August 13th
1937-The New
York Times ran a story saying that New York City police were compiling a list
of known sex criminals, and that the list already consisted of over 300 names.
Though most of the names were homosexuals, police justified it by saying it was
for the protection of children and emphasizing the twelve adult males on the
list who had sexually assaulted girls under the age of 13.
 |
| Randy Shilts |
1975-Writer
Randy Shilts made his debut in The Advocate with the story "Candy Jar
Politics--The Oregon Gay Rights Story." Shilts graduated near the top of his class in
1975, but as an openly Gay man, he struggled to find full-time employment in
what he characterized as the homophobic environment of newspapers and
television stations at that time. After several years of freelance
journalism for the Advocate, he was finally hired as a national correspondent by the San
Francisco Chronicle in 1981, becoming "the first openly Gay reporter with
a Gay 'beat' in the American mainstream press.
 |
| Robert McQueen |
1975 Robert I McQueen editor of the Advocate and former LDS missionary wrote of five Gay men he had known at BYU who had been caught in the purge. They had been coerced into aversive therapies, expelled from BYU, exposed by church officials, and excommunicated. Each one of the five tragically killed himself rather than face the oppression and bigotry of family, church, and society. (The Advocate 170 13 August 1975) [The following is taken from McQueen, Robert I., "Outside the Temple Gates--The Gay Mormon," The Advocate, 13 August 1975, p. 14.] It was a year of suicides, a rather harsh introduction to the gay society I discovered in 1965, hidden beneath Salt Lake City's placid sheen of righteousness. The details were gory and unsettling—a strong, athletic neck snapped by a homemade noose, a beautiful head blown apart, a body smashed like delicate porcelain in the concrete conclusion of a seven-story leap, and two quiet overdoses on begged and borrowed drugs. Homosexuality was, of course, the immediate scapegoat. After all, the waspish voices inside cried, suicide and homosexuality go hand in hand. But there was something disturbing about these particular deaths, something unnecessary, something these men shared which was as much and possibly more to blame. Risking blasphemy, I concluded, after a long and bitter struggle with my own beliefs, that it was their inability to reconcile in a livable harmony the opposing forces of a rigidly homophobic religion and homosexuality that destroyed them. Those five young men I met in 1965 were all in their early 20's. They were Mormons. Three of them had recently returned from missionary service for the Mormon Church. They were all students at Brigham Young University (BYU), the Mormon-owned University well known for its arch-conservative standards of conduct and dress. Months prior to their suicides, four of them had been trapped in the on-going homosexual witch hunts at BYU and subjected to the church's disciplinary program. The fifth had sought help his own way by contacting church authorities and admitting his problem to them. As an initial step in their "counseling," each of them was interviewed by the counselor to homosexual problems at that time, Spencer W. Kimball, now president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...My friends from 1965 were good people. They wanted to be better people, but they believed in their church more than they believed in themselves. When their church rejected them because they were gay, it destroyed them. I doubt the Mormon Church will ever accept even a portion of the blame.
1978 - Board
Meeting of the Gay Service Coalition-John Meng, Bill Woodbury, and Ray Henke attending. Matter of Mike Reid discussed at length. It
was suggested that with Open Door payment, an excess of approximately $150
would be left over after reimbursement to account owed Ray Henke. It was
suggested that the balance be made to Radio City Lounge for bad checks written
by Reid, in name of Gay Service Coalition. A letter was read from Mike Reid,
post marked from Tucson Arizona. The Letter was one of regret for what had been
done.
1984- Religious
Right Moralists Jimmy Swaggart,
Phyllis Schlafley, and Jerry Falwell spoke to a Republican party committee,
urging a platform which opposes gay rights. Swaggart would be ruined by a
prostitution affair, Schlafley has a gay son, and Falwell will call children
The Pinkie Winkie show part of the Gay agenda
1984- A
conservative hospital in San Luis California refused to admit a 29-year old man
with AIDS and sent him to liberal San Francisco, 200 miles away. He died
shortly afterward.
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| Central City Community Center |
1988 Unconditional
Support, Affirmation and Lesbian and Gay Student Union held a community dance at the Central City
Community Center in SLC.
Saturday, August 13, 1988 CIRCLE K SUSPENDS
CONTROVERSIAL HEALTH PROGRAM By JoAnne Jacobsen-Wells, Medical Writer Local
human rights advocates Friday applauded Circle K Corporation's decision to
suspend implementation of a controversial health-benefits program that denies
coverage to employees with ailments related to drugs, alcohol or AIDS."A
general misunderstanding of the policy has arisen and that needs to be
clarified," said Karl Eller, Circle K chairman and chief executive officer.
The executive, who noted that health care costs have almost doubled over the
past two years, added, "We were and still are extremely concerned about
containing costs of medical insurance for employees. "The policy on medical
benefits, which affects 26,000 Circle K employees in 26 states - including
about 312 employees in Utah's 58 stores - has garnered considerable public
attention over the past two weeks. However, company officials said the plan has
been in effect since January. Under the plan, employees who are proven to suffer
illnesses and accidents that result from the use of alcohol,
drugs, self-inflicted wounds and AIDS, weren't eligible to receive company
health care coverage in those circumstances. The exception was those persons who
contacted acquired immune deficiency syndrome through a blood transfusion.
They were covered. "We're pleased to see that Circle K is looking to change
the policies that were blatantly discriminatory," said Ben Barr, director
of the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation. "I also think people around the country
who protested and called Circle K should be proud of themselves. It's nice to
know that the process works. "Local organizations providing services to AIDS
patients, outraged by the insurance policy, were considering protesting CircleK
stores, the director said. "They (company executives) seemed to be very
naive. It's surprising," Barr said. "They seemed almost proud of
their policy -like there were no problems with it. It's good people helped
educate them." An official of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah
also hailed Circle K's decision. Calling the policy "discriminatory,"
Robyn E. Blumner, ACLU executive director, said, "There was no rational
basis for selecting out those particular behaviors as uninsurable. It would be
the same as refusing to insure parents who choose to be around their children
when they are sick, or people who smoke or people with poor dietary
habits. "We are certainly gratified that reason prevailed, and they decided
to give this policy a closer look," Blumner said. It was after meeting with
human rights advocates that Circle K officials announced Wednesday their
decision to suspend implementation of the KareChoice health care plan. Eller said
Thursday that the company's review of the policy would "focus on
clarification of language and of some conditional exclusions." The review
should be completed by the end of the month, he added. Opponents point to two
primary problems with the policy: One is that the employee doesn't know whether
he is covered inany given instance. The second is that it creates an
administrative nightmare for the company in deciding on a case-by-case basis
what claims it will pay for. The policy particularly raised the ire in Utah of
AIDS patients, whose numbers are increasing. Twelve new cases of AIDS were
reported in Utah during June and July, bringing the total number of victims to
140.Eighty-eight have died. Nationwide, the number of AIDS cases grew from
63,726 as of May 30 to 69,085 as of Aug. 5, an increase of 5,359 for
the two-month period. In all, 38,897 people have died from the disease, which is
spread primarily through sexual contact or contaminated blood.According to the
Utah Department of Health, 107 of the state's AIDS victims have been homosexual
or bisexual males or intravenous drug users. There has been one reported case of
AIDS contracted by a heterosexual in the state. Blood transfusions account for
the remaining Utah AIDS cases, with the exception of two children who
contracted the disease from an infected mother, a health department spokesman
said.
1989 Jim
Rieger and Ben Williams taped two shows for Concerning Gays and Lesbians to air of KRCL FM 91. One
was on Beyond Stonewall '89 and the other was on chemical dependency within the
Gay community.
1992-Senator
Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ) called on the Pentagon to end the ban on gay and
lesbian service personnel unless an independent study could provide a rational
basis for it.
1992 Voluntary
testing for hospital patients is appropriate in Utah, where cases of AIDS are
rising, a University of Utah physician said.
``It's a misconception that Utah has lower-than-average AIDS infection
rates,'' said Dr. Tom Evans, director of the hospital's AIDS Center. ``We're
about average.''
 |
| Dale Sorenson |
1993 The Salt
Lake Tribune Democratic Chairman Defends Appointments of Gays to Committee
Posts THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Democratic Party Chairman Dave Jones has appointed
four gay men to party committees. But Jones says the assignments had nothing to
do with anyone's sexual orientation. "I don't know who is gay or not and I
don't care," Jones said. David Nelson, founder of Gay and Lesbian
Democrats, issued a news release congratulating Jones on the appointments,
including his own. Dale Sorenson was appointed to the important Platform and
Policy Standing Committee. Jones said he assumed that Sorenson and Nelson are
gay because of their participation in Gay and Lesbian Democrats. "I didn't
even know the other two men's sexual orientation and don't care. We don't ask
people what they are, there's no such sexual-orientation criteria for any of
the committee's makeup," said Jones. "We try to find the best
qualified Democrats, and these people are good." However, Jones said he
did try to balance the 140 appointments on gender. Bruce Hough, chairman of the
State Republican Party, said, "we're against quotas of any kind," and
so don't pick or exclude anyone based on sexual preference.
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| Memory Grove |
1994 Saturday S.L. MAN BEATEN BY
STICK-WIELDING TEENS NEAR GROVE A Fairpark-area man was assaulted Thursday by
eight teens who hit him with sticks. Salt Lake police are investigating the
assault as a possible hate crime. The 42-year-old man was sitting alone about
11:15 p.m. at a lookout over Memory Grove, near A Street and Eighth Avenue,
when a group of teens approached him. The group came up a path from Memory
Grove, and several of them were carrying sticks, a Salt Lake police report
states. One of the teens asked, "Are you a faggot?" and then struck
the man with his stick. Other teens began to hit the man with their fists and
continued to push him until he fell down several stairs, according to the
report. Witnesses saw the teens flee in an older Ford pickup truck. Police said
the victim received cuts to the back of his head that will require stitches,
and the man may also have a fractured wrist.
1996 Page: A10
Public Forum Letter I Could Be Your Son
I am a 17-year-old gay male. When people complain about ``those gays''
being pushed by ``adults'' for their ``own secret agenda,'' I laugh. I have
attempted suicide more than four times. I'm currently seeing a professional to
help me deal with American (Utah even more so) society's ignorance on the
issue. This loneliness, this depression,
these thoughts of suicide -- where are they coming from? I am attracted to
males. I've tried, many times, desperately, to change myself. I've dated
females, I've read the Bible, I've prayed, I've gone to church, I've sought
help through several psychiatrists and psychologists. The two psychiatrists told me that in order
for me to ever live a happy life, I need to get over society's hate and
misunderstanding. The two psychologists told me I need to understand myself and
be happy with myself, which means not letting those around me drive me to
suicide and pain. I could very well be your son. I suppose that frightens you.
It frightens me. I only ask you (assuming you are heterosexual) to try to
``choose to be lesbian or gay.'' I ask
you why I would ever choose to be attracted to males. Why I would choose to go
through four years of intense psychotherapy, depression and suicide because I
didn't fit in. I am told I am wrong, evil, trying to ``recruit'' others to my
lifestyle. I would not wish this on anyone, ever. I don't know how one could
possibly understand how much pain you put me through by saying those
things. I've volunteered to help
handicapped children. I was getting good grades. I was raised with a loving
mother and father. I didn't know what the word ``gay'' meant. I did know,
however, that I was different and I hated myself (still do in many ways) for
it. I'm not asking for special rights,
not equal rights, just tolerance. I can understand people being against
same-sex marriage. I can understand people being against homosexuality in
general. But I only ask you to say, ``OK, I’m not going to bash you at the
dinner table. I'm not going to call you a faggot. I'll keep it to
myself.'' Maybe then I would not have
to cry myself to sleep because people
think I'm out recruiting others, I'm being led by a group of adults and that
I'm sick and wrong for loving another guy .Loving. ANONYMOUS
Clinton Utah
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| Orrin Hatch |
1999 Sen.
Orrin Hatch, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said
"choice" is a factor in sexuality in a Salt Lake Tribune
article. "It's a religious belief
to me that homosexuality flies in the face of biblical teachings. Now, where I
have difficulties is in determining whether it's a genetic predisposition or
whether it is a choice. Either way, though, in contra distinction to people of
color, people of color can't do anything about their color," Hatch
said. "But I do believe Gay people
have a choice to live within the legal rules or not," he said, emphasizing
that he abhors discrimination. "It's up to them, that they do have a
choice, where an African-American has no choice with regard to the color of
their skin. So that's why we have civil-rights laws to protect
African-Americans from discrimination.
1999-The
Pentagon officially revised "don't ask don't tell," requiring
mandatory anti-harassment training for all troops.
1999 The
Wasatch Bears held a three day Camp Out at Rockport State Park in echo Canyon.
13 August 2000 COURT SAYS BOY SCOUT POLICY IS LEGAL, BUT IS
IT APPROPRIATE? Salt
Lake Tribune , BY GARY M. WATTS As co-chairman of Family
Fellowship, a support group primarily for Mormon parents of Gays and lesbians,
I have been asked several times about my feelings
surrounding the recent
Supreme Court decision in the Boy Scouts of America vs. James Dale case. As
readers are undoubtedly aware, the Supreme Court overturned an earlier decision
by the New Jersey Supreme Court that had found the Boy Scout policy of
excluding Gays from leadership positions in violation of New Jersey Provo United States American Academy Utah Provo
 |
| Millie & Gary Watts |
2000 Deseret
News Utahns fear ties to Clinton By Dennis Romboy Staff writer National
Democratic convention coverage Utahns
traveling to Los Angeles this weekend for the Democratic National
Convention are ecstatic about Al Gore's running mate but concerned that any
link to President Clinton could be a drag on the newly energized team. Even
with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., on board as the vice presidential
candidate, former Democratic Congressman Bill Orton doesn't see the
"Clinton-Gore-Lieberman" ticket going anywhere in Utah, where Clinton
finished third behind George Bush and Ross Perot in 1992. Nor does former state
Democratic Party chairwoman Fae C. Beck. "In Utah, I can't think of much
that would help (Gore) short of his joining the LDS Church," she said.
"I think that his national strategy would have to be to distance himself
from Clinton's moral lapses and be joined at the hip with Clinton on his
economic successes." Beck and gubernatorial candidate Orton are among 29
delegates and four alternates who will be at the Staples Center in Los Angeles
for the national convention beginning Monday. Five state legislators and 3rd
Congressional District challenger Donald Dunn are part of the delegation.
Overall, the state sends a diverse group of delegates to the convention billed
as a tribute to working-class Americans. They include Salt Lake NAACP President
Jeanetta Williams, San Juan County Commissioner Mark Maryboy, a Navajo, and
three openly gay or lesbian Utahns. More than half will be attending their
first national convention. Three veteran politicians, Salt
Lake County District
Attorney David Yocom, Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen and state Rep.
Dave Jones, D-Salt Lake City, are numbered with the first-timers. David Nelson,
a member of the Democratic National Gay and Lesbian Advisory Committee, said he
and state Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City, and David
Thometz will take
part in the convention's gay and lesbian caucus. Nelson counts Gore's
"unwavering" support for protecting the equal rights of gay and
lesbian Americans among his reasons for favoring him as president. But for many
convention delegates surveyed by the Deseret News before they left for L.A.,
the steady economy is ample reason to elevate Gore to the presidency in
November. "The people of Utah will have to look at their pocketbooks and
ask themselves who brought the good times to them, the Republicans or the
Democrats," said delegate Karen Mayne of West Valley City. Delegate Dan
Peay, a Magna diesel mechanic, attended the party national platform committee
meeting in Cleveland last month. Overall, he said, he likes the platform
centered on themes of prosperity, progress and peace. But Peay also found it
somewhat lacking. "I would have liked to see them put in things that would
benefit labor," he said. Peay also
lamented that Democrats didn't come out against
the United States doing business with China because it has "no regard for human life." Orton goes to the
convention as a Gore delegate but decidedly not a fan of the vice president. "Personally
and politically, I have problems with Al Gore myself. We have never been
friends or allies. Of course, I have problems with George W. Bush, too,"
said Orton, who fancies himself a bipartisan politician. Delegate Kelly Ann
Booth, a 23-year-old Sandy resident, says Clinton is a drag on any Democratic
candidate in Utah. "Nationally, I think he certainly offers no advantage
in the image department, but he probably doesn't really hurt Gore either.
Clinton's best strategy is the one he has already seemingly adopted Ñ lay low,
act presidential and throw fund-raisers and offer support as far behind the scenes
as possible," she said. Biskupski said she believes a majority of people
have been happy with Clinton's leadership. Gore's biggest challenge, she said,
is to connect with people. "He
needs to be a bit more charismatic," she said. Weber State University
political science professor Rod Julander said he met Gore and was impressed
with the vice president's integrity and passion for contributing to the nation.
And, Julander said, Gore wasn't stiff and has a great sense of humor. Though
delegates find the Clinton-Gore connection somewhat troublesome, they see Gore
as his own candidate with his own ideas. The election, they say, is more about
the future than the past. Still, delegates say better public schools, reduced
crime, environmental protection and the
nation's strong economy the past eight years make Gore electable. "Overall,
I think people are going to look at the direction of this country in November
and determine whether they are better off staying the course or making a change,"
said alternate delegate Mark Mickelsen, a Utah Education Association public
relations director. "I am hopeful the majority will want to keep a
Democrat in the White House for at least another four years."
_in_2012.jpg) |
| David Nelson |
 |
| David Thometz |
2002 David
Nelson’s Response to Geoff Partain Subject Pride Merger: “It is surprising how
some people will construct whole scenarios based upon a few facts offered by
veiled sources and without consideration of those source's motivations, and
that are in contradiction to those offered by individuals who's identity is
known and who's motives are clear.” Ad hominem. “To accuse GLCCU and Utah Pride
Inc. of "machinations" and to base those accusations on conjecture
and rumor, supported by comments like "it looks suspicious" or
"where there's smoke..." does little to promote responsibility and
accountability among community based organizations.” Ad hominem and false
dichotomy. “Some facts that should be understood are: 1) Merger of GLCCU and
Utah Pride Inc. is one of several proposals being considered by both
organizations. Far from being a fait accompli, Utah Pride Inc. is still
attempting to determine the relative pros and cons of his and other proposals.”-I
doubt this. Utah Pride Inc. Secretary Donna Jensen-Wysinger reportedly
published an Aug. 5 a draft news release which included the headline "UTAH
PRIDE, INC. AND THE CENTER CONSIDERING A MERGER." The subsequent headline
published in the August edition of the Pillar by its publishers was "Utah
Pride Inc. and The Center Are Considering a Merger." The news release and
published report confirmed that "Utah Pride, Inc. has put together a
committee to work with the Center to negotiate a contract that will benefit all
involved." If there were or are other proposals, none of them were
mentioned -- or even hinted at -- in the release or report. Let me also discuss
the semantics here. In business management, a "merger" is generally
an agreement where both parties retain some degree of mutual managerial, if not
corporate or fiduciary, autonomy, while an "acquisition" gives the
acquiring party complete authority over the acquired. I agree that it’s a small
point, but not an insignificant one if the consideration is, as I understand
it, one of acquisition, not merger. “There have been no acquisition or
take-over attempts by GLCCU of Utah Pride Inc.”-Ditto and a false dichotomy. I
agree that no "attempts" have been made yet, but private talks,
closed-door meetings, a vote and announced contract negotiations among other
things ride the edge of the meaning of the word "attempt." “Only
board members have been in attendance at closed doors meeting.”-I wouldn't
expect otherwise, but that's exactly the complaint of this matter. You've made
my argument. “Final accounting reconciliation of the Utah Pride Festival is
pending. Any reports (whether of profit or loss) cannot be anything other than
inaccurate and premature. ...Utah Pride board and committee members received
regular budgets and budget updates.”-Non sequitur. Which is it? “[B]ottled
water was stored on GLCCU property. It would be absurd to merge two
organizations based on bottled water.”-My concern about the pride private-label
water has been the seeming casual indifference about sharing an asset and its
management with another corporation -- in this case, the very corporation which
is now negotiating a contract to acquire the pride group -- and the reported
cancellation of the previously negotiated sale of the water. What other assets
were shared or managed by another corporation? “Despite numerous calls to
businesses over the days following the Pride festival, only one bar expressed
interest in buying two cases of bottled water. I don't care how much of the
asset was negotiated for sale; though the amount is disputed. My concern is
that the negotiated sale of the asset, at least in part, was reportedly
cancelled by pride leaders. Unless you can confirm that the "two cases of
... water" were ultimately sold, I must believe the report that the sales
were reneged. “There are no guarantees of increased sponsorships and therefore
are not a factor in consideration of a proposed merger.”-I doubt this. The
reported Aug. 5 draft news release from Utah Pride Inc. Secretary Donna
Jensen-Wysinger and the subsequent report published in the Pillar confirmed
that center and pride sponsors "are excited about the merger and some are
already negotiating discounts, more dollars, and blanket sponsorship packages
that would benefit both organizations." “InterPride was contacted by Utah
Pride Inc. to obtain statistical information.”-Non sequitur. I reported that
some of their leaders are also concerned about this matter. “ What a City
Weekly writer said of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah in an
article several years ago has no relevance in the hypothetical merger of Utah
Pride Inc. and GLCCU.”-I disagree. The reported concern of Salt Lake City
Weekly Associate Editor Ben Fulton was where the power was at the center; the
center itself, or its Stonewall Cafe. The parallel today is the same: Should
this proposed acquisition succeed, where would the power reside at the center;
the center itself, the cafe or its newest division, the pride franchise? “ Five
hundred dollars is indeed too much to pay for T.I.P.S. certification, and Utah
Pride knew of alternatives to keep the expense down. I don't have the budgetary
paperwork in front of me, however, and cannot offer the exact amount paid. A
general call for volunteers was made, and by the time any specific offers to
tend bar were made, the positions were filled.”- Will you disclose the correct
amount when you find it? Regardless, thank you for confirming that pride
leaders knew of less-expensive alternatives but, by design or default, chose to
keep the more expensive volunteers who needed costly T.I.P.S. certification. “Though
the following comments may have been just wondering aloud, I will respond.”-No,
thank you, Geoff. My questions here are neither always rhetorical nor always
addressed to you. I'd hoped that center Executive Director Paula Wolfe or
someone from her staff might answer for her. There's been no answer from them. “As
was mentioned earlier merger is only one possibility being studied by Utah
Pride Inc., and presumably by GLCCU. There are many pros and cons of staying
independent, of merging, of any action or inaction Utah Pride Inc. may take.
Utah Pride Inc. has not decided anything. The organization is responsibly
looking at all options, merger being one of those options.”- The reported Aug.
5 draft news release from Utah Pride Inc. Secretary Donna Jensen-Wysinger and
the subsequent report published in the Pillar seem still to disagree with you. “
Any hypothetical merger negotiations would be just that: negotiations, not the
hostile take-over you've concocted. And who better to realize the intrinsic
value of 20 years of Pride in Utah than the board of Utah Pride Inc., who have
collectively devoted more unpaid time and effort to Pride than any other
group?"-Who better? Well, I believe that the hundreds of people who served
during the last 20 years as pride leaders before you and your colleagues would
be a good start. Did pride leaders ask for former pride-leaders' or public
input about this matter before their reported decision to place this matter at
the contract-negotiation stage? “Had your information been complete, you would
have known that the issue at hand was a proposed Pillar article, a proposal
that was later rejected.”-Are you suggesting that the publication of the
reported Aug. 5 draft news release from Utah Pride Inc. Secretary Donna
Jensen-Wysinger was unconfirmed by pride leaders before its publication? It
would make it no less journalistically lawful; absent libel, but certainly
interesting that pride leaders drafted the release and then withdrew their
support to publish it. If this happened, when DID the center and pride leaders
expect to tell the public of their planned contract negotiations about
acquisition? “ While it is always difficult to get dedicated, and competent,
individuals willing to devote long, hard hours in positions whose only return
is the satisfaction of working for the community, achieving so much with
relatively little, and the appreciation of community members, rumor mongering
and unfounded accusations about fanciful conspiracies make this especially
hard. Still, this year's Pride festival was terrific, and Utah Pride Inc., will
continue to build on this success to make future festivals even better.” -Ad
hominem and observational selection, but I agree that it's difficult to recruit
people to do anything unless they find compensation or value, but I'm less
worried about them than those who'd be recruited without a wit about why.
2002 David
Nelson Subject Pride Merger: “I must acknowledge that an article about the
potential merger of Utah Pride Inc. and the GLCCU has been published in the
Pillar magazine. I do not know the details of how the article came to be
published, however.”-The reported Aug. 5 draft news release from Utah Pride
Inc. Secretary Donna Jensen-Wysinger was subsequently published in the August
edition of the Pillar by its publishers on or after Aug. 5 when a draft of her
release was sent your address at 10:12 a.m. -“ The article illustrates what a
potential merger may look like, and outlines some benefits of merger for both
organizations.”-Indeed, it does. As Donna reportedly wrote in her message to
you and other pride board members, she hoped her release "[contained] the
positive spin that we would like to see regarding this merger. Just writing it
has me excited about the possibilities. I hope all of you are still as
enthusiastic as last week. I realize that it is glossy. I know that we are all
in agreement that Pride comes first -- and the Center too. We do not want to
say or do anything that would jeopardize either of these organizations. Stay
positive and upbeat! This is a great thing. We know it -- and we want everyone
who hears about it to know it."“It should be remembered, however, that
merger is only one option being considered at this time.”-This begs the
question: What are the other options? “The article reports that some of Utah
Pride and GLCCU sponsors are "...already negotiating discounts, more
dollars, and blanket sponsorship packages that would benefit both
organizations". This is somewhat misleading as there have been no
negotiations with Utah Pride Inc.”-This is a matter to discuss with other pride
leaders then, Geoff, because, in Donna's reported draft, it read that sponsors
of both groups "are excited about the merger and some are already
negotiating discounts, more dollars, and blanket sponsorship packages that
would benefit both organizations" which was republished in the Pillar
report word-for-word. If, in fact, only center leaders have attended such
negotiated "discounts, more dollars and blanket-sponsorship
packages," I'm even more concerned than before. Who's being hoodwinked
here? “Utah Pride Inc. co-chair, Craig Miller, summed up the current status of
the merger when he said: "So far, Utah Pride's board has only voted to
give serious consideration to study whether the community would best be served
by having Pride be organized by the existing entirely volunteer organization,
or by combining its mission and direction with the Center's".-I disagree.
While the pride board members might have voted only to consider, it didn't --
as confirmed by all the verbal and written evidence I've considered -- "only
vote." Board members were apparently informed, discussed, considered and,
finally, voted on the matter; all without public attendance as you seemingly
confirmed. “I will attempt to keep readers of this forum abreast of future
developments of Utah Pride Inc.”-Thank you again, Geoff. You, resigned pride
co-chair Billy Lewis and Chad Keller are still the only pride board members to
respond to public concern here. Other pride board members are also members of
this GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group and receive these messages about public
concern but have failed to respond. “
Perhaps then there will be no need to concoct scenarios of nefarious scheming.”
Ad hominem. “ [T]he idea of a merger between Utah Pride Inc. and the GLCCU was
presented to a meeting of the board of trustees of Utah Pride only just 11 days
ago, and in that time a sub-committee has been formed to study the proposed
merger, and other possible plans for the future of Utah Pride Inc. To fully
explore the relative benefits and liabilities of merger and to determine the
best course for the future of the organization, Utah Pride will necessarily
seek the comments and opinions of the LGBT community. Utah Pride will not make
deals in secret back room meetings, nor will Utah Pride bar anyone from addressing
the board to share their concerns, ideas, criticisms, comments, or vision.
Let’s reexamine the timeline of Utah Pride Inc. events according to the
evidence that I've considered and that's been disclosed here: --On July 30, before 6:58 a.m., pride Co-Chair
Billy Lewis reportedly published an electronic-mail message to the pride
"Board of Trustees, Committee Members and Executive Committee" (sic)
which described his "soul searching" resignation from the pride group
effective completely and immediately. The message included the specific request
that he be removed from all fiduciary responsibility and creditor accounts. --On
July 30, at 9:37 a.m., pride Co-Chair Sherry Booth reportedly published an
electronic-mail message to pride leaders, Pillar publisher Todd Dayley and
others which called "for a general meeting to be held on Thursday, August
1st at 7:30pm. This meeting is for all committee members, including chairs, as
well as all board members in order to review things to date. Please bring your
reports, binders and any other information you think we should have. Please
also notify your committee members and any committee member that might not be
listed on this group e-mail. Once that meeting is completed and information is
gathered, a closed board meeting will be called to handle all of the matters
needing to be voted upon. I would appreciate voting Board members letting the
EC know whether they prefer Friday Evening or Saturday morning. This meeting is
essential and needs to include every voting member, so please do your best to
choose a time you are sure to be available for" (sic). --On July 30, at
4:02 p.m., I published the "Pride rumblings, July 30" message to this
GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group which described the result of my interviews
to that point with an unnamed source about the attempt by some center and pride
leaders to invite the center board members to vote for acquiring the pride
group. I reported that the planned Aug. 1 pride board meeting would be closed
to the public, that the pride private-label water asset was stored at the
center office and not sold by pride leaders, that there might be a pride
deficit for its 2002 budget, and that no accounting report had been published. --On
July 31, at 3:13 and 4:08 p.m., center and pride leaders unsubscribe from this
GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group. --On July 31, at 6:58 p.m., pride board
member Geoff Partain published a message to this GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc.
group which I believe confirmed that the planned Aug. 1 meeting would be closed
to the public, that the pride private-label water asset was stored at the
center office and not sold by pride leaders, that there might be a pride
deficit for its 2002 budget, and that no accounting report had been published. --On
Aug. 1, at 5;24 p.m., resigned pride Co-Chair Billy Lewis published a message
to this GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group which republished his July 30
resignation letter and I believe confirmed that the pride private-label water
asset was stored at the center office and not sold by pride leaders. --On Aug.
1, at 7:30 p.m., the pride board members reportedly met and closed the meeting
to all but the members and a sponsor representative. --On Aug. 5, at 10:12
a.m., pride Secretary Donna Jensen-Wysinger reportedly published an electronic-mail
message and draft news release to center and pride leaders which described her
hope that the release "[contained] the positive spin that we would like to
see regarding this merger. Just writing it has me excited about the
possibilities. I hope all of you are still as enthusiastic as last week. I
realize that it is glossy. I know that we are all in agreement that Pride comes
first -- and the Center too. We do not want to say or do anything that would
jeopardize either of these organizations. Stay positive and upbeat! This is a
great thing. We know it -- and we want everyone who hears about it to know
it." (sic) --On Aug. 5, 10:46 p.m., I published the "More pride
rumblings, Aug. 5" message to this GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group which
described the result of my additional interviews to that point with an unnamed
source about the attempt by some center and
pride leaders to invite the center board members to vote for acquiring the
pride group. I reported that the planned Aug. 1 pride board meeting was closed
to all but the members and a sponsor representative, that a pride-specific
events coordinator would be employed and
paid by the center, that the reported deficit might be as large as $6,000, that
the pride private-label water had been negotiated for almost complete sale
before pride leaders reneged the sales, that sponsors had said that their
contributions might be larger if the acquisition were accomplished, and that no
accounting report had been published. --On Aug. 8, at 4:38 p.m., a pride leader
resubscribe to this GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group. --On Aug. 10, at 2:23
p.m., pride board member Geoff Partain published a message to this
GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group which confirmed that "Only board members
have been in attendance at closed doors meeting" (sic), that the pride
private-label water was stored at the center office and negotiated for sale. --On
Aug. 12, at 11:48 a.m., pride board member Geoff Partain published a message to
this GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group which confirmed that pride leaders
weren't involved in any sponsor "discounts, more dollars, and blanket
sponsorship packages" which had been reportedly negotiated by center and
pride leaders. --On Aug. 12, at 3:29 p.m., pride board member Geoff Partain
published a message to this GayVoteUtahTALK Yahoo! Inc. group which promised
that pride leaders will "necessarily seek the comments and opinions of the
LGBT community. Utah Pride will not make deals in secret back room meetings,
nor will Utah Pride bar anyone from addressing the board to share their
concerns, ideas, criticisms, comments, or vision." The more evidence I
consider from everyone, the more I remain convinced that it's inappropriate for
the consideration of the center leaders acquiring the pride group:--without
public involvement, --without former pride-leaders' involvement, --without full
disclosure, especially among the two groups' leaders, --with private meetings, --while
a likely deficit is still developing, --with no acknowledged consideration of
the 20-year intrinsic value of the pride
franchise, and --with the apprehension among community members and even pride
board members, among many other reasons. As a community, we can do better. Negotiations
contract or otherwise, should be suspended until the opportunity for full
disclosure and public involvement is ensured. David Nelson Chad Keller to
David Nelson Confidential FYI Oh and there is a lot of other ugly banter
between here and I but then We wait 6 weeks to have a board meeting to
accommodate those involved in The Arts festival, and then to accommodate
various vacations, but when everyone was back, then it was Sherry's turn to
vacation. Why is it that Geoff is signing as a board member, I do not believe
he is speaking for or has the authority to speak for the board and should be
speaking only for himself. Again confidential FYI Confidential FYI Her note at
the bottom in contradiction to the conversation that she, I and Billy
[Lewis}had at the Pride Clean Up, and our agreement to get it sold for a small
profit.
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| Jay Bell |
2004 A
memorial service for Jay Bell, Gay LDS historian, was held as part of the
Sunstone Symposium. Affirmation has Jay's research and published articles on a CD
for a minimum donation of ten dollars.
2005- Gay
Straight Alliance Summer Summit – Pride Center's Youth Activity Committee (10:30am - 3pm )
Free food...Build your Gay Straight Alliance ..Change the world.
For GLBTQ youth ages 13-20 who want a strong GSA in their high school.
Call Stan
2005 Domestic
partner registry proposed Rocky's plan: It would permit gay and heterosexual
couples to document their relationships at City Hall By Heather May The Salt Lake Tribune Mayor Rocky Anderson wants to allow
domestic partners - gay and heterosexual - to register their relationships at
City Hall. Salt Lake City Attorney Ed Rutan is exploring whether such a
registry is legal. Registries typically are used as a way for committed
partners to document and celebrate their relationships but lacking any rights.
But a conservative state lawmaker already has an answer. Rep. LaVar
Christensen, R-
Draper, said Friday that state law forbids the mayor from
creating a "synonym or substitute for marriage," though supporters of
registries insist they aren't the same as marriages or civil unions. "His
attempt to circumvent existing law is tantamount to the San Francisco mayor
standing on the steps [of City Hall] and performing [gay] marriages,"
Christensen said. The GOP legislator maintains state law also would prevent
Salt Lake City from extending health benefits to partners of gay employees,
which the city is also exploring. If the law isn't clear, Christensen said, he
is willing to sponsor a bill to stop the city from proceeding. Anderson
declined to comment Friday, but told The Salt Lake Tribune for a story last
week he was interested in the registry "for people to signify . . . they
are partners, that they formed a domestic partnership." Rutan is analyzing
state law - including Amendment 3, the constitutional provision Utah voters
adopted last year that says "no other domestic union, however denominated,
may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or
substantially equivalent
legal effect." Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake, who is openly gay and tried
to defeat Amendment 3, said that measure shouldn't prevent the city from
creating the registry or extending benefits. A registry "doesn't do
anything close to a marriage or a civil union," he said. "They
[opponents] use Amendment 3 as if it were a referendum on anything gay. That's
a misuse and misinterpretation of Amendment 3. Amendment 3 supposedly was just
about marriage and civil unions." The gay community sees the registry as
an important move even if it lacks legal clout. "The registry's a
wonderful tool that can be used by a municipality or a city or state to allow
nontraditional partners to validate their relationships," said Valerie
Larabee, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender
Community Center of Utah. "Any step toward recognizing nontraditional
families and partnerships is a step in the right direction." But some City
Council members see it as a misstep. Councilman Dave Buhler said Friday he
doesn't consider the issue a city matter. And Councilman Carlton Christensen
said he wouldn't support it either, though it isn't clear if the mayor could create
the registry on his own or if he would need council approval. A vote by the
council on the registry could affect this November's municipal election. Four
of the seven council seats are up for grabs and three incumbents - Christensen,
Jill Remington Love and Eric Jergensen - are seeking re-election. Gay matters
can mobilize voters, as the issue of gay marriage did in the 2004 national
election. Anderson, who has called for a more diverse council, often is at odds
with council members. He has targeted Jergensen in particular as someone he
wants ousted. Jergensen represents the Avenues and Capitol Hill - arguably two
of the most liberal neighborhoods in the city where gay issues might resonate.
Those neighborhoods voted against Amendment 3, as did most of the city.
Jergensen wants to see what the mayor proposes before saying how he might vote
on the registry. "I hope this isn't being raised to force an election
issue," he said. The situation elsewhere Domestic partner registries vary
across the nation. * In Kansas City, Mo., the registry simply documents the
relationship, according to the city's Web site. Domestic partners are defined
as two adults who live together and are "jointly responsible for the basic
necessities of life" - such as the cost of food, shelter and other
expenses. * Tucson, Ariz., allows people living inside and outside the city to
register as domestic partners. The registry there grants participants the right
to visit the partner in a health-care facility and treats the couple as if they
were married.
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| LaVar Christensen |
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| Scott McCoy |
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| Joe Pitti and Mark Chambers |
2006 Sunday Mark
Chambers and Joe Pitti Present 10 ANNUAL
AQUA AID Food, Drink, Live Auction, Entertainment, .....and we mention Speedos?
Sunday, August 13th 2:00pm Admission:
$50.00 Don't miss Aqua Aid 2006 Raising serious cash for a serious cause. It's
the social event of the summer Tickets available at Utah AIDS Foundation call
487-2323 for more information
2006 OUT at
The Park Gay Day at Lagoon sponsored by QSaltLake 365
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| Gay Day at Lagoon |
2006 We
regret to announce the passing of our friend and ally Harold Ford Hank Carlson,
who died of serious injuries he suffered in a car accident as he was coming
back to Utah from Boise with his wife Alice. Hank
and Alice Carlson were the founders of the Salt Lake City PFLAG Chapter. Alice
had a lung injury and broken shoulder or arm. Our prayers are with the Carlson
family, especially for Alice's recovery. We honor Hank and his legacy. The
following reamarks were given by Dr. Gary Watts at a memorial service held at
the South Valley Unitarian Church on Sunday, August 13, 2006. Hank
Carlson was my friend and ally. He was not a big man in physical stature but I
never thought of him as vulnerable to mortality. In the thirteen years I had
known him he didn't seem to age and seemed, to me at least, impervious to so
many of the aches and pains and certain indignities that accrue to us during
the aging process. He always seemed mentally and physically sharp. It is almost
inconceivable to me that an automobile accident could actually take his life. One
cannot think of Hank without thinking of Alice. To me, they were like Bogey and
Bacall. We met Hank and Alice for the first time in 1993, when Millie and I
noted an announcement in the Salt Lake Tribune inviting all that were
interested in starting a PFLAG chapter to meet at the South Valley Unitarian
Church on a Sunday evening in the late fall. For
those who may be unfamiliar with PFLAG it is an acronym for Parents, Families
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Hank and Alice had become aware of the organization
because their lesbian daughter had told them about the organization and had
encouraged them to join. Finding that no chapter existed in Salt Lake City,
they took it upon themselves to start a local chapter. Attending
that first meeting was an eclectic group of individuals that shared a common
goal best articulated by PFLAG's vision statement, which Hank subsequently read
at almost all of the early PFLAG meetings: "We,
the parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons,
celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone, including
those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Only with respect,
dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings,
individually and collectively. " Hank
and Alice truly did envision a society that embraced everyone, that
enfranchised, not disenfranchised. They agreed to chair our newly founded
chapter and were the lifeblood of that chapter during its formative years. Many
here today, will remember the controversy that erupted in 1995 over the
formation of a gay-straight alliance club that was organized by Kelli Peterson
and others at East High School. Many people were opposed to the "gay
club." Many of you will remember the ugly rhetoric that ensued, fueled by
right-wing legislators and parents who were willing to outlaw all
extracurricular clubs in the school when they learned that federal law would
not allow them to ban only the offensive club. Hank,
Alice and the South Valley Unitarian Church stood tall during that controversy
as voices of reason. This church actually declared itself a "hate free
zone" and held a service attended by several hundred people to show
support for the right of gay students to have their club. Participation
in that chapter with Hank and Alice was truly a bonding experience for us. It
is interesting how parents of gay children bond. We participated with Hank and
Alice on various panels dealing with gay rights, marched with them in our first
Pride Parade, and saw our little PFLAG chapter grow to such a presence that we
were selected to host the PFLAG national conference in 2005. To
me, Hank and Alice Carlson are grassroot heroes. Our nation was founded and
strengthened by the courage and determination of such grass root heroes, men
and women whose caring and good hearts, recognize injustice and work tirelessly
to make our society a more decent society. I'm
reminded of a letter written by Martin Luther King at the height of the civil
rights movement while imprisoned in the Birmingham jail: "I
must confess…I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's
greatest stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the . . . . . Ku
Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to "order"
than to justice . . . who constantly says, "I agree with you in the goal
you seek . . . but advises the Negro to wait until "a more convenient
season" . . .and paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for
another man's freedom. Shallow understanding from people of good will is more
frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will." Hank
and Alice were not "white moderates" who were "more concerned
with order than justice." They have been unwilling to wait for "a
more convenient season" and have played an important role in educating our
citizenry and shortening the timetable for full and equal rights for our GLBT
friends.
- Harold Ford (Hank) Carlson 1931 ~ 2006 Harold Ford Carlson of Salt Lake City, Utah
; Tucson, Arizona, and formerly of Denver, Colorado, passed away on July 23, 2006, from injuries sustained in a rollover accident on June 24 in southern Idaho. His wife, Alice, was less seriously injured and their Labrador retriever was unhurt and was rescued by witnesses. Hank was born on November 7, 1931, in Rochester, New York, the son of Sidney Harold Carlson and Erminda Ford Carlson. He was a graduate of Mount Hermon School (MA) and Oberlin College (OH). He also attended Boston University (MA) law school. The family is grateful to the people who stopped to help at the scene of the accident and to the skilled and compassionate medical personnel in Neurology at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. Hank served in the US Army and was honorably discharged as a Specialist 2nd Class. He was employed in the retail and insurance industries, the latter for thirty-three years. In Denver, he served as a Democratic precinct committeeman, a coach with the Denver Junior Soccer Association and a troop leader with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Denver Classic Chorale, the Denver Concert Choir and the Denver Symphony Chorus. In Salt Lake City, Hank and Alice founded the Salt Lake City chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG/Salt Lake City) in 1993. He was a member of the Utah Symphony Chorus. As part time resident of Tucson, Hank also sang in the choir of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson. In addition to his love of classical music; concern with issues of social justice; and dedication to his family, Hank was a loyal fan of the Denver Broncos. Hank's religious journey led him from being a boy soprano in the choir at Christ Episcopal Church in Rochester to membership in the Washington Park United Church of Christ in Denver where he also served on its Board of Trustees, then to membership in the South Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (SVUUS) in Salt Lake City. At South Valley, he was a Vice-President of the Board of Trustees. He also served a term as Vice-President of the Mountain Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Hank is survived by his Oberlin College classmate spouse of 52 years, Alice Keep Carlson, Hank has requested his ashes be scattered in the mountains of Colorado. Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Northfield Mt Hermon School, Northfield Mass., 01560-1089 or Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays at 1726 M Street, Ste 400, Washington, D.C. 20036 or to the South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society of music fund.
Hank Carlson
2010 Friday Rally For Equality! Posted by Eric Ethington SLC, UT – Local activist Turner Bitton tips off "PRIDE in Utah" to a rally being held this Friday at the State Capitol! Get out at 6pm before your weekend starts and show your pride folks! RALLY FOR EQUALITY What are the
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| Turner Bitton |
2010 Some
Utahns still hoping for gay nuptials in California By Rosemary Winters The Salt
Lake Tribune Same-sex couples anxiously waiting to marry in California felt a
little whiplash Thursday as the news broke. U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R.
Walker refused to block gay marriages while a California lawsuit wends its ways
through appeals. But he kept a temporary hold in place through the middle of
next week, allowing opponents of gay marriage time to ask a higher court to
keep same-sex weddings at bay. “Stay tuned,” said Salt Lake City resident
Jeff
Key, a former U.S. Marine who was discharged for being openly gay. Key and his
partner of six years, Adam Nelson, plan to get a marriage license in California
once weddings resume. “We’ll go as soon as we can,” Key said. “When I watch the
rest of the [national and global] news, I can’t possibly believe that denying
American citizens this central right could be so high on people’s priority
list.” Utah Pride Center director
Valerie Larabee said she knows some Utah couples are anxiously waiting to see
if they will get a chance for a Golden State marriage. Last week, when Walker
issued a historic ruling overturning California’s voter-approved ban on gay
marriage, the Utah-based LDS Church expressed disappointment. “Marriage between
a man and woman is the bedrock of society,” church spokesman Michael Purdy said
in a statement. “We recognize that this decision represents only the opening of
a vigorous debate in the courts over the rights of the people to define and
protect this most fundamental institution — marriage.” The church declined
further comment on Walker’s decision Thursday. Spencer Jones, who grew up in
St. George but now lives in San Francisco, waited outside San Francisco City
Hall for Thursday’s news. Jones married Tyler Barrick during the brief period
that California allowed gay marriages in 2008. “There were 25 to 30 couples
lined up. Some were there as early as 5 a.m.,” Jones said. “We were all hoping
for a happy ending for the day … a lot of gay weddings. I guess we have to wait
until next week for that.”Jeff Key
2017 Did you know that this season is the 27th Season of the Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling League!!! Yes, it was founded in 1991! I will be posting a history of it soon! But for now... It's getting time for sign ups for the 2017-2018 Season!!! We will have signups tomorrow, August 13th in the afternoon 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Sun Trapp! The next opportunity will be
on August 27th! Gene Gieber and Club Tryangles will be hosting a BBQ for the Bowling League. Some come down and get some f...ood, sign up for the league and enter for some opportunity drawings. After you sign up at the BBQ, you can come and join us for a night of fun bowling at bowling for league members at Bonwood Bowl. And if you can't make the BBQ you can come down to the fun night and sign up there. So, grab your friends, grab your partners, grab co-workers (and that is all figuratively speaking, I ain't no DT, plus I don't want you to get you in trouble with the law or HR) and create a team for some fun winter fun! Some quick facts: -League Dues to join the league are $23.00 a person. -Weekly Dues are $12.00 a week (that covers your games, shoes, and a portion to the charity funds) -Teams are 4 person teams. -We are a LGBT bowling league that
welcomes anyone! So, even your straight friends and family are welcome! They just have to be willing to participate in the fun, the open atmosphere, and dress in costume occasionally! -We do bowl for 28 weeks between the months of September to April. Good way to work on your commitment phobia! -We take weeks off during major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Oscars! -You don't have to have a full team, we will help you form one. -We have fun and we have a good time. There is always some sass, some crass, and some laughs! Especially with me around! But Blane Nelson is giving me a run for my money in that department!-Billy Lewis-Croft
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| Jeff Key |
2017 Did you know that this season is the 27th Season of the Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling League!!! Yes, it was founded in 1991! I will be posting a history of it soon! But for now... It's getting time for sign ups for the 2017-2018 Season!!! We will have signups tomorrow, August 13th in the afternoon 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Sun Trapp! The next opportunity will be
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| Gene Gieber |
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