This Day In Gay Utah History April 19th

19 April 19-

1929-An appellate court in New York City ruled that the lesbian novel "The Well of Loneliness" was not obscene. The decision overturned the ruling of a lower court.

1950 The New York Times reports on April 19th that the national chairman of the Republican Party declared that the “sexual perverts who have infiltrated our Government in recent years” were “perhaps as dangerous as the actual Communists.” The New York Times ran a story about the necessity of purging sex perverts from the federal government and calling them as dangerous as "reds."

1955- The 3rd District Court of Utah upheld Salt Lake County’s prohibition of dancing at Beer Taverns (SLTribune 04/12/56 pg. 25 Col. 6)

1963- "Shot Gun Murder Trial Takes New Turn" Ogden Standard Examiner- Trial of  Jean Sinclair for love triangle murder of Donald L Foster Newspaper Article

1967-Columbia University granted a charter to the Student Homophile League, making it the first US college to recognize a campus Gay and lesbian organization.

1970-Gay activists interrupted a television appearance by New York City mayor John Lindsay. As a result, representatives from the mayor's office met with the activists to discuss their concerns.

1970 James Michael Jones age 21 of 330 East 3rd South SLC Utah and Louis Debrogriccio age 51 of Malden Massachusetts  were sentenced in 3rd District Court to 6 months in jail for Sodomy.

1977  Utah Daily Chronicle contained article “Lesbian Issues In the Media” by Lisa Maxfield.  Mentions Andrea Ashcraft as steering committee chair of Women Aware, a local Lesbian-Feminist organization. (04/19/1977 Utah Daily Chronicle page 3)

1987-Wasatch Affirmation held a rap session on couples in relationships at the Unitarian Church.

1988 I made cookies for Unconditional Support tonight were we had a “Fuckerware” Party.  It was an adult toys party with creams, lotions, vibrators, dildoes etc. It was fun and outrageous. A lot of blushing. We had a nice turn out. [Journal of Ben Williams]

1988 QUIZ QUESTION UPSETS FAMILIES ALERT  A Families Alert spokeswoman claims Clearfield High School violated state law by placing a question about contraception on a quiz, but school officials say there's no cause for complaint. Joy Beech, executive director of Families Alert, said she recently wrote a letter to the State Office of Education complaining that contraception was being taught in a Clearfield High home economics class without parental knowledge or consent.  "The complaint came to me from a parent who didn't want to be involved (in complaining about it) out of fear her child would be harassed," Beech said. "The documented evidence brought to me was a test on which they were actually quizzing kids on contraceptives." Beech claimed the test was a blatant violation of a state law that requires schools to obtain written parental consent before discussing contraception and to make pertinent course material available for parental review. She said the teacher involved could have been "thrown in jail and slapped with a heavy fine," but she chose only to ask school officials to correct the problem. Eileen Rencher, a spokeswoman for the state office of education, said the disputed question read: List two birth control methods for males and females and briefly explain the function it stops and the percentage of effectiveness." Lynn Trenbeath, home economics supervisor for the Davis School District, said the test was given to students in a home economics class called "Child Development, Care and Guidance." She said the course does not include discussions of contraception as part of the curriculum but that student questions about contraception arose naturally from discussions about human reproduction. She said the Clearfield teacher did err in including the question on a test but that it amounted to nothing more than an honest mistake. Clearfield High Principal Michael Duckworth agreed, saying there is nothing illegal about answering spontaneous questions from students in the classroom. "You are going to have some exposure to the birth process in these classes and some of these questions will be thrown out to teachers, but that doesn't mean they include contraception as part of the curriculum," he said. "It would be nice to have a little more confidence from some of these parents," he said. "I hope they would realize that our teachers are not trying to share anything that shouldn't be shared, but that they will make mistakes from time to time."

Clayton Hartwig

1989-An explosion aboard the USS Iowa killed 47 men. In the investigation that followed the  explosion, the navy blamed Petty Officer 2nd Class Clayton Hartwig, saying that he had been jilted by a his homosexual lover, another sailor on the ship named Kendall Truitt.  The Navy claimed that the explosion was a result of Hartwig's suicidal attack on the Iowa. Hartwig's family made congress conduct another study, being convinced neither that he was gay, nor that he was suicidal.  The congressional investigation, headed up by the General Accounting Office (GAO) found that the aging powderbags on the ship, combined with the fact that guns were being over-rammed with extra powder, likely caused a spontaneous explosion while the back of the gun was still open, shooting a massive fireball into the turret. The Navy re-opened their investigation and concluded that the cause was unable to be determined.  However, they did admit to fabricating the evidence against Hartwig.The Navy chose to ignore numerous safety problems aboard the ship or the use of undertrained personnel that day. 

1992 Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, annual Easter sunrise service held by the Rev. Bruce M. Barton

1993- An Art exhibition was held at the Utah Stonewall Center by Randall Sagendorff entitled “Fantasy and Surreal Images.”

1996-Courts Will Have Final Say On Fate of Gay Groups After a late-night political convulsion on homosexuality, Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt and the Legislature have handed off the controversial issue of gay student clubs to the courts. State taxpayers are likely to pay for ensuing lawsuits. Few expected Wednesday's special legislative session -- which Republican Leavitt meant as an afternoon of sharply focused lawmaking -- would turn into a disjointed 12-hour catharsis of emotion, verbal conflict and, in a few cases, outright gay-bashing. The 104 part-time legislators finished their one-day session shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday. In hand was a bill that forces Utah's school boards to ban clubs for gay and lesbian students and other select organizations – while allowing other groups access to school facilities. The governor vetoed similar legislation, Senate Bill 246, in March, saying it veered into unconstitutional territory. The reworked measure, which Leavitt said Thursday that he will sign into law, is sure to be challenged under claims that it flouts federal law and the U.S. Constitution. ``Not only does it violate the rights of lesbian, gay and straight

Carol Gnade

students,'' said Carol Gnade, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Utah, ``but [also] everyone associated with a Utah high school, including teachers, administrators and volunteers.''  The ACLU vows to sue. And while a lawsuit could cost Utahns dearly, the governor said legal action could provide a lasting solution to the dispute -- one that politicians cannot find. ``In our society, sometimes you just have to go to a court to resolve the finer points,'' Leavitt said Wednesday. ``Many people in the state, and I'm among them, wish that this did not have to play out in our schools. This is obviously a much larger national debate. ``I wish it were finished. I don't suppose it is.''  Under the new measure, school boards have the power to limit or forbid any club, but must ban those centered around bigotry, criminal activity or human sexuality. Boards also can require parental permission for club involvement, and teachers cannot encourage criminal behavior. Leavitt and the bill's sponsor, Sen. Craig Taylor, R-Kaysville, argued that it takes back control of student extracurricular clubs. That control recently has been thrown into confusion by conflicting views of the federal Equal Access Act of 1984. Pointing to the Salt Lake School Board's Feb. 20 ban on all student clubs, Taylor argued the new state measure instead allows boards to prohibit specific clubs, something school officials and the Utah attorney general have interpreted as illegal under the act. At the same time, conservative lawmakers were adamant that state policy needed to be consistent in forbidding certain groups in all 40 school districts -- despite attempts by a few legislators to give school boards the latitude to work with such clubs. The governor, who generally expresses support for local control, said the measure ``did not come out the way I would have liked, giving the total decision to the local school districts.''  But the bill does clear the way for the state to pay for any lawsuits filed against school districts. And it is written with legal action in mind, so much so that a senator griped that Utah's legislative branch of government had been reduced to acting as a legal clerk, preparing papers for the courts. Formulated by a small army of private attorneys, the new bill draws directly from the Equal Access Act and related court rulings. It also is accompanied by 18 pages of ``legislative intent,'' a sort of legal-brief-turned-anti-gay-club position paper, placed into the record Wednesday over objections of key Democrats and moderate Republicans. Leavitt said he ``regretted'' the bursts of anti-homosexual rhetoric that came from some House and Senate members during Wednesday night's debate. Some exchanges did turn ugly. Conservative Republicans offered up a torrent of claims that portrayed homosexuality as immoral, unhealthy and dangerous, as well as promoting pedophilia.  Late on Wednesday, Taylor closed a long speech by apologizing for remarks attributed to him during debate on SB246. It was not his intent, he said, to hurt the feelings of gay Utahns.  Taylor then said while he disagreed with the gay lifestyle, he had a lot of respect for homosexuals. As an example, he said, ``I'm a big supporter of the arts …'' The remark brought snorts from the Senate gallery. Taylor quickly added, ``and I know they've made a lot of contributions in the arts.''  Opponents said they were wary of spending tax money on another legal expedition, similar to anti-abortion court fights. “Once again,'' said Sen. Millie Peterson, D-West Valley City, ``we're Don Quixote, tilting at windmills.'' But most of their objections centered on the fact that the bill had been drafted in secret, then given to legislators only hours before they had to vote. Supporters countered that the issue has been in the public eye for months, and used the specter of a court challenge to their advantage. ``If we don't act,'' said Taylor, “our school boards will be frozen. This issue needs to get before the courts and get resolved.''  That did not dissuade eight senators and 35 House members from leading an abortive attempt to delay a vote until May 15 to allow more scrutiny. “I want the public's work done in

Ed Mayne

public,'' said Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley City. Backers of the measure resorted to election-year politics to deflate the move. State law prevents legislators from accepting campaign contributions while they are in session. House Majority Leader Christine Fox, R-Lehi, warned that members technically would have to remain in session  through the 28-day delay, potentially depriving them of campaign cash leading up to May party conventions. Under the pressure, seven House members, all Republicans, reversed their vote and action on the bill went ahead. Proponents say the bill is necessary to protect children from predatory gay adults. "They're out there and they're after our children." said Rep. David Bresnahan (R-West Jordan) during floor debate, evoking the memory of his brother Donald, who he said died of AIDS after being "recruited" into the gay "lifestyle" by members of the Boy  Scouts. Others say the bill is rooted in bigotry and ignorance, and an affront to all Utahns -- gay, lesbian or straight. The ACLU. and other groups, has vowed to challenge the law in court. "This law flies in the face of federal law," said Carol Gnade, executive director of the ACLU of Utah, which has been lobbying heavily against the bill. "In its cruel efforts to single out lesbian and gay youth, the legislature has thrown together a bill so broad as to threaten the First Amendment rights of everyone affiliated with a Utah high school." Opposing senators also said the measure was an open invitation to expensive lawsuits. Senate Minority Whip George Mantes (D-Tooele), called it "another moral witch hunt in our state" -- one that was similar to the legal battles over abortion. Legal observers say the cost of potential litigation could cost well over $1 million.

1999-The Utah AIDS Foundation held a “Negotiating Safer Sex Seminar” the Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

1999 : Page: A8: Public Forum Letter Principal Supporter As a parent who has a student attending East High School, I want to offer my full support to Principal Kay Petersen for including a presentation by the Gay Straight Alliance at the school's multi-cultural assembly last week. Perhaps if there were more understanding and tolerance of differences among people, Matthew Shepard, of Laramie Wyoming, would not have had to die an inhumane and senseless death, after being brutally assaulted, strung up on a fence and left to die last fall. JEAN MACK Salt Lake City

2003 Hey everyone! It's official I'm now the big 30!  So to celebrate I'm having a little bash at the Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday, April 19th.  Come celebrate with me.  I'm only 30 once. Best, Teinamarrie WHEN:   Saturday, April 19th WHAT:  Teinamarrie's 30th birthday bash WHERE:   Hard Rock Café You do not have to have any particular knowledge or expertise on health or wellness issues.  This will be a brain strorming session to determine the direction the wellness program will take, and your ideas and feedback are very important. Once again, please let me know if you can make it and how many people you will be bringing with you.  Also if you know ANY women of color could you pass this info along to them?  I would appreciate it.Thank you! --Jennifer NuttallGLCCU - Project Coordinator

2003 Deseret News Ferrin to push hate law at meet [Correction: Frank Mylar is a former Republican candidate for Utah attorney general and Parley Hellewell is the Republican state senator from Orem. Both men were incorrectly identified in a story about hate crimes legislation in Saturday's Deseret News.] By Jennifer Dobner Deseret News staff writer If

Jim Ferrin

Jim Ferrin has his way, the Utah County Republican Party will soon lend its support to the fight for a tougher Utah hate crimes law.... A resolution drafted by the Republican state representative from Orem will be offered for debate at the GOP's county convention April 26. It asks not for support of a particular bill but for an endorsement of the broader principles that support hate crimes laws. Delegates will get a copy of the resolution in the pre-convention mailing. Ferrin said he paid for 1,200 copies of the materials and gave the party $250 for increased postage costs.  "I'm not sure if I'm doing this at great political peril, but it doesn't matter," Ferrin said. "It's the right thing to do."  Ferrin likely faces an uphill battle. In February, the Utah Republican Party Central Committee overwhelmingly passed a resolution denouncing the hate crimes bill that Ferrin and Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, co-sponsored during the 2003 legislative

David Litvack

session. Litvack and Ferrin's HB85 would have increased the penalties for crimes committed out of bias or hatred against a group. The bill defined "group" as including race, color, gender, religion, age, ancestry, disability, national origin and sexual orientation.  After an emotional debate, the House of Representatives passed the bill but then called it back for reconsideration. Ferrin and Litvack opted to kill the bill rather than see it watered down by amendments or substitutions. It was the sixth consecutive year that legislators failed to pass a hate crimes bill.  Ferrin, the first Republican to ever co-sponsor a hate crimes bill, took considerable heat from fellow GOP House members and from his District 58 constituents for his position, but he is clearly not wavering.  His resolution notes that 80 times annually, crimes of hate are committed in Utah, but adds that the existing statute is unenforceable because it fails to designate specific protected groups. It also cites U.S. Supreme court rulings on hate crimes law and says that Republicans do not historically oppose enhancement laws. Included in the mailing is a strongly worded letter in which Ferrin explains in detail why Republicans should embrace the issue. He calls hate crimes the "essence of terrorism" and says Republicans have been obstructionist on the issue. He says the party cannot afford to be seen as "uncaring or as bigots, or as the party just for white people" because of their failure to support past bills.  He also reminds delegates that in February The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which he is a member, voluntarily said it "did not oppose the bill as drafted."   The church, he notes, rarely

states its opinion in legislative matters but "did on this one." He also borrows some of the wording from the church statement — including the portion that states that hate crimes law is not an endorsement of the church-banned same-sex marriage — for his own resolution. Ferrin believes there are many in the Republican party who will stand to support the resolution. A poll conducted in January for the Deseret News indicated that some 70 percent of Republicans favored hate crimes legislation.  But Republican and former Utah Attorney General Frank Mylar, who drafted the Central Committee resolution, isn't so sure. He said he applauds Ferrin's commitment, but doesn't expect the resolution to get the support of Utah County Republicans.  "This is one of these issues where it's open to much confusion," said Mylar. "It's the type of thing that pulls at the heart strings of people. Sometimes that's good and sometimes that makes for bad policy." Mylar and other conservative opponents of the hate crimes bills traditionally argue the legislation creates protections in law for special classes of people, including homosexuals. Many also fear hate crimes law could move the state toward legislating thought and severely restrict the constitutional right to free speech.  "If I didn't know the implications, I would want to vote for this," Mylar said. Sen. Pete Hellewell, R-Orem, a longtime friend of Ferrin's, agrees with Mylar. "My guess is that (the resolution) will not be received very well," said Hellewell, who witnessed the Central Committee debate and voted with Mylar. "I think most of the people that are at the convention are the more conservative people who are against the hate crimes bill." Regardless, Ferrin said continued dialogue on the issue is important. Once an opponent of such laws, he said his personal change of heart came after several years of conversation, fact-finding and reflection. "We need to have some dialogue in the conventions and the caucuses and in the precincts," he said, adding that he has yet to line up any support for the resolution at the convention. "I will present the issue and surely there will be some to speak against it. Maybe I'll be the only one there to speak for it, but I hope the issue and the argument will be so compelling that it will pass."

2007 A planned gay and lesbian Queer Prom on April 21 was the unlikely thread that unraveled a little known weapons ban at the Salt Palace Convention Center. After Chief Deputy District Attorney Dahnelle Burton-Lee reversed the ban on April 17 in a published

Valerie Larabee

legal opinion, Utah Pride Center Inc. Executive Director Valerie A. Larabee said that "Queer Prom 'Frozen' is an event planned by and for youth age 13-20. All attending this event will be expected to adhere to state laws. To help clarify this issue, we will dispatch a communication to our volunteer staff that Queer Prom 'Frozen' is an event where illegal firearms are prohibited." A similar weapons ban was promoted in 2005 by Utah Pride festival planners who dropped the policy after Second Amendment groups including SSSU lobbied them and Salt Lake City-government leaders that the ban was unenforceable. Since then, only illegal weapons are banned.

2007 Plan-B's 

FACING EAST by Carol Lynn Pearson returns to SLC for a 3-week run prior to opening off-Broadway  FACING EAST is the story of Ruth & Alex McCormick, an upstanding Mormon couple grappling with the suicide of their gay son.  Named 'Best Drama 2006' by Deseret Morning News. Featuring the original cast (Charles Lynn Frost, Jayne Luke, Jay Perry). April 19-May 6 Studio Theatre at the Rose Wagner Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 Sundays at 2 & 5:30 $20 ($10 students) 355-ARTS or click here for tickets The run in November was sold out and tickets are selling fast to this encore run.  So order your tickets today!  ***Tickets are already 1/2 Sold Out See attached for information on our book fair on Saturday, May 5 at the South Towne Barnes & Noble (just in time for Mother's Day).

2018 Q Salt Lake  Outgoing Utah Pride Center executive director Carol Gnade is almost giddy as she offers to take people on a tour of the new facility on Main Street, south of 13th South. “And in here, we will be able to house larger events and community meetings,” she says as we walk into a large, window-lined room on the main floor. Last I was there, this area was stacked deep with granite countertops from the bank that once was in the 12,000 square-foot building. The new building was paid for, in part, by the proceeds of the problem-ridden old building, and funds raised by the Center’s Capital Campaign Committee, directed by Jane Marquardt, Jackie Biskupski, and Brett Tolman, with Beano Solomon and Bruce Bastian as honorary directors. Michelle Turpin and Laura Gray were also significant members of the committee. “This building has a huge elevator,” Gnade almost screams. “And 54 parking spaces.” The three-level building will host the youth drop-in center on the bottom floor, an open area with space to lounge around and meeting spaces on the main floor, and more meeting space, staff offices and the mental health center on the top floor. An open house will be held Saturday, May 19, beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 and ending at 8:30 p.m. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The building address is 1380 S. Main Street. Newly-hired executive director Rob Moolman says he hopes the new Center will be a place the LGBT community can be proud of. “We want people to know there is a lot of impactful, important work that will be going on here,” he said. “This will be an exciting, solid place as a cornerstone for our community.”

2018 PrEP Talk! is a sex positive HIV prevention and educational program for the Utah gay

men's community courtesy of blackBOOTS. Our newly updated PrEP Talk! webpage now includes 60 doctors that are LGBTQ Friendly and PrEP providers all over northern Utah. There is also all the information you need if you're uninsured to start PrEP, links to financial assistance, local case management options and all the information you'll need if you are considering using PrEP.