This Day in Gay Utah History August 1st

AUGUST 1st

1728 Juan Antonio Perez Verlarde acting as High Sheriff for the Spanish Inquistion of New Mexico, arrested Francisco Xavier Romero of Santa Cruz New Mexico as a "Sometico" or Sodomite.  Francisco Xavier Romero, a 58 year old doctor with family and property was convicted of soliciting a young male patient, a crime evidently he committed more than once. Details of his conviction are unknown however Sodomy in the 18th century was a capital offense and Francisco Xavier Romero could have been executed. He was exiled instead.

1833 London: Captain Nicholas Nicholls, 50, is sentenced to death on a charge of

Lord  Byron

Sodomy. His sentence is protested by the anonymous poet who is writing "Don Leon", purportedly an autobiographical poem by Lord Byron but actually by some contemporary who is remarkably familiar with the late poet's love life. Don Leon is not only one of the earliest works of protest against the persecution of same-sex love; it is also cited as evidence of an emerging identity constructed around the "inborn passions" of men whose "predilection is for males": Whence spring these inclinations, rank and strong? And harming no one, wherefore call them wrong?

Walt  Whitman 

1863-Walt Whitman wrote to Lewis K Brown, "Your letters and your love for me are very precious to me, and I give you the like in return."

1944 This month's issue of "Politics" carries poet Robert Duncan's precedent-setting manifesto "The Homosexual in Society."

1945- Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City Utah became a major cruising

area for Gay sex during WWII. Gay Utah armed service personnel arrive back in Utah with knowledge that they were not unique or alone after serving in WWII. Utah had 600,000 residents in 1945 and 10 percent of them were in uniform.  Walker Bank in downtown Salt Lake was the tallest building in the city's skyline. Lagoon and Salt Air were hopping night spots. Even bigger was the live performances of the Big Bands at the Rainbow Rendezvous (previously the Coconut Grove, later the Terrace Ballroom) on Main Street and 5th South. Herbert Maw was Governor of Utah.  The University of Utah was preparing to graduate a senior class of 300, dramatically reduced by wartime. Everyone knew someone serving in the armed forces. Wartime Utah also was booming. World War II propelled Utah into the 20th century. During the Depression, Utah's unemployment was the second highest in the nation. But when the United States entered the war, many troubled businesses converted to war production and new industries were created. In 1940, 148,000 Utahns were employed. By 1943, the figure had grown to 230,000.   A key factor was the opening or expansion of military installations throughout the state. In 1942, the Army's 9th Service Command moved its headquarters from San Francisco's Presidio to Fort Douglas.   The 9th directed coastal operations and activities from the Rockies to the Pacific. Fort Douglas also served as an induction and separation station, a hospital and prisoner-of-war camp. At the Kearns air base, 90,000 servicemen received basic training there. All that remains 50 years later of the Kearns base is a water tower and a lone building in the community of the same name. All the while, newcomers kept coming -- willingly or by force. The state took on a new face of non Mormon military personnel, job-hunters, Jews seeking refuge, English war brides, Mexican migrant workers, German and Italian POWs and Japanese internees. ``World War II changed this forever. Because of the draft, manpower was depleted and ``thousands of women left to work outside the home for the first time in their lives.'' Scores of women replaced men in the factories and farms during the war, and 1,343 Utah women served in the military. (06/06/94 SLTribune page A1).

1946 Reverend Bruce Barton was born.  Kristen Ries Award community Service Award winner. A former Mormon missionary, Reverend Barton had been with his male partner, Bruce Harmon since 1978 years until Harmon's death in 2011. They have a son, Troy. He didn't actually come out - to himself or others - until he was almost 30. "I thought I couldn't be gay as the only gays I knew of were flaming queens, and I wasn't," he stated once. Pastor of Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Salt Lake City 1984-1994

1949- -A University of Utah sociology student submitted a master’s thesis about the sexual experiences of two hundred male students. In this first publicly available study of Utah’s diverse sexuality, John A. Pennock (1916-1984) found that 16.5 percent of these men reported they had homoerotic experiences. Sixty-nine percent were Mormon, and 80 per cent were actively Mormon. All planned to marry. Utah: A University of Utah sociology student submitted a master’s thesis in Aug. about the sexual experiences of two hundred male students. In this first publicly available study of Utah’s diverse sexuality, John A. Pennock found that 16.5 percent of these men reported they had homoerotic experiences. Sixty-nine percent were Mormons, and 80 percent were actively LDS. All planned to marry. (Jay Bell)

1961 The Tay-Bush Inn at Bush & Taylor Street in San Francisco was the site of the biggest Gay bar raid in San Francisco history. 89 men and 14 women were arrested in August of 1961. Although charges were dropped and the judge criticized the police, but Mayor Christopher praised the police and called the raid justified.

1967 The board of directors of the American Civil Liberties Union passes a resolution urging the decriminalization of consensual sex between adults.

1967 Los Angeles: Dick Michaels, Bill Rand, and Sam Winston published the first issue of the Los Angeles Advocate, the forerunner of the Advocate, in an edition of 500 copies

                                                                                                                                                 

Pam Mayne

    1970 Gay Liberationist Pam Mayne ran an advertisement in the Salt Lake Tribune for her group Gay Liberation but received a phone call from the editor the next day saying he couldn’t run it again. He said he didn’t want what happened in San Francisco to happen in Salt Lake. (05/24/1971 Utah Daily Chronicle pg. 6)

1973 SLC Metropolitan Community Church Pastor, Richard Groh, resigned and Lee Christensen was appointed worship coordinator with Laverl Harris as his assistant. Pastor Richard Grohr led the church at the time of the division, when part of the congregation left to form Grace Christian Church. Grace Christian Church's schism was led by a lesbian named LaVerl Harris and lasted for about 5-6 years. Lee Christensen kept MCC-SLC going after Pastor Groh resigned.

1974 AT&T is the first major American corporation to agree to an equal opportunity policy for  Gay men and women.

1975 The Sun Tavern in SLC held its first "Groovy Guy Contest". Kirt Humphrey won the $50 first prize.

1975 The Utah's Community Service Center which folded in April last because of disorganized leadership, personality clashes, and lack of support within the Gay community was reorganized as the Gay Service Coalition under the leadership of Ray Hencke and five other Gay men.

1976 A UCLA study was released which showed that being raised by a lesbian mother has no effect on the mental health or sexual orientation of her child.

1977-Bette Midler declined an offer to debate Gay rights with Anita Bryant in Rolling Stone magazine.

1977- The Legal Affairs Committee of Salt Lake Coalition for Human Rights studied all the “lascivious and disorderly conduct arrest” in Salt Lake since January. Fifty per cent of the arrests are in the men’s room, and all are made by only five officers. No arrest was the result of public complaint and no one was present other than the officers and the offenders at the time of arrests. (The Open Door August 1977 Volume No. 1 Issue 8 Editor Ray Hencke)

1977- The Internal Revenue Service opened the door for Gay educational and charitable organizations to receive full tax-exempt status for the first  time without  the disclaimer “Homosexuality is a sickness, disturbance, or disease pathology”

1977- The Rose Bowl, a Gay club, opened on 363 West South Temple SLC with drafts 35 cents and mixes 35 cents.  Location east of Sun Tavern later becomes the Rail which closed in 1984. Site since demolished for Larry Miller’s Jazz Arena. Owner Rose Carrier.

1978 R. Joseph Dover bought Utah's Gay publication The Open Door from the Gay Service Coalition. He used the pseudonym R. Spike Joseph.

David Chipman 

1979 In August, at the President's Weekly Meeting, the University's counsel, Elliott Cameron, again addressed the David Chipman's case [arrested off campus by a BYU security officer trainee] and President Dallin Oaks was told to speak about "BYU's policy regarding homosexuals" at the fall student assembly and the annual fall faculty meeting, as a direct result of all the negative publicity BYU was receiving over its treatment of Chipman, and the seemingly limitless state and ecclesiastical authority of BYU's Security personnel. Oaks defended Security's authority when he informed the press on two different occasions in September 1979 that BYU "did not initiate efforts to have the legislation changed", which granted campus security officers state police powers. However this was completely false and newspapers quickly pointed out that legislative records proved that BYU Security Chief Robert Kelshaw and his predecessor, Swen Nielsen (who had since become Provo police chief), had gone to the legislature the year previous to request that "peace officer status be extended to private colleges" in the state, which had subsequently been granted by the legislature, belying Oaks' statement. Oaks also misrepresented the Chipman case, when he defended the school's actions by claiming that, "People should be able to walk down the street without someone seizing them and soliciting sexual relations". Oaks conveniently failed to point out that it was Neumann who had initiated the contact and the conversation about sexuality, not Chipman, regardless of whether Chipman had inappropriately touched Neumann or not.

1979 "The Great American Lesbian Art Show", the first national assembly of its kind in the U.S. in Los Angeles.

1979- An attempt was made to burn down the Metropolitan Community Church building in SLC. Only minor damage was done but Pastor Bob Waldrop's car which was also set on fire, was gutted making it a total loss.

1982-The Centers for Disease Control reported that cases of AIDS were now being seen in IV drug users, hemophiliacs, and Haitians.

1983-The US House of Representatives held hearings on the government response to AIDS. They would conclude that the Reagan administration had been negligent and that funding had been inadequate.

1984- Reflections, operated by Nikki Boyer in Salt Lake City changes its name to Reflections Good Time Place.

1984 Clair Harward 26, a Gay man from Ogden, was diagnosed as having AIDS related cancer

1985- Two Gay bars operated in Ogden. The Blue Horizon was located at 430 25th and Wall Street Journal was located at 1600 Wall Ave. 

1985- Duane Dawson, a Gay male nurse at LDS Hospital formed a support group, led by

Duane Dawson 

two Gay health professionals Ralph Hayball and Richard Rodriguez, for people with ARC, HTLV3, as well as AIDS and for their family and friends. The Support group evolves into the Utah AIDS Project with the help of Lyle Bradley and Richard Rodriguez.  Duane Dawson was later interviewed on KSL TV Channel 5 about his work with AIDS PROJECT UTAH. Dawson stated: "I think we've built up report with the medical community to the point that all newly diagnosed patients are referred to us. So we must be doing something right."

1986- Chad Pearce and Frank Bailey (Mary Lynn) became new owners of The Connection, the only Gay restaurant in Utah. Located at 575 West 200 South SLC east of the In-Between Bar..

Chuck Whyte 

1987- Gay activist and fundraiser, Chuck Whyte, held a benefit for the Resurrection MCC called "The PTL Beer Bust and Show" and featured a Tammy Faye Bakker look alike contest. Lulene Lovebird (Greg Hardin) won. Harden is currently known as Tracie Aviary and an active member of the Royal Court and the UGRA.

1987 The Lovebirds' "Heatwave Show" raised $350 for the Desert and

Lulene, Marlene, & Maybelline

Mountain State Conference, a Gay activist networking organization for Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. Lulene (Greg Hardin) Marlene (Curtis Jensen) introduced Maybelline (Barry Priddendale) who performed as a new Lovebird after David Waters quit the act. The Lovebirds were the only Drag Act to ever  perform at Symphony Hall.

1987- Floyd Gamble organized Gay Day at Lagoon '87. "I saw Bruce Barton and asked what do you know about Floyd Gambel? And he said He's a good man. Stable, committed to the community."

Sister Linda Bellemore 

1988 Catholic Sister Joan Steadman joined the AIDS education work Sister Linda Bellemore of Holy Cross Hospital was performing for AIDS patients, to help them deal with the disease once they leave the hospital. Holy Cross was receiving the majority of AIDS patients at the time in their treatment because Dr. Kristin Reis, who treated many of them, and admitted all of her patients there.

1988-New York's liberal governor Mario Cuomo blasted the Republican-controlled state senate during a news conference for excluding sexual orientation from a hate-crimes bill. "Gays make a stronger case than anybody in terms of need for this legislation, based on episodes-ugly, cruel, violent, dangerous episodes."

1990 Wednesday - Three men, Brian Snow, 18, Roy Larsen, 20 and Glen Hosey, 20, accused of "Gay bashing" in Salt Lake City, were ordered to appear in 3rd District Court to face charges of aggravated assault. During a preliminary hearing, Judge Michael Hutchings ruled that there was probable cause to believe, were responsible for assaulting at least three people on July 17. They were ordered to appear before Judge David Young on Aug. 10. Witnesses and victims testified that without provocation, the three men attacked bystanders with billy clubs and nunchuks at Memory Grove and at 300 S. Main harassing about 20 people gathered on the sidewalk.  Hosey, who was seated in the rear of the courtroom, smiled repeatedly and laughed with a female companion seated next to him while the victims testified about the ordeal. The victim's wounds required 60 to 70 stitches, court documents state. 

• FACE ASSAULT CHARGES IN `GAY-BASHING' INCIDENTS By Brian T. West, Staff Writer Deseret News  Three men accused of "gay bashing" in Salt Lake City were ordered Tuesday to appear in 3rd District Court to face charges of aggravated assault. During a preliminary hearing, Judge Michael Hutchings ruled that there was probable cause to believe Brian Snow, 18, and Roy Larsen, 20, were responsible for assaulting at least three people on July 17. Glen Hosey, 20, waived his preliminary hearing and was bound over with the others. They were ordered to appear before Judge David Young on Aug. 10. Snow is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, while Larsen and Hosey are each charged with aggravated assault and assault. Witnesses and victims testified that without provocation, the three men attacked bystanders with billy clubs and nunchuks (a martial arts weapon) at two separate locations known to be hangouts for homosexuals, according to police. Prosecutors said the first incident occurred just after midnight July 17 in Memory Grove. One 17-year-old victim testified that he and a friend were at the park when a carload of people drove by them and began yelling obscene comments. Both said the three defendants later got out of the car and began assaulting the victim with their fists, nunchuks and a 2-foot nightstick similar to the kind police officers carry. "They were saying, "Are you a fag?' basically and we replied, "No, he is not,' " the victim's companion testified. Hosey, who was seated in the rear of the courtroom, smiled repeatedly and laughed with a female companion seated next to him while the victims testified about the ordeal. The victim's wounds required 60 to 70 stitches, court documents state. Others testified that the three defendants were at 300 S. Main about 12:30 a.m. harassing about 20 people gathered on the sidewalk. Another victim said Larsen tried to pick a fight with him and his friends. "They persisted to say we had called his friend a fag," the victim testified.

 1991 Club Detour-“A Private Club for Members For those Who Travel An Alternative Route” opened at new location at 241 South 500 East. It was a mixed Gay and Straight club.

1991 Lucinda Kindred, Chair the board of Utah AIDS Foundation and Alan Anderson Board President of Horizon House Project issued a joint statement that both organizations were committed to working together and “We encourage those affected by HIV/AIDS to utilize programs provided by both organizations.” 

1991- In Vernal, Utah, a Gay man was allegedly beaten by a police officer when he and his friends were stopped for driving under the influence.  All three were forced out of the car. One victim who intends to sue the police department received several injuries and may later require surgery He was arrested before being released to the hospital.  He said it was generally known that the same officer had beaten people before.  He is moving out of Vernal where he fears for his safety.

1992-UCLA researchers Dr. Laura Allen and Dr. Robert Gorski published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences their findings that the anterior commissure, a group of nerve cells in the brain, is larger in Gay men than in women or heterosexual men.

1992-LaDonna Moore became Executive Director of the Utah AIDS Foundation after Ben Barr resigned. “LaDonna’s time spent at the agency was one of heart, commitment, and compassion for others.  She will always be known for that.  She led the agency with fortitude, grace, and a desire to bring comfort to the lives of many.  Because she was a leader with a heart and soul Utah AIDS Foundation was impacted by her presence, her respect for humankind and her unconditional support of those who lived with AIDS said Dr. Kristen Ries.

1992 Chris Williams of Jenson Motors asked her 16 fellow car sales representatives at Jenson Motors in Murray to donate $25 to the Utah AIDS Foundation for each car they sold.

Jeff Freedman

1993-Jeff Freedman created the Utah Stonewall Classic softball tournament as a benefit for the Utah Stonewall Center

1996 The Ogden Iron Company  business geared towards Gays and Lsbians closed.

1996 A loophole in district policy allowing gay and lesbian students to meet at Salt Lake City schools, despite a new state law banning such clubs troubled some board members, who voted in February to refuse access to non-academic clubs rather than allow a gay-straight alliance at East High School.   ``Are we allowing through the back door what we wouldn't allow through the front door?'' Salt Lake City School Board member D. Kent Michie asked during a study session Tuesday. Superintendent Darline Robles recommended the board leave the building-use policy in place for one year] Page: C3 S.L. Policy May Allow Gay Club School Meeting Byline: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS   A loophole in district policy may allow gay and lesbian students to meet at Salt Lake City schools, despite a new state law banning such clubs. The policy, which has been in place since1973, allows clubs to meet at public schools after class hours so long as they pay rental fees and have a responsible adult to supervise them. But the practice troubles some board members, who voted in February to refuse access to non-academic clubs rather than allow a gay-straight alliance at East High School. ``Are we allowing through the back door what we wouldn't allow through the front door?'' Salt Lake City School Board member D. Kent Michie asked during a study session Tuesday.   Board member Clifford Higbee said he feared if a gay or lesbian student organization rented space from a school, an anti-homosexual student organization would soon follow. The law the Utah Legislature passed this year prohibits student clubs that encourage criminal or delinquent conduct, promote bigotry or involve human sexuality. Superintendent Darline Robles recommended the board leave the building-use policy in place for one year. However, Robles will develop administrative regulations to guide principals.

1996- During the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, SLC Gay Activist David

David Nelson & Al Gore

Nelson sent out more than a dozen Gay and Lesbian Utah  Democrat [GLUD] news releases during the five-day event.

1997 The American Psychological Association passed a resolution opposing reparative therapy. The APA stopped short of condemning the practice, but questioned the ethics of advocating a practice that can be viewed as a by product of homophobic prejudice.  Reparative or conversion therapy attempts to change homosexuals to heterosexuals, and has existed for more than a century.

1998 Diva Las Vegas Show presented by Baroness 5 Dionna and Russell of the Northern Utah Barony Court at the Brass Rail in Ogden

Barbara Shaw

1998 The Utah AIDS Foundation Staff included: Barbara Shaw, Executive Director, Stan Penfold, Associate Director, Community Education Committe-Mark Bigler, Bruce King, Bill Emerson, Ricardo Beato, Development Julie Mayhew, Lara Lockwood, Volunteer Program-Alissa Stookey. The UAF Board Members were Kim Segal President, John Barlow, Secretary, Elvira Nelson, Treasurer, Becky Alvarez, Jeanette Bonnell, Peter Christie, Dennis Earhart, Alzie Green, Gwen Hilyard, Sharon M. Loya Michele Page, Greg Pedroza, Kristen Ries MD, Harry Rosado-Santos MD , and Bill Thomas

1998 Dr. Karen Franklin at the Washington Institute of Mental Illness released a study that found that nearly a quarter of all college students polled admitted to harassing people they thought were Gay. Among men, 18 percent admitted to physically assaulting or threatening someone they thought was Gay, while 32 percent admitted to verbal harassment. The study was presented at the American Psychological Association's national convention in San Francisco

2002 Sherry Booth, Utah Pride Co-Chair  to TeinaMarrie [Nelson] Teinna, As I stated in my previous e-mail, to have a full board/committee meeting we needed to wait for everyone to get back in town. As you discovered when trying to schedule the Volunteer Party, each weekend found someone absent or some holiday or function taking priority. I apologize for waiting, if you feel it was too long. Perhaps we shouldn't have. But then again, maybe the people who worked equally as hard on Pride deserved the rest they were taking before sitting down and looking back. Perhaps waiting will help some of us to look back with perspective rather than fatigue.  Besides, It is my experience with most things that everyone can not be accommodated all the time. We can only do the best we can. In this instance, I felt it necessary that the full board be present for the wrap up and year end meeting. Unfortunately, that meant waiting 6 weeks. Fortunately, we are now able to come back to the table. Now to address your comment regarding tonight. We have taken into consideration the requests to wait a bit longer while people gather their information and reports. The committee meeting has been postponed until further notice...likely sometime next week. The Board members, however, are meeting this evening at 7:30pm. So, perhaps next week will be better for you. As far as The Pillar being in on this e-mail, it was an oversight. Todd's address was part of a group e-mail list that I had set up just before Pride.  I, in fact, included Shane as well who had asked to be removed from all lists.  I am sorry that I did not check my list before clicking "send". Not to detract from my mistake, but as a committee and a board we need to be aware of the conversations that are again taking place specifically in one area of the community.  Apparently, Billy's [Lewis] recent resignation letter went out to several people on the outside of this organization before it ever reached the entire EC.  Many of us received a reply from Tony Fantis at the same time we read the original letter. Darin [Hobbs] was told of Billy's resignation by Paula Wolfe. The GayVoteUtah e-mail discussion thread was alternately (1) pointing the finger and (2) demanding to know who is pointing the finger at Pride... all over our meeting arrangements and current financial standing.  This occurred before Donna or I were given the information.  Clearly, we cannot do anything about what has been discussed or shared. But I'd like to take a moment at this realization of my own mistake, to caution each of us to be careful to exercise some professionalism in our communications regarding Pride. We have worked diligently this year to move away from the shadow of the past. There was bound to be some residual. But, we have proven that we are deserving of the respect the entire community has given us. Let's not fall back into the pattern of self destruction. Please. I look forward to seeing the board members tonight and the rest of you next week! Respectfully Sherry

2011 Event to raise legal funds for gay dad  Rosemarie Winters Salt Lake Tribune Actor and playwright Steven Fales will give a benefit reading on Sunday to raise funds for Darin Adams, a Pleasant Grove father who is facing mounting legal bills as he fights for custody rights to his three children. Adams, a former Mormon, separated from his wife six years ago after he came out as gay. The divorce was final a year ago. The children are now ages 8, 10 and 12. Although Adams has joint custody, he says his ex-wife has threatened to move with the children to Sweden and has been denying scheduled visits with his children. He has filed a petition seeking full custody. He worries the courts have been slow to enforce his rights because he is gay. Fales will be reading, "Who's Your Daddy," the third in his series of one-man autobiographical plays that began with "Confessions of a Mormon Boy." The reading is at 7 p.m., Sunday at First Unitarian Church, 569 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City. A $20 donation is suggested. Adams, a co-founder of the Utah Gay Fathers Association, and Fales hope this first event blossoms into a Utah Dads' Legal Fund for fathers, gay or straight, who need help in custody cases. The fund has a Facebook group but has not been incorporated as a nonprofit or registered as a Utah charity.

Jackson Carter

2015 OGDEN — The typical earthy tones of Ogden’s amphitheater and Municipal Gardens received a fabulous rainbow makeover for the first-ever Ogden Pride Festival. During Saturday afternoon, hundreds of community members gathered in the city space to celebrate #LoveWithinReach and LGBT pride and equality. People in rainbow tutus pranced and danced on the stage with their pets during the pet parade, and children played carnival games in the shade. Jackson Carter, emcee for the festival and previous “Biggest Loser” contestant, said Ogden was where he had his “big gay awakening” and he’s proud to finally have a Pride festival in his hometown. “Ten years ago when I first came out, I would never have thought something like this would happen in Ogden, and the number of people here is blowing my mind — it’s insane,” he said. “The turnout is awesome. Everyone’s having a good time. I wish I had better words, but it’s amazing.” Carter wasn’t alone in his sentiments. For some couples, attending Ogden Pride was about more than celebrating love, it was about making it official. Mike and Raymond Saucedo were among the few happy couples to tie the knot at the festival. Raymond Saucedo, originally from California, said he’s been working toward marriage equality for over 10 years. He said having marriage equality federally legalized was a dream come true. “To be able to come here and get married in Utah, it was a really great experience,” Raymond said, adding the couple doesn’t have immediate honeymoon plans. Mike Saucedo said after five years of being together, getting married was the next step, but doing it at Ogden Pride was a spontaneous decision. “Just because it’s the first annual Pride, so that makes it unique,” Mike Saucedo said. “It feels somewhat strange, like you’re walking in a fantasy land, to be able to walk into the county building and get the marriage license and see spouse and spouse, or groom and groom, or bride and bride on the application, and then to say that you’re there and not have any negative feedback ... it didn’t feel real.” Both Mike and Raymond Saucedo said they wanted to check out the drag show provided by Imperial Rainbow Court of Northern Utah, and check out the various local businesses supporting Ogden Pride. Besides the constant entertainment that featured acts like Cheer Salt Lake, Utah Repertory Theater Company, Ivanna Bijou & Altered Egos, different businesses and organizations populated the park. Affirmation is a support organization for Mormons who identify as LGBT and allies and was present at the festival. Peter Harrison, who works with Affirmation and attends Utah State University, was elated to have a festival in Northern Utah closer to where he lives and studies. “We’re always a big presence at the Salt Lake Pride and there’s always a big Mormon contingent marching in different things, but to be in Ogden feels pretty incredible,” he said. “To make a presence in the northern part of Utah, and Mormonism is all over the state, so for us to be here it’s really striking to how much this issue is touching people.” When he’s not having conversations with people about Affirmation, Harrison said he wanted to check out what Ogden Pride has to offer. “This is really fun to be down here and this is the closest Pride in terms of where I live,” he said. “I love to see a lot of local business and people who understand the diversity of their clientele. Life is good, and celebrate. Happy Pride!”