This Day In Gay Utah History SEPTEMBER 25

September 25th

1676-The Duke of York's Laws, drafted in 1665, were put into effect by an executive order issued by Gov. Edmund Andros in the area which would later become Pennsylvania. The laws included a provision which made sodomy a capital offense. If one of the parties was forced or under the age of 14 they would be exempt from the death penalty but subject to whatever punishment the court deemed appropriate.

1777 –American Revolution -Thursday last as a party of Captain Andreas Emmerich's new Hessian corps of Chasseurs [light infantry] were bathing near Kingsbridge, he suddenly beat to arms, when they, with the greatest spirit imaginable, flew to their firelocks, and appeared naked, in order to have attacked any enemy that might be at hand; this so pleased their Captain, that he presented each man with a dollar, and gave them his thanks for their alertness.

Pennsylvania Ledger, October 29, 1777

1791-As part of the French Revolution, France adopted a new law code which decriminalized sodomy by making no mention of sex between consenting adults. Before the French Revolution, sodomy was a serious crime. Jean Diot and Bruno Lenoir were the last homosexuals burned to death on 6 July 1750. The first French Revolution decriminalized homosexuality when the Penal Code of 1791 made no mention of same-sex relations in private. This policy on private sexual conduct was kept in the Penal Code of 1810, and followed in nations and French colonies that adopted the Code. Still, homosexuality and cross-dressing were widely seen as being immoral, and homosexuals were still subjected to legal harassment under various laws concerning public morality and order. 

Mike Miner, Ron Kershaw, Russ Lane,
Paul Mortensen & Ina Mae  Murri.

1987- At Tenth Annual Conference of Affirmation Russ Lane founder and Chapter Director of the Wasatch Affirmation was elected National Coordinator of Affirmation. David Malmstrom was elected to replace Russ Lane as Chapter Director of the Wasatch Affirmation. The Conference entitled “Our Year-A Gay Mormon Reunion held at the Salt Lake Sheraton. Ina Mae Murri addressed a special caucus on women’s issues. LDS psychiatrist, Affirmation founder, and a pastor in the Universal Fellowship of MCC, Elder James Sandmire, and former anti-Gay activist and author Rev. Sylvia Pennington were keynote speakers. SLC Councilman Tom Godfrey gave the opening address. Salt Lake Men’s Choir performed at the conference

1988 –At  Affirmation a young man announced that he is starting a group for Gays who don’t

Zsa Zsa  Gabor

want to be Gay. [Journal of Ben Williams]

1989-Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor said she was afraid of going to jail because "they are all lesbians in jail, and I'm so scared of lesbians." She also implied that the officer who arrested her did so only because he was gay and jealous of her beauty.

1993-  John C. Smith died in Redwood City, California, September 25, 1993, following complications from AIDS.  A 10-year resident of Salt Lake City, John lived in California for the past five years. He was 33. Surviving are his companion, Rick Olliges of Redwood City, Calif.; Native of Tremonton City.

Charles Colson

1993-Twenty-two members of Lesbian Avengers protested at the dedication of Focus on the Family's $30 million headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Three were arrested. Convicted Watergate figure Charles Colson, a featured speaker at the dedication, said that the battle to defeat the "gay agenda" "makes Watergate look like child's play.

1994 CHAMBER ORCHESTRA WON'T PLAY SECOND STRING TO THE SYMPHONY Byline: By Lance S. Gudmundsen THE SALTAKE TRIBUNE   Page: G3 When Jeff Manookian raises his baton to begin Saturday's concert of his Intermountain Chamber Orchestra, the fact that violin virtuoso Elmar Oliveira will be playing three blocks away doesn't faze him one whit.   ``We're not competing with the Utah Symphony,'' said Manookian, who will be leading his expanded ensemble at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, 231 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City. Soloist for Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations is cellist Ellen Bridger, ``so we have a

Jeff Manookian

big name, too,'' said the 40-year-old music director, whose professional orchestra played its debut concert barely two months ago. What irritates the usually unflappable  Manookian is the notion that the area ``has room for only one orchestra.''   When the late Maurice Abravanel made the statement, Manookian explained, Salt Lake Valley had barely a quarter-million souls. Today, the area is teeming with a million residents -- and growing.   If the fledgling orchestra's July inaugural had gone head-to-head against Van Cliburn's gig at Abravanel Hall, Manookian is confident ``we still could have sold out'' the 500-seat St. Mark's Cathedral. The conductor-composer-pianist said the Intermountain Chamber Orchestra and Utah Symphony complement -- not compete with --one another.   ``Their success directly effects our success,'' said Manookian, an indefatigable fund-raiser. A couple of months ago, for example, he was en route to an appointment with executives of a major local bank to finalize details of a ``sizable'' grant they had promised the new orchestra. ``That very day,'' he recollected, ``the symphony's financial troubles were announced. And the bank [officials] said, `We're not giving anybody anything' '' until the larger orchestra balances its books.   For its part, he declared, ``we'll cancel a concert before we go into debt.''   A chamber orchestra, he added, ``is cheap to keep'' -- even though it currently is offering union scale, ``and in January we'll be paying more than scale.'' Even so, he intends to keep ticket prices low: $7.50 general admission. ``One of our goals is to make symphonic music affordable for entire families.''   Musicians are paid per performance – not per season. ``For instance, the English hornist [Holly Gornik] isn't needed for every concert,' 'and the savings add up.   Thus, the 80-odd professional chamber orchestras across the country ``generally are financially healthier than symphonies.'' Since the inaugural concert with 21 players,  Manookian has beefed up the wind section and added keyboardist Jed Moss. So audiences at Saturday's performance will hear 30 musicians. That compares with the Utah Symphony's 80-plus artists.The program includes ``Orphee-Serenade'' by contemporary American composer William Bolcom, plus Haydn's Symphony No. 91 and Delius' ``On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring.''   Works by Americans -- especially Utahns --will be a staple of the orchestra's repertoire, Manookian promised. `Somehow, American audiences are stuck in a rut that a work has to be 100 years old before it's good . . . and that if it's `modern' it's automatically bad,'' he continued.   The chamber orchestra ``is a 20th-century phenomenon'' and there is a huge amount of music written specifically for a smaller ensemble-- which full-sized symphonies generally ignore.   Utah, he said, is home to world-class composers ``who up to now simply haven't had a performance platform.'' He cited the likes of James Drew, Ricklen Nobis, David Sargent ,Ricks Knudson and Henry Wolking.   Besides composers, Utah is home to some top-flight professional musicians. Only two of Manookian's artists also play with the Utah Symphony. The right-to-work state is a mecca for recording studios -- and a number of his musicians are in demand at venues other than Abravanel Hall.   Because they are pros, his players need only two 2 1/2-hour rehearsals, plus some fine-tuning, before each performance. ``And then at the concert itself, I just beat time,'' he said with a laugh.   If Manookian had his druthers, he'd spend his hours poring over musical scores – not financial spreadsheets. Even though the ICO has an executive director, Michael T. Hales, the man with the baton is integral to fund-raising.  ``If you go to a foundation, they want to talk to the conductor -- because they feel he's the man in charge.''

1994-Sunday- An Epicurean Delight, a benefit for the Utah AIDS Foundation hosted by Colin and Wendy King, David Harries and Fresco chef  Lane Pellinger, (08/21/94  Page: D6 SLTribune)

Billy Graham

1994-Sunday- Dannie Jay Deuel, Jr., 28, died at home in Fairfield, Utah of AIDS related complications. Survived by dear friend Dwayne Mayes. He adored horses, loved Texas (where he lived five years), and country western dancing with heart and soul. Our angel taught us to dance on and off the dance floor.

1997-In the San Francisco Examiner, Rev Billy Graham was quoted as saying "Their lifestyle, I'm going to quote from the Bible, is a sin. But why jump on that sin? There are worse sins."

Craig Watts

1999  My name is Craig Watts, and I'm living in Shanghai.  Anyone on this side of the Pacific? Grew up in Provo, mission in Dallas, graduated from "the Y" in 1990 in English, spent time in Chicago, New York, 7 years in Kyoto-Osaka, and moved to Shanghai this spring. What a rough ride. My parents are pro-gay activists in Provo. The whole family has been great since I came out to them post-mission. Professors Reeba Keele and Sam Rushforth's discussion of homosexuality in an honors seminar gave me the courage to come out. Provo was (is?) a terrible place to grow up gay. Craig

• Hey Craig--I've met your parents at several Affirmation conferences. I really appreciate the work they do for gays and lesbians in the church. They're really good people. However, I have to ask--what's it like when your parents are big-time activists like that? What's it like having your parents hold you up as a sort of a "poster boy" for gay mormons? I ask because I've heard them speak several times about their gay children, and I've always wondered if that doesn't cause a certain amount of pressure on you. My story is the opposite. I won't bore everyone here, but when I came out to my parents in 1988, I was basically disowned. It's only now that my parents and I are taking any steps toward having anything to do with one another. Looking forward to hearing from you... Darren
• 9/28/99 It's great having parents as activists because I'm completely in favor of the effort, but it isn't easy being a poster boy--especially for someone that can't seem to settle in to the long term relationship they so much want for me. When I was excommunicated about 5 years ago, my parents decided to make a stand and go public. Their activism has now calmed down into something they do because they enjoy it. Maybe I'm in Shanghai because--with all the closet cases and oppression—it feels like home. An underground gay dance hall here was recently raided by police who recorded I.D. cards and made arrests. Any religious tendrils I had left were maimed by the excommunication experience. I'll never forget the dazed state in which I stumbled out of the room where it happened. I felt like I had been handled by unfeeling aliens. And so now we are left to try to make a life of it. Go Cougars!!!! Craig Watts in Shanghai

Chad Keller

2002 From: Chad Keller "'Nova Starr'" John Griffin:  hey....as you are good, okay excellent....I seek the help from the Goddess! 1) would you be willing to help me create my mask for the Patriots Ball? I am going to wear I think my Metallic Blue shirt, and either red vinyl or silver metallic pants.....I thought if I had time I could paint pants.....Need your advise..... 2)  Being the Diva you are would you be willing to take the stage during the party and perform on the stage/Runway during the circuit party portion? Production numbers are your specialty..... 3) We need a fabulous flyer....can you help....here is the text for the ad in the October Pillar. Emperor 27 Bob Childers with the RCGSE present The Patriots Ball  > >An All American Masquerade Oct 19, 2002 @ the Trapp Door* Showette 9:15 Party Revs up at 10:00 and goes all night with DJ Dega Prizes for the best Masks and Costumes in Theme Party Favors abound for our Nations Patriots Proceeds benefit the RCGSE AIDS Fund -Fetish to Formal-- Exercise Your Freedom of Expression *the Trapp Door A Private Club for Members!

• John Griffin to Chad Keller  ok for the mask, we can work on it any time you want, call me

  

  Nova Starr

  as for the performance, I would be more than willing to do it, but I want on the flyer as the special guest, (as seen on HBO) I would be more than willing to do a production number, but, since I am not being paid  (not that I would want paid from a charity function) I would want some sort of  promotion. And yes I would be more than willing to do the flyer, but I need to know , color or b/w? COLOR IS ALWAYS BETTER! by the way you don't mention a price at the door?   Nova
•  Chad Keller to John Griffin I’m waiting on the Board approval for the cost.....and there would be Other production numbers too that could start a battle, if you can handle them then I don’t have a problem with it.....how about featuring you on the Posters as a headliner.....and then one or two of the others.....then they flyers can stay small....Or we can list the you and the featured Queens on the back of the card....you in headliner position....would that work..... Color of course if it is at a good price....... Talk to me
• John [Nova Starr] Griffin to Chad Keller: Lol that is all ok sweetie, just cheer up, I'll take care of it. The board can kiss my white hinny! Anyway The Le Femme Plus Pageant will be October 13th, Darcell is going to be there, so I hope a good turn out, I need you to do a mass e-mail for me if you would. I can give you all the info If you want to do it. as for your mask, I have a good idea on one that will make  people scream, die and hate you for it! lol, And me as a headliner? No you don’t say? lol, I have a week tour coming up to Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Louisville and Boston (lots of plane time) in a month and a half. I am more than willing to help out. Oh did I tell you, HBO is going to come tape us again. We are going to be featured on a program on Drag Time 2. They made a program called Drag Time 3 years ago, and now WE'RE on the NEW ONE!!!!! WOW!!! I'M SO HAPPY! Just call me sweetness:)   Love you and I mean it!  John/Nova. 

2005 Sunday 4-6 Prince Royale 30 Alfredo & Crown Prince 30 Juan Carlos present: "Taste of the Nations" $5 proceeds benefiting the PWA Christmas Fund

2012 On Sept. 25, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter M. Corroon, and county Council members Jani Iwamoto and Arlyn Bradshaw propose and sponsor a commemorative resolution to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of county Ordinance No. 1212 by honoring former county commissioners Jim Bradley and Randy Horiuchi who adopted the ordinance, former Commissioner D. Michael "Mike" Stewart who amended the ordinance before its adoption and former Commissioner Brent Overson who amended it in 1995, and by recognizing and appreciating the service and dedication of David Nelson to the county for writing and proposing the ordinance -- the first such resolution that is presented to a gay Utahn. The mayor and Council members vote unanimously for the resolution, and it is adopted.

2019 The September Public Oratory of the Utah Queer Historical Society featured Patrick Califia. "We are super excited to have Patrick Califia give our next Oratory! He is a bisexual transman whose writings about sexual politics and gender expression are widely published. He was also a licensed therapist who specialized in work with sex and gender minorities. Patrick was raised in an extremely devout, working-class LDS family. When he came out in 1971, while attending the University of Utah, his parents reacted with horror and attempted to have him locked up in a mental institution. He escaped to San Francisco where he was active in forming Samois, the first lesbian S/M support group, and joined in the raucous controversy of the Feminist Sex Wars. Today, he lives in Portland, OR where he has found sanctuary with a loving group of friends and allies. The 65 years of his life have included direct witness of many key events in LGBT history. The role that religion plays in the oppression of LGBT people as well as the redemptive power of spirituality are just some of the things he writes about today". Deb Hall SAGE program director wrote “Patrick, thank you for sharing your story. I laughed, I cried and I came away with a list of things I want to read and a few things I want to research! It's wonderful when a speaker stimulates your mind!”