This Day In Gay Utah History November 21st

November 21

Leon

1844 Francis Leon was born (b. Patrick Glassey, 21 Nov 1844) He was a blackface minstrel performer best known for his work as a female impersonator. He was largely responsible for making the prima donna a fixture of blackface minstrelsy. Leon was trained as a boy soprano by Rev. Dr. Cummings in Fordham, NY. He performed the first soprano part in Mozart's Twelfth Mass at St. Stephen's church in New York City at age 8. Leon entered minstrelsy in 1858. Only 14 at the time, he quickly rose to fame by specializing in portraying female prima donna characters, mulatto coquettes in yellow makeup and elaborate costumes. Leon's 300 dresses (which he refused to call "costumes") were a key piece of his act, and some cost as much as $400. He came to refer to himself as simply "Leon" or "The Only Leon". His influence was such that by 1873, every major minstrel troupe had its own Leon imitator. In 1882, he earned more than any other minstrel performer.  The press loved him. In 1870, The Clipper raved, "Leon is the best male female actor known to the stage. He does it with such dignity, modesty, and refinement that it is truly art."  In fact, Leon's impersonation was so convincing that a reviewer in Rochester, New York remarked, "Heaps of boys in my locality don't believe yet it's a man in spite of my saying it was", and that Leon could "make a fool of a man if he wasn't sure." Another critic raved, "He is more womanly in his by-play and mannerisms than the most charming female imaginable."  In 1864, Leon formed a minstrel troupe with Edwin Kelly. Leon and Kelly's Minstrels spoke of their freedom from vulgarity and featured elaborate scenery and refined operas with Leon as the female lead. Though these were at heart burlesques, Leon insisted that everything was quite proper. He claimed to have studied ballet from a respected dancer and to have practiced for "hours every day" for seven years. He further asserted that he took voice lessons from famous opera teacher Errani. Ultimately, however, Leon's performances were not enough to keep the company afloat. By 1883, Leon had joined the San Francisco Minstrels.

• KELLY & LEON: leased Hope Chapel, Broadway, New York, in September, 1866, and having fitted up the second floor as a minstrel hall, opened it October 1 with Edwin Kelly, Francis Leon, Johnny Allen, Frank Moran, T. McNally, John Oberist, Ed P. Fairbanks, G. W. Jackson, Nelse Seymour, Sam Price, William Butler, Sig. Bretano and Garatagua in the party. Dick Sands, George and Willie Guy and George Christy opened October 8. In December, George Christy withdrew and Nelse Seymour appeared on the end. Johnny Allen left in March, 1867, and William Budworth took his place. Eph Horn opened April 15. The season closed June 22, 1867, and the party opened in Boston, June 24, at the Theatre Comique. They re-opened in New York July 29, 1867, with Add Ryman on one end. On August 12, Delehanty and Hengler commenced. The performances were brought to an abrupt termination on December 11, 1867, by the shooting of Tom Sharpe by Edwin Kelly, and were not resumed until the 17th, when G. W. H. Griffin appeared as interlocutor, Rollin Howard as prima donna, and George Percival as balladist, Mr. Kelly not being well enough to appear and Leon quitting the profession for awhile. On the 30th of December, S. S. Purdy appeared with this party, followed on January 6, 1868, by George Christy. And on January 13, Charles Heywood, female impersonator, made his first appearance on the stage. Leon made his re-entree February 3, 1868. Joe Murphy opened on the bone end April 20, 1868. J. Blamphin, who had arrived from Europe April 16, 1868, made his debut April 27, also F. J. Naylor, balladist. They commenced their next season August 31, 1868, with W. H. Brockway, S. S. Purdy, G. W. H. Griffin, J. H. Surridge, Leslie, Rayner, the Guy Brothers, R. M. Carroll, M. Schenet, Summer, Grey, Richard Davis, J. C. Campbell, Warren Kelps, and Myers. Mr. Kelly re-appeared June 8 and the season closed June 27. When they commenced this season they had twenty-nine people in the first part. There was one row of seventeen, consisting of two end men, thirteen voices in the chorus, interlocutor and balladist. The second line in the rear was composed of eleven musicians, besides the pianist in the orchestra. Having received tempting offers to visit Europe, they closed their season in New York, January 9, 1869, being their six hundred and twenty-fifth performance of this company at 720 Broadway. They then made a traveling tour of a short period, opening in Harlem, June 11. Mr. Kelly sailed for Europe in February, 1869. The traveling season closed April 10, on which date Leon sailed for London. Kelly and Leon opened in London, May 17, with Montague’s “Christy’s,” at St. George’s Hall. They afterwards organized a party which they called KELLY & LEON “CHRISTY’S.” KELLY & LEON “CHRISTY’S”: opened July 6, but bad business caused them to close and they returned to America, arriving in New York August 6. They shortly after organized a band in New York and started on a tour, opening in Hartford, Conn., on December 5. S. S. Purdy, Surridge, Brockway, Zulig, Kelly and Leon were in the party. Having regained possession. of their old place, 720 Broadway, they opened February 7, 1870, with Leon, Kelly, Cool Burgess, bones; S. S. Purdy, tambo; Sam Price, James Clark, Mons. F. Fraulig, W. H. Brockway, Surridge, Sig. Brochelli, J. R. Clinton, Dick Quilter, Pete Goldrich, F. Meyering, T. G. Withers, J. B. Carter, L. W. Ball, G. Field, F. Lake and others. Early in May, 1870, a portion of the company went on a brief tour, opening in Washington, D. C., in March. Add Ryman and Johnny Hart appeared with the New York party, April 4. J. T. Gaynor, C. R. Clinton, James Clark, and Francis Violo appeared May 14. On June 6, Dan Donegon appeared. The traveling party re-appeared on June 27 and the season closed July 16. They opened their new hall (formerly Dodworth Hall) on Broadway, opposite Eleventh Street, New York, August 29, 1870, but closed December 3, 1870, and went traveling. In March, 1871, they (Kelly and Leon) appeared in a play called “St. Domingo” in white face at Hooley’s Opera House, Brooklyn. They closed there April 1 and went on a brief traveling tour, appearing in white face. They then re-appeared at 720 Broadway, New York. In the party were Cool White, J. K. Campbell, Dave Wilson, Don Pedro Dorego, Billy Rice, H. T. Mudge, Devon Nelson, H. Nichols, T. Le Strange, Corrister, Zaulig, G. R. Fields, Charles Pratt (pianist), W. H. Wallace, J. H. Carter, G. Le Strange, A. Hoffman, S. Stiles, Ramponic, and James Collins. On September 18, S. S. Purdy opened, and the season closed September 30. Kelly and Leon then went to San Francisco, appearing there in November, 1871. They returned East, organized a party, and opened at Jersey City, N. J., November 19, 1872. They re-opened their old hall, 720 Broadway, November 25. In the party were Delehanty, Hengler, John C. Campbell, S. H. Holdsworth, W. H. Nichols, Charles H. Storms, George Guy, Corrister, Zaulig, Charles Lester, Agnes Nelson (vocalist), Emily Krauss (pianist), and Kelly and Leon. On the opening night in New York, Edwin Kelly appeared on the tambo end in consequence of the nonarrival of Dave Wilson. J. A. Palmer was interlocutor. The hall was totally destroyed by fire on the morning of November 28, 1872. Kelly and Leon took a benefit at the Olympic Theatre, New York, December 7, they having lost heavily by the fire. Many of the performers lost their instruments and wardrobe. They then went on a traveling tour, opening in Bridgeport, December 23, and closed January 4, 1873, as Kelly and Leon were engaged to open in New York at the Olympic Theatre, January 13, in the spectacle of “Alhambra,” to do their specialties. After this they organized another party and opened the Lyceum, Washington Street, Brooklyn, March 31, but remained only one week. They went to Philadelphia for two weeks and then Kelly and Leon sailed for California, April 27. Early in February, 1874, another band was started by Kelly and Leon, with Dick Sands, Cooper, Fields, James Clark, Ramponie, Ned Wambold, Charles Foster and Kelly and Leon. They closed May 30. Kelly and Leon then settled down in Chicago at the Grand Opera House, opening August 31, where they remained until April 8, 1875, when they suddenly closed. They re-opened in Chicago at the Grand Opera House, November 15, with Cool Burgess and Harry Talbot in the party. On January 1, 1876, they closed and went traveling. They opened in New York at the Twenty-third Street Opera House (formerly Dan Bryant’s) May 11, 1876. In the organization were Charles Walters, John Morton, Edwin Lester, tambos; Dave Reed, bones; Huber, Glidden, Japanese Tommy, Surridge, C. R. Clinton, Kelly, Leon and others. C. H. Gordon (tenor), from Australia, opened May 8; Lew Benedict, May 15; Walters and Morton closed July 15, and dissolved partnership. Lew Benedict withdrew in September and John Allen appeared. C. H. Gordon withdrew September 30 to enter the operatic profession and is now known as C. H. Turner. Sam Price opened October 16. Lew Benedict and W. H. Norman were added to the company on January 1, 1877. The season closed in New York on March 10 and the party traveled. Lew Benedict was “given permission” to retire from the company April 21 and William Courtright occupied his chair. The season closed on June 2. They reorganized and opened in Brooklyn, August 6, 1877, with Edwin Kelly, Leon, Courtright, Japanese Tommy, Surridge, Edwin Lester, Tierny, Cronin, W. H. Norman, C. R. Clinton, William Ball, Frederick Willard, and Thomas Howard in the company. In January, 1878, Kelly and Leon, with a small company, sailed for Australia and opened at the Queen’s Theatre, Melbourne, with Al Havman and Hiscocks as managers. The company consisted of Courtright, Lester, Surridge, Beaumont Read, Japanese Tommy, Ball and C. S. Fredericks. In April, 1878, they had possession of St. George’s Hall, Melbourne, for two weeks, and in November were in Auckland, New Zealand, playing to crowded houses. Their success since they have been abroad has been unparalleled. During their first four weeks in Melbourne their receipts are said to have been about $11,000.

Crazy Pete

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1978- The Rail located at 363 West South Temple is owned by Krazy Pete with staff Rose Carrier, Jerry, Bill, Maxine, Gary, and Randy.

1978 Randy Taylor, 26, of 1620 South 700 West was convicted of knowingly distributing pornographic material by showing the film “Slip-Up” as manager of the Studio Theater at 223 South State. (12/11/78 SLTribune page 8C) 

1985 Thursday The Studio Theater at 223 South State was raided by police for showing pornography.

1985 Thursday Fear of AIDS is prompting more hospital patients to request that transfused blood come from family and friends, but University of Utah pathologists say such “directed donations” don’t guarantee the blood will be AIDS free. “I would not trust any one that your force to come and donate, “ Ms. Barbara Buris of the St. Marks Blood bank said.  Pressure from a family member might prompt “closet” homosexuals to give blood rather than admit to their sexual practices.  Utah has 23 cases of AIDS, 12 of them fatal. According to the state epidemiologist Craig Nichols, 400 Utahns tested through State heath departments have HIV and concern that the virus might spread to the heterosexual population was heightened this week with the disclosure that HIV had been found in a female prostitute.  According to Nichols, the woman who is in state prison had 350 sexual contacts last year. (SLTribune B1)

1987- A Gay and Lesbian Community of Utah’s Thanksgiving Dinner was hosted by

Bruce Barton

Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church. Bruce Barton was called away for a funeral and asked Ben Williams to coordinate the dinner. “We probably had nearly 50 people or more at the dinner representing RMCC, the Royal Court, Unconditional Support, and Dignity”

• 1987- John Reeves came early to MCC to help with the dinner too. During the dinner I sat on the kitchen stairs with Chuck Whyte and Don Penrose drinking wine.  I never did eat dinner I was too drunk. After the dinner some people wanted to go dancing at the Sun.  [Journal of Ben Williams]

21 November 1991- Thursday- Weber State University held a debate over whether Gays and Lesbians should receive  protection under proposed hate crime legislation. Debate organizer Steven Petrick-Underwood  contacted eight state legislators opposed to the bill and all eight said they couldn’t make it.  But Gay activisits told  students that homosexuals should be included in protection legislation because they bear the brunt of the hate crimes in Utah and nationally.  Michael

Michael Aaron

Aaron of the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project said participation of adolescent males in a game known as “queer bashing” results in people being hurt or killed, and justifies  hate-crime protection.  The Utah AVP survey of 230 Gays and Lesbian Utahns last year found 87 percent of the men and 69 per cent of the women had been subjected to anti-Gay comments, Aaron said. In addition 75 percent of the men and 50 per cent of the women had been physically assaulted. (SLTribune E22 11/22/91)

1993 Sunday -The Utah AIDS Foundation traditionally provides clients with special boxes of food, with a precooked turkey. ``So far, we haven't had a single donation,'' said a spokesman, adding the foundation``desperately needs personal-care essentials --especially toilet paper.''- The Utah AIDS Foundation,``is on the great search for precooked turkeys,'' said Sami Kemper, health-at-home coordinator. The foundation weekly assembles boxes of food and items like tooth brushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and toilet tissue for its clients. (11/21/93 Page:D1 SLTribune)

Philip Austin

1996 Page: B2 Mental Exam Ordered for Ex-WSU Official Byline: BY STEVE GREEN SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE  OGDEN -- Former Weber State University administrator Phillip Austin was ordered Tuesday to undergo a 60-day psychological evaluation at the Utah State Prison prior to his sentencing for a kidnapping conviction.  Austin, 45, was convicted by a jury in September 1994 but has remained free while his attorneys appealed. The Utah Court of Appeals and the Utah Supreme Court rejected his appeals this year.   Roy police arrested Austin in April 1994 after a young man said Austin picked him up at a bus stop and then at gunpoint solicited sex and refused to let him out of the car. The victim escaped by jumping from the vehicle.   Austin was arrested a few weeks later after the victim went to Weber State to pick up his transcripts and coincidentally spotted Austin at the Academic Advisement Office, where Austin was the director. Two other young men testified Austin, who acknowledges he is gay, also picked them up at bus stops and solicited sex in 1994. Defense attorneys objected to their testimony, saying it was gay bashing. No charges were filed in those cases.  Second District Judge Stanton Taylor in 1994 sentenced Austin to 1 to 15 years in prison, but stayed the sentence pending his appeal. [Sentence was longer then the one handed to David Thacker for the cold-blood murder on a gay man on Park City UT in 1993]

David Nelson

1996 Salt Lake City Weekly Politics: Inconvenient Friends By Katharine Biele [CAPTION: FILE Ñ David Nelson in Salt Lake City, November 5, 1996. (Photo/Fred Hayes, File)] "Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats" founder David Nelson calls it quits. There's been a whispered chant on the wind. The witch is dead. The witch is dead. But it's hard to tell who's happiest over the melting away of GLUD, the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats.  That founder David Nelson is bowing out has left morality conservatives feeling verified and newly-moderate Democrats feeling relieved. In politics, even your friends are functions of convenience.  And while Nelson was effective, he was an inconvenient friend to many Democrats. Persistent, brash and even insulting, Nelson took aim at not only his political enemies, but also at those who would otherwise be allies:  People like Kelly Atkinson, the former state House minority whip who wanted to distance the Democrats from their "fringe groups." Or like former Majority Leader Frank Pignanelli, who, among others, asked GLUD to drop "Democrat" from its name to spare the party any negative association with the group. And like 2nd Congressional District Candidate Ross Anderson, who said he'd let the polls not his personal convictions decide his official stand on gay marriage.  Some would say that's biting the hand that feeds you. To Nelson, it was all in a day's work. He was not the kind to subjugate his agenda for the good of the whole. "The elected Democrats began in 1992 by being extremely supportive," Nelson says. "But we caught them off guard with how much of an advocacy group we would become and how much we would expect them to be a part of that."  Well, they didn't become much a part of it. Disappointing, but not disastrous for Nelson. Nonetheless, it was one of the pieces that helped shatter GLUD. The Big One was the gay community itself.  Nelson founded GLUD in 1990, against the odds because Utah gays and lesbians were little more than occasional political participants. There would be a protest here or there, like when Anita Bryant came to sing, but it was pretty superficial, reactive stuff. "When we came on the scene, we said we work from the inside out. To a lot of gay people, that was reason enough to distrust us," Nelson says.  In fact, he says, gay people are generally distrusting of government because it represents institutional discrimination. People warned him that he was playing with the sleeping giant, and yet they exulted in his victories. Nelson's fund raising brought in some $10,000 a year to his cause. His lobbying helped bring about a state law to permit viaticals, which allow AIDS victims to use the proceeds of their life insurance. Nelson worked with Pignanelli to pass a hate crimes bill and he was instrumental in pushing city ordinances to ban discrimination.  But there were some monumental defeats, too. Gays helped elect Clinton in 92, only to see him gloss over the gays-in-the-military issue. Ninety-four was a huge setback for Democrats across the nation, and GLUD appeared particularly ineffective in Utah. Brigham Young University professor David Magleby, by his statistical look at the election, instigated the now pervasive call for Democrats to become more conservative and more Mormon. "We had a track record of not being effective in electing our friends," says Nelson. "It was a chink in our armor." And it was made worse when GLUD endorsed Rich McKeown over Deedee Corradini for Salt Lake City mayor, causing division in the gay community and bringing out the one-time-only Gays for Corradini group. Gay people would come up to Nelson and ask him why he was picking on their friends. It happened with a vengeance when he publicly denounced Anderson, saying he flip-flopped on the gay marriage issue. Depends on your point of view. Of course, Merrill Cook thought Anderson was unwavering in his support of gay marriage. Bitch and moan. Nelson heard a lot of it. "I'm getting tagged as egotistical and a one-man operation. That's unfair. Look at Barbara Shaw of the AIDS Foundation. She's a saint. But I do politics, and I get beat up," Nelson says. Dale Sorenson knows how it feels. He began working with Nelson in 90 and was executive director until October 1994, when he left GLUD and Utah. "I burned out really hard in 93," Sorenson says. "I thought Bill Clinton was the Messiah of the gay community. Now I know no one is going to raise us up. We have to do it ourselves." And that was what really doused the spark for Sorenson. Everyone seemed to want him to do it alone. Like Nelson. "The pressure of the closet in Utah is crushing," Sorenson says. People would thank him for the job he did, but refuse to support him in public. "Toward the end I started saying it out loud If you don't come out, nothing I do matters," Sorenson says. On another plane, the gay community never seemed satisfied. "The gay community in Utah eats its leadership," Sorenson says. "I was accused of being a megalomaniac. Now they're saying David is GLUD and GLUD is David. It's so insidious." No one would say Sorenson or Nelson lacked ego, but they were egos that helped kick down doors. The problem is that egos need to be bolstered. Nelson had long since written off persuading the Republican institutions of his cause. In 94, he realized he couldn't look to the elected Democrats for help. "But to finally lose our last constituents "I think that's what's hurt the most," Nelson says. A still-bitter Sorenson thinks Utah's gay community is engaged in an odd self-homophobia, refusing to stand up and be counted. There has been plenty of disaffection within GLUD. Over the last seven years, it has run through 25 board members, some of whom went on to found splinter gay groups. None has been as large or as public as GLUD. In a way, both he and Nelson are saying, "OK, to hell with you."  GLUD isn't completely gone. "I just won't be Mr. GLUD anymore," says Nelson, who's planning to work instead for national gay organizations in Utah. At his urging, the board voted to disband GLUD's lobbying, fund-raising and political action committee work. GLUD will still maintain its caucus within the Democratic Party, although its effectiveness will certainly be compromised by the gutting of its other functions. And the gutting of its leadership.  "Those who choose to get involved," says Nelson, "become the target."

Todd Koolmo

1998- A December trial for a Salt Lake City man accused of murdering his wife has been postponed until March because defense attorneys have not received complete lists of witnesses interviewed by police and other evidence. Todd Dean  Koolmo, was charged with first-degree felony murder for the March 18 fatal shooting of his wife, Melissa Koolmo because he believed she was having a Lesbian affair. Convicted of manslaughter in 1999

1999  Affirmation Meeting at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah, 360 N 300 W, in Salt Lake. This meeting will be for chapter elections and organization, as well as planning the direction we'll be going for the coming year. Everyone is welcome to join us! Also a pot luck social, so please bring a food item. Drinks and utensils provided. And please  come even if you don't have anything to bring--the most important part of the social is -you-.

Quintin Crisp

1999-British writer Quentin Crisp died at age 90. Quentin Crisp, was an English writer and raconteur. From a conventional suburban background, Crisp grew up with effeminate tendencies, which he flaunted by parading the streets in make-up and painted nails, and working as a rent-boy. Author of the Naked Civil Servant.

Allan Carlson

1999 Sunday, Pro-family activists cheer the 'Geneva Declaration'    Pact called vital global tool that may sway U.N. By Carrie A. Moore Deseret News religion editor GENEVA -- As scores of Utahns return home from the World Congress of Families II held here last week, they have plenty of reason for celebration. After years of finding themselves in the vast minority at international meetings designed to guide U.N. policymaking, the pro-family advocates see their new "Geneva Declaration" -- affirmed by more than 1,500 congress participants here -- as an important new tool they can use in their efforts to defend traditional family values.     The document marks the first time a large number of pro-family, non-governmental organizations -- known as NGOs -- have banded together to formulate a document that defines the traditional family and other family issues in a way they all support, said Allan Carlson, director of the Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society. Chartered NGOs are basically special interest groups that have lobbying access to the United Nations. They are thus in a position to affect international policymaking by U.N. delegates -- much as lobbyists at the Utah Legislature talk with legislators -- to formulate and affect the wording of bills being considered for passage. Scholars, academics and religious leaders at the World Congress referred repeatedly to the proliferation in the past 25 years of NGOs funded by what they said are powerful anti-family forces -- including feminist, pro-abortion and gay and lesbian groups -- that have made great strides in lobbying the United Nations to insert language favorable to their causes into international treaties and conferences.

Adam Bass

2007 Earlier this year we emailed about the Dr. Reis Awards.  I'm wondering if you can tell me who you know of on this list of recipients who has passed away?  I visited with leaders at the Center recently and in passing expressed my concern over the selection process for this award.  I was asked if I had suggestions if I'd put them in writing.  I agreed.  In doing so, I thought I'd forward a list of everyone that should be an eligible voter.  I don't want to sound uneducated, but the only ones I know personally are still alive, with the exception of Kathy.  I am asking for your help so I don't forward a name of someone who is no longer with us.  Adam Bass

• Kathy Worthington and Barb Barnhart are the only recipients who have passed away. Many live out of state now like Ben Barr, Bruce Barton, Bruce Harmon,  and others.  I think it was suggested that only Utah residents should be allowed to vote.  Kevin Hillman and Deb Rosenberg came up with a guideline but no rule has been steadfast except that only past recipients were eligible to vote, it has  to be for community service and not just to one organization, and should be a member of the community for several years.  How are you... you cute thing?   Take care  Ben
•  I am doing well, thanks. :) I hope you're doing well, and I wish you a very happy thanksgiving. I am celebrating with friends in Boston for the holiday, and living in Los Angeles currently. Adam

2007 Biweekly newspaper QSaltLake relocates to Sugar House site Published: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 QSaltLake, a biweekly newspaper geared toward gays and lesbians, has relocated its offices in an effort to expand its operations and reach out to a broader readership. The paper now will be headquartered in Sugar House at 1050 E. 2100 South, Suite 205. "With this move, we are shifting into an even higher gear with QSaltLake," said Michael Aaron, the paper's editor and publisher. The move to Sugar House also took into account proximity to advertisers who support QSaltLake and renovations in the area, Aaron said. The move is one of several changes the 4-year-old newspaper has undergone recently. It has added four new columnists and soon will add two interns to its staff. The paper also has shifted from a semimonthly to a biweekly format, now printing 26 issues per year rather than 24. QSaltLake can be found online at www.qsaltlake.com.

Kathy Griffin

2009 Kathy Griffin Saturday, Nov. 21 By Jennifer Heaney Salt Lake City weekly Barely memorable as a cast member on the old-school television show Suddenly Susan with Brooke Shields, Kathy Griffin has suddenly become one of the most colorful, challenging, in your-face comics performing today. With her tiny stature, big flowing red hair and enough plastic surgery to put her in the witness protection program, it’s hard to imagine how someone who looks so put together could be as saucy as she is. While Griffin has actually been performing comedy for more than 20 years, she’s had nowhere near this level of popularity until recently. Bravo TV gave her a reality show and called it My Life on the D-list, which gratuitously chronicles her daily attempts to become more famous. On the show, she’s become an undaunted and very, very loud voice for gay rights. Not only is Griffin enthusiastically supportive of LGBT rights, but so is her elderly Catholic mother, her staff and everyone she hangs out with. And as a result, many in the LGBT community have become loyal fans of her show and her live performances. Though her act is obviously very similar to the shtick Joan Rivers has been doing for decades, Griffin has found a way to take that brash style and shoot it full of F-bombs and hate, appropriately matching today’s level of moral looseness. The possibility that she might be able to stay the course, like Rivers has, is not completely out of the question, but it will be interesting to see if people will continue to be shocked or surprised by Griffin. Time will tell.  Kathy Griffin @ Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, 801-355-ARTS, Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m., ArtTix.org

Kristen Merrill

2011 Kristen Merill of the Saliva Sisters died this morning. The Saliva Sisters performed at nearly every Gay Pride Day event in Utah for over 25 Years. Promoted by Joe Redburn within the Gay community their ribald and sassy anti-establishment performances were wildly accepted by us. She will be missed and remembered.