This Day In Gay Utah History AUGUST 25th

August 25th

Ogden Military Academy

1893 Ogden Standard Examiner Random References page 4 "Nothing new was developed yesterday in the Duncan “Crime Against Nature” case further than the appearance in the Salt Lake Tribune of a denial of the charge made against him which he telephoned to that paper of course. The denial of so shameful a crime is all right but what the public is waiting for is the written and signed statement that Duncan has promised." James W. Duncan was a music professor at the Ogden Military school who was accused in an article placed in the Salt Lake Tribune on August 23rd of sodomy on a youth. "Search for an Ogden man Evanston Wy August 22 Special to the Tribune- Fifty men were searching the city tonight for James W. Duncan of Ogden, for purpose of hanging him. He is accused of committing a shameless crime on

a youth of this place last night. He formerly stood high here and in Ogden. He is now musical director of the Ogden Military Academy. "  On August 27th the Tribune published a small article titled "The Duncan Story" where in the Sheriif of Unitah County, Wyoming and the city marshall of Evanston stated that the Tribune article published on the 23rd was "untrue". They stated never were there a posse searching for Duncan and that he had left the city "in an open and public manner" on the Union Pacific Railway. The retention of Duncan's position at the boys academy after having his reputation besmirched is not known. The military academy was opened on October 1, 1889 with 70 resident students and 50 cadets. The annual fee of $750 covered tuition, room and board. Some of the academic courses at the school were instructed by United States Army officers. In 1896, the Utah State Industrial School (later renamed Youth Development Center) took over the site until 1984, when Ogden–Weber Applied Technology College moved its campus to this location. The collected records of the academy from September 1890 to 1893 were transferred from the archives of Brigham Young University to the Stewart Library at Weber State University.

1934 Circus Freak Takes Vacation at Tavern (Brillion Wis UP) Five hundred forty-nine pound Arvin Giese, 17, hula dancer and female impersonator, has taken a vacation from a wintering circus and is visiting his parents here. Ogden Standard Examiner.1934 Article and Picture of Giese

Elton John

1970  Elton John made his U.S. debut in a legendary six-night sold-out run at West Hollywood’s Troubadour. John’s eponymous first album—which was released in the states on July 22—had landed on the Troubadour owner Doug Weston’s desk with a request for the undiscovered pianist to play a date as his club. Weston, upon hearing it, immediately booked him. The band consisted of Nigel Olsson on drums, Dee Murray on bass, and Elton John was playing the house piano that his idol, lesbian Laura Nyro, had played just two weeks earlier. The 300-seat club was filled with music industry notables brought in by the label, as well as artists like Quincy Jones, Gordon Lightfoot, Leon Russell, the Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Three Dog Night’s Danny Hutton. Before the show Neil Diamond took the stage to a thunderous applause and introduced Elton: “Folks, I’ve never done this before, so please be kind to me. I’m like the rest of you; I’m here because of having listened to Elton John’s album. So I’m going to take my seat with you now and enjoy the show.”

Truman Capote

1984-Gay fiction writer, Truman Capote was found dead at the home of Joanna Carson, Johnny Carson's ex-wife. According to the coroner's report the cause of death was "liver disease complicated by phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication". Capote was 5 feet 3 inches tall and openly homosexual. One of his first serious lovers was Smith College literature professor Newton Arvin, who won the National Book Award for his Herman Melville biography in 1951. It was to Arvin that Capote dedicated Other Voices, Other Rooms. Capote was well known for his distinctive, high-pitched voice and odd vocal mannerisms, his offbeat manner of dress and his fabrications. He often claimed to intimately know people he had in fact never met, such as Greta Garbo. He professed to have had numerous liaisons with men thought to be heterosexual, including, he claimed, Errol Flynn. He traveled in an eclectic array of social circles, hobnobbing with authors, critics, business tycoons, philanthropists, Hollywood and theatrical celebrities, royalty, and members of high society, both in the U.S. and abroad. Part of his public persona was a longstanding rivalry with writer Gore Vidal. Their rivalry prompted Tennessee Williams to complain: "You would think they were running neck-and-neck for some fabulous gold prize." After Capote’s death, Gore Vidal described Capote's demise as "a good career move.”

1986 Monday At seven-thirty I rode my bike down to Liberty Park to play volleyball with LGSU. I saw Jon Butler, Scott Mills, Jake Smit, and others I recognized there. I played four games with Jim Hunsaker, Graham Bell, Lyle Bradley, Jon, Scott, and some others against these kids who were at the park. I was on the losing side each time but it was really fun but right now I am paying the price of it with a sore back and am feeling crippled up.[Journal of Ben Williams]

Dr. John Reeves PhD

1987- Dr. John Reeves led the meeting of Salt Lake Affirmation and discussed the issues surrounding the Coming Out Process. He quoted a Gay Therapist, Michael Elliott, who believed that when older Gays come out of the closet they come out at the emotional age that they went into the closet. The therapist also stated that people maturate at a pretty rapid pace and in a couple of years most Gays match their chronological age.

Holy Cross Hospital SLC

1989 Nurses in Med III at Holy Cross Hospital were honored with an award from the Utah AIDS Foundation for their ongoing work with AIDS patients

1990  At the age of 34, Tony Simmons died from

complications caused by AIDS while in the care of his father. Throughout his entire adult life, Tony struggled earnestly to reconcile his homosexuality with his desire to be good son, father, husband and Latter-day Saint. In many aspects he succeed. Tony was born in Heber City, Utah to Oren and Janyce Carlson Simmons. His father was a barber. All of his life he was particularly close to his maternal grandparents who were a constant source of loving concern and compassion for him. It was them he most wanted to be proud of him. From his childhood, Tony felt same-sex attraction and as a young man became intimately involved with other men. He related particularly to older men who could offer him affection and a sense of security for which Tony felt a need. At the same time, Tony yearned to be a credit to his parents, grandparents and to his church. He made valiant attempts to live by the standards expected of him, succeeding at times, and failing at others. As with many gay LDS men, Tony thought that marriage and having children would change his feelings and at the age of 20, married in the Salt Lake Temple. From the very first day of his marriage he had cause for doubt, however. In the temple he was faced by a temple worker with whom he had been intimate only a year earlier. Tony asked himself the haunting question, "Is this what my life is going to be like, outwardly appearing to be a family man faithful to my church, but secretly seeing other men?" He resolved not to let this happen, a resolve he was not able to keep. Tony followed his father’s example and became a hair stylist. With his artistic flare he was remarkably successful at what he did. Encouraged by his father, he began entering competitions where he won many awards and trophies. He was most proud of a gold medal he won at an international competition in Canada. He was a member of the USA Barber Team that brought back the only win Utah ever had. It was during his traveling that Tony felt most the need for companionship with another man. Having an attractive Italian appearance, he found many men pursuing him. Tony attributed his HIV infection to one of these unions. Following his marriage, Tony had two children who were the jewels of his life. In time, the marriage failed and ended in divorce, however Tony continued to be an exceptional father who centered his whole life around his children, giving them constant attention. For a time after his divorce Tony took that attitude that I am gay and might as well face up to it. He opened a new hair stylist solon in the Shilo Inn in downtown Salt Lake City, catering to both women and men. He began focusing on his physical appearance, losing weight, became active in the gymnasium to condition himself, and grew a stylish beard. While Tony found there were many men interested in him physically, what he most wanted was an enduring relationship with a man of maturity who could provide companionship and a sense of permanence and security. He was not able to find this ideal relationship however.When Tony was about 30, he met a woman who he felt had many positive qualities that were missing in his first marriage, and believed that with this woman marriage would be successful. They were married and in time Tony became the father of three additional children to whom he was equally devoted. While this marriage was happier, even so, the need for male companionship never ceased, a continuing conflict for Tony. For the last three years of his life, Tony had an increasing number of health problems that in time made it impossible for him to maintain his own solon. A year before his death, his father invited Tony to join him as a hair stylist at his West Valley shop. He became very thin and frail and had to give up working. He died August 25, 1990 at his father’s home in West Valley City, Utah. Tony lived a complex life, filled with love, success and excitement, but also disappoint and disillusionment. He will forever have a place in the hearts of the many who loved him.

1991-Gay Day at Lagoon, Farmington, Utah sponsored by the Utah Stonewall Center.

1993-Summit County Sheriff's deputies arrested Dave Nelson Thacker, 26, of Nevada, and Clint Marcus Crane, 21, of Idaho, in connection with the shooting death of Douglas C. Koehler, the county's first homicide in three years.Crane said he was afraid of Thacker Lambda Lore article Death of a Gentle Giant

1995 A Salt Lake City jury found Tam Nguyen, guilty of manslaughter instead of capital murder. Despite the execution-like slaying, jury members couldn't believe the boy was "in his right mind" when he fired the first bullet. The jury apparently believed Gotay’s defense that Nguyen felt threatened when Harris made sexual contact advances and then he just reacted in homosexual panic. “he didn't intend to murder anyone when he went out that night," said foreman Cindy Venz.

1996 The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Democrats Pack Little Power But Lots of Energy Utah Demos: Little Might, Lots of Fight By Laurie Sullivan Maddox What if, during the roll call of the states at the Democratic National Convention this week, someone tells it like it really is:  Madam Chairwoman, the great state of Utah, the state that picked George Bush AND Ross Perot over Bill Clinton in 1992, the state that hasn't voted Democrat for president since LBJ, the state where Democrats are more endangered than desert tortoises, but, heck, it's still a pretty great state, warmly extends its best wishes to the president but will inevitably

deliver its five electoral votes to Bob Dole. What if the Utah delegation just didn't show up in Chicago. Would it be missed?  Members of the contingent tend to laugh off that one. After all, this is the party that boasts in its convention press packet that Utah AFL-CIO President Ed Mayne, state senator and delegate, recently mooned Republican Lt. Gov. Olene Walker. (It was an accident. His drawers dropped at the governor's ball.) But it is true that the delegation of 35 -- squeezed into the convention hall between Delaware and Democrats Abroad -- is not packing much clout. The highest-ranking elected official in the group is Rep. Bill Orton and, by his own admittance, he has ticked off his party nearly as much as any Republican. "Utah doesn't play a big part in national politics," delegate and former legislator Beverly White lamented. "We [Utah Democrats] don't have anybody. We don't hold any offices -- no senators or things like that." It was not always that way. Utah's former first lady Norma Matheson, co-leader of the Clinton-Gore effort in Utah and a three-time convention participant, certainly remembers more limelight when her late husband, Democrat Scott Matheson, was governor and head of the National Governors Association. Likewise Cal Rampton before him. "We have to be realistic about our position in the overall picture," she said of today's situation. "We don't have a lot of electoral votes to begin with and the state is, of course, very overwhelmingly Republican. Maybe as a unit we're not as significant, but combined as a whole with all the other states we are."  And the point of a convention is to engage all 50 states. With no platform fights looming, no vice presidential selection to provide suspense, this is the Democrats' turn to nominate their ticket, rev up the troops and connect with voters. "In years past, there has been more controversy and more excitement," said delegate Jenny Wilson, chief of staff to Orton. "But the convention itself serves a valuable purpose so that those watching [on television] and those who care can take a look at what the various candidates have to offer." TV viewers will not see any prime-time podium speeches by Utahns, any platform-committee leadership from the Beehive State, not so much as an invocation such as the one offered by Pat Shea and Mark Maryboy in 1992.  But that is the case for a majority of the other states, too. What America will see, the Utahns say, is a united Democratic Party, a dynamic president who has brought the country its lowest deficits in years, a vision for the next century and a more positive message than what emerged from the Republicans' choreographed showpiece in San Diego. "What our delegation is looking for is carrying back a message to the state about the accomplishments of the Clinton administration

Mike Zuhl

and what the Democratic Party stands for," said state party boss Mike Zuhl. For the folks back home, the delegation will focus on how Utah has benefited under Clinton: 294 new police officers on the streets; unemployment down from 4.4 percent to 3.2 percent; 74 percent more new jobs per year; commitments to funding light rail and reconstruction of Interstate 15.  Utah leaders boast that another thing obvious to convention viewers will be the diversity within the party -- unlike the predominantly white-male group that nominated Dole and Jack Kemp. "They were very clever in their orchestration of the convention to have speakers and cameras panning individuals that made it look like there was diversity there," Zuhl said. "But our convention won't be forced into doing that. We have great diversity -- old, young, male, female, people from all walks of life." To be sure, the Utah delegation nearly is all white. But under party rules it is required to be split evenly between female and male. There are 18 women and 17 men. Racial diversity is about the same as the Republican delegation. It has Asian representation in Salt Lake County Commissioner Randy Horiuchi, Latinos Loretta Baca and Tony Montano and Pawnee Indian Larry Echohawk, although Baca and Echohawk had to cancel plans to go because of home and work commitments. The delegation also has an openly gay member,

David Nelson and VP Al Gore

David Nelson. Its senior member is World War II veteran Phil Henson and the youngster of the group is 22year-old Alyx Pattison. Pattison, the daughter of Kennecott laborers and union members from Magna, was startled when she was elected a delegate, but plans to soak up all the seminars, the speeches and the scene. "Up until the whole government shutdown and the gridlock over the budget, I wasn't completely enthused with Clinton," she explains in between serving customers at a Village Inn in North Salt Lake. "But what he did stand up for he did in the right way and that excites me because he's protecting my children and grandchildren in the future." Pattison, Zuhl claimed, is someone you will not see in a Republican delegation: a waitress. The group also counts two genuine FOBs -- Friends of Bill: Matheson and Democratic godfather Ted Wilson. Matheson got to know the future president when her husband headed the National Governors Association and became a respected associate of then-Gov. Clinton of Arkansas. "They worked together a lot and saw each other a lot," she said. "We've known each other a long time." Wilson, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute and a former Salt Lake City mayor, taught Clinton's daughter, Chelsea Clinton, to mountain climb in the Tetons last year, daughter Jenny said. And yes, the families are friends. Jenny and Ted Wilson are Utah's only parent-child delegate tandem, although 25-year-old delegate Donald Dunn, a Hinckley Institute graduate who went on to work in the Clinton White House and now the president's campaign, is taking mother Rachelle along as a guest. There are a few married delegate couples: Ed and Karen Mayne; Jim Humlicek, a Clinton Agriculture Department appointee; Wendy Lewis, a Salt Lake defense lawyer; and the Hensons -- Phil and wife Louise, Utah's Democratic national committeewoman. The delegation is less LDS than its Republican counterpart -- about half and half -- and has several anti-abortion activists in its ranks. Collectively, the group is excited about Clinton and the unaccustomed status of being in control of the White House. Some even are willing to suggest that Dole is not a sure thing in Utah. A Salt Lake Tribune poll conducted just before the Republican convention found Clinton leading Dole in Utah 36 percent to 31 percent, with 28 percent unsure (thought mostly leaning toward Dole) and 5 percent backing a minor-party candidate. "I don't believe it," said Todd Taylor, executive director of the state Democratic Party. "But I've sure been trumpeting it." Matheson does believe it -- as a snapshot of that precise time, anyway. But national polls taken after the Republican convention show a big bounce for Dole. Matheson said she would be "very surprised" if Clinton were to win Utah. "But you never say never." Jenny Wilson said Utah never will be a Democratic swing state. Nor is it a "calculation" in Clinton's re-election bid. But the president is aware of the polling numbers here. After an early-summer survey showed him trailing Dole by just 6 points, the president noted it in a speech. "I'm even doing well in Utah," he said.Tomorrow: Utahns look back at the Chicago riots of 1968.

1996 -Protesters at the Shirt Factory in Hampton New Hampshire demanded that they stop selling two shirts, "Silly Faggot Dix are for Chix" and "AIDS Cures Fags." The owner of the store refused, saying the protesters were there to promote Gay issues.

1997 Monday, Utah People With AIDS coalition names executive director The People with AIDS Coalition of Utah has named Pam Mazaheri as its executive director. Mazaheri is a former AmeriCorps caseworker for the state Division of Child and Family Services and solicitor for the Salt Lake Valley Service-Learning Network. Robert Chase, board chair of the coalition, said Mazaheri will solidify the group's volunteers and work cooperatively with the state's other AIDS organizations.

Lewis Powell

1998-Supreme Court justice Lewis Powell died. He voted with the majority in the Bowers v Hardwick case, which upheld the constitutionality of Georgia's sodomy law, but later said he probably made a mistake in supporting the ruling, though he believed the case to be trivial.

1998 Tuesday Wasatch Mountain Bears Hi, Gang! the next Bear activity is the Drive In Movie Night at Redwood Drive In. We thought we could meet at the John Paras parking lot a few blocks north of there at about 8:00PM. Then we can decide what to see and car pool into the show. Hugs! Ron Hunt

The Center

2005 Thursday, Aug 25th - Brown Bag Lunch Series - Center Space ( 11:30-1pm) Meet with the board and staff of the Center for a lively discussion on all things Center related! Bring your lunch and a friend!

Jesse Fruhwirth

2010 Salt Lake City Weekly Gov. Herbert's elephants in the room at LGBT reception In Section: News Blog » Posted By: Jesse Fruhwirth Utah Governor Gary Herbert welcomed the LGBT community last night at a reception hosted by Utah Log Cabin Republicans, but the gayest thing Herbert talked about was remodeling the Capitol. Herbert did use the phrase "Common Ground" once in passing, but it passed so swiftly no one could remember after the event exactly what he'd saidabout it. Moreover, neither Log Cabin's Mel Nimer, Equality Utah's Brandie Balken, nor even the governor's own communications director Angie Welling could recall a single instance in which the governor has even said the words "gay" or "lesbian" in public, much less "transgender." I found this a bit strange, though many did not. The real story of the night, many said, was the immense symbolism of the governor inviting

160 people from the LGBT community to the Governor's Mansion at all. Yeah, sure, I'll grant that: Utah has the lowest percentage of people in favor of gay marriage of any state, so the reception is at least proof that the LGBT community has its foot in the door. But if we're talking symbolism--I asked many people--isn't it symbolic of something that Herbert didn't discuss LGBT people or LGBT issues at an event planned exclusively by and for LGBT people and their supporters? I gathered answers to that question from several people who attended last night. Utah Republican Party chairman Dave Hansen said Herbert's roughly five-minute speech on education policy, energy policy, and other political issues, addressed "things everybody talks about everyday." That's a self-fulfilling prophecy, I said: when you're the governor, people will frequently talk about what you are talking about. Hansen responded, what gay issue is so in-the-news and talked about that it has a real chance of being debated in the legislature this

Mel Nimer

year? The municipal non-discrimination ordinances have been in the news all year (most recently Taylorsville earlier this month), and many are calling for statewide protections, I said. Hansen brushed that off non-verbally and returned to the common refrain: "The simple fact that it is here in the mansion with the governor and the lieutenant governor was bigger than anything he could have said."

Mark Swonson

Stonewall Democrat Mark Swonson  said the governor was "skirting the issues." Activist and blogger Eric Ethington called the governor's speech "tasteless and classless." How so? "I can't believe the insensitivity of spending five minutes talking about his spouse ... when he is vehemently opposed to gay marriage." On his Pride in Utah Blog, Ethington goes further, calling the event a "spit in your face;" in the same post, he also calls the governor a "clueless bigot." Ethington also quotes Herbert as contrasting "normal" behavior to "effeminate" behavior in his one-on-one chat with him. Log Cabin's Mel Nimer said former governor Jon Huntsman, who started the LGBT reception tradition two years ago, never mentioned gay issues at the event either. The First Ladies in both previous years, Nimer said, did mention LGBT people in their comments, but even that was missing last night. No problem, no symbolism, nothing to see here, Nimer said. "What you do speaks much louder than what you say." Republican candidate for House district #25, Rick Raile, said the governor may be uncomfortable talking about LGBT people and LGBT issues in part because he's from an older generation. "I've had that [interactions with LGBT people] again and again ... [But] mixing with different groups you're not typically with takes some getting used to." Herbert's spokesperson Angie Welling said the governor does not tailor his standard campaign stump speech for particular interest groups. He's given that same speech dozens of times, Welling said, so much so that she could deliver parts of it. "Those are the topics that matter to him now." Businessman Jim Dabakis, who has met privately with the

Jim Dabakis

governor to discuss LGBT issues and policy, said Herbert "is not one of the ideologues in the Republican party," meaning Herbert could be persuaded to be more gay friendly. He defended the governor's lack of mention--much less attention--to LGBT issues. "You can't expect people to emerge one day with complete comprehension of every issue," Dabakis said. That seems a bit patronizing, I said, when referring to a seasoned politician like Herbert who is not only the current governor but is seeking reelection. Comprehension of the issues is his job. "He's learning," Dabakis said. Former candidate and conservative gay-man-about-town Gordon Storrs said kum-bay-ah. "He talked about love," Storrs said, "That's all I need." To those who sympathized

Gordon Storr on right

with or defended the governor, I also asked them this: Let's say the governor is reelected (his challenger, Democrat and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, is a one-man PFLAG parade float in comparison) and in the next four years, let's imagine Herbert continues the LGBT reception but still has never actually mentioned LGBT people nor their issues. At what point would you get pissed? It's a tough, hypothetical question that understandably no one had a great answer to, except maybe Dabakis, who apparently has the governor's ear: "I would be shocked if he didn't say the words 'gay' and 'lesbian' next year," Dabakis said. So, this is queer life in Utah. The first time the governor actually says "gay" or "lesbian" will be chalked up by some as a victory for gay rights. One step at a time, folks, one tiny step at a time.

• Pride In Utah UT Gov Proves Himself A Clueless Bigot At LGBT Dinner by Eric Ethington.

  

  Eric Ethington

  SLC, UT – Last night was the annual LGBT reception with Utah Republican Governor Gary Herbert, hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans. Whatever the intentions of the event were.. it was one big “spit in your face” to the LGBT community. I want to give at least some credit to Governor Herbert before I get rolling here, at least he showed up. It was not too long ago that no Utah Governor would even admit we existed, much less sit down with us. So kudos to Herbert for that at least. The evening went like this: prove to the cops that your name is on the list so you can get in, wait in line for a name tag, wait in line to shake Herbert’s hand, get food and mingle, listen to the Governor and Lt. Governor speak for a moment, mingle some more and try to actually get a chance to speak to Herbert. Quite a bit packed into an hour and a half to say the least. And yes… a party with republicans and Mormons with no booze was really hard. Governor Herbert and Log Cabin Pres. Melvin Nimer You knew the evening was going to go poorly when some of the first words out of Herbert’s mouth were “I met with Jeb Bush today.” Apparently Dubya’s brother was in state to give Herbert some advice on how to be a better Head of State….. great. Herbert then spent 3 minutes going on and on about how happy he was with his spouse, how he couldn’t live without her and how much meaning she brings to his life. Quite a tasteless rant when talking to a room full of people that you won’t let get married Governor. He also informed us that the Republican Party, and him specifically had one major goal – job creation. “I want every Utahn to have the opportunity to have and maintain a good job.” Nice words but I’ll admit this two-faced lip-service was lost on me as the man opposes a non-discrimination ordinance for LGBT people. In fact, Herbert never once mentioned a single LGBT issue. The closest we got was Lt. Governor Greg Bell parroting the Mormon (LDS) church’s standard PR line, “I know some of the issues are very sensitive and very complex. But I hope we can treat both sides with respect.” Yeah… thanks Bell. When the speeches were done, I managed to grab Governor Herbert on his way to the food table and get a couple questions in: Me: Governor, last year after Salt Lake City passed their non-discrimination ordinance and serious talk began about a state-wide law, you compared the necessity of the law to having protections for blue-eyed people. Do you still feel that way or do you now recognize this demographic and minority in your state? Herbert: Well I probably shouldn’t have tried to use a metaphor when talking about that. But bottom line is that that law isn’t good for anyone. Business owners need to have more control over their businesses. Say you have a man who comes to work everyday and acts normal, then one day he decides to come in and act all effeminate. Well with this law you don’t have the power to do anything even if he’s scaring away your customers. Me: But if you have a heavily Christian employee and they decided to come in one day and start preaching to customers, aren’t they protected? Herbert: Yes but that’s in the constitution, this is a new right they’re wanting to put in. Me: Is it? Herbert: Absolutely. Me:Ok, so last follow up question Governor. If the Legislature were to pass a state-wide non-discrimination ordinance as-is with the SLC law, would you sign it or veto? Herbert: You know, I would hope that people would just do the right thing on their own and not discriminate. I don’t think that a state-wide law is necessary, if local municipalities and cities want to pass their own that’s fine but we don’t need that in Utah. **Let me translate that last line for you. “Absolutely I’d veto!” Gaah. I can only think of 3 words to end this with folks. Vote For Corroon!
• Governor meets with LGBT community By Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune Gov. Gary Herbert may not be as favorable toward gay rights as his predecessor, Jon Huntsman Jr., but he’s won the support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Republicans in Utah. It’s less likely that Herbert’s name — and Republican party — on this year’s ballot will secure votes from LGBT Democrats. Still, Herbert met Tuesday with leaders from not only the Utah Log Cabin Republicans — an LGBT group that has endorsed Herbert — but also Equality Utah, the Utah Pride Center and the Human Rights Campaign. “You’re all part of the fabric of Utah,” Herbert told the crowd of 150 people, most of whom were LGBT community members. “We want to make sure you are appreciated, loved and supported.” Herbert did not discuss specific political issues that affect the LGBT community, saying the reception at the governor’s mansion was a “social event.” He also praised the support of his wife, Jeanette, and noted their 40th wedding anniversary this year. “I’m very impressed the governor is willing to meet with the LGBT community,” Eric Ethington, founder of PrideInUtah.com, said after the event. But “it was incredibly tasteless to go on for five minutes about his spouse and how important she is to him, … when he is vehemently opposed to myself having the privilege [to marry].” Huntsman — who, unlike Herbert, supported civil unions for same-sex couples and a statewide law banning anti-gay discrimination in housing and employment — began hosting the annual reception with the Log Cabin Republicans three years ago. Herbert was joined at the event by several other Republican leaders, including Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, state and Salt Lake County party chairmen, West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder and Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall. Both mayors have helped to pass anti-discrimination protections in their cities for gay and transgender residents. “It’s the right thing to do,” Wall said in an interview, noting that he supports a statewide law. “It’s a group of people who are discriminated against, and really, for no reason other than they’re different.” James Humphreys, vice president of the Utah Log Cabin Republicans, said he views Herbert as “neutral,” but not necessarily “friendly” toward LGBT issues. “In Utah, that is certainly a step forward in most cases,” Humphreys said. “He and [the lieutenant governor] are very willing to sit down and discuss any issue with anyone. That gives us an opportunity to have meaningful discussions.” Equality Utah, a political advocacy group, has endorsed Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, a Democrat, in this year’s gubernatorial contest.  “We have more experience working with Peter Corroon in regards to LGBT issues,” said Brandie Balken, executive director of Equality Utah. “We are looking forward to building a relationship with [Herbert] and certainly have no reservations about working with him as governor. We believe he can be an ally for us as well.” Herbert also didn’t get Equality Utah’s endorsement because he didn’t apply, Balken said. As county mayor, Corroon has championed extending health benefits to same-sex partners of employees and adopting ordinances that protect residents from housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Herbert said, earlier this year, he supports the right of local communities to adopt anti-discrimination ordinances, but he stopped short of endorsing, as Corroon has, a statewide law. Jim Dabakis, who helped start Equality Utah and the Utah Pride Center, told the audience he thought Herbert and Log Cabin Republican President Mel Nimer are “pretty cool” — for Republicans. “This is a good, good man,” Dabakis, a Democrat, said of Herbert. “I’m not going to vote for him, but I like him.”

Rosemary Winters

2010 Utah last in the nation on gay-marriage support By Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune August 25, 2010 Public support for same-sex marriage in Utah has grown from 12 percent in 1996 to 22 percent in 2010, according to a report in The New York Times. But Utah remains dead last nationally. Plus, the Beehive State is the only state where 2010 support falls below the national average — 25 percent — in 1996, the year that Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act. Nationally, support for gay marriage has grown to around 45 percent, according to the Times. But a recent CNN poll pegged support at 49 percent. A majority of people in 22 states now favor same-sex marriage.


2018 The annual salute to cowboys  was started by Empress VIII Auntie De and held in

conjunction this year with PWA kickoff hosted by Prince Royale XIII Nubs from Hell and Princess Royale XLIII Aria Starr! Gia Bianca Stephens was host for the evening. The event raised over $1500 Raffle prizes donated were PR XXXIII Sister Spyda Web for pet grooming certificates, PR XXXVIII Nikki Steele for Dior cosmetics, Empress XXXIII Ashlee Vaughn who donated one of her paintings, CP XVI (Platinum Giovonni) for some framed Michael Jackson concert t-shirts, and PR XLII Jody La Shaé for lanterns and some beautiful home decor items he has picked up. Double Decade Empress Kir Royale from Denver brought some beauty jewelry to add and Johnny Harris donated a beautiful Kenneth Cole watch! 
Chuck Whyte The funds from Annual Auntie De Salute to the Cowboys are used for The PWA CHRISTMAS FUND OF THE RCGSE.  It is a fund raiser that remains in the hearts of Princess Royale XXXIII Spyda and myself, Prince Royale XXXIII Chuck Whyte , as Spyda and Myself Celebrate our Decade, we ask that you reach into your Mind , Body ,and Soul and give a generous gift. I want to share the #1 experience that Spyda and I had when we passed out the funds to the recipients, 10 years ago. As we gave each check out we looked directly in the eyes of the recipients and saw the soul of their creator. It was a person to person experience that will be with the two of us for many decades to come. So now that I have made a speech I urge you to join us at The Kick Off for The PWA CHRISTMAS FUND OF THE RCGSE , THE ANNUAL AUNTIE DE SALUTE TO THE COWBOYS , Emperor and Empress 42 , Johnny and Tatiana, and Your Reigning Prince Royale 43 and Princess Royale 43 Nubs and Aria ,and their teams have put togeather an EXPERIENCE, you do not want to miss.  I am not 100% sure , but I do believe it is over 30 years old. In the earlier years there was a very wild punch provided with the buffet called Tiger Piss Punch.  The base was sangria wine and Everclear mixed with about 10 to 20 other liquors and served out of an old metal milk container with a ladle.