This Day In Gay Utah History March 9th

9 March

 1921 Greek’s trial Set in the City Court. George Kadaras, Greek, charged with sodomy was arraigned before Judge L J Holther in the city court this morning. His bail was fixed at $500. W H Reeder Jr entered his appearance as Attorney for the defendant and arrangements were made for a preliminary hearing to be held March 22. Ogden Standard examiner

1964- Captain E. Gene Cederlof commander of the Salt Lake Police Youth Bureau urged parents to “Tell your child the facts about sex offenders.” He stated that parents, police, and well meaning organizations have been leading the child astray by painting the wrong picture of the sex offender. “The majority of sex offenses on children are not committed by persons who are total strangers to the child Captain Cederlof said. He told of the case of a local private teacher who for more than a year committed unnatural acts involving several 9, 10, and 11 year old boys. (03/09/64 page 17 col.2 SLTribune)

Streaking in the 1970's

1974 Epidermis Eidemic Spreads-Two men were arrested at 9:50 pm Friday after attempting to race across Temple Square. Charged by Salt Lake City Police with disorderly conduct were Douglas Wayne Olsen and Gregory Bruce Waters, both Salt Lake City streakers. At Brigham Young University, three freshmen were arraigned in Provo City Court on a charge of lewdness. Charged were Richard Romney West, Allyn Pierce, and Randall Hardy Pike. Logan Police Chief Max Jones said of the Utah State University streaking injury, “This is getting out of hand.” Streakes were also reported in Grnger and salt Lake City as well as an unclad skier in Park City. Streaking is what psychologists call a ‘behavior contagion’-something that catches on for a little while.  Donald M Thomas, Salt Lake City Superintendant of schools said, “it’s a little like the flu that infects us for a little while then goes away.” Thomas comments came as five student streakers raced through the halls of South High School. Deseret News

1986-Sunday -The 2^nd meeting of Wasatch Affirmation held at Randy Holliday’s home in Sugar House with a pot luck dinner. (Ben Williams Journal 1986)

Mason Rankin

1988- Mason Rankin left a message stating that he was organizing a picket of the governor’s mansion Monday night so he will veto HB 113 and SB 220.  Mason is also planning a candlelight vigil also. Mason Rankin organized a picket of the Governor Mansion tonight as planned a candle light vigil for next Monday. David Sharpton called and said the picketing went well and there was media there [Journal of Ben Williams]

John Reeves

1988- John Reeves spoke with Alan Gundry, the supposedly LDS Church liaison to the Gay community. John said he sees no change at all in the church’s attitude or policy towards Gays. [Journal of Ben Williams]

1989 Thursday I called Ben Barr to have him come in Sunday to do a program on KRCL. I also called Dave Sharpton. David and I talked for about an half hour bitching about everything. It was great to get it out of my system. I'm over committed, undersexed, and extremely frustrated. [Journal of Ben Williams]

Robert Mapplethorpe 

1989- Controversal Gay Artist Robert Mapplethorpe died of complications from AIDS in Boston at age 42.

1990 WOOD ADMITS STANDING NEAR ARCHULETA WHEN SUSC STUDENT WAS BLUDGEONED By Michael Morris and Lane Williams, Staff Writers Defendant Lance Conway Wood admitted for the first time Thursday that he stood near convicted murderer Michael Anthony Archuleta when a Southern Utah State College student was bludgeoned. Jury deliberations were expected to begin Friday in Wood's trial for capital homicide in 4th District Court. Under questioning from defense attorney Marcus Taylor, Wood said he was in the car while Archuleta first tried to break Church's neck, and then beat the victim with separate parts of a tire jack. Wood said Archuleta came to the car and asked him to help move Gordon Ray Church's body. After he got out, Wood said, Archuleta "picked up the jack and was hitting him a few more times." Wood, whom Taylor has tried to portray as frightened of Archuleta, was "more than shocked," when Archuleta told Wood that he was planning on killing Church, the defendant said. He said Archuleta was very angry. "I never seen him like that before." Under cross-examination by prosecutor Carvel Harward, Wood admitted having lied several times to investigators immediately following the murder. Because he wanted to avoid self-incrimination, Wood said, he denied having gotten out of the car during Church's murder at Dog Valley or earlier in Cedar Canyon, where he claimed Archuleta robbed Church.  On Thursday, he recanted those earlier statements and admitted standing behind Church's car, which witnessed have testified was blood-splattered, when the victim was killed. He also admitted that he was outside the car during the robbery. His initial testimony, including one videotaped explanation, indicated that Archuleta had sodomized Church on the emergency lane of the freeway, not in Cedar Canyon. "I got out of the car when Mike told me to get out of the car," Wood said. But, he added, "I didn't have no involvement in the crime. I gave them (investigators) what was logical. I thought (admitting) being outside with him (Archuleta) would involve me in the crime." Testimony Tuesday indicated that Wood's clothes had blood and brain matter on them. A blood-spatter expert from California told the 10-woman, two-man jury that Wood had to have been standing within three feet of Church when he was being bludgeoned.  The blood-spatter expert said Church had been struck at least once while he was standing, at least once while his head was at bumper level and at least once while he was on the ground. Wood's testimony, however, indicated that Church was always near the ground when Archuleta beat him. Wood led investigators to the victim's half-nude body on Nov. 23, 1988, the day after the killing. Wood said he was drunk the night of the murder, and he had difficulty Thursday remembering previous statements he made to investigators. Wood admitted that he lied to investigators when he told them he didn't know where the knife was that was used to cut Church's throat. He later told them they could find the knife in Cedar Canyon, which investigators did. The defendant was on the witness stand for several hours Wednesday and Thursday. During testimony, he was soft-spoken, showing little emotion.  Archuleta, who tried to blame Wood during his trial in December, is sentenced to die. [Deseret News]

Scott Amedure

1995- Scott Amedure was shot to death after appearing on the Jenny Jones show, where he admitted to a male friend that he was his secret admirer.

1990 Six Gay men were assaulted on Main Street by thirteen assailants, one of whom struck one Gay man with a baseball bat. Dennis Morrow, 21, said the incident was reported to police but a female officer told the group of Gays they could expect little police assistance.  "I was told by the police officer that we were not victims, we were bringing it on ourselves because of who we are," Morrow said.

1996-Michigan state senator Doug Carl told two students who were interviewing him for a term paper that AIDS stands for Anally Inserted Death Sentence. When the story became public, he accused the two (straight) students of setting him up.

1996-Four American Baptist churches in San Francisco were expelled from their regional association for taking a pro-Gay stance.

1999-The Colorado state senate voted down Bill 159, which would have banned the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states.

1999  ROYAL COURT Royal Court 7pm upper level of the Center ROYAL COURT The Sun and The Royal Court present "Bedtime Stories" 11pm $1 Hosted by  Veronika

2000-Connecticut became the fifth state to offer domestic partner benefits to same-sex partners of state employees.

DJ Thompson

2000 Brian DJ Hyer Thompson (1967-2000) committed suicide-Brian David James Hyer Thompson was born on June 22, 1967. During his life he was intensely involved in the LDS Church, Affirmation (Gay and Lesbian Mormons), and the community at large. He graduated from Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah. After serving a Mormon mission in Seattle, he returned to Utah, where he was elected president of the Utah Log Cabin Republicans and participated in several gay and lesbian organizations. DJ had a strong connection with Mormonism, especially through Affirmation, Reconciliation, and his Salt Lake City singles ward in the Avenues. Years after coming out, he was still attending that ward and discussing gay issues with his bishop. DJ was a strong advocate for gay rights. He was proud to be gay and proud to be Mormon. DJ lived in many places and tried very hard to find happiness. He loved French culture and once traveled to Paris as an artist's assistant. He loved movies, paintings, and art. He loved hiking, nature, and animals—especially cats. He loved to grow flowers and was a talented cook. At the time of his death, DJ was living with a gay couple near Kingman, Arizona. He was very frustrated over the LDS Church's involvement with Proposition 22 in California and the recent suicide of Stuart Matis. DJ committed suicide near Kingman, Arizona, on March 9, 2000. He was 32 years old. On March 19, 2000, in the middle of a raging snowstorm, Affirmation held a memorial service at St. Mark's Cathedral in Salt Lake City. Some 200 people and the Salt Lake Men's Choir gave tribute to DJ and Stuart Matis. Friends played some of the songs that DJ requested in his letter. DJ was survived by his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his Affirmation friends. He is buried at the South Jordan Cemetery in Utah. Words by DJ: "It is unfortunate that the lives of good people such as Stuart Matis, Matthew Shepherd, and many others go unnoticed. I see Proposition 22 as a last straw in my life-long battle to see peace in the world I live in."  DJ Thompson's Final Goodbye DJ Sent This Message to Friends Before Taking His Life By DJ Thompson March 2000 First, I would like to thank Troy and Bill [Stuart's brother] for their thoughtfulness in their expressions of the heart. This in part, is what has led me to go public, and International with my feelings, on this issue, and the general issue of hate and anti-rights for gay men and women. Not just from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but joined by the hate groups such as the Christian Coalition, and others aligned with them, all over this country. As Troy wrote, fear [of the unknown] is the driving force behind all that is wrong with planet earth, and the society known as The United States of America. Now, to borrow some more of Troy's words - "Isn't the [ability] of the Internet humbling? I find it amazing that ten years ago this sort of story, (Stuart Matis) probably would not have gotten much past a police report. But today it's been told around the world by Gay Mormons and their family members, [other] gay [people], ...etc." "As most of you know, I live in Florida. I have received this story from THREE people in the last two days and I will probably receive more copies. I feel obligated to send it on to others who otherwise would never have known. Not to embarrass or out of anger, but because oppression basically sucks, and the more people know, the less they are afraid, the less they want to destroy or control." "It is more than a little funny that the issue of gay marriage is being decided by people who have very little point of reference to do so. Fear is the driving force. Whether you agree or not, gay marriage doesn't affect most straight people or most Mormons." Troy. In short, no one can stop Gay men and women from making commitments to each other. The legal rights and privileges that come with legal marriage are what is really at stake here. Isn't it enough that gay people can legally be kicked out of their apartments, denied health benefits, fired from their jobs, kicked out of the military, not for kissing, but simply existing! Don't tell me that it doesn't happen that way, because all of the above has happened to me. Up until now, my pride kept most people close to me from knowing this. It is unfortunate that the lives of good people such as Stuart Matis, Mathew Shepherd, and many others go unnoticed, unappreciated, and under valued in this country. Therefore, I believe that the end of my life, will simply be the same. I also know that my words will be ignored by most that even hear or read them. I see Proposition 22 as a last straw in my lifelong battle to see peace in the world I live in. In reference of Stuart's story: Sincerely I ask, from the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was once persecuted [more than 150 years ago, how soon they forget] for its religious beliefs. I ask, where is the unconditional love that Jesus taught me as a child? Why do you spend money on hate and anti-rights causes, instead of putting the same dollar amounts into several chandeliers for several Temples? Why have you spent any of my tithing money on this and previous Anti-Christ political conduct? Why do you ignore the fact that one of your own scriptures [D&C 101] states that the Church believes the Constitution of the United States, was guided by God. "For all Men," not just for heterosexuals! In addition, why do you NOT, adhere to the principles of separation of Church and State? Although I have personally asked the leaders of the church to pray about these issues, feel that I have been ignored. Once again, and most importantly; where is the unconditional love that the REAL meaning of Jesus Christ's teachings are all about? From LDS Church members world-wide, and the rest of the Untied States; I ask, since when does someone else's rights keep the rest of the population from getting a divorce or treating their family members with more respect and or love? Why do under-the-table groups for hate and bigotry run the rest of this world? In addition, why do all of us have a nasty of habit of thinking that someone else's advance must somehow come at our expense? Now to borrow some very good words from Stuart's brother Bill - "I would encourage everyone to contemplate how he [or she] act and feel toward homosexuals. One of the biggest criticisms that the Pharisees and Sadducees, the supposed religious leaders of the day, said of Jesus was that he associated with publicans and harlots. Jesus even made one of those publicans, Matthew, one of his apostles. Whose example then, as Christians, are we going to follow? Are we going to follow the Pharisees and Sadducees who were puffed up in self-righteousness or Jesus Christ who showed love and compassion to everyone?" "To those who feel that my brother was no better than a murderer or an adulterer, I would like to say that the murderer and adulterer choose to be what they are. My brother [did not] choose to be homosexual any more than you or I chose the color of our skin. Many who knew him say that he was one of the most Christ-like people they had ever met. He was a son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and true friend." Bill Matis; Santa Clara, Ca. It has been said by many wise men... "Evil shall rule while good men sit idly by." In other words, those of you who are of voting age can make a difference. Instead of letting the people of influence make all the rules or do all the voting, for something you know to be wrong, when properly self educated. The Republican party used to stand for human rights. (Not special rights that you yourself think you are not getting.) That is no longer true. Bill Bradley is the only candidate who has said that gay people deserve "equal rights." It has come to my attention that he is bowing out of the race for President. This gives me further reason to grieve for the future of this country, and the world I am now leaving behind. Please, make a difference in the lives of gay people now, and your own, or as in repeated past, somehow, eventually your own world will be the next, that oppression finds. Vote for all Human rights, not just your own. I was born: Brian Hyer Thompson. I added David James [more than 10 years ago] as my middle names, my parents regretfully informed me that they were two of other choices they had pondered for my name. I liked those names very much; they came in handy when I decided to go by the nickname my younger brother used to call me [DJ]. I was always the one in control of the Radio. Now you know my current legal name: Brian David James Hyer Thompson. Stuart and I were both to be 33 this year. We both decided to leave this earth for most of the same reasons. Despite our differences, we were both taught to stand up for what we believe in. Especially without people like him in it, my heart can no longer stand for what this world has become, or what is yet to come. I do not blame my family for the reaction that I expect them to have. They are devout to their religion, and will react, as they have been condition to...especially in their older years. They are and always have been the best that they could be, for what they have learned on this earth, thus far! I have been a fan of many talented artists, and many genre's, throughout my life, from A to Z. However, for this moment in time. If I could choose songs to be played [in this order] at my own funeral... Or instead of a funeral, [family expense] also to help those who survive me to understand what I'm going through right now, I would play the following music for you. Special thanks, to these artists: Chris Gains [Garth]/Greatest Hits: 7 - It don't matter to the sun 13 - My love tells me so 1 - That's the way I remember it 2 - Lost in you 12 - Maybe --Amy Grant/Home for Christmas: [Also, If the rumors are true, Congratulations: Amy & Vince] 6 - Grown-Up Christmas List Chris Gains/Greatest Hits: 8 - Right now Richard Marx/Flesh and Bone: 6 - Until I find you again Good-Bye.... Love, DJ

9 March 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 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

2006 Thursday •     The Col. Mustard gang Salt Lake Tribune I look forward to learning about gun-control lawyer Russell C. Fericks's enthusiastic lawsuits against the makers of equally "ultrahazardous" weapons like candlesticks, daggers, lead pipes, ropes and wrenches as he did against the makers of firearms ("Stemming the tide of handgun violence in America," Tribune, March 5).Aside from disarming the Col. Mustard gang, suing the makers of firearms for their criminal misuse is as silly as suing Louisville Slugger for the misuse of its Little League baseball bats. If the makers of ordinarily harmless things are criminally liable for the damage they cause when misused, I won't be the first American to sue Harvard Law School. David Nelson Salt Lake City

2006 Discard them all Salt Lake Tribune Marjorie Mourning (Forum, March 5) asserts - and I'm inclined to agree with her, in theory - that the belief system of atheists should be discarded because "People of all religions outnumber the atheists in this county." Of course, non-Mormons outnumber Mormons. Gentiles outnumber Jews, non-Catholics outnumber Catholics. The same is true for Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, Baptists, etc. The membership in any one cultic belief system is outnumbered by the total of all others. By her reasoning, shouldn't we discard all of them and rely on reason and respect instead? William H. Munk Salt Lake City

2006 Thursday March 9th - "Breast Dialogues" Short Stories of Cancer Survivors 7:30 pm $7(includes refreshments/light finger foods). Co- Hosted with Prince Royale 29 Michael Canham

2007 Huntsman signs student club regulations bill JEREMY DUDA - Daily Herald  Friday, March 9, 2007 After much debate and numerous versions, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed a controversial bill regulating student clubs at public schools. The bill requires parents to give consent before their children can join school clubs and organization and mandates that school boards must give such groups a seal of approval. Opponents have criticized the bill as an attack on Gay/Straight Alliance chapters. "This legislation simply codifies items already in the State Board of Education rules and makes clear that it is not targeting any one club or organization," Huntsman said in a news release Friday. "(It) also ensures that parents will have the right to approve of any school club or organization their child participates in." Huntsman said that he would have vetoed prior versions of the bill. "This doesn't target a specific group. Those prior versions targeted a specific group," said Lisa Roskelley, a spokeswoman with the governor's office. Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, who sponsored the bill, said he thinks the governor came to the right conclusion. "Parents' rights are paramount in any case, in any situation when it comes to their child's education and what they participate in at school," Tilton said. "I'm just thrilled that we've got this bill signed, that the governor understood what the issues were at hand." Tilton said that the purpose of the legislation is not to ban specific clubs, but to give parents more control. School boards can discipline or disband clubs, he said, if the clubs violate the law. He also reiterated that the bill does not target Gay/Straight Alliances or similar clubs. "Some people have stated that. I have yet to have one valid argument on how it does that. Nobody's been able to explain that," Tilton said. Not everyone agrees. On its Web site, the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah said the federal Equal Access Act and the first amendment guarantee students' right to form Gay/Straight Alliances, and the organization expressed concern that the legislation may adversely affect such groups. The organization urged Huntsman to veto the legislation in a letter last week. "Our primary concern with the legislation is that school administrators and faculty may interpret it to mean that Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs), or similar student clubs, may be prohibited," the letter stated. "No matter how creative their attempts, legislators cannot get around the requirements of the Equal Access Act and the First Amendment. We ask that you counter HB 236 S7's ambiguity with a clear statement in favor of students' constitutional rights by vetoing this unnecessary legislation." For some school districts, the legislation will not change much, if anything. Provo School District already has policies in place requiring parents to be notified and give consent for their children to join school clubs or organizations, according to Greg Hudnall, the district's director of student services. "We think our policy will fall right in line with the requirements that are signed in with this bill," he said. "We feel pretty confident that the policy we have in Provo will meet the standard set by the state." A Gay/Straight Alliance club was formed in Provo in 2005 but has since disbanded for lack of interest. This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.

2014  Hello Gentlemen, I hope you are both well.  For me, the past month has been turbulent with illnesses and major life changes, but I’m bouncing back. I am almost prepared to send out the list of nominees to the past award recipients for voting today.  Here is the current list of names: Jim Gonzales, Fran Pruyn, Dominique Storni, Troy Williams, Mark Lawrence, Logan Brueck. I am prepping the write-ups that were received with the nominations and would like to get those out to past recipients today (I’m already a day or two behind).  Please review the above names and let me know if you have any issues with having them on the list of nominees.  Also, if you would like to see others listed, please send a nomination to me along with a write-up justifying the nomination today. As the votes come in, I will keep the tally and periodically update you through the process. Kind regards, - Jon Jepsen