23 May
1888 Weber County- In First District Court at Ogden on
Saturday Charles Thomas convicted of housebreaking was called for sentence. He
had 11 months and 10 days to serve under a previous sentence for a crime
against nature. He had escaped from the penitentiary and while at large had
broken into a store and stolen a pair of shoes. After being admonished to do
better by the judge, he was sentenced to six months imprisonment. He was placed
in the penitentiary on Saturday evening. Deseret News
1952-The first benefit for a Gay rights cause was held in
Los Angeles to benefit the defense of
Dale Jennings, who was being tried for
indecency after an incidence of entrapment. Jennings was a founding member of
the Mattachine Society.
 |
| Dale Jennings |
1964-Psychiatrist Dr. George Henry died at the age 0f 74. Dr. Henry worked
with a group of New York City Quakers to provide support to Gay and lesbian
youth. He was a fellow of the American Medical
Association and the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the New
York Psychiatric Society, of which he had been president. Dr. Henry was the
author of “Essentials of Psychiatry,” published in 1925; “Essentials of
Psychopathology” (1935 ) ; “Sex variants” (1941) ; “History of Medical
Psychology” (1941); “All the Sexes,” a study of masculinity and femininity (1955).
1969 -Seven men were arrested on 2nd South and the 500 West
block soliciting a female police decoy for sex. They are held and forced to
undergo VD checks. (05/24/69 SLTribune page 34)
1972-Delaware repealed its sodomy laws.
1977-A bill to repeal Nebraska's sodomy law was vetoed by
Governor James Exon.
1978- Oh Calcutta is performed in the Salt Palace in Salt
Lake City, Utah for one week engagement. Oh! Calcutta! was a long-running
avant-garde theatrical revue, created by British drama critic Kenneth Tynan.
The show, consisting of various sketches on sex-related topics, sparked considerable
controversy at the time, because it featured extended scenes of total nudity,
both male and female. The title is taken from a painting by Clovis Trouille,
itself a pun on "O quel cul t'as!" French for "What an ass you
have!".
1981-Saturday- The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire held its 6th Coronation. Empress VI Marita Gayle was elected along with Emperor VI was Bob Stevens Prince Royale VI was Lynne McKenna a female and Princess Royale VI was Tracey Ross. REIGN VI was called The Love & Unity Court Emperor 6, Bob was responsible for Volleyball teams and a tournament played between Denver and Salt Lake on a rotation basis. He also started the court poker run which is still in place today. He started the court softball team, which was very successful. The court meeting attendance that year was one of the highest ever with an average of 53 in attendance at every meeting. The largest crowd ever to date attended the 6th reign coronation with over 1,000 people…a huge record. Bob and Marita were the monarchs to sign the papers that gave the Sovereign Court of Denver their charter. After 6 years, the Denver courts united once again. Marita is responsible for starting the sub titles and the spike titles that are selected by elected Monarchs. Ten out of state coronations / functions were attended and the 6th reign was so well represented out of town, it brought many out of state people here to Salt Lake. Their out of town show lasted 6 hours and was held in the old east room at the old Sun. It was the first Salt Lake Coronation ever attended by the reigning monarchs from Portland, which always had a major function in their city that weekend. Marita was so torn by a choice of Princess Royale, that she submitted three names to the board and spoke about each one of them and had them vote on her three candidates and the one selected would be Princess Royale. Tracey Ross was selected and was the first African American Princess Royale of the R.C.G.S.E and worked well with Marita.
- Utah Gays Hold Festive Eve at Salt Palace: Newly elected officers marched down a board walk beauty pageant style Saturday night to kick off the 6th Coronation of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, an
organization representing Utah’s Gay community, Entitled “Elegance” the
coronation in the Salt Palace attracted about 700 people including members of
the gay “courts” from other large Western cities and Canada. “It’s a festive
evening,” said Norman Gardner, 35, Denver, a member of the Imperial Court of
the Rocky Mountain Empire. “It’s like Mardi Gras. You’re going to see some
fantastic costumes.” The coronation, at
which the Salt Lake City’s Gay taverns were represented, continued until about
midnight. Several people were honored
for contributions to the Gay community. Some of those attending, including
several of Utah’s court officers were dressed “in drag”. “Drag is a term used
to mean anything which is not someone’s natural dress,” Mr. Gardner
explained. For example, one woman wore a
man’s suit and tie and one man attended bare- chested, wearing a white and gray
Indian headdress. But because the man
also wore a bear, Mr. Gardner and Don Loew, emperor of the Eugene Oregon based
Imperial Court of the Emerald Empire, said the man was dressed in “camp’”tacky”
or partial drag. Out going emperor and
empress locally are people known as Crazy Pete and Joanie Lynn. Mr. Gardner said “a suit and tie business man
“was fired recently when the company for which he had worked for 3 ½ years
discovered he was Gay. “People have to realize that no matter where people are
there are Gay people,” Mr. Loew said. Both men said politicians are beginning
to perceive the Gay population as distinct and politically important. Mr. Loew
described the Utah coronation as one of the best and most fun because “the people
treat you royally…” (05/26/1981 SLTribune 6-C)
.jpg) |
| Bruce Harmon |
1986- -Metropolitan Community
Church’s Northwest district conference was held in SLC with Resurrection MCC
hosting. Conference held at the
Salt Lake Sheraton Hotel. Conference coordinator was Bruce Harmon and the theme
of the conference was “Blessed Be the Ties That Bind.” The primary reason for
the conference is to gather for fellowship and to conduct the business of the
district“ Stated Bruce Harmon. Nearly 200 people attended. Reverend Bruce
Barton read a letter of greeting to the conference attendees from Mayor Palmer
de Paulis and Utah Governor Norman Bangerter. Metropolitan Community Church
held a District Conference. The Reverend James Sandmire spoke during the conference
relating his experiences as a Gay Mormon and his early experience with
Affirmation. MCC held their District Conference in Utah for the first
time.
 |
| Bruce Barton |
1987-Hospitality suite for Coronation held at Howard
Johnsons. Greg Harden of the Lovebirds ran for Board of Directors of the Royal
Court.
1988-The Cache Valley Gay and Lesbian Alliance of
Logan held 88-89 elections officers for next year.
The movie Before Stonewall was shown.
 |
| David Sharpton |
1994 Joyce K. Miller (Forum, May 6) writes with concern that
she reads too much Tribune coverage and too many Forum letters supporting
homosexual rights, and not enough of the ``Christian ethic: Homosexuality is a
sin.'' She asserts that society would be better served by newspapers promoting
the ``Christian way of life.'' Which ``Christian way of life'' is she referring
to? The assertion that there is one ``Christian'' lifestyle is almost as absurd
as the continual references to the ``gay lifestyle.'' Many Christian
denominations treat gays and lesbians with dignity and respect, it being their
reading of the teachings of Christ that they are to love their neighbors and
not pass judgment. Contrary to current opinion, same-sex marriage is not even
an agenda item for most gays and lesbians. Gays and lesbians will continue to
form their marriage-like relationships, no matter what they are called, and no
matter whether Richard Young (Forum, May 2) and Miller approve of them. Tax
exemptions should be given to those raising children, but preferential
treatment on the mere basis of marital status discriminates against all single
people. The unexpected
emphasis on the issue of same-sex marriage is a partial
retreat by opponents of gay rights to a position they feel has more public
support. What gays and lesbians seek in the way of civil rights are rights
which a majority of Americans and even Utahns agree they should have or
mistakenly believe they already do have: the right not to lose your job, home
or life on the basis of your sexual orientation. These are the rights the
``religious'' right disingenuously calls ``special rights'' and seeks to
abolish through ballot initiatives. VAL
MANSFIELD Salt Lake City (05/23/94 Page: A6 SLTribune)
.jpg) |
| Val Mansfield |
1998- Empress VIII Auntie De held her annual “tea party” at Bricks [Club Sound].
 |
| Richard Van Waggoner |
1998- Richard Van Wagoner, an attorney for Spanish Fork High
School teacher Wendy Weaver asked the citizens group who sued her last year to
drop the case or face a slander suit. Van Wagoner, a cooperating attorney for
the American Civil Liberties Union who represents Weaver, said the lawsuit was
filed ``solely to harass, slander and embarrass'' Weaver and to keep her from
earning a living as a teacher. Salt Lake Tribune
23 May 2000
SALT LAKE CITY SCREENING OF "OUR HOUSE" Out of the ordinary
filmmaker comes to town: Filmmaker, Meema Spedola will be in Salt Lake City University of
Utah
.jpg) |
| Steve Wheeler |
Steven Wheeler was born on October 22, 1949 in Blackfoot, Idaho. He
graduated from Snake River High School and continued his education at Brigham
Young University. He served a mission for the LDS Church in the northern Japan
mission. After his mission he continued his education at the University of
Utah, where he received his Masters in Business Administration. He worked for
20 years for the Utah Retirement Board as a market analyst and internal audit
director. Steve committed suicide on May 23, 2000. He was 50 years old. During
the funeral a friend said, "Nothing can bring back Steve's laugh; nothing
can bring back the glory of his mind, the brilliance of his wit." Words by
Steve: To Everyone: I cannot fight depression any longer. I have had to fight
depression all my life, although for most of my life I had no idea what was
wrong. Nothing works. Anti-depression drugs, counseling, mood enhancement
drugs, supplements--nothing lifts the darkness. Churchill called it the
"Black Dog." It is more like the black death. Fifty years is long
enough. The depression grows deeper the older I get. I can see no way out. I am
going to a place where there is no darkness, no pain, and no sadness. I am
truly sorry. Please forgive me. --Steven L. Wheeler
 |
| Craig Miller |
 |
| Adam Bass |
• Adam Bass nominated by Mike Picardi, for the Kristen Ries
Award. Adam worked his ass off on hate
Crimes and the Equal Famlies rallies.
• Chad Keller
Nominated by Ben Williams I would like to
nominate Chad Keller for the Dr.
Kristen Ries Award for community service. From the moment Chad arrived in Utah
he has worked his incredible imagination for the benefit of the Lambda
community of Utah. Not one to be a wilting flower, Chad with bounding energy,
appeared on the Gay scene and said, “Can I play?” Chad cut his “Gay activist”
teeth as a member of the Gay and Lesbian Cache Valley Alliance where he became
a member of the board after holding several positions. From the fall of 1987 to
the Spring of 1990, Chad was an active member of Logan’s Gay community serving
as activity coordinator and as a student representative. Chad left Logan in
1990 and moved to Salt Lake City where, after settling in, once again became an
asset. He joined LGSU and became an LGSU
representative while he worked at the university in catering. At the same time
he became a member of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire of which he
still is a member in good standing. It was his early years with the court,
where his talent for organizing events and fundraising was developed. A few of
his more important projects for the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire were
Coordinator for the Snowball Banquet for the 18th Reign of Sheneka Christie
Princess Royale, and Victory Brunch Coordinator for the 18th, 19th, and 20th
reigns. Chad is the creator and host of
the Xmas Sock Auction, which is an annual gift to the RCGSE to raise money for
Snow Ball. He served as advisor, as CZAR XXVII, to the current Emperor His
Majesty Bob Childers. But beyond the glitz and glamour of the court Chad, more
importantly, took upon a project to help “At Risk Kids” celebrate and enjoy the
gift of reading. He founded the Golden Spike Literacy Project in 1997 with the
help of Yvette Empress XXII, and has continued to work with people to donate
used books to the homeless and at risk kids. He has created a partnership with
downtown businesses and banks to provide annual gifts of books for this cause.
As an educator I feel for this project alone Chad deserves the award however
there is considerable more. Chad, to experience all the various dynamics of our
community, joined a host of organizations besides LGSU and the Royal
Court. He was even a member of the
Wasatch Leathermen’s Motor Cycle Club from 1991 to1993 where he served in the
position of Scribe in 1992. That year (1992) Chad along with Bob Childers
attempted to start a community magazine after the Triangle had folded. It only lasted three months but it showed
Chad’s willingness to take risks. While no longer a publisher, Chad is
currently a regular contributor to the Pillar.
He has recently found a niche for his creative organizational skills by
teaming up with Todd Dayler, publisher of the Pillar to create organizations
and services for the betterment and enrichment of our community. In 2001 he was
Community Service Project Coordinator, a
project to sponsor a day of community service from the Gay community to the
general community at large. In 2002 Todd
and he were the creators and founders of the Community Leadership Forum, and
were creators and founding members of GBLT Business Guild. Together Keller and
Dayler also have teamed to organize a “Sponsorship Program” to help worthy
community organizations get greater
exposure and financial support by featuring monthly articles in the Pillar. In
2003 the dynamic duo have created a Utah Stonewall Sports Authority, a Lambda
Arts Alliance, and became the sponsors of the FABI, Betty and DIG Awards, an
important community award originally created by Kevin Hillman and Brenda
Voisard, past Ries Award recipients. In 1998 Chad joined the Utah Gay Rodeo
Association and was that organization’s fundraising Coordinator for three
years, 2000, 2001, 2003. He was the UGRA Rodeo Director in 2001. At the same
time as his involvement with UGRA, Chadalso became a member of the Utah Gay
Pride Committee in 1997. He served the community for five years in various
positions with Utah Pride from 1997 to 2002. He was a Utah Pride Parade
Volunteer for three of those years (1997, 1998, 1999) where he implemented the
procedures to move the official color guard around from organization to
organizations and created an Honor Guard to welcome all organizations to walk
with the their flag immediately following the Color Guard. Chad founded the
first Children’s area for the Pride Festival in 1999, and was the 2002 Chair of
The Pride Parade, Grand Marshall, and Reception Committee. With all this
involvement, Chad found time to serve as Art Chair in 2001 for the Gay and
Lesbian Community Center of Utah where he revitalized the struggling art
program and improved the quality of works shown. In the fall of 2002 Chad
badgered me to come out of retirement and become involved in the community
again.Relying on his endless supply of energy I recrudesced and he and I became
the Co founders of Utah Stonewall Historical Society. Chad has a vision to
rebuild our once massive historical collection, and more importantly preserve
our present history. I have a vision to go to bed early. I have rambled on for
some length about Chad’s involvement in our Lambda Community which many of you
may know; but I suspect that what you don’t know about Chad is his involvement in
the community at large. Chad is a member of the Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake
City. In 1999 Chad served as Children’s Activity Coordinator (Finger puppets)
for Salt Lake City’s Downtown Alliance First Night. For the Downtown Alliance First Night 2003 he
was Chair of the Family Processional Children’s Gathering Committee and he is
currently serving on the Downtown Alliance First Night 2004’s Event Council as
Chair of Family Processional and Children’s Gathering committee again and Main
Celebration area Entrance designer. Currently Chad sits on the development
committee of the Downtown Alliance to create an "In Search of the Best”
project. It will be launched this summer with events at the Gallivan Plaza in
an effort to enliven downtown. He is also serving on a new holiday committee
working with other Alliance members to create better Holiday lighting and
displays. I might add also that in an
effort to keep Salt Lake beautiful Chad has personally adopted three flower
planters by the Downtown Alliance offices in the names of Mixed Media, Utah
Stonewall Historical Society, and the Julie Wright New Millennium Chapter, City
of Hope. No corner of Utah is too small for Chad to devote his attention. On a
larger scale then flower planters, Chad also served as creator, and promoter of
the “Adopt a Monument Program from 2001 to the present for the Memory Grove
Foundation. He is currently working on a Memory Grove Concert Series Launching
2004 From 1999 to 2002 he was a sponsor and coordinator for the Utah Heritage Foundation’s
“Historic Home Tour” and food and beverage Chair for the Heritage Awards
Reception in 1999 and 2000 Volunteering for the City of Hope he was a founding
Board Member of the Julie Wright New Millennium Chapter, Salt Lake City 1999 to
the-present and Table Host for the City of Hope’s “Food For Hope” from 1995 to 2002.
Additionally he’s been Registration Chair of the City of Hope’s “Work-Out For
Hope” from 1995-1998, Decorative Chair from 1998 to 2002, and was the recipient
of the First Benevolence in Service Buckle in 2001. As great a service to our Gay community Chad
has worked just as hard for a variety of notable charitable community events,
i.e.- “The Birds Movie Party at Tracy Aviary, The Patriots Ball, The Planet of
the Apes Movie Party at Hogle Zoo, House on Haunted Hill Movie Party at McCune
Mansion and the upcoming Wizard of OZ movie party. t is easily estimated between the two UGRA
rodeos, the City of Hope, RCGSE, WLMC, GLCCU’s art sales, and GLA, Chad has
helped raise for both the Gay and non Gay communities, though generating
sponsorships, donations, parties, and fundraising events, well over $200,000.00
or more during his sixteen active years as a valued member of our community.
It’s about time he gets the recognition that this award was created to
honor. Sincerely Ben Williams Class of
’69
.jpg) |
| Chad Keller |
• Addendum to
Chad Keller’s nomination submitted by Ruadhan:Just for the historical record
here, Chad was THE force behind the kick-off social event for Gay and Lesbian
Awareness Week in 1992 for LGSU. Chad
arranged for and worked very hard (with unexpected assistance from
Ralph/Sheneka) for a beer bust event at Bricks that kicked off the week. Though I was only a co-vice president that
year for LGSU, without Chad's encouragement and support, I would not have been
able to make it through that very difficult year. Unfortunately, the co-presidents of that particular year showed up to Bricks and took
credit for Chad's hard work. Chad has
worked behind the scenes and has received little credit for his hard work, support and determination for far
too long.
.jpg) |
| Carol Gnade |
• Carol Gnade nominated by Paula Wolfe Executive Director of ALCU of Utah for 11 years. instrumental in the protest
and subsequent legal action against the school districts for refusing to
include Gay-Straight Alliances as after school clubs in high schools. Instrumental in ALCU taking on
the case: Weaver vs. State of Utah -
where Wendy Weaver was fired/let go for coming out as a ‘lesbian.’ Served on
the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah’s Board of Trustees, was a committee
member for Utah Pride for several years. Served on several non-profit board.
Partnered for 10 years to Lorraine Miller, former owner of Cactus and
Tropicals.
• Jane
Marquardt nominated by Doug Fadel, I nominate Jane A. Marquardt for the 2003
Kristen Ries Community
Service Award. Jane has been an
activist, philanthropist, and volunteer for the LGBT community in Utah for over
two decades. Jane's early contributions to Utah's LGBT community were certainly
more private than her more recent ones.
Jane was first thrown into the public spotlight when a disgruntle former
employee outed her in the Utah Bar
Journal. Initially, Jane was concerned
that her reputation as an attorney and her ability to attract and retain
clients would be jeopardized by the public attack. To the contrary, some of the most prominent
members of the Utah Bar offered Jane public support and clients continued to
hire her. Today, Jane is undisputedly
and widely recognized as one of the most respected attorneys in Utah. Jane could not possibly be more out than she
is now. In fact, Jane could not possibly
be more authentic in the way she lives her public, personal, and professional
life. She would probably wear a giant L
on the front of her sweaters if Penny Marshall had not already done so. For
example, Jane and her partner, Tami, have entered into Vermont and California
domestic partnerships. Tami has taken
Jane's last name, Marquardt. Their local commitment ceremony was featured in an
article in the Salt Lake Tribune. When
the opportunity presented itself, Jane unabashedly introduced Tami to Senator
Orin Hatch as "my partner, Tami."
When Jane and Tami met Governor Howard Dean of Vermont, they thanked him
for the Vermont legislation creating
Vermont domestic partnership. On a professional level, Jane is one of the foremost authorities on
Estate Planning for LGBT clients in the country. She has been invited to speak about LGBT legal issues by local and
national organizations such as the Gill Foundation, the National Network of
Estate Planning Attorneys, the University of Utah College of Law, the Gay and
Lesbian Community Center of Utah, and the Utah State Bar. Some of her professional awards and
achievements include being named Outstanding Young Lawyer in Utah in 1984 and
Outstanding Woman Lawyer in Utah in 1989; serving as President of the Utah Bar
Foundation in 1996 and 1997; and serving as President of the Alumni Association
for the University of Utah College of Law in 2002. Over the past two decades,
Jane has generously donated her time to LGBT organizations. At present, Jane is serving on boards and/or
committees for Unity Utah, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Rainbow
Board Foundation. During the last Utah
legislative session, Jane help Representative Jackie Biscupski with a bill
which now enables gays and lesbians to control what is done with their own
remains upon their death, rather than having those decisions made by blood
relatives. Jane has been a major financial contributor to the Gay and Lesbian
Community Center of Utah, the Utah AIDS Foundation, Unity Utah, PFLAG, the
Matthew Shepherd Scholarship Fund, University of Utah LGBT group, and other
local and national LGBT organizations.
When Jane donates money to non-LGBT charities she makes it clear that a
Lesbian donated the money. When Jane
contributes to a candidate' political campaign,
regardless of the candidate's party affiliation, she engages the
candidate in a discussion about LGBT issues.
 |
| Jane Marquardt |
.jpg) |
| David Nelson |
• David Nelson nominated by Kathy Worthington - Founded the award-winning online service GayVoteUtah.com, which offers online
voter registration and absentee ballot registration, voter services and political information to gay and lesbian
voters across the state, and plans to
expand the service nationally, 2001–2002 - Advises the online service
UtahDemocrat.com, which offers online discussion and voter resources for
Democrats, 2001–2002 - Advised on Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson's
executive order banning discrimination
in city employment, 2000 - Received a Democratic National Committee Lawrence
O'Brien Achievement Award among others for his work as a gay Utah Democratic
leader, 1998 - Advised the formation of the Utah Gay and Lesbian Political
Action Committee (GALPAC), 1998 - Served
as a federal hate-crimes adviser, 1997 to the present - Helped organize the state
memorial for Matthew Shepard, 1997? - Served as board member of Gay and Lesbian
Victory Fund, Inc., 1997 - Was invited to the White House to meet with Vice
President Gore, 1996 - Was elected twice as a delegate to the Democratic
National Convention, 1996 and 2000 - Drafted and lobbied for Utah's first
sodomy reform legislation, 1995 - Advised the creation of National Stonewall
Democrats, 1995–1996; as well as Alaska,
Colorado and other state gay Democratic clubs - Serves as a registered
lobbyist, 1994 to the present - Fought successfully against mandatory AIDS
testing legislation, 1994–1997 - Advised and helped found Salt Lake County Gay
and Lesbian Employees Association
(GLEA), 1994 - Ran for Utah Democratic Party secretary, 1993 - Received the
Utah Stonewall Center Diversity Is Great (DIG) Award, 1993 - Fought
successfully against the inclusion of sodomy to the state DNA database of
criminal offenders, 1993 - Helped draft and lobbied successfully for
viatical-settlements law, which allows
terminally-ill people to sell their life insurance, 1993 - Drafted and lobbied
successfully for Salt Lake County non-discrimination laws, 1992 - Helped draft and lobbied
successfully for Utah's hate-crime legislation,
1991–1992; Helped draft and lobbied for amendments, 1993–1999 - Was
nominated to serve as the Western Regional Director of Human Rights Campaign Inc., 1991 - Advised Utah Gay and
Lesbian Youth (UGLY), 1990 - Founded Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (GLUD),
1990 and served on its executive committee, 1990–1996 - Helped organize the
political group Stonewall Town Meeting, 1989 - Was nominated to serve as a San
Jose, Calif., City Executive Compensation
Commission member, 1989 - Was nominated to serve as a board member of
the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force,
1988 - Served as a San Francisco Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee
Advisory board member, 1988–1989 - Served as the Utah director for Human Rights
Campaign Inc., 1987–1992 - Co-founded Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah
Inc., 1987 - Lobbied successfully for Salt Lake City Police Department gay and
lesbian cultural sensitivity training, 1986 - Drafted and lobbied for first
Salt Lake City non-discrimination ordinance, 1986; helped draft and lobbied for
ordinance, 1998 - Organized the Utah delegation Lobby Day for the National
March on Washington, 1987 and 1993 - Founded, published and wrote for Community
Reporter, 1985; and Triangle, 1986–1987; and has written for Out Front Review
and The Pillar - Ran for Salt Lake City council, 1985 - Helped organize the
Utah delegation at the National March for Gay and Lesbian Rights at the
Democratic National Convention, 1984 - Lobbied the Democratic National Platform
and Policy Commission, chaired by Gov. Scott Matheson and Gov. Ann Richards,
for gay and lesbian family issues, 1984 - Served as first gay liaison for Salt
Lake City under Mayor Ted Wilson, 1984 - Helped organize Utah gay and lesbian
Pride Day, 1984 - Served as vice-president of LGSU and lobbied for first
official funding for the group, 1983–85
- Served as a Democratic Party officer in the San Francisco, Los Angeles and
Salt Lake City areas since 1983 - Has lectured at University of Utah, Weber
State University, Westminster College, Salt Lake Community College and Cedar
City Hall, Utah, town meeting - Has registered well over 10,000 voters since
1980, many of them gay and lesbian K
 |
| Kathryn Stockton |
• Katherine
Stockton NOMINATED BY Geoff Partain For the Dr. Ries award, my nomination goes
to katherine Stockton of the University of Utah. Ms. Stockton has consistently taught, with
amazing intellectual prowess, the value of living an authentic life and living
true to oneself. Thanks, Geoff
 |
| Doug Wortham |
• Doug Wortham
nominated by Michael Mitchell I'd like to nominate Doug Wortham for the Dr.
Kristen Ries Community Service Award. Doug is the epitome of the kind of person
who should get this award: he's a longtime activist in the LGBT community who
selflessly gives of himself to attain our equal rights. There's hardly a notable gay organization in
Utah that he hasn't been involved with and indeed, started. Doug was one of the
founding members of Affirmation, the gay/lesbian organization for Mormons and
was several times asked to leave the BYU campus for putting leaflets on
windshields there. About twenty years
ago, he was evicted from his apartment in Rose Park simply because he was gay.
Because of this action, he is an outspoken advocate for non-discrimination in
housing and is working with Unity Utah and Mayor Rocky Anderson on an ordinance
that would make such discrimination illegal.
Doug is a founding member of Unity Utah, the state's gay/lesbian
political action committee and heads the organization's strategy committee.
Totally out as a teacher at Rowland Hall, Doug is known as a resource and
counselor for queer and questioning youth and their parents. He has twice been named Teacher of the Year,
a distinction voted on by the students that, to my knowledge, no other teacher
has accomplished in Rowland Hall's century long history. He was a founding member and is still very active
in the Gay/Lesbian/Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and was largely
responsible for landing the first national GLSEN conference in Utah during the
East High scandals. Doug was creator and
main mover behind the plan for the Utah GLSEN chapter to pay for all room fees
for gay/straight alliances across the state, removing an obstacle for youth to
meet easily. Doug served as interim
executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah, a
position he gave up to continue teaching, clearly his greatest love. Doug was
appointed to the Executive Committee for the Utah Democratic Party and was
unanimously confirmed by the central committee - historic in that he is the
first openly gay man or lesbian to serve at such a high level in either major political
party in the state. In my role as executive director for Unity Utah, I have had
the great opportunity to work with Doug on an almost daily basis. I have found him to be an incredibly hard
worker, always mindful of the larger goal of full equal rights for the LGBT
community. Doug is virtually egoless and
is committed to results, not recognition.
Having worked with queer activists from all over the world in many
different settings, I can honestly say that Doug is one of the finest,
brightest, most dedicated people I've ever met. Utah is damned lucky to have
him. I am honored and humbled to know
Doug and can think of no finer person on which to bestow the Dr Kristen Ries
Community Service Award. Please feel free to contact me if you need further information
or other references. Warmest Regards, Michael Mitchell Executive Director,
Unity Utah
• BEN WILLAIMS
TO CRAIG MILLER Must we choose just one? What a tough choice.. For several
years there were multiple recipients including you and myself. I can see that
to keep the integrity of the award it should have meaning but as our community
expands exponentially it keeps getting harder and harder to choose one over the
rest. The largest amount given at one time is four. The average per year is
nearly two a year. What are the other recipients' views? Ben
• BEN WILLIAMS
TO CRAIG MILLER Craig, You did not list who nominated David Nelson, Carol Gnade
and Jane Marquart. Am I safe to assume that it was you? Ben
• CRAIG MILLER
Hi, Ben,No, I did not nominate anyone.
Since I'm administering the process, I thought it might not be
appropriate. I also questioned if
including the nominator's name would influence the votes, so I decided to send
the nominations exactly as I received them.
Many of the nominators included their name in the nomination so I left
it there. Carol Gnade was nominated by
Paula Wolfe, Jane Marquart was nominated by Doug Fadel, and David Nelson was
nominated by Kathy Worthington.
Personally I think there should only be one recipient per year but I've
tried to stay out of this discussion. If
there were a tie or a three way split, I think that would justify multiple
awards. I am aware of the sensitivity of the selection process and I'm tryingto
stay neutral in every way possible. If Chuck would like to be included in
counting the ballots, have him contact me.
Craig
• CRAIG MILLER
Ben, Don't forget to vote, yourself. Craig
• BEN WILLIAMS
to CRAIG MILLER Ugh....I know... I hate this...Ugh...I have pondering all week.
I will have to go with who I nominated Chad Keller or feel guilty this year.
Ugh...Ugh... Anybody will be great (I don't do well with voting...its the sixth
grade self esteem issues that are drilled into me that everybody is a winner.)
• BEN WILLIAMS
Dear fellow recipients, What a difficult decision to make considering the
outstanding field of nominees. Now I know why in years past the awards were
given multiples! As you are making a tough decision, I would like to remind
everyone why the award was created. The award was to recognize long time
community service to the entire (or much of the entire Lambda) community. It
was not created to recognize simply outstanding people. It should not be based
on career professionalism, nor on how much money people can raise or donate to
projects. The nominees should be recognizable individuals, people and names
that most community involved people and leaders would recognize. The award is
not to honor people who have done wonderful things in one arena or even one
aspect of the community. Most successful people will get accolades in their own
professions and by their colleagues. The Kristen Ries Award is for those who
have gone the extra effort to be "visible" in the community of which
in its name this award is given. Sincerely Ben Williams Recipient 1991
• PATTY REAGAN
Ben, I thought of all those issues when
I placed my vote. I agree with you,
wholeheartedly. Pr
• BEN TO PATTY
Dear Patty, Thank you for your kind words. I hear a bad rumor that we may be
losing you? That you are retiring and moving out of state. If that is so what a treasure will be lost to
our community. I still have the tape of your presentation at the Old Stonewall
Center and I will always let people know how in those cash strapped days your
"mom" came through for you and us. LOL Hope you brother is doing well
and that you are enjoying life and the fruits of your labors. Always an
admirer,Ben Williams
• BEN WILLIAMS
TO CRAIG MILLER Chuck Whyte asked me to email you that he would like to help
you with the tallying of incoming votes for the Kristen Ries Award. He got laid
off at work so email address is no longer valid and he has time to help. Ben
Williams
 |
| Mark Swonson |
 |
| Ben Williams |
 |
| Todd Dayley |
• BEN WILLAIMS
to TODD DAYLEY On June 27, 1990, the 21st anniversary of the Stonewall
Rebellion, Salt Lake City held its first Gay and Lesbian Pride March. Only one
TV station felt it news worthy to mention although about 200 people gathered on
the steps of the state capitol to listen to speeches by Rocky O’Donovan, who
organized the march, Becky Moorman, editor of the Bridge Magazine, Angela Nutt
Co-President of LGSU, and Robert Austin, Chair of GLCCU. O’Donavan obtained all
the permits for the march and to his surprise the Salt Lake police department
deferred the cost of providing officers, which was about $1000. Among the 200
marchers were many of Utah’s most prominent Gay and Lesbian leaders. “I was so proud of everyone who attended with
rainbow flags, posters, and Gay and Lesbian pride. We marched down Main Street in front of the
Mormon Temple to South Temple Street then over to West Temple Street where we
ended at the Art Gallery south of Symphony hall. We
accidentally scared some Mormon women, who after seeing us, darted into
the Mormon Handicraft Store. We also scared some carriage horses by our
boisterous shouting of "Not the
Church Not the State! We alone decide Our Fate!" However I believed that the horses recovered
faster then the Mormon women did.” -[ournals of Ben Williams] The ‘91 Gay Pride Co-chairs were Kevin
Hillman of the Utah Gay Rodeo Association and Deborah Rosenberg of The Stonewall
Town Meeting. Both were members of the Gay and Lesbian Community Council.
Hillman and Rosenberg brought a level of professionalism to Pride Day that had
not always been achieved before. They added to the festival for the first time,
a Pride Guide, an Art Show and Contest, sponsored by Angela Nutt and David
Thometz, and the 1st Annual Utah Gay and Lesbian Film festival created by Marlin Criddle. The festival was held June 23rd at the Salt
Lake County Fairgrounds in Murray. The 1991 Kristen Ries Community Service
Award was given for the first time to more than just one person. Honored at
Pride Day ’91 were Nikki Boyer for her years of activism, Becky Moss producer
of Concerning Gays and Lesbians, and Ben Williams, founder of Unconditional
Support. The Gay Pride committee also brought in for the first time a
nationally syndicated columnist, Dell Richards, as keynote speaker. For
entertainment, Lynn Lavner, a nationally known Lesbian singer was brought to
Utah for Pride Day.The most controversial, and some said daring, thing Hillman
and Rosenberg did as co-chairs was make the decision to move Pride Day from
Salt Lake City to the Salt Lake County Fairgrounds in Murray. Here the festival
was marred by the appearance of a small contingency of Neo Nazi Skinheads.
However the police escorted the goose stepping youth out of the park amidst
boos and jeers directed at the hate mongers by Gays and Leesbians in the park.
This was the first time that a Pride Day celebration had been disrupted by
anti-Gay forces. At the 2nd Annual Pride
March and Rally held June 27, 1991, over 300 members of Utah's Gay and Lesbian
community marched through downtown Salt Lake City. However White supremacists
along the route shouted at the group and waved a Nazi flag during the march.
Gays, Lesbians, family members and friends bravely carried signs and chanted as
they walked from the State Capitol down Main Street to the City-County
Building. More than a dozen police officers escorted the marchers and stood
between them and 14 skinheads who attended the Pride rally at the building. “I
marched with Brenda Voisard and her partner Maureen Davies, helping them hold
the Gay and Lesbian Community Council’s banner. Since we were at the front of
the parade we were the first to arrive at the steps of the city county building
and first to encounter the skinheads already there. One of the parade organizers suggested that
we turn our backs on the Nazis so as not to recognize their presence, which put
Brenda, Maureen and I in a very uncomfortable position of having our backs to
these skinheads who were calling us every type of name. They ranted how God
created AIDS to wipe out homosexuals. We
just huddled together, our fate interlocked.
How I admired the courage of those women who in the true face of
adversity never wavered. ”-Ben Williams The Gay and Lesbian Community Council
of Utah rewarded Kevin Hillman again the Pride Day co-chair in 1992 however now
with Antonia Dela Guerra of the Lesbian Task Force and Frank Loy of the Royal
Court as his co-chairs. Pride Day was
held June 21, 1992, again at Salt Lake County Fairgrounds in Murray with the
2nd Annual Utah Gay and Lesbian Film organized by Marlin Criddle. Pride Equals
Power” was the theme of the gathering and nearly 2,000 people attended
attracted to the festivities by such musical talent as Jess Hawk Oakenstar, a
Lesbian Folk Singer from Phoenix, Arizona. The 1992 Kristen Ries Community
Service Award was given to Craig Miller, former director of the Utah Stonewall
Center, and to The College of Monarchs
of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire.
Disappointingly, the tradition of the annual Pride March and Rally ended
in 1992 when Rocky O’Donovan left Salt Lake City. No one came forward to
organize a third one. It would be three
years before Bruce Harmon and Rev. Bruce Barton, along with Pride Chair Jeff
Freedman, would step forward to re-invent the Pride March and Rally and
transform it into something even greater, the Gay Pride Parade. The 1993 Pride Day event was Kevin Hillman’s
third and last. With the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah waning,
issues of gender parity were no longer a prime concern, and Kyle Kennedy of the
Utah Gay and Lesbian Youth Group was elected co-chair. Pride Day was held June
11, again at the Salt Lake County Fairgrounds in Murray. However this year there was no Gay and
Lesbian film festival. Marlin Criddle as acting Chair of the Utah Stonewall
Center was too involved in the affairs of the center to pull together the
quality of events he had had previously.
The Utah Gay and Lesbian Art Show was the only event still being held
that year in conjunction with Pride Day. The 1993 Kristen Ries Award for Community Service was
given to Ben Barr, Val Mansfield, and Kathy Worthington. Antonia DelaGuerra of the Lesbian Task Force,
Kathy Mathews of the Utah AIDS Foundation and Julie Hale were elected co-chairs
of Gay Pride Day by the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah in 1994.
Pride Day ’94 was held June 12 at the North West Multipurpose Center for only
the second time since 1978. The Kristen Ries Community Service Award was given
to AIDS activist Kim Russo for her AIDS outreach programs. The Lesbian and Gay
Chorus of Utah performed at Pride Day for the first time and Ben Williams gave
the keynote address entitled “The Heroes of the Utah Gay and Lesbian Community”.
One of GLCCU’s last functions before its demise, was to elect in 1995 Jeff
Freedman, founder of the Good Time Bowling League, and Emperor 17 of the Royal
Court, and Julie Hale, co-chairs of Pride. They would be the last community
elected Pride Day directors. Freedman preserved the council’s 501 3c non profit
status and transformed the Pride Day Committee into being the entire entity of
the defunct community council. Freedman also began the transition of Pride Day
away from being a celebration of the heritage of Stonewall, to being primarily
a celebratory party. The marketing of
Pride Day would also become a legacy of the Freedman years. `This year the
celebration is a lot bigger. We used to have it in parks but this year we
actually came downtown . . . we're proving that we're more of a mainstream.
It's now not only gays and lesbians, but a considerable number of `straight'
vendors are here who have realized there is a gay dollar out there.''- Jeff
Freedman. Pride Day ’95 was held June 11, at the John W. Gallivan Center Plaza
following the first annual Gay Pride Day Parade. Salt Lake’s own Betsy
Ross, Rev. Bruce Barton, created a 300
foot Rainbow Flag with the help of many volunteers, and which was carried by the Gay and Lesbian Youth Group of Salt Lake
City. The largest contingent in the parade was PFLAG (Parents of Lesbian And
Gays) and the winner of the best float contest was the Stonewall Center.
Organizers of the Utah Pride Celebration, estimated the size of the crowd at
nearly 5,000. The Kristen Ries Award was presented to Bruce Harmon, Emperor XV
of RCGSE, for his long-term charitable service and for his efforts in establishing the annual Gay Pride Day Parade.
With the award Harmon joined his partner Rev. Bruce Barton as recipients. A Pride Dance for the first time was also
held the night prior to parade. Pride Day ‘96 was held on June 7 and for the
first time at Washington Square Park in Salt Lake City following the Pride Day
Parade. The parade’s Grand Marshall was Chastity Bono, the daughter of singer and actress Cher
and Republican Rep. Sonny Bono of California. Two politicians for the first
time drove in the parade: Salt Lake City Councilwoman Deeda Seed and then U.S.
Congressional candidate, Rocky Anderson. Bruce Harmon and his lover Rev. Bruce
Barton were co-chairs of the Pride parade organization and Pride Day Co-Chairs
were Jeff Freedman and Carrie Gaylor.
Chastity Bono delivered the keynote address, praising Utahns for
standing their ground in the Gay-straight student club controversy. ``You
should know that the time and energy you have put in and the personal risk you
have taken here in Utah has advanced the entire community's fight for human
rights,'' said Bono, a spokesperson for the Human Right Campaign Fund in
Washington D.C. ``And we thank you for it.” The
Dr. Kristen Ries Award for Community Service was given to Charlene
Orchard for her work with the Human Rights Campaign and to Doug Tollstrup
(Clariss Cartier) a tireless fund-raiser for the community. The theme for Gay
Pride Day ‘97 was ``Equality Through Visibility'' and the event was held June 8
again at Washington Square Park. Carrie Gaylor and Jeff Freedman served again
as co-chairs of the event with Candace Gingrich, the Lesbian sister of Newt
Gingrich Speaker of the House of Representatives, Grand Marshall. For the first time ever, four individuals
were given the Dr. Kristen Ries Award. They were Barb Barnhart, Reverend Kelly
Byrnes, Maggie Snyder PA-C, and Jeff Freedman. Freedman election was somewhat
controversial having been on the nomination committee. Barnhart was honored for
her AIDS Education Activism, Rev. Byrnes as pastor of Bridgerland Metropolitan
Community Church of Logan, Freeman, for his charity work, and Snyder for her
devotion to the care of People With AIDS. The shift of Pride Day to being a “mainstream” festival
is noted in Freedman’s remarks regarding the 1997 event. ``We're actually
getting more participation from straight people,'' -Jeff Freedman. Utah’s Pride Day ’98 was held on June 14
again at the City-County Building in downtown Salt Lake City. Jeff Freedman and
Carrie Gaylor were this years’ Pride Day Chairs having served three consecutive
terms as co-chairs. Bruce Harmon and Bruce Barton also served again as Pride
Parade Chairs. The now annual Pride Day Parade was recognized this year as an
officially sanctioned parade and one of the largest in Utah. The Grand Marshals
of the parade and keynote speakers were Debra Burrington and Charlene Orchard
of the Utah Chapter of the Human Rights Campaign. The 1998 Dr. Kristen Ries
Award was presented to LaDonna Moore, former executive director of the Utah
AIDS Foundation and a clinical social worker. Stand up comedienne Janine
Gardner entertained an estimated crowd of 15,000 people while Democratic Salt Lake
County commission nominee Karen Crompton and volunteers from the campaign of
Democratic congressional nominee Lily Eskelsen, joined the Utah Pride Day
celebration in search of votes. The Pride Day ’99 Celebration was the last
pride day event co-chaired by Jeff Freedman. His co-chair this year was Kim
Russo. The event was held June 13, once more at Washington Square with
estimated crowds of 20,000 people. The fourth Pride Parade also had a record
76-registered contingents participating. The parade's Grand Marshal was actor
Dan Butler, "Bulldog" from the television series "Frasier."
Butler shared marshal honors with Provo residents Gary and Millie Watts, of Utah’s Chapter of Parents and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays. Dr. Kristen Ries rode in an open car in the parade as did
teacher Wendy Weaver and Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Ross
"Rocky" Anderson, followed by the 300-foot Rainbow flag carried by
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Dr. Patty Reagan was awarded the 1999
honor for her creating the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation and pioneering AIDS
education in Utah.
2003 C.A. Tripp the author of The Homosexual Matrix, a widely
read book which sought to dispel popular misconceptions about
homosexuality, died Saturday May 17 of cancer in Nyack, N.Y. He was 83. The
Homosexual Matrix (1975)was the most influencial sociological book on
homosexuality in the 1970's and is still must reading for "those trapped
in the closet" and too "scared to let their personality shine."
One of the more interesting findings that as psychologist C.A. Tripp points out
in "The Homosexual Matrix," is that societies with high rates of
homosexuality frequently have high birth rates as well.
2006 – Film and Discussion: Stonewall - Center Space
(6:30pm) Pride Day is right around the corner – do you know why we celebrate
Pride in June? Learn about the history of the Gay Rights Movement in a
fictionalized account based on the true story of the Stonewall Riots! After a
long history of police raids, extortion, and brutality, a gaggle of drag queens
at the Stonewall decide they have had enough and begin to riot when the police
try to load them into a paddy wagon. Told by "La Miranda" (Hector), a
regular customer at the Stonewall Inn, the film is a recounting of events that
led up to that fateful day in 1969.
2016 SALT LAKE CITY — Friends and acquaintances remembered John Williams on Monday as a man with vision who quietly helped shape Salt Lake City's skyline, culinary scene and culture. And they're having a hard time understanding why his estranged husband allegedly set fire to his home and killed him on
Sunday. They say the news stunned and devastated them. "We're all just trying to figure it out," said Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah. "It's a tragedy. He was the kindest, one of the kindest humans you could ever be, just completely generous, friendly, always gave you hugs, and that makes it even more difficult." Firefighters found John Williams, 72, a prominent restaurateur, historic building restorer and LGBT advocate, dead in an upper level room of his Capitol Hill home early Sunday. Police arrested Craig Crawford, 47, and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated
murder and aggravated arson. Williams had filed for divorce from Crawford on May 4. "It was just mind-blowing," said Utah Restaurant Association President Melva Sine. "It's so hard to believe one human being could do that to another human being." Neighbors started calling 911 at 1:18 a.m. Sunday. But Crawford "never called" Salt Lake police or firefighters, according to a Salt Lake County Jail report. When firefighters arrived at the home, 574 N. East Capitol St., "someone within the house could be heard yelling for help," the report states. Salt Lake fire spokesman Jasen Asay said officials were still trying to determine Monday exactly when those calls for help were heard. Because of the fire conditions, firefighters weren't able to search the entire house immediately. It wasn't until 30 to 45 minutes after crews arrived and had knocked down the flames that they were able to search the upper floors, he said. Firefighters attempted to revive Williams, but he was declared dead at the scene, according to the report. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday, but police did not have any preliminary information about a cause of death. Damage to the house was estimated at $750,000. An exact cause of the fire was not released Monday though investigators believe it was set by Crawford. There is evidence suggesting Crawford was in the house when the fire was just starting, according to the report. "He was seen walking back to the house while the house was engulfed in flames," the report states. On May 4, Williams filed for divorce from Crawford, according to court records. Two days later, he filed for an ex parte temporary restraining order against Crawford. It was denied by a judge. On May 13, Crawford filed for a protective order against Williams, which was also denied, according to court records. Salt Lake police said Monday they believe Crawford and Williams still lived in the same house at the time of the fire. When asked whether police had been called to the house recently for any domestic-related issues, Salt Lake police detective Cody Lougy said he couldn't discuss that information because "it could interfere with the investigation." Some of those close to Williams said they don't know much about Crawford or what might have been going on in the couple's relationship. Troy Williams said he believes Crawford has lived outside Utah for at least the past two years. A June 2013 New York Times story about gay married couples' struggles for rights describes Crawford as a computer networks salesman in Salt Lake City. Some of Williams' friends preferred to talk Monday about the good things he did for the city and for them rather than speculate on what happened between him and Crawford. Chris Redgrave, Zions Bank senior vice president, and her husband celebrated their wedding anniversary at the New Yorker restaurant a week ago, the same place where they had their reception five years ago. Williams was there. "He was in great spirits and he was laughing. We had a wonderful time sitting next to him. … We made some plans and what we were going to do. It was a lot fun." And as Redgrave and her husband went to pay, they learned that Williams had picked up the tab. "He's just that kind of guy," said Redgrave, who worked for Williams years ago. The son of an Idaho teacher, Williams served as a mentor to many who started work in one of his restaurants on their way to becoming business executives themselves. He restored and renovated old buildings, including the Salt Lake Hardware Building and the Ford Motor Company Building, into some of the city's hippest office space. He helped found the Downtown Alliance 25 years ago. He championed the local arts, Salt Lake City's Olympic bid and organizations such as Kidsave International, not just with his mouth but with his money. Williams and Tom Guinney co-owned Gastronomy Inc., which operates the popular Market Street Grill, Market Street Oyster Bar and New Yorker. They and the late Thomas Sieg introduced the city to sophisticated dining in the late ’70s and early '80s, including arranging with Delta Air Lines to fly in fresh seafood daily. "Losing John will leave a big hole in our community," said Scott Beck, Visit Salt Lake president and CEO. Williams hired Beck as a restaurant manager at Cafe Pierpont 30 years ago and the two have remained friends ever since. "It's hard to quantify his impact," he said. Beck said he could name 10 industry leaders in the state who were part of the Gastronomy family at one time. Taren Ricks, who described himself on Facebook as a former corporate trainer for Gastronomy, wrote that Williams was quiet, genuine and caring. "He did not treat his servers as 'monkeys in a suit' as some of his managers did/do. He would compliment his employees, sit at the bar and legitimately ask how you are and how life was," Ricks wrote. Williams helped the gay community as a benefactor and advocate, supporting organizations such as Equality Utah, the Pride Center and the Human Rights Commission. "John always purchased tables at HRC dinners and would invite me and my partner to join him and Craig, where we would laugh, drink, joke and strive for progress together," Ricks wrote. Former Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson recalled in a Facebook post having a few drinks with Williams and singing Sigma Chi songs at a party. Anderson said he didn't know until that night that they belonged to the same fraternity. Anderson said he loaned Williams some of his dad's old Sigma Chi record albums, which he copied to CD and took to the fraternity house at Utah State University to teach the Sigma Chis there. The Utah restaurant industry will pay tribute to Williams at its annual awards dinner Tuesday night. "John's legacy will live on in Utah. He's made an enduring impression with his good heart and kind spirit," Sine said. "He'll long be remembered for what he's added to this community in terms of preservation and repurposing the sites and locations that have become part of the city."
2018 A recent survey done by the website The Gay UK has found that 60% of those polled find using the term “Queer” to describe members of the LGBT community is offensive and inappropriate. The poll which was done in July 2017 asked over 200 people whether they thought queer as an umbrella term for the LGBT+ community was acceptable and sixty percent did not. Some commented that the word was “deeply offensive”, particularly to men who identified as gay. The word queer is still used as a slur against many people in the community, particularly gay and bisexual men, and although some may refer to themselves in this way, the website says it’s probably best not to use language that causes offence to others. Only seven percent of the gay men surveyed thought that the term “queer” was acceptable. Comments from Utah's Gay Men's Resource site.
 |
| Add caption |
2016 SALT LAKE CITY — Friends and acquaintances remembered John Williams on Monday as a man with vision who quietly helped shape Salt Lake City's skyline, culinary scene and culture. And they're having a hard time understanding why his estranged husband allegedly set fire to his home and killed him on
 |
| John Williams |
2018 A recent survey done by the website The Gay UK has found that 60% of those polled find using the term “Queer” to describe members of the LGBT community is offensive and inappropriate. The poll which was done in July 2017 asked over 200 people whether they thought queer as an umbrella term for the LGBT+ community was acceptable and sixty percent did not. Some commented that the word was “deeply offensive”, particularly to men who identified as gay. The word queer is still used as a slur against many people in the community, particularly gay and bisexual men, and although some may refer to themselves in this way, the website says it’s probably best not to use language that causes offence to others. Only seven percent of the gay men surveyed thought that the term “queer” was acceptable. Comments from Utah's Gay Men's Resource site.
- Chuck Whyte You can label Your self what is best for you, I am a Proud Elderly Disabled GAY MAN , the word QUEER brings back the very bad memorys of being beaten up during the 7th through the 12th grades , if the younger members of our community wish to be Queer , so be it , Why would I or someone in our community want to use a label that is linked to different types of PAIN........BE SAFE, BE PROUD , BE WHO YOU ARE IN YOUR HEART, MIND , AND SOUL ..
- Ruadhan O'Sheridan I'm definitely Queer . . . in all the most delicious ways.
- John Herbst III I don't like term Queer at all. For me it has negative connotations.
- Matt Nepute Survey finds that 93% of people don't understand what a reclaimed word is
- Jahn Curran nah, I totally understand, and still don't like the word-- it has a negative connotation for most of us of older generations since it originally meant weird in a not nice way. That's fine that you younger gays call yourself queer if you want to, but it won't work for me. I think 93% of us have the right to call ourselves what we want to after having been "called" stuff without our choice for so long.
- Billy Lewis-Croft I like the word queer now that we have reclaimed it. We have so many labels for our community. And in some ways they divide us. Instead of lesbians, gays, bi, pan, trans, binary, non-binary, whatever else there is, why can’t we just be queer men and qu...See Morequeer women. Or just queer. It’s gender and preference neutral. But I do understand the attachment to the negative. As I too was once the favorite queer to smear in school.
- Doug Murri Gay, queer, fag, fudge pusher, cocksucker or Doug. I answer to all of them.
- Barna Barna I’m among the 93% that don’t like to be called queer
- Benedgar Williams I used to use " Lambda Folk" for the LGBTQ+ alphabet in my writings but no one got it and it never caught on even though the lambda was adopted international in 1974 as the symbol for the Gay Rights movement... I would think + would be offensive for all those who didn't make the grade in the alphabet soup...
- Connell O'Donovan As a kid in the 1960s and early 70s I was tortured with the word queer - from simply playing "smear the queer" to having "fucking queer" screamed in my face by violent bullies. Reclaiming the word Queer in 1990 was a revolutionary, liberating, and transformational act for me. I absolutely relish my Gay identity but also deeply value the extra freedom of the eccentricities of the word Queer. Gay feels a bit confining and conformist on some levels, while Queer is wiggly, mercurial, uncertain, destabilizing, and oh so fun! And of course, as with ANY word, it's all contextual. I've had people scream the word Gay at me, wielding it like a bludgeon. If someone wants to hurt you with words, they will find a way to do it, regardless of what those words are....
- Ruadhan O'Sheridan I'm Ruadhan and I mirror this statement.
- Jahn Curran I still don't like the word-- it has a negative connotation for most of us of older generations since it originally meant weird in a not nice way. That's fine that you younger gays call yourself queer if you want to, but it won't work for me. I think 93% of us have the right to call ourselves what we want to after having been "called" stuff without our choice for so long.
- Kevin Scott I totally get that. At the same time, even the term "Mormon" was a pejorative at one time and they reclaimed it. Not sure if I care enough to embrace it.
- Trent DW I prefer it. Other labels seem too rigid. I like the fluidity that queer implies.
- Benedgar. It's a young persons moniker so probably will stick but to many it's as offensive as the n word is to blacks...
- Scott Edward Harwell I'm in the 93. Not a fan of the word.
- David Beach I’ve had an evolution with the word over the the last few years. I used to be staunchly against it, but have eased up a bit. When it it used as an adjective to describe the community, or queer art and culture, I have found it is a more inclusive term. That being said, when it is used as a noun, as in UVU’s Queers and Allies club It sends me reeling. I’m a queer man, not A queer.
- Andy Dalrymple I painfully laugh everytime another letter is added to our community. There are only 26. Maybe we'll have to start adding symbols. I hear Prince's is available again...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete