This Day In Gay Utah History AUGUST 31st

August 31st 

Guiliano de Medici

1512, A group of 30 young aristocrats of Florence Italy staged history's first Gay rights demonstration by charging into City Hall, forcing a senior justice official to resign and demanding that the council revoke the sentences of all those who had been exiled or deprived of office for sodomy. Remarkably, after a palace coup by the Medici family two weeks later, those demands were actually acceded to by Guiliano de Medici. Fifteen years later the Medici family was over thrown a and a republican government restored penalties for sodomy blaming sodomites for divine wrath ) Homosexuality in Renaissance Florence

1973 The Herald, Provo Utah page 11 Crackdown Promised at Prison On Homosexuality and Drugs. Utah state Prison 9UPI) The Utah Board of Corrections has approved plans to crackdown on homosexuality and drugs at the State Prison. The board met Thursday and approved plans to ' get tough' on homosexuality which is believed to lurk behind a recent wave of violence which has taken one inmate's life, left another critically burned, and others beaten and stabbed. Board member John P. O'Keefe said the board should get a new prison administration if the current  one can't solve the growing problem. O'Keefe said the problem of homosexuality and drugs should be brought into the open and more state money appropriated to combat the problems. Ernest D. Wright, director of corrections said, "It appears that two of the incidents, (attacks on inmates) were related to inmates attempting to protect themselves from aggressive homosexual involvement." He also said the last 10 days has seen an increase amount of drugs available at the prison. Wright said part of the problem is related to a shortage of correction officers at the facility. he said there are presently 10 unfilled positions, a situation which forces some personnel to work two or even three consecutive shifts, he said. Wright said morale problems exist on the prison staff because of the shortage of officers. The corrections director said he believed the series of incidents does not indicate a break down of internal security at the Point of the Mountain facility and that steps have been taken to beef up security. He said no disciplinary measures against staff are being considered. The violence, Wright said, "does not in any way reflect a takeover of inmate control of the prison."

1979 Radical Faeries, a Gay men’s spiritual movement founded by

Harry Hay

Harry Hay, staged their first major gathering in New Mexico. The Faeries trace their name to the 1979 Spiritual Conference for Radical Fairies. The conference, organized by Harry Hay and his lover John Burnside, along with Los Angeles activist Don Kilhefner and Jungian therapist Mitch Walker, was held over the Labor Day weekend in Benson, Arizona and attracted over two hundred participants. From this, participants started holding more multi-day events called "gatherings". In keeping with hippie, neopagan, and eco-feminist trends of the time, gatherings were held out-of-doors in natural settings. To this end, distinct Radical Faerie communities have created sanctuaries that are "close to the land". It was Hay who

adopted the name "Radical Faerie" for this burgeoning movement, with "radical" referring to its politically extreme viewpoint. The term "Faerie" was chosen in reference both to the immortal

animistic spirits of European folklore and to the fact that "fairy" had become a pejorative slang term for gay men. Initially, Hay rejected the term "movement" when discussing the Radical Faeries, considering it to instead be a "way of life" for Gay males, and he began referring to it as a "not-movement".  English-born American, Hay was one of the earliest leaders of the gay rights movement. He founded the Mattachine Society but then left it to pursue his more spiritual side, eventually creating the group that today calls itself the Radical Faeries. He always expressed public support of anti-assimilationist causes—even openly criticizing more mainstream LGBT groups and organizations like ACT UP—which has caused him to be misunderstood by some looking to shirk controversy. He died in 2002. On June 1, 2011, the Silver Lake, Los Angeles Neighborhood Council voted unanimously to rename the Cove Avenue Stairway in Silver Lake in honor of Hay.

Gordon Steele

Lois Lane

1979- Lois Lane Empress IV of The Imperial Court of Utah resigned as empress due to conflicts with Gordon Steele Emperor IV of the reigning Court. The Utah Court system is fractionalized over disputes within the court system over finances. The majority of Imperial Court of Utah’s royalty and board of trustees meet to discuss forming a new court called the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. The next year the old Imperial Court is abandoned and Princess Royale Dusty LeManns replaced Lois Lane as became Empress IV of the Royal Court and Joe Conti became Emperor IV. Emperor Joe Conti and Empress Dusty LaManns chose Bill and Donie Marie to fill the positions of Prince and Princess Royale IV for the remainder of the reign. Lois Lane later would be reinstated into the Royal Court and given the title of The Liberty Empress.

1986 Sunday Since I was so near MCC, I went to church and saw Candy Steele there. She asked for my wife's new address and said that there's an opening out at the women's prison where Candy works if my wife was interested. MCC was good and Bruce Barton left me with something good to think about as usual. I take what I need and leave the rest. It was a small group today probably because of Labor Day Weekend. During one of the hymns I was so moved that I wept. After arriving back to 4th South, I saw Russ Lane walking towards Affirmation carrying a fan and a box of literature. It melted my old stone heart when I saw the Ichabod Crane balancing both items in his arms because of his devotion to keeping Gays at Affirmation comfortable. He truly is doing the best he can but still I don't have to let him browbeat me either.  [Journal of Ben Williams]

1988-Sen Orrin Hatch (R-UT) called Democrats "the party of homosexuals" at a Republican fundraiser in St. George. He denied the remark until an audiotape was produced. Newspaper article

1990 Robert Eugene Guiver age 35 died in Salt Lake City of AIDS. Robert “Bob” Eugene Guiver age 35 at home in Salt Lake City. Born 16 December 1954 in San Rafael, California. B.A. in Accounting. He traveled all over the world and was a science fiction fan.

1990 Backstreet at 108 South 500 West closed its doors to later reorganize as Club 108. Rumor was that co-owner Mac Hunt financially ruined the club over a drug habit. The dance club was the home bar of the Royal Court. 

1990 In August, 118 cases of the HIV virus statewide were reported to the Utah Department of Health. One hundred cases came from Salt Lake County alone.   That compares to the 82 Hepatitis

Jim Dabakis

1991 It's been several years now since Jim Dabakis, one of Salt Lake City's most popular radio talk-show hosts, left KTKK (AM-630) to pursue business interests. I caught up with him last weekend at the Salt Lake International Airport, and he said he's spending about half his time in the Soviet Union and the other half in Salt Lake City with a new company, Easti. He is president of that company, which deals in art sales. Dabakis wouldn't admit that he missed doing radio. "After 13 years as a talk-show host, what more can you say?" was his only comment. About once a month, Starley Bush, KTKK general manager, does allow Dabakis to be a guest host at the station. Dabakis seems happy in his challenging new business, especially with the recent turnaround in events in the Soviet Union. He's also pleased about the prospects of his company's economic prosperity. He recently returned from a Russian art exhibit back east where his company sold $1.4 million worth of paintings. January: KTKK names Gaylen Palmer to replace Jim Dabakis, who left the station at the end of 1989

1994-A federal appeals court ordered the reinstatement of petty officer Keith Meinhold, who had been discharged from the US Navy after saying he was gay during a television interview.Keith Meinhold (born c. 1963) is a veteran of the U.S. Navy who successfully challenged the Navy's attempt to discharge him for coming out as gay in 1992 and ended his Navy career in 1996, one of the first openly gay U.S. servicemembers to be honorably discharged.

1994-: Salt Lake Tribune 05/31/94  Page: A1 Ezra Taft Benson, 13th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and former U.S. agriculture secretary, died Monday of congestive heart failure at 2:35 p.m. in his Salt Lake residence. He was 94. The church leader had been in failing health for years. In 1990, Benson had two blood clots removed from his skull. After that, his condition steadily declined, until he barely could speak, had to be fed by a nasal tube and could not leave his apartment. No LDS president since Joseph Smith so thoroughly combined his politics and religion. During the 1950s and '60s, Benson was one of the nation's most vociferous critics of communism, calling it a tool of Satan

Ezra Taft Benson

 . Yet he presided over the church when it was recognized by the Soviet government in 1991 and when the Soviet and Eastern European communist systems collapsed a few months later. During his administration, the First Presidency issued statements opposing gambling, particularly lotteries and parimutuel betting. In 1988, it made a statement on AIDS, expressing compassion for those afflicted with the disease, but re-emphasizing chastity before marriage, fidelity in marriage and abstinence from all homosexual behavior. While a church leader, Benson continued to espouse the ultra-right-wing tenets of the John Birch Society. Benson's son, Reed, once was a regional coordinator for the group, and his wife, Flora, was a member. But Benson never joined. In February 1980, Benson gave a speech at Brigham Young University called ``Fourteen Fundamentals of Following the Prophet.'' In it, he proclaimed the right of the LDS prophet to speak and act politically. ``Most people saw that as a warning of his own future intentions,'' said historian D. Michael Quinn. Perhaps Benson's most controversial address was to the women of the church in 1987. He urged them to marry at an early age, stay home and rear large families rather than pursue careers outside the home.

• We must not place the blame upon Negroes. They are merely the unfortunate group that has been selected by professional Communist agitators to be used as the primary source of cannon fodder. [The civil rights movement's] planning, direction, and leadership come from the Communists, and most of those are white men who fully intend to destroy America by spilling Negro blood, rather than their own. (Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference Report, October 1967)
• "every form of homosexuality is wrong."America’s Strength: The Morality of Its People by Ezra Taft Benson

1994- I don't know how the rest of the heterosexual community feels about Judge David S. Young's decision to sentence the murderer of a gay Park City man to a maximum of only six years in prison for shooting his victim, Douglas C. Koehler, between the eyes at point-blank range (Tribune, Aug. 16). But personally, I don't want to live in a society that tolerates hate crimes and retains a judge who does little more than slap the hand of a cold-blooded killer. Although Tribune reporter Stephen Hunt interviewed several members of Utah's gay community who expressed righteous indignation over Judge Young's abominable decision, I would hate for readers to view this as merely ``a gay issue.''  Whenever justice is inhibited by personal biases and prejudices against any group of individuals, it is everyone's problem. Perhaps 50 years after the world witnessed the horrifying consequences of Hitler's Germany, we believe that the hate-inspired slaughter of more than 6 million Jews and other ``undesirables'' (including homosexuals) is now just another remote page in human history.

David Young

Yet when we tolerate the attitude that certain individuals are ``disposable,'' we resurrect the spirit of Nazism.  Apathetic tolerance of ``injustice for some'' ultimately suffocates the decency of all. In sentencing David Nelson Thacker, Judge Young considered the fact that the killer was influenced by a ``don't get mad, get even'' philosophy. Using the kind of twisted logic that only a skinhead can truly grasp, Judge Young concluded that Thacker does not pose a true danger to society at large (only people who the killer wants to ``get even with,'' I suppose). It's time for those interested in ``justice for all'' to ``get even'' with Judge Young by demanding that he be removed from the bench. GINA A. ZHDILKOV Salt Lake City (08/31/94  Page: A10 SLTribune)

Diana Princess of Wales

1997- Diana Princess of Wales killed in auto wreck in Paris, France. In the late 1980's Princess Diana was dressed up as an male model by singer Freddie Mercury and TV star Kenny Everett so they could sneak her into a well-known gay bar. Diana, wearing an army jacket, black cap and sunglasses, managed to order a round of drinks at the busy nightspot, according to a new book by Kenny’s pal Cleo Rocos. Mercury, Rocos and Everett played their part by soaking up the attention during the nerve-wracking 20-minute visit - allowing the Princess to blend in undetected

Terry Krogan

1998 With lack of initiative on part of the Salt Lake City Council to revise the repealed non discrimination ordinance, Gay activists focused their attention elsewhere -- on elections. Rather than waste energy on a ``namby-pamby'' city law, gay and lesbian residents formed a political action committee and planned to wield their influence at the polls.   ``I have little faith that the current City Council is going to do anything which will affirm the rights of gay and lesbian city employees in any serious way,'' said University of Utah law Professor Terry Kogan  

2002 Ben Williams to Chad Keller: Subject Article for the Pillar: Chad, I took the liberty to edit your article- Dump it if you find it objectionable or use whole or part. Use without any attribution to me-Ben  (PS-I love you but like me we get wordy and opinionated-I cut this to the chase) EDIT- As our community continues to grow, often along the way, we have forgotten important public figures, events, and places in our community's “collective history”. Additionally, often we fail to see the importance of present day leaders, events, and places. This is evident by the current debates on what is the purpose of Pride Day. The rumblings around the community are whether it should be a political forum, a party, or a mixture of both. These questions could be answered by reflecting on the past, and by developing goals for the future. Our collective history is a culmination of the lessons we have learned from people and events from the past. We must keep these lessons with us, as we together stand in the present; to create a brighter future and a community legacy. It is our hope, therefore, that we can do so by soliciting from you, your thoughts on the past and comments on the present, and thereby provide inspiration and strength in those living in the present.  To this end, the new Pillar feature, “The Pillar Asks” is initiated.  The Pillar Reflects Back on Utah History- One hundred twenty-five years ago, one of the most controversial and powerful figures of the American West, Brigham Young died. He ranks as a figure that is both loved and despised in American history. At the time of his death, the Deseret News stated, " He left a mark upon the age which the future will never efface."  At the time of his funeral The Salt Lake Herald celebrated the great railroad builder, banker, merchant, farmer, legislator and spiritual and temporal leader by penning the words, "(his) ability, will and determination overcame mighty obstacles, surmounted grave perils, and outwitted and overthrew many powerful enemies." On the east coast however, The New York Tribune wrote caustically, "he made a big figure in the world. He was a Yankee Mohammed, and American autocrat (who) founded a Kingdom within a republic, and wielded a power no civilized king enjoyed." That paper dismissed Young as "nothing but a cunning, clever old rascal, and no prophet at all." Like most historical figures, Young's reputation ebbs and flows with the times. However Young’s legacy certainly is an enduring part of American Western history. The observations of the Deseret News are as true today, among Latter Day Saints, as they were in 1877: "No earthly potentate ever reigned more fully in the hearts of people than did Brigham Young." Reflecting on Our History Brigham Young, while an important figure in the history of Utah, is only one of many who have shaped the culture of this state.  But has our Utah GBLT microcosm ever had an individual who might be our version of Brigham Young? Do we currently have one?  Every community and culture has its own heroes and heroines including the GLBT one. Generally they are those leaders in a community who, in their own way, have contributed to the development of the communities of which they are a part. Nationally names like Harvey Milk and Larry Kramer have inspired and advised us in our darkest and brightest moments. However too often leaders of the present- as well as the past, and the their accomplishments, are forgotten.  It may seem that as the world continues to grow smaller and smaller, because of advancements in technology, great leaders are fewer and fewer. Under a new definition of leadership, one of being a community builder, there are hundreds of people who have been or are influential in our own GLBT community.  They are the human catalysts that bring our community together, keep us informed, keep us in check, and more importantly- keep it interesting.  In all groups there are people who have and are out standing, accomplishing great things, making a difference and changing the human condition.  They are the New Age of great leaders.  So the Pillar Asks- Of the past and present leaders of the Utah Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community who stands out with prominence? And most importantly why? What were their accomplishments, which have affected us for better, or for worse?  It may seem a strange question to ask but many in our community do not know much of our own history. But this is a chance to reflect on where we have been, where we currently are, and where we hope to be as a community- as well as a chance to educate the general public of our accomplishments. Community historians like Ben Williams and Connell “Rocky” O'Donovan have for years protected and preserved much of our history, (that which is stored in the archival section of the Marriott Library at the University of Utah), yet some of our history’s most tangible proof; its documents and photos are unavailable, or forever lost. Today some of our best records are still in the minds and memoirs of the members of this GLBT community.  Your comments to the Pillar will further our goal to collect written and oral histories for future generations.   Please send your responses to the Pillar, We will select the very best for an up coming article in January. Deadline for submission is October 1, 2002. responses will also be accepted by email. An independent panel will select the top 10 individuals that have shaped or are shaping our community’s collective history from submitted responses. All responses are welcome and we will print as many as possible in a special section in the upcoming article. Chad Keller.  Note-from Ben Williams YOU MIGHT WANT TO INCLUDE LENGTH OF THE ARTICLE  500-1000 Words?

Cheryl Pike Barlow

Kate Kendall

2005 Custody case spotlights couples' parental rights In high court: A mother wants her former lesbian partner's visitation rights to their child cut off By Elizabeth Neff The Salt Lake Tribune It was standing-room only Tuesday as the Utah Supreme Court considered the future of a 3-year-old girl raised in a lesbian relationship. The child's biological mother, Cheryl Pike Barlow, says she has left the gay lifestyle and doesn't want her former partner – joined to her in a Vermont civil union - to see her daughter anymore. "I am here to protect my child," said Barlow. "That's the only reason." Keri Lynne Jones, of Taylorsville, says she is fighting to maintain a relationship with the daughter the couple decided to have together, once raised together, and gave both of their surnames. "We aren't the only family like this," Jones said. "It just seems that it should matter that we created her together." The justices must now decide if Utah visitation laws protect gay or unmarried couples raising children related by blood to only one partner. At issue is a common law doctrine known as "in loco parentis," in which a person acts as a parent although they have no blood or legal ties to a child. Third District Judge Timothy Hanson ruled in December the doctrine applied to Jones and awarded her visitation, saying the girl would benefit "both emotionally and financially" from the contact. Hanson determined Jones had been an "equal partner" in the decision for Barlow to have a child, sharing in the selection of the sperm donor. Jones participated in the child's birth and care, and became a co-guardian, the judge said. The women broke up when the girl was 2, after Jones had an affair with another woman. Barlow's attorney, Frank Mylar, told the justices Tuesday that the parental rights of all Utahns are at stake in the case. Affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, which litigates cases involving religion, Mylar argued the in loco parentis doctrine only applies to cases where the parent is absent from the child's life. "This case is about the right of a natural mother to decide what is best for her child," he told the high court. "My client decided what she thought was best for her 2-year-old child and left a relationship and a lifestyle." Attorney Kathryn Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said the case hinges on "well-settled" Utah law protecting the relationships children have with those who have acted as their parents. "While this happens to involve a same-sex couple, how one feels about same-sex parents is irrelevant," she said. "If this had been a heterosexual relationship, the same claim would be pressed." Yet Kendell, representing Jones, also told the justices they have the power to protect her client. "The court has an important function to protect the rights of individuals, even if those rights are unpopular," she said. Chief Justice Christine M. Durham summed up the task before the high court as determining how to apply decades-old law from previous cases to a set of contemporary family relation- ships. "To the extent that a parent deliberately constructs a co- parenting situation . . . why shouldn't that parent be responsible for the consequences of creating that relationship?" Durham asked. Tuesday's arguments made for a lively debate, with each one of the justices jumping in. Justice Ronald E. Nehring asked if circumstances would be different had the girl been 10 years old, with a presumably stronger tie to Jones when the couple split up. Justice Jill N. Parrish questioned how much weight courts should place on the intent of parents who set up a relationship. Justice Michael J. Wilkins inquired whether the case involved a public policy question best left to lawmakers. Attending Tuesday's arguments was attorney and Utah state Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper. He called Jones' position an abuse of in loco parentis and said "legislation would be appropriate" should Barlow lose. Barlow, once known as a gay rights activist in Utah, said she feels her daughter has become a pawn in the movement she once took part in. With family members and supporters from her church nearby, she warned: "If this goes through, [gay] adoption is next, [eliminating] the constitutional [anti-gay marriage] amendment is next." She said she has abandoned what she called a "revolving door" of lesbian relationships. "I did not find happiness or much health there," she said. "I pray that I will meet a man that will be able to understand my past." Barlow added she has always been a religious person. "I looked at the last 20 years of my life and my beautiful daughter and said the next 20 years are not going to look like the past 20 years." Barlow argues she was the primary caretaker of her daughter as a stay-at-home mother and that Jones had little to do with raising her daughter. She says visitation that has occurred since she moved from Utah to Texas in May has been traumatic for her daughter, who is having nightmares and calling several people "Mommy." Jones says she was kept away from the girl for almost a year when the litigation began. She contends Barlow was able to be a stay-at-home mom only with her support, tearfully recalling mornings with the girl and picking her up from day care When the girl was 1 year old, Jones said, the couple began trying for a second child. This time the plan was for her to become pregnant, she said. The two tried for one year before the relationship ended, Jones said. Following Tuesday's arguments, Barlow's brother gave Jones a warm hug. "I think that they're torn, the same as my family," said Jones. "We had a wedding, and our families were joined together on holidays." Judge Hanson awarded Jones two days a month and Christmas Day visitation, with visitation increasing to alternating overnight weekends this summer. Jones has been paying $300 per month in child support in accordance with the judge's order, and half of all medical expenses since December. But Barlow is now charged with custodial interference, a third-degree felony, for not following the judge's ruling shortly after she moved to Texas in May. Barlow was arraigned in that case Tuesday, and a follow-up hearing is set for Sept. 13. Jones has visited the girl three times, in a hotel, in the past two months. The justices are considering Barlow's appeal in the visitation case and will make their ruling at a later date.

Keri Lynn Jones

Babs De Lay

2006 Amazing hardship, amazing success Babs De Lay: By 15, she lost a brother, was raped by her stepfather and had to give up her kids; now she's a radio host and real estate mogul By Deann Tilton Close-Up Correspondent Salt Lake Tribune- Babs De Lay is most known in the community as a successful business owner and community radio host. Openly gay and equally candid about both the tragedy and triumphs in her life, she's used her experiences as a roadmap for activism to champion the rights of women and children. Her family had money, brains and troubles. By the time De Lay was 14, she'd survived beatings by her mother and the suicide of her beloved little brother. "He wrote a note leaving me his goldfish and pocketknife," she said. At 15, she was raped by her stepfather and became pregnant with twins. "My mother didn't notice until I was about eight months pregnant. She did a lot of Seconal and scotch," she said. "Once she found out, she had me live alone in the basement of the doctor who was to deliver my twins. I ended up having a Caesarian and went into a coma for a few days." When she woke, the baby girls were gone and De Lay was sent away to a private school in Sanpete County. "I still had stitches running from my navel to my crotch and my mother said, 'If anyone asks what those stitches are for, tell them you had a tumor removed,' '' De Lay said. After graduating with high math and science scores, she enrolled at the University of Utah for pre-med. Eventually, she graduated from Westminster College. De Lay said she struggled to get jobs after college because she was openly gay in the early 1970s. She went back to school, didn't party so much, and earned a degree in business communications. About that time, a new community radio station, KRCL, opened and a staff member suggested she become a station volunteer and host a show. It has been 26 years, and De Lay is still at it. Every Thursday, fans tune in and listen to "Women, the Third Decade," which features divas spanning the decades, such as Billie Holiday and Pink. Barb Guy worked with De Lay as a volunteer for KRCL in the 1980s. "She was the quintessential prepared show host and could rally enthusiasm and interest from listeners and other volunteers," Guy said. Plus she was articulate and had a fun voice." De Lay is a music lover with more than 3,000 albums in her collection but says she has trouble memorizing, can only recall one or two lines from any song and is the worst person to ask, "Who sang that song . . . ?" De Lay uses her airtime on KRCL to inform the community of human rights issues and promote organizations such as the Rape Recovery Center, where she served on the board for five years. In the early '80s, De Lay found her professional niche after bumping into a college friend who was a real estate broker who suggested she become an agent. In 2001, De Lay started Urban Utah Homes & Estates. Her firm's 20 agents serve the Avenues, Sugar House and downtown. Luann Lakis, one of those agents, calls De Lay "a gift." "She kicked my butt," Lakis says with a laugh. "She pushed me to not shy away from resolving issues with the occasional tough client and has instilled in me the confidence to figure things out. Because she speaks her mind instead of tiptoeing around things, she can come across as a little harsh, but I've blossomed because of it. I can see now how much I really do for my clients and how much they like working with me." Kim Davis, Urban Utah Homes & Estates' office manager, says: "Before I worked for Babs, I was just a receptionist with another firm. But she just trusted me with all these responsibilities. Saying, 'You can do it; it's no big deal.' She's changed my life." De Lay also holds a volunteer position on the Salt Lake City Planning and Zoning Commission. Ten years ago, De Lay found the twin girls she had given birth to as a teen and is now a proud grandmother of four. Barb Guy says, "Maybe because she's an entrepreneur and because she's been out there in a lot of different ways in her life, she's willing to support people who are doing brave things." De Lay says, "I believe strongly I'm here on the planet for a reason, and it's my job to help make it a better place."

Eric Ethington

2010 Mormon Church Compares Homosexuality To A Physical Defect Posted by Eric Ethington SLC, UT – In part 2 of our post from yesterday about the Mormon (aka LDS) church’s story about Marishia, the now-reformed Lesbian who became an active member of the church, the bigoted church has the gall to compare homosexuality to being born with a physical defect. When I prayed to know why I was born homosexual a few hours later I received my answer. I have come to understand that homosexuality is similar to a physical defect and in the next life I will no longer have this physical defect, therefore I will no longer be a homosexual. This are the words of Marishia, on the church’s official website. Wow… where to start? So many these days are claiming “No no! The church is changing!” Bull. I cannot abide organizations that, because of getting called out on bigoted practices, make teeny changes in policy then get touted as being progressive. Such is the case here. When Salt Lake City finally passed their non-discrimination ordinances last year, the main story of the day was the Mormon church’s endorsement and encouragement of the new laws. But let’s be honest, the church did nothing. They stepped in at the last moment to ‘endorse’ the laws, but only once the city council already had a unanimous vote. The church gained everything, an easement on the negativity still flowing from their involvement in Prop8, hero status among those in the community who didn’t see what happened, and they had to give nothing. Well in those two simple sentences of Marishia, endorsed by the church by being on their website, we learn their entire attitude. Firstly.. that according to them we’re sick, creatures to pity and be helped. Our sexual orientation? Able to be changed in a moment by their spaghetti monster in the sky – god. Many people who are “struggling with homosexual feelings,” including myself when I was a member are promised that if we but marry in their temple to a member of the opposite sex and have children we will be cured. And even those who are not made those outlandish problems are told what Marishia was told, that if they remain completely celibate and deny themselves of the love of another for the duration of their lives that they will be “cured” in the next life. The Mormon church is changing for the better? Not even close. With front groups like the National Organization For Marriage (NOM) running around the country with their enormous bankroll behind them, they are pushing their beliefs upon the entire nation. Believe as they believe or else!

This Day In Gay Utah History AUGUST 30th

August 30th

1928-The New York Times reported that US publisher Alfred Knopf had purchased the American rights to Radclyffe Hall's novel about lesbianism, "The Well of Loneliness."

Murray Park

1950 Wednesday- Two 15 year old boys taken into custody for the sadistic beating of a 9 year old Murray boy are to answer to three felony charges Wednesday in 3^rd District Court. Peace Officers circumvented juvenile court action in filing charges of assault with intent to commit murder, assault  on a child under 14 years old and sodomy, against the pair, Karl Marx Black (age 16) of 56 Columbia Ave., Murray, and Franklin R. Westerfield of 869 Pueblo Street.  The two are charged in separate complaints with sodomy and one assault with intent to commit murder. The victim was severely beaten and mistreated Saturday afternoon while returning from a swim in Murray Park, a stone’s throw from the Salt Lake County Fair.  He told Chief Deland and County Deputy Sheriffs two youth beat him with rocks and sticks, cut him with a knife, bound him with his underwear, and tossed him into Big Cottonwood Canyon Stream which winds through the park after committing sexual indecencies. Hearing set for September 13. (SLTribune 08/29/50 pg. 13 col. 4, 08/30/50 page. 17 col. 4, 08/31/50 pg. 17 col.1)

1987 Gay Day at Lagoon was held sponsored by Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah.

Geoff Partain

Ben Williams

1987-"Mike Anderson, Jeff Partain, Brent Fotheringham, and I were out at 3:30 a.m. and went to Broadway and Main Street. Lots of people were out this last weekend before school starts Monday. Anyway we are out having fun. Still slightly drunk, singing show tunes, oblivious to any danger. Salt Lake is so pure, so safe, even at 3:30 a.m. So we were standing in front of Broadway Music Store on Broadway and feeling tired, I sat down a concrete bench. I looked out at the street then at Jeff Partain and suddenly I see this guy hitting Jeff in the face calling him "Faggot"! Then he ran over and surprised Mike, hitting him with an upper cut to the nose. I just went berserk. I screamed “You dumb ass fucker What the hell do you think your doing you bastard”, and I took after him running. He turned around and said “Come for me Faggot” and he charged at me, legs kicking, hands out like he knew karate but I didn't care. I

Michael Anderson

was enraged. I dove on top of him, grabbed his arm behind him and I pulled his long hair so hard his head snapped back. I then threw him down of the concrete sidewalk. I wrestled him down pinning him and screaming at him all the time “You Bastard”. I really don't remember if I hit him or anything because it all happened so fast and my adrenaline was rushing like mad. However later I had a goose egg size bump on my forehead and my left hands had cuts across the knuckles which I am not sure whether I got from hitting him or scraping my hand on the sidewalk as I pulled him down. While I had him on the ground Mike grabbed the kid's bike and was going to smash him in the face with it after recovering from the stunning blow he got. But these two guys who had been with this asshole stopped Mike, and it is just as well. We are better people than that, but I told the basher that if he wanted his bike back he better get the hell out of here. He gave up struggling and we let him ride off with him shouting back at us "Faggots!" I was so angry I stupidly yelled at the top of my lungs "You're the Fag!" then yelled "Coming here trying to prove your masculinity you piss ass bastard! You are the fag!" I was totally out of it. Strange though, it was not in us to hit him once he was down. Truly we are a gentle angry people. Jeff Partain was okay just stunned and everything happened so fast that Brent never had a chance to respond to the situation. It’s something you don't expect to happen. That's not exactly correct. We do expect to be attacked because we are Gay but when it does it’s still a shock. Later some other Gay men came over who had witnessed the attack. Bobby Childers said that he knew this guy

Bobby Childers

was looking for trouble and over heard him say to his friends that he had a knife. Earlier before the attack I saw three cop cars cruising around the block hassling Gays who were out but when we were being bashed not one came around. About 4 a.m. this woman cop pulled up next to us and we were still shaken from the attack and she said to us "Take the Party home" and I looked right at her and said "We have just been attacked!” She said she recognized the description of the dude and said she wished we would have apprehended him and turned him over to the cops because yesterday he had hit someone with a rock and put him in the hospital. What really disgusted me was that the cops had this guys description and he rode around us several times on his bike before he attacked us so why didn't those cops who were hassling Gays for being on the corner talking, spot him? He was not hard to miss, a kid about 17 years old with long black stringy hair riding a land cruiser bike.[Journal of Ben Williams]

Connell O'Donovan

1989 The Utah Gay and Lesbian Historical Society met at the Quaker Meeting House on 2nd Ave. Rocky O'Donavan and Liza Smart discussed the presentation given to the Berkeley Gay Historical Society in California.

1990 Thursday CONTROVERSY OVER FRANK DISPLAY SELECTED AS CENSORSHIP EXAMPLE The controversy surrounding an Anne Frank exhibit in Salt Lake City, which included materials regarding the Nazi persecution of homosexuals, has been selected as an example of school censorship by People for the American Way. The organization recently distributed a list of 244 incidents it believes amounted to school censorship during the 1989-90 school year. The Anne

Frank incident was the only Utah incident cited. People for the American Way is a watchdog group concerned with constitutional liberties. The Salt Lake incident, which occurred last March, was attributed by state school officials to a "misunderstanding" but raised a furor, particularly among gay-rights groups. The State Office of Education was asked to review educational materials associated with the Anne Frank exhibit, which was sponsored by Geneva Steel. Three of 38 pages of the materials were originally deleted because they dealt with the persecution of homosexuals during the Nazi regime. James R. Moss, who at the time was state school superintendent, said the state office merely cautioned the sponsors about the sensitivity related to materials that promote "acceptance of or advocacy of homosexuality as a desirable or acceptable sexual adjustment or lifestyle." The sponsors responded by removing the references to homosexuality in the exhibit materials, but later they were stored. [Deseret News]

1992-David Niels Stoker died age 36 years of AIDS survived by companion, Patrick Baggs. -I, David Niels Stoker, bid good-bye to you for now. I was born May 25, 1956 in Ogden, Utah. I earned my Eagle Scout and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. I graduated from Clearfield High School in 1974. I later worked as manager for B. Dalton Bookstores and thoroughly enjoyed my years there.  I have loved traveling to new places. I treasured the pleasant hours I've spent in my hobby of stained glass, and working in my yard and garden. My dog, Skittle, has been my faithful and beloved companion. To my loved ones I am leaving behind, I will wait to receive you and help guide you to a much happier sphere. My son, and my friend and companion, Pat Baggs; you each have my best wishes in your lives. My love and spirit will always be with you. You will know I am there. My family has been such a great help. Your support and understanding has been tremendous and has encouraged me to keep thinking positive. I wish to thank Dr. Kristen Reis, Maggie Snyder and all the staff of Med. III at Holy Cross Hospital who have helped me through my valiant battle with AIDS. To all of you who have donated blood to me, I deeply thank you. This is not the end, but maybe a new beginning for others. I am going to a different dimension and I will meet you there.  

1992  FARR WEST EX-MAYOR FINED FOR LEWDNESS Associated Press  Sunday, Aug. 30, 1992 The former mayor of Farr West has been ordered to serve two days in jail, to be followed by 90 days of home confinement, and fined $300 for his conviction on a lewdness charge. John R. Stewart, 48, appeared for sentencing Friday before 2nd Circuit Judge Parley Baldwin, who also told him to stay out of Ogden River Parkway. Baldwin suspended all but two days of an 180-day term, saying he wanted the threat of jail to motivate Stewart to continue counseling and avoid any repeat of the April 16 incident in which an Ogden police officer observed Stewart and another man at the parkway, committing a lewd act. Deseret News

1993 Micheal Paul Larsen age 27 died after a brave battle with AIDS. He is survived by his partner, Brian L. Keener; A candlelight vigil was held in Memory Grove in his honor.

1996 Deseret News- Convention includes shock as well as thrills for Utah's delegates By Lee Davidson and Bob Bernick Jr., Staff Editor Writers Utah's Democratic convention delegates were exultantly thrilled and disappointingly stunned at the same time Thursday - thrilled with Bill Clinton's speech, and stunned that his chief campaign strategist resigned amid a new sex scandal. "I wish it didn't hurt, but I'm sure it does," said delegate Ted Wilson about the resignation of Clinton strategist Dick Morris amid allegations he had a long affair with a

Ted Wilson

prostitute, and allowed her to listen in on presidential conversations. "People don't vote for presidential staff members. But it does bring up memories of other character issues," said Wilson, the former Salt Lake City mayor who is co-chairman of the Clinton-Gore campaign in Utah. However, Wilson was upbeat about Clinton's speech at the convention. "He was like a Ronald Reagan with substance," he said. "He hit many issues that should play well in Utah, including eliminating capital gains tax on selling your home." State Democratic Party Chairman Mike Zuhl lamented about the Morris scandal, "I knew something like this would happen because everything had been going too smoothly, and we're Democrats." But he pointed out, "It wasn't the president. It was a paid consultant. But the timing is disappointing because we were building momentum, then this happens." Delegate and Salt Lake County Commissioner Randy Horiuchi predicted the fallout from the scandal will be small over the long run, "and there's probably going to be serious credibility problems as it is investigated more ... It comes from the same tabloid that did the Gennifer Flowers story (alleging she had an affair with Clinton)." "It was perfect," delegate David Nelson said of the speech. Nelson also

David Nelson on right

said he was disappointed the scandal broke the same day, but, "This is Dick Morris' problem, not the president's." Dollars for Bill, dross for Ross: Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, will get the full financial, moral and administrative help of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Mark Lotwis, DCCC campaign planning director, told the Utah delegation Thursday. But Ross Anderson in the 2nd House District needs to raise more money and do a bit better in the polls before the DCCC can make the same commitment to him. Lotwis said he believes Anderson can and will win. "We know (Republican) Merrill Cook. We've watched him run many times," Lotwis said jokingly. "The best way you Democrats in Utah can help Anderson is to write him a check," he said.

Simon LeVay

1998 Sunday- Simon LeVay Ph.D. Author of The Sexual Brain, his 1991 report on brain differences between Gay and straight men, spoke at a forum on homosexual at the Behavior Science Auditorium at the University of Utah. His presentation was entitled Queer Science: the Use and Abuse of Research into Homosexuality. The forum was co-sponsored by Family Fellowship and the Salt Lake Chapter of PFLAG

1999-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new blood test that estimates how recently a person was infected with HIV.

Maureen Davies, Chuck Whyte Brenda Voisard 

2002 Brenda Voisard Steps Down From Women's Resource Center By Sheena McFarland Daily Chronicle Brenda Voisard is leaving the Women's Resource Center to take another job at Intermountain Health Care. Voisard, who has been counseling coordinator at the resource center for the past four years, says she's ready for a change. "I love the people I work with, and the U, but I've been at the U since I was a graduate student, and I needed something new and challenging," Voisard said. Although she is excited for the new job, she feels like it was a quick decision. "It just seemed so fast, I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I'm not going to be here next week," she said. She will be missed by coworkers for her hard work and caring personality. "Brenda is just great…I'm really sad to see her go," said Donna Hawxhurst, who has worked with Voisard on her counseling endeavors. Voisard worked with all of the graduate counseling practicum students, and also ran the lesbian and bisexual support group as well as the career change support group. She co-directed these programs with Hawxhurst, who will take over the program in an interim capacity, but the length of the interim position has yet to be determined. However, Voisard also helped advise the Lesbian Gay Student Union as well as helped set up the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center. Other staff members will take over her advising positions. At IHC, Voisard will be in charge of creating a new career counseling program, where she will help employees find new positions within the company. An employee who no longer wants to be a medical technician could become a computer networker, but still stay with IHC.  "Helping people with their careers, along with LGBT issues, are the two areas I want to focus on, and since I've focused on LGBT issues here, I can now focus on career issues more intensely," she said. However, Voisard said she may return to the U after IHC, but she doesn't know how long she'll stay at IHC. "I could just set up this program and be done, or I may end up back at the U," she said. "We'll just have to see how it goes."

2019 Bob Waldrop passed away today. He was pastor of Salt Lake MCC in the late 70s, publisher of the Open Door, head of the Salt County Libertarian Party, and I considered him a friend. He was an Gay activist during his time in Utah and was instrumental in pioneering our community 40 years ago. I called him a couple of weeks ago but he was too weak to really talk. He wanted to come to SL and asked if he could come stay with me but he evidently took a turn for the worse with his cancer. Bobby Max was one of a kind and fought to make the world more just. Bob confirmed Bruce Barton as a member of the MCC. He also led the charge to find out who murdered Tony Adams, instrumental in stopping the Mormon Church from having their dances in the state Rotunda and popularized the saying "Legalize Adulthood in Utah. He was quite the character. Ben Williams. Kelly Byrnes added, "He made a difference. And he could play anything. Brilliant man."

This Day In Gay Utah History AUGUST 29th

August 29th

Karl Ulrichs

1867-he homosexual emancipation movement in Germany began when Karl Heinrich Ulrichs spoke before the Congress of German Jurists in Munich to ask for humane treatment for homosexual men and women and an end to sodomy laws. As an openly homosexua

Dioning was the term for Heterosexual

l man before the Congress of German Jurists in Munich, he urged the repeal of all anti-homosexual laws. He was shouted down. Karl Henrich Ulrichs declared himself to be a "Uranian" and became the first known person in modern times to describe himself as a Gay man.  The term Uranian or Urning was introduced by Karl Heinrich Ulrich to describe same sex love.

1890 A filthy case came up in the Police Court yesterday that elicited the deepest disgust A young man from P V Junction named Divine was charged with the crime against Nature. The witnesses in the case were the constable from Colton and a boy who were in some way connected with the case whose testimony proved Divine to be of the most brutish instincts. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was bound over in $3000 bonds. Provo Post

Hell's Canyon above Beck Street

1902 Collins Murder Case In Court Probability That Clyde Felt Will Never be Tried For the Gruesome Hells Hollow Tragedy- Murder Case Set for September 9  From statements made by District Attorney Elchnor this morning during the setting of criminal cases In Judge Morses court it is more than probable that the case against young Clyde Felt [Newspaper picture of Clyde Felt] charged with the murder of Samuel Collins in Hells Hollow [Picture of cave] several months ago will be dismissed. When the case was called for setting Mr Elchnor stated that he had fully Investigated the case and be did not know whether or not It would ever be tried. He therefore asked that It be passed for the present with the understanding that It would either be tried or dismissed at this term of court. The case was accordingly passed by the court and from the stand taken by the district attorney. Is believed that Clyde Felt will never have to stand trial for the crime with which he In charged.

• 15 year old Clyde Felt slit 63 year old Samuel Collin's throat as a blood atonement act on the request of Collins for having sexually molested Felt and several of his friends.

2nd South and 4th West Owner of Cosmic Airplane in front. Railroad Exchange became the Original Sun Tavern cir 1970

1979- The Salt Lake City Gay Inter-Bar Volleyball League held their final league game.  The Rail Tavern defeated Radio City Tavern two games to none and then defeated the Sun Tavern two games to none.  The league had the support of Joe Redburn, Susan Denny, Krazy Pete, Larry White, and Weldon Young

1985 List of Utahns With AIDS Grows to 21 The Confirmation of two new cases of AIDS brings Utah’s total number of reported cases to 21. Eleven cases have been reported this year, 3 more than were reported in all of 1984 and twice the number diagnosed in 1983  Utah’s official expect an additional 9 to be diagnosed this year. 10 of the 21 have died of the disease. Of the 21 cases reported to date 15 were homosexual or bi sexual men, four of the victims were intravenous drug users and 2 patients acquired the disease through transfusion of blood. (SLTRibune 08/29/1985 B2-6)

1986- The Knights of Malta’s three day Assembly '86 was held for the first time in Salt Lake City sponsored by the Beehive Chapter. Knights of Malta, a social, levi, leather Club raised $1000 for AIDS education. A Check presented to the Royal Court's AIDS fund.

• Knights of Malta There is not a lot of information on the Utah Chapter of the Knights of Malta that I could locate. They were a Levi / leather social group that was around back in the late eighties and early nineties. Some of the activities they would be involved with would be to provide aid for people in need in the gay and lesbian community. An example of this was when they helped out a couple with Aids one Christmas by paying some of their bills and providing them with food. The club was registered in Utah  24 November 1981

1987-Barbara Dickie hosted her annual raucous community "Lesbian Luau" in West Valley.

Andrew Dice Clay

1991 Andrew Dice Clay, performed his stand up comedy routine at Symphony Hall but steered away from homosexual jokes. In front of Symphony Hall a large band of protesters gathered including Queer Nation.  While KTVX, KUTV, KSL and the Deseret News covered the protest accuracy, and portrayed the discriminatory attitude and hostility of Clay and his fans, The Salt Lake Tribune did not even mention the severity of the abuse Queer Nation received from the concert goers, or the lack of action on the part of local police officers and the security at Symphony Hall.  Some of the Clay Fans actually attacked Queer Nation protesters by ramming them with their heads.  Rocky O’Donavan was assaulted and hit in the head. No one was arrested, police had to be prodded to take any action, which only amounted to “talking” to one of the suspects and then allowing him to enter the Hall for the performance.  A security guard let another suspect walk off even though protesters and neutral parties pleaded to have him stopped.

1992-, A garden party was held by former Utah Attorney General Paul Van Dam, Randi

Paul Van Dam

Wagner and Kiran Puri,  as part of a series of Soirees held in private homes as fund raisers for the Utah   AIDS Foundation. A Texas-style feast at Meg Averett's home was held as part of a series of Soirees held in private homes as fund raisers for the Utah AIDS Foundation. Call the foundation for reservations and locations. (08/20/92 Page: A8 PARTY LINE: HABITAT HOMES ARE THE EPITOME OF LABORS OF LOVE Byline: By Pat Capson THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE)

1993- In an article on protests in Utah Salt Lake Tribune printed, “The gay and lesbian community faces a particular challenge: Not everyone who supports the cause is ``out.'' ``I don't know if we could get people out even if we were violent,'' says Mr.[Michael] Aaron, chairman of the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats.    Aside from Gay Pride Day, which attracted gathered more than 2,000 people this year, most events are small scale. Queer Nation, for example, has in recent years protested at Temple Square conference, an Andrew Dice Clay concert and staged ``kiss-ins'' at Snelgroves. (Aug 29 93 A 11)

1997-Jim McKnight discussed his research on the gay gene on the BBC program Science Now. His research group at the University of Western Sidney studied gayness within the families of homosexuals, and discovered that evidence exists to suggest that homosexuality is an inherited trait.

Trevor Southey

1997 : Page: B6 U. Students Condemn Moving of Painting   Students should have been consulted before a University of Utah administrator altered an art exhibit at the Union Building, student government leaders said Wednesday.   The Associated Students of the University of Utah Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn the rearrangement of a Trevor Southey painting a less conspicuous spot. ``This sets a dangerous precedent,'' said ASUU Assembly member Kevin Haasch, one of the sponsors of the resolution, who called the administrator's action censorship. ``Who knows whether this will extend into the classroom?''   The Southey painting, titled ``Prodigal Son'' was part of a small exhibit presented during last week's conference for Affirmation, a group of  gay and lesbian Mormons.  After receiving a few complaints that the large triptych was offensive, Union Manager Peter Richards moved it around a corner to a less conspicuous spot. The exhibit ended earlier this week and was subsequently moved out of the building.   Deidre Hughes, a student member of a board that advises on Union Building operations, said the manager should not have acted unilaterally. Students should have been consulted.   Richards could not be reached for comment Thursday. Earlier this week he said he had the support of his boss. He also noted that Affirmation is not a student group. As for students' complaints that  they should have been consulted, he said that in retrospect the might have done things differently. ``But I can second-guess myself endlessly. The only thing that's going to do is give me a headache at this time.''

1997 08/29/97 Page: B2 For the Record MORE SEX CHARGES A 45-year-old man already in jail on sex charges was charged Wednesday with forcible   sodomy and sexual abuse for allegedly attempting to force two men to have sex. On Aug. 6, Qassim Ali Al-Raheemi grabbed a man from behind as he was walking by 135 S. State St., police said. Al-Raheemi purportedly dragged the man to a parking lot, forced him to the ground and pulled down the man's pants. The victim managed to escape. That same day, police allege Al-Raheemi grabbed another man while he was urinating and attempted to kiss him. The victim fled. The new charges were filed as Al-Raheemi sits in jail awaiting trial on aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault for an Aug. 14 incident.

1998 Who’s Who In Northern Utah Award Show held at Brass Rail in Ogden

1999 The Family Fellowship Quarterly Forum was held at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, in Provo.

Steve Baxter

2004 Steven Mark Baxter 1949 ~ 2004 died of AIDS. Born to Art and Joan Baxter on May 10, 1949 in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in the Oregon/Washington area. Enlisted in the US Navy in 1968-1972 and served during the Vietnam War. Employed by Bausch & Lomb and transferred to Utah where he started an optical store in Sandy. In 1980 he opened The Deerhunter Club and was the proprietor until it was tragically destroyed by fire in 2001. Survived by his son Michael A. (Karen) Baxter of Salt Lake City, UT; four grandchildren, his parents Art and Joan Baxter of Sun City, AZ; brother David A. Baxter, Sun City, AZ. Preceded in death by his sister Susan Jo Bunnell (6/21/04). He also leaves behind companion Dan and close friends Santos and Gene and a whole community of friends. Steve passed away in Arizona on August 29, 2004, it was his wish to be cremated. We will miss his laughter, his listening ear, his energy and drive. 

•  It is with great sadness that we note the death of Steve Baxter, who has long been a familiar and beloved face in our community. Steve passed away Aug. 29 due to AIDS complications. Steve was born in Oregon to Joan and Art Baxter. He is survived by his son Michael Baxter, his sister Suzie, and his brother David. He grew up in the Oregon/Washington area. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War in San Diego, alifornia as a supply officer. He later moved to Salt Lake City and, in 1980, opened the popular gay club The Deerhunter on 300 West. The bar operated continually until, tragically, it burned down in August 2001. Earlier this year, Steve moved to live with his mom in Arizona, where he eventually passed away. Steve was known by many and loved by all who encountered him and will be greatly missed in our community.

•  [ September 6, 2004 Have known Steve since the mid 80's when the Deerhunter was just a small house, been there throughout the remodeling and then the devastating fire. Became awesome friends and even roommates for a while. Even if Steve didn't remember your name he still walked up and grabbed your hand and asked "How have you been Buddy?" To me he will remain an awesome and dear friend. I will miss the many times we all got Jagermeistered together. May peace be with you Steve.
•  Dennis Rowley (Salt Lake City, UT )-September 6, 2004 Condolences to Steve's partner Dan and extended family. I knew Steve as a patron of his business from the early years until the early 1990s. Always, he was cordial, warm and easy-going, regardless of how pressured he might have been. I will always remember Steve as being just one heck of nice guy. It was at the Deerhunter that I would eventually have the opportunity to meet my partner and husband of (now) 12 years. Sadly, I never thanked Steve for the part he played in that serendipitous meeting. I thank you now, Steve. Verne (Minneapolis, MN )-
•  September 5, 2004 I only knew Steve as a patron but he was always so happy and treated everyone with respect. Steve Baxter's business endeavors provided a great time for a great many people in SLC. He will be in our memories forever. Ben Williams (SLC, UT)-
• September 14, 2004 I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JEN, BOB, DENNIS,VERNE, BEN. I ENJOYED READING THE MESSAGES YOU ALL LEFT. They remind me of the good old bar days. I still feel that Steve is looking out for me like he always did. He had the biggest heart, I miss him every day, and think about him just as much. My family has been a great part of his and my life- helping us out when we needed it the most, including Gene, Santos, and everyone of the Deerhunter's members. Both Steve and I crave to hear the laughter from all of you and to be able to call YOU a friend. YOU were the biggest and best part of his life and will never be forgetable. Please feel free to email me Dan Baker (Sandy, UT )  September 9, 2004 For the last 10 years Steve has been my friend. I will miss him every day. To Steve's family and especially Dan, I feel your pain. Please remember he will always be with you. Jennifer Evans (SLC, UT ) 
• September 7, 2004 I worked for Steve as a bartender at the Deerhunter when he had just opened the place. He was always a great guy and a wonderful boss. I moved away before the fire. I always just assumed the place was still there, with Steve behind the bar with a wink and a smile for everyone. My condolences to Dan and all the guys who knew Steve. Bob Paolino (Albuquerque, NM ) 
• Deerhunter Provided Cherished Memories by Brandon Burt By the time I started

  

  Brandon Burt

  sneaking into bars, the Deerhunter was already an institution in Salt Lake’s gay community. Back in those days it was the closest thing we had to a Levi/leather club. At age 19 I would present my fake I.D. — which, to tell the truth, was as convincing as the GOP’s recent pretense at inclusiveness — and somehow the doorman would let me in. Most nights, having successfully negotiated the tight squeeze up to the bar, I would be greeted by a handsome, jovial, bearded man. I’d plonk down my dough for a dollar draft and, as he gave me my change, Steve Baxter would briskly tap the bar twice — a friendly, trademark gesture — and say, “Thanks, buddy!” I don’t think he ever learned my name. But it was enough for me, at that tender age, to be his “buddy.” Eventually I turned 21, and, as it turned out, half of Salt Lake’s gay male community was Steve’s buddy. But somehow he always made each of his customers feel special, and whatever profits he made — on the narrow margin that any bar business earns — he invested back into the business. City Cab dispatchers, with cynical wit, would call it “Bambi’s.” It had a reputation for attracting a somewhat more butch clientele than many straight people were willing to associate with a gay bar in those days. To begin with, it was a quirky and somewhat cramped place — just a bar and a tight spot with a pool table — but Steve kept expanding and adding onto it. The game room was notorious, but then a front bar was opened, and with it enough space for multiple pool tables. Tournaments started up. The summer the patio appeared, with its quaking aspen and ponderosa pine, was glorious.       The Wasatch Leathermen Motorcycle Club adopted it as their home bar, and would regularly hold fundraising beer busts. Steve himself would offer weekly two-for-one specials, and in odd compliance with DABC regulations, would present customers with a “wooden nickel” — a pine slug exchangeable for a draft beer — with each purchase. Only last week I was going through a box and came across a few of those beer tokens.       One of my fondest memories was the night I was blindfolded, handcuffed, and carried bodily out of the Deerhunter by the WLMC. My pledge period was finally over and it was time for the big initiation. When I, along with the rest of my new club brothers, returned, I was a changed person. Suddenly, I was part of something larger than myself — something that often freaked out a lot of other people. In some ways that was the best part — the shock value — but, no matter how far we went with our raucous, somewhat perverse fun, Steve always made us feel our presence was valued. In some ways we were the floorshow, and on the bright side, nobody ever lost an eye. For many of the Deerhunter’s customers, the beginning of the end came with the addition of the dance floor. A friend of mine, John Martin, mainly objected to the inclusion of a Confederate flag along with all the other banners hanging from the ceiling. (After complaints were met with little response, John’s plan to get rid of the flag was to bring a bullhorn and begin to agitate the crowd against racism. During the ensuing brouhaha, another friend would just “happen by” carrying a gas can. John would run into the bar, tear down the flag, grab the gas can and engage in an “impromptu” flag burning. For better or worse, this bit of street theater never actually took place.) For the rest of us, however, the dance floor simply changed the dynamic of the bar. It brought with it a flood of people we would derisively refer to as “the Sun crowd” — twinks, sweater queens. I’m pretty sure now they were not much different from the rest of us, but at the time it marked a distinct change in the Deerhunter’s clientele. After the Sun blew down during a freak tornado, the change was complete — the Deerhunter would never be the same. Later, the Deerhunter itself burned down and Club Blue was closed by the DABC Gestapo. It was a bad period for gay clubs in Salt Lake City.       There’s more to life than going to the bar, of course. But Steve Baxter provided a comfortable, friendly place for us to meet, and without him, Salt Lake’s gay community wouldn’t have been the same. And for that, all I can say is, “Thanks, buddy.”

Jane Marquart

Lynn Wardle

2004 LDS FAMILY FELLOWSHIP QUARTERLY FORUM Aug 29, 2004 2:30 p.m. SLC Main Library Building Bridges - Healing Relationships - Loving and Serving All The quarterly Family Fellowship Forum will be held on Sunday, August 29th at 2:30 p.m. in the Salt Lake City Public Library Auditorium. The forum will begin at 2:30 p.m. rather than our customary time. We have invited BYU law professor Lynn Wardle and practicing attorney Jane Marquardt to discuss the pro and con considerations of the proposed state constitutional amendment, Amendment 3. As you are probably aware, that amendment would change the state constitution by defining marriage as "the legal union between a man and a woman," and further stating that "no other domestic status or union, however denominated, between persons is valid or recognized or may be authorized, sanctioned or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect as a marriage." Each presenter will be given 15 minutes to present their pro and con perspectives to be followed by a question and answer session with the audience. The forum will be open to the general public and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. We will not have our usual light buffet following the meeting as it is too difficult in the library setting. Family

Fellowship is a volunteer service organization, a diverse collection of primarily Mormon families engaged in the cause of strengthening families with homosexual members. We share our witness that gay and lesbian Mormons can be great blessings in the lives of their families, and that families can be great blessings in the lives of the gay and lesbian members. We strive to become more understanding and appreciative of each other. We seek to put behind us all attitudes which are anti-family or which threaten loving relationships. All who can support these goals are welcome to contribute.  The Salt Lake City library is on the corner of 2nd east and 4th south. Sincerely, Family Fellowship

Right Rev. Carolyn Irish

2007 Dear Community Members: Equality Utah is pleased to announce our 2007 Allies for Equality award recipients.   Allies for Equality awards are given annually to select individuals and organizations who share our vision of a fair & just Utah and who’ve been critical to the advancement of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equality.  Recipients will be honored at Equality Utah’s annual Allies Dinner, which will be held on Wednesday, August 29th at The Salt Palace.  The Right Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish for her outstanding work

Peter Corroon

in support of LGBT people and their roles in the Episcopal Church. Mayor Peter Corroon for his commitment to a government accessible to all citizens and for the priority he has placed on promoting diversity. Plan-B Theatre Company for producing theatre that is socially and politically conscious.  Plan-B productions that have addressed LGBT issues or have included LGBT characters are:  Alienation Effekt, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, A Letter to Harvey Milk, The Laramie Project, My Left Breast, Patient A, A Perfect Ganesh and Facing East. Please Save August 29th on your calendar and join us as we honor these allies and their work for LGBT equality.