This Day In Gay Utah History March 19th

19 March 

1908 Lehi- Funeral of Moses Jones- Coroner’s Inquest Into the Case of Death- Special Corespondance- Lehi, Utah Co., March 18,- This afternoon the funeral of Moses Jones, who died Sunday from the effects of a blow on the head with a beer bottle in the hands of Duane McCandless last Thursday night, was held from his residence.  The speakers were George Comer and Edward Southwick.  Many sorrowing friends and relatives of the family were present.  A coroner’s jury composed of William E. Racker, G. N. Child and Edward Southwick head an inquest Monday and Tuesday and decided that Mr. Jones came to his death at the hands of Duane McCandless by a blow on the head with a beer bottle Thursday night [March 15] It appears that Jones had been twitting McCandless all evening, Jones saying he could lick him, etc. and as they went from the saloon to settle their differences at Hammer’s livery corner, McCandless made the slug with the beer bottle which was the undoing of Jones [Deseret News] Note October 24^th McCandless was sentenced to 9 months in the county jail for involuntary manslaughter.  Moses Jones had served 10 months in the state penitentiary for sodomy. 1900 US Census shows that Moses Jones was born August 1880 in Utah. 

Spencer Kimball

1970 Thursday The Mormon First Presidency sent a letter to its officials stating; “There is much concern on part of the brethren concerning the apparent increase in homosexuality and other deviations, and we call to your attention a program designed... to counsel and direct them back to total normalcy and happiness.” The LDS First Presidency sent a letter to the Church at large stating “that homosexuals can be assured that in spite of all they may have heard from other sources, they can overcome and return to normal happy living.” The letter designated Apostles Spencer W. Kimball and Mark E. Petersen to “send material and give counsel.”  Elder Kimball’s New Horizons for Homosexuals (later entitled A Letter to A Friend) had sections titled “It Is Curable” and “Multiply and Replenish,” which recommended that homosexually oriented young men should get married and father children as signs of overcoming their same sex desires.

1976- “After student teaching, I hurried back to BYU to meet Larry so we could go to the show.  First he had to drop his car off for his wife.  Then we went to the weekend movie and saw San Francisco with Jeanette McDonald and Clark Gable. We held hands under the desks so no one could see and afterwards we spent sometime in Springville before I took him home at 9:00.” Writes  a BYU student in his journal.

John Cooper

1986- “I went to John Cooper’s Salt lake Chapter of Affirmation and had a good experience there. I saw Russ Lane again and he said that his job prospects fell through and may have to return to San Jose. “(Ben Williams Journal)

1988 Eric Christensen dropped off our ad this morning for Beyond Stonewall and he did a super job of drawing a handsome man and creating a Beyond Stonewall logo. I ran the ad up to the U of U where Satu Servigna and Ralph Goff were inputting the magazine. I ended up staying and helping them set up the columns for the magazine. Satu said that the Triangle has an exclusive last interview with "Devine". Daniel Humphreys was in LA and interviewed him 10 days before he died. [Ben Williams Journal]

1989 About 6:30 pm I rode my bike down to KRCL to do a show. I wanted to be done by 8:00 to go back to the Salt Palace to watch the closing ceremonies but we didn't get finished until nearly 9:30. It was a wonderful program with interviews from people at the opening ceremonies. It was a beautiful program. A nice tribute. I dedicated the show to Ben Barr and David Sharpton and all the volunteers who helped made this event possible. [Journal of Ben Williams]

1996-The Connecticut state supreme court upheld the University of Connecticut law school's ban on military recruiters in a 3-2 decision. The school instituted the ban because of the military's discrimination against Gays and lesbians.

1996-Governor Mike Leavit (R) of Utah vetoed a bill meant to stop teacher sponsorship of Gay student clubs by prohibiting teachers from condoning illegal acts, including sodomy.

1999  Paul Kenny iat Salt Lake City's Trolley Square, promoting the Utah AIDS Foundation's Oscar Night Gala.

Stuart Matis

2000 Concerned about the climate of misunderstanding and intolerance between the LDS Church and the gay and lesbian community, a group of gay and lesbian Mormons and their families are holding a memorial service to remember two men who recently committed suicide. The Interfaith Service will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2000, from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark (Episcopal) in Salt Lake City. The program is entitled, "No More Deaths, No More Silence," and will feature comments by friends of the deceased, music by the Salt Lake Men's Choir and speakers by community leaders. Organizers hope that the Service will launch a collective effort to combat future suicides and to initiate dialogue with LDS Church leaders. On March 9, 2000, DJ Thompson, a gay Mormon man from Salt Lake City, took his life. His death follows that of another gay Mormon man, Stuart Matis, who shot himself on the steps of an LDS stake

DJ Thompson 

center in Santa Clara, California, on February 25, 2000. Both men struggled for years to reconcile their sexuality with their religious beliefs. These suicides occurred against the backdrop of the passing of Proposition 22 in California, which outlaws marriage of same sex couples. Members of the LDS church, as directed by their leaders, contributed significant amounts of money and time to the "Yes on 22 Campaign." Over 61% of voters favored the legislation. In some LDS Families Proposition 22 forced members to have to choice between supporting gay and lesbian loved ones and obligation to the Church. For some gay and lesbian Mormons, the Church's involvement with Proposition 22 has resulted in their leaving the Church. Many leaders in faith communities which affirm gay and lesbian members are supporting an education effort and are calling on LDS Officials to reconsider Church policy and anti-gay activities. In a letter to the President of the LDS Church, an Archbishop in The Ecumenical Catholic Church wrote, "Proposition 22 was one of the ugliest chapters in the history of the modern Church. Our job as chief pastors is to spread the gospel. Supporting Proposition 22 did just the opposite. It told people they were not fully loved by God." Although there are many gay and lesbian Mormons throughout the world, their experiences are unknown to the majority of Church members. In his suicide note DJ Thompson expressed the hope that his death would be catalyst for understanding and change. This is the reason for the Interfaith service. Members of all faith communities are invited to attend.

19 March 2000 Local and National Religious Organizations Join with the Gay/Lesbian Mormon Community in Responding to Recent Suicides-Concerned about the climate of misunderstanding and intolerance between the LDS Church and the Gay and lesbian community, a group of Gay and lesbian Mormons and their families are holding a memorial service to remember two men who recently committed suicide. The Interfaith Service will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2000, from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., at The Cathedral Church of St. Mark (Episcopal) in Salt Lake City. The program is entitled, "No More Deaths, No More Silence," and will feature comments by friends of the deceased, music by the Salt Lake Men's Choir and speakers by community leaders. Organizers hope that the Service will launch a collective effort to combat future suicides and to initiate dialogue with LDS Church leaders.

2000 Utah Stonewall Historical Society workshop on Utah; history you never got in  school, from your parents, or church. *DID YOU KNOW THAT Heber C. Kimball’s great granddaughter married Rudolph Valentino who was bisexual? Do you know that the mayor of Nauvoo was accused of buggery? Do you know the name of the world famous bisexual British explorer who met Brigham Young? Do you know what the Bohemian Club was? Do you know that Oscar Wilde Came to Salt Lake City to lecture? No? Then what kind of self-respecting homosexual are you? Even if you hate history/herstory you’ll love us! Think of it as “elegant dissing.” Lectures are free but a donation to the Community Center would be appreciated. Held in the upper room of the Community Center - 360 North 300 West.

Clay Whitmer 

2001-Creating Life Lines of Love: Helping Youth By Allison Bingham, Ph.D. Founding Director, Affirmation Youth Services [Adapted from a talk originally given at the community memorial service, "No More Deaths, No More Silence", Sunday, March 19, 2000, Salt Lake City, Utah] I am honored to be here today. I wish to take the next few minutes to reflect on the loss of several individuals who have so tragically taken their lives this past year, Steven Larry Wheeler and Clay Douglass Whitmer. To the parents and families of these young men, we grieve with you over your loss of life's most precious of gifts, the loss of a family member and loved one. So sadly, I stood behind a pulpit

Steven Wheeler

over one year ago, speaking of the tragic deaths of two more young men, DJ Thompson and Stuart Matis . I stand here again this year, to remind us, that it is up to us, the living, to give greater meaning to the lives of these dear brothers. Last year I spoke of DJ and Stuart in a memorial service in Salt Lake City and I vowed to echo their last words again and again. DJ and Stuart both expressed a deep concern for the thousands of young adults who are growing up with the recognition that they are somehow different than their peers. Why were they concerned? Because they knew only too well, like many of you here today, these youth spend much of their lives in silence. They live a life that is often invisible and wrought with suffering because of our society's prejudicial views on gender orientation. These youth are generally isolated and often come to the conclusion that their situation is hopeless in this lifetime. Many believe they have no one to turn to, feel isolated, and are rejected by friends, their religious and civic communities, friends, and most importantly, they feel rejected by God and their families.  It is here that hopelessness sets in because many arrive at the belief that their only option is suicide. Others seek relief from their pain and misery in other self-destructive behaviors including drug or alcohol use and reckless behaviors. They struggle in silence. These are the youth who so desperately need mentoring and support from adults who are nonjudgmental, supportive, and who care. It has now been one year since the passing of DJ, a friend and fellow Affirmation member. I met DJ in the winter of 1998 at our first annual leadership meeting. I had been called to serve by our Affirmation director to lead the organization in the development of a youth/young adult support network. At this meeting we discussed the issues and built consensus around this initiative. DJ referred to this initiative, as "the lifeline" that I never had growing up." At the time, I was struck by DJ's reaction to this initiative. He approached me immediately afterward, animated about the initiative, and shared with me why this effort was the single most important thing we could do. His eyes were alive and with conviction in his voice he shared with me the isolation and pain that characterized his teenage years. I could feel the years of hurt and pain passing into my consciousness - and finding its way into that ever so vulnerable hollow place in my heart that so many of us are familiar with. Ironically, in the end, DJ asked of his

religious leaders, "Where is the unconditional love that Jesus taught me as a child…that the real meaning of Jesus Christ's teachings are all about?" Now over one year since your passing, I want to say that still I deeply miss you DJ, your passion for helping our youth, and your experiences that have helped to shape our efforts now nearly four years later. It is now a year since the passing of another brother in spirit - Stuart Mathis. And I would like to echo his message that he left with each of us, the living. His message focused on need for all to understand the Savior's teachings of God's greatest law, the law of love, and to always carry in our hearts the parable of the good Samitaran. His message also touched on his deep love, respect, and adoration for his family. As I reflect on Stuart and DJ's tragic deaths and their statements and two more tragic deaths we are here to especially honor this evening, I am still reminded of all the parents, and loved ones who know kind spirits and goodness in their gay family member's heart. And I remember the countless parents, teachers, church leaders who have contacted Affirmation to find someone who will listen; who are too seeking for answers and support on what to do. What should I do, they ask. What should I say, they ask, when a student, child or sibling, says to them, Mom, dad, teacher, I think I'm gay and I'm terrified of what will happen to me. These people are deeply concerned and are deeply distressed because they too are feeling the impact of hatred, fear and ignorance prevails. And sadly, I continue to say, just as I did last year, where can these kind and loving people turn to in their time of need? A lot has been done this past year, but sadly I must stand before you today and testify to you that it is still our churches, our sacred places of religious worship, that continue to keep their doors closed, keep their phones unanswered, and keep their messages so very outdated and so irrelevant to the parent, the teacher, or the religious instructor who also seek answers. I can tell you that these concerns also weighed heavily on the minds of DJ and Stuart. At this time I ask each of you to reflect on the following fact. Over the years the vast majority of emails that we have received from young people on our warmline contain in it the basic question: Does God love me? To each and every precious spirit who is reaching out through this cyberspace, trying to connect, I have reminded them, "Yes, your Heavenly Parents love you very much and they wish only for your happiness and peace. They do not hate you, and they have not rejected you." Our message then goes on further, "You must learn to love, honor, and respect yourself. Find honor in your life, give of yourself to others through service. And when you serve, serve with all your heart, serve with compassion, serve with style, serve with an absence of malice, and serve with grace. Be kind to yourself and to others, and smile." Each time I get a message like this, it tears me inside. Why? This simple, so beautiful, so potentially tragic question continues to be asked by so many of our young people, "Does God love me?" AND I continue to ask - Where is our religious community? Why is it that a child is so desperate that he or she feels she must turn to a seemingly anonymous form of communication - a computer - desperately searching through cyberspace - seeking answers to this most basic and fundamental question? This is a call for action. There is an immediate need for these youth to have available spiritual counseling and a supportive spiritual community in a climate of love and acceptance. It tells me that our faith communities are still closed and not accessible to those who are desperately seeking spiritual answers. This is wrong, and it is up to each and every one of us to make this right. I stand here today, in honor of DJ and Stuart's lives, and ask you to join me in a pledge for this next year to find ways to set up LIFE lines of LOVE, not DEATH lines, to young adults who so desperately need our unconditional love and support. And now, I ask you to take the hand of the person on either side of you and join with me in a moment of silence to honor the lives of these two men and to reflect on ways to give their deaths greater meaning. In honor of Stuart, I ask you to meditate for a moment on God's greatest law, the love of LOVE and open your hearts to this LOVE. In honor of our beloved DJ, take this feeling of love - and open yourselves to the many possibilities that you have in your life, in your community to create LIFE LINES to our young who are in such desperate need.  May each of you to find the love and gain the wisdom this next year to help us to make things right - No more Death Lines of hatred and fear - We can and must create LIFE LINES OF LOVE.

Mel Nimer

2002 From: "Mel Nimer" To: "Teinamarrie Nelson" Sherry Booth" "Kathryn Warner" "Kim Keesler",  "Geoff Partain" ; "Hazel Jensen-Wysinger" "Donna Jensen-Wysinger" "Donna Cooper" Darin Hobbs" "Chad Keller"  "Craig Miller"  "Billy Lewis" Subject: Thank You! I just wanted to let you all know that I am not mad about what Transpired tonight. I am very grateful for the last few months experiences, and for the opportunity, as short as it was, to try and help out with Pride. If my leaving makes it easier to put this celebration together for our community then it is for the best. I am who I am and if my style doesn't fit with the rest of you then I'm sorry. Please believe me when I say that I was not threatening anyone, nor would I ever. It is not in my personality. I have a very direct way of dealing with issues, and I have very little patience when I feel that I am being put down, or ignored. Not that that was anyone's intention, but I too, felt very threatened and put down with some of The things that have happened the last two weeks. And, I'm sure that I didn't help matters any by getting all defensive (and offensive).  I wish you all the very best. Mel

Doug Fadel 

2003 Chad Keller to Doug Fadel For Leadership Forum--I spoke with Paula [Wolfe] about a calendar--the center is on board with helping.  She suggested a website that each group could access and add their events to (pass-words so that authorized person from group can access).  The website would not allow anyone to delete events without authorization.  Once the website is up and running, each organization could link from their own sites to it.  At our next board meeting, I will propose that a committee from the Center (we have a couple of computer experts on the

Paula Wolfe

board) coordinate with the Leadership forum to get the site up and running.

• This is kinda what Micheal Mitchell and I discussed following the summit.  Need to explore the options to keep it a neutral entity supported by the Forum, Center, Unity, and other partners in the community.  I agree on the authorization, and traditionally it was as a service of the forum, so to be listed an organization would need to attend on a regular basis.  I have a web designer looking for a simple solution for me.  I like the proposal, so perhaps they you and I can meet, and discuss options and what I have found.   We need to be cautious moving forward, as there are few groups who keep info updated on their site, and many who have no real site at all.  I know we can figure this out as a team.  For Leadership Forum--I hope to continue to attend the forum as a representative from the Center.  I also hope to have at least one other board member join me (or sub for me when I cannot attend). GREAT!! 6.  For Leadership Forum--I want to help get more organizations on board.  Are there any organizations that could use a little outreach?  Do you have a list of every organization that might be out there?  To be honest with you, I was not familiar with most of the organizations attending the summit.  I have a lot to learn about the other organizations--and I am looking forward to it. It was my hope that the larger groups would somehow endorse their experience, and call for those GLBT and Friendly organizations they are associated with to come join them at the Forum.  Yes there are many that need more work done to get them in attendence.  I believe that this needs to be a one on one thing leader to leader, I think the April Forum meeting should be a how to get others in attendence.  I look forward to working with you on this, and again see the Forum helping build bridges between organizations and people to Build, Unite, and Inform the community.  The Center's input is valid and welcome.
  Love Doug

2003 Chad Keller wrote: In the cancellation of the Rodeo the 800 some odd dollars are to be disbursed in the following manner from the pig fund. $100 4-H $100 Royal Court Cancer Fund $100 Bad Dog Rediscovers America $200 Memory Grove Foundation  $300 USHS the following email is for Paul [Cunato], and should be contacted as I would like us to have some cash to work with as we go forward.  I think it is best if the note came from you as there would be a conflict for me being on both boards. 

2003  Jane Erickson To: Chad Keller  Subject: RE: a womyn's march in SLC Chad, it sounds like we may have the Festival Opera on the 7th.  Make sure Brandie has a permit! CK : She has a permit for the March but no booking for the park.  I let her know that we have a tentative conflict per the MGF [Memory Grove Fundraising] schedule, and would get with our schedule and the parks department.  She had not booked the park...and was not going to.  She is having Dykes on Bikes and noisy rally stuiff , I steered her to the City Creek Park area. Hope there is not a wedding that night......

2004  Lee Silva of the Utah Gay Rodeo Association hosted annual Silver & Gold Rush at the Paper Moon “Hey Everyone! The UGRA presents: Silver & Gold Rush Friday, March 19th 9:00pm at the *Papermoon.  Line dancing, Mr., Ms., & Miss pony Express competition and also, Best Boots, Best Butts and Best Boobs contest.  Prizes, surprises and lots of fun raffle items.  Support the Utah Gay Rodeo Association by attending this fun event.  Don't forget to wear your wetern shirts, boots and tight wrangler jeans. Hugs! Tracie Aviary [GregHarden] Thanks Everyone! Last night (friday 3/19) the UGRA raised over $1500.00 at our Silver & Gold Rush fundraiser. Thank you everyone for supporting this fun event! Hugs!

Tracie Aviary Miss UGRA 2004

2004 -I just wanted to send out a reminder that the staff meet and greet is happening today at 5:30. This is a chance for the writers, staff, and other interested parties to get together in an informal setting, where refreshments will be served and questions answered. The office is located at the following address: Salt Lake Metro 352 S. Denver Street, Suite 350 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (Denver Street is at 440 E., and the office is the parti-colored building just north of Beto's on 400 South.) Thanks very much; I hope to see you there. Sincerely, Brandon Burt Editor Salt Lake Metro (801) 548-6086

Kathryn Warner 

2005 Friday Kathryn Warner in concert in the "Center Space" 7 - 9 pm. If you've never heard Kathryn Warner, you won't want to miss this amazing chance to hear one of our best local musicians, live and for free to the public!  If you have heard of her, I know you will already be planning on attending.

2005 Hey All, Just a reminder that this Friday night the 18th is the Comedy Hypnosis Show starring the HYPNO-HICK at the Paper Moon. He puts on a great show !!!!  Cocktails and Buffet dinner at 6p.  Show starts at 7pm  $10 donation for the dinner and show. Hope to see you there.. Steve

2005 Please join myself, Krystina, and Kyra in presenting a show for the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire.  This will benefit the Court's Cancer Fund.  We will feature many talented performers.  It will be this Friday, the 18th at 9:00 PM at the Paper Moon.  (3737 South State) There is a $5.00 cover charge. All proceeds from the door will go the Courts Cancer Fund. For the COS staff who will be attending, it is customary (in my opinion only) to tip the performer ($1.00) that you are acquainted with, and we are proud to say that there will be a former staff person who will be performing.  So get in line when she performs, I am sure she will be glad and very happy to see all of you. I am very proud to be a part of this show, as I believe that the Court does more for the community than any other single organization. They are true humanitarians who strive to meet the needs of those in the Salt Lake community who are in need of assistance. I am proud to be affiliated with them, and I hope you will join me on Friday in supporting this organization and their charitable causes. The RCGSE along with Prince Royale 23, Kim Russo Princess Royale 26, Kyra Prespente and Princess Royale 28, Krystyna Shaylee Present: "Ain't taking no...."  A Show about attitude and energy! So please join us Friday March 18th at 9pm for a show packed with high energy and lots of attitude at the Paper Moon* Cover will be $5. Proceeds from the door will benefit the RCGSE General Fund. Toni Fitzgerald's  Annual Bra Auction will continue Friday night and the Proceeds from that will go to the RCGSE Cancer Fund. Hope to see you all there!

2005  Coming out is probably the most single courageous act a homosexual does in his/her life time and yet these remarkable stories are rarely recorded and are often thought to be rather mundane. We need to remember to celebrate each small step and sometimes the giant leaps that Gay people do to liberate themselves in an extremely homophobic and violent society that is often America.Very often homosexuals are as afraid of being labeled "Gay" or "Lesbian" as much as anything, and are reluctant to use those terms because of misperceptions fostered on our Lambda Communities by heterosexual social constructs. It's been my limited experience that the first steps to coming out were saying "I'm Gay friendly" to justify association with Gay people. The Second step was to say "I'm Bisexual" so that one could test the water but retreat if those waters are too hot or too cold. Yes I know there are a few true bisexuals but if we define our orientation not by use of our genitals but by our affection and devotion...men who fall in love with men, or women who fall in love with women...then the old joke about bisexuality being a learners permit for being Gay has some merit. A third step seems to be coming out to friends before family. Families are simply too volatile with so much expectation placed on family members. Coming Out can be in stages….Mine was. In and Out In and Out Often there's a "candy store stage" component when after being deprived most of one's life of candy- one over indulgences until one realizes that the candy isn't going away. A study I the 1980's also showed that people coming out of the closet often come out at the emotional age they went in- having a developmental part of their lives stunted. In other words if you discovered your sexuality at 15 and went in the closet then, when you come out you are still emotionally 15 whether you are 25 or 50. However the studies also show that one quickly adjusts to one's emotional chronological age. Many older Gays and Lesbians are not "Trolling" when wanting to be in youthful settings- they are simply trying to recover something that was lost to them. Thank Providence that the work of the pioneer activists is coming to fruition and more and more people are coming out in high school and do not have to reclaim missing stages of their lives. Closeted Gays often put on hold much of their lives- paralyzed with introspection and recrimination. The sooner one is out of that enclosure the sooner one can move on to build careers and relationships. In a speech at Gay Pride Day 1989 I once said that Gay People are the bravest people I know. I still think that is true. Please share with the USHS your coming out stories.

2005 Jury concludes Woodrick is guilty in murder trial Saturday, March 19, 2005 By Mark Gray Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN -- It took a jury only two hours Friday afternoon to convict Franklin Eugene Woodrick of murder for his part in the death of a man who had a short fling with his lover. The case was unusual from the start, much of it centering on the gay underworld, drugs and jealousy. In the end, the eight-member jury sorted through the weeklong testimony of a medical examiner who detailed the violent evening in Vincent Donato's home, a lover's claim of being the sole killer and tactics from both attorneys -- prosecutors called Woodrick "the defendant," and the defense called him "Franklin" and "Frankie." Along with the murder conviction, Woodrick was found guilty of second-degree felony theft for stealing Donato's car after killing him. Donato died Nov. 7, 2002, beaten by Woodrick and Rodney Boyle. A friend found Donato bound and gagged and lying in a pool of blood. The guilty verdict capped a day in which prosecution and defense gave their closing statements, much of which focused on Boyle, Woodrick's codefendant and lover. Boyle testified Wednesday that he committed the murder and that Woodrick wasn't even there. Boyle has already pleaded guilty to the murder and is serving time in the Utah State Prison. Just prior to his murder, Donato and Boyle engaged in a relationship. In closing arguments, prosecutor Gary Heward argued that Boyle has no credibility and flatly lied on the stand, citing statements Woodrick had allegedly made to detectives claiming partial responsibility for the crime. He also said Boyle was taking sole responsibility because he has nothing to lose and said Woodrick struck a deal to pay Boyle off for the testimony. Defense attorney John Caine denied a deal was in place and said Boyle was truthful this week, but lied initially to detectives. "The prosecution contends that he is a liar," Caine said. "That's fine. If Rodney Boyle was a liar the other day, why wouldn't he be a liar on Nov. 8, 2002? He lied then. He told the truth here."  The murder was one of only a handful that have occurred east of Harrison  Boulevard in the last 20 years. Detectives and prosecutors were relieved with the verdict and with the fact they can now put the two-year-old case behind them. Sentencing is set for April 28. The first- and second-degree felonies carry prison punishments of five years to life and one to 15 years, respectively.

2006 Salt Lake Men's Choir presents "Anthems for Spring," songs to rouse the soul for your country, your god or your people, including, of course, the "Rainbow Connection." Sunday, March 19, 7:00pm Black Box Theatre Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center 138 W Broadway (300 South)

2006 Live for Life Show" St. Paul's Episcopal Church 7pm. Co-hosted with Charles Black, Emperor 20 Peter Christie, and Empress 29 Syren Vaughn

Dan Fahndrich

2006 The next QVinum meeting will be on Sunday - March 19 "German Style Wines "  Rieslings & Gerwurtztraminers, etc.. There are dry and sweet types of wines that are quite fun to try ...soooo this can be a fun adventure for those who think that all  Germany style wines are sweet. Remember, some of these wines go VERY well with spicy food.... Wine can be quite the adventure, like we learned at the January event. Soooo, put March 19 down and stay tuned. rsvp at qVinum@yahoogroups.com  either for food or wine Dan Fahndrich

2006 Mormon Light and Knowledge is Precarious In an article on Mitt Romney being questioned about his Mormon faith, evidently questions about blacks and polygamy are coming back to haunt his political aspirations. I find that it’s truly ironic that The LDS church can disavowal "sacred principles" such as celestial marriage and that of blacks being of the seed of Cain while still harboring their archaic prejudices against Gays. The article mention that after the 1977 supposed revelation on Blacks and the Priesthood, apostle Bruce R. 8McConkie's directed all the church's Seminary and Institute of Religion teachers to "Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young . . . or whomsoever has said . . . that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world . . . " How long will Gays and Lesbians have to suffer in Utah, and Gay Mormons worldwide, before the light in turned on at 50 North Temple? As for any Mormon politician they take an oath to follow their Priesthood leaders over any oath to the US Constitution. You can bet your ass that every strategy Mitt Romney has is scruntinized at 50 North Temple. [Ben Williams Gay Utah Forum]

2008 News | Transported: Bill to fight discrimination gets shuffled off to interim, and transgender Utahns grow impatient By Eric S. Peterson Salt Lake City Weekly The specter of suicide had hung close to

Candice Metzler

Candice Metzler often in her life as she struggled to come terms with her female identity, but not so much as one day in September 2007. Facing separation from her children, having just lost her job and also discovering her insurance wouldn’t cover her upcoming sex-change surgery, Metzler set off alone by herself into Little Cottonwood Canyon and free-climbed a 260-foot cliff—with no ropes, harness or a care in the world if she were to slip and fall to her death. “On top, I just sat down for about three hours debating whether or not to jump off the cliff,” Metzler says. Finally the image of her two children helped bring her down. For Metzler, the lingering fear of suicide is one—now as a fully transitioned woman—she wants to help others combat. The battle for recognition of the transgender community, she believes, can’t be delayed until legislation catches up.  And while Rep. Christine Johnson’s employment nondiscrimination act to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community from workplace discrimination has been forced into an interim study committee, Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, feels she is making slow but steady progress. “I consider it a little bit of a victory because they didn’t kill the bill on the spot. It’s very

Christine Johnson

impressive that we are continuing the dialogue,” she says. Still others in the LGBT community worry about continued discrimination as the discussion creeps along. The tricky notion of gender being something not solely identified by anatomy is one the conservative Utah Legislature has struggled with. But, for Metzler, sexual identity has everything to do with identity and nothing to do with sex. After completing her male-to-female transition surgery last December, Metzler now has the girlfriend to prove it. “People always tell me, ‘Wait—you got the surgery, and now you date women? What gives?’ And that’s the hard thing for people. It’s got absolutely nothing to do with sex; it’s about identity. “There are people who identify as ‘bigender,’ no gender—both in the same day if they want. The [transgender community] is a huge continuum of possibilities,” Metzler says. While the law might only recognize anatomical male/female distinctions, Metzler still considers the law inconsistent in the way it treats individuals born intersex (male and female sex organs) and who were assigned a gender at birth. “Why is it sanctioned for a doctor to assign sex at birth, but not for an individual to choose that for themselves as adults?” As long as the law fails to recognize gender self-identification, people in that category fear that discrimination will abound. Metzler lost her job as a home inspector last September. She thought her employer had been accepting of her transitioning, but when the housing market slumped, Metzler lost her job. She believes discrimination has kept her from finding another job.  Metzler has spent the last six months living out of her car and staying occasionally at the homes of friends and focusing only on finishing up her psychology degree at Salt Lake Community College. She is surviving on student loans and grants and has set a goal to gain her PhD. Metzler hopes to someday conduct research affecting policy for homeless, transgender youth. Meanwhile, she often speaks to groups, trying to educate them about the struggles of those the law has left in the margins. When the House Business and Labor Committee heard Johnson’s legislation and voted to move the bill to an interim session so that more data could be collected, one concern was how to statistically document the level of employment discrimination against people in the LGBT community.  The panel decided to examine the issue in the interim, after monitoring for more complaints filed with the Utah Labor Commission of LGBT discrimination. As of press time, the Labor Commission has tracked 18 complaints filed since last July, and it will present more data and testimony at a yet to be determined committee date within the next few months. Johnson was pleased a conversation began, even though the bill did not make it to the House floor. “They didn’t want the conversation to end; they had a lot of questions,” she says. For Johnson, the conversation is crucial and is the beginning of bigger things. “This is the only way we can stop the cycle of dehumanizing the LGBT community.”  Not everyone is impressed by the progress of the legislation. “Procedurally, it’s progressed,” says Paul Mero of the Sutherland Institute, a conservative think tank critical of the bill. “I still consider it a policy that arrived D.O.A., and now I guess it’s just moved to the funeral home.” According to Mero, the legislation unnecessarily extends civil rights to a group, whose situation was one they chose. “These issues should be treated on a case-by-case basis,” Mero says. “To me, these are human choices being played out. I know it’s more complicated but, ultimately, it comes down to choice. I’m not trying to belittle anyone’s struggles, but the only way this rises to a level of civil rights is if some one is born that way.” For Metzler, to think that choice was involved at all was an illusion forced upon her. “In retrospect, it wasn’t the fact that I suddenly switched and decided to be a woman,” Metzler says. “It was that I stopped trying to force myself into a male mold. Looking back, I always knew I was a woman.”