2003 Chad Keller to Charles Milne Subject: Kiosks Charles, I have not
heard from you regarding the topics that you would like discussed on the
History kiosks for Pride Day. USHS is happy to move forward, but we need to get
to Ben the possible subjects foreach of the 36 Panels. The clock is ticking for
us, and we would like to have information prepared, and panels designed and
printed by May 31, 2003. As you are aware, due to USHS sponsorship agreements,
advertising on the kiosks for people other than USHS Sponsors was to be limited.
I have several inexpensive options for you for Pride Sponsors and stage line
ups, which will help you meet the obligations of the Pride Sponsor, and us keep
our arrangements. Please let us know what's up or call me and we can discuss
the list of possible subjects. I will send to you a word document today with
the tentative subjects ones I have come up with that I think Ben will have
information on. Missed you at LGSU last night. Thanks! CK USHS
23 April 2003 Chad
Keller [mailto:ckell9@jcpenney.com] Sent: Wednesday,
April 23, 2003 12:28 PMTo: Jerry Rapier Cc: Charles Milne; B E Williams Subject:
Community Partner Program Dear Jerry, We are quite excited with the special
attention being given to the history of our community at the upcoming Pride Day
June 8, 2003. We have watch with interests Pride has set sail in bold new
directions. Charles Milne has been wonderful to work with and has been eager to
dig into our community's vivid Technicolor history. In our last meeting with
Charles to provide to the Utah Stonewall Historical Society the list of potential
subjects he felt that the committee wanted to have addressed, it was mentioned
that the efforts of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society fall into the new
Partner In Pride Program and may qualify the USHS for windfall money. In his
explanation he indicated paperwork that you would need to consider the efforts of
the organization as part of the program. Could you please forward to me the
appropriate paperwork for this program? I am unclear on this program and how
perhaps he envisions us fitting into the program. The USHS Board of Directors
is interested in applying if possible due to the amounts of time will be
dedicated to the research, data verification, and visual presentation processes
that have been laid out for the 12
kiosks being sent as a compliment to Utah Pride 2003. We are very appreciative
of Charles notifying us of the potential match and look forward to hearing from
you soon. Thanks! Chad Keller Chair & Co-Director Utah Stonewall Historical
Society cc: Ben Williams, Historian & Co-Director
cf: Utah
Stonewall Historical Society, Board of Directors
30 April 2003 Ben Williams to Charles
Milne Subject: Kiosks and Eric Marcus This is Ben. I won't be able to attend
your meeting tomorrow, however I need to let you know of recent development.
About a week ago UAF's Gay Men Health Summit contacted us saying that they had
booked the Wyndham Hotel for their conference the same weekend we had planned
Eric Marcus to speak. They suggested that perhaps the Historical Society join
up with the Health Summit and use some of the space not needed at the hotel
gratis. Our Board of Directors directed the executive committee to meet with
the Health Summit committee to discuss working out a deal. We will be meeting
with them at UAF tomorrow at 7 pm. It appears that there is a real possibility
that we will be sharing Marcus with the Health Summit and we will be able to
use the Wyndham Hotel for our USHS conference.
Regarding
the kiosks, I have info gathered as per the list you gave me on the 16th. I
will send what I have to you this weekend for your comments. However, Chad has
not heard back from Home Depot yet and there seems to be a snag there. Chad is
in charge of the physical building of the kiosks so you may want to contact him
about that. I am off October 16 and 17 and am available for any work shops or
assistance for your University Pride event. Ben
From:
Jerry Rapier To: 'Chad Keller' Sent:
Thursday, April 24, 2003 11:48 AM Subject: RE: Community Partner Program I'll
get stuff to you this week - we have room for 10 partners and you'll be the
10th. Just know that the flier that's an insert in the May Pillar won't have
you on it as it went to the printer on Monday. Jerry
Jerry Rapier Thursday,
May 15, 2003 2:18 PM Subject: Contract Hi Chad - Just checking in as to when I
can expect to receive your Community Partner contract. I really need to have it
no later than Monday. Jerry
From:
Edgar Williams Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2003 9:25 PM To: Jerry Rapier Cc: Charles
Milne Subject: Pride Partnership Application, Dear Mr. Rapier, I am extremely
apologetic for getting this form to you so late. It was touch and go whether we
could even fulfill this project at all. We hit a bit of a snag with the project
when Home Depot declined to donate material to us due to over expenditures they
had occurred having just given the Boys and Girls Club a sizable donation.
While they are still interested in helping us they wouldn't be able until after
this summer. Therefore we had to come up with additional resources so that we
could buy the material ourselves. We just incorporated our by-laws and
established our board in April so that was time consuming for us as well in
addition to partnershiping with Ivenio this fall Gay Men's Health Summit. However
our funding is now in place and while we had to scale the project back to six
kiosks we still hope to be a positive affirming presence at Gay Pride. Sincerely
Ben Williams Co-director USHS
Class of '69
Response:
JERRY RAPIER I think it's great that you're involved - and six kiosks is six
more Than there's ever been! Jerry
Dear
Paul [Canute] , I read in the Pillar
about your generous donation to the Utah Stonewall Historical Society. I would
like to personally thank you and your kindness towards our organization. Could
you please convey to your board our appreciation from the USHS Board of
Directions. Paul you probably was not aware that the USHS had agreed to make
historical kiosks for Pride Day in conjunction with Charles Milne of the LGBT
Resource Center at the U. We had submitted a donation request to Home Depot for
the material to build the kiosks and after an initial positive response they
informed as today that because of their district's overcommitment to the Boys
and Girls Club they were unable to fulfill our present request. Although they
said they were very excited about our project and will keep our request on file
the bottom line is that that portion of the kiosks project fell through. We
would very much like to keep our commitment to Pride Day but this is where we
need your help if you are able. We have no membership dues and there for no
general funds to work with. We had just incorporated and filed the necessary
paper work to be registered with the state and so what little money we had is
tapped out.
Is there any way that a
portion of your donation could be advanced so that we could buy the wood and material
we need? We have a committed works force who are willing to put them together
but since there are only three weekends before Pride Day and one of them is
coronation we are fast running out of time. We are co-sponsoring the Pride
Dance at Hard Rock Saturday night as our first real fundraiser but alas that is
too late for our purposes. Not to sway you at all but I was planning on highlighting
the history of Gay Rodeo on one panel. :) Appreciate all your hard work. Best
Regards Ben Williams
USHS Historian
28 May 2003 CHARLES
MILNE Ben, This is just a reminder about the information that will be posted on
the Historical Kiosks. Per our conversation on Sunday you were going to forward
me all the info you have collected for the Kiosks. Could you also let me know
how we will be organizing the placement of the Kiosks at Pride? Does Chad want
any more help for the Kiosks? Thanks for all the work you do and congrats on
your acceptance of the paper to present. That’s good news. Charles
BEN WILLIAMS TO CHARLES
MILNE Sorry for the delay. I have been busy with the Kristen Ries Award
nominations and getting articles in for the Pillar. Chad has a crew coming
Sunday to build the Kiosks you can contact him at ckell2@jcpenney.com about helping and placement. Todd Dayley has
been ill and I having to re edit info to make sure it fits typesetting. I had
too much info for the Utah chronology and need to pare that down.
It is very busy at school (and hot no air conditioning)
so haven't felt much like working when I get home. I will email the final
version to you no later than Sat. Generally one kiosk is for Utah history, one
kiosk is for national history, two kiosks are for local organizations, one
kiosk is for major events, and one Kiosks is for AIDS. Ben
11 June 2003 Michael
Mitchell: Wow... such service! Love a timely response! By the way, I thought
the history kiosks were AWESOME! We need to do something like that every year. I
think one of the main complaints by those of us who have worked in the GLBT
community (or any progressive movement, for that matter) is that institutional memory
isn't handed down... or any history for that matter. Thank you SO much for
keeping that history alive. I think it's an incredibly important part of who we
are as a community. We need to remember all the work that's been done -- the
shoulders upon which we stand -- by those wonderfully brave folks before us.
Keep up the good work, sir! Warmest regards, Michael” Ben’
Chad C Keller" then
wrote me regarding the Email correspondence.
“Everything was confirmed fine by my notes, when I went to discuss the placement
of the Kiosks. So if we were not set to go at that point it would have been
nice to know.
I think we saw this
coming, and I am truly sorry I did not listen to the wisdom you shared in you apprehension
to deal with them. She is in a corner....and I love watching you just keep firing
away... Remember $45,000.00 budget short fall Stole Pride under the cover of
darkness and its Center Day. Don’t make them too mad, we need some of their
rich friends for our dinner.
Suggestion: Give them
till Wednesday July 30 to decide in when we are to receive a check. Let them
know our board will meet to determine what if any action legally will be taken.
I have contacted an attorney who will be happy to review. Please let me
know Chad Keller USHS.”
Paula Wolfe wrote me
regarding the Utah Historical Society Partnership - Pride “Ben and Mark, It
would seem there has been some bad feelings engendered about the Partnership
between GLCCU and USHS for Pride 2003. As I understand it, we never received a signed contract from
USHS. Ben said in his emails that he has the contract in his files. Therefore,
If the contract is in his files, obviously
it was not returned to us. Our original deadline was June 30th.
Now
I know how it is easy to forget some things, so I will make an offer to you.
Have an officer of USHS sign the contract, copy it, and mail the copy to GLCCU
at the address below. We must have the contract in order to cut the checks.
At
this point in time, the Community Partner dinner is scheduled for August 10, at
6 p.m. at GLCCU. It will be both a celebration of our joint success and a time
to recognize the contribution of all our partners. I would like for USHS to be
there. If you choose not to attend, the check will be mailed to whatever
address you designate - but it will be mailed the day after the CP dinner.
The
amount of the check reflects two methods for payment: 1) participation -
automatically guaranteed 1/10 of $2,000, and
2) Volunteer Hours - this is based on the number of hours recorded by
our Volunteer Coordinator on our PRIDE 2003 forms. Charles Milne collected
these at Pride 2003. I'm not sure if you kept track of your volunteer hours. I
don't remember seeing or hearing of any hours filled out by your group. If you
do not wish to include volunteer hours, then we can assume you will be paid for
#1, but not #2.
These guidelines were defined in the
contract, although the exact method may not have been. Most of those
discussions took place at the Community Partner Meetings.
Any questions, please feel free to
contact me and I sincerely hope this clears up the problem. Paula Wolfe
Executive Director Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah 355 North 300
West, 1st Floor Salt Lake City, UT 84103.”
I wrote back Paula
Wolfe, “ Dear Paula, Erin must have misunderstood me. Or I was
unclear in my haste. I never said I had a copy of the contract in my files. I
said I had a copy of the emails regarding the initial contract. I dropped the
copy of the contract off at the center in May to make the deadline that Jerry
gave us. I left it at the Stonewall Coffee Shop since no one from the Pride
Committee was available. I assumed Jerry received it from the response he gave
me. I also assumed all was well since Charles Milne came to assist in the
construction of the kiosks.
The original contract
was due Monday May 19, according to email contacts from Jerry, not June 30. I
brought a copy of the contract to the center on Saturday the 17th and emailed
him on the 18th Sunday May 2003 to apologize for getting it to him so late and
let him know it was done.
Rapier pleasantly
responded back, saying that however many kiosks we make they are more than they
ever had before or words to that affect. I do not know what became of the
contract, failing to make a xerox copy, I can only assume that it may have been
misplaced by Rapier or his successor.
The date of June 30 is
news to everyone or the USHS executive committee. The first I heard about it
was in July a considerable amount of time after Pride Day when Mark Swonson was
trying to contact someone about the partnership.
Charles never followed
up with us, after pride day, as part of his responsibility as Historical Kiosks
Coordinator; nor did Jerry or anyone else on the Pride Committee let us know
there was a problem with the contract. I've been told that numerous attempts to
contact us have been made. I am meticulous about saving email correspondence as
part of our open records policy;, those sent directly to me or those forwarded
to me by others. Therefore I must admit being put out over the inference that
somehow we lost a whole lot of email communications on our part.
However I am pleased
and happy that we can come to a mutual agreement over the Kiosks. They were a
considerable burdensome chore for our fledgling organization. We will also be
happy to have Mark as our Secretary in the Executive Committee sign the
contract or act as agent for whatever you would have him do to settle this
matter amicably. Sincerely in Gay Pride Ben Williams USHS Historian.”
Paula Wolfe wrote me back regarding the
Utah Historical Society Partnership - Pride 2003 “Thanks, Ben. I'll
check with Stonewall; they do tend to lose things. If We can't find it, I'm
more than happy to send a copy of the contract to you or Mark for your
signature - whoever should sign.
I may have pulled the
June 30th out of my hat, or we extended the date because several partners did
not make the original deadline. Whatever, we'll get this done, one way or
another. I'll get back to you in a day or so. Paula.”
I wrote Paula Wolfe
regarding the Utah Historical Society Partnership - Pride 2003, “Thank you so
very much for your understanding and personal attention in this matter.
Perfumed oil upon troubled water. Best Regards Ben Williams.”
Chad
Keller later wrote me that Modern Display “has given us two very nice oak sign
holders. One is more of a give directions sign and the other has a nice
plexiglass holder for newsletters at a more high profile events Could you if
you have a moment draft a thank you letter and a receipt of donation for them
for these and the Donation of signage for the now kiosks? From me it would not be as nice of a
gesture as to receive it from my co-chair. CK
I
wrote back “Send address and I'll type it up tomorrow since I am a Qwest
Prisoner from 8-5. They just better show up! GRRRRR..”
Chad Keller asked “Are We
still on for meeting me here to go to Market Street Cottonwood tomorrow at
2:30?? CK”
I replied yes I will
pick you up at 2. Then I wrote “Chad can you call and reschedule our gastronomy
meeting for Thursday? My outside phone line is down and I have to be home until
5 to have a repair man come out. Sorry. It’s always something. $90 just to have
them come out. Ben.
Chad answered “Remember
they are closed Thursday and Friday. I will reschedule for Monday?? Let me know
if that works CK. I wrote “SHIT! Can we met after 5? otherwise it will have to
be Monday. Sorry.”
Chad C Keller then wrote to Judy Reese of Creekside
Rooms at Gastronomy, “We have run into a problem and need to reschedule our
appointment with you for Monday to tour the Cottonwood facility. Would Monday
work for you? We can meet any time after 2:30.”
I wrote Todd Dayley of the Pillar, “Todd, hope you
are surviving the heat. Todd I'm not sure if you knew that we are bringing Eric
Marcus to town in October for Gay History Month and at the same time having a
historical recognition Banquet called the Milestone Recognition Tribute.
Anyway, do you think
you could let us have a 1/4 page ad in August and 1/2 page ad for September and
October in exchange for two tickets to the banquet and reception?
Gastronomy has agreed
to let us hold the banquet at the Market Street Grill Cottonwood for comp and
provide the food for cost. It is a Saturday night and Gastronomy always has
good food and Eric Marcus should be very entertaining. He wrote the Male Couple,
the Greg Louganis bio, and more. We haven't set a price for tickets yet but are
leaning towards $50 per person.
If you would agree to
this I will have the Executive Committee sign off on the exchange of services
for the ad. It’s costing us $1500 just for Marcus' fees. Yeow! We would also
mention the Pillar in any program for the evening
Additionally I will get
articles in to you this weekend no later than Friday for August's edition.
PS If I can't talk
Randal Meyers into making a simple ad for August because of the time restraint,
would you be willing if I get you the info pronto? Sincerely Ben Williams Class
of '69.”
I then wrote Randal
Meyers regarding the Eric Marcus Ad, “Dear Randal, Are you feeling well enough
to design an ad to promote the Eric Marcus Event in October? I would need a
simple one for August that would be 1/4 and then a more fantastic eye appealing
one for Sept and Oct that would be 1/2 page.
If you feel that your
health is such that it would not permit you to work on this project I would
understand but we would need to know by tomorrow if you are up to it so we can
make the August deadline if we have to make other arrangements.
Hope the heat is not
exacerbating your illness Sincerely Ben Williams Class of '69.”
Then I wrote Cathy Cartwright “Subject: granite bases for glass art. Chad called and
said that he had his granite cut into 5"x5"x5" cubes. He said
something about grooves and such and said that he ought to talk to you first to
make sure you are both on the same page. His work number is 325-3758 (7-2:30 pm
generally) Cell number is 661-0533 Ben
Mark
Swonson wrote on the Yahoo Group Site regarding
his Moving Day Saturday, July 26th to "Nephi Bond
Robinson" “Ben Williams" "Jeremy Vanwagenen" "Larry
Tidwell" "Joe Timpson" "Michael Styles" "Mike
Romero" "James P Hicks" "Michael Picardi" and
"Chad Keller" :
“Hi Guys-Just a
reminder I am moving on July 26th and if any of would like to give me hand that
would be great. We are moving early at 8am at 254 South 300 East. I will be
moving some of my small stuff during the week so that I will only have the big
furniture to move. There will be the couch (heaviest), bed, living and dining
table, entertainment center, and storage containers. Just let me know if you
can make it. There will be myself, my brother, and Mom but she can't lift
anymore. So I just need a few friends to help out. I'll be moving too 242 East
100 South Apt.#6 next to the Hollywood Condos about a block west from where I
am now. Plus, there are very few stairs in both places. Any questions give me
call 502-3549 Thanks, Mark:-)”
23 July 2003 Wednesday
Chad Keller wrote to Cathy Cartwright, “Cathy,
I have ordered 8 5 inch x 5 inch cubes of granite. Will that be workable. The
10 x 5 was rather large for an award I thought when they brought it out. 5 will
be for the honorees1 for eric Marcus 1 for the USHS Collection the 8th for a
special award. Should we do the thank you small ones on Granite too? Do you
need the trench put in. It is $15.00 per block They monument company suggest
Epoxy.”
Cathy Cartwright wrote to
Chad Keller, “Chad, sounds good, I would like to see one base, without the
trench. Then I can make a prototype. We would then give it to the company, so
they know how big to make the trench. I
am in SLC everyday: let me know where and when I could pick up one of the
bases. Thanks.”
I wrote to Paula Wolfe
regarding money for the Kiosks, “Dear Paula, Looking in my picture document
files I found a downloaded copy of the original contract USHS made in May that
I had copied for my files. I hadn't thought to look there thinking it was a
word document. The printed copy was signed and brought to the center. I also
have attached a signed copy of the contract you sent today. I made a hard copy,
signed that one, and am sending it to you as an attachment.
If you need a hard copy
for your files you can either print the attachments or I will be happy to bring
a hard copy down to your office today. Thank you for your assistance in this
matter. Sincerely Ben Williams Class of '69
Paula Wolfe responded
back, “Thanks, Ben. The printout should be all we need. See you on the 10th. I believe
formal invitations will be emailed later this week. Paula
Erin Litvack sent out
an email Subject: Community Partners Dinner, Dear Utah Pride, 2003 Community
Partners, Please join us for the Utah Pride Community Partner Dinner. This
dinner will be held to say "thank you" to your organizations for
partnering with Utah Pride 2003. We will be providing dinner and beverages, as
well as presenting each organization with your check for all your hard work.
We ask you to invite up
to 6 members from your organizations. We encourage you to include staff, board
members and volunteers to attend. Here are the details: Utah Pride 2003
Community Partner Dinner Sunday, August 10, 2003 6:00 pm Stonewall Coffee Shop
(Italian Cafe') 361 North 300 West Please
RSVP to Erin Litvack with your 6 participants by Monday, August 4th at 539-8800
x 12 or elitvack@glccu.com. Thank you for everything and we look forward to
celebrating all of our success together! See you on the 10th! Warm regards,
Erin Litvack
I
wrote to the board Mark Swonson on Subject: Subject: Community Partners Dinner,
Mark, Could you attend this function to get the check for the Kiosks? Chad and
I won't be available to attend but to the rest of the board if six want to go
hey it’s a free dinner. Please contact
Mark if you are planning on attending so that he can RSVP Litvack. Ben.”
What
I didn’t mention was that it would be a cold day in hell before I have anything
to do with Erin Litvack or Charles Milne.
Chad C Keller wrote to
me regarding Internet Sales of Utah, “I spoke to Russ Eliason last night, He is
willing to discuss hosting our website in an official capacity on his servers. This
could open the door for online discussion groups. Could you possibly open a
dialog to see what he could do for us. You can get to him via the UGRA website
via at www.ugra.net. Through the web master. Can you meet with Mark Thrash Tomorrow?
He would like to see what he can do to help the USHS help him get the history
together to meet the International expectation.... Let me know....I not too
happy with him right now so if you can’t it will not be a problem for me. Call
me 325-3758.
I said I could so Chad wrote to Mark Thrash “We can meet you at the Trapp at
3:00. Tomorrow. See you there!
Michael
Aaron announced] Pioneer Day N A K E D _ L U N C H Tomorrow Days of 47 Naked
Lunch! Since I have the day off, I'm extending it an hour! Thursday, July 24
Noon - 2:30pm JeepNekkid's private back yard 244
West Reed Ave (750 North) West Capitol Hill area Bring: Lunch if you want to
eat Drinks Towel if you want to Good spirit Expect: A dozen or so guys of
various shapes and sizes Hot tub, hammock, shade, sun deck, BBQ, talking,
sunning, etc. Hope to see you there! -JeepNekkid
Chad Keller wrote James Dabakis Hey Jim; Hope you're back safe in Salt Lake!! I tried the number listed here in you past
email and it referred me to another number that was stating you’re out of the
service area...Russia would be out of area (LOL) Anyway is there a way that we can meet up
later this week or next week. We have been able to secure New York Times Best
Selling Author Eric Marcus for our Keynote speaker for the USHS weekend, and I
need some advice and assistance. Let me know.
From: James Dabakis to Chad Keller “hi Chad I am happy to get
together. I was in salt lake for 2 days and now am in Mexico until Tuesday. I
will call you next week. my number is 668-8847, I think, but I think I changed
it and the new number is on the old one. anyway, next week. Jim
24 July 2004 Thursday
Michael Aaron hosed a Pioneer Day Naked Lunch in his
backyard “For those who have to work on Pioneer day, or those who have it off
and want to lounge naked in Jeep's back yard, we're having a Thursday Naked
Lunch.
The
Utah Bear Club announced, “hey guys, just want to make sure everyone is still
alive and kicking in this heat. Sorry
about the delay on approving new members. Not much to inform on new stuff. We have a pretty
good sized group now; 33 members. Remember
to tell your friends and get people involved.
Well men, enjoy your holiday and play safe.”
Toni Johnson of the PWACU
wrote to me “Re: USHS Membership “Ben, I would be more than happy to be an
intermediary with PWA's. I can put a blurb in our Positive Press and in our
September Pillar article. Have a great day! Toni”
"Mark Thrash"
then wrote to me regarding “RCGSE HISTORY: Ben, Thanks for the information you
sent. It is still missing the excerpts regarding the Court receiving Kristen
Reis Award and our involvement with the beginning of the Gay Rodeo Association.
Could you search on those two topics specifically?
I'm just trying to
compile as much as we can on our first because there is just no guarantee that
these individuals we contact are going to be as willing to be of service as we
would like. Thanks!
Attached you will find
the three documents we discussed at today's meeting. Additionally, I added
tracking information for the "Excellence of the Spike" award as well.
This is given to one Court member with extraordinary service. Mark Thrash.”
Chad Keller" wrote
to the USHS Board regarding the Milestone Banquet , “Well we are off and
running. Monday we will have the ticket price and the menu finalized. And Ben has contacted Randall [Meyers] to see if he
can create for us an incredible and stylish Ad campaign. The Granite has been
obtained through resources and is being cut to the base specifications, so that
Cathy [Cartwright] can begin to create our first Milestone Honors Awards.
Unity Utah and other
organizations are impressed and are
slightly nervous. They read the nomination request and then saw that we
have hand crafted pieces of art for the recipients: "Each award is hand crafted by local
glass artesian, C.D Cartwright, and are presented on a Utah Granite
base..."
They have in personal
conversations stated it is wonderful that we have upped the standard, but fear
that their framed certificate or small mass manufactured trophy will not be
sufficient in 2004. So definitely Thanks
Cathy!! I believe in the motto: "Steal the Show!" and we will!
Here is a list of
Chairs that I am asking each of you to consider. Some of you may not have done
some of these things, but if you’re interested in any of them, please feel free
to step up to the plate and take the challenge to learn something new. I will be happy to
help and advise you should you choose to venture out your area of expertise. Please
select 1 or 2 items that you could help
with.
1) Media Chair This
would include contacting all Radio and TV Stations, Press Releases, and working to get us listed in
every type of News organization possible. This would also entail dealing with
the press the night of the event, creating guidelines for the press the night
of the event, Red Carpet photo ops, and press packets of approved photos for
mass release. Once event starts will be the
"wrangler" of the press in attendance to insure a pleasant
evening for all. I have attended events outside of SLC that the press is not
allowed at the receptions or dinners, this is due to the poor starving rookie
syndrome.
Only media sponsors or
official organizations PR people are at the dinner or actual awards presentation. While
this is not something I’m saying we do,
as we are paying we need similar controls. There are some lessons from how they
handle, which I hope to see this chair implement and create some positive press
"spin." Such as the arrival of
a civic dignitary with a recipient, or notable community figures with a member
of the "gay superset". We are in every sense producing a show, so I
will work closely with chair to help create a media splash.
2) Logistics Chair Key position. This individual
will be responsible for seeing that all the ordered items for the evening have
arrived and are in place that the room is ready to go, all equipment
functioning and all orders for other chairs filled and in place Will serve as the liaison to the banquet captain
the night of the event.
3) Program Chair Michael
Aaron has agreed to assist with the cover of the program and possibly some layout
duties. This person would be responsible for getting the information to him
pertaining to the evening. This includes
the USHS Mission Statement, Board
and other legal info, Info on Mr. Marcus, info on the recipients, ads from sponsors, Photo of
award, and artist statement for the 2003 award,
and other things as they deem necessary. Programs are a nice PR tool and
can generate some cash. This individual would also be asked to oversee the sale
of and the selling of advertisements to cover at least the cost of production. Only a
maximum of 250 well produced programs will be needed.
4) Documentation Chair This
Chair will oversee recording the event for history in a variety of formats. They
will also work with the media chair to send out a collection of photos post
event to the press.
5) Presentation Chair This
person will work closely with Chad and Ben. This person will be responsible to
find and select an Master of Ceremony that will add to the draw to attend the
event. Will determine the order of presentation. Will select and confirm presenters.
They will further insure that the presentation of the awards, Mr. Marcus's
speech, and any entrainment flow properly and transition with ease. This person
would also make determination of any multimedia, procure the equipment, and
produce or obtain the clips to make happen.
6) Entertainment Chair This
chair will select background entertainment
for the reception and dinner. Further they will select one or two short
vocal performances that will complement the evening. Any special equipment for
these people will be procured or ordered by the chair for the organization with
prior budget approval.”
Chad C Keller then asked
me only “How do you feel about a discount ticket or at cost for the board??? Agreed
on discounts, it was a thought, so that you and I were on the same Page when it comes up. You know how some
people on boards can be... I was planning on doing my membership next week, or
at the latest next month. I need to write the letter for Washington. If you
would like to tweak the letter to gastronomy for them it would be helpful. The
least we would get is $500. She was
excited.
I was going to write it
tonight and send for proofing to you. I agree on the Money issue, and I am
sorry for it. I can be of more help next month with things like that. My focus
is to get something going to get that all paid back and money coming in. I sent
it to you for review and proofing first, then we can post to the board, then
the members
In the items I sent for
you to review for posting to board and members I a strongly opposed to prayer
of any sort. I find my own belief in God(s) to be as different as those around
me. But people at community events feel the need to connect to the universe and
reflect on lost friends. (thanks Ronald Reagan) Would it be appropriate in the
chair description to state something like
Chair will be responsible to find and select a universally appealing
figure to begin a moment of reflection. I would love to see the Buddhists do
it...but I won’t be in charge of that
Also Ticket sales were not listed as a chair, as that is I feel one of
Chucks Duties as treasurer, however he may need a box office chair to assist
him that evening.
Further-- Talked to OC
Tanner, they may give us a small check, and at the least, feature one of the
awards in the windows in Park City and Down town. see ya at 3:00.”
After reviewing Chad’s
letter I said regarding any notion of VIP’s, “Such as the arrival of a civic
dignitary with a recipient, or notable community figures with a member of the
"gay superset", I wrote back, “This
sounds very elitist leave out.
I also wrote back
regarding his “Entertainment Chair duties that “This chair will select
background entertainment for the
reception and dinner. Further they will select one or two short vocal
performances that will complement the evening. Any special equipment for these
people will be procured or ordered by the chair for the organization with prior
budget approval.” I wrote, “Chad I know what you mean about Razzle and Dazzle
but we are not putting on a show but rather a sophisticated Historical Society
Program. What is this? Needs to be
further discussed, compensation etc. Sounds like a whole lot of work.
Chad responded "We
are in every sense producing a show, so I will work closely with the chair to help create a
media splash. Thanks for stating you
know. Hillbilly to Sophisticated it’s all a production. This shouldn’t be an
issue with professionals, but say they asked Syren...she will need a karaoke
box....and mike and amp....to that I would say back to the drawing
board.....but Wendy Bradshaw may simply need a special mic that could be
donated.
"At the GLAAD
awards, the Chair of their board at the end of dinner and the dinner presentations,
gave a champagne toast to the accomplishments of the past siting a few, and too
the accomplishments yet to come, basically setting a couple of profile goals.
I saw it from the
balcony where the peons could
watch...$250.00 a plate...I am going to it next year come heck or high
water.
Anyway, how would you feel about that? And I
ask....cause if we do it...you would be the best to do it. We are not the GLADD
Awards and a champagne Not to be a pain,
but I have only seen it done in LA. And while I know it would possibly add to expense,
I am looking for something to set apart from Unity, PWACU, UAF, and other local
awards. How about this....Champagne is donated and you do it....
A Posthumous Tribute would be a nice
idea, so you like the PT?....as a separate
thing.”
I wrote “Again we are not an AWARD
Banquet and our focus is on recognizing organizations and people from prior to 1995.
We are not the Dig, Golden Spike or Kristen Ries awards. We are a historical
Society! The Banquet is for tributes on past deeds not future ones. Other community
organizations have youth programs to encourage involvement. Sounds like
pandering to a segment of the community. We gave them a student discount.
Chad
said “point taken.... Presenters should be person who nominated or by Board Member
who has paid. Presenters are not freebies although something could be worked
out for MC. I was thinking of charging presenters, at least 25.00. MC usually would be comp'd but again...why if
they like us they could pay 25.00. someone had better be patrolling the buffet at
the Reception I don’t like the idea of
the press eating.”
Cathy Cartwright wrote to
me on this “Subject: Glass for $50 Donors”,
“Ben, I am starting on the glass pieces for the $50 donors. Let me know how
many we are looking at, as you receive the memberships. I can get a few out
before I go to Portland next week. I am leaving on Tuesday and will return on
August 9, 2003. By then you should have a more accurate count and I will finish
them up the week of August 11-16. Thanks so much. “I'll do my best to represent
us as 'nice folks'!! Any $50 donors yet?”
I then wrote to the
site Utah Stonewall Historical Society Yahoo Group site, on the decision regarding
Membership Dues as a way to raise funds, “As a friendly reminder to those who
enjoy this site and want to further the mission of the historical society,
August 1 is the deadline for accessing
this site without being a member. $10 annually for students, seniors (55+)and
PWA $15 annually for general membership. $50 annually for Oscar Wilde Sunflower
Circle (discounts to events). Dues may be sent to Utah Stonewall Historical
Society c/o Chuck Whyte Treasurer PO Box 252 SLC Ut 84110
25 July 2003 Friday
My niece wrote regarding the pictures I took of
her graduation “ Uncle Edgar, my email can only hold 2MB of storage . I’m
patiently waiting the picture disk. My phone is broke so I can’t call to tell
you that I’m as of this date a certified mechanic. Yep al done. No more school.
YEEEEEEAH!!!!!!
Listen I need you to do
me a favor and look in your truck and see if my seeing glasses are in your
truck. I’ve looked everywhere and no luck. Even the bar hasn’t seen them so
that leaves from Grad to the bar , your truck. Please let me know ASAP so I can
get new ones if necessary. Love you very much and call at Mike’s number. Love
and Respect, Your niece.
Paul Rolly and JoAnn
Jacobsen-Wells of the Salt Lake Tribune wrote “Mayoral foes' campaign
appearances in sharp contrast- Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and
challenger Frank Pignanelli have held several fund-raisers and made appearances
reflecting broad areas of support. Anderson even enjoyed a fund-raising event
sponsored by the mayor of Washington.
But the contrast of the appearances the
mayoral foes have scheduled for Saturday night is too good to escape a mention.
Anderson will be the guest of honor during
dancing, drinking and other festivities at Club Naked, 326 S. West Temple,
beginning at 10 p.m. The mayor has sought and won endorsements in the gay and
lesbian community, considered a key constituency in this year's mayoral
election, and the event is co-sponsored by the gay/lesbian advocacy group Unity
Utah.
The invitation says Anderson will pose
for pictures for $10 each and bartenders will serve up "special drinks
named after Rocky."
Meanwhile, Pignanelli will be seen at an ice
cream social for families at Rosewood Park, 1200 W. 1400 North, at 6:30 p.m.
No word on whether he will be scooping up
specialties such as "Frank's Fudge" or "Pig's Parfait."
Mark Swonson wrote me
regarding “Subject: Community Partner Banquet-Yes, I will attend this event!. So
far me, Cathy [Cartwright] , and maybe Chad [Keller] will go. I will wait till
the Aug 4th because they need to know by the 5th of August. We will know how
many Board members want to go untill the Aug. 4th. Then I will rsvp.
We still should be at
my apartment depending how fast my brother gets to my place. So far you and
Michael Picardi agreed to help. Thanks!’
Chad Keller wrote to me
regarding “Subject: 27th Anniversary of Salute to the Cowboy-The following was
sent to me today...with the comment...."since you took on 30 for Pride,
why are you not taking on UGRA."
I have responded back
with the difference to the person with PR and History... However...by my calculations
the first Salute to Cowboys was indeed 1976. So that would mean that they
missed the PR boat by history standards...25 years was 2001.
As UGRA has been
supportive, and knowing the person that sent me the jab, perhaps if you’re
willing you should give Paul [Cucunato] heads up. This could again be from the
Memory of one particular individual. It would also help us in the Pride issue.
If I send it, it would probably be taken wrong. See item 2 on the second page
of Marks [Thrash] document. (I think)
Open Door had a thing on it.”
“Saturday, November 8th
25th Anniversary of Salute to Cowboys
The Trapp Door*
Showtime 8:00 PM Can you believe it? 25 years ago the first
Salute to Cowboys was held here in Salt Lake City. UGRA is proud to help
continue the tradition and will celebrate this important anniversary with the
biggest and best Salute to Cowboys ever. Come joins us in this special event as
we select our new UGRA Royalty for 2004. $5.00 cover charge
$3.00 for UGRA members.”
Chad
Keller wrote to the USHS Board, “For the historical society to truly recreate
itself we need to get more people and organization on board. This became
apparently obvious to me in a meeting last night with a president of an
organization that is working on its history.
For months I have hoped
to get organizations in our community to create a historian position, who in
turn will have a position on Organization Council to guard and watch over the
physical archives and memorabilia once they start to come together again.
While some members of the board may not be
interested in helping with the dinner event, there may be one of you interested
in helping with recruiting GLBT organizations to see the value in history,
commit to supporting an organizational historian, assist them in preparing
items to be archived.
If one of you are
interested in this, I would like to meet with you to discuss the vision of the
Organizational Council, prepare a proposal for the board, and get to work.
Please contact me directly. Thanks! Chad Keller
Co-Chair USHS
Kathy Worthington wrote
to me regarding Subject: USHS PO BOX- “Ben, The Downtown post office is located
in zip code 84101, but all the PO BOXES at that office have their own zip code,
which is 84110. If you look it up on the internet at USPS.com and you put in
the PO BOX, it will give you the correct zip code. If you use a zip code
directory, you have to go to the very beginning of Salt Lake City listings and
they'll show the PO BOX zip codes. The extra zip code thing is true for a lot
of post offices now; a different zip code for the PO Boxes. Murray has 84107
and 84157. Foothill is 84108 and 84158. Sugarhouse has 84106 and 84152. Cottonwood
is 84121 and 84171, I think. The Rose park post office is one of the few that
isn't using a separate zip code for their PO Boxes. Just 84116 for them. I hope
that helps you understand all this. And your po box zip code is definitely
84110 because it's at the downtown station. My pleasure to be of assistance.
Mark Thrash wrote to me
regarding Subject: RCGSE History “Thanks Ben! You're GREAT! Have a wonderful
weekend. Just so you're aware, I have added the details of the Milestone Honors
to our calendar for October.
Mark Thrash to all: Subject:
RCGSE Presents this weekend FRIDAY - JULY 25 "A Night of Ebony
Essence" - Trapp Door* - 9:00 PM
Presented by Miss Gay Utah, Charese $5.00 - Proceeds benefit the General
Fund SATURDAY - JULY 26 "Drag Idol" - Trapp Door* - 8:00 PM Crown
Prince & Princess Mega Production $5.00 - Proceeds benefit the General Fund
SUNDAY - JULY 27 Irreverent Sundays" - Hosted by Imperial Family Trapp
Patio* - Dinner - 4:00 PM/Activity - 5:00 PM $3.00 - Proceeds benefit the
General Fund *A Private Club for Members
26 July 2003 Saturday
Michael Aaron wrote regarding an Overnight
Campout at Burmester Beach. “Our first Overnight Campout will take place this
weekend. Join us Saturday night (July 26) and camp through Sunday afternoon.
Meet at the parking lot of Saltair of I-80 westbound Saturday at 7pm or out at
the beach (map of camp location below).
We have fireworks,
campfire wood, games, music, a grill, etc. Bring something to sleep in,
something to eat, drink, water, sun screen.
If you can't make it overnight, join us Sunday! If you haven't seen the
pictures of the last beach outing, go to the yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/utahmalenaturists and click on the
"Photos" link. You'll find both the June and July pics there (Thanks
John and Scott). Map to Burmester
Let's camp out at the
beach. We have fireworks, a twister board, torches, music, and a campfire. If
you can't stay over Saturday, you are more than welcome to meet up with us on
Sunday. You may want to come earlier than normal since we'll have been there
all night.
Bring: WATER, a
sleeping bag, a tent if you want (suggested), food, games, light-making
devices. Expect: the unexpected. Actually, this is the first overnight. We have
no idea how many will come, who they will be, etc. As it gets closer, we'll try
to gauge better. We'll have a BBQ, shade structures, fireworks, some munchies.
More details as it gets closer. See you in the Nudes! –JeepNekkid
27 July 2003 Sunday
So many of Hollywood’s
greats are passing away this year, Gregory Peck, Katherine Hepburn and now Bob
Hope an American institution even if he was born in England. (29 May 1903-27
July 2003). I really liked him even when he became pretty conservative in his old
age.
Bob Hope began his
career with vaudeville and Broadway, before plunging into radio and films. He
is remembered for his comedy timing and trademark self-deprecating humor. He
hosted the Academy Awards 19 times and authored 14 books, apart from performing
for the U.S. military in 57 USO tours.
Someone wrote “Fremont
Park. Cruisy parking lot and nearby woods "A waste of time. It’s mostly
married men that are too scared to make a move and only to jack off in cars.
The police patrols at different times of day in bikes. There were lots of
arrests last fall."
Another person wrote, “Metro
Sports Club in ZCMI Center, Cruisy health club "They are sending
undercover cops in to lead you on and arrest you!"
The Royal Court of the
Golden Spike Empire presents: an Imperial Crown Prince and Princess Twisted BBQ
Series Don't miss it, the first installment of Irreverent Sunday Summer BBQ
parties.
Trapp* Patio Wildest Patio in the West! BBQ hosted by The
Imperial House $3.00 a plate 4:00pm to 6:00pm Don't miss the Wild Drag
Competition at 5:00pm! Different
Game, and Different BBQ host at each Party! Who will emerge victorious from our
over the top Twisted Competitions, will it be...? The Imperial's,The Royal's, The
Hoochie's, The Vaughn's, The Childer's, The Cheesecake's, The Christie's , The
Malloy's, of The Aviary's.
Other Organizational teams invited: UGRA, WLA,
The Imperial Rainbow Court of Northern Utah. Anyone can play, contact Chad or
Paris Today! Sunday's this summer with the RCGSE....Guaranteed to be full of
fun and totally Irreverent! BUD LIGHT A Proud Sponsor! *the Trapp, a private
club for members!!
29 July 2003 Tuesday
John Griffin aka Nova Starr wrote me regarding Subject:
Gay History “Ben Williams, actually if you want to post it for the whole group
it's cool, I'm most concerned though. I have met so many youth that are being robbed
of a culture, due to the Center's new unwillingness to support the actual
"gay" community. I mean,
"Utah Pride Day" is a fine example of our trying to blend in with
main stream society. Why change it from "Gay Pride" because we are no
longer gay, we are in the shadow of a hypocritical monarchy established at the
center. (my spelling sucks I know)
Please feel free to
post anything you like. I am open for the advice I asked for. But as I have
said, It begins with the youth having no one too look to in history, not
because there is no one to look to, because they are not told.
And it ends with a
shallow culture deprived of centuries of art and passion, not something that arrived
in the mid 50's and has continued since.
I'm 22, and I had the privilege
of having great teachers at the Center in Denver. Though things have changed
there, for the worse I'm afraid, the things we learned and were shown in our groups, has been invaluable
in the identity I have for myself today. John/Nova.”
Kathy Worthington sent
this regarding Subject: Gay Play “A PECULIAR PEOPLE is a play about the
experience of being gay and/or HIV affected
in Utah. Drawn from local media sources and face-to-face interviews, A
PECULIAR PEOPLE tells the story of an HIV+ man who has lived with the disease
for more than five years; an LDS mother coping with having a gay son, and a
straight couple ostracized in a small Utah town due to HIV.
A PECULIAR PEOPLE is independently produced by
its creator Jerry Rapier (of Plan-B Theatre Company). Featuring Kirt Bateman,
Anita Booher, Jedadiah Schultz, and Betsy West. Performances are Friday, August
22 at 8pm; Saturday August 23 at 8pm; and
Sunday, August 24 at 2pm, August 22-24 in the 75-seat Studio Theatre at
the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Visit www.arttix.org or call 355-ARTS
today to purchase your tickets (only $10) today. About a third of all available
tickets are already sold.
Chad Keller wrote to me
regarding Subject: October Banquet; “Can one not have respect without liking
someone....? I respect Sherry Booth and Craig Miller for being the Rats they
are, and how good they are at being Rats, but I don’t like Rats.... ;)
I see your point. and
will bow to your wisdom. Since you are giving me Randall Meyers, I give you
Nova ;).”
Chad Keller wrote Randall
Meyers and me regarding Subject: August
Ad “Please send me the original ad you sent Ben and I. It was too large
for Me to save, and I deleted it. I
think at this time it is best to just add the $50.00 a ticket and the logo for sponsors’
will have Display send the required logos to you today. When they are added with the ticket price forward to
Ben, so he can get it to Todd Dayley at the Pillar this week. Ben if you would
save it to a disk, I can take it to City Weekly CK.”
Chad Keller wrote to
Nova/John and me Subject: Nova Starrs...”he's alive....you need to call me
today at 325-3758. I’m Off group too as
the Center already hates me enough. It’s called Brainwashing and
Purification....The first thing Hitler and
other dictators do when they seize control is to destroy the history,
and all the records they can.
If there’s no history there is no allegiance,
and everyone works in the only agenda....theirs!
It does not surprise
me, this uneducation, or lack of history is just how they want it. The past for
our community is too decadent.
John are you aware that
The Center in their wisdom, threw away years of Ben's work, and sent a small
portion of it to the Marriot Library where it lies inaccessible in boxes in a
storage room.
John, I encourage you
to become active in the USHS. Come and listen to Ben's presentations and help
us spread the word of our history to our youth. Hopefully, they will then have
a greater appreciation of I think with your help we could really create a small
little program to reach youth, or at least get some of them to the library once
a month to hear and see Ben's historic presentations and discussions.”
John Griffin wrote me “ben
please call me to talk about all this, 801.548.2145 I would be happy to do
anything you need:) and I think your class would attract more than just the
youth John.”
Doug Fandel wrote to me,
on the Subject: Quac’s History “Hi Ben, I am excited about the enthusiasm of
the historical society. I am on the e-groups list and have been impressed with
the quantity as well as the substance of the correspondence. It looks like the
group is thriving.
I had mentioned to Chad
Keller about a year ago that I have a lot of stuff related to QUAC. I wondered
if you would be interested in its history. I can provide information about the
organization, pictures, awards, etc. QUAC started in the fall of 1995. If you
would like some of our archives (or copies thereof), let me know what
information you would find relevant and the most appropriate format for
submitting it to you. Love Doug
Chad Keller wrote to
Randal Meyers regarding Subject: Marcus Ad; “SO we are clear We Will go with
the original AD that was sent with these additions please design an Half Page and a quarter
page. The size of the paper is 12.5 tall by 11 wide with a 1/2 inch margin. You
may choose how you would prefer to lay it out as far as vertical or horizontal.
Please add the following: $50.00 per person to
benefit the USHS Sponsor Logos which will be sent to you today. Once those
things are added, please send the ad to Ben, who will see to its forwarding and
placement in the August edition of the Pillar. Everything else is on hold. And
no, I cannot get rid of the message at the bottom of my email, it is company
generated. Thanks! Chad.”
Randal Meyers was
frustrated with Chad and wrote me regarding Subject: August Ad, “I don't blame
you Ben. I can't deal with my own artistic temperament either. I am sorry if I
upset you with my note. I actually prefer dealing with you because you are more
calming, but I will continue to do whatever I can for you both, regardless.
Please don't write me off. Just help me help you by giving me the exact info
when needed. I would like to create a page on our website for the event as
well. We can include all the writing about this author and other stuff about
it. We can put it all together in one place. Randal
Chad Keller wrote me
regarding Subject : Sign Holders “The one sign holder that Display Business
gave us, made it as far as the Trapp Door, while you were out of town. Do you
have time this week to help me get the other one that is there and pick the one
up from the Trapp. They would like to get the holder that is still there gone.
These are nice Oak ones that we can use however we would like. Did you mail the
letter? CK.”
Chad Keller then wrote
to me, “Once we get past October, The Downtown Alliance is looking to help small
conferences come to downtown. They asked if I would ever consider having all of
the Gay History Groups come to SLC. I told them I would discuss it with you and
get back to them after January. CK.”
Then he wrote regarding
Subject: Meeting; Meeting with Jim Dabakis Friday at 4:00 over cocktails. The Trapp
CK
Ron from the Utah Male Naturalists
sent out this announcement, “Grantsville Tuesday will be at Grantsville beach Tuesday
from about noon till 4....come and enjoy
the sun.......Ron.”
Kurtis aka Nice Guy BYU
wrote Subject: Looking for a roommate or two Hey everyone. I am looking for
another guy or two who would like to fill the last spaces of an all
"family" apartment. We are looking for clean, friendly, no-drama guys to take a
private room in a four bedroom duplex
northwest of campus. Rent is $250 a month, with $125 deposit and first and last month’s rent due at
signing.
There is a washer and dryer, garbage disposal, patio and
back yard and some other stuff, too. Two bathrooms. The place needs a little
TLC, but with four gay guys living
there, it will be decorated to a T, so no worries. Plenty of parking. It's byu approved.
The rooms aren't huge, but they are private.
Ok, well, they are pretty darn small, but still, it’s bigger than the half of a room you
are sharing with your current straight roommate, AND we won't care what's on
your computer at night.
We are looking for NO
trouble, so if you are a little more closeted than most, or are apt to make
scenes, please think twice before joining up. If you want more info, email, or I’m
me. We need a definite answer pretty soon, sorry to say, so hurry and take
advantage of this awesome opportunity. :P Thanks, Kurtis
Charles Milne the snake
wrote me regarding the history I posted of the Lesbian and Gay Student Union. Subject
Website Ben, I just did a search for your website so I can link to it from the
LGBT Center's Site, and I could not find it. Can you send me the URL? Thanks so
much for putting together such a complete history of LGSU. Your work for the
community is incredible. Charles.”
John Cooper an original
organizer of the Salt Lake Affirmation wrote me “Hi, does the name: Paul
Stenger from Bountiful, Affirmation 1986 ring a bell? I found a confidential
partial Affirmation membership list from back then, that I kept with phone
numbers and addresses but nothing else. Of course in that group people move so
much addresses and phone numbers would be meaningless now. John.”
30 July 2003 Wednesday
Patty Reagan wrote me on the Subject of the CD I
made of her speech at the old Utah Stonewall center. “Dear Ben, I thought I
hadn't saved your e-mail, so I could thank you for the CD, and then lo and
behold, I found it. Halleluiah.
I want to thank you so much for the CD. I
listened to it and absolutely loved recalling that day. I thought your
introduction was wonderful; generous and so well stated. You have a radio voice!
You should be doing live radio.
It was such fun to
listen to my speech and remember some events which I had forgotten. You were so
kind to put this historical event in a permanent form. I appreciate all you do
to save our history. What a valuable service you give to all of us in SLC. I
regret not being around in person to receive my gift. I owe you big time. love
and smiles, pr
Chad Keller wrote me “I
spoke with Babs Delay yesterday. She is willing to give us $100.00 in sponsorship
of the event in October. Please email her at babs@urbanutah.com with
instruction as to where to send the money. Thanks! CK.”
I
wrote Babs Delay thanking her and asked about interviewing her. She wrote back,
“I will send you a check, yes oral interview is fine, but I still haven't found the papers because I haven't had
time to look for them! oh, if life ever calmed down!”
Mark Thrash wrote to me
regarding USHS Membership- “The Board
Meeting where I will be approaching the RCGSE regarding an Oscar Wilde membership is not until August 12.
I will have an answer for you at that time... would you please extend my
accessibility until after that date? Thanks!”
Michael Aaron (Jeep
kid) commented on the Nudist Camp out- “The overnighter at Burmester Beach was
great fun! The beach was a bit muddy - okay - very muddy, So we had to move our
location a bit. Steve found us a great location in a non-muddy area before we
all got there, so all was good.
The first fun activity
was for several nude guys to fix John's flat
tire. Thanks for setting that up John - it was a hoot.
Then we got the tents
set up and Dwight and Boyd showed up with half of Kirkham's inventory. Too bad
they didn't convince the salesperson to go.
KFC made a fortune on us, as we were all too
lazy to cook our own food. I can't believe how many fireworks Steve and Larry
brought. I still have more left over! The special ones that blew up under the
vehicles were my favorites.
Naked Twister was fun.
Next time we need to remember the baby oil. But then, baby oil and sand..... I
won't go into some of the rest of the activities... unless I am paid to do so.
Offers?
Yours truly made
pancakes in the morning. Luckily, John brought a spatula, Scott, and Chris
brought plates. Oops. What kind of Boy Scout am I?
Tosh joined us Sunday
afternoon and a group of us took a long walk around the beach and Jack took
after a rabbit. Oh, Jack is a dog.
Many left early in the
morning to go to church (yeah right) the rest of us left at around noon. A
great event that drew about 16-17 people. Hope we can do it again... when it is a bit cooler. September?
See you in the nudes! -JeepNekkid
August
7 August 2003 Thursday
Gays hope stigmas fall with barriers By Holly
Mullen
In a typical tangled-in-traffic moment, I am
inching along Interstate 15, punching radio buttons, trying to find an engaging
talk show. (Is that an oxymoron?)
I am
struck not so much by the topic du jour, but that a half-dozen shows are
covering the subject so thoroughly, so exhaustively.
Gay
marriage. Gay commitment ceremonies. Gay priests.
Everything is spinning off the 11th-hour allegations on Tuesday against
the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, who, while only steps away from confirmation as the
Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop, stood accused of inappropriately
touching a man and of involvement in a support group for gay, lesbian, and
bisexual youth whose Web page is four mouse clicks from a pornographic site.
Robinson was cleared of the allegations and confirmed.
Last
week, Sen. Orrin Hatch was gathering steam for a constitutional amendment
banning gay marriage (diverting his attention, for now, from flag-burning).
Almost simultaneously, President Bush was turning lawyers loose to write
legislation stipulating marriage as a strictly male-female union.
All of
this, of course, follows the groundbreaking U.S. Supreme Court decision on June
26 to overturn a Texas antisodomy law, which some say opened the possibility of
same-sex marriage.
Summer
of 2003. It's a scorcher all right, and not just the temperature. In just six
weeks, gay rights has shot to the top of this country's domestic agenda --
right up there with the dismal economy and growing unemployment.
No
matter how it turns out -- whether someone, somewhere ends up in a
legally recognized same-sex marriage
-- there is no question the earth
has moved this summer on human rights.
Kevin
Grgurevic feels the shift. My favorite coffee barista is 32 and came to Salt
Lake City by way of birth in Croatia and college in Seattle. He landed here for
a master's degree in modern dance at the University of Utah.
Kevin
splits his time between working the counter at the Stonewall Coffee Company at
the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah, waiting tables at a downtown restaurant,
and preparing to move to Palm Springs, Calif., to start a dance company.
So
he's crazy-busy, tending to his life. But the politics swirling around him are
impossible to ignore.
Kevin
was astounded, along with most of America, when a conservative Supreme Court
overturned itself from 17 years earlier and decriminalized sex between gay
partners. Not only did the ruling toss out the antisodomy law, but its language
also emphasized the right to privacy in intimate adult relationships -- gay
or straight.
Suddenly, the highest court in the land had painted gays as human.
Kevin,
who has a serious relationship with a 37-year-old man, isn't thinking about
marriage, even if the law allowed it. Seeing how so many heterosexuals have
screwed up the institution hasn't made him hungry to try it.
It's
more than that.
"For the first time since I knew I was gay, about age 10 or 11, I
feel like the world might start looking at me as first, a human being," he
says. "Yes, I am gay. And I have blue eyes and a beard, and I'm a dancer
and I work and I pay bills.
"If the law starts recognizing gay unions, people might start
seeing all the aspects of my identity."
This
is a moment worth freeze-framing. Faced as they are with the real possibility
of codifying gay marriage, people may at last see Kevin Grgurevic as more than
cardboard flat, one-dimensional, just gay.
He
hopes.
"It would be great to see gay couples who have been together for 25
years be truly visible. They could show their lives as normal and, yeah, dull
as everyone else's. I'd like that."
hmullen@sltrib.com
13 August 2003 Wednesday
A blackout cuts
electricity to the northeastern United States and parts of Canada in this
sweltering heat wave.
15 August 2003 Friday
"Wet n' Wild" Paper Moon* - 9:00 PM
Presented by HMRH Princess 28 Krystyna Royal Ruby Sisters Kennedy & Kassidy
$5.00 - PWA Xmas Fund & Peoples Concern Fund
17 August 2003 Sunday
The huzcub and I were out at Burmester Beach
today, and a Tooele County Sheriff's patrol car drove out onto the beach, made
a circle around the Dirty Dunes, then left. Word spread rapidly, and before he
was even on the beach everyone had put their shorts on. No arrests were made,
nobody was harassed, but you should be aware that Burmester Beach has
apparently come to the attention of the authorities out in Too-lee. You may
want to proceed with caution in the future!-Todd Bennett
In keeping with
tradition, Gay and Lesbian Lagoon Day will be the 3rd Sunday of August. This
year, which falls on August 17th. We will be meeting out in front of the main
gate at 11:00 AM to say "hello" and will be entering the park shortly
after that. KUTV has a 2 for 1 deal going on that will make admission to the
park very affordable (so pair up and save). Details are below. Special thanks
to Jesse Dolce for finding this deal for us. We are encouraging people to wear
Red to make our community more visible. Red
is the color of the pride flag that represents life. Bring your friends and
come have a great time celebrating Gay Lagoon Day.
The Wendover Bus Trip
meets at The Trapp* - 9:00 AM
Sunday, August 17 6th Annual - Queens on the Desert" Bus Trip to
Wendover, NV Meet at The Trapp* - 10:00 AM Presented by HMIM Empress 28 Heidi $20.00
- Proceeds benefit General Fund
18 August 2003 Monday
Kathy Worthington and Sara Hamblin married in
Toronto, Canada
19 August 2003 Tuesday
RCGSE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING held at City
Library Board of Directors Candidates:
Ryan Allen (Ashlee Vaughn) Alfredo Boscan Emperor 27 Bob Childers Brad Earl
Mike Sperry
Photo Caption: Hmmm,
not bad. Reporter Brandon Griggs, Salt Sub's reluctant metrosexual,
contemplates a future as a hand model while admiring his freshly manicured
hand. Meanwhile, Cara Hardy gets to work on Griggs' feet.; The Associated Press
David Beckham, soccer star/metrosexual demigod.; Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune The result
of some "Queer Eye" shopping.; Joshua Brown/The Salt Lake Tribune Metro
sexuality requires more strain and grooming than Brandon Griggs expected. In
the top photo, Rafi Schwartz attempts to touch his painted toenails during a
yoga class at Metro Sports Club. Below, our man Griggs finally relaxes as Urban
Barber cosmetologist Cara Hardy massages his hands after a manicure.; Jump Page
D4: Joshua Brown/The Salt Lake Tribune
Brett Jeppson contorts his body during an Ashtanga Yoga class at Metro Sports
Club in the ZCMI Center.; Steve
Griffin/The Salt Lake Tribune Brandon Griggs hopes his nails aren't too shiny
as Cara Hardy of the Urban Barber works her magic on Griggs' other hand. It was
Griggs' first manicure.
The
modern man Male renaissance: macho image gives way to 'metrosexuality'
By Brandon Griggs, The Salt Lake Tribune
metrosexual: A dandyish narcissist in love with
not only himself, but also his urban lifestyle; a straight man who is in touch
with his feminine side. -- The Word Spy
If you live in Salt Lake City or another
urban area, chances are you know one: A man so in touch with his feminine side
that he enjoys clothes shopping, manicures, body waxing and other things
traditionally associated with the fairer sex.
There's a word for this new kind of man, but it's not what you think.
These
well-groomed males aren't all openly gay or deeply closeted. Many are straight
guys who, through exposure to their wives, girlfriends, gay friends, or Men's
Health, have embraced aspects of "feminine" culture. They're called
"metrosexuals," and more and more of them are frequenting salons,
yoga classes and other places that macho knuckle-draggers have longed feared to
tread.
A
British journalist coined the term "metrosexual" in 1994, but only in
the past year has it entered the pop-culture lexicon, thanks to articles in The
New York Times, Salon.com and other media outlets. Trend-spotters point to the
boom in men's skin-care products, the new emphasis on grooming tips in men's
magazines, the hairless male models on display at Abercrombie & Fitch.
As
sexual boundaries become increasingly blurred in the 21st century, this new
breed of fence-straddling straight male has emerged everywhere. Modern-day
metrosexuals include rap-fashion mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, most of
male Hollywood and international soccer star David Beckham, who wears nail
polish, sarongs, and braids in his hair without a trace of embarrassment.
"Men are more vain than they used to be a few years ago," says
Darrell McCurtain, a Park City esthetician
-- apparently, they don't call
them beauticians anymore -- who specializes in body waxes and eyebrow
plucking. "Lots of men don't want the 'uni-brow' look anymore."
We
don't? I confess to being clueless about much of this male-grooming stuff. On
the Metrosexual Scale, with 1 being Homer Simpson and 10 being Jude Law, I'm
about a 6. I know the difference between Oscar de la Renta and Oscar de la
Hoya, between Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Chong. I watch "Queer Eye for the
Straight Guy." I even had my first (and only) facial on my wedding day in
June.
But I
don't read fashion magazines. I'm happy to go days without shaving. I'll sleep
in a ratty T-shirt, then wear it out to the grocery store in the morning. And
the closest I've come to body waxing is spilling a hot candle.
To
better understand this bold new metrosexual lifestyle, I needed to explore the
phenomenon firsthand. I needed a makeover. I needed to get in touch with my
metrosexuality.
Stage 1: Manicure & Pedicure"
Don't
worry. You guys get so wussy sometimes." Like most straight guys, my
long-neglected hands and feet look like something from "Pirates of the
Caribbean." So I scheduled the first manicure and pedicure of my life at
Urban Barber, a sleek but not-too-girly salon on Main Street in downtown Salt
Lake.
My
stylist was Cara Hardy, a beauty-school grad with wavy brown hair and a
cheerful attitude. About half of Cara's mani/pedi clients are men --
many of them married businessmen who stop in on their lunch hour.
"A lot of men are kind of timid [about manicures] at first. They
have to get used to it," Cara said. With that in mind, Cara led me to a
private room where I could avoid scornful looks from manlier customers at the
adjoining coffee bar.
Cara
eyed my wimpy, desk-job hands and went to work. She pushed back my cuticles,
snipped off excess skin, clipped and sanded my stubby nails. She massaged my
hands. I was starting to enjoy this. Then she started brushing my newly buffed
nails with some clear liquid.
"This isn't going to stay shiny like nail polish, is it?" I
asked suspiciously.
"Don't worry," she said. "You guys get so wussy
sometimes."
Next
Wussy Man rolled up his pants and dunked his bare feet in the pedicure tub. One
at a time, Cara took my gnarly feet from the warm, soapy water and pampered
them. She scrubbed my toenails with a little brush and I giggled like a
schoolgirl. "Men are so ticklish," she said.
After
the toenail clip, the mint scrub, the foot massage and the skin lotion, I was
ready to show my handsome new feet to the world. Or maybe for a nap. Instead, I
put my shoes and socks back on and trudged back to The Tribune.
Although I felt like a sissy, my manicure and pedicure weren't so bad.
Cara says this male-grooming thing is all about guys expanding their comfort
zones, and I think she's right.
"Most guys won't ask, 'Hey, can you trim my ear hair?' " she
said. "But if you do, they appreciate it."
Stage 2: Shopping
My
wardrobe, while not utterly hopeless, needed a Queer Eye. So I recruited Tommy
Hamby, a 21-year-old, openly gay grad student who spent a year at
fashion-design school in Los Angeles. Take me shopping, I told him.
"I'm incredibly picky about clothes," Tommy said. "But
I'm not a fashion Nazi or anything. Nobody looks good in something they don't
feel comfortable in."
At
Tommy's suggestion, we started at Express for Men in the Cottonwood Mall. No
shopping novice, Tommy headed immediately for the sale racks. "This I
don't like," he said, fingering a pair of long cargo pants. Tommy is over
the cargo-pant trend. "It was fun for a while. But it's tired," he
said. He then quickly rejected '70s-style retro T-shirts and something called
"whiskered" jeans -- jeans artificially styled with tiny stretch
lines to make them look worn.
Tommy
eventually picked out a straightforward-looking pair of boot-leg denim jeans
and two shirts to match. I tried them on in the dressing room. The first shirt
was a billowy, tea-green number with an embroidered collar that plunged halfway
down my chest in a Fabio kind of way. I vetoed that one.
The
other was a white cotton button-down with a subtle floral pattern. I'm usually
not crazy about flowers on my shirts, but Tommy was right -- it
looked and felt hip. Sold, for $49.50.
A
brief visit to Meier & Frank proved fruitless. We found row upon row of
Dockers, which Tommy and I agreed are sort of the McDonald's of men's pants:
ubiquitous and bland.
Looking for something more distinctive, Tommy steered me to Thrift Town,
a nearby second-hand store with a good selection of used clothes. "It's so
exciting to find something that fits you perfectly and looks good and that's
only two dollars," he said, like a kid on a treasure hunt.
Tommy
handed me a pair of charcoal gray wool slacks, a tan satine button-down and a
burgundy V-neck sweater. Nice choices all. But I, surrendering to my slob
tendencies, had my eye on a rumpled black velour pullover. It was a steal at
$4. Tommy, his careful advice wasted, rolled his eyes.
"That looks like something you might already own," he said. I
wasn't sure how to take this. "It's fine for home. But I wouldn't wear
that out [of the house]."
I
won't. Maybe.
Stage 3: Fitness
How do
metrosexuals keep in shape? Yoga. The time-honored Indian fitness art, once
practiced almost exclusively by women or New Age hippies, is drawing more and
more men of all sexual stripes. A recent survey found that men make up almost
one-quarter of America's 15 million yoga enthusiasts.
So I
found a yoga class at Salt Lake City's Metro Sports Club and gave it a try. My
instructor was Chris Higgins, a wiry man with a ponytail and a soothing manner.
The class included five other people, four of them men. Under dim lighting and
to a soundtrack of Hindu chanting, Chris led us through a series of poses
emphasizing strength, balance, flexibility, and mental clarity.
At
least I think those were everyone else's goals. I was just trying to keep from
falling on my ass.
Contorting his body like a Cirque du Soleil acrobat, Chris told us to
focus on our "bone energy" and "heart centers." I grew most
confused when he said to "breathe through your feet." Within 10
minutes, I was sweating. Within 30, I was exhausted. While the other guys
breathed in deep, rhythmic, proper-yoga fashion, I gulped air like a beached
trout.
As I
soon learned, yoga is no wussy sport. Chris sees lots of muscle-bound guys who
quit his class in frustration because they lack the strength, flexibility, or
patience to master the poses.
"A lot of people have the impression that yoga is an easy, gentle
way to work out," Chris said later. "And that's not true. "It
uses every muscle in your body."
Including many that -- ouch
-- I didn't know I had.
Stage 4: Hair Removal
The
new metrosexual me was almost complete. But I still had one lingering problem:
that pesky body hair. With some trepidation, I called Darrell McCurtain, the
Park City esthetician, who advertises his men's full-body waxing services in
the Salt Lake City Weekly under the headline, "BACK, CRACK & SAC
WAX."
"Er, how's business?" I asked.
"I've had a tremendous response [to the ad]. Catchy, isn't
it?" said Darrell, who estimates half his clients are straight. "I
have a lot of straight male clients who don't like chest hair or even arm hair
because they look in the magazines and see models with that smooth look."
Darrell said he uses one kind of wax for the arms, legs or back and
another for the more sensitive "genital area." He preps clients' skin
with oil to make the wax peel off more easily. Still, making a man look like a
plucked chicken can hurt a little. "It all depends on people's pain
tolerance level," he said.
That
was enough for me. I thanked Darrell for his time and hung up. On the road to
metrosexuality, there is only so far I will go. It's my body hair, and I'm
keeping it.
20 August 2003
–Wednesday
August Monthly USHS Meeting Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Salt Lake Public Library Conference Room C Level 3 Utah' Response to AIDS
1981-1986 This will be the talk given by Ben Williams for the Utah State
Historical Society.
22 August 2003 Friday
Drag Idol - "Slut Mania" Come see the
continuation - SLC's newest drag competition -
23 August 2003 Saturday
Syren Vaughn and Ashlee Vaughn presents Hot
Summer Nights at The Trapp Door proceeds to sponsor Ashlee Vaughn in the Le
Femme Magnafique Pageant in Portland Oregon Come and show your support as we
help send off on of Salt Lake's court members to this national competition.
'A Peculiar People'
packs powerful punch By Claudia W. Harris
Special to The Tribune Jerry
Rapier has found the perfect style for "A Peculiar People," playing
at the Rose Wagner Studio Theatre. This exploration of Utah attitudes toward
individuals with HIV and AIDS is never strident or maudlin. The docu-drama
style allows Rapier to blend newspaper and historical accounts with real
stories that tell of lives being lived with joy, in part, because of the
life-and-death struggle.
Four
actors perform all the roles: Kirt Bateman, Anita Booher, Jedadiah Schultz, and
Betsy West. The play begins with a recitation of outrageous stereotypical
statements heard throughout the world; statements about races and culture and
gender and finally about sexual preference. The cast then sits at stands and
reads newspaper articles, editorials, letters to the editor, studies, and
history.
Nothing is left out, from the Boy Scout controversy about gay
Scoutmasters to gay and lesbian clubs in Salt Lake City high schools, to gay
Brigham Young University students being expelled for Honor Code violations.
Although this may sound dry it isn't; Rapier manages to create a moving
but disturbing account of Utah attitudes, both past and present.
But
when the stands are pushed aside and the actors interact directly, telling
individual stories of prejudice as well as of openness and love, the play has
its strongest effect. Here is a woman whose HIV husband is ostracized, a
triathlete who realizes he has been waiting for the HIV diagnosis because
"that's what happens to gay men," a mother whose 18-year-old son
gives her the "wonderful" news that he's gay. She mourns but says,
"I was proud of myself for having been observed I was tolerant but being tolerant
of your own child is a different story."
"A Peculiar People" is not downbeat regardless of the subject;
nor is Rapier expressing a negative attitude about Mormonism or Utah. The play
does highlight, however, a group of individuals at odds with its surrounding
culture. And that clash creates opportunities for greater understanding. An
expanded version of this short play would no doubt have a long life and a large
audience.
The
play continues today at 8 p.m. and
Sunday, 2 p.m. at the Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets are $10. Call
801-355-ARTS.
26 August 2003 Tuesday
Dad wrote me. Hi Ben got our computer fixed at last Its sure
hot here 95 to 105 thunder storms in
the afternoons not much rain I am
doing much your moms arthritis gets her down at times we will
go to court next month if it don’t get postponed again. Charline and Dennis were
up last week end Dennis did the yard love Mom and Dad
27 August 2003
Wednesday
Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in
over 60,000 years.
September
3 September 2003
Wednesday
The Utah Stonewall Democrats sponsored a Forum
for the Mayoral Candidates in Salt Lake City, in the "black box
theatre" at the Gay and Lesbian center, 355 North, 300 West. All five of
the candidates for mayor were invited and commitments from Mayor Anderson,
Frank Pignanelli and Moloni Hola.
Mayoral Forum On Wednesday, September 3rd, the
Utah Stonewall Democrats will be sponsoring a Forum for the Mayoral Candidates
in Salt Lake City. It will be at 6:30 in the "black box theatre" at
the Gay and Lesbian center, 355 North, 300 West. All five of the candidates for
mayor have been invited and we have commitments from Mayor Anderson, Frank
Pignanelli and Moloni Hola.
Candidates will be given two minutes for an
opening statement then two minutes each for a series of five questions
pertaining to the LGBT Communities and then another two minutes to summarize.
PLEASE pass this of. And we hope to see you there! Mike Picardi, Chair, Utah
Stonewall Democrats
4 September 2003
Thursday
Dear Community; Emperor X Scott Stites in an
official proclamation required that until AIDS is no longer a threat to our
community that each October the Emperor shall host with members of the Royal
Court of the Golden Spike Empire AIDS Awareness Week. October 2003 the
tradition continues in a series of activities, to be kicked off by Requiem a
vigil and temporary memorial instillation in historic Memory Grove, hosted by
Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII Chad Keller and His Most Imperial Majesty Mark
Thrash. October 4, 2003 a candlelight vigil will begin at 7:00 p.m. of music
and spoken word on the grounds of the W.W.I monument at the south end of the
Grove. At dusk, a temporary memorial instillation of over 4000 small flags will
be illuminated. One flag will be placed for each AIDS death or HIV infection in
Utah since 1983 when records on AIDS/HIV begin. It will remain illuminated each
evening through the end of AIDS Awareness Week. Flags as part of the
instillation may be dedicated to loved ones lost to AIDS. The RCGSE is actively
seeking more live performances through the various performance art mediums that
is reflective of the great diversity of the community at large, making this
truly a community activity. If you or your organization would like to
participate, or if you would like to dedicate flags to loved ones please contact Mark Thrash at
thrashma@hotmail.com or Chad Keller at ckell2@jcpenney.com Dedications can be full name, nick name, or
first name. Because of time restraints only dedications received by October 1
will be included. Please pass this along to those you feel are interested in
participating.
Special thanks and acknowledgment to the Salt
Lake Parks Department, and the Memory Grove Foundation for their generous
assistance in making this one of a kind instillation come to life. Sincerely,
Chad Keller Imperial Crown Prince XXVIII
Top 3 SLC mayoral
candidates discuss social issues By Heather
May, The Salt Lake Tribune Mayor Rocky
Anderson said Wednesday that he is looking into whether Salt Lake City can give
preferences to potential contractors who offer their employees a "living
wage" and health insurance. He may also consider favoring companies that
ban discrimination against gay and lesbian employees.
Speaking in front of the Utah Stonewall Democrats --
which voted to endorse the mayor for a second term --
Anderson said he is investigating the possibility of an executive order
to that effect. State law forbids cities from requiring contractors to provide
a wage higher than the federal minimum wage. Anderson said state law requires
that cities award contracts to the lowest bidder that is "responsible and
dependable." He wonders if the city can look at the contractors' histories
to see if they have provided better benefits than required by federal law.
"It doesn't say you can't give some preference in evaluating
responsible and dependable employers," he said.
The
Stonewall caucus, which focuses on gay and lesbian issues, also quizzed Frank
Pignanelli and Molonai Hola. Another gay and lesbian group, Unity Utah, also
has endorsed Anderson.
Both
of Anderson's challengers said they are concerned about employers and housing
agencies that are biased against gays. Pignanelli said he would support a
"statement of action to send out the signal . . . this is a comfortable
place, a secure place for our friends, neighbors and relatives to live.
"I live [with], I work [with], I love these people and I do not
want them discriminated against," Pignanelli said.
Hola
and Pignanelli also said they support Anderson's executive order protecting
city employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
They
would also like to have someone in the mayor's office focus on gay and lesbian
issues. Anderson appointed a lesbian woman in the minority affairs office,
angering some ethnic minorities. Pignanelli said he wonders if the gay and
lesbian focus would be better in community and economic development.
All
three said they believe gays have contributed to the city in significant ways.
Hola
tried to relate by sharing his experiences as a Tongan in Utah. He said people
touched his skin like he was a "leper."
"I am sensitive to people who are minorities," Hola said.
"Perhaps you view yourself as a minority group. I can sympathize with what
you're going through."
The
audience delved into issues no mayor can have power over, like gay adoption.
Hola said he does not "accept" adoptions of children by gays.
Pignanelli, who adopted his daughter, said after the meeting that a judge
should decide "what's in the best interest of the child." He also
said prejudices against adoptions might fall if the city shows gays are
accepted.
Anderson said he would further the cause of such issues by creating
community. "We can't call ourselves compassionate unless we all do
everything we can to afford respect and dignity on an equal basis and
understand it's not for any one of us to judge."
F.
Irish and Lawrence Rey Topham did not attend Wednesday's event.
Fair enough, but as long as this is the Utah
Stonewall Historical Society Yahoo! Inc. group, and we're discussing the political
history of the current Salt Lake City mayoral candidates, we should be equally
critical of Mayor Anderson's relevant past. In a July 9, 1996, Deseret News
report, U.S. congressional candidate Anderson called equal marriage rights for
same-sex couples an "irrelevant" and "minor" issue about
"our most revered institution." Describing how he planned to vote
against such marriages, he said that "on this sensitive issue, as a
representative of all the people in the 2nd District, I'd vote my constituents'
wishes" saying that doing so would be "the only responsible thing to
do." In a July 9, 1996, Salt Lake Tribune report, Anderson called equal
marriage rights "sensationalized" and that "these kinds of
changes in our institutions are very difficult and sometimes take a while for
us all to accept. Describing how he planned to vote against such marriages, he
said that he'd "determine the wishes of residents and then 'vote
accordingly.'" To my knowledge of the matter, Anderson never extended or
revised these statements, nor expressed regret about them. While marriage
rights aren't a matter for mayoral concern, Anderson's honesty seven years ago
about voting against our interest in them makes me skeptical about his resolve
to support our interest in matters that are for mayoral concern. Beyond
adopting an city-government employment non-discrimination policy and appointing
some openly gay and lesbian Salt Lakers to serve in his administration, I'm
stumped to emphasize any other action which Anderson has accomplished for our
benefit. Needless to say, I believe that
former state Rep. Frank Pignanelli can and will
do at least as much to help us as Anderson has. History tells this story.
Anderson's history is clear. Pignanelli's
history is just as clear: While we might not
have his vote every time, at least he won't say one thing and promise to vote
another. David Nelson Salt Lake City
5 September 2003 Friday
UGRA hosted American Grandstand at the *Paper
Moon. The show is modeled after Dick Clark's famous American Bandstand. We are
looking for performers. Anyone interested in performing remember, You have to
do a song that was performed on American Bandstand and you have to somewhat
look like the artist that performed the song. Prizes will be awarded to the
performers who best personified their performer. Come out to the new *Paper
Moon (3737 So State Street) and party with the Utah Gay Rodeo Association. Thanks
for your support!
6 September 2003 Saturday
Royal Court’s PWA Kick-off 2003 - "A Night
Under the Big Top" Presented by HMRH Shawn & HMRH Krystyna Trapp Patio
Includes food, show, and game booths Door prizes, raffles, Chinese auction,
drag sale and other surprises Proceeds benefit the PWA Christmas Fund
Dear Mike, {Picardi] At
this last pride day, Frank Pignanelli stood before our community and told them
that the reason he didn't vote on the Gay Club's bill in the
house was because he had another bill that he
had sponsored which took all his attention. Seeing as how I was a personal
guest of Rep. Holladay and was sitting on the house floor for the entire day, I
know Frank is lied. Pignanelli is telling the truth that he did in fact have a
bill that was voted on that day, however, the vote for the bill was MUCH
earlier in the day. What Pignanelli isn't telling you is, that several times
throughout the day the house was called to order since it looked like the State
Senate would vote on the bill soon allowing the house to vote on the bill as
well. Several times when the house was called to order Pignanelli was in the
house chambers but quickly exited the chamber each time. Shortly after
Pignanelli ditched one of the calls to order, I ran into him in the hall. I
asked him why he was doing what he was doing and ducking out every time. He
said, "Oh, I had to use the bathroom." ... and quickly walked away
from me avoiding any more questions. I asked Rep. Holladay if he knew why
Pignanelli would do this and he told me that it was all part of a deal that he
made with the republicans so that they would support his wife, who was running
in an upcoming election. Pignanelli sold us out and now he's trying to cover it
up. Later that day I again cross paths with Frank and asked again asked him why
he wasn't voting on what could be the most important vote of his career. He
never answered me but turned around and walked away. Not much later, Rep.
Holladay said his wife was present and that since he could only have one guest
on the floor at a time, that he wanted to spend some time with his wife and
asked me to leave to she could come down from the gallery. I agreed. Just
minutes after I left the floor, late that evening, hours after Pignanelli's
other work was done, the house voted on the gay clubs bill. Frank was in the
building, his other bill had been voted upon hours earlier, yet Frank kept his
commitment to the Republicans and sold out our community for his wife's career.
Now, Pignanelli is playing our community for fools and asking for our support
after he left to fend for ourselves. He lied at Pride Day, he lied to us then.
Don't be fooled by Pignanelli's charm. He's a career politician who is eager to
deceive our community and is just looking out for himself. Steven Peterson
steven@lavenderbook.com
7 September 2003 Sunday
Gay and Lesbian Mormons decry apostle's remarks
By Hugo Salinas Members of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian
Mormons are embarrassed and saddened by recent statements by LDS Church Apostle
Russell M. Ballard at Brigham Young University (Tribune, Aug. 21).
It is difficult to understand how LDS
leaders today could be so invested in condemning and making illegal an
alternative family model when early Mormon leaders were so persecuted and
excluded for practicing another alternative family model.
Elder Ballard and other LDS leaders view the
prospect of same-sex unions as nothing short of apocalyptic. But many of us
have been living for years with same-sex partners, raising children, and
providing for our families. And the sky has not yet fallen.
We do not understand how this
aggressive crusade against same-sex unions will help strengthen families, but
we do see daily how the rhetoric of exclusion helps destroy lives. We see it
among many who are excommunicated from their religious communities and
ostracized by their families; we see it among those who undergo horrific
so-called "treatments" in order to repress their natural feelings; we
see it among those who turn to suicide in a desperate attempt to alleviate
their pain and alienation from the church.
When
Elder Ballard condemns gay and lesbian families, he is not addressing some
abstract satanic force at play in Canada, or in the Netherlands, or in San
Francisco. He is condemning thousands of Mormon families here in Utah;
condemning your neighbors, your children, and your siblings; in effect, asking
that you reject your own. ----- Hugo
Salinas is associate director of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons and lives
in Salt Lake City. His commentary represents the organization's executive
committee.
8 September 2003 Monday
Community Leadership Forum met at MCC. Director
Bobby Childers
“Hi David Nelson , Just for my own edification.
what else would you have liked Mayor Anderson to accomplish in the area of
gay/lesbian/etc. Policy changes? As a quasi-City employee, I'm pleased with his
anti-discrimination executive order in spite of a divided City Council. Melissa
Sillitoe South Salt Lake”
Hello and thank you for
your message, Melissa. My message was more about the limit of mayoral jurisdiction
about matters which are important to us than whether Mayor Anderson or another
mayor could do more than he has. My concern about Mayor Anderson's
non-discrimination executive order has always been that, despite my advice to
his staffers that he do otherwise, he included a city-funded grievance process
as part of the order. This would let city-government employees who believe
they'd been disadvantaged by workplace discrimination to apply for a
consideration of their complaint by city Office of Personnel staffers. While
this process is afforded by other governments in their various employment
protections, I believe that including it in this order jeopardizes the order
itself by providing for the expenditure of city-government funds for a policy
which councilmembers had not only not adopted but opposed in similar proposed
legislation. Councilmembers could arguably and constitutionally adopt
legislation which amends the order to repeal all but the title. Without a
severability rule being included in the order which would legally separate the
enumerated protections from their enforcement and grievance process, the whole
order would be considered equally obligated for expenditures which weren't
authorized by council members. Beyond that concern, I believe there are several
ways for Mayor Anderson or another mayor to continue to expand the equal
opportunity and protections he created with the order and appointment of
gender- and sexual-minority staffers. 1. Add a severability rule, a
gender-orientation classification and a city-services provision among the
enumerated protections of the order, 2. Appoint gender- and sexual-minority
staffers to supervisorial administration levels, especially at the city Office
of Community and Economic Development, 3. Create and appoint a city Civil
Rights Commission to promote similar protections by city-government agencies
and private employers, especially those who are city-government contract
providers, 4. Adopt a hate-crime executive order which would require
city-government staffers, especially those who are emergency-services
providers, to accommodate, record and publish hate-crime statistics and
referral to city-government or private assistance agencies, and 5. Request
every city-government office adopt similar non-discrimination and hate-crime
policies. These are just five ways that a mayor could take the next step and
put some bite into the order and appointments. I'm sure someone who's actually
campaigning to be elected mayor might have more ideas than just these.
Meanwhile, I hope that gender- and sexual-minority Salt Lakers look beyond what
Mayor Anderson has done and expect more ... from him or his replacement. David
Nelson Salt Lake City
11 September 2003 Thursday
Along our journey, certain people stand out in
testament to our community struggles and triumphs, they are the Milestones...
The Utah Stonewall Historical Society in observance of National Gay History
Month invite the community to celebrate Utah's Lambda Heroes at the 2003
Milestone Honors, recognizing: Stephen Holbrook Becky Moss Joe Redburn Lucy
Malin David Sharpton & The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. Please
join us October 18, 2003 for the Milestone Honors at the Sheraton City Center
for a Reception and Dinner featuring Keynote Speaker, New York Times Best
Selling Author Eric Marcus, author of Making Gay History the Half Century
Struggle for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights. www.ericmarcus.com Tickets are
$50.00 and are on sale now by calling 364-3713. Or will be available for
purchase starting Saturday October 13, 2003 at the Trapp (a private club)
located at 102 S 600 West. Tickets will be available for sale up till 6:00pm
the day of the event. The Utah Stonewall Historical Society has been designated
by the IRS as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. You ticket is tax deductible,
and also provides to you a membership in Utah's most colorful, and lively
historical organizations. Proceeds will benefit the mission of the USHS to
collect, preserve and present the history of the Utah Lambda
Anyone can be a
historian at Utah society's annual meeting A specially built, 12-horsepower
wagon brings the main section of the Brigham Young Monument to the intersection
of Main and South Temple streets in Salt Lake City. (Tribune archive photo) By
Michael Yount The Salt Lake Tribune Sheri Murray Ellis knows what is buried
beneath South Temple. Edward Cooper was asleep next door when Austin Cox Jr.
shot his final victim in Ogden 60 years ago. Each year the Utah State
Historical Society offers the chance for historians -- from professionals like
Ellis to amateurs like Cooper -- to present papers at its annual meeting.
Ellis and Cooper are
just two of the three dozen scheduled to speak today and Friday. The new Salt
Lake City Public Library will play host to each session, which is free and open
t o the public. Today's schedule includes
a certified local government workshop followed by a reception for the society's
new director, Philip F. Notarianni.
The opening night concludes with the "Utah
History Address" by F. Ross Peterson. The Utah State University professor
will present a paper titled "Blind Side: Utah on the Eve of Brown v. Board
of Education."
Friday's sessions are
loaded with presentations like Ellis' discussion of South Temple. Ellis, an
archaeologist with SWCA Environmental Consultants in Salt Lake City, is
conducting excavations as part of the ongoing construction project on the Salt
Lake City street. So far, the project has revealed a trash heap in front of the
Beehive House that dates back to the Brigham Young era, rails from the city's
original trolley line, portions of cobblestone road and the site of a former
cooperative slaughterhouse.
Nothing museum-worthy there, but the work
offers a glimpse of the city's early days. "When you're driving over the
streets you don't know what really is under there," Ellis said. "The
written history says the tracks were pulled up, but for much of street the
tracks were just paved over."
Where South Temple
meets Virginia was known as Butcherville, which served as a slaughterhouse for
area butchers. Ellis has excavated bones from horses, cows, and pigs.
Discussions are not
limited to Salt Lake City or archaeological research. There are plenty of
papers on rural Utah like Daniel Mullins' paper on mining towns and
prostitution and Jessie L. Embry's
discussion of baseball in Sanpete and Sevier counties. But Cooper's account of
the Ogden tragedy is rare because of his connection to the story. Cooper may be
classified as an amateur historian, but he is a retired "rocket
scientist" who worked on the Apollo program. "I figured I'm probably
the last of Mohicans -- the last of the people that knew anything about
this," Cooper said of his decision to chronicle the murder.
On the eve of Pioneer
Day in 1943, Cox shot seven people, killing five. Upset over a divorce
judgment, Cox shot six and killed four at a home where he thought his former
wife was staying. He then went after the judge in the case, District Judge
Lewis V. Trueman, fatally? shooting him through his bedroom window.
Cooper, now 69 and
living in South Weber, remembers the night well. His grandmother lived next to
the Truemans, and he spent many of his childhood days there. "The Truemans
didn't have any kids, and they became sort of like an aunt and uncle to me,"
Cooper said.
The night of the
murder, Cooper's family had driven to his grandmother's house from their home
in Salt Lake City for the next day's parade. He was jolted from his slumber
when the fatal shots were fired and the judge's wife ran hysterically next
door, yelling, "Mrs. Cooper, somebody shot my husband."
Cox was executed less
than a year later, and a report from the Utah Peace Officers Association
claimed he tried to kill a guard with a sharpened spoon in prison.
"Justice was pretty fast in those days," Cooper said. "[In June
1944], the old firing squad, they gave him some of the same."
If You Go Utah State
Historical Society 2003 Annual Meeting Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 E.
400 South oday's Schedule 9:30 a.m.-3
p.m. -- Certified local government workshop 5:30-6:30 p.m. -- Reception for new
director Philip F. Notarianni and 2003
award recipient 7-8:30 p.m. -- Utah History Address, "Blind Side: Utah on
the Eve of Brown v. Board of Education" by F. Ross Peterson, Utah State
University
Section B David Walden, "A History of St. Mark's
Hospital"
Carma K. Miller and Barbara Mandleco, "A
History of Children's Hospitals in Utah"
Ben Williams, "Utah's Response to the AIDS
Epidemic 1981-86"
Wow John Ritter, died unexpectedly today, I
guess from heart failure. (1948-2003)
American actor and comedian, John Ritter died
today and is best remembered for playing Jack Tripper in sitcom Three’s
Company, a work that earned him both the Golden Globe and Emmy Award. His work
in television show Hooperman and animated children's series Clifford the Big
Red Dog was also appreciated tremendously. John Ritter has also appeared in
numerous films and Broadway productions too. He was the son of Tex Ritter the
singer.
RAZ/PAC backs Frank
Pignanelli for SLC mayor By Heather May,
The Salt Lake Tribune WEST VALLEY CITY
-- Another Latino organization
has endorsed Frank Pignanelli. Members
of RAZ/PAC, or Raza Political Action Coalition, announced Wednesday that they
back the chief political opponent of Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Their
reasons are similar to the ones given by leaders of the Hispanic Democratic
Caucus, which also endorsed Pignanelli. The two groups share some leaders.
Joe
Gonzalez, RAZ/PAC's vice chairman, said Pignanelli has committed to hire
minorities for Cabinet-level positions. "We believe the [current]
administration doesn't support our community," he said.
There
are 48 RAZ/PAC members, half of whom live in
Salt Lake City.
Anderson has increased the number of minorities working at City Hall,
but RAZ/PAC maintains that minorities are hired for low-level jobs. At the end
of August, the city employed 324 minorities in full-time salaried jobs, out of
2,579 positions.
There
were 84 minority administrators, professionals, or technicians out of 809
positions. There were 150 minorities out of 1,000 office/clerical, skilled
craft workers and service maintenance posts.
Robert
Gallegos, chairman of RAZ/PAC, said the city should have hired more minorities.
He made an issue that one of the minority employees --
prosecutor Sim Gill -- is "not even an American minority. He's
Indian from India."
Ana
Archuleta, a RAZ/PAC vice chairwoman, said Anderson hasn't been better at
hiring minorities than former Mayor Deedee Corradini. But according to Human
Resources, minorities made up 10.7 percent of the full-time salaried work force
under Corradini, who had 50 fewer employees than the city had at the end of
August. Minorities make up 12.6 percent of that work force under Anderson.
Archuleta also said qualified minorities
-- including members of her
group --
have been overlooked for city jobs.
"You have qualified minorities who can do those jobs. They aren't
taken very seriously," she said.
Anderson's hiring of Blythe Nobleman as a minority affairs coordinator
continues to be a sore point. She is white and a lesbian. RAZ/PAC wanted
someone of color to fill the post. It also felt the group's leaders were
"attacked" by Anderson after they criticized him for hiring Nobleman.
"It's not an issue that she's gay," Archuleta said, noting the
group wanted someone who would understand minority issues.
"Someone who can't hide [their minority status]," added
Gonzalez.
Anderson also has Latino supporters. Some of them recently held a rally
for him at Centro Civico Mexicano.
12 September 2003
Friday
I was the last presenter on a session regarding
medical history. The room had about 15 people, mostly older or retired people.
A few were obvious Mormons by being greeted as Brother so and so. The only
thing which the three presenters had in common was that we all graduated from
BYU with various degrees. David Walden, a part time instructor of history at
SLCC, spoke on "A History of St. Marks Hospital" which was founded by
the Presbyterians in 1872 and is the oldest hospital still remaining. An
interested fact brought out by a retired nurse in the audience was that when
St. Marks was located on 3rd West across from Wasatch Springs Park in 1964, the
Gypsy King died in the hospital and all the gypsies of the world descended on
SLC and the hospital to view the body and to elect a new Gypsy king. Thousands
camped out at the park. That was interesting I thought but was not a part of
Walden's talk. Next a BYU assistant professor (I think) spoke on "A
History of Children's Hospitals in Utah" I thought oh brother! I have to
follow sick children! I am doomed. She spoke about the founding of Primary Children’s
hospital in 1922 by the LDS Church, and the Shriners Hospital in 1925. When I
was introduced, the facilitator said, Ben Williams, A Gay Man, on and on. I
thought well I am out now. Told everyone how brave I thought they were to come
to hear a talk on such a controversial subject. I gave my talk and afterwards,
all the questions were geared towards me. Some asked were there any AIDS
service providers besides what was being done in the Gay community and I told
them no.. everything that is in place originated with the grass root efforts of
Gays and Lesbians due to the lack of help from the Utah State Department of
health. So there you have it.. they first presentation by an openly Gay man at
the Utah State Historical Society Annual Meeting on AIDS. Words like Safer Sex,
Condoms, bath houses were bandied about and The Royal Court, KRCL, Salt AIDS
Foundation, AIDS Project Utah were all mentioned to people who probably never
knew they existed. Whew! I was so glad to be done. PS (I almost peed my pants I
was so nervous)
Singer Johnny Cash died
today just about four months after his wife June Carter. (1932-2003) Johnny Cash, the
American singer, songwriter and actor, was known for sorrow, moral suffering
and redemption themes in his music. His genre was country, rock and roll,
blues, folk and gospel sounds and he is one of the best-selling artists of all
time. Cash had issues with drinking and drug abuse. Later he was diagnosed with
a neurodegenerative disease.
15 September 2003
Monday
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Utah Stonewall
Democrats are sponsoring a debate between ALL the candidates for the Salt Lake
City Council seats up this year (districts 2, 4 and 6). It will be at the main
branch of the SL Public Library in the auditorium beginning at 6:00pm. There
will be questions put to each candidate dealing with issues and concerns of
importance to the LGBT community. We believe the city council races are
extremely important to our community and will affect us all for years to come.
PLEASE try to attend and bring anyone and everyone you can think of. Thanks and
I hope to see you all there.
Mike Picardi, chair, Utah Stonewall Democrats
16 September 2003
Tuesday
Hi Guys, This Sunday we will be watching the
Emmy Awards for Movie night. Unfortunately, this week will be the last Sunday
night that Kelly and I will be able to host movie night. Both Kelly and I work
on Sunday's and it is just too difficult for us to continue especially since it
is at our house. We have been doing this for over 12 years now and it is time
for us to take a break. There is the possibility that after a few months rest,
we might be interested in hosting again. Perhaps when the new season of Queer
As Folk begins, but if we do, it will need to be on a different night than
Sunday. It's been a great run. Many Thanks to those who have
helped. Love, Courtney, and Kelly
***********************************
The History of MCC
Movie Night: When the Metropolitan Community Church - Bridgeland formed in July
of 1990, Kelly and I saw the need for some organized community activities other
than going to the Bars in Salt Lake. My theory on planning community activities
has been this: Plan things that I personally want to do and then invite the rest
of the community to join in if they want to. I personally have always liked
movies and so I thought that we could get to together and watch movies and
shows with gay themes.
Especially Since they were not readily
available in the theaters and on TV. So in 1991 I began hosting Movie Nights in
our trailer house in Western Park Trailer Court on Friday nights. Sometimes it
was very interesting packing up to 25 people into that small trailer to watch a
movie and hold a pot luck meal. In the beginning, attendance at Movie night and
MCC was about evenly split between Gay Men and Lesbians with a few family
members also. Over the course of years, as they would move out of town,
attendance by women dropped off until the last several years it has been men
only. It was sometimes very challenging to find gay and lesbian theme movies to
show. Sometimes we would just watch good movies without gay themes. Out of
desperation for material to show, I would video tape any TV show that had any
Gay or Lesbian Content, then edit the show down to just the gay story line and
then show that. After a couple of years it just got to be too big to have at
the trailer. The MCC Congregation was meeting at the Faith and Fellowship
Center. In 1993 I was on the Board of Directors for the FFC and they were
trying to come up with programming Ideas for their students. I suggested that
they buy a big Television and hold a movie night for the students, Like we were
doing for the Gay Community. So they purchased a large TV. They asked me to get
them started and so I hosted their Friday Night at the Movies and cooked dinner
for all the FFC students for a few weeks. Also in 1993, Sunday evenings opened
up in that building's schedule to we decided to change MCC movie nights to
Sunday evenings after church services and to have them at the FFC. This enabled
us to host a much larger crowd than at the trailer.
Some weeks we would have up to 45 people or so
drop in over the
course of the evening. Sometimes the Pot Luck
meals were like
thanksgiving, and sometimes they were kinda
scary. One week every
single person brought some sort of chocolate
desert. We all got kinda sick on all the chocolate. No one brought another
desert item for about 3 months. In a sense the FFC became the living room of
the Gay community. It was a place that people felt they could just drop in for
a while and check in with the gay community. For Several Years MCC and the Gay
community were the people who used the FFC the most. We continued holding Movie
Night at the FFC until the spring of 2002,when the Board of Directors of the FFC
became uncomfortable with us using their facility and kicked MCC and the Gay
Male community out of their building. At that time we began having movie nights
at Kelly and My house at Park Circle. This has continued until present "
)
17 September 2003
Wednesday
Utah Stonewall Historical Society meeting
SODOMY TRIAL OF CHARLEY BROWN 1932
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Main library SLC,
2nd Floor Study Mezzanine
20 September 2003-Saturday
The Trapp 12th Year Anniversary Party was held
with a free BBQ
21 September 2003 Sunday
You're Invited to the PWACU Barbeque Come Join
Us for our Annual PWACU (People With AIDS Coalition of Utah) SUPER DUPER - END
OF SUMMER BBQ BASH!! When: Sunday, September 21 - 4:00 PM
Where: Fairmont Park, (900 East 2400 South)
22 September 2003 Monday
Troll, Joel, and Rock 'n' Roll Robert
Hirschi/The Salt Lake Tribune
Joel Hales, right, and Troll, of the rock band
Phono, play Sunday for the crowd at the third annual Blue Alley Festival, held
at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah, 361 N. 300 West, Salt Lake
City. The festival is sponsored by the Wasatch Leather men Association.
23 September 2003 Tuesday
The Utah Stonewall Democrats sponsored a debate
for the Salt Lake City Council races on at the Main Branch of the SL Public
Ladies and
Gentlemen, I am thrilled about the discussions regarding the salt lake Mayor's
race. The more we discuss this up front, the better educated we will be in our choices.
We must remember that most of the power within City Government lies with the
City Council. The Utah Stonewall Democrats are sponsoring a Forum for the Salt
Lake Council race on September 23 at the Main City Library (downtown) in the
auditorium beginning at 6:00PM. We will be asking very pointed questions of the
candidates in an attempt to learn their views on our issues. This will not be a
"debate", but more of an information exchange. I believe we have much
to gain in this election and must do all we can to make the Council more
favorable to our concerns and needs as a community. Please pass his on and ask
everyone you know to attend. Mike Picardi, Chair, Utah Stonewall democrats
26 September 2003 Friday
By Paul Rolly and JoAnn Jacobsen-Wells Changing
names: Unity Utah, the gay and lesbian political action group, will from now on
be called Equality Utah.
The
new name, in part to avoid confusion with the Unity Church and Unity Alliance,
a group dedicated to bridging gaps between religious and ethnic groups, will be
announced tonight at the group's $100-per-plate fund-raising banquet.
Several politicians will be attending, including a half-dozen
legislators and Salt Lake City mayoral candidates Rocky Anderson and Molonai
Hola.
Organizer Michael Mitchell says the group will be smarter next year when
scheduling its banquet so it will not again be held on Rosh Hashana, the sacred
Jewish holiday that will keep state Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn from
attending the banquet.
Man's body found inside
SLC home By Michael N. Westley The
Salt Lake Tribune
Police are searching for clues in the death of
a 69-year-old Salt Lake City man whose body was found in his home Thursday
morning. Leo P. Anderson was found by a friend around 3 a.m. in his basement
apartment near 1200 East and 1900 South, police said. The cause of his death
was not released pending a medical examiner's report, but authorities said that
it was not by natural causes.
"We are ruling it a homicide and right now it appears that robbery
is the motive," said Detective Kevin Joiner of Salt Lake City police.
Police have no suspects and no other details of the crime scene were released.
Anderson's truck, a green two-wheel-drive 2000 Mazda B3000 extra cab, is
missing and has not been seen by neighbors since Tuesday.
Anderson bought the truck about
three weeks ago. The temporary license tag reads E08641, and police said that
the truck may have damage on the driver's side, including the door and mirror.
Anderson was an ardent supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous and had been
planning to travel to a district conference in Moab on Thursday, according to
neighbor David Crotty.
"I hadn't seen the truck all day, so I just figured he had left a
day early," Crotty said.
On
Jan. 21, 2001, Anderson pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement to a class A
misdemeanor count of attempting to deal material harmful to a minor and a
second class A misdemeanor count of sexual battery, according to 3rd District
Court records.
Third
District Judge Leslie Lewis gave him a suspended sentence of a year in jail and
sentenced him to serve two years of probation.
The
offenses did not require Anderson to register as a sex offender, according to
court records.
In
October 2002, a warrant was issued for a probation violation, and Anderson was
arrested, court records said.
Lewis
sentenced him to 135 days in jail with no good time credit and no credit for
time served.
Salt
Lake Tribune reporter Ashley Broughton contributed to this report.
Friday, September 26,
2003 Homicide suspected in Salt Lake man's death Body is found in home; robbery
may be motive By Laura Hancock Deseret Morning News Salt Lake police are
investigating the death of a 70-year-old man as a homicide. He was discovered
in his basement apartment near 1200 East and 1900 South about 3 a.m. Thursday
by a friend who went to visit him. Police have not said how Leo P. Anderson
died. "We're prepared to call it a homicide," detective Kevin Joiner
said. But Joiner said it was difficult to determine whether there were signs of
struggle because the apartment was so messy. "The motive appears to be
robbery at this point," Joiner said. Police are looking for Anderson's
dark green 2000 Mazda B3000 extra cab pickup. In the rear window is a Utah
temporary license sticker of E08641. There may be damage to the driver's-side
door mirror, left front driver's door and the left side of the driver's cab.
There is a Ken Garff placard in the license plate holder. It is unknown whether
any other possessions were taken, Joiner said. Anderson was retired from a
railroad company and was a veteran of the Korean War, said neighbor Robert
Figueroa, who lived next door to the man for five years. His wife died about
seven years ago. Anderson also was a recovering alcoholic and spent his days
counseling others at AA. "He was due for his 10-year sobriety
(anniversary) pretty soon," said Cassie Jackson, who lived upstairs from
the man since June. Anderson told Jackson he had lived at the house for 30
years. Both Jackson and Figueroa called the man a pack rat and said the messy
condition that police found his apartment in was not unusual. The man spent
pretty much all his days at a local AA center. He sponsored dozens of other
alcoholics. It would not be unusual for someone to come to his house at 3 a.m.
for help, Jackson said. In fact, Jackson did not think it was unusual she
hadn't seen Anderson's truck since Tuesday afternoon because she thought he was
attending an AA conference in Moab. "He helped a lot of people,"
Jackson said. The man was nice enough, Figueroa recalled. "He was a loner,
except with his buddies at AA," Figueroa said. Although the motive
appeared to be robbery, Joiner said, investigators aren't ruling out anything,
especially when the man's past is taken into consideration. Anderson was a
registered sex offender with previous convictions for sexual exploitation of a
minor, dealing in harmful materials to a minor and sexual battery. Anderson
also had about a half-dozen convictions for DUI dating back to 1986.His body
was taken to the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office.
28 September 2003 Sunday
09/28/2003
Page: B7 obituary SLC
Leo Peter Anderson 8/11/34 ~ 9/24/03
Leo Anderson passed away on September 24, 2003
in his home in Sugarhouse. Cause of death is pending. Leo was born in Ephraim,
Utah to Harry Y and Mary Ava Anderson, August 11, 1934. Married Arlene Johnson
Christiansen in Elko, Nevada June 17, 1974. Leo was a veteran of the Korean War
and was honorably discharged.
He was
an ardent supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous and helped many people stay clean.
Survived by his sisters, Lola (Garth) Mickelson and Mary E. (Hank)
Vanderhave; and brother, Leland Anderson. Leo was preceded in death by his
parents, wife Arlene, and brother Elmo.
Viewing will be held on Tues., Sept 30, 2003 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at
Russon Brothers Salt Lake Mortuary, 255 South 200 East. Burial will follow in
the Cleveland Cemetery, Cleveland, Utah at 1:00 p.m. Directional maps and
online guest book are available at www.russonmortuary.com.
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