 |
| Lord Cornbury Governor of New York |
1881-Dr E.C. Spitzka of New York presented the case of Lord
Cornbury, the colonial governor of New York and New Jersey in the early 1700's,
in a Chicago medical journal. Cornbury frequently appeared in public wearing
female attire. Spitzka described Cornbury as a sexual pervert, "a
degraded, hypocritical and utterly immoral being." Cornbury is reported to have opened the 1702 New York
Assembly clad in a hooped gown and an elaborate headdress and carrying a fan,
imitative of the style of Queen Anne. When his choice of clothing was
questioned, he replied, "You are all very stupid people not to see the
propriety of it all. In this place and occasion, I represent a woman (the
Queen), and in all respects I ought to represent her as faithfully as I
can."
_-_Edward_Carpenter.jpg)
1892 A
depraved wretched named John Mack was arrested at Ogden last week charged with
sodomy committed on the person of a young Californian whose real name Is
unknown.
1916-The New York Times published a review of Edward Carpenter's
autobiography. Carpenter's book was among the earliest in which an author
self-identified as homosexual.
1920-In Germany, the Community of the Special publication included
an article called "Uranians of the World Unite!" which urged the
formation of a worldwide homosexual organization.
1953 The first day magazines and newspapers were allowed to
run stories revealing the results of Kinsey's long-term study of female sexual
behavior. Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey and his research staff at Indiana University
published a book that focused the attention of the world on Bloomington. Sexual
Behavior in the Human Female, popularly known as the Kinsey Report on Women. It
said 2% of women are lesbian and 13% had performed at least one lesbian act to
orgasm.
1969-"Staircase," a film in which Rex Harrison and
Richard Burton played lovers, had its world premier. The movie bombed. The
Studio thought Staircase would be a light comedy with the actors spoofing their
gay roles. The press seemed to share the studio's approach. During a press
junket to the set, reporters repeatedly asked the actors how two actors famous
for their love affairs with women could so easily play homosexuals. One even
asked Burton how he was going to disguise his justly famed stage voice to play
a gay man. The actor later asked columnist Liz Smith, "Are they even
vaguely aware that some of the greatest voices in the theatre belong to
homosexuals?" (Quoted in Vito Russo, The Celluloid Closet, 1981). |
| Mike Royko |
1977-Syndicated Chicago columnist Mike Royko included anti-gay crusader
Anita Bryant on a list of the ten most obnoxious people in America.
 |
| Phil Ragsdale Founder of Gay Rodeo |
1977: The Comstock Gay Rodeo Association holds its
"official" First Annual Gay Rodeo at the Washoe County Fairgrounds in
Reno. The event is closed to the general public. Their presence in Reno is
contentious. In 1981, Lt. Governor Myron Leavitt, remarking on the Reno Gay
Rodeo, says, "I'm strongly opposed to queers using public property. ...
They call them queers because they've got a screw loose." Governor Robert
List follows this up on March 27 by complaining, "I just don't like the
notion that the nation looks toward Nevada as the gay rodeo capital."
Within a few years, the group reorganizes and moves its base of operation to southern
Nevada. On August 10, 2002, the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association celebrates its
10th anniversary at Badlands.
1978-Ronald Reagan announced his opposition to the Briggs
initiative in California, which sought to ban homosexuals or anyone who was
supportive of Gay rights from being employed as a public school teacher.
1986 Wednesday LDS Church owned KSL interviewed
Carol Lynn Pearson about her book about her husband who died of AIDS. They
actually talked about her husband's Gayness and how it's time that we come to
understand and love Gay people. It was really amazing that this story got on
KSL. [Journal of Ben Williams]
1987-The New York State Consumer Protection Board announced that a
one-month supply of AZT cost consumers anywhere from $900 to $3,000, depending
on where it was purchased. The controversial drug was they only medicine by the FDA to fight HIV.
1989 Jim Rieger and Ben Williams taped a program for Concerning
Gays and Lesbians at KRCL interviewing historian and Gay activist Rocky
O'Donavan regarding Patriarchy.
1989 The Utah Stonewall Community Center planning meeting met or
the first time as authorized by Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah. Jim
Hunsaker was elected committee chair. In attendance were Garth Chamberlain,
Bobbie Smith, Liza Smart, and Ben Williams
1992-More than 90 homosexuals were arrested at a private party in
Iran. Under Iranian law, homosexuals can be sentenced to death with the
testimony of four men
1994 The Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats filed a complaint with the
Utah Judicial Conduct Commission against 3rd District Judge David Young for his
reducing the sentence of a man convicted of killing a Gay man in Park City. The
document calls for the "strongest-possible penalty" against Young,
including his removal from office.
 |
| Garfield County Court House |
1998- Jan Belnap, 46, and her companion, Sunny Gilbert Hardy, 53,
faced felony charges in Garfield County Utah, for stalking and firearms
violations. The couple charged after dispute with a neighbor escalated
into a flaming cross on the lawn of her
ranch home in Boulder, and the words ``Get Out'' were scrawled on the front
door. Belnap worried that the attack was motivated by someone who does not
approve of her lesbian lifestyle got a gun for protection and fired it at night
to ward of intruders. These shootings triggered complaints from her neighbor,
lodge owner Mark Austin, and a police investigation. Belnap is a Salt Lake City native and a 1973
graduate of Brigham Young University. When she told her father, the purported
polygamist author Henry Austin Belnap, that she was a lesbian, she said he disowned her. Deseret News
 |
| Ben Barr |
1998 The number of Utah teens diagnosed with AIDS or HIV is not high, particularly
compared with large metropolitan areas. But risky behavior is common, according
to Ben Barr, HIV/STD (sexually transmitted diseases) program manager for the
Salt Lake City-County Health Department.
1999 Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire held its annual
Carnival Weekend fundraiser for charity.
22003 -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.
 |
| Donald Stewart |
2004 Dear Folks, The GLBT Public Safety Liaison Committee and the
Salt Lake City Police Department will be holding the first ever workshop on
Same Sex Domestic Violence Issues on Friday August 20th at 7PM at the Pioneer Precinct
(1040 West 700 South). The workshop will be conducted by Lt. Melody Gray and
Dianna Goodliffe of SLCPD, and will cover issues such as police sensitivity in
police investigation and arrest procedures, advocacy resources, restraining orders,
child custody issues, and so on. I highly recommend the presentation to anyone
in the GLBT community, especially social service providers, educators, and
persons working with GLBT folks at risk of violence. Questions? E-Mail me.
Donald Steward.
 |
| Connell Rocky O'Donovan |
2004 Ben: Thank you so much
for all the information on the AIDS epidemic in Utah and also for allowing me
to use your journals from BYU. I'd like
to basically put them all online as a link from my main history page. I'll let you know when that's set up so you
can approve it before I "go live" with the website. So how are the
Sacred Faeries these days? I believe the
circle is still listed in each RFD, although I haven't seen an RFD in a few
months. SCARF (Santa Cruz Area Rad Faes)
is supposedly putting together an entire issue soon. I know I've volunteered to write a piece, but
haven't heard any details since then....Silly Faeries! I love SCARF! We totally rock! While Santa Cruz only has about 50,000
people, there are easily more than 50 Faeries here, so one per every thousand,
which is GREAT! We're very active and
vocal in the community (both Queer and mainstream) and we are totally loved and
embraced by the city. Two years ago we
received a City Proclamation from the Mayor and City Council that every time I
read it, I cry, because it's so beautifully written and so perfectly captures
the glamour and magick we spread here.
I'm very involved in youth issues.
Nell Newman (Paul's and Joanne Woodward's daughter) is my neighbor and
is best friends with another Faerie here (they went to their Senior Prom
together decades ago!) and she gives SCARF $5,000 a year to put on a fabulous
Queer youth camp. So the Faeries take 30
Queer youth (ages 13-20, all genders) out into the woods each summer for five
days and we have our way with them. We
have heart circles and full-moon rituals with them and they love it!!! I've led "Wanding Workshops"
(teaching the youth how to make their very own Faerie Wands), Safe Sex
playshops, Ritual 101, etc. We also hold
a huge annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards banquet at the Boardwalk in which
we give out five $500 college scholarships to qualifying Queer youth in Santa
Cruz county. Many end up sticking around
with the Faeries after the graduate from high school and have gone to Wolf
Creek and Zuni Mountain for large Faerie Gatherings. It's really exciting to see the bonds between
us old fogies and the youngsters strengthen and blossom. After leaving Moab UT
in 1994, I went directly to Wolf Creek to stay for two weeks. It just happened to coincide with a Daisy
Chain Sex Magick Workshop that Harry Hay and John Burnside were putting
on. I didn't do the workshop (I didn't
know about it and hadn't signed up) but
I got to hang out with everyone after their days' activities were over. I got to spend a lot of alone time with Harry
the Duchess, [ Harry Hay] haarguing deconstructionism vs. essentialism, the
value of Queer history, Mormonism, etc.
He was a cantankerous, lovable old fool and I miss him dearly. (I was an usher at his HUGE funeral in
SF.) We even went skinny-dipping
together and ended up doing an impromptu bathing/baptismal ritual for each
other in Wolf Creek itself. Lovely! He also gave me a blessing the day I left
Wolf Creek to move to Santa Cruz, and that blessing has stayed with me,
strengthened me through many difficult challenges in my life. However, I've always said while Harry was the
Mind and Soul of the Faeries, John Burnside is our Heart. Now that Harry is
dead, John Burnside has BLOSSOMED like you cannot believe! No longer hidden behind the very large shadow
that Harry cast, John is finally free to be.
He comes down here or I go up to SF every 2-3 months to give him
magickal body work. I'm the only masseur
he trusts! He LOVES how I work him over,
and I LOVE working him over. I always
have mystical experiences whenever I massage him. Can you tell I adore John? You know I tracked
down Billy Bikowski about two or three years ago. I got his parents' number back East and they
gave me his home number in Slick City.
Bizarrely enough, when I called him, he was JUST on his way out the door
to go to some big Evergreen meeting. He
was shocked that I called right at that moment, and I could tell he was trying
NOT to make it significant. I just let
him know that I thought he was a wonderful, creative person just as he is and
didn't need to change anything in my book.
Not something he wanted to hear.
I worry about him and keep him in my "prayers" often. He said he's been doing Everqueen for quite
some time and I asked if it was "working" and he grudgingly admitted
not really. Fuck, I wish he'd pull his
head out of his ass and BE the magical person he is! I'm sure you know FAR better than I do about
that....Well, Happy Friday - I'm a work and ought to actually do some work... :
) Best,Connell the Barbarian (my Faerie name)
 |
| Deb Rosenberg |
2005 COME ONE, COME ALL!!! To deb & Carla’s end of summer Toga,
warrior prince/princess, poet/bard fest Featuring Xena-lympic competitions and
poetry –shares Extravaganza May the gods and goddesses smile upon you this day
and time: Saturday, August 20, 2005
6:00 pm -10:30 pm 829 West 700 South, SLC, UT 84104 BYOB (and designated
driver, if needed), a dish to share or throw on the BBQ, and your sense of
adventure. Don’t worry if you don’t know
what thing to bring, just come dressed for the occasion, and call Deb and Carla
if you need suggestions. Children are welcome, at your discretion. Come frolic
and play and delight in the entertainment and company of those in the shadows
of majestic mount Olympus
2005 Saturday August 20th – Gay Day at Raging Waters! OUT-RAGE-OUS
Saturday at Raging Waters! $10 Day
passes! Contact SLMetro at 323-9500.
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2005 Saturday- The Breast Dialogues - Multi-Purpose Room ( 7-9 pm )
Presented by sWerve and the Center - a performance for women not to be missed!
The Breast Dialogues played to a packed house last year and promises to once
again delight, amaze and move you. Come hear stories by women about their
breasts - from the incredibly funny to the extremely moving.
2005 Salt Lake outed: It's rated a top gay-friendly travel
destination By Mike Gorrell The Salt Lake Tribune Forget the stereotypes. When
it comes to being a place friendly to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
travelers, Salt Lake City is a much nicer place than most people would think -
based on Utah's reputation as a bastion of conservatism. "It's a
surprisingly fun gay getaway," said Ed Salvato, a travel editor who put
together the 12th annual "Out and About Travel Awards" for PlanetOut
Inc., a San Francisco-based online media service for the gay and lesbian
community. "I actually like Salt Lake. I've had great times there. There's
an energetic, vibrant nightlife and very friendly locals," he said Friday
in a telephone interview. "And before I came there, I thought it would be
the land of blondes and Mormons. But it really was diverse." Salvato's
rankings also single out Park City's Queer Lounge for its prominence during the
Sundance Film Festival. "It really is a fun and vibrant forum for gay
filmmakers and gay film buffs to meet," he said. "In the last few
years, all of the celebrities showed their faces there. It's a surprise they
can be in this desert that is Utah and can find a gay oasis." Although
Utah voters approved a constitutional amendment in November prohibiting legal
recognition of domestic unions outside of marriage between a man and woman,
Salvato said he was impressed that Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County both
considered extending benefits to partners of gay employees. "I know it's
being stymied, but just the fact that it was being discussed shows there's an
effort being made," he said. "It's not one of the worst places in
America for gays and lesbians." Government activities aside, Salvato said
the most important consideration is the reaction gays and lesbian travelers
receive when finding lodging. "If a staff member tells a gay couple, 'I'm
sorry, there's been a mistake, there's only one bed,' well, it sounds silly but
it's painful when you go through it," he said, praising two Salt Lake City
hotels, the Monaco and Peery, for being so accepting and accommodating. It's
good business, he added, contending gays and lesbians spend $54 billion
annually on travel. "The dual income, no-kid proposition means they tend
to have more disposable time and money, and travel more than
heterosexuals." Salvato's endorsement pleased MaryLynn Beck, Hotel
Monaco's general manager. "I wouldn't say we go out of our way to [take
good care of] gays and lesbians, but we
feel it's important for everybody to
feel comfortable, no matter what their sexual preference or race," she said.
"We train our staff, in general, to make sure they don't assume anything
and they're not judgmental." Noting that Hotel Monaco's parent company,
Kimpton Hotels, is based in San Francisco and has 17 hotels in that
gay-friendly city, Beck added "our employees are proud to work for a
company that celebrates diversity the way we do." Valerie Larabee,
executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Community
Center of Utah, was not surprised that PlanetOut commended Salt Lake City. "I've
been here since 1997 and have found that there is a wonderful community of gays
and lesbians living here, very supportive of each other," she said. "What
we would like to see is our elected officials embrace us more widely,"
Larabee added. "How can the community be such a wonderful, open-armed
place and yet have such intolerance coming from the Legislature and elected
people?" The best and worse for gay
travelers PlanetOut Inc.'s 12th annual list of the best and worst places for
gay and lesbian travel included the following awards for 2005: Destination of
the Year: Spain Top 5 Gay Resort Towns: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Key West, Fla.; Miami;
Palm Springs, Calif.; Provincetown, Mass. Great Gay Marketing: Icelandair
Holidays, Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. Tour Operators: Arco Iris Tours. Events/Organizers
of the Year: Burning Man. Tourism Development: Bloomington, Ind., for
showcasing itself as a progressive college town with surprising cultural
opportunities. Special Mention: Yosemite National Park, for courting gays and lesbians
despite "a challenging political climate." "Rock Bottom:"
Sandals Resorts, for ongoing discrimination and emphasis on "conventional
male/female couples in love." "Rock Bottom II:" The state of
Ohio, for a harshly worded constitutional marriage ban.
2006 Sunday LAGOON DAY FOR OGDEN AND SALT LAKE COURTS Sunday Aug
20th park opens at 11:00 A.M. closes @
10:00 P.M. Tickets are for $17.95 per person +tax Each ticket will get up to 8
people in. $7.00 parking fee I believe
we have the aspen terrace. It is behind the "BAT" and little off to
the left A pot luck would be fabulous from both courts. A great united courts
day lagoon a beach will be open and it is included
2006 OUTRAGEOUS a Day at Raging Waters sponsored by QSL 365
2010 Help Change the UAF .by
Turner C. Bitton on Friday, 20 August |
| Turner Bitton |
 |
| Richard Mattthews |
 |
| Stan Penfold |
#1 - The director should
accept a 12 month probationary term, during which he must complete at least
half of the changes to follow. He must: A) raise donations to the UAF by 10% B)
reinstate programming for HIV+/AIDS individuals, support groups C) accept a
reduction in pay to compensate for the loss of donations..
#2 - The director and board
should work together to amend the bylaws of the UAF to limit the term of a
director to 5 years, at the end of which the director will become a member of
the board for a minimum of 2 years, after which they will be eligible to become
director for 5 more years..
#3 - The board should
permanently increase the number of members on the board to at least 15, creating
subcommittees for the various tasks to be performed by the UAF..
#4 - The board should amend
the bylaws to require board members to undergo and evaluation every two years
where they must show that they are: a) involved in other community events that
raise the visibility of the UAF.. b) prove that they have continually educated
themselves and thus presented new ideas to the board.. If either is found to be
unsatisfactory, the board member should be replaced..
#5 - The board should promptly
and immediately increase diversity on the board to include those who are
typically unrepresented on the board ie. (trangendered, those under 21,
hispanics and minorities, and those affiliated with community organizations)..
# 6 - The UAF should endorse
and encourage participation in programs for prevention at other organizations,
ie. FAYME at the Pride Center, Simply Social, and OUTlet.. The UAF should also
understand that it is a community based organization and thus it should become
not only an active member in the community but work with other organizations as
the standard bearer for the fight again HIV/AIDS, essentially it is the
responsibility of the UAF to act as a leader and channel of ideas to the
community as a whole as Richard has suggested.
#7 - Beginning immediately,
the UAF should implement a program of education at bars, 21 and under clubs,
and activity groups such as Simply Social.. It is the responsibility of the UAF
to work as the first line of education in the areas that are typically
inaccessible to organizations such as the Pride Center..
#8 - The UAF should hold age,
income, and accessibility appropriate fundraising, organizing, and outreach
events. It is irresponsible for the UAF to assume that the constituency in the
most danger (younger, less economically free individuals) can afford to pay
$100 for a night at the Hotel Monaco..
#9 - The UAF should accept
immediately that it must be the channel of feedback on the issues of HIV/AIDS
and as a result should hold a quarterly board meeting that is open and
accessible to the public. Meetings can be conducted like a city council meeting
with limited time to speak and the director must always be present to be spoken
to directly.
#10 - The UAF should undergo a
significant restructuring training and advisement period from a certified
instruction agency. The UAF should also be required to undergo training on the
proper treatment of volunteers and how to effectively manage them.. The
director should also be responsible to meet with all volunteers regularly so
that they have a chance to speak and voice their concerns directly to the
director.
#11 - The director of the UAF
shall once a month publish, release, and distribute a report on the vitality,
needs, and direction of the foundation. It is the responsibility of the
director to ensure that the needs of the organization are met and as a result
it is time for him to become accessible to and answerable to the community as a
whole..
Thank you for your support and
I ask that you join Richard and I in "liking" the petition to the
UAF.. Show your solidarity and commitment to the community that we all love so
much. Thank you!
2010 QSL It’s been a decade and Equality Utah is growing every year. The political-action committee is one of the premier political organizations in Utah, and the annual Allies Dinner is one of the biggest parties and fundraising events of the year for any queer in Utah. This year’s dinner is Aug. 20, 6 p.m., at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, with former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom as the keynote speaker. The dinner will also honor the original founders of Equality Utah. To purchase tickets, go to EqualityUtah.org. In honor of the event, QSaltLake explored the history of Equality Utah and spoke with the three original founders and past executive directors.
The recently elected chair of the
state Democratic Party said he is immensely proud of Equality Utah and asserts
that his role in getting the organization off the ground was minimal. “There
was no real political force in the LGBT community,” Dabakis said. “We wanted an
organization that could get involved in politics and be an organized voice in
helping people get elected, not just to throw around money.” Dabakis said after he was
appointed to a position on a board by then-Mayor Rocky Anderson, there was a
Salt Lake City Council member that took objection to having an openly gay man
on the board. Although he wasn’t originally offended, it did light the spark
that became the motivator for Equality Utah. “I wanted to give us a place at
the table along with all the other political groups, and I think Equality Utah
has done that,” he said. “I remember when I took Dustin Lance Black, last
year’s keynote speaker, over to the Salt Palace to show him the space, and I
was overwhelmed with how big of a space we were going to fill. It was
phenomenal.” Dabakis said he sees Equality Utah as playing a key role in Utah
politics for many years into the future, but is excited for the day that it’s
no longer needed. “I think the day is coming when it will be an anachronism
like the Elks Club or the Masons. I can’t wait for that day,” Dabakis said.
The mayoral election of 1999 when
Rocky Anderson won was a landmark election, Turpin said. When Anderson was
elected, he said he never would have been able to do it without the help of the
queer community. “It was amazing, for the first time ever, the homos had taken
over the city. We wielded real political power,” she said. While having lunch
with Dabakis and Doug Wortham at the Orbit Café in Salt Lake City, the decision
was made to start a group that could do what the Pride Center couldn’t and use
that political force. “I think I really saw how much Equality Utah had grown
from that discussion in a café when I was making calls during the Prop. 8
battle in 2008. I was sitting next to a straight Mormon couple who were calling
people in California and pleading that they not support it,” Turpin said.
Equality Utah was founded with an exit strategy and Turpin said the entire
purpose of the organization is to put itself out of business. “I think it’s
coming. I know it sounds strange to found a group on the premise that it needs
to eventually fill its need, but that’s the case with Equality Utah,” Turpin
said.
The idea for Equality Utah was
not original and there were many queer-rights pioneers that came long before it
was founded, Wortham said. The idea wasn’t a sudden epiphany and they followed
a very tried and true practice of raising money, hiring a staff and expanding
their reach. “The difference really happened when we hired an executive
director and expanded the staff,” Wortham said. “The other previous volunteer
organizations struggled because it was such a time commitment and we needed a
paid staff.” Equality Utah is exactly where he thought it would be in the 10
years since it was founded, Wortham said. An active political voice for queer
Utahns was needed, and it was met. “I think Equality Utah will eventually play
a role similar to the ACLU and ensure that protections are being met, but it
will not have the same active role it has now,” Wortham said.
When Mitchell started working, he
was faced with some of the most basic tasks, such as where to get hot water for
the office. But as he worked out the kinks and started on the first race and
goal in the Salt Lake City Council. Jill Remington Love was elected and
Equality Utah saw its first successful foray into Utah politics. “In an interview
during the whole Amendment 3 fight, I responded to a statement by LaVar
Christensen by saying simply, ‘Equality means everyone.’ And that became kind
of a rallying point for us,” Mitchell said. Mitchell helped organize the first
Allies Dinner and said it was one of his most proud moments as director. “We
didn’t know if anyone would even come,” Mitchell said. “But when the room
filled up, it was more than just a relief; I could see the groundwork being
laid for something much bigger.”
After Mitchell left, Thompson
took the role of executive director and led the PAC through some tumultuous
times, including the Prop. 8 debacle and aftermath. But the difficulties helped
him and the PAC succeed. “I was driving up State Street to the Capitol before
our first legislative rally in 2006. In that legislative session there were six
anti-LGBT bills. As I drove up State Street, I passed a rally attendee
walking up the hill carrying his homemade sign that read “A Fair & Just Utah.”
In that moment, I knew what we were doing was catching on,” Thompson said.
Equality Utah ballooned with membership and influence during the years he was
involved and even a Deseret
News columnist commented on the influence, calling it “the dominate
force in Salt Lake City politics.” The Allies Dinner plays a key role in
helping the PAC continue growing and advocating for statewide equality.
“Nothing is more inspiring than being in the largest ballroom in Salt Lake
City, surrounded by 1500 plus friends and allies, who share a single vision – a
fair and just Utah. Just being there calls one up to a higher place of
service in this movement toward full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people,” Thompson said.
The QSaltLake person of the year for 2010 helped
to usher in a new wave of elevated influence. The PAC set a goal to have 10
municipalities pass non-discrimination ordinances in 2010. At first the goal
seemed lofty, but all around the state, discussions were had in city council
chambers and over dinner tables about the need to be fair to one another.
Despite the enormous success of these ordinances, she said it’s the personal
moments that motivate her and help her keep working through the late nights and
long days. One moment in particular stands out while talking to someone who did
not immediately appear to be an ally. “She (Salt Lake City School District
Board of Education member Amanda Thorderson) had some very legitimate questions
and I could hear her child crying in the background. When she continued to make
time for me, even though I assume she is straight, I could see the humanity of
our cause and it really hit me. The work we’re doing is so important,” Balken
said. “She later went on to be one of our strongest allies.” Equality Utah will
continue to work until full equality is achieved and the Allies Dinner is an
important part of the fundraising efforts that allows the PAC to elect
fair-minded candidates, Balken said. “To sum it up, I’d have to say we’ll keep
working until there’s full equality. We can’t accept anything less,” she said.
2010 Utahns bring home Gay
Games gold by Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune The Queer Utah Aquatic
Club (QUAC) has won the title of best gay water polo team in the world. QUAC
beat a Melbourne, Australia team this month at the international Gay Games in
Cologne, Germany. Plus, Utah cyclist Margaret Douglass won three golds, reports
Q Salt Lake. And Larry Lee took home a silver medal in bowling. QUAC's
14-member polo team included gay men, lesbians and straight athletes. “Everyone
played very well and kept the intensity level up for the entire [championship]
game. QUAC ended up winning 11-5,” coach Pat Hayes told Q Salt Lake. “[I’m] so
very proud of the team for sticking to the game plan and helping and supporting
each other throughout.”
2015 J Seth Anderson called me from Ithaca, New York.He called to ask for some advice and to give me a heads up. Seth's smart and savvy and people in the Utah State legislature are ignorant yet cunning. Jim Dabakis is leagues ahead of any of those myopic Republicans there. Seth will out last any dissention and that is what is fabulous about being an academic historian like Seth. He will get the last word in...LOL. Seth Anderson messengered me on FB this afternoon saying, “Hey there. Are you home and free to talk on the phone.... I have some Utah/gay/history stuff to run by you. In short, I find myself in the middle of a potentially big scandal. lol And you're sorta involved, as a person of interest. lol nothing bad, kinda hilarious actually. But I'd like your feedback. I wrote back, “Yes I am home and free to talk... Shortly after that he called me about 1 pm from Ithaca, New York. He called me to ask for some advice and to give me a heads up. Evidently he was asked to present a paper at a state history conference and he was going to speak on Queer Nation. Evidently some asshat who sits on the legislative committee that funds State History objected to Seth’s presentation calling Queer Nation a “militant group” and if he wasn’t pulled or changed his topic this asshat was going to bring it up with the governor. Seth’s history department academics at the U of U said they would boycott the conference if Seth was removed. He was worried about how this might affect my award from the state if they are pulling Gay History. Seth said he refused to change the title of his talk to LGBT Nation which I said good for you. Its historically inaccurate to call events that happened before the year 2000 LGBT anything. I told Seth that the state legislators are more militant than Queer Nation ever was. The legislators are the ones who care guns, want to have open carry laws, fight the federal government, support criminal acts like what county commissioners do in Southern Utah. Anyway I told him to contact Jim Dabakis because he would be able to get to the bottom of this and find out what this guys beef is. It will be interesting to know how this will all plays out. I know this sounds cryptic but its Seth's story to share when he's ready not mine. Seth will out last any dissention and that is what is fabulous about being an academic historian like Seth. He will get the last word in...LOL I wrote Jim- Hello Senator... Seth Anderson is going to be getting a hold of you over some flack a legislator on the State History Committee is giving him over a paper Seth is presenting on Queer Nation at the State History Conference. This person is calling Queer Nation a "militant" group and wants Seth pulled from the conference although Seth's history department supports him. Queer Nation was obnoxious but hardly militant...No one had weapons or guns or destroyed property. Hell the state legislature is more militant with their open carry laws and support of criminal activities against federal lands ha! Queer Nation was an in your face we are not going to be silent against abusive behavior anymore type of group. They protested more than anything and if that is militant than someone needs to look at a dictionary. Queer Nation was a result of frustration by young Gay folks over their right to exist being ignored and formed during the worse of the AIDS crisis. Seth will tell you the details. I said you would be able to find out who is objecting and pour oil over troubled waters. But I said if they insist on yanking him from the conference which would have at the most 15 people in his session, he should make it go public nationally. The Tribune, Huntington Post, the Advocate would have a field day with this especially as well known Seth is now as Utah's first Gay married couple and Michael Ferguson case against Conversion therapy... Anyway love you... don't lose sleep over the prison relocation... it once was located in Sugar House for nearly a 100 years LOL... Hope your critters are all well and that you and Steve are well.
·
Jim-Which
legislator? And, who gives a shit if they were militants or commies or
McCartheyites. His story is history!
·
Me-
He doesn't know who is making the ruckus ... The people planning the conference
who had him listed were the ones that told Seth that a legislator on the
committee that over sees funding for state history objected... I am not sure
whether he objected to the term Queer Or the topic himself... I told Seth to
contact you so he can explain the tempest himself ... "History isn't very
useful unless it's faith promoting" said Boyd K Packer lol... I always thought that if Utah doesn't want
its image tarnished then they need to stop doing stupid things smile emoticon
·
Jim
I stand ready, as ever! LOL! At Harmons yesterday I met a most pleasant young
man who volunteers regularly for the state history department photo department.
he has sifted 50 years of prisoner photos together with those charged with 'the
crime against nature'. Then looked up the court files...has cd's full of
material..thought you should meet him...
·
Me- I would love to meet him... I spent a
summer looking up prison files on men but did not know how to access the
picture file although I knew they were there. ..I d love to see the picture of
the young man from Canada who came to Utah looking for work and was railroaded
primarily because they thought he was a member of the IWW.
·
Jim Very nice young man too
·
Me- Sooo you have contact info for him or are
you just a tease
·
Jim
Keep pestering me..I have it. Somewhere
[Journal of Ben Williams]
2017
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