This Day in Gay Utah History AUGUST 27th

27 August 

1782-John Laurens, who had served under General Washington, died at the age of 28. Though he was married, he had a love affair with Alexander Hamilton, who was a member of the Continental Congress.

Karyl Norman aka George Peduzzi

1922 Ogden Standard Examiner published this article "How Many Mamas on the Honeymoon? Ruth Budd wanted her mother to go on the Bridal Trip but wouldn’t let Karyl Norman Take His  Along to Hook him up and so Their Love is Over. Miss Budd wants $50,000 for Norman jilting her. Karyl Norman in one of the bewitchingly feminine which he doesn’t know how he’d ever manage to get into without his devoted mama’s help. “I can’t help what anybody thinks,” protested Karyl Norman, “whether married or single I would never attempt to get along without ma. I need her a great deal more than you [Ruth Budd] need your mother. Fact is there’s nobody who can hook me up the back, keep my lingerie in order, and put the finishing touches to my makeup as well as she.” Karyl Norman’s real name is George Peduzzi. Certainly few if any young men actors ever making themselves look so feminine, and it is easy to see how only the skillful touch of a woman’s hand could make him, from head to toe, such a perfect image of a devastating vamp. Students of heredity will be disappointed to hear that the love match between Karyl Norman and Ruth Budd is all off. With a father possessing so many feminine characteristics as this young female impersonator and a mother as masculinely muscular as Miss Budd, the children might easily be remarkable in more than one way."  Karyl Norman the “Creole Fashion Plate” was a mistress of ceremonies and a star of the Vaudeville circuits in the US, Europe, and Australia. Norman was a published songwriter, favorite of Tin Pan Alley, and host at the Pansy Club in the heart of Times Square. Norman was the nation’s best-known female impersonator.  

Valentino and Rambova

1926- Natacha Rambova, the great granddaughter of Mormon Apostle Heber C. Kimball, called upon George Wehner, her Gay Medium, to make daily contact with Rudolph Valentino's “wandering ghost”. In these sessions, Wehner stated that Valentino was delighted in “his newborn existence on the astral plane,” which confirmed Rambova’s belief in Theosophy. Rambova was born Winifred Kimball Shaughnessy on January 19, 1897 in Salt Lake City, Utah and died June 5, 1966 in Pasadena, California.  She was a dancer, costume and set designer, artistic director, actress, fashion designer, Egyptologist, and author.  She married Italian sex symbol and Icon Rudolph Valentino and was known for making him go all ‘artistic’. A very talented designer she designed costumes and sets of Alla Nazimova‘s films “Salome” and “Camille”. Whether she was bisexual she associated with all the Lesbian stars of the Silent era. 

1947 Joe Hunter waived preliminary hearing on a sodomy charge and was held under $1000 bond pending trial in Second District Court Ogden Standard Examiner

Mark  E.  Peterson

1954 "Think of the Negro, cursed as to the Priesthood... This Negro, who, in the pre-existence lived the type of life which justified the Lord in sending him to the earth in the lineage of Cain with a black skin... In spite of all he did in the pre-existent life, the Lord is willing, if the Negro accepts the gospel... he can and will enter the celestial kingdom. He will go there as a servant, but he will get celestial glory." (Race Problems — As They Affect The Church, Address by Apostle Mark E. Petersen at the Convention of Teachers of Religion on the College Level, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, August 27, 1954

1967-Brian Epstein, the homosexual manager of The Beatles, died of a drug overdose. He also managed several other musical artists such as Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Cilla Black and The Remo Four. Epstein died of an accidental drug overdose at his home in London in August 1967. The Beatles' early success has been attributed to Epstein's management and sense of style. Paul McCartney said of Epstein: "If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian." John Lennon remembers watching Epstein, who was gay, “picking up boys”: "It was my first experience with a homosexual that I was conscious was a homosexual. We used to sit in a café in Torremolinos looking at all the boys and I’d say, “Do you like that one? Do you like that one?” I was rather enjoying the experience, thinking like a writer all the time: “I am experiencing this.” Lennon admitted having an intense affection for Epstein,  “It was almost a love affair, but not quite,” he stated. “It was not consummated. But it was a pretty intense relationship.” Lennon also stood by this story in a 1971 interview with Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone: He liked “playing a bit faggy,” Lennon said, “We didn’t have an affair, though.” McCartney also remembers Lennon denying it: Asked whether he had ever had a homosexual experience, Lennon reportedly said, “No, I haven’t met a fellow I fancy enough.”

Mann & Alden

1969-Erica Mann, wife of gay poet W H Auden, died in Zurich. The marriage was arranged in 1935 by Christopher Isherwood to help Mann get a British passport to flee Nazi Germany.

Geraldo Rivera

1973-In New York City the local Police 6th Precinct beat the New York Matts in a softball game. Matts was short for Mattachines, a gay organization. It attracted approximately 1,000 spectators and raised $1,000 for mentally disabled children. Geraldo Rivera was the first base umpire. It was the 6^th Precinct that had raided the Stonewall Inn.

Renee Richards

1976- Renee Richards, a transgender tennis player, was barred from playing tennis in the women's division because she was still "biologically a man.". In 1975, Richards underwent sex reassignment surgery. She was denied entry into the 1976 US Open by the United States Tennis Association, citing an unprecedented women-born-women policy. She disputed the ban, and the New York Supreme Court ruled in her favor in 1977. This was a landmark decision in favor of transsexual rights.

1984- Beau Chaine and Auntie De [Dean Walton] were Co-director of the Gay Community Service Center and Clinic.  John Cooper of Salt Lake Affirmation regular member of the Steering Committee. Four nurses who work professionally with hospitals in the area and are members of the community have volunteered to be liaisons to the health department. Health Clinic volunteers draw blood at the bath houses and began AIDS education in the community. First AIDS Support group established by Jeff Stykes. A liaison with the vice squad and Gay and Lesbian community formed. Meetings held at The Salt Lake Public Library Lecture Hall. The Center applied for two grants one to forma a Cabaret that “puts on show in show business and to develop live performing arts in the Gay Community and for the establishment of a community center. When the Community Service Center failed to pay its 1986 corporate taxes, the corporation was dissolved.

1986 After work, at the apartment, I tried straightening up the place because Ken Rasmussen from the New York Chapter of Affirmation wanted to come over and interview me. He ended staying until 5 in the morning, visiting and enjoying each other's company. Ken is this tall, bearded, handsome, and extremely interesting man. He made me a little nervous however with all his radical Gay activist talk and attitude. He'll go back to New York where there's no sodomy laws while we remain behind the Zion Curtain progressing in incremental steps and not in leaps and bounds. I know he wanted to make love with me and we cuddled a little, but that is all I could do. (Journal of Ben Williams)

Additional material-MEDICAL CENTER PLANS LECTURE ON AIDS (SLTribune WV7-2)

Dr. John Reeves PhD

1988 John Reeves PhD resigned as vice chair of Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah to move to Boston.

1991 Bryan V. Martin, age 36, died August 27, 1991, in Salt Lake City of AIDS. Bryan was past president of the Salt Lake Men's Choir. He is also survived by his companion Gerry Munroe. Obituary

1993-A federal judge said Thursday he will strike down a Utah law banning marriages with AIDS-infected partners. ``This statute is clearly in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act,'' said U.S. District Judge Aldon Anderson. ``It is probably unconstitutional, too.''  Two women with AIDS and their children sued last month for repeal of the 1987 law, which automatically invalidates marriage with a person who has the disease. Earlier this month, Gov. Mike Leavitt agreed the law was unconstitutional, but he wanted to settle the suit out of court. He offered to make sure the law was not enforced until January's legislative session when lawmakers could repeal it. Plaintiffs rejected his proposal. They wanted the law overturned immediately to protect their families from unscrupulous insurance companies who might refuse to pay insurance and retirement benefits. Last week, the state sided with the women. Utah Solicitor General Carol Clawson filed a motion asking Mr. Anderson to rule against the

state's own law, the only one of its kind. Other states have passed laws requiring couples who want to marry to get tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. But most similar laws have been revoked by state supreme courts. ``It's never been a case of the state dragging its feet on this,'' said Palmer DePaulis, spokesman for the state Attorney General's Office. ``We just wanted to avoid going to court. It's been [Atty. Gen.] Jan Graham's priority to limit outside counsel and public expenditures -- but not at the expense of these women.''  Neither of the women plaintiffs appeared in court Thursday. Peggy Tingey had to take her son to the hospital. He has HIV and was running a 105-degree fever. Ms. Tingey was diagnosed with AIDS after her marriage in 1989. She feared her child would be considered illegitimate under the law. The other plaintiff, Cindy Kidd, was with her family at Camp Heartland, Milwaukee, a summer camp for children with AIDS/HIV. They went with nine other families from the Wasatch Front. Nearly 100 youngsters from across the nation are attending the camp this week at no cost to their families. Ms. Kidd, who contracted AIDS 10 years ago from a former boyfriend, feared her children would lose health care, insurance and Social Security benefits when she dies. She has two children, whom her husband adopted, but the adoption could be challenged if their marriage is called invalid. The judge said Thursday that he intends to classify the suit as a class action so the plaintiffs may represent the nearly 6,500 Utahns believed to have HIV. The judge also set a hearing for Oct. 28 to settle the issue of outstanding attorney's fees. The plaintiff's attorney, Brian Barnard, says he will charge the state between $6,000 and $10,000 for his legal work.  The plaintiffs are not asking for monetary damages. (08/27/93 Page: D1 SLTribune)

1994- Soiree Under the Stars, a benefit for the Utah AIDS Foundation hosted by Rob Schmidt and Brent Moosman.  (08/21/94  Page: D6 SLTribune)

1996 GAY DELEGATE SAYS DOLE COULD REVERSE GAINS  By Lee Davidson and Bob Bernick Jr., Staff Writers  David Nelson says President Clinton has done more for gays and

David Nelson & Al Gore

lesbians than all other former U.S.  presidents combined, and he worries that Bob Dole could reverse it all if he wins.  He is so anxious to spread that word as Utah's only openly homosexual delegate to the Democratic National Convention that he has sent out nine press releases - so far. while other members of the delegation express tolerance of the rights for gays, many say privately they wish Nelson were not quite so zealous - and worry that he may make it appear that the party is promoting, not just tolerating, homosexuality. They worry that won't help the party in Utah. But such talk doesn't deter Nelson in his crusade. "They don't worry about whether attracting the Mormon vote may offend some other group. No party ought to be in the business of writing off any group. They could use everyone." In fact, Nelson contends that because gays tend to register and vote in greater numbers than others, they represent up to 8 percent of the national vote. "No party can afford to ignore 8 percent of the vote and win." So, Nelson is spending much of his time at the convention working with the 145 other openly gay delegates at the convention to promote their agenda through receptions, hospitality suites and rallies. "President Clinton hasn't been perfect, but he's done more for gays and lesbians than all other presidents combined," Nelson said. "I was disappointed in his stand against homosexual marriage and about not letting (out-of-the-closet) gays serve in the military, but he has still done a lot for us." He said Clinton has appointed more than 100 openly gay people to serve in his administration, led the fight to repeal a 40-year-old ban on giving security clearance to homosexuals, ordered federal agencies to protect the civil rights of gays and endorsed an employment nondiscrimination act that would help gays. "All of that could be lost if Bob Dole were elected. He could change a lot of that on inauguration day through executive order," he said. Nelson was also happy that Clinton is actively courting the gay vote, and sent a videotaped message over the weekend to a gathering of the pro-gay Human Rights Campaign, where Clinton said his administration "has taken more steps than any other to bring the gay and lesbian community to the table." _© 1998 Deseret News Publishing Co.

1998-At the 16th Annual Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Symposium in Chicago attorney Aaron Greenberg argued that if the Gay gene is isolated parents should have the right to abort a Gay fetus or have its genetic makeup altered.

1998 Jared Pomroy (1968-1998) committed suicide Jared Pomroy was born in Lihue, Kauai, on October 27, 1968. Jared was his middle name. His first name was Hawaiian: Kamakanaho'oulualohao'kalani. Jared grew up in Kauai in a Mormon family. Later he moved to the continental United States. Jared attended Brigham Young University in both Provo and Hawaii. He served an LDS mission in Hokkaido, Japan. At the time of his death, he was working for an engineering firm in Tacoma, Washington. Jared committed suicide in Tacoma, Washington, on August 27, 1998. He was 29 years old. Jared's body was cremated and his ashes scattered in Hawaii. His partner Brian wrote the following: Jared lived a happy life. He was an optimist in every situation. He loved to play volleyball in the sand. He loved to watch the sun set into the ocean. Jared was stunning to look at--a giant of a man, physically and metaphorically. He always kept his body in great physical shape. He loved weight-lifting. Most of his college days were spent in the gym--right where he wanted to be. He was an intelligent man. He earned a degree in engineering, though his passion was political science. Jared led a happy but troubled life, due in large part to his own (and others') expectations of a person that he was not. Ultimately, he was not able to cope with that and felt he could not go on. Many times when I think of and remember him, I remember the seemingly "little" things. He loved butterflies. He loved to listen to music. He enjoyed swimming. Since his death, I also think of this quote almost every time I think of Jared: "I wanted only to try to live in accord with the promptings which came from my true self. Why was that so very difficult?" --Herman Hesse. I was fortunate to have known Jared. I am a different, and hopefully better, person because I knew him. I miss him. Jared's favorite poem: Jared and his partner first heard this poem in the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral. Jared left him a copy of this poem when he died with a note that stated, "I love you..." and he signed it with his given Hawaiian name. S

1999 Wasatch Affirmation’s WOMEN'S POT LUCK  was held at The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah on FNL (Friday Night Lesbian) “All womyn are welcome, whether they are involved with Affirmation or not.”

1999  Utah AIDS Foundation held its Volunteer Picnic Appreciation Dinner

Geoff Partain

2002 Geoff Partain to Craig Miller and Pride Day Committee members: Hello Everyone, Here's just a reminder...Utah Pride Inc. has committed to look after a section of Memory Grove, the front gates.  One of our responsibilities is to weed the planted areas. It’s not a large area, but it is a high profile area. I've gone out once to pull some weeds, but other than that, I think we've dropped the ball on this. Let's find a date when we can get our arses out there and take care of our responsibilities. What's everyone doing this next Sunday?  How 'bout some gardening? Regards, Geoff.

Mell Bailey

2004 Friday Games a hit at Salt Lake mall By Jenifer K. Nii Deseret Morning News Published: Mell Bailey thought she had retired from the Olympics business, mostly. As owner and operator of "Spirit of the Games" stores, she had a good run selling 2002 Olympic Winter Games merchandise in malls throughout Utah. But runs have a way of ending, and Bailey was prepared. However, as the Athens Summer Games drew near this year, Bailey started getting phone calls. Lots of phone calls. "They (Fashion Place mall) kept calling us and calling us, saying there's really a need out there for it," Bailey said. And so the "Spirit of Athens" was born, keeping the Olympic spirit — and merchandise — in Utah. This time, as a kiosk in the center of Fashion Place mall. Weston Blaney, spokesman for Fashion Place, said the mall was pleased with the success of the "Spirit of the Games" store and believed customers would support an Athens store. "The mall is always looking for products and services that consumers would be interested in," Blaney said. "The Spirit of the Games store was very successful, and we thought that there would be some interest in Athens 2004. We saw it as an opportunity that would be successful." At first, Bailey said she was "skeptical." Would enthusiasm for the Salt Lake Winter Games translate to a demand for merchandise from the far-away Athens Summer Games? Apparently, the answer is yes. Sales at the kiosk have been better than expected, Bailey said. Items available include T-shirts, pins and (recently "smuggled" directly from the Games) stuffed 2004 Athens Games mascots, along with discounted merchandise from the 2002 Games. "It has done 20 times more (business) than I thought it would," she said. "I expected we'd do a couple of hundred (in sales) a day, because of its uniqueness. But it has gone way past uniqueness. Olympic fever has hit a fevered pitch since Salt Lake." The "Spirit of Athens" kiosk is one of only a handful of stores dedicated to Athens 2004 merchandise, Bailey said. The others are located at Olympic training facilities like Lake Placid, N.Y., and Colorado Springs, Colo. Other vendors like the Roots retail stores sell Olympic merchandise, though not specific to Athens. Utahns love the Games, Bailey said. And Greek-American-Utahns really love this summer's extravaganza. "I'm half Greek, but even I didn't realize there were so many Greeks in town," Bailey laughed. "Gus Paulos alone has bought like $1,600 in items." Paulos, owner of Gus Paulos Chevrolet, estimated that he's spent $7,500 at various Olympic-related retailers, including Bailey's stores and Roots. "We did such a good job with the Olympics in Salt Lake City," Paulos said. "I was so proud, and I was proud to try to support anybody I could. These people put a lot of money into their stuff. I know that Roots did, and the gal at the mall did." Paulos said he has given Olympic memorabilia to thank employees for helping him through an illness, to provide encouragement to children pursuing their own athletic dreams and to support people fighting cancer. "This was just one way I could tell my employees, 'Thank you,' and it was my way of saying to these people, 'I want to support you,' " Paulos said. The Athens kiosk will be open until Sept. 8, but Bailey is already looking ahead to Torino in 2006. "The Greeks really didn't have a good pin program going," she said. "Hardly anyone wore or traded or bought pins like they did here. The pin companies really didn't see the potential. But I'm in contact with the Italian pin companies, and they want to implement any and every pin concept they can. They see it." [Mell Baily was a community activist]

2005 Saturday: Southern Utah Pride Day festival opens at 11:00 am Opening Ceremonies Vendor booths, Non-profits, HIV Testing, Open Softball Game, Drag King and Queen Contestants Perform. Various Entertainers throughout the day and a dance at night fall. Southern Utah Pride at Zion Saturday August 27, 2005 All Day This event repeats every day, until Saturday August 27, 2005. Event Location: Springdale Town Park, Springdale, UT Phone: 435-313-4528 Notes: The third annual festival, themed "Bring Your Family Out West," will include two days of events in a small, family and friendly atmosphere. PWACU River Trip – August 27 & 28 Call now to sign up and reserve your spot. Cost for the river trip is: $25.00 for clients • $100.00 for family and friends. Volunteer Training - August 27, 2005 Working with GLBTQ Youth Make a difference in the lives of GLBTQ young people by volunteering at the Youth Activity Center, a program of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah. Volunteers are needed to support ongoing programs, to help develop new programming, to staff the youth drop-in center, and to help with administrative tasks. Many positions require a weekly commitment of 3-4 hours. Some positions require a monthly commitment of 4-6 hours. Other volunteer possibilities could include a one-time activity or event.  Interested volunteers must: (1) Pay for and successfully pass a background check, (2) Attend initial and ongoing volunteer training, (3) Demonstrate expertise or competence that will help the Youth Activity Center meet its goals and objectives and (4) Prove to be reliable, consistent, and committed to the mission and philosophy of the Youth Activity Center. The training session will be held Saturday, August 27 from 9am to 1pm at The GLBT Community Center of Utah (361 North 300 West, SLC). If you are interested in committing to the future of GLBTQ youth, contact Stan Burnett

2006 The Center Golf Classic held at Stonebridge Golf Course. The weekend starts with a pre-party on Friday night, golf play starts on Sunday morning and ends with a fun and prize filled luncheon that afternoon. Space is limited so register today!

2006 Prince Royale XXXI Nick Constantino and Princess Royale XXXI Vanessa Vaughn along with the ROYAL COURT OF THE GOLDEN SPIKE EMPIRE present  PWA Kick-Off 2006  Carnival Bazaar  1: 00 to 5:00 PM at the Trapp Patio a benefit for the people with AIDS Xmas Fund event Include ...TAROT READINGS, BODY PAINTING, OTHER CARNIVAL GAMES AND PIE A MONARCH IN THE FACE!!!!!!

2010 Gay Latino night war heats up  Posted By Stephen Dark Salt Lake City Weekly This Sunday night gay latino night club promoter

Manuel Arano

Manuel Arano returns to The Trappdoor under its new name Studio 27, reopening "Pachanga night," which was for six years the hottest gay Hispanic show in Utah. But will lightning strike twice?--- Arano was one of the 'kings of queens' I wrote about in a June 16 cover story. While I was researching the story, he was secretly planning to leave the straight Hispanic night club, Karamba, where he'd taken refuge after The Trappdoor abruptly closed. At this year's Gay Pride he dumped Karamba and took his talents to Club Edge, joining many of the folk he had worked with at The Trappdoor. But the opening of 'Papi Chulo' fizzled quickly. Arano says he was struck down by several ailments, notably kidney stones and a throat virus. He posted apologies on his facebook page for not showing up at his own event, only to later lash out at all the gossiping in the gay latino community about his future. His Sunday night at Club Edge languished and for the last few weeks, he says, has not been active.  What impact his former home Karamba's decision to continue with a Sunday gay latino night without him had on Arano's Club Edge debut isn't clear. Arano says Karamba "wasn't strong competiton because I wasn't there," due to his illness. Karamba's manager Martin Medina, on the other hand, says his club's has improved its Sunday night offering since Arano departed, and "isn't looking sideways to see what others are doing." Karamba has injected a different feel to its gay latino night than Arano's primarily female impersonator-show driven formula. They recently brought a Las Vegas male stripper revue to the club which pulled in 500 people, Medina says.   For a while both Karamba and Arano were claiming ownership of the name "Pachanga nights." Now Arano says he is going to take Karamba to court over it. The Department of Commerce business entity website lists Karamba as the owner of "Pachanga."  With Arano returning to his clubbing roots at Trappdoor turned Studio 27, the fight over the future of the gay latino Sunday night will surely heat up. What difference if any Karamba offering free cover all night while Arano is charging $5 after 10.30 pm is just one of the many wildcards that will be at play over the upcoming Sunday nights.

2017 UGRA hosted a Dutch Oven Cook off as a fundraiser.