October 11th
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| Walt Whitman |
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| Eleanor Roosevelt |
1884-Eleanor Roosevelt, America's First Lady was born this
day. Eleanor Roosevelt born in New York
City. She was the wife of President Franklin Roosevelt, and while he had his
lady friends, Eleanor had hers. In her case, one special lady friend: Lorena
Hickok. “Hick darling,” Eleanor wrote, “Oh I want to put my arms around you…I
want to hold you close.”
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| Cleve Jones |
1957 Friday- A seven man committee was named by Governor George D.
Clyde to study Utah ’s
ability to protect its citizen’s against sex offenders. The committee was
formed after the arrest of mentally retarded Bernt Murphy who confessed to the
murder of a young girl, Jocelyn Hickenlooper in 1955. Gov. Clyde said that the
first duty of the state is to guard the public and the second duty of the state
is to provide the laws and facilities needed for sex criminal especially those
who pose a foreseeable menace. D.A. Skeem, a Salt Lake Attorney and director of
the American Association for the United Nations was named chairman of the
committee. John Farr Larsen, head of Children
Services in the State Department of Public Welfare was named its
secretary.(10/12/57 SLTribune Page 19 Col. 3)
1969- Utah’s Gay Liberation Front was formed by six room mates of Pam Mayne who lived in her Avenues’ “commune”. They were Pam Mayne, Mary Heath, and her lover [name unknown] George Kelly and Ralph Place . George Kelly and Ralph Place were lovers and Kelly and Mayne were friends from the bars. The GLF saw themselves as forming a coalition with Veterans Against the War and Nation Organization For Women. Others who quickly joined were Scott Rustin, [Rushton] Tom, and Jan. The group organized to formed a Gay presence at the October 15 VietNam War protest
1979-Thursday Thirty-five “brave individuals” met the Great American Freedom Train in Ogden at 6 a.m. Rev. Troy Perry and Robin Tyler, a Lesbian feminist Comedienne spoke to the group. A Utah flag donated by Joe Redburn was given to Rev. Perry to take back to the March on Washington . This rally was the second ever held in Utah and the first for Ogden Utah
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1987 The second march on Washington drew 1/2 million people. The NAMES project AIDS quilt was displayed with 1,920 panels. Rev Jesse Jackson addressed the crowd, calling for AIDS funding, civil rights protection, and an end to anti-gay violence. The second March on Washington draws over half a million people. About 30 Utah gay and lesbian activists attend to protest the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding sodomy laws of the United States .
1988-The first
National Coming Out Day was celebrated to commemorate the March on Washington. NCOD was founded in 1988 by Robert Eichberg, a psychologist
from New Mexico and founder of the personal growth workshop, The Experience,
and Jean O'Leary, an openly Gay political leader from Los Angeles and then head
of the National Gay Rights Advocates.[ The date of October 11 was chosen
because it was the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for
Lesbian and Gay Rights. The first headquarters was located in the West Hollywood,
California offices of the National Gay Rights Advocates. Eighteen states
participated in the first NCOD, which was covered in the national media. In its
second year, the headquarters moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico and participation
grew to 21 states. After a media push in 1990, NCOD was observed in all 50
states and seven other countries. Participation continued to grow and in 1990
NCOD merged their efforts with the Human Rights Campaign Fund.
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| Pam Mayne |
- 2009 Lambda Lore Q Salt Lake by Ben Williams Forty years ago I attended my first protest rally. I was a freshman in college and I ditched classes to attend the 15 October 1969 War Moratorium officially called the “Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam”. It was the largest demonstration against the United States involvement in the Vietnam War with an estimated 2 million people participating. In towns and cities throughout the United States, “students, working men and women, school children, the young and the old, took part in religious services, school seminars, street rallies and meetings.” I like the other supporters of the Vietnam Moratorium wore black armbands to signify our dissent and to memorialize the American personnel killed in the war since 1961. The idea for a Moratorium was developed by Jerome Grossman who had worked on the 1968 presidential campaign of peace candidate Eugene McCarthy. Grossman in April 1969 had called for a national strike if the Vietnam war was not concluded by October. David Hawk and Sam Brown, who also had previously worked for McCarthy, changed the concept to a less radical moratorium. They organized as the Vietnam Moratorium Committee with David Mixner, a Gay man who would later serve as President Bill Clinton's liaison to the GLBT community. In Utah the 15 October 1969 event became the largest peace rally in the state's history according to the Salt Lake Tribune. More than four thousand demonstrators participated in nearly a full day of protest which began with speeches at a “teach-in” held in the University of Utah Union Building and continued with a march from Reservoir Park down South Temple Street to the Federal Building at 100 South and State Street. There the Reverend G. Edward Howlett of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral read off the names of the Utahns killed in Vietnam. Other speakers called for an immediate withdrawal from Vietnam. The demonstration was peaceful with only one teenage girl arrested, “on the charge of displaying a flag or banner with intent to engender disloyalty to the government of the United States”. Three blocks to the south of the federal building an estimated 250 counter-demonstrators gathered at t the City and County Building in Salt Lake City for a two-hour rally during which Salt Lake City Commissioner Jake Garn (later Mayor of Salt Lake and Senator) called for the “non vocal majority to stand up and be counted.” He claimed that if the moratorium were successful, “the United States would be communist and 40,000 American lives would have been sacrificed in vain”. He even blamed the war protesters for prolonging the war and aiding the enemy. However, back before Republicans sold their soul to the far right, Republican U.S. Representative Sherman P. Lloyd said he saw the moratorium as “good for America” because it was "a valid exercise of free speech” While most Utah demonstrators were peacefully protesting the war, a bomb however was set in the Naval Science Building and an old barracks in use as a bookstore was burned. Among the millions of war protesters organizing, marching, and listening to speeches that day, was a new generation of young Gay activists known as Gay Liberationists. According to their philosophy radical antimilitarism was central to the movement for the creation of a specifically 'gay' identity." Gay liberationists maintained that war was immoral, and they maintained that the “macho culture of militarism” contributed to the oppression of gay people. After the Stonewall Riots in June 1969, Gay Liberation Front chapters sprung up across the country, often started by individuals who were already active in the antiwar movement. The same was true in Utah. Many people came out publicly for the first time at antiwar protests, even in Utah. At a anti-war forum on the University of Utah campus a 19 year old university student named Ralph K Place became was the first person in the
state to announce that he was a homosexual and active in the anti-war movement. Place during his speech linked imperialism with the oppression of homosexuals. Ralph K Place was a native of Salt Lake City but had attended San Francisco State University where he learned of the Gay Liberation Front movement. Later he returned to Utah to be with his lover George Kelly and to attend the University of Utah. Place and Kelly were living with four other homosexuial men and women in a commune of sorts in the lower Avenues. The commune was under the direction of Pamela Mayne a lesbian who took into her home lots of counter culture people. This Gay commune consisted of Pam Mayne, Mary Heath and her lover, Ralph Place, George Kelly and Scott Rushton. Mayne was not all that political, but her strong personality attracted interesting people to her. Kelly and Mayne had become acquainted at the old Twilight Inn across from the Belvedere Hotel and became fast friends. Finding a cheap house in the Avenues in the late Sixties was easy since the area was known as a haven for drugs, hippies, and students. Mayne's home became a type of Gay salon for "consciousness raising", "rapping" "getting stoned" and a place for people to crash. With Place’s residency in the commune, anti-war politics, feminism, and Gay Liberation took center stage. Soon the group saw themselves forming a Gay coalition with Veterans Against the War and with Nation Organization For Women. That evening after Ralph K Place announced that he was a homosexual at the War Moratorium forum, he and Pam Mayne agreed to organized a chapter of the Gay Liberation Front in Utah to fight for equality for homosexuals. Two other Gay people named Tom and Jan also quickly joined the small band of liberationists, and they made up the first Gay organization in Utah. In October 1969 a small group of individuals dared to come out of the closet and not hide anymore. It is important to note that they understood the moral of Stonewall that our individual fate is connected with our collective fate. These brave souls were the first of thousands in Utah who would follow in their footsteps in the decades to come. In October 1969 finally the Age of Aquarius came to Utah and the Sunshine was let in..jpg)
Ralph Place
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1979 - "The Jay Welch Chorale is taping music for a Christmas Album. Many of the former members of the Tabernacle Choir are joining because in the Tabernacle Choir there has been a new time and age limit. I think we sound better than the Tabernacle Choir. I went to a local health spa. I was speaking to another Mormon who had been to B.Y.U. who had difficulties being gay there. He mentioned that Jason, one of the students I had turned in to security at B.Y.U. was there. I begged for him to ask Jason if I could speak to him. When I walked up to Jason he said, "Bless Your Soul." He was filled with forgiveness and kindness. He embraced me with a hug. He spoke of the Teaching of the Inner Christ Movement which he and his companion had become a member. This group had given him the tools with which to forgive me. He had found a companion close to the time this whole B.Y.U. incident had occurred. He had a relationship with his partner for 13 years. I was amazed how he had forgiven me. Since I saw this behavior in him I started attending this church with them.” [Diary of Donald Attridge]
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| Joe Redburn |
1985 The 7th Affirmation General Conference was held October 11-13, 1985 in San Diego, California. Over a hundred gay and lesbian Mormons gathered from across the United Sates and Canada . Friday -The San Diego Chapter provided a setting at the Old Town Education Center
elected to a second term of office as general coordinator of Affirmation; individual chapter and group reports were presented, after which Paul Mortensen presented a financial statements. The rest of the morning and afternoon was devoted to prepared seminars; these included: "The History and Purpose of Affirmation" conducted by Paul Mortensen, "Mental Health Issues Regarding Homosexuality" conducted by the San Francisco Chapter, "Developments in the Modern Church regarding Homosexuality" conducted by the Phoenix Chapter, "Can the Conflicts between Mormonism and Gays/Lesbians be Resolved?" conducted by the Chapter-at-Large, "Mormon Feminism: Does it fit in with the Feminist Movement?" conducted by the Salt Lake Chapter. During the lunch break, a video tape of the Australian 60 show about the Church and Affirmation was shown. From 2:00 until 4:00 Dr. Drew Mattison, a Ph.D. in profession psychology, a board-certified sexologist, and member of the Clinical Institute for Human Relationships presented a seminar on "Developing and Maintaining Intimacy in Relationships."
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| Ina Mae Murri |
Saturday evening, everyone gathered at Mission Bay for a Hawaiian luau dinner (leis of plumeria blossoms flown in by jet from Honolulu thanks to S.L.), and enjoyed a live Hawaiian hula dance performance. Sunday- Sunday morning devotional was held at the Old Town Education Center Presidio Park San Diego chapter who worked so hard on facilities, food, picking up people at the airport and being gracious hosts cannot be expressed enough. Special thanks to seminar facilitators Paul, Martin, Marriner, Chris, Randy and a special thanks to Margo Cheney who facilitated our first meeting of parents. There was nothing but praise for all of the seminars. [December 1985 issue of Affinity.] Affirmation General Conference in San Diego attended by Duane Dawson and John Cooper from Salt Lake Chapter. There was conflict over the recent formation of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ. Affirmation General Coordinator Ina Mae Murri stated: ”Some chapters wanted a group which was more spiritually oriented. But no one really wanted to organize a church which would mimic or replace the Mormon Church. We are not a splinter church, a gospel study group, nor do we want to be.” John Cooper president of the Salt Lake chapter of Affirmation attended the conference and stated “The rule of the Los Angeles chapter became that you couldn’t be in the leadership of both groups at the same time”. The new church was barred from soliciting converts at Affirmation meetings.
1986 About three thirty I felt well enough to get up and do some dishes when suddenly the clock radio blared on. As I went to turn it off I recognized Ed Benson’s voice and he was a guest on K-Talk Radio discussing homosexuality. I was amazed because I never listen to Talk radio and here my radio was tuned to the station. Figuring that Russ Lane or people at Married and Divorce Gay and Lesbians might want to listen to the program I started to tape record the program. As my cassette tape was coming to the end, all of a suddenly I heard my wife’s voice as a call-in listener! She called in and was talking about us! I was only able to tape some of her thoughts but what I had made me cry. Later in the evening Jon Butler brought a married friend of his over to meet me to get some more information on MADGAL. His name was Rich P and we ended up visiting for much of the evening.
- Additional Material Partial Transcript of the Martin Davies Show on K-TALK Radio My wife: I would like Mr. Benson to listen to the man that called in the first half on the program who said please don’t shut the door on it I don’t know if my husband was born the way he is. He says he can remember having homosexual feelings when he was three. And my husband is not a liar and I believe him but I also believe this gentleman who called in and says not to close the door on it. I think if we say well we are born that way then it precludes any possibility of change.
- Martin: Okay Good point
Ed: If you would like to leave that door open, I certainly would welcome that.
Martin: Can I ask you a couple of questions?
My wife: .Sure
Martin: When you married your husband did you know he was gay?
My wife: No… Viscerally I knew… but he did not tell me that… but deep down I knew he was.
Martin: A Gut Feeling
My wife: Yes my gut feeling was that he was. But it didn’t matter. We are LDS- He’s trying to do the right thing, live the gospel and all this stuff and it just wasn’t enough.
Martin: One of the questions I was going to ask Ed, but we have somebody here to help us, is- how can a wife tell if her husband may be gay?
My wife: Drive by Liberty Park and see if he can keep his head straight.
Ed: I get your point. But maybe the audience doesn’t know what we mean by this. You want elaborate on that?
My wife: You can go ahead.
Ed: I think what she is alluding too is often times, men go to public places such as parks, and this again if people are paying attention to who is going in and out of restrooms, I think this is what she had in mind.
My wife: Yes and the park itself. There are a lot of guys running around the track and I know my husband would often times just break his neck looking at the men instead of the road. That wasn’t the first clue I had but just things like that.
Martin: How did it first come out into the open?
My wife: Well when I married him he had been disfellowshipped and he told me the reason for his disfellowshipment.
Ed: Through the LDS Church.
My wife: Uh Huh (affirmative).
Ed: I see. Well this is what we mentioned earlier that this is not an accepted practice in almost any religion.
My wife: Well my problem with that is… I don’t have any problem with the church’s stand on anything...it’s their church. They can do want they want. But I have a problem with people, and I know its done out of ignorance so I am forgiving of it, but I hope… I really think what you said at the beginning about in the 1980’s we won’t be recommending that people marry as a fix kind of thing, like a cure for it, because it doesn’t fix anything.
Ed: That’s true. Often children are brought into this marriage… they are innocent and its confusing for them and also for ourselves, as your own case has been, I’ve sure, been very difficult.
My wife: Yes.
Martin: How do you feel or get along with your husband?
My wife: Oh I love him. We had a better marriage them most straight people I know.
Ed: And this often can be the case. It can be very effective and a good pairing.
My wife: But he was not unfaithful to me as far as I know.
Ed: This also can be the case. That is what I mentioned earlier in my relationship with my wife of 15 years, I was faithful to her.
My wife: He was…he is…. kind, he’s sensitive, he’s sweet, he’s helpful, he cooks better then I do, cleans house better then I do so I hated to lose him.
Ed: So what you are saying there were a lot of advantages.
My wife: I really hated to lose him… that is what has hurt me so much because I miss him I miss his association so much. And I am in therapy right now and I am trying to work through this so that I will be able to be friends with him and not have my guts ripped out every time I see him.
Ed: Have you read the book of Miss Pearson’s?
My wife: Yeah, I am kind of half way through it right now.
Ed: Okay I think that will give you some good insights too. Her experiences in a very meaningful can be very helpful for you.
My wife: Yeah I think so too. And also Debbie Fairchild’s down at the BYU. She’s a graduate student and she works with people in this situation because she’s been in the same situation too.
Ed: Okay that’s a good resource.
My wife: Uh Huh (affirmative)
Martin: How long were you married?
My wife: Ten years.
Martin: You lived together ten years?
My wife: Uh Huh. (affirmative)
Martin: Was the kind of parting that happened very recently, you know, “okay Sweetheart I got to let you go because you got this in your system and I don’t want to hold you back”? What that your attitude?
My wife: No I wanted to…he left me.
Martin: Yeah that is what I mean.
My wife: Yeah, he said “I love you but I’m not in love with you”, and he felt like part of his life was missing that he had been living a lie, and he had to pursue that… and I hated hearing that. I didn’t want to hear that. I didn’t care if he was homosexual as long as he didn’t act on it.
Martin: Yeah (sympathetic)
My wife And I’m now… this might sound strange but it wasn’t a problem for me.
Martin: How’s he getting along?
My wife: He said he’s happier then he’s ever been.
Ed: How old is this man?
My wife Thirty-five
Ed: So he’ still pretty young isn’t he?
Martin: Did he leave town?
My wife: No, he’s here.
Martin: And if you should see him driving the other way, it really cuts you up badly?
My wife: I can’t stand it. I can’t even stand it. If I see him I’ll cry for two days… and nights.
Martin: Well my unprofessional comment is… you are clearly somebody capable of giving terrific amounts of love. Shall I tell you an old fashion recipe that I have? There is only one way to relieve the pain you are suffering and that is to fall in love with another.
My wife: Oh I believe it. I’m in a divorce adjustment clinic.
Martin: Go right into another relationship.
My wife: That is interesting Martin.
Martin: But the second thing is this… when do met someone and you get a little flash that hey this could be good… don’t compare them. Oh he’s taller then John or he’s shorter then John. Oh John use to do this and this. Don’t ever compare people.
Ed: Everybody is an individual
Martin: Everybody is an individual, and you know in your heart of hearts that someone with as much love in you as you clearly have, you’re going to find somebody.
My wife: Oh I hope so.
Martin: But don’t hunt for him… don’t hunt.
My wife: No I’m burned. I’m not touchable right now. But I figure within a year. I’ll be able to met somebody and be ready for it.
Ed: Yeah, it’s like going through a mourning period. You have to go through that after you have had that loss then you will be able to restore yourself.
My wife: But I will always love my husband. I will always love him.
Martin: Super.
My wife: Even though the world tells me I’m crazy, I can’t help it.
Martin: Of course not… nobody understands these crazy love affairs. That’s the way it goes.
Ed: The unfortunate thing about being a gay person is often the female is vulnerable to that relationship.
My wife: I don’t think this man would never have married if he hadn’t been counseled by the church to do so.
Ed: Well then, this again is a mistake isn’t it?
My wife: Yes… Oh yes…. that is one of the things I like about Carol Lynn Pearson’s coming public with this… that maybe it will prevent and raise consciousness about it.
Martin: Caller I need to put you on hold and my producer would like to have a word with you. In studio with me is Ed Benson. Ed is a family counselor but he has an added level of sensitivity… which many family counselors may have sensitivity towards but not necessarily have experience in. If you were not with us in the last half hour, Ed Benson a deeply religious man but we are not going to discuss specifics of religion here. That is something we can do without… and talk to mills about it but the bottom line is that Ed is a deeply religious man he didn’t want to be Gay. He thought he could cure himself of being gay by marrying at the age of 19. He thought additionally he could cure himself of being gay… and Ed if I am saying anything wrong you jump in and correct me…that didn’t work… He then thought if he became a father that would cure gayness so to speak. That marriage then ended and for 18years he effectively entered into a long term a homosexual relationship with somebody which for all intent and purposes was a marriage. He then still with fervent desire dare I say to go straight entered into every available kind of therapy there was because he had a real desire to be straight. He was married to a woman for fifteen years but it didn’t work up to that point but the door is still open.\
Ed: We are still keeping the doors open
Another caller-I would like to complement your guest on his integrity and courage in speaking up and be honest before so many people. I tip my hat to him. I then want to say I’m amazed at the ignorance and prejudice towards homosexual in this community. A third thing I want to say is my husband and his partner are in business doing therapy for homosexuals couples as well as singles and maybe if we gave the name off the air.. if people call in… there is a place they can get some help.
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- I woke up at
4:40 a.m. feeling sick to my stomach. I prayed please don’t let me be sick today. I decided to get up rather than just try to sleep and took a hot shower and cleaned up. I also decided to just try and catch up in this journal until 6 a.m. when a wakeup call got the rest of the gang up. It was kind of hectic because not only were we getting ready for the march we also had to pack up and be out of the room because we wouldn’t be coming back to the Best Western hotel. Bruce Barton and Bruce Harmon’s flight is out at 6:30 p.m. at the National Airport so Mark Lamar and I would have been out on the streets tonight except for Mel Baker. Yesterday I called Mel and made arrangements for Mark and I to crash at his place so we don’t have to be out on the streets tonight. Anyway we were at the hotel’s shuttle bus by 7 a.m. and we went to the airport where we dropped off the remaining luggage at the lockers they provided. I should have come to the airport to lock up my bags instead of the train station. Oh Well. All we now carried was the Salt Lake City’s Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church banner, Bruce Barton’s back pack and his camera. The metro system was being opened two hours early today to accommodate the Marchers but we still were early so we had a coffee stop at the airport lounge. I had a cup of coffee and a brownie and that is all I had to eat until 8 o’clock that
evening. But I was running on pure energy and excitement like everyone else. So at 8 a.m. we crowded onto the Metro Rail to the Smithsonian’s exit where we departed to go to the Lincoln Memorial. There MCC was having a huge outdoor worship service. The air was cool and the grass damp. We had a worry that it being overcast it might rain on our parade. However, weather wise, it turned out to be a wonderfully cool autumn day. Not too hot..not too cold. We walked a mile down pass the Reflection Pool to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where probably more than a 1000 people were gathered. Bruce Barton wanted to
get a picture of RMMC’s banner up at the Lincoln Memorial but this ignorant Park Service Cop wouldn’t let us. I said we just wanted to take a picture and he barked “Got a permit?’ I said “to take a picture?” and he just repeated, “Got a permit?” He was being a real asshole. So we never got a picture of the Lincoln Memorial. At the steps of the memorial we came across Jon Butler and Tony Feliz again. I had seen them briefly at the mass wedding yesterday. It was great to see Jon again and I gave him a huge hug and just held on to him all through the church service. At the top of the steps, all different congregations of the MCC Fellowship had their banners unfurled and displayed and it was a beautiful sight. I also saw Bob McIntier at the steps of the Memorial also. I was surprised to see him because I didn’t know that he had made it back. I asked him if he will
Bruce Barton and Bruce Harmon
be marching with the Utah delegation and he asked whether Tony Feliz would be, because there is a major riff between the two of them. I said as far as I know, Tony said he would be trying to get a local Affirmation group to March with Utah. So Bob said in that case he’d march with MCC instead. The church worship service was impressive. The service was in memoriam for MCC people who have died of AIDS or who have been martyred. At least a 1000 voices began singing Amazing Grace on the steps and I joined in. When they began to service their communion, Jon Butler, Tony Feliz, Mark Lamar, and I left to wander over to the Ellipse which was in full view of the White House and the Washington Monument. I still can’t believe that I am actually here for the march. The Ellipse was filled with 100s of thousands of people already finding their regions for the marching order. California and New York had their own region as did Texas. California had estimated 50,000 marchers alone! We gravitated over to the Rocky Mountains region, supposing we would be included there. However, we discovered that both Utah and Nevada had been left out and off the program because evidently we were the only two states that never had a local planning committee. Seeing nothing for Utah, Jon Butler
Jon Butler, Tony Feliz, Guy Larsen, Mark Lamar
Nancy, and John (unknown)
and Tony Feliz left to go join Affirmation people and that was the last I saw of them. I later learned they had joined the Affirmation people who were stationed at the Red Cross building. They never returned, nor could they convince Affirmation people to march with Utah. I think that was just Tony’s harebrained scheme and it sizzled. Later I also learned that Affirma
Ben Williams and
our one Utah sign
tion had about 30 people marching under their banner while Utah only had 19. Still it was marvelous to see thousands and thousands of Gays assembling for this March like a mighty army with banners. Colorado had over 1000 people in the March. Behind them came Arizona who had nearly 100 people. Behind us was New Mexico with perhaps another 100 people each carrying on spikes before them their yellow and red state flag. They marched as a precision drill team. Seeing that Utah had nothing to note us as a group, I found the National Anti-Violence Task Force organization who had placards for all 50 states and I sweet talked them into giving me the one for Utah anBen Williams, Bob McIntier,
Bruce Harmon
d that was the only sign we carried. It became the focal point for others trying to find our spot. Every state in the Union was represented in the march. In 1979, Utah was not represented because no one came. Not today. We are making a difference. This time we are here. The people I knew who were in the March representing Utah were John Bennett, Chair of the Gay and Lesbian Community Council, Chris Brown, President of Lesbian and Gay Student Union at the University of Utah, Ragnar McCall, President of the Lesbian and Gay Student Union of Salt Lake Community College along with his friend Steve, Michael Aaron, David Nelson, Guy Larsen, Joe Dewey, Val Mansfield, Mark Lamar, Steve Oldroyd, John Bush, and Cory Cozzi. Those I did not personally know were
Ragnar McCall, Joe Dewey, John Bennett, unknown, Val Mand\field, Michael Aaron, David Nelson, Nancy,
Ben Williams, Cory Cozzi, John
Nancy and John both members of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, and two guys I did not know at all and didn’t get their names although one was on crutches and marched the entire route. Along the route, two lesbians joined us who said they had been from Utah. Everywhere you looked there were banners, colorful flags, pennants, and signs. Truly a spectacular sight to see. In the center of the Ellipse there was a sound stage platform blaring music and instructions. Rhetoric permeated the air. Both Mark and I wore our University of Utah sweatshirts as well as most of the others who also had sweatshirts with Utah embroidered on them. We were so excited so hyped up and personally I was so glad that my circumstances allowed me to here in our nation’s capital for this historic occasion. The March began at noon with the People With AIDS Coalition at the front. They were led by Whoopie Goldberg who led off the March pushing a friend of hers in a wheelchair who has AIDS. By 1 p.m we still hadn’t moved. The March order was by geographical regions, starting with the Pacific Coast Area. Over the loud speakers by 1:30 we heard that front of the Parade had reached the Capitol. It took that long by the sheer numbers of people marching. Finally about 2 p.m. we started to move out sandwiched between Arizona and New Mexico. As we flowed into the street, along the March route as far as the eye we could see there was a pulsating movement of humanity,
David Nelson, Nancy, Tony Feliz,
Jon Butler
carrying banners, state flags, and posters. Marching band music filled the air and shouts from the marchers chanting “What do we want?” “Freedom” “When do we want it?” “Now!”, echoed down the streets which were sidewalk deep with people. I was thrilled by the reaction of the parade watchers. Spectators along the route were hanging from trees or waving from stoops of buildings and out windows cheering. We had managed to pull together a Gay rainbow flag and with the poster from the National Anti-Violence Task Force which had Utah Printed on it, we began. So from nothing, we were able to pull together a respectable showing. No state flags, no large signs or banners, just the sign I had procured and a rainbow flag but people were jumping in front of us to take pictures of us. Some encouraging soul even shouted at us “Utah! Small but Proud and Brave!” The smile on people’s faces were like they could not believe that anyone from Utah would dare show up. The perception is that Utah Gays are so oppressed that it was a miracle that we were in the march at all. Our spirits were lifted by the many kind souls shouting “Yay! Utah!” “Glad you are here”. A head of us the Arizona delegation were chanting “recall Governor Meacham” and so as not be out done, Michael Aaron led us in chanting “We’re sorry for Orrin Hatch. We’re sorry for Orrin Hatch”. People laughed along the way, shouting back, “We forgive you” “it’s not your fault” and “we’re sorry too!” Then Michael came up with this ditty “We’ll fight! We’ll scratch. We’ll get rid of Orrin Hatch!”. Steve
Mark Lamar
Oldroyd added “Right now were hear the Mormon Tabernacle Queers. It was a long, long match and slow going by the sheer numbers of the multitude. I started hearing estimates of a half a million people marching and later the Metro cops were estimating the crowd at 650,000 conservatively. It was phenomenal and truly indescribable. Bruce Barton and Bruce Harmon were with the MCC contingency as was Bob McIntier of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ. Since they went way before us, the three of them were able to join in with us after MCC had reached the capitol. Also two lesbians joined in and joined Nancy who had been our sole Lesbian. How to describe a once in a life time experience? I don’t think I have the ability to capture into words the magic, the feeling of unity, of pride, the excitement of this historic occasion. Dykes, Queers, Faggots, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Leathermen, sissies, all marching in unity, strength, and numbers; to proclaim that we are here and we are never going back. It’s our time for freedom and dignity. As so many speakers chimed yesterday and today, “The Constitution is our protection too! We are part of the “We the People.” Five bigots on the Supreme Court shall not take away the freedom of 25 million people. When we finally reached the end of the march at the Capitol building, the sheer number of people there overwhelmed us and we were towards the front of the March! Still behind us were Texas, the Central States, Illinois, New England, the Midwest, the Southeast and New York! We finished our portion of the march at 4 p.m. and were finally at the rally which had started at 1 p.m. Before the Utah delegation went our own separate way we had a group picture taken and e we were absorbed back into the massive crowd. Whoopie Goldberg was just finishing her remarks when we finished marching but I heard her say that President Reagan should be ashamed of himself for not writing a letter to those AIDS children whose house was burned down. This is not what America approves of. Holly Near was on next after Whoopie Goldberg and she sang a variety of songs. She had us sing especially the anthem “We are a Gentle Angry People singing for our lives” Hundreds of thousands of people sang along with her swaying as one to and fro in rhythm. A marvelous sight to behold. After that Mark and I made our way towards the front of the stage and I saw actor Robert Blake addressing the rally. He said it’s time to stop Star Wars and begin a war on AIDS. We need more hospitals not bombs. He said it shames him as an America that more money is allocated by the government to studying male pattern baldness than is spent on AIDS. After his speech Mark and I began to wander and mill around just to absorb the intensity of the immensity of the multitude on the Mall and still the March was still going on! As it was getting late we connected back up with the Bruces and thought we better start heading out towards the airport. They had to catch a 6:30 flight and Mark.jpg)
Steve Oldroyd and I had to meet up with Mel Baker in town. Walking on the mall, which was filled with Gay people as far as one could see, Bruce Barton decided to shimmy up a light signal pole to take a bird’s eye view of the masses and masses of people. While there, people flocked to him handing him their cameras begging him to take pictures for them which he obliged. I thought he would never be able to get down and as he did a lesbian said she wanted to climb up and take her own picture. She shouldn’t have been so independent because Bruce would have gladly done it for her and it turned out she couldn’t climb the light at all. Pride comes before the fall. We were here this day to help one another not stand alone. As we walked towards the Washington Monument truly by happenstance we came upon the Names Project which had been hidden by a forest of people. Upon seeing the AIDS Quilt, my initial response was that it was so colorful but then upon looking at the very first panel, which was six feet by three feet, I saw the name Mike White and a teddy bear sewn
into the fabric. Instantly I burst into tears. I never had such a quick mood change in my life; from exhilaration to utter despair. It all hit me like a ton of bricks realizing that each panel represented someone who had died from AIDS. I became as one shell shocked. I walked by each with my hand to my mouth, tears streaming involuntarily down my face, viewing panel after panel, all laid out in the quilt in symmetrical horror and beauty; I looked around, everywhere people were as grief stricken as I. Mark Lamar was sobbing so hard he couldn’t stand and I held him up in my arms. I tried being stoic for him, covering my face with my hands to wipe away the tears but it was too soul devastating. It was like seeing a huge battlefield. The quilt was as long as two football fields; 600 hundred yards a nd the Park Service people would not let the entire quilt to be displayed. I was startled when this young Gay man who saw my grief and shock came over to me and touch my arm as if to say, “I understand. We are all sharing the same pain.” Mark said he never had a sense of family before with Gay people until viewing the quilt. I finally couldn’t look at it anymore. It was too soul searingly painful; so I pulled Mark away and we left the thousands who were still silently devastated. It was so quiet; except for the sobs and sudden the bursts of anguish. I kept thinking of Mark Blutto who died of AIDS last May and whether the people I love so dearly today will someday be a part of that quilt. Hatred for Craig Nicholls and Governor Bangeter weld up in me. For shame! Come look at the Quilt! I am so grateful I experienced seeing the Quilt last because it was so shocking, so sobering that I don’t think I would have been able to march. Making our way from the mall we found a Metro Rail entrance and it was packed with thousands of people trying to get around the city. Weary I still thought as we were leaving the wonderful rally, “Do we know how to throw a party or what!?” It was standing room only on the metro as we went back to the National Airport, thanked Bruce and Bruce for extending their hospitality to us so we didn’t have to sleep on a park bench, retrieved our luggage then headed back into town to try and locate Mel Baker’s place on 7th Street. We didn’t have too much trouble locating his place but he wasn’t there when we arrived at 6:30. I figured he might be tied up with the March and all so we just collapsed and rested on the stairs in
front of his place. I was just about wasted myself. I’d been up since 4:30 and running mostly on pure energy reserves that I never knew I had but now I am about tapped out. I just wanted to fall asleep on the stairs but then about 7 p.m. two sweet Lesbians named Ann and Ann, who also lived in the building, invited us in to wait for Mel and to use the bathroom which we hadn’t used all day but then I hadn’t had a drink of water until now either. They were so gracious and I was so appreciative. Learned also that in the the building lived Kate Augsburg, one of the leading organizers of the March. When wee met her, she was so exhausted but at the same time so hyped. She kind of took over our situation and said go ahead and enter Mel’s place because it was unlocked, so we did. Mel is staying with Lee Bush who is also one of the organizers. I laid down on the hardwood floor and fell asleep until 8:30 when Mel arrived. He apologized for being late and we said don’t because we just knew how hectic and crazy everything must be for the organizing committee. He said the rally’s estimated attendance was nearly 650,000 and possibly more at its peak. Mel then told us where we could go get something to eat which we did. It was a Popeye Chicken joint. I bought Mark his dinner because he’s out of money now. He is having to depend on the kindness of strangers. I also bought a Sunday Washington Post but the only thing in it about the March was yesterday’s wedding. Back at Mel’s place he asked Mark and I if we wanted to go to a leather bar called The Eagle but I declined preferring to write and sleep but Mark true to form jumped at the chance to get out and make new “friends”. “Make” is the operative word here. I’ve stopped keeping track. What was Melanie’s song from so long ago, “Some came to play, some came to pray, some came to keep the darkness away”. We all have a reason to be in Washington DC. So about 11:30 Mark and Mel went off to revel and celebrate. I stayed in to rest and contemplate the glory of this historic occasion. What will come from today? Who can predict. Maybe not even one of the March’s agenda will be achieve but something greater happened today. 650,000 Gay people and their friends were moved to come to Washington by that spirit which represents fairness, justice and what is inherently right and honorable, The Gay Spirit moved us and each and everyone one of the 650,000 people or more here will leave Washington with a newness of purpose about them. No one could remain unchanged and witness what I saw today. Truly we are fighting for love and for life and we are never going back. But I am going to bed. (journal of Ben Williams).jpg)
Mel Baker
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| David Sharpton |
1988 AIDS activist David Sharpton is invited to speak at the
Interfaith Conference on AIDS in Salt Lake City.
1989-A U.S. District Court judge upheld a Palm Beach County law
requiring that viewing booth doors in adult bookstores be removed based on
testimony of Dr. Dale Tavris who claimed one could get HIV from masturbation.
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| Rocky O'Donovan |
- In 1990
Members of the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah and Queer Nation marched peacefully
for 90 minutes around the fountain at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building at, 125 S. State. Nearly three dozen gay-rights advocates, hoisting placards and a Rainbow Coalition flag, marched at the Federal Building in downtown Salt Lake City Friday evening to commemorate National Coming Out Day. ``We're here. We're queer. We're fabulous. Get used to us,'' One Lesbian Queer Nation.jpg)
Toni Palmer and Laura Trent
activist [Toni Palmer] carried a placard stating ``I Love Queer Girls.'' John Bennett former chair of GLCCU came out to a Television reported stating that he was the grandson of the man for whom the federal building was named..jpg)
John Bennett
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| Craig Miller |
1992 The Ne
w York Times Magazine carried an article Gay Politics Goes Mainstream When David B. Mixner decided to come out of the closet, among the first people he called were his old friends Bill and Hillary Clinton. So it seemed fitting that 15 years later, when Bill Clinton reached a turning point in his own life -- deciding he would run for President -- one of the first people he called was Mixner. But instead of the unqualified support the Arkansas Governor had expected, there was a hitch. "I said, 'Bill, I've lost over 180 friends to AIDS,' " recalls Mixner, an influential political organizer and fund-raiser in California. " 'Before I can get behind this campaign, I have to know where you stand on this, where you stand on AIDS and our struggle for our freedom.' At first, Clinton was unsure. "There was a little bit of stress there, let me tell you," Mixner says. But the Governor agreed to come to Los Angeles last October for a meeting with a group of wealthy homosexual activists -- a meeting that ultimately led to his pledge to fight discrimination against gay men and lesbians and to support a larger Federal commitment to combat AIDS.  |
| Boyd K Packer |
1993-The US
Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from a former CIA employee who was
fired for acknowledging he was gay.
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| Terry Krogan |
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| Kathryn Bond Stockton |
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| Candice Gingrich |
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| Camille Lee |
- 1995 National Coming Out Day held at the Utah Stonewall Center, Candace Gingrich, sister of U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich spoke of the necessity of coming out of the closet. It was at 8th National Coming Out Day at the Utah Stonewall Center that a teenage Kelli Peterson who saw a East High school teacher Camille Lee there at the rally, and was encouraged to start a Gay student support group at East High. Candace Gingrich, sister of U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, speaks at the Utah Stonewall Center for National Coming Out Day.
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| Thomas J Mathews |
1996- - Duane C.
Elliott A.K.A.
1996 Salt Lake Tribune Page: D3-- Gay and lesbian students at Weber
State University have formed an official campus support club. Tom Henderson, a
WSU alumnus and club member, noted the University of Utah has had a gay club
for 20 years and Utah State University's gay club has been organized for eight
years. ``It's about time,'' Henderson said. ``A support group like this will
help students know they are not alone. Besides, anything that canhelp wake Ogden up to the fact there
are gays inthe community is a good thing. We're here andthey need to get used
to us.'' Lee Peters, the dean of
students, said he was``pleased'' with the new organization. The club has about
two dozen members and meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union
Building.
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| GLCCU |
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| Matthew Shepard |
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| Kathy Worthington and Sara Hamblin |
- October 11, 1999 KTVX Television News 4 Utah Subject: STATE CAPITOL Newscast: MON_TEN - Air Date: 10/11/99 O25 State Capitol TONIGHT ABOUT 100 PEOPLE GATHERED HERE ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST CRIMES OF HATE. THEY ALSO CAME HERE TO REMEMBER MATTHEW SHEPHERD AND TO REMIND EVERYONE IN THAT UTAH HAS IT'S OWN MATTHEW SHEPHERDS. PROFILE D (NEW 10 BUG/ BETA PKG {CG} NO MORE HATE Karen Salas-Wheeler, "it surprises me to hear that long list of people who were killed because they were gay or lesbian" , "October 23rd 1966 ... in his apartment in the avenues; Darryl Webber, murdered April 7th, 1989 on state street; terry...murdered 1991 at memory grove" {CG} BEN WILLIAMS {CG} historian THOSE WHO GATHERED AT THE CAPITOL TONIGHT, WERE HERE TO SAY "NO MORE" TO CRIMES OF HATE. KATHERINE STEFFENSON IS HERE BECAUSE HER SON IS GAY Katherine Steffenson, "I don't feel safe when i know irrational people do these things. society really gives 'em cultural permission to do it, because no one speaks out against it. {CG} KATHRYN STEFFENSEN ARE YOU AFRAID FOR YOUR SON? "yes, i am" THE DEATH OF 21 YEAR OLD MATTHEW SHEPARD IN WYOMING ONE YEAR AGO, WAS A WAKE-UP CALL TO MANY. SHEPARD, A GAY MAN, WAS FOUND BEATEN TO DEATH AND TIED TO A FENCE LIKE A SCARECROW. COMMUNITY LEADERS SAY SIMILAR CRIMES HAPPEN IN UTAH TOO. BUT THEY GO UNREPORTED BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE AFRAID. Dave Nelson, "think for yourself, how many of you have been the victim of vandalism, aggression, been beaten ... did you report it? {CG} DAVE NELSON THOSE HERE TONIGHT SAY CALLING ATTENTION TO AND PUTTING AN END TO CRIMES OF HATE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYONE. Karen Salas-Wheeler, "i came here as a straight person to urge other straight people to come out of the closet" Karen Salas-Wheeler, "i think we need to do everything we can to make this community free from hate, from fear" {CG} KAREN SALAS-WHEELER PROFILE D (LIVE BUG)/ SYNC 2 UTAH DOES HAVE HATE-CRIMES LAWS, BUT NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN TRIED UNDER THOSE LAWS BECAUSE SOME SAY THEY ARE TOO VAGUE. THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PUSH TO AMEND THOSE LAWS. DVE 2 BOX
1999-After receiving an angry letter from GLAAD, World Champion
Wrestling discontinued the "Lenny" and "Lodi" characters
whose arena entrance routinely sparked chants of "fag."
1999-Rev. Jerry Falwell and other religious conservatives held an
event in San Francisco
to encourage gay men and lesbians to leave the homosexual lifestyle.
Mon, 11 October 1999 LATEST ON MORMON CHURCH AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA by Kathy Worthington (I am still seeking more reports about what happened across the state today) BACKGROUND In the first few days of October we got reports about plans to hold special joint Priesthood/Relief Society meetings in all Mormon (LDS) wards and branches in California. The reports came in from multiple areas of the state and gave some details of the plans. I checked with my best source for what's happening in California, who wrote to me on Oct 5 with the following (edited somewhat to protect the source's identity): _____ (the bishop) is going to make the presentation with the video in Priesthood and Relief Society. (he will be) meeting with some higher-ups discussing the details about all of this. (he's) also supposed to get at least 50 members to go door to door for 2 hours once a week (on Saturdays) until the end of November. (when) asked if it was just priesthood holders that would be doing that, ------ said no, anyone 16 or older could do it. I asked exactly what they would be doing; ------- said ---- thought there was a survey involved. During December, they're going to stop doing that because it's such a busy month and so many people go on vacation. They will start "phase 2" in January, but ---- said ---- didn't know what that would be yet." Yesterday and today, a couple of members of the Utah media said they'd gotten confirmation from church headquarters that the video was going to be shown today, Oct 10th, in California wards and branches. But this afternoon we got a couple of reports that the 15 minute video featuring Elders Maxwell, Scott and Ballard (of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) had NOT been shown in those meetings after all. No details or explanations were available at that time, so I put out a call for reports on what happened today. Was the video shown? What else happened? FIRST REPORT My thanks to Dan in California for this first report on what happened today in one of the joint Relief Society/Priesthood Meetings that were held today. the report I made it a point to stay for Priesthood today. No, they didn't show the original video in my ward. They did have combined RS/P meeting and showed the clip of Pres. Hinckley's talk of Sat. priesthood session of general conference, about 5 minutes of it. The bishop then made several remarks. He indicated that a member of our ward had been asked (called?) to spearhead the effort in our area and that she would be coordinating with other like-minded people in this area. He indicated that the original video is available to be shown in our homes and that we should have small gatherings of people in our neighborhoods to show the video and to drum up support for this initiative. Dan
Mon, 11 October 1999 LATEST ON MORMON CHURCH AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA by Kathy Worthington (I am still seeking more reports about what happened across the state today) BACKGROUND In the first few days of October we got reports about plans to hold special joint Priesthood/Relief Society meetings in all Mormon (LDS) wards and branches in California. The reports came in from multiple areas of the state and gave some details of the plans. I checked with my best source for what's happening in California, who wrote to me on Oct 5 with the following (edited somewhat to protect the source's identity): _____ (the bishop) is going to make the presentation with the video in Priesthood and Relief Society. (he will be) meeting with some higher-ups discussing the details about all of this. (he's) also supposed to get at least 50 members to go door to door for 2 hours once a week (on Saturdays) until the end of November. (when) asked if it was just priesthood holders that would be doing that, ------ said no, anyone 16 or older could do it. I asked exactly what they would be doing; ------- said ---- thought there was a survey involved. During December, they're going to stop doing that because it's such a busy month and so many people go on vacation. They will start "phase 2" in January, but ---- said ---- didn't know what that would be yet." Yesterday and today, a couple of members of the Utah media said they'd gotten confirmation from church headquarters that the video was going to be shown today, Oct 10th, in California wards and branches. But this afternoon we got a couple of reports that the 15 minute video featuring Elders Maxwell, Scott and Ballard (of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) had NOT been shown in those meetings after all. No details or explanations were available at that time, so I put out a call for reports on what happened today. Was the video shown? What else happened? FIRST REPORT My thanks to Dan in California for this first report on what happened today in one of the joint Relief Society/Priesthood Meetings that were held today. the report I made it a point to stay for Priesthood today. No, they didn't show the original video in my ward. They did have combined RS/P meeting and showed the clip of Pres. Hinckley's talk of Sat. priesthood session of general conference, about 5 minutes of it. The bishop then made several remarks. He indicated that a member of our ward had been asked (called?) to spearhead the effort in our area and that she would be coordinating with other like-minded people in this area. He indicated that the original video is available to be shown in our homes and that we should have small gatherings of people in our neighborhoods to show the video and to drum up support for this initiative. Dan
2001 Lesbian/Gay Center Opens at USU U Chrony By U Wire LOGAN—Utah State University's first gay and lesbian student services center will open its door to the campus community and the public on Thursday, National Coming Out Day. The opening reception will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 122 of the Military Science Building while the actual Coming Out Day activities will take place at the Taggart Student Center. The primary reason for the center is to serve the needs of the campus community, said Patricia Terrell, vice president for Student Services. She said the center will be a place where everyone can obtain resources and information about sexually oriented issues. The creation of the center started three years ago shortly after the murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming, Terrell said. Many of the gay students were scared and wanted a place where they could feel comfortable having a confidential conversation, she said. "The initial question was about safety and the perception of safety,"
said Tim Nuttle, a graduate student majoring in ecology who is also a member of the Pride! Alliance executive board. Nuttle has been working with Terrell for the past three years to make the center a reality. Volunteers will be the primary staff of the center, said Courtney Moser, the adviser for Pride! Alliance. The center
will provide a library of non-fiction books and video tapes which can also be used as research materials for students, Nuttle said. "If you are a gay person and starting to come out, it is very hard to find books, and it is very hard to go for any sort of advice," Moser said. "A physical address where people can actually go and talk to a real-life person is helpful." "Minorities need to have a sense of community to make them feel like there is a place for them, that they are welcome, and that there are people like them to share experiences from similar background," Nuttle said. "The university needs to provide that because if they don't, they can't meet their goals of attracting a diverse population of students." "In the last three weeks, we are seeing the need for greater tolerance in this country for people who are different from ourselves," Terrell said. "And we do not assume that everyone will support or condone this office for gay students. We will just ask for their tolerance." Terrell said there certainly were conflicts during the process of the center's organization. The issue of sexual orientation is still a divisive and an evolving issue. People have opinions on homosexuality, she said. "I can guarantee that you can open any office here in the university and there will be oppositions," Terrell said. "The main part is that USU has a non-discrimination policy based on sexual orientation, and this office is an outgrowth of the policy to meet the needs of the students,"she said. Emily Pleshe, chairwoman of the National Coming Out Day committee, said the reason the center opens on National Coming Out Day is because it is a collective day in which gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people decide to come out. It is a day to show solidarity and that they are like everyone else, she said. "By and large it provides a human experience," Nuttle said. "It lets straight people know that there are gay people in the community." "Coming out is a very psychologically healthy thing to do for a gay person," Moser said. "The incidents of depression and suicide are much higher among gay people who have not yet come out. Coming out is a soul freeing experience, which is a very emotional, liberating and healthy thing to do." "Finding out that there are people like me is very helpful," Pleshe said. "Ethically, it is the right thing to do," Terrell said. "My role is to be a champion to every student here on campus. If I ever lose sight of that, I will have to find another line of work." Article
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| Tim Nuttle |
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| Courtney Moser |
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| Arlyn Bradshaw |
2003 Deseret News, Saturday, Multiple charges filed in September
slaying A Salt Lake City man has been charged with first-degree felony homicide
in connection with the September death of an elderly Sugarhouse man.
Prosecutors say Ira Eugene Hensley, 40, killed Leo Anderson, 69, in his East
Westminster Avenue home (1900 South) after Hensley went there under the guise
of having sexual relations with the older man, charges filed Friday in 3rd
District Court state. The charges say Hensley contacted Anderson through a
dating service and arranged a meeting. Anderson picked Hensley up at a Salt
Lake City hotel for their "date" at about 9 p.m. on Sept. 23. They
drove to Anderson's home, where, charges state, Hensley beat the older man to
death and then robbed him, taking personal items and Anderson's pickup truck.
When Hensley returned to the hotel, he told his niece that his date had tried
to "zap him with his stun gun, but it didn't work so he had to kill
him," the charges state. Hensley later tried to pawn Anderson's personal
items, including a watch. Anderson was found dead in his apartment two days
later. Hensley was arrested later in Las Vegas. Hensley, in the Salt Lake
County Jail with bail set at $1 million, faces multiple other charges,
including aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.
- 2003 SATURDAY First-degree murder charges are filed in Salt Lake County cases By Derek P. Jensen The Salt Lake Tribune First-degree murder charges were filed Friday in two Salt Lake County cases. One suspect allegedly beat a Salt Lake County man to death in his apartment after arranging to meet him through a telephone dating service, then stole his truck and was later arrested in Las Vegas, Nev. Another man allegedly forced his way into a Salt Lake County home and shot a man to death in an incident police say revolved around a girlfriend. The first crime happened Sept. 23. Police say Ira Eugene Hensley, 40, went to the home of Leo Anderson at 1175 E. Westminster Ave., bound Anderson's wrists, wrapped a telephone cord around his head, neck and mouth, and struck him in the head. An autopsy revealed Anderson, who also had six rib fractures, died of blunt force trauma to the head. Hensley was arrested four days later in Las Vegas after getting into a traffic accident while driving Anderson's green pickup truck, according to charges filed in 3rd District Court. Police found several pawn slips on Hensley, and Anderson's sister identified one of the watches he pawned as Anderson's. Cell phone records show Hensley called Anderson's voice mailbox at a telephone dating service the day of the death. When Hensley returned to a Salt Lake City Ramada Inn that evening, charges say, he told a niece with whom he was staying that he had tried to "zap" Anderson with a stun gun, and when that didn't work he killed him. Hensley also faces counts of aggravated burglary and robbery, first-degree felonies and two counts of theft, a second-degree felony.
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| Saliva Sisters |
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- A National Coming Out Day Rally will be held at the Olpin Union Patio on the University of Utah Campus October 11, at Noon. The Lesbian Gay Student Union sponsors the event.
2004 October 11, Noon National Coming Out Day Rally Olpin Union Patio
University of Utah Campus Sponsored by the LGSU, Lesbian Gay Student Union.
Film Screening Gay Pioneers Salt Lake City Library Auditorium 210 East 400
South October 11, 7pm This screening is held in conjunction with the Utah AIDS
Foundation and the Salt Lake City Film Center.
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| Kate Kendall |
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| Valerie Larabee |
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| Fran Pruyn |
2005 RCGSE AIDS WEEK EVENTS
Dinner & movie after Court Meeting, 8:00pm, MoDiggity's $5.00
2005 October 11th-21st - PRIDE at
University of Utah 2005- There will be many events and activities for U of U
PRIDE 2005. What to look forward to U of U Pride 2005:Pseudo Drag queen Dash
Invitational,Intercollegiate BBQ on upper campus, Boy’s Don’t Cry film, The 5th
Annual University of Utah LGBT Resource Center PRIDE Gala Dinner, and Queer Comedy 101 these are just a few events
that will be happening for U of U Pride 2005. Breaking Through... Pseudo Drag
queen Dash Invitational (PD (q)DI) at
high noon between the Student Services Building and the Marriott Library;
students, faculty and staff will be donning on their best high-heeled ruby
slippers and evening attire in relay format while toting large trays laden with
fruit cocktails-she/he who returns with the most in an upright position wins.
This competition is intended to raise money for the LGBT Resource Center on
Campus thru departmental/community sponsorship of contestants.
2005 Dear LGSU, Tuesday, October
11 is National Coming Out Day, commemorating queer people and their allies'
first march on Washington in 1987. Coming out day is a great way to talk about
LGBT issues, and raise awareness of diversity in communities. For our activity
this evening (7:30 pm, Union room 161), we will make posters to put around
campus. This activity will be great, and I hope to see you all there! On a more
serious note, the University's newspaper, the Daily Utah Chronicle, published
an inflamatory opinion column about the nature of homosexuality. Among other
things, this article says that homosexuality is a health risk, that lesbians
often change their sexual preference, and cites Anne Heche as evidence that
homosexuality is illigitimate. The article is titled 'Not that there's anything
wrong with that...: Science, not political correctness, needs to be the source
of truth when it comes to homosexuality" and is written by Ed Stevenson. It is IMPERITIVE
that LGSU and its supporters voice their concern with this article. It was
published on the eve of National Coming Out Day, and the day before the first
event of University Pride. The Chronicle has completely neglected to cover any
LGBT events this year, and this article is blatantly targeted at upcoming LGBT
events. On another front, LGSU recieved its budget today. LGSU requested $3800
for the 2005-2006 school year, and we excected to recieve about $1200, the same
amount that LGSU recieved last year. With this money, LGSU buys supplies, pays
speakers, sponsors students to go to conferences, and hosts events such as the
annual Gaybutant. In the past ASUU has been an excellent funder of LGSU, but
this year we recieved only $420, less than one quarter of what we requested.
LGSU will have a difficult time operating this year because of this budgetary
setback. Please let the ASUU assembly know your feelings on this, and
understand that we are doing all we can to fix this problem. LGSU is still
going to be great this year, even if we are pinch-poor! Thanks, and I hope to
see you tonight, Thomas Nelson LGSU Co-President
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| Esero Tuaolo |
2006 Please forward this invite to others....The Utah Business
Guild Meet and Greet When: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Where: Under the Lindens
128 South 1000 East, Salt Lake City Why: To meet other Utah Business Guild
members, join the Utah Business Guild and to promote/network yourself or your
business
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| LaVar Christensen |
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| Mike Picardi on left |
2006 National Coming Out Day Breakfast On Wednesday! Every day,
thousands of individuals come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Whether it is for the first time ever, or for the first time to a new friend,
the event is always groundbreaking. This October 11th, the GLBT Community
Center of Utah will host its annual National Coming Out Day breakfast. Join us
as we celebrate the courage and conviction that millions of GLBT Americans
exhibit every day in being open and honest about who they are. When: October
11, 2006 from 7:30 - 8:30 Where: The
23rd Floor of the Wells Fargo Building in downtown Salt Lake City If you would
like to attend the breakfast, you must RSVP to Nathan
2006 Hatch says House feared anti-gay label Hastert's busy schedule
also may have delayed action on Foley, he adds By Matt Canham The Salt Lake
Tribune Salt House leaders may have delayed taking action against former
Florida Republican Rep. Mark Foley because they were afraid of appearing
anti-gay, according to Sen. Orrin Hatch. Utah 's
senator called Foley's sexually explicit e-mails and instant messages to
congressional pages "abysmal" and inexcusable, but he also defended
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who has drawn repeated criticism for not acting
on concerns brought to his office earlier. Hatch's defense, presented to the
Tribune editorial board earlier this week, centered on how busy Hastert is as
the Republican leader in the House. But he also said: "I don't know
anybody today in the Congress who wants to act or be homophobic, so that may be
part of the problem here." Hatch's campaign opponent, Democrat Pete
Ashdown, bristled at Hatch's remarks. "I think it is ridiculous," he
said. "Protecting children has nothing to do with homosexuality."
Equality Utah ,
a gay rights organization, also doesn't buy Hatch's explanation. "It's
interesting that Senator Hatch and other members of Congress would express a
concern about being homophobic when they have supported a constitutional
amendment to define marriage. Do they not consider that be homophobic?" asked
Mike Thompson, Equality Utah's executive director. Foley resigned in September
after sexually explicit instant messages he sent to a male page were made
public. Since then, House Republicans have been embroiled in a scandal that may
cripple their bid to hold the majority. Hastert has been at the center of the
controversy, since some lawmakers have said they relayed concerns over Foley's
messages with pages and former pages years ago. While Hatch may defend Hastert,
most Utahns want to see him punished, according to a recent poll conducted by
Survey USA
on behalf of KSL TV. The poll of 500 people said that 68 percent don't believe
House leaders did enough when they learned of allegations against Foley, with
28 percent believing Hastert should resign his leadership posts and another 34
percent saying he should leave Congress. The FBI and a House ethics
investigation are looking into Foley's actions and the response of House
leaders. "There were mistakes made in my opinion that were human mistakes,
but I think they are now approaching it in an intelligent way," Hatch
said. Ashdown said if those investigations find that Hastert didn't act quickly
enough, then "he should be removed." But until the investigations are
done, Ashdown doesn't want to make a judgment. "I'm not gong to be judge
and jury on Hastert," he said. Earlier this year, Hatch teamed with Foley
to pass a child sex offender bill, requiring a nationwide database. Convicted
sex offenders who fail to register could be charged with a felony. The irony
hasn't escaped Hatch. "Here is a man who has co-sponsored the sex offender
bill. He may very well be the first person prosecuted under that bill."
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| Nikki Boyer |
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| Brandi Balkin |
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| Dottie S. Dixon aka Charles Frost |
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| Ben Williams |
2014 The final 2014 SAGE Utah Potluck and Annual Awards event
was held inside the centrally located Liberty Park (west side) Tracy Aviary, at the historic Chase Mill.Tracie Morrison one of the founders and long time
leader in Sage Utah, and Ben Williams the respected community historian and
chronologist were as given a Community Service Award. Other activities sponsored by SAGE were
- Thelma & Louise Coffee Group Sunday | 10am to Noon | RawBean, SLC. 611 S. West Temple, SLC. UT.
- Men's Sack Lunch every Wednesday | Noon | Utah Pride Center - 255 E. 400 S. Take a break in your day and bring your sack lunch.
- NAMI LGBT Group for those with Mental Illness Every Monday | 7pm-8:30pm 255 E. 400 S.
- Senior Movie Afternoon | 2nd and 4th Wednesdays | 2:00pm | Main City Library at Library Square
2014 Finish out this amazing week of change in
Utah with a celebration of National Coming Out Day! Join the Utah Pride Center
for amazing local speakers, food byZest
Kitchen and Bar, tabling from local community groups, and entertainment by
Edward Lopez & Christy Peterson! We are also pleased to be presenting our
Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Kristen M. Ries, M.D. and Carol
"Maggie" Snyder, P.A.-C. We will also be handing out our Volunteer of
the Year award and the new David Phan Social Justice Award.
2014 NEW
SAGE UTAH LEADERS, NEW SAGE UTAH MISSION At
a recent Sage Utah Board of Directors meeting, new officers were elected by the
full board. Congratulations to them all, they are--Jerry Buie—President Kip
Swan--Vice-president Tammy Dosenbach—Secretary Mary Olsen—Treasurer Additionally
the SAGE Utah Mission committee has been meeting and the board approved the new
mission for Sage Utah. "Enhancing the Lives of Our Mature LGBTQ
Community." The committee consists of Mary Olsen, Julie Anderson, Doug
White, Tammy Dosenbach, Kip Swan, and Charles Lynn Frost. The committee will
now move on to updating bylaws, as well as operational and cultural agreements
for SAGE Utah. In addition to the new SAGE officers listed above--other current
SAGE Utah board members are Julie Anderson, David Andreason, Ingrid Davis,
Charles Lynn Frost (ex-officio), Peggy Kjelstrom, Daniel Musto, Angie Rice,
Kevin Scott, and Doug White.
2014 Seeking to be the fourth active Pride in the state of Utah, a group of Ogden gays and lesbians formed an organization, set plans for future events, and announced a physical location. Ogden Pride, Inc. aligned with the existing nonprofit organization Northern Utah Coalition. Organized on October 11, National Coming Out Day, the first board meeting was held Nov. 13. “Ogden Pride celebrates and supports the LGBT community, individuals and their families and allies in Northern Utah,” Project Director Christopher Wood stated in a release. “We are committed to excellence in advocacy, educational programs, and strengthening inclusive communities.” The group opened up the Ogden Pride Center at 536 24th Street with a soft launch on Friday, Nov. 21. They then moved to Club Alleged for a 21 and over social and fundraiser. The Center will be open Fridays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. for those 18 and over. They are working with the city of Ogden and the Historic 25th Street Association to bring the first Pride in summer of 2015. They are also working on a queer prom in Spring. At the first meeting, Jeff Lensman was elected as president, Gage Church as treasurer and Ali Johnson and Tom Robin were elected as board members. Christopher Wood was appointed as project director.
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