This Day In Gay Utah History SEPTEMBER 17

September 17th

1896 Deputy Sheriff Fowler who went to Spanish Fork Tuesday in response to a message saying that an outrage had been omitted on a boy, returned yesterday bringing with him eight tramps, five of whom are accused by the boy of committing most beastly offenses against his person. The boy is 18 years of age and says his name is Thomas H Clark of Los Angeles. He is also a tramp. There were several other tramps implicated in the crime but the one’s brought over were all that could be found. The excitement in Spanish Fork, Mr. Fowler says, was strong against the brutes and there was at one time thought to be danger of lynching. In the statement he is borne out by Spanish Fork officials who helped him make the arrests and bring the tamps over. They will have a hearing before Judge Molay today. Deseret News

Stephen Lachs

1977- A semi-formal dance was held at Metropolitan Community Church of Salt Lake as part of the Human Rights Fair in connection with the Anita Bryant protest to be staged at the State Fair

1979-California governor Jerry Brown appointed Stephen Lachs, the first openly gay US court judge and is thought to be the first openly gay judge appointed anywhere in the world

1980-The National News Conference convened a panel to investigate claims of deceitful, distorted and biased reporting by CBS for "Gay Power, Gay Politics." The panel voted 9-2 in agreement with the complaint, which claimed that focusing on sexual extremes such as S & M, glory holes, and sex in parks was unfair and reinforced stereotypes. It would result in a public apology on CBS Reports.CBS Reports:  CBS Reports was anchored by Harry Reasoner with reportage by George Crile. Crile also produced the episode with co-producer Grace Diekhaus. He conceived the show after becoming aware of the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and took as his focus the 1979 San Francisco mayoral election. After intermittent shooting over several months in 1979 with the cooperation of prominent members of the city's LGBT community, CBS aired Gay Power, Gay Politics on April 26, 1980. Although described by CBS as a report on the growing influence of the Gay community in San Francisco politics, Gay Power, Gay Politics focused largely on the supposed sexual practices of the gay male community, especially sadomasochism. The documentary sparked outrage in the city and CBS was roundly criticized for its journalistic tactics. The National News Council, a media watchdog organization, found that CBS had violated journalistic standards through misrepresentation purposely to reinforce stereotypes and through deceptive editing. Gay Power, Gay Politics was used as a tool of the religious right to block or repeal anti-discrimination ordinances. Its reportage is still used to support views on homosexuality that are outside the mainstream of current psychological thought. Gay writers and theorists have continued to criticize the documentary, although some have suggested that there is some truth to its assertions..

1985-President Reagan used the word "AIDS" in public for the first time in response to a reporters question. Reagan was asked: "Mr. President, the nation's best-known AIDS scientist says the time has come now to boost existing research into what he called a minor moonshot program to attack this AIDS epidemic that has struck fear into the nation's health workers and even its schoolchildren. Would you support a massive government research program against AIDS like the one that President Nixon launched against cancer?" Reagan replied: "I have been supporting it for more than four years now. It's been one of the top priorities with us, and over the last four years, and including what we have in the budget for '86, it will amount to over a half a billion dollars that we have provided for research on AIDS in addition to what I'm sure other medical groups are doing. And we have $100 million in the budget this year; it'll be $126 million next year. So, this is a top priority with us. Yes, there's no question about the seriousness of this and the need to find an answer." The questioner continued: "If I could follow up, sir. The scientist who talked about this, who does work for the government, is in the National Cancer Institute. He was referring to your program and the increase that you proposed as being not nearly enough at this stage to go forward and really attack the problem." Reagan replied, "I think with our budgetary constraints and all, it seems to me that $126 million in a single year for research has got to be something of a vital contribution." Another reporter asked, "If you had younger children, would you send them to a school with a child who had AIDS?" Reagan replied: "I'm glad I'm not faced with that problem today. And I can well understand the plight of the parents and how they feel about it. I also have compassion, as I think we all do, for the child that has this, and doesn't know, and can't have it explained to him why somehow he is now an outcast and can no longer associate with his playmates and schoolmates. On the other hand, I can understand the problem with the parents. It is true that some medical sources had said that this cannot be communicated in any way other than the ones we already know and which would not involve a child being in the school. And yet medicine has not come forth unequivocally and said, 'This we know for a fact, that it is safe.'And until they do, I think we just have to do the best we can with this problem. I can understand both sides of it."

Harvey Fierstein 

• "Fuck you and fuck your father," actor Harvey Fierstein shouted at Michael Reagan during the May 20, 1997, episode of TV's Politically Incorrect when the topic turned to Ronald Reagan's handling of AIDS.

1985 Tuesday AIDS Information at Public Meeting The Salt Lake City-County health department held a public meeting  for anyone wishing further information on the deadly AIDS disease that seems to have a growing presence in Utah.  Because the health department has been designated as one of the testing and counseling centers to determine if anti-bodies believe associated with AIDS are in a persons blood, the office has been besieged with questions regarding the disease said Dr. Harry Gibbons. “Because of the large number of requests and the small number of people for counseling, the health department is inviting persons who have questions, or who may need counseling to meet in a special public meeting at which time questions were answered. Meeting was held at 5:30 p.m. 610 South 200 East (Salt Lake Tribune B7-1 09/16/1985)

John Paul II

1987-A group of protesters confronted Pope John Paul II in San Francisco in response to his recent comments that AIDS is a punishment from God and homosexuals will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

1987-The California Supreme Court unanimously rejected an appeal from Gary Coon, a gay San Francisco man who tried to sue for emotional distress after witnessing a physical assault on his lover. His lover had been assaulted by a bus driver who shouted anti-gay slurs at him. Heterosexual spouses are entitled to sue, but according to the court a gay relationship does not have the same recognition as a marriage, and therefore the claim of emotional distress is not valid.

Chris Brown

1987-Chris Brown President of LGSU attended a protest rally against Governor Mechem of Arizona who was invited to speak at a Constitution Rally at the U of U by Cleon Skousen. Chris carried a sign, which read “Pickininnies and Queers Against Mechem”. Trying to exercise their right to free speech at a Constitutional Rally, the protesters were harassed and then attacked. Chris Brown had his sign forcibly taken away from him and several Gays were hit.

1988-The International Gay Rodeo Association requested that Washoe County district court judge William Forman force Lawlor Events Center in Reno Nevada to reinstate their lease. The University of Nevada claimed the lease was cancelled because the IGRA was late on a rental payment, IGRA claimed it was because of complaints about HIV and Gays.

Luci Malin

1989 - NOW's Pro-Choice Rally was held in Liberty Park More than 300 people attended the rally facilitated by Luci Malin. 

1989 Michael Mohr was born December 7, 1958 in Arizona. He died September 17, 1989, survived by his sister Julie Mohr.

1990 Monday-I've invited the following people to our Sacred Faeries Mabon Celebration; Debbie Rosenberg, Carla Gourdain, Rocky O'Donovan, Robert Erichsson, Bobbie Smith, Mike Pipkim, Kathryn Warner, John Crapo, Gail Scott, Kendra Souter, Jimmy Hamamoto, Luci Malin, Becky Moss, Becky Moorman, Alice Drake, Brook Hallock, Nancy Perez, Marie, Neil Hoyt, Walt Larabee, Mark Hanson, Jon Schild, and John Merrill.

1990 Michael. E. Liddell died after a courageous battle with his illness. Born 7 December 1954; graduated Kearns High School. He was an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. He loved the outdoors and camping.. Attended SLC Community College . Survived by companion Leonard B. Price

1993- Utah native Dr Ian Barlow, founder of Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights and author of many AIDS articles died of brain cancer at age 52 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Obituary

1994-Saturday- Cocktails for a Cause, a benefit for the Utah AIDS Foundation hosted by George Miller, Bill Balkan, Mike Shuping and Mark Wittman, (08/21/94  Page: D6 SLTribune)

1995 William [Bill] Ralph Sims II, age 33, passed away September

17, 1995 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born July 11, 1962 to Bill and Gaylene Sims in Salt Lake City. Served an LDS Mission in Uruguay. Survived by his parents; brothers, Doug (Connie) West Valley City; Layne (Melony), West Jordan; sister, Adriel (Jon)Hubbard, St. Louis, Missouri; grandparents, Delos and Verl Rosenberg and Brenna Sims. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 20th at 12 noon at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 So.Redwood Rd. where family and friends may call one hour prior to services. Funeral directors: Memorial Estates. [Bill Sims was a fun handsome Gay man who I loved to dance with and kiss on New Year Eves. He tried experimental and controversial AIDS treatments but nothing worked. In his obituary nothing about his life except his mission to Uruguay was mentioned by his family-Ben Williams]

1997 Page: C3 Chefs Take on Canned Tuna Byline: BY VIRGINIA RAINEY SPECIAL TOTHE TRIBUNE An oversupply of canned tuna at the Utah  AIDS Foundation food bank has inspired the agency to make this cupboard staple the focus of a special Friday open house and benefit.   ``Whoopee,’’ you might say. Well, get this: Five of Salt Lake's best chefs have come up with some snazzy tuna recipes and the public is invited to stop by and taste the tuna cook-off results.   In exchange, the food bank requests a donation of cash ($10), non-perishable food, toilet paper or such grooming items as toothpaste, shampoo or soap.   And just what does a professional chef do with a can of tuna?   Rosanne Ruiz of the Capitol Cafe came up with Roast Stuffed Jalapenos. Will Pliler of The New Yorker will prepare an Italian style pasta (below). Garry Maxwell of Cafe Bacchus,  Brian Morton of Pomodoro and John Rains of The Park Cafe have also cooked up special tuna dishes. Recipes will be available. `Soiree Charlie'   The tuna cook-off is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at1408 S. 1100 East. For details, call 487-2323.

2003 Utah Stonewall Historical Society meeting Ben Williams presented the SODOMY TRIAL OF CHARLEY BROWN 1932. Charley Brown was a transient hobo convicted for Sodomy but was given reduced prison time because the state was financial broke during the depression.  7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Main SLC, 2nd Floor Study Mezzanine 

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

2005 The 17th Annual Walk for Life is happening this Saturday at 9:00 AM Northwest corner of  

Liberty Park join us in honoring the Utah AIDS Foundation's 20 years of care! the 17th Annual Walk for Life™, a 10K pledge walk! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 17, 2005 and help us raise money and awareness for people affected by HIV/AIDS. Back by popular demand! The Walk has returned to the previous morning walk format. You can walk on your own, walk with friends and family, walk with co-workers, request a Walk Buddy, or bring your dog! This year, the Walk will begin at Liberty Park and finish at the 9th & 9th Street Festival just in time to enjoy live music festival booths and other treats! Help us Wipe Out AIDS at the Walk For LifeTM.  The UAF foodbank is getting very low on toilet paper. You can help our clients by bringing toilet paper to the Walk. One roll, ten rolls-- it all helps!  Toilet paper is one of the most important items in our foodbank.

• September 17th- WALK FOR LIFE 9AM-12pm LIBERTY PARK Come support the "Walk for Life" this is a major fundraiser for the last 20 years for The Utah AIDS Foundaion plus you gain some exercise while helping out others.
• Saturday- Walk for life.  If you are wanting to walk with Team RCGSE please let Krystyna know.  We will be meeting at Liberty Park

2005 Saturday Night Princess Royale 30 Kennedy Cartier is hosting her Wig Show/Auction.  She has several Wigs that have been donated and they all will be shown in a NYC Runway style event and at the end all wigs will be up for Auction.  So please come and support this event and bring all your friends.  All proceeds are to benefit the RCGSE PWA Christmas Fund.

2005 - PWACU SUMMER BBQ For time and location contact www.pwacu.org or 484-2205 Eat, relax, and have fun

2005  Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire Diversity Days out at Baker, NV- This a "Too Wong Foo Trip" experience except in Baker, Nevada. There will be a free bbq put on by the residents, performances by the Court, good food, fun, and some gambling. Cost for the bus ride is $40.00 and rooms run from $35.00-$40.00 per room. Contact www.rcgse.com for more information on this fun trip.

Dan Fahndrich

2006 Sunday,  PWACU– End of Summer BBQ Bash You're invited to the PWACU Barbeque  Come join us for our Annual SUPER DUPER - END OF SUMMER BBQ BASH!! When: Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 4:00 PM Where: Fairmont Park, (900 East 2400 South) Please RSVP by Sept. 11th 01-484-2205 Food - Beverages and Tons of Fun! This event is for our members, supporters and volunteers.

2006 Put Sunday - Sept. 17 down for  "Desert Wines"  Start thinking of what what you consider "desert wines" these come to mind....Port Maderia Muscat ? ? ? ? ? What goes with Desert wines ? Chocolate - Cheese ( Especially Stilton cheese with Port ) Pears, ? ? ? ? ?  Soooo, be creative. RSVP to Dan F. Time, where and max quantity is still not determined

Duane Jennings & Brian Bennington

2006 Hi everyone, If you are in Salt Lake City this weekend, bring your Queer sensibilities to Affirmation Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon for an engaging look at "Our Queer Mormon History." Through the eyes of the past we are not as alone as once we thought -- being GLBTI and Mormon is not such an oxymoron (oxy-Mormon!?) after all -- or is it? Plenty of "family" have preceded us; many more will join us!! Our presentation/discussion will be followed by light refreshments. Regards to all, Affirmation SLC chapter leadership. Location: Sacred Light of Christ Metropolitan Community Church 823 S 600 E, Salt Lake City, UT When: Sunday, September 17, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Brian (Bennington); -- Duane (Jennings).

Went to Affirmation for the first time in years because I read that the old Wasatch Affirmation was discontinued. The local chapter has been re-organized and is known as Affirmation Salt Lake.  Since its been 20 years since the Wasatch Affirmation was formed by Russ Lane I felt like I wanted to see what the new group is all about. Brian Bennington, Duane Jennings' partner, and Craig Steiner are the new co-directors. Duane and Rick Bickmore will still be on hand to help out. The Sunday meeting was held at the MCC building on 6th East, and soon it felt like homecoming with Craig Hunter, Willy Marshall, John Cooper, Bob McIntier and others familiar faces from the olden days.  I sat with Craig and Willy, gave little back rubs and caught up with each others lives.  Willy is still living in Big Water but comes to SLC on the weekends.  He said that John Butler is living in some communal cult in Myrtle Beach SC. He's 60 now and has totally put the LaBarons and Tony Feliz and all other Mormon sects behind him. I finally found out what is wrong with Russ Lane from Willy Marshall.  He has Parkinson's Disease. Leave it to Willy to just go up and ask him!  Willy was afraid that Russ might have AIDS but its Parkinson's that is destroying his health.  Russ Lane was always such a health nut...drinking nasty wheat grass juice and lots of rabbit food. Wouldn't hardly touch meat. Few today remember what a dynamo he was when he started Wasatch Affirmation. Another reason I went to the meeting was because a presentation on Gay Mormon history was being given and I thought I might learn something but it was a rehash of Michael Quinn, Rocky O’Donovan, and Jay Bell's research as well as some of mine although I hadn't been given credit. After the meeting stayed and talked with Brian Bennington and others about Mormon history and later Willy Marshall and I visited and reminisced about days of yore.  He said that he saw Billy B. sometime back at a LDS single Ward dance and made Billy talk to him.  Billy was extremely uncomfortable and said he had been going to Evergreen and wanted to get married, have a family, and put the past behind him.  Poor lost soul. It was a pleasant meeting under 20 people there, mostly middle age men and some thirty-something Lesbians.  Like all support and social groups in Utah, Affirmation is struggling. I think the Golden Age of Support groups have come and gone.  Going to Affirmation tonight made me realize even more how far I have journeyed these past 20 years.  Affirmation spoke of four categories that Gay Mormons often find them i: DNA Mormons, Cultural Mormons, Ethnic Mormons, Spiritual Mormons. I did not feel that I belonged to any of those definitions.  My sojourn through Mormonism is a part of my history but really isn't a part of me anymore. And I am happy for that. [Journal of Ben Williams]

Dottie S. Dixon

2009 Discover the world of Sister Dottie S. Dixon By Erica Hansen Deseret News Published: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009 12:00 a.m. MDT  In the words of Sister Dottie S. Dixon, "Landsamercy!" The fictional, and sometimes no-so-fictional, character is returning to the stage. "The Passion of Sister Dottie S. Dixon — Second Helpings" will open the season for Pygmalion Theater Company. "The first Dottie was the most successful show we've ever done, ever," said artistic director Fran Pruyn. "It made this year's season possible." Meet Sister

Fran Pruyn

Dixon, a Mormon mom who loves her church and culture. "She very much loves being a Mormon," Pruyn said, "but she also has a gay son she loves, as well." The character — a Mormon wife (to Don, for 37 years) and mother active in her church, living in Spanish Fork — is based on creator and star Charles Lynn Frost's own mother. For the

Troy Williams

second go-round, Frost and co-creator Troy Williams have tightened the script. "They added some explanation for non-Mormon people," Pruyn said, "and tried to make it less of an inside joke." She also said the new version takes in to consideration current events, "things that happened over the summer, and there is a new video element." Dottie has a show on KRCL and went into the first production with a built-in audience. Even though Dottie is played by Frost, "it's never meant to be Dame Edna," Pruyn said. "Charles is a legit actor playing a legit role, and he's wonderful." "What surprised us was how the audience changed over the course of the run," she said. "In the beginning we had a big LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) following. Then we saw gay people bring their families, and they were moved. Out of nowhere, our audience became older women," she said. "We'd have large groups of middle-aged women relating to Dottie, and it was incredibly sweet." Dottie's universal appeal makes sense to Pruyn. "The show is a gentle approach to the issue," she said. "Nobody wanted a heavy-handed satire of the Mormon church — that's not who Dottie is. She's a woman who loves her church and loves her gay son. But she'd never thumb her nose at her culture." Beyond that, anyone who has lived in Utah "knows a Dottie," Pruyn said. "Rural vernacular, cultural idiosyncrasies, a big heart and a big mouth. But there is something about her warmth and ability to love that draws you." With her own Web site (sisterdottie.com), Twitter and Facebook page (2,700 friends-strong) "there isn't a day that Dottie doesn't hear, 'I wish my mom were like you.' "

Charles Frost

"The Passion of Sister Dottie S. Dixon — Second Helpings," Pygmalion Theatre Company, Oct. 2-25. Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Starring: Charles Lynn Frost, accompanied by Kent Frogley (Sister Dartsey Foxmoreland). Shows are nightly, except Tuesday; 8 p.m., with matinees available; $20 (801-355-2787,

Stuart McDonald

2010 Sodom come to SLC September 17, 2010 11:02AM One recent morning I took my dogs to the off-leash dog park just above Memory Grove. You have to pass through Memory Grove both going and returning. On the way back, there were dozens of high school kids. The boys were all wearing identical suits; the girls, identical dresses.  As we passed among them, one boy yelled to another and said that I wanted him to meet me in the bushes. Then many kids started staring at me, and kept staring. Now, the wooded, off-leash dog park was once a notorious cruising area for guys wanting sex with other guys, but that hasn’t been true for a long time, at least not during the daytime when I take the dogs. But obviously it still has that reputation among local high school kids.However, I am gay — the students got that part right. But the rest of the attack was pure false stereotyping, slander and bullying. It’s sad to see that the next generation of Utah youth are just as much anti-gay bigots as their parents. Utah is what Sodom and Gomorrah were really like. If it weren’t for the minority of decent gay-friendly people here, God would destroy this place in a heartbeat. Stuart McDonald Salt Lake City

2016 The 4th Annual Provo Pride Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park, 800 E. Center St. The event is free and open to the public. This year’s theme is “Diversity Creates Community — It Begins With Us.” Provo Pride invites individuals and families to visit the several informational booths and participate in the activities and games and enjoy the entertainment throughout the day. Those attending are encouraged to park at Provo Peaks Elementary School, 665 E. Center St. Provo Pride President James Bunker said the event has grown steadily every year and hopes to have up to 10,000 in attendance at this year’s event. “I live for this stuff and being involved with the community,” Bunker said. Representatives from the Trevor Project, Mormons Building Bridges and PFLAG will be there. There will be a special craft area for children as well as a balloon artist, food trucks and live entertainment. This year’s entertainment headliners include local bands My Fair Fiend and Telesomniac. The festival will have a special 21-and-over Pride kick-off party from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday at City Limits Tavern, 440 W. Center St. Following the Saturday daytime activities, a closing party will be held at 9 p.m. at City Limits and will feature drag performances from The Divine Sister-Misters, with music provided by DJ Shawka and DJ Bad Kitty with specialty drinks offered from the tavern bar. There is a $5 cover charge that goes to support Provo Pride and its yearly event. Provo Pride is a small, nonprofit group of people who love the LGBTQ+ community and hope to make Utah County a better place. LGBT events are held every Friday at City Limits throughout the year. 

James Bunker aka Jackie Ohh Star

2017 Provo Daily Herald  In Provo, the word "community" is often synonymous with the word "church." For those in Utah County who do not affiliate with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, finding "community" can be challenging. And that's exactly what the Provo Pride Festival is trying, year by year, to change. Going into its fourth year, the festival chose the theme, "Diversity creates community," for its Saturday festival. The theme is meant to show that they aren't simply a group that must be accepted — but a group that is vital to the Utah County community as a whole. "Yes, Provo Pride is a minority group within our community," said James Bunker, president of Provo Pride. "But without diversity and groups like ourselves, there would not be community." The festival is designed as both an outreach to the community in general and as a way to create a safe space for those in the LGBTQ community. Bunker said that those in the LGBTQ community often have a difficult time finding a sense of community within Utah County. "They either don't know where to look for it, or they're too afraid to find it or be a part of it," Bunker said. Many people at the festival were there to help those of the LGBTQ community find that sense of community, though they took different approaches. The booth sponsored by Mormons Building Bridges offered free hugs and stickers to anyone and everyone walking by. Their goal? To let people at the festival know that, despite what many may think or feel, LGBTQ people are still welcome in Mormon churches. "We just want to show our love and support and say, hey, we still want you at our churches. I know it’s been really hard this last year, but we still love the community, and we just want to say we love you and support you in what we do," said Jessica Elliott, an Orem resident volunteering at the Mormons Building Bridges booth. Another group, Oasis, has tried to create a church-like community for those who don't necessarily practice a specific faith. Though people from any religion are welcome, the secular group seeks to provide the community many people in Provo find at church. Just started in February, Oasis is still trying to grow. The weekly Sunday morning meetings, which feature speakers and kids activities, see anywhere from 20 to 50 people attend per week, said David Buchanan, Oasis board member. Buchanan said he's hopeful that having the booth at the Provo Pride Festival will help raise awareness of the group, who come together during hard times in ways similar to a church. "In this area, the LDS people have their community, right?" Buchanan said. "And everybody else doesn’t have that, so we’re trying to create an acceptance and support group for everybody: LDS, non-LDS, gay, straight, whatever."

2017 Kent Scadlock and Dennis J Lee of Gay Men Aloud were recipients of Volunteers of the Year presented by The Utah Pride Festival a project of the Utah Pride Center.