This Day In Gay Utah History May 28th

28 May

1879 Police Court SLC Aleek Leddington for lewd and lascivious conduct fined $25 Deseret News

Commercial Street

1891 Salt Lake Tribune Yesterday was a lively and disgusting day in the Third District Court. Lively because of the Business done and disgusting because of the character of one of the cases. That one particular case was that of James Hamilton charged with the infamous crime against nature. The evidence was most disgusting but finally it came to an end and the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.

• 1891 Business Before Judge Zane- James Hamilton the man accused of a crime against nature alleged to have been committed on the night of February 25th near the Keystone saloon on Commercial Street was arraigned for trial in the Third district court yesterday morning and a jury impaneled E W Riley and J M Hamilton represented the defendant and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephens appeared for the prosecution. This is the second time the case has been called, the jury having disagreed in the former instance.  The particulars of the occurrence are too disgusting for publication and are of no interest to ordinary mortals although the few spectators present seemed to enjoy the filthy developments. After the evidence was all in the attorneys for both sides made the usual arguments. The general opinion of all was that these cases should be disposed of in as short a time as possible as the effect is demoralizing and most disgusting and repulsive. The court charged the jury and that body retired and after being out about five minutes a verdict of not guilty was returned .
• In March 1891 Police Officer Jenkins arrested James Hamilton on the charge of Sodomy. He pled not guilty before Judge Laney. An article dated 9 March 1891 in the Salt Lake Times stated "A Racy and Disgusting Case Ventilated before Judge Laney. The article stated that the case against Hamilton was examined behind closed doors and the judge set bail at $2000 and convened a grand jury. Hamilton unable to raise that kind of money was sent to the county jail. The Salt Lake Herald the next day printed more details about the case stating that Hamilton was charged with the "heinous crime against nature" with W.D. Burton "an ex-convict and all around tough". 
  In May the Salt Lake Times reported, "The only nut that contained any racy news in the district court Judge Zane presiding today, and the cracking of that was forbidden by the revolting character of its contents, was the case of the people against James Hamilton against whom the grand jury some time ago lodged an indictment charging him with an infamous crime against nature. There was nothing striking in the appearance of the accused unless it was a simplicity that was almost childish. It brought out another formidable array of talent. Messrs. Riley and Anderson having originally appeared for the defendant while C. S. Glenn, the rising Fullerton of the local bar, came tripping in a moment later to lo complete the trinity. For the defense Assistant United States Attorney Frank B. Stephens put in appearance and a jury having been secured the salacious affair was opened. The case has already been tried and submitted once and the jury failing to agree upon a verdict the average reader will understand the density of the nauseum that swept through the court room.
• James Hamilton is probably the same man who committed suicide by shooting himself on 9 April 1910 while rooming at the DF Walker Building at 158 East 2nd South in Salt Lake City. His age was estimated at 48  [1862] by the coroner how ever the 1900 census stated he was born October 1866 in Ohio. As that his body was shipped back to Coshocton, Ohio that is where he probably was from. That census showed that he was a lodger living at 158 East 2nd South and was an Ore miner by occupation. In both the census and the death certificate he is listed as a single man.

Mat Swenson

1913 May Swenson was born in Utah in 1913 to a Mormon family. She eventually moved to New York to become a poet and a woman who loved women. She published more than a dozen books, received awards from the MacArthur and Guggenheim foundations and the National Endowment for the Arts, and during her lifetime was one of America's most highly regarded poets. For this book, Rozanne Ruth "Zan" Knudson excerpted family journals, photo albums, letters, and previously unpublished poems to describe the life of the poet who was her partner of 23 years. This discreet volume respects Swenson's Mormon roots and Utah State University Press, which published the book, by refraining from referring to any of the women Swenson lived with as her "lovers." Lesbian readers, however, will recognize Swenson as a foremother. -- The May Swenson Poetry Award Utah State University Press This annual competition, named for May Swenson, honors her as one of America's most provocative, insouciant, and vital poets. In John Hollander's words, she was "one of our few unquestionably major poets." During her long career, May was loved and praised by writers from virtually every major school of poetry. She left a legacy of nearly fifty years of writing when she died in 1989. She is buried in Logan, Utah, her hometown.

1948 Teacher Queried On Morals Count COLUMBIA Mo. May 28 Three men, one a veteran university professor, were held under charges of sodomy Friday. Warrants for the arrest of two others have been issued in connection with what County Prosecutor Howard B. Lang Jr., said was a homosexual ring. E. K Johnson, 50, a professor in Missouri university's school of journalism for 24 years is being held on bond after pleading Innocent at his arraignment. He surrendered Thursday in the prosecutor's office. Two other men, Wilie Coots, 39, and Warren W. Heathman, 35, waived preliminary hearings and bond was fixed at $2500 each. Lang said both Coots and Heathman signed statements implicating Johnson in the ring in which at least a score of University of Missouri students and other residents of this university town have been involved. Johnson recently served as acting dean of the Journalism school and has been a member of the Missouri faculty since 1924. Salt Lake Telegram   

E R Callister

1965-A disorderly charge against Utah Supreme Court Justice E.R. Callister Jr. was dismissed Thursday in a noon hour arraignment session in chambers of city Judge Horace C. Beck. (Page B1)

• 1965 Friday- Salt Lake Tribune editorial stated that Judge Beck said the officers did not have sufficient grounds for suspicion of unlawful conduct either on the basis of any police record against the woman in Salt Lake City or because of any other information they possessed which would justify them knocking on the door and entering the room. The charge of being a disorderly person has been dismissed but it has not been disproved. It remains a matter of public record that a justice of the Utah Supreme Court was discovered in a motel room with a  woman not his wife and that the police officers who made the discovery felt compelled to charge the 2 with being disorderly persons. Judge Callister should resign. (A22 Col. 1)

1966 A Kansas man was charged with disorderly conduct when arrested in a room at a Salt Lake City hotel at 3:05 a.m. with a woman other than his wife. Fined $75. (SLTribune Page 44 Col. 4)

1971-San Francisco bar Toad Hall opened at 482 Castro St. It was credited as an influence in the development of the Castro as a Gay neighborhood, and would be closed three times due to fire.Toad Hall, was a gay hippie dance bar It was later the Phoenix and is now part of Walgreen’s

1975  A General Meeting of the Gay Community Service Center board was held at 7:30 p.m. at the Gay Community Center.

1977 A fund raising dance was held at the lesbian bar The Uptown Bar, for The Boise Seven sponsored by the Gay Service Coalition. The Boise Seven were women fired from the Boise police department for being suspected Lesbians.

1978- A kegger, sponsored by the Imperial Court of Utah as a fundraiser,  was held in City Creek Canyon.  A kegger was a party involving kegs of beer before it was outlawed in Utah in 1990 when law enforcement officers complained that keg parties in the canyons near Salt Lake City were causing too many rowdy parties.

1981- The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the pornography conviction of former Gallery Theater owner, James Piepenburg, saying Utah’s obscenity laws are constitutional and that the LDS Church’s influence did not sway the jury’s verdict. (05.28.1981 C-1 SLTribune)

John Gatzmeyer

1987- Loving Yourself Group facilitated by John Gatzmeyer held at Holy Cross Hospital. John is a disciple of Louise Hay who is the proponent of positive  reinforcement thinking in fighting AIDS 

Larry White

1989 The 14th Coronation was held with Larry White and Desiree'

Desiree Marciano

Mariciano stepping down. The New elected officers were The Silver Falcon Emperor, Emperor  XIV Gary Broadhead and  The Black Cobra Empress, Empress XIV Betty John. Prince Royale XIV was Jeff Smith and Princess Royale XIV Vanity Cartier. The late Betty John and Gary Broadhead were the first Monarchs to be elected that had also reigned as PR's together.  They started the Lifetime Achievement Award which is now a long time annual tradition and the first recipient of the award was Empress 6, Marita

Gayle. They also were responsible for initializing the PWA

Christmas Fund (as PR's) and were able to really maintain it and fine tune it as Monarchs.  The PWA Christmas Fund was originally toys for tots and they added extra rewards and benefits for those individuals with HIV / AIDS.  They traveled and worked very well together and raised a lot of money for the R.C.G.S.E.

•         1989 Sunday After taping three shows for Concerning Gays and Lesbians I went to Coronation at the Salt Palace. Only stayed long enough to drink a pint of vodka, kiss a bunch of guys, and to flit around saying "hi" to all those I knew. I sat mostly with Ben Barr, Robert Austin, and David Sharpton at the UAF's table. They didn't seem all that happy with each other. [Journal of Ben Williams]

1998-President Clinton signed an executive order forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workforce and urged Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Utah Gay Democrat leaders cheered President Clinton’s adoption of an executive order which prohibits employment discrimination against Gay and Lesbian federal government civilian workers. “The President’s action reminds us why the Democratic Party is the home of  people who support protecting the equal employment rights of all Americans, “ said Gay Democratic Leader David Nelson.

28 May 2000 CORONATION Sunday Over Memorial Day weekend we held our Annual Coronation for the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. The festivities started on Thursday evening with the In-Town Awards held at Zipperz. Empress Veronika made a delicious spaghetti dinner.  During this evening, Chris, Veronika, R. Lee and Cortney gave awards to several individuals who had supported them through out the year. Next came P.R. Ball which was held at Axis. R. Lee and Cortney were in rare form with production numbers, a great set and many entertaining performers. The Out of Town show was held at the Sheraton Hotel. This evening many of the out of town guests performed showing off the extensive talent this nation holds. Now for the big event; Coronation! This was also held at the Sheraton and what a fun evening it was!  There were many fun, upbeat numbers as part of the entertainment, with local bars from Salt Lake putting together entrances. The candidate entrances were extremely well received.  Out of town courts also got into the festive air by contributing lavish production numbers as well.  The evening progressed with flair and after poignant final walks by the stepping down PR’s and Monarchs we topped off the night with the crowning ceremony. Chaise Manhattan is our newly elected Board member. Rhett Larsen and Felicia are the New Emperor and Empress of the RCGSE.  After an exciting evening, Victory Brunch was held at The Trapp on Monday. Chris Veronika, Cortney and R. Lee gave out several more awards. This was the final part of their stepping down, and although tear-eyed, they seemed proud of their accomplishments. Felicia and Rhett were greeted as the new reigning monarchs.  Then the new PRs were announced. Christopher and Vanessa are the new Prince and Princess. Rhett Larson will be known as The Endurance of the Spike, The Silver Stallion Emperor and Felicia will be known as The Point of the Spike, The Empress Extreme, The Silver Lining Empress. Christopher will be known as the Quick Silver Prince and Vanessa will be the Absolute Sterling Silver Princess.  The 25^th reign of RCGSE will be known as The Millennium Court, The Dawn of a Fresh Beginning. (Reflections Vol 25 Issue 1 June 1 2000

2003 CHARLES MILNE to Ben Williams Subject Kiosks -Ben, This is just a reminder about the information that will be posted on the Historical Kiosks.  Per our conversation on Sunday you were going to forward me all the info you have collected for the Kiosks.  Could you also let me know how we will be organizing the placement of the Kiosks at Pride?  Does Chad want any more help for the Kiosks?  Thanks for all the work you do and congrats on your acceptance of the paper to present.  That’s good news.  Charles

•         BEN WILLIAMS TO CHARLES MILNE: Sorry for the delay. I have been busy with the Kristen Ries Award nominations and getting articles in for the Pillar. Chad has a crew coming Sunday to build the Kiosks you can contact him about helping and placement. Todd Dayley has been ill and I having to re edit info to make sure it fits typesetting. I had too much info for the Utah chronology and need to pare that down. It is very busy at school (and hot no air conditioning) so haven't felt much like working when I get home. I will email the final version to you no later than Sat. Generally one kiosk is for Utah history, one kiosk is for national history, two kiosks is for local organizations, one kiosk is for major events, and one Kiosks is for AIDS. Ben

2005 Hospitality Suite Sheraton Hotel Room 154 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Protocol for out of town show will be taken. Empress Tea Party Club Sound 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM No Cover Out of Town Show $10.00 Trapp Door 7:00 PM Open to Reigning Monarchs. All others as time permits Bus Tour $10.00

2006 The 31st Royal Court Coronation was held with Peter Savas and Krystyna Shaylee stepping down. New officers were The Red Ribbon of Respect Emperor, Emperor XXI Kim Russo and the Majestic  Emerald Fire Empress, Empress XXI Kyra Prespentt. Prince Royale XXXI was Nick

Constantino and Princess Royale XXXI was Vanessa Vaughn.

2006 Sunday Friends: This weekend, the LDS church asked its members to write their congressional representatives and in support of the proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would deny marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples across the nation. Let’s not be coy, when the LDS Church says jump, thousands of Utahns ask “how high?” So, I’m also asking you to write your congressional representative, but I’m asking you send a message for fairness and equality. As we begin Pride week in Utah, I want our senators and representatives to know that not all Utahns agree with this discriminatory amendment. My father, a Priesthood-holding member of the church, told me this afternoon that he was disappointed in the church’s letter because he doesn’t believe that the Constitution should be amended for purposes like this. I agree. Historically (other than the prohibition--which gave rise to organized crime and far more problems than it solved), the Constitution has always been used to expand human rights, not restrict them. Amending the Constitution is an extreme act. The proposed amendment would deny the right to marry to gay and lesbian couples and in doing so obliterate the family rights that many same-gender couples -- and unmarried heterosexual couples -- and their families now have. Revising the Constitution to ensure discrimination against anyone in America is wrong and should be rejected The Federal Marriage Amendment rejects American traditions of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It would reverse the constitutional tradition of protecting individual freedoms. None of our constitutional amendments restrict individual freedoms. In fact, the amendments to the Constitution have been the source of most of the Constitution's protections for individual liberty rights. The proposed amendment, by contrast, would deny all protection for the most personal decisions made by millions of people in committed long-term relationships. The Federal Marriage Amendment is discriminatory. It is wrong to single out a group of Americans for second-class status. The Federal Marriage Amendment is not what Congress should be focusing on. Between the war in Iraq, rising health care costs, skyrocketing national debt and environmental concerns, Congress has much more important things that it should be dealing with other than a constitutional amendment banning marriage between same-gender couples. The Federal Marriage Amendment could take away state’s rights. States like New York, Massachusetts, and California are moving toward marriage equality for gays and lesbians, while others like Utah have passed anti-marriage laws. An amendment to the U.S. Constitution would take away the rights of voters in progressive states to choose to offer marriage equality. A senate vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment is expected to happen the week of June 5. Friends, we will celebrate gay pride in Utah next weekend. We will come together as a community around the theme “Pride, Not Prejudice.” As much as I love the party and free-spirited celebration, I cannot emphasize enough how we should also come together in support of fairness and standing up to discrimination. So please visit www.congress.org to find out how to write to your Senator today, asking them to vote against this discriminatory amendment.  As we march in celebration of Pride, let’s also send a message that not all Utahns support discrimination. Let us prove that there’s more to gay pride than just a big party and outrageous costumes. And remember to support the GLBT Community Center all year round as we work for growth, acceptance and equality for GLBT people in Utah. I look forward to seeing you at Utah Pride, June 1-4! Jere Keys Utah Pride Coordinator

2010 House votes to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' Military » Republicans says Pentagon first needs more time to study change to the law. By Jim Abrams Associated Press Writer Salt Lake Tribune 05/28/2010 Washington » The House on Thursday delivered a victory to President Barack Obama and gay rights groups by approving a proposal to repeal the law that allows gays to serve in the military only if they don't disclose their sexual orientation. The 234-194 vote to overturn the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy reflected a view among many in Congress that America was ready for a military in which gays and straights can stand side by side in the trenches. Republicans, who voted overwhelmingly against it, cited statements by some military leaders that they need more time to study how a change in the law could affect the lives and readiness of service members. The House vote came just hours after the Senate Armed Services Committee took the same course and voted 16-12 in favor of repealing the 1993 law. In both cases the measure was offered as an amendment to a defense spending bill. Obama and leading Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had actively supported the repeal so that gays could serve in the military without fear of being exposed and discharged. "This is the beginning of the end of a shameful ban on open service by lesbian and gay troops that has weakened our national security," Joe Solmonese, president of Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights organization, said after the Senate panel's vote.  Congress going first "is the equivalent to turning to our men and women in uniform and their families and saying, 'Your opinion, your view, do not count,'" said Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon of California, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. Democratic supporters stressed that the amendment was written so that the repeal would not go into effect until after the Pentagon publishes in December the results of a survey on how service members and their families view the change, and until the president, the defense secretary and the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that the repeal will not affect the military's ability to fight. Utah delegation splits on vote Washington » Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson stood alone Thursday night as the only member of Utah's House delegation to join the majority in voting to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law that prevents gays from serving openly in the military. His Utah colleagues, Republicans Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz, opposed lifting the ban. Matheson said that ending the "flawed" policy shows respect for America's soldiers. "Anyone who is willing to put on this country's uniform and put his or her life on the line to protect our freedoms," he said, "deserves our respect and should not be subject to discrimination." Utah's two GOP representatives noted military commanders still had questions about gays serving openly in the armed forces. Thomas Burr

Orrin Hatch

2014 Hatch concedes gay marriage will probably become legal across U.S.  Equality • Utah’s Republican senator doesn’t agree with same-sex marriage but believes the writing is on the wall. BY DAN HARRIE AND LINDSAY WHITEHURST THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch says legal gay marriage is almost certain to become a reality throughout the United States. “Let’s face it, anybody who does not believe that gay marriage is going to be the law of the land just hasn’t been observing what’s going on,” Hatch said Wednesday on KSL Radio’s “Doug Wright Show.” “There is a question whether [the courts] should be able to tell the states what they can or cannot do with something as important as marriage, but the trend right now in the courts is to permit gay marriage and anybody who doesn’t admit that just isn’t living in the real world.” Hatch, whose Senate website shows him supporting a constitutional amendment to declare marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman, has in the past railed against “liberal judges” and practitioners of “judicial activism” for attempting to foist gay marriage on society. “Ultimately,” he says on the website, “the American people, not unelected judges, should decide policy on critical social issues such as this one.” The seven-term Republican’s tone was strikingly different during his interview Wednesday with Wright. He defended two U.S. district judges: Robert Shelby, whose Dec. 20 ruling overturned the state’s Amendment 3 ban on same-sex marriage, and Dale Kimball

Dale Kimball

, who last week declared that Utah must recognize and uphold all legal rights of the 1,000-plus same-sex couples who wed in the state before a Jan. 6 stay. While he said he disagreed with their decisions, Hatch described them as excellent judges who were attempting to follow the law. “We have an excellent federal bench [in Utah]. Other federal judges down there might not have arrived at the same conclusion that these two have. But I think it’s a portent of the future that sooner or later gay marriage is probably going to be approved by the Supreme Court of the United States, certainly as the people in this country move towards it, especially young people. I don’t think that’s the right way to go; on the other hand, I do accept whatever the courts say.” Don’t blame the judge • Hatch, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, played a key role in the nominations of Kimball and Shelby by Democratic presidents. He has not joined with some other Utah Republicans — including Gov. Gary Herbert — in sharply criticizing Shelby. He stood by the judge Wednesday, saying, “How do you blame the judge for deciding a case in accordance with what the Supreme Court has already articulated and in accordance with what most judges in the land are articulating right now? Like I say, I didn’t agree with his decision. I certainly didn’t agree with his failure to grant a stay, which is just kind of automatic when you know a case is going to the Supreme Court.” But he said with the decision on hold pending appeal and Utah’s case and others moving through the courts, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling will “at least allow the case to be elucidated so the American people will realize that it’s been given every legal consideration.” The senator indicated a decision may be forthcoming next year, calling that “an appropriate time to decide this issue once and for all. It’s never going to be fully accepted by a lot of people and, frankly, it won’t be accepted by a lot of the churches.” Utah’s two largest denominations — the Mormon and Catholic churches — oppose same-sex marriage, although other faiths endorse it. Hatch indicated he still believes the issue is a minefield because it affects religious rights and states’ rights. He pointed to Obamacare, which he labeled “a disaster,” and warned that stripping too much decision-making power from states could create “anarchy.” As recently as last year, Hatch was suggesting that civil-union laws to give people rights similar to married couples, including hospital visitation and tax benefits, might be a practical way to ward off the assault on “traditional” marriage. He warned in an April 3, 2013, radio interview in Utah that, “If you start overturning things like that, I gotta tell you, there will be every Tom, Dick and Harry in there with some crazy marital scheme demanding the same rights and the same privileges.” Hatch did not mention civil unions nor constitutional amendments Wednesday, and he didn’t warn of the destruction of traditional marriage or any other dire consequences of legal gay marriage except as the issue might affect religious and states’ rights. Other Utah leaders • A spokeswoman for Attorney General Sean Reyes said Utah wouldn’t be pressing its appeal if Reyes and his team didn’t believe the state has a good case. “We’re really sticking to the legal process on this,” said Missy Larsen, “and not getting into the political issues.” Rep. Jim Matheson, the only Democrat in Utah’s congressional delegation, agreed with Hatch’s view of the likely legal outcome of the marriage cases. “I have always believed the issue of same-sex marriage should, and will, be decided in the courts. Based on the number of district court decisions around the country validating same-sex marriage, it appears very likely that it will soon be the law of the land.” Sen. Mike Lee spokesman Brian Phillips said it made no sense to speculate about how the high court would rule. Lee, R-Utah, issued a brief statement asserting his belief that “each state has a right to define marriage as it deems fit. Nothing in the Constitution prohibits a state from adhering to a traditional definition of marriage.” Other Utah political leaders did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Troy Williams, an activist in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, said it’s about time Utah politicians begin to publicly recognize reality. “I’m happy to see Orrin Hatch is finally acknowledging the irresistible inevitability of marriage equality.” While the outcome of the legal wrangling is clear, he said, the battle is needlessly dividing the state. “The money they’re pouring into [the Amendment 3 appeal] is ultimately going to propel us faster to that end goal of marriage equality in all 50 states. It’s just too bad along the way they have to demonize our community,” he said, referring to legal arguments that same-sex marriage would decrease the fertility rate and harm children. “Most Americans are waking up and saying, ‘Yeah, the sky is not going to fall when my gay uncle gets married,’ that families will still be intact, the world will continue to revolve around the sun, the seasons will come and life will go on,” Williams said. “What the right wing and the Republicans will discover is America becomes a stronger nation when we honor the rights and liberties of all the citizens.”