November 8
1901 WITNESS DISAPPEARS Trial of Case Against John Show Postponed... Mandus
Krogh (1884-1946) the complaining witness against John Show who was arrested a few nights ago on
a charge of committing a “Crime Against Nature” on the person of Fred Krogh (1891-1961) has
mysteriously disappeared and cannot be found by the county officers. When Shows
case was called in Judge Kroeger’s court yesterday it developed that Krogh had
been missing since Wednesday night and after the evidence of two witnesses had
been taken the case had to be postponed until the deputy sheriff can find him.
It is believed that he had been induced by
someone to leave in order to defeat the case. According to the statement
of County Attorney Christensen he heard a rumor yesterday morning that Krogh
had left the city and started an officer out to look for him. Deputy Sheriff Cummings
found upon inquiry at the young man’s home that he had left there Wednesday night
and had not been seen since that time. The father of the missing young man (Jens Martin Krogh) stated
yesterday that his son had disappeared Wednesday and he believed that someone
interested In his nonappearance had given him money to get getaway away with. The
authorities express the belief that Krogh has been Induced to leave but they will not say whom they
suspect as being responsible for his disappearance.
Salt Lake Herald (In the 1900 Census Mandus and his brother Fred were living away from their family and lodging at a boarding house. Listed next door is 51 year old married house painter named John Showells. Mandus is 14 years old and working as a shoe maker. In January 1902 Mandus Krogh was arrested for while out on parol from Reform School at the request of his father who said he was uncontrollable) "SL Telegraph" In 1908 he was sent to prison for forgery. The 1940 Census showed that Frederick Krogh had been in the State Mental Institution in Provo Utah at least since 1935.
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| Cleon Skousen on left |
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| Owen P Heninger |
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| Bill Woodbury |
1977- Board of Directors of the Gay Coalition Services met. In attendance
were Chuck Harding, Mike Reid, Ray Henke, Bill Woodbury. Board voted to change
the name of the newspaper back to the Open Door.
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| Charles Pearce |
1977- Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors, making him the first openly gay man to be elected in a major US
city. Dan White, who would murder Harvey
Milk just over a year later, was also elected.
1978 Wednesday-A man found stabbed to death in his Avenue apartment
Monday night has
been identified by police as, Anthony Adams, 25, 125 East 1st
Ave. The victim was found in his bedroom
at about 8:45 p.m. by 3 friends. He was
stabbed repeatedly with a butcher knife, according to Salt Lake City Police
detectives who said a homicide investigation is under way. Police said he had apparently been dead for
several days. Detectives are still investigating the December 1977 death of
Sharon Lecia Schollmeyer age 16, who was found strangled to death in the same
apartment building (SLTribune 11/08/78 page 6B)Schollmeyer : The victim was
found in her Apartment in the bathtub naked with water partially filling the
tub. The victim was bound with nylons. The Medical Examiner Office confirmed
the manner of death as Homicide. The immediate cause of death is known but
being withheld for investigative reasons. This case is open and the Salt Lake
City Police are seeking information. Killed December 5 1977 125 East 1st
Ave apt 7
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| Tony Adams |
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| Sharon Schollmeyer |
1988-Oregon voters repealed an executive order which
prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation among state government
employees. Measure 8 passed with 53 percent of the vote. In 1988, Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt issued an
executive order which banned discrimination based on sexual orientation in the
executive department of state government. The Oregonian described the order as
“dealing with sexual orientation and the state government workplace.” The
newspaper elaborated that “This included both personnel actions and the
delivery of services to the public. The order didn't apply to state employees
not under Goldschmidt’s control, such as judicial workers.” Unfortunately, the order was overturned by an initiative
called Ballot Measure 8. Measure 8, sponsored by a group called the Oregon
Citizens Alliance (OCA), also prohibited any state official in the future from
requiring non-discrimination against state employees based on sexual
orientation. This initiative won by a 5.4% margin.
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| Robert Rosvall |
1992- George Harter Kuhn age 50 years died after a very brave fight
with AIDS a terminal illness. Survived by his dear friend Gregory Johnson. He graduated from Highland
High School and Darrel's College of Beauty. He also attended the U of U. After
moving to San Francisco, he owned and successfully operated The Garden/Hair
Salon. For the past 12 years,George has made his home in New York City. There
he had both the opportunity to work as a hair stylist for a number of Broadway
shows and maintained a large private practice.
1995-Representatives of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays approached television stations in four US cities to buy advertising time
for two ads, one on the prevention of suicide among gay and lesbian youth and
one about gay bashing. All stations refused to air the suicide ad, and only two
cable stations and one network affiliate station would air the gay-bashing ad.
They were told the ads offended community standards.
1996-Transgender
activists protested outside the offices of the American Psychiatric Association
in Washington DC.
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| Jackie Biskupski |
1998 The Tribune Editorial wrote: District 30 Rejects
Intolerance The voters of House
District 30 Tuesday gave a proper rebuke to the hateful, anti-gay campaign
tactics that poisoned the race between Democrat Jackie Biskupski and Republican
Bryan Irving.
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| Stuart McDonald |
2006 • Ha ha Public Forum Letter Salt Lake Tribune
Article Despite your paper's extremist, right-wing, anti-gay bigotry, state
Sen. Scott McCoy won anyway by a wide margin. Ha ha. Stuart McDonald Salt Lake
City
2006 Dear Community Member: Equality Utah is pleased to announce
2006 Dear Community Member: Equality Utah is pleased to announce
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| Scott McCoy |
that 17 of our 37 endorsed candidates were elected in yesterday's elections! Even more, we're so proud of our LGBT candidates who were elected - Senator Scott McCoy (District 2) and Representatives Jackie Biskupski (District 30) and Christine Johnson (District 25)! Utah is now one of only 11 states with more than 2 openly gay and/or lesbian elected officials
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| Christine Johnson |
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| Ken Mehlman |
2006 On
November 8, 2006, comedian Bill Maher made an appearance on Larry King Live,
during which he referred to Ken Mehlman as a closeted gay man. The incident became
controversial because CNN edited out Maher's comments in later taped editions
and removed the reference to Mehlman's sexual orientation from the transcript
of the show.revealed that he is gay. Prior to this revelation, rumors
about Mehlman's sexual orientation had circulated since at least 2004. In May
2006, Mehlman denied he was gay, telling the New York Daily News: "I'm not
gay, but those stories did a number on my dating life for six months." The day after Maher's comments, Mehlman announced he would step down
as chairman of the Republican National Committee although reports said that his resignation had been
expected for some time. In August 2010 he came out of the closet. Ryan Shattuck a Q Salt Lake staff writer wrote Under Mehlman’s direction, several states passed legislation banning same-sex marriage in 2004, and promoted a political aura of intolerance and discrimination that has plagued the Republican Party for years to follow. Naturally, many gay and lesbian men and women have labeled Mehlman a “hypocrite,” have satirically awarded him the “Roy Cohen Award” for “managing the most anti-gay Presidential campaigns in history” and have even called Mehlman a “Quisling Homophobic scumbag.”
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| Dottie S Dixon |
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| Charles Frost |
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| Lisa Hansen |
2010 The New Salty Gossip Drug
overdose or suicide? According to friends, Colt (barback at TryAngels) had a
fight with his father the night before he died over the Mormon faith and his
refusal to be a part of it. However, his obituary reads that he was a member of
the Mormon church and despite never going on a Mormon mission, the family is
asking that donations be made to the Mormon Mission fund. The obituary also
never makes any mention that he was gay. Colt’s family is refusing to let his
friends attend the funeral, presumably presided over by a Mormon Bishop, calling
it a private family affair. Salt Gossip
2013 Conversation on the direction of The Utah Pride Center which was under stress. Jennifer Nuttall past director of Adult Activities for the center was asking for support for a letter demanding the resignation of Valerie Larabee
2013 Conversation on the direction of The Utah Pride Center which was under stress. Jennifer Nuttall past director of Adult Activities for the center was asking for support for a letter demanding the resignation of Valerie Larabee
The Trans Community members are Rv Connie A. Anast, Dayne Law, Bri Anne James, Dominique Storni, Joni Weiss
Bisexual Community Rachel Black, Shauna Brock
Gay Men Todd Bennett, Jerry Buie, Little Lee Costillo, Nicholas Critchlow, Drew Magee,Nathan Measom, Michael N. Westley, Troy Williams
Lesbians- Carol Gnade, Sarah Gene Hjalmarson
- Nathan Measom I'm in.
- Dayne Law I'm in. I would maybe ask Drew? He was also present at the last talking circle.
- Rachel Black I no longer represent the Bi group or Poly group but would be happy to sign.
- Jennifer Nuttall Yes please Rachel, we can say "former" and if you want to contact the current representatives and see if they want to sign on, that would be terrific.
- Rachel Black I will, should I stick them on here?
- Shauna Brock I am totally in. I'm stepping back into a leadership role with the 1 to 5 club but I do think we should add Andrea Martin, Erica Head (Merrick Raven) and Stephanie Novak to the list as well. They've been handling the bulk of the 1 to 5 leadership over the past year.
- Dayne Law I also think that some of the members of the board of TEA would be willing to sign such as Connie Anast, Candice Metzler, and Alex Miller Jerry Buie I could go on and on and on........
- Michael N. Westley I'm in.
- Dominique Storni I'll be there.
- Joni Weiss I tried that... Can't see the top of the thread. The first comment I see is from Rachel.
- Rv Connie A. Anast I would need to discuss this further with trusted collegues before committing to sign. I fully support everyone in this endeavor.
- Shauna Brock To Andi, Erica, and Stephanie, if you can't see the top of the thread give me a holler and I'll explain it better.
- Joni Weiss I am in.
- Dominique Storni I've never been privy to any of the drama, except from what would be considered hearsay in court. I have my suspicions, but nobody has been willing to step up and go on record. I've stepped on my share of toes, and hence, people from what has been described as "Gay Inc" have ostracized me from any real leadership positions in the G&L community. From what I've been able to see, transparency is the problem. And when people have walked away from UPC, transparency has been missing even more, because those people were finally free to speak openly about what they witnessed first hand. I've said this a thousand times, at least 100 times with the "merger" of Utah Pride and the (then) Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah... this is OUR community center. And we deserve the right to know precisely what is going on. Especially with its 501c3 status and having received donations of time, talent, and money from those it is charged to serve. If it cannot exist in the light of day, then let it die. Another organization will spring up from the ashes. If its leaders cannot abide the light of day through ABSOLUTE transparency, then they need to walk away gracefully. If donors have to put so many strings attached to the money they give, then perhaps those donations need to be reconsidered. The G&L community is more classist than any other marginalized community, imo. Maybe if so many didn't feel disenfranchised, more would donate, alleviating the need of big donors with big pockets, and bigger strings attached.
- Nathan Measom Given the growing list of people who would probably agree with this, maybe you should think about adding a petition aspect to the letter for other community members.
- Jennifer Nuttall That is a good idea Nathan, also - we will be delivering it first to the acting Board Chair of the UPC, John Netto first, and if no action is taken, it will then go public.
- Dominique Storni Will you have an advanced copy for us before Wednesday, Jennifer?
- Jennifer Nuttall yes I am trying to get something to all of you by tomorrow afternoon - so we can revise by Sunday and get to UPC by Monday. We want to move on this.
- Jerry Buie It's time! Nice to see others stepping up
- Nicholas Critchlow I'm definitely in
- Joni Weiss I love to see the community coming together in this! Thank you Jenn for rallying support:)
- Troy Williams It's great that pressure is mounting. The 360 Review is happening now -- and we the community are the ones conducting it! I'm late to the party and maybe you've already discussed this, but my two cents: I think it is critically important is that we use this strategically to place optimum pressure on the Board. I have no desire to publicly humiliate Valerie. But we can't stand by and "be patient" either. If we can keep it out of the press, great, that is the humane, compassionate thing to do. But if the Board stalls then all bets are off. At that point we should post it on social media, blast to the Trib/Q/NYTimes, etc.
- Carol Gnade Hello all, Jen, you know that I have much to say about this and I would be in agreement with all that has been said. However, I am in Vietnam until the 21st and will have limited access to the internet. I am not into public humiliation at all, as Troy has stated. The Women's Festival claimed independence last year and I am thankful for that we are not in any way financially tied to the center. We saw this coming. So many people were told that this was going to happen and no one was willing to take a hard look at the facts in front of them. For now, just know that I am with you in solidarity that change is necessary. I will check in when I can. Warm regards, Carol
- Dominique Storni I'd appreciate everyone here's feelings on whether the board needs to be shuffled and shifted, too.
- Dayne Law I think that was the point here Dom.
- Jerry Buie The most underlined feeling and thought I had from last weeks meeting, where most the board was present and the most consistent response to any questions was I DONT KNOW.... would suggest that at this point, there will need to be a major change in the OVERALL LEADERSHIP of the Center, from top to bottom. Its like no one was paying any attention to anything, Val was able to run everything into the ground and the board had no connection to the overall community it served.
- Dominique Storni I thought so, too, Dayne. But the pressure I see being discussed is to get the ED replaced. Are we, the community, also moving to get some new blood in the Board? What I was thinking, Jerry.
- Dayne Law Did you read jennifers message above?
- Jerry Buie again the response.... I don't know... that was the question poised. Ben williams did a great job detailing history of the center that included how people came on and off as board members and ED.... much of that is history and right now its who you know and getting an inviation
- Dominique Storni Not sure which you you're referring to, Dayne, since I was added into this conversation late. So far, I see more talk about Valerie than anything else, and that's pretty much ALL I've seen.
- Troy Williams there needs to be a 360 of the Board. They definitely enabled the entire situation and ignored complaints and warnings. Valerie also stacked the Board with people who wouldn't challenge her. So to Dom's point, yes, the Board should be under scrutiny too.
- Joni Weiss Oh wow. Jerry! You touched a nerve with me. What you said is so consistent with my experience with Val and the board while I served (or attempted to serve) on the board. You are absolutely right about them being out of touch with the community they serve.
- Dominique Storni Thanks, Troy. I believe so, too. And Jerry, most EVERY board on non-profits is who gets invited by whom. It's just that currently, that good-ole-boy system has taken a very rotten turn.
- Joni Weiss Again, i agree, Troy. The board is actually where the focus should be. The board has enabled all of this dysfunctional leadership to go on for way too long. The board is stacked with yes people, and troublemakers are shut down. As a board member, executive board meetings were where all real decision-making was done, and those meetings were closed even to regular board members. Those were attended by ED, President, VP, and board secretary... No minutes published as I recall.
- Troy Williams yes. and there are also current Board members who see the problems and are working to build consensus for action. I want to support their efforts. I say we tackle one problem at a time. Air the issues with Valerie and then make it clear that the Board also is culpable for the entire debacle.
- Michael N. Westley Oh please. Let's stop pretending that the UPC Board has EVER had any real power. It has been nothing more than a rubber stamp to Valerie's wishes. She got herself in over her head this last year and she failed. Mainly because her autonomic rule left her with no real support. And that's fine if you're running a dictatorship. But I think most people would like to at least believe that is not the case here.
- Troy Williams Michael speaks truth... But they are still culpable for not being more courageous.
- Joni Weiss My girlfriend. I'm very interested in this convo but I'll have to take it up later! Love you all.
- Jennifer Nuttall Sorry I have been out of the loop here. My intention was a vie of no confidence for the leadership of the UPC, this includes the board and the executive director. My letter, that I will send out tomorrow to you all includes points for both. Please send points you think need to be included.
- Dominique Storni Jennifer.. my points would be in my long rant right below where Joni said, "I'm in."
- Jennifer Nuttall K awesome thanks Dom!!
- Joni Weiss Jen, I will send you my issues later tonight... I'm out for the evening.
- Jennifer Nuttall great, thanks everyone!
- Dominique Storni Jennifer.. another rant that just may give you some talking points I'm going to speak in the 1st person plural, because I hope we all feel that we are together as community.
- Little Lee..I don't think the negative comments are saying, "Nothing good happens at the UPC." On the contrary, we all know how many lives are saved. Many of us speaking out were there before any of those currently running the UPC were. We know precisely what it takes/took to bring that place, and community, together. Many of us were pushed aside and marginalized by those who were also marginalized. I think what we're saying is:1. If we were flush enough to throw a huge Pride, spending (I think) somewhere around $300,000, and 2. If we were flush enough to buy bigger, better digs, in a bigger, better, more public location, and 3. If we were flush enough have grand plans to refurbish and redesign the new location, and 4. If we were flush enough to hire all these new, previously non-existent positions, and 5. If we were flush enough to pay an ED an unprecedented salary, Then... 1. Just WTF happened to all the money that made all those things possible? 2. How did we go from totally flush to totally broke in a few short weeks? 3. Why was the board bushwacked by this and totally unaware of the danger? 4. If they were aware, why the hell didn't they make the community aware? 5. If there has been wrong doing, why the hell have heads not rolled? (anyone remember why Pride and the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Utah "merged") 1. We want open, honest communication. 2. Tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.. DAMN IT!!! 3. Let's work together to find solutions and move forward.
- Joni Weiss Fuck yeah!
- Jennifer Nuttall Here is the letter: Please let me know if i missed anyone's name. Please also check how your name appears and if there should be changes. Any of you that havent yet added your name, we would like a longer list, if you feel comfortable adding your name now that you have read the letter, please let me know!
- Jerry Buie Jennifer... What's your story with the center? You worked there for so long.... What happened
- Rachel Black Jennifer, my last name is actually Langshall, I use Black so no one from my work will find me.
- Jennifer Nuttall k got it Rachel jerry, it is a long long story, and i would love to talk to you sometime about it, but suffice it to say for now, it is what i summed up in the letter, and so much more.
- Jerry Buie Was I excommunicated from the letter?
- Dayne Law Well done Jennifer. I found a couple of typos though. deep-seeded, not deep seated and 5th paragraph it says "talented staff is are devalued"
- Jennifer Nuttall Jerry, many people responded, but i only put people who i saw say they wanted to be included, so if i missed you, just say so! goodness, of course i wouldnt exclude anyone that wants to sign! got it dayne, thanks!
- Rachel Black I thought the phrase was deep seated?
- Jennifer Nuttall yes yes its deep seated. also Jerry, would this be correct for you? Jerry Buie (SAGE Advisory Board)
- Jerry Buie I would be glad to add my name to this letter. Note that I am already on the Sage letter. But I do agree, for someone who has tried to reach this community through the center on various levels, I've repeatedly had that door closed.
- Jennifer Nuttall yep, its so true
- Jerry Buie Well I can't represent the sage committee.... But I have been a mental health advocate and community representative Also I would suggest this letter be read at the meeting on the 13
- Dayne Law You are correct. Deep Seated
- Jerry Buie The talking circle The community needs to be aware of this as well and that meeting and q salt lake will be there..... Enough of holding back, that's the story if the past and this is where it got us That's what I would take off the letter
- Dominique Storni 3rd paragraph, page 2.. double periods: at the forefront. . In new leadership To the point without "finger pointing". It outlines the problem, offers a solution, and demands change. I like it, Jennifer.
- Michael N. Westley I think the paragraph about her being an ineffectual manager needs expanding. The words fear and intimidation could be worked in there. I also like. . . obstinate and out of touch. Do we want more examples? And I would end it with something about many former employees have feared speaking out because they know that a poor reference from her could hinder future employment elsewhere. I also think that the part about board members is a bit narrow. Candidates are vetted FIRST for what they can bring to the organization and then, yes, for their compliance.
- Dominique Storni Good points, Michael. I know that things were said about me that hindered jobs I applied for. (And I was never an official employee there) I always wondered why people didn't speak out. Being black-balled is a good reason to keep one's mouth shut. That's called retaliation, isn't it? Is it ironic, or maddening, that an organization pushing for ENDA would participate in such tactics.
- Michael N. Westley Many time, while work-shopping media messaging, she said that the simple version of the center is to bring people together and lift them up. There are just TOO many examples of the opposite. That's a failure. I also believe that the larger failure is in her perception of her power/place in the community. When a community center becomes more of an arbitrator of community standards than a reflection of them, it has failed.
- Joni Weiss Great letter. I'm still in. Michael I wasn't aware of the issue with former employees. That is against the law for an employer to offer anything other than the fact that you worked there, the manner in which you left, and (with your consent) salary info. What I've been told by employers anyway.
- Dominique Storni Immoral and unethical to be sure, Joni. Illegal though? In UTAH? Right-to-fire-State? I think one could prevail in a civil court, though, if one had hard evidence. That puts our UPC at further risk. YIKES!
- Troy Williams I like it. I would make sure that the letter goes to more than just John. Make sure at least the exec committee is included if not the entire board.
- Rv Connie A. Anast It is not illegal to discuss a dismissal, Joni, especially if there were charges pressed. Its illegal for an employer to lie.
- Jerry Buie Again, I wonder why we would not share this letter in the next community meeting on November 13? By only sharing things with the board or the chairman of the board to continue to collude in the story of secrecy. This within that secrecy these problems have arisen. By keeping the letter secret, it also squelches the broader community from stepping up. Let q print it. This is how sage moved our letter. We had actually given our letter to the chairman, and what was evident at the meeting, he did not bother to read it.
- Michael N. Westley Jerry, Jen stated the intention to publish the letter from the beginning.
- Jennifer Nuttall i thought the best way would be to first present it to the executive committee. this gives them an opportunity to take action. if they do not take action, it states right in the letter that we will go to the media. i have no intention of keeping this secret, i just wanted to first give the board a chance to act, and valerie a chance to resign before it comes out publicly. it feel like its the right way to do it. most likely she will not resign, and i will submit it to QSalt Lake. If nothing still happens i will start a petition and open it to the entire community to sign on. that was my plan at least, what do you all think?
- Michael N. Westley That makes sense Jen. Perhaps that plan of action and expected results should be delineated in the letter. . .just so they are clear of our intentions?
- Jerry Buie I say keep the pressure on.... Give them a day or two, then go public
- Dominique Storni It does allow for this to be settled without airing our laundry in public, Jennifer. I know everyone needs to keep their job, especially at holiday season. I would just hope that ANY ED would take the high road and walk away if there is such an incredible demand from the community, due to lack of confidence. (The Board, too, for that matter)
- Michael N. Westley Are we asking too much with a resignation? And if it doesn't happen, does that hurt us? Make us look ineffectual? Should we be calling for a suspension pending a formal review? Or does this chapter just need to be done?
- Jennifer Nuttall She needs to go.
- Jerry Buie Question: If we were writing this letter regarding Gayle Ruzuika.... would that shift the urgency?
- Dominique Storni Not sure I'd make that analogy, Jerry.
- Jerry Buie actually, we are..... if what we have is someone out of control and a board and leadership not listening.... and slandering names.... why would we treat this with less urgency?
- Michael N. Westley urgency, yes, Gayle, no.
- Dominique Storni That's what I meant, Michael. The urgency is a couple years past due. The reference to Gayle just isn't appropriate, imo.
- Jennifer Nuttall it is urgent, we are presenting this monday. giving it a couple of days, and then going to the public, what shows a lack of urgency to you Jerry?
- Joni Weiss I like the plan to give the board a chance to act and for Valerie to have the chance to step down. I am also in favor of a deadline for action. If the board does not respond within say, 3 days, then we go public.
- Jerry Buie I did not read that we had a deadline. I am in agreement with Joni.
- Joni Weiss I am NOT in favor of reading this at the meeting on Wednesday unless that IS the deadline for responding?
- Jerry Buie These issues have been brooding for years.... but the momentum has started now.... so lets get on that train!@ Meeting is 11/13
- Jerry Buie I support the letter, my feedback is a suggesting on how to aid in its effectiveness. Judging by last weeks read of the sage letter. We gave that letter to the board and John Netto. One board member had read the letter. it was not a priority and Netto said as much. I think if you give it to the board its gonna get shuffled aside. if you use your press and if you let the community witness the reading of the letter, then your likely to get the boards attention. sage now has a meeting sunday morning to talk more about THE LETTER.... we made our request and will hear a response to morrow. based on the meeting, they did not even comprehend the letter...
- Dominique Storni So may I play devil's advocate for a minute? Let's say we give them the letter, complete with deadlines. They ignore us completely. What do we do then? Will public media pressure actually give anyone over there pressure? Will it actually result in any changes? I'm of the opinion that UPC is primarily financed by the uber-wealthy of our community, and who has the gold, makes the rule. I don't think they're going to listen. And I'm not sure any pressure is going to do diddly-squat. What power do we really have, besides pitching a fit? (and I'm not trying to be sarcastic or sanctimonious here. I'm really curious if we have any power)
- Jerry Buie collectively, if people grieve as in these letters, show up at these meetings.... but ultimately... do we really need the center? really? never doubt what a group of well minded people can accomplish..... So, yes, we have profound power if we own it
- Michael N. Westley She DID refer to me as a "cancer" to the organization given my proximity to Jesse Nix and his call for a review of her. Oh well.
- Jennifer Nuttall i agree, even if nothing changes, we will have at least done something to try to make a difference. i just cant stand silent any longer. and Valerie will know all these people dont support her. who could go on like that? its beyond me how she continues to deflect responsibility. jerry, i dont know how i feel about these talking circles and even using "their" medium. i know i do not want to attend one, even to read this letter. it feels like we are putting ourselves in a place where they have the authority, and i dont believe they do. i would much rather go directly to the Q and stay out of that space.
- Michael N. Westley The Trib will run a story about this letter and will want to interview those that signed it.
- Jennifer Nuttall perfect. when i call john on monday, i will let him know we will go public by thursday if no action is taken.
- Michael N. Westley I was a bit shocked when Allen told me how vitriolic the board was to him upon his resignation. The meeting, he said, burst into yelling. He said they were shocked to hear his truth and believed that he was the only one who felt that way. SURPRISE!
- Joni Weiss Wow. I had not heard that!
- Michael N. Westley Allen agreed to not go public with his letter if the board would agree to an independent review of Valerie. Apparently to the tune of $25,000.
- Dominique Storni I have to say now, that the more I learn, the more I just wonder. Valerie has done some good. We finally have a great Transgender Program, with one of the most brilliant Program Directors EVER! We've even gotten some funding that I never thought I'd see in my lifetime. All this posturing behind the scenes, though, and the controlling and manipulation.. is VERY troublesome.
- Michael N. Westley that cost was not Allen's doing, rather, what the board came up with.
- Dominique Storni Waste of money.
- Joni Weiss OK... Well I have to get going. I like where this discussion is going. I like the letter, Jennifer, and appreciate you so much for making this happen. Dominique, I feel that (yes) Val has accomplished some good. However, we wouldn't have transgender programming (other than the Adult Trans Support group and YAC if it weren't for people like Jennifer, Jude, and Bonnie. Valerie needs to go, and probably half the board (at least) needs to go as well. I lost interest and faith in the center when I realized that the Trans, Bi, and POC communities would never be taken seriously by the board or Valerie. BTW, Connie, I didn't say it was illegal for an employer to discuss a dismissal. I said "other than" and included reason for leaving the job" as one of the things an employer may discuss. But like most laws in Utah, the law seems to favor the employer and puts the burden of proof on the former employee
- Dominique Storni Great insight, Joni.
- Rv Connie A. Anast I would like to say something. I have tried to hold my tongue as best as I could, given that I also serve as an ED of a non profit and serve at the pleasure of my board. What concerns me the most is the seeming mis management of money. A new Board President is not going to be able to successfully audit his own organization. He's too close. It's a conflict of interest. (And didn't he bankrupt his last business?) An independent auditor needs to be hired to reveal mis management. If the community demanded accountability of my books, they would be wide open (just like all our meetings, save one, in the last three years I have been an ED). Granted, our books are much much smaller... but that's a whole other issue. Lol Second, I am concerned that over the past five years, the Board has given, and Valerie has accepted, no less than a 5% raise each year. Some years, she has increased up to 12%. In 2012, she was bumped up 24%, to over $91,000 in salary and compensation. All of this while knowing the grants that funded Charles' position were scheduled to conclude and they would need to find the money elsewhere or eliminate jobs. As recently as October, I was also told Valerie was sent to a conference of EDs, and three other staffers, who the conference did not apply to, also were taken along. If my non profits financials were in shambles, the first thing I would do would be to refuse a salary increase to help stop the hemorrhaging and preserve others positions, or at least work something out, like a temporary move to part time while trying to secure other funding. And I certainly wouldn't go to a conference and take others with me. And if I were the Board, I wouldn't be voting 5-24% salary increases, either. So, in this deal, both shoulder the responsibility of the mis management of funds. And lastly, many people have came to me over the years and expressed dissapointment and disillusionment over Valeries participation in the community. To my knowledge, she has not attended a single TDOR, even when they were held at the center. The one event the trans* community has requested her presence at time and time and time again, and she's absent. Its insulting. The reason the center has a trans* program at all is the blood, sweat and tears of Liz, Erin, Danielle, Dallas, not to mention countless others, who NEVER stopped pushing. Once TEA of Utah separated from Pride, I have done my level best to listen and be directed by my board and the community. Valerie seems to be AWOL. Short of an independent audit, and accountability for the results of that audit, I don't see any other remedy that makes sense.
- Joni Weiss Very well stated, Connie. Thank you for speaking up.
- Rv Connie A. Anast Joni, you said, "That is against the law for an employer to offer anything other than the fact that you worked there, the manner in which you left, and (with your consent) salary info. What I've been told by employers anyway." I was just pointing out that was not correct. Glad you found the applicable statute. Most employers don't like to go into detail and avoid it, but they have the right to disclose info if its true.
- Jennifer Nuttall Thank you so much for your insights Connie, and thank you for speaking up. wow, I had no idea on a lot of that stuff. Incredible. I really hope you can sign on to the letter, has your Board approved that? Also, I was under the impression that the UPC did an independent audit each year, so we should check into that. From my expereince in non-profits, you must do an audit each year to be able to apply for grants. These audits dont however look at choices to where you spend your money, they just look to make sure it is all accounted for correctly. That is the number one job of the board, to provide fiscal oversight, to make sure those kinds of things that you stated dont happen. that is a failing of the board, and of course of Valerie in the first place, for her decisions.
- Joni Weiss There were annual independent audits of the books while I was there. I assume they were done every year. Also, it wasn't the same company doing the books each year. Alan Miller and I were both on the finance committee at one point. If the books were cooked, they were cooked before we looked at them.
- Rv Connie A. Anast Correct. However, an accounting audit is not what is needed. A performance and responsibility audit is. Think of it like the BBB coming and looking at the expenditures, asking the why's, making those in power answer for them. Other than that, I don't see how anything can change. The board and I have yet to meet and discuss this issue, so I cannot sign on. But I am here, listening and open for discussion. I was once told that an ED should not remain in their position for more than ten years. You stagnate. You lose touch. The recent actions lend to wonder if Valerie is in that phase of her relationship with UPC.
- Joni Weiss Victoria Bernier was our accountant.
- Jennifer Nuttall yes, and i believe all the accounting was in order, connie makes an important distinction.
- Joni Weiss yep
- Dominique Storni $91,000.00 ???? STFU!!! Do y'all realize that $91,000 is more than the budget for Pride every single year up until Valerie came along? Damn, maybe I should have just played nice so I could have had a nice cushy gay-for-pay salary.
- Rv Connie A. Anast I also took a look at their financials. Valerie’s pay has steadily increased since 2007, from just over 50K to 91K in salary and compensation, regardless of economic trends. I work for a Fortune 500 company, and I can tell you, NO ONE was given above 5% raises during 2010-2012… but Valerie sure was. In fact, she received a 24% INCREASE in salary and compensation on 2012 alone - $21,594.00 more than the previous year. This is gross negligence on the part of the Board and her salary should be DECREASED to compensate for the fact that they had to cut TWO staff positions, while giving her a 24% increase. See the figures below: Year Salary Other Total Increase 2012 80,000 11,242 91,242 24% 2011 67,148 2,500 69,648 9% 2010 63,430 63,430 7% 2009 59,188 59,188 12% 2008 52,225 52,225 3% 2007 50,470 50,470 Valerie’s pay has steadily increased since 2007, from just over 50K to 91K in salary and compensation, regardless of economic trends. In fact, she received a 24% INCREASE in salary and compensation on 2012 alone - $21,594.00 more than the previous year. This is gross negligence on the part of the Board and her salary should be DECREASED to compensate for the fact that they had to cut TWO staff positions, while giving her a 24% increase. See the figures below: Year Salary Other Total Increase 2012 80,000 11,242 91,242 24% 2011 67,148 2,500 69,648 9% 2010 63,430 63,430 7% 2009 59,188 59,188 12% 2008 52,225 52,225 3% 2007 50,470 50,470
- Dominique Storni I agree, Connie. I thought it was somewhere around $50,000. Which I could live with. Double that, with a sinking ship, though? Unconscionable. No wonder she's fighting to keep that job.
- Rv Connie A. Anast For 2012, even if the 11,000 was premium reporting for healthcare benefits, which was recently required due to PPACA, she still received a $13,000 raise. Benefits* This is all public record, found on their own website.
- Dominique Storni I compare that with my former Fortune 500 job, where I took a 35% DECREASE in earnings, I find this reprehensible and irresponsible. GAH!!!
- Rv Connie A. Anast In five years, her salary has gone up $30,000
- Dominique Storni how much was charles getting? and (sorry, forgot name) the other guy who got laid off? and how much did the other salaries get cut? and did Valerie take a cut, too? Rv Connie A. Anast That information was lumped in staff compensation and is not public information. These are the questions that need to be asked by a performance audit.
- Dominique Storni I think these facts need to be made public.
- Dayne Law Interesting since their health insurance plan sucks and has a transgender exclusion for employees and she kept saying that it would increase their rates. Maybe if she wouldnt have taken pay raises, the staff could have had better health coverage?
- Dominique Storni For reals, Dayne
- Dayne Law Everyone took cuts including Valerie
- Rv Connie A. Anast Don't rely on me, take a look at their 990 filings. They are on their website. I'm not an accountant. How much was she cut? Considering her 30,000 jump in five years, I would hope pretty significant.
- Dayne Law I think they said 30 percent but dont quote me on it.
- Rv Connie A. Anast Do you know when it took effect?
- Dominique Storni Here's another figure that vexes me. Line 15 Salaries, other compensation, employee benefits 2010 - $389.833 2011 - $484,204 2012 - $706,133
- Dayne Law Not sure this month maybe?
- Rv Connie A. Anast So, she's still bringing in over 63k Yeah, 2012 was a good year apparently
- Dayne Law Im not even going to say what i was getting paid. Gotta get off this thing. Good night.
- Rv Connie A. Anast Someone I know who has served many non profits say jumps in compensation like these are a red flag. They point to a draining of cash before someone resigns. Could that be the case here?
- Dominique Storni I think we could have a fabulous Pride celebration for around $200,000. Maybe I live in a dreamland. *shrugs* THE MAIN premise of the "merger" way back when, was so that the profits of Pride Week could fund the capital expenses, including salaries, for the entire year for the Center. Somewhere along the way, we've lost our path.
- Rv Connie A. Anast We haven't. They have. And it looks like they lost the trust the community gave them along with it.
- Dominique Storni yup
- Rv Connie A. Anast Does anyone know if their insurance plan covers trans related medical expenses? If it doesn't, I have a BIG issue with that alone. Talk about cis privilege.
- Dayne Law It does not
- Rv Connie A. Anast And that is this year's plan?
- Dayne Law I was told it was raise their premiums and the board would not approve it
- Joni Weiss Intersting it was never brought to the board while I was there.
- Dayne Law Im not sure but Bri said she didnt have it
- Joni Weiss I was unaware of that until you mentioned it, Dayne.
- Dayne Law I specifically asked when i was an employee and that was Val's response
- Rv Connie A. Anast Jennifer, that needs to be in the letter. How can they serve the community when they are discriminatory toward their own employees who are trans*. Even South Valley Unitarian covers trans related healthcare costs, and they employ less than five people! Forgive me my indignation... Oh, HELL NO!
- Dayne Law We should confirm it first.
- Joni Weiss Agreed
- Dominique Storni my last comment of the night.. AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH !!!!!!!
- Dayne Law Not to mention it is now illegal to do so. Brandi and i had a presentation about the new EEOC regulations which both Val and Nikki attended last year at the gender conference
- Rv Connie A. Anast Violation of title VII protections
- Dayne Law Exactly.
- Rv Connie A. Anast We need to confirm current health policy offerings and 2014 plans. If trans healthcare is not offerred, I feel confident my board would want me to sign the letter. That is not only mis management, its an EEOC violation, and an embarassment to the community. UPC is not the LGB center. It's the LGBT center. And if you aren't treating your trans employees equally, well, then, you've got me and TEA to deal with.
- Sarah Gene Hjalmarson Please add my name. I appreciate the direction of this conversation and I agree with most points, especially when it comes to confirming fact rather than latching onto hearsay. (Don't get that wrong...I do not believe that people here are spreading rumor. Just that cold hard facts are the rails that Jerry's proverbial train must ride on.) Be careful with the Insurance argument to make the distinction between preset and past. Be sure there is clear argument when they rebut with "of course we offer trans* friendly health insurance" because the underlying, whispered honesty may be that they do Now because it is federally mandated. What about before? My question about the spike in staff compensation would be about the number of new hires. When I arrived at the end of 2010 they were hiring rapidly and still so when I left a year later. If they doubled staff, then they would double compensation, yes? Most importantly, thank you, Jennifer, with every piece of my tired queer heart, for your effort and energy in this. Thank you.
- Bri Anne James Please add my name. I appreciate that the letter addressed the lack of cultural competence at the UPC, which I view as the most glaring problem I experienced. I will do what I can today to look into the healthcare questions raised above. It's my understanding (from conversations) that it isn't fully trans*-inclusive, but I agree we need to be sure (past vs. near present). I will try and dig out my old insurance information and follow up with the insurance provider directly.
- Jude McNeil This letter looks great Jen. Thank you for writing it an organizing us.
- Dominique Storni Re: " When I arrived at the end of 2010 they were hiring rapidly and still so when I left a year later. If they doubled staff, then they would double compensation, yes?" If it was known that grants had an expiration date, and replacement grants were not in view, wouldn't it have been more prudent to save for a rainy day, instead of spending like there was no end?
- Sarah Gene Hjalmarson Of course! I make no excuses for negligence and mismanagement. I was asking for a clarifying discussion of the numbers.
- Rachel Black It depends on the grant. Some grants specifically require that you hire a person. Often, though, if a great requires you hire someone them you are required to figure out how to sustain that person or persons after the grant is gone. It is rare that a grant pays for a person without the of that person being sustained by the organization after. Most grants want a sustainability plan as part of the grant. I would be interested to find out if the people in the grants that were let go, were actually supposed to be sustained.
- Jennifer Nuttall I think these are all very important questions, and should be part of an ongoing investigation of the practices with regard to health benefits, grants, and finances/ spending. Assume Sarah mentions, we need to stick to the facts that are absolutes for the letter, and move on that now. The media will want to interview signers of the letter, and this will be a perfect time to bring up questions we have about additional issues. If for some reason it doesn't get that far (Valerie resigns) we will compile a list of additional questions to follow up with the board, so these things are addressed and not brushed over. We are up to 25 names. I will resend with all names at the end of the day so everyone can check that: #1 their name is on it if they want it to be - its been hard to keep track of all the threads, so if i missed someone, email me at jqnuttall@comcast.net #2 that their name is spelled correctly as well as their affiliation is correctly represented.
- Rv Connie A. Anast Jennifer, can we hold until the insurance issue is clarified? #1: that trans* coverage is not offered and #2: the UPC is in Title VII violation. Both of these points are deal breakers for many in the community. If the UPC could potentially be in violation of title vii, that calls for immediate resignation of Val AND the entire Board for incompetence. That would put the UPC in harms way for lawsuits and loss of 501c3 status.
- Dominique Storni Since the EEOC Title VII ruling is so new, and so few organizations in and out of Queerdom have complied, I think this is a non-issue. I don't think many organizations have had time to address the ramifications of the EEOC ruling. Denying those benefits from the jump IS an issue, though, especially with ever increasing salary jumps. Rv Connie A. Anast It is an issue, Dom, because both Val and Nikki were made aware of this last year. The ruling occurred April 2012. One is a legal point. The ither is a point of bad taste, but not illegal. If they knowingly broke the law, that affects everyone and could have harsh repercussions for the UPC.
- Dominique Storni Because of the lack of compliance by the fast majority of the USA, though, Connie; I'd prefer to point out the bad taste issue, rather than the legal issue. I think the legal issue could be too easily defended.
- Rv Connie A. Anast If they didn't, they are guilty of being insensitive out of touch and incompetent.
- Joni Weiss Imagine the irony of the first lawsuit brought against a Utah org for noncompliance if it were the UPC
- Rv Connie A. Anast EXACTLY JONI
- Dominique Storni That's an irony I'm not sure would help the community much. That's a wedge issue cis-hets are dying to exploit. Why I'd prefer to use the insensitivity angle.
- Rv Connie A. Anast and we need to find out 2014 offerings. You can't tell me they didn't know fot 2014
- Joni Weiss Jen is working I'm the final draft of the latter based on what's been discussed so far.
- Dominique Storni true, Connie (2014 offerings)
- Joni Weiss Agreed
- Rv Connie A. Anast We need to address it BEFORE cishet does, Dom. We should be held to the highest standard. We can't complain about non compliance of the genpop when our own, supposedly enlightened UPC doesn't even comply.
- Dominique Storni Address it, yes. Air it in public? I'd err on the side of caution. Unless, of course, we don't get a clean sweep.
- Joni Weiss Agreed@connie!
- Rv Connie A. Anast Plus, it just pisses me off! I just hope it isn't true.
- Dominique Storni yup. and, yup.
- Rv Connie A. Anast And please know, everyone, that the trans health benefits certianly aren't my only concern. The welfare of all UPC employees, their work environment, job security, etc, is a great concern for me. I care about ALL the peoples.
- Joni Weiss I think this is something I can comfortably say about everyone here... I think we are all here because we care deeply for ALL members of this diverse community of ours, and we DO want the UPC to be a healthy, vibrant and community-focused organization that meets the needs of every part of our lgbtqqiaapoc++ community am I right? I added former board colleague, Mark Swonson. Welcome Mark.
- Bri Anne James Insurance offices are closed, and to be honest, I don't know that we'd be able to find out much without a current policy. If this is something that folks want to explore, I think it best to do it by asking the board for the details of current insurance plans offered to current employees in accordance with the transparency promised. In either case, I personally am fine with the letter as is. It speaks to the problems of cultural competency (of which insurance is a part) and I'm fine with speaking to that more broadly.
- Rv Connie A. Anast We have some people checking into insurance issues, too, Bri. Thanks for your help.
- Jennifer Nuttall I agree with Bri, the letter addresses the issues broadly, and we will all have to follow up with the specifics of many of the points.
- Joni Weiss For those of you who may not have found the letter draft it was posted yesterday at 5:54 pm MST .... If anyone has trouble finding it please say so. Thanks
- Bri Anne James One other thing after looking at the letter again. Would it be possible to change the wording of the titles of some of those who signed from "Community Representative" to "Community Member"? I know it might seem like a small thing, but none of us can represent anyone other than ourselves.
- Jennifer Nuttall My intention with using community representative was to demonstrate that the people who have signed on are those that have worked directly with the community and have strived to represent through their work at the upc. I don't feel like community member quite captures that, but maybe there is another term we could use or even go more specific about the work each person has done at the upc. ? Not sure....
- Nicholas Critchlow What about community organizer?
- Jennifer Nuttall I like that
- Dayne Law I think each person should decide what title they desire
- Joni Weiss Community representative works for me. Community organizer is good too. I agree that community member doesn't capture the impact that each person here has on the community. I agree, Dayne. However I like the letter and titles as they are. How many here so far have decided they want their name included in the letter? Has anyone here NOT read the letter? Dumb question but I like asking dumb
- Shauna Brock I'm fine with Community Representative and I feel that this letter does back a lot of the personal issues I've felt with the Pride Center over the years as a representative of the Bi community, which I could go to at length here. But as for the letter, I can back it and I am happy with the term used. My only edit, and this is just as the Asexual community is starting to become a force within the movement, is perhaps to add the "A" to the alphabet soup list. I don't know how they as a community have felt treated by the UPC so I can't speak to that issue. I do know that their voices are growing louder.
- Dominique Storni Trans* Mama? Goddess? I do like community organizer.
- Rachel Black I like organizer too.
- Michael N. Westley Is there a revised version of the letter to view? In my opinion, any of us who have worked or volunteered at the center, or who have been active in the community are organizers
- Rachel Black Afton, sorry it's so huge. You may have to scroll up a bit to find the latest version of the letter.
- Drew McGee I would also be interested in reading the most current version. It's in this stream somewhere?
- Joni Weiss For those of you who may not have found the letter draft it was posted yesterday
- Rose Ellen Epstein Thank you so much to Jen for getting the ball rolling, and for all of you who have jumped in and shared comments, thoughts and experiences. I would also love to sign on to this letter. My two comments are that in addition to transparency, in my opinion we should also call for mechanisms of community accountability to be put in place, these are sorely lacking and are part of what makes it hard to challenge UPC and it's leadership. The other suggestion is to add more information about the supreme lack of cultural responsiveness and willingness to seriously and systemically address lack of cultural responsiveness in the organization and board. This was the aspect of UPC that hurt me the most, and I know it hurt and continues to hurt many others. To be clear, I'm not calling for leadership, staff, or community that have no internal biases and discriminate against no one, but we should all be working on our biases every day, and I would love to be able to look to this organization as a leader in this, rather than as an org which suppresses discussion of racism, sexism, ageism, abelism, classicism, trans and bi-phobia. And many others
- Drew McGee I agree with Rose Ellen, and in addition, I feel that often in those interpersonal conflicts at the Center, two things would happen in quick succession: Val would step in and 'handle it', and after that the issue would be ignored or suppressed. Then the issue would boil, until coming to a head again, where the pattern would repeat. To me, the job of an executive director is not to also be the HR director, and that seems like a conflict of interests to me. This often took the form expressed in the letter of labeling people as "troublemakers" or reassignment/dismissal, rather than fostering professional and interpersonal growth and giving the staff tools to complete their jobs more effectively.
- Joni Weiss This is what I sent Jenn yesterday evening. Just posting here to share with everyone - should have just posted here yesterday but here it is. Just remember it was addressed to Jenn, Thanks again for being the one to pull all of us together in this. I have backed away from the Pride Center since my resignation 1-1/2 years ago. I am sad to see the amount of vitriol being directed at Valerie, but the the same time I feel she has very much earned the distrust of the community. My hindsight view of the board (and it became more clear to me just before I left) is that people were vetted for the board based on their ability to say "yes" to Valerie and whoever was board president. While I was there, you know I tried to make a difference. I tried to get some issues in front of the board but was met with resisitance every time. At first I attributed it to ignorance. However as time went on, it became more evident that I was expected to fall in line and be a yes person. Now to my issues: I have a deep respect and regard for John Netto. I have known him for longer than I have been out. He's a family friend of my former wife's family. He is a person of high integrity, honesty, and compassion. He is someone who I can take at his word. He doesn't play games and he is not in this for some kind of power thing. While I love and care about several others on this board, I find the board to be deeply flawed and it has nothing to do with the people on it. It has very much to do with the control that Valerie has ON the board, and the degree of her involvement in who is ON the board. I like Valerie, and I think a lot of good things have come about under her watch. However I feel most of what I can think of came about from the efforts of you and others on the staff. That said, the board needs to not only reflect the community which it serves, but be of the community (be connected). While the tendency of modern non-profit boards is to mimic the corporate board, what is lacking is any real connection to the target community. I feel it is too much to ask ONE board member to represent their entire community. I feel there needs to be 2 or more members from each of several key communities. In some cases, more. I posted some of this on my wall the day after the QSaltLake article, after reading the article, and comments, as well as posts from several of the Gay community leaders who have been quite vocal about getting rid of Valerie. I am not angry... I am sad. Yet I am hopeful that good will ultimately come from this. One thing I know: We cannot allow things to stay the same. Major changes need to happen at the center and they need to start at the top... with a community or possibly an independent assessment of the needs of the community and what the role of a board member needs to be. I would personally keep some board members to help transition to a new board. John Netto, Jon Jepson, Marva Match are people I have confidence in. Just not sure of anyone else. Possibly Allen Miller. And Alison arrived on the board at my last board meeting. Anyway... here goes: 1) Transparency: There needs to be much greater transparency in terms of board of directors (particularly the Executive Board). Currently there is close to zero transparency. This is one of my reasons for resignation in 2012. 2) Community oversight: The way for community involvement is to have a system which facilitates dialogue between the community and the leadership of the center, including the board and ED. This should be some combination of: a) REGULAR town-hall style meetings moderated by an independent party, b) Community Advisory Boards - made up of member of the community and which would be focused on key community populations (youth, elderly, trans, bisexual, lesbian, gay). The makeup of these boards could come from community partner organizations' boards and staff as well as from the community at large. c) Regional advisory boards (SL County, Tooele County, Utah County, Weber County, St George, Moab, and other areas). 3) Regular, independent financial auditing and reporting. 4) Board membership needs to be actively involved and connected to the community being served. Board members need to demonstrate an understanding of the needs and struggles of each segment of our community.
- Julian Monterio I fully support the reevaluation of the leadership of the Pride Center and the Board. I agree there needs to be accountability and a direction to address and resolve these ongoing issues instead of just suppressing them. Thank you everyone for your work and support on this important and emotionally charged issue.
- Alexander Langshall Jennifer, please add me as a signatory. Community organizer and educator sounds good.
- Dominique Storni oh.. Alexander.. LOVE the educator part. me, too
- Jennifer Nuttall Here is the current list of signers: I have had a super hard time keeping track of everyone, and how you want to be listed,so please, just let me know if i missed someone or need to change anything.
- Todd Bennett (former board member, former festival entertainment director, community representative) Shauna Brock (community representative) Jerry Buie (Mental Health Advocate, community representative) Lily Clarissa-Aceves (former staff) Nicholas Critchlow (former staff) Myles Davis (former staff) Marie Duffin (former sWerve board) Rose Ellen Epstein (former staff) Sarah Gene Hjalmarson (former staff) Missie Harward (former sWerve board) Ron Hunt (community representative) Bri Anne James (former staff) Alexander Langshall (community organizer and educator) Rachel Langshall (community organizer) Dayne Law (former staff) Jude McNeil (former staff) Nathan Measom (former staff) Julian Monterio (former volunteer and community member) Becky Moss (community representative) Alex Moya (former community partner) Stephanie Novak (community representative) Jennifer Nuttall (former staff) Marty Pollock (founding member of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire) Dominique Storni (community organizer and educator) Jeri Tafoya (Women’s Red Rock Music Festival, former sWerve board chair) Douglas Tollstrup aka Clariss Cartier (Empress XI and past President of the Board of Directors of the RCGSE seven times) Joni Weiss (former board member) Michael Westley (former staff) Ben Williams (founder of Utah Stonewall Historical Society) Meredith Williams (former volunteer) Troy Williams (community representative) Chuck Whyte (community representative) Sara Yaxte (former staff)
- Bonnie Owens Thanks Jen! Make sure I'm on there.
- Jennifer Nuttall oh good Bo! i was hoping
- Carol Gnade Carol Gnade - former board member and Women's Redrock Music Festival Producer Hope this isn't too late. Thanks Jen and hugs
- Jennifer Nuttall THANK YOU Carol!!! Xoxo Thank you everyone!!! Here is the final letter. I will keep collecting signatures through tomorrow AM, and then I will send it on. Will keep you all posted on this thread of what the reaction is. Are you all good with being contacted individually by the UPC for more details, or would you rather do it in either small groups, or one large group?
- Becky Moss I am happy with any way that works for you
- Jerry Buie FYI: I had a meeting with john netto today regarding sage and of course it led to the bigger issues being addressed here. He is rigid about not letting go of val. My impression is some of the funding she brings in is directly tied to her and relationships. Funders will dry up if she goes away. Not sure about that but he is deep in the place of holding on to her
- Jennifer Nuttall wow! good to know. that is very disappointing.
- Troy Williams Btw, Drew could you reach out to Geoff Dorion and Lili Rodriquez. I understand that they would be interested in signing.
- Jennifer Nuttall Lily is on here. Drew did you want your name on there?
- Troy Williams It's not true that funders will bolt with Valerie gone. All funders believe in the mission of the Center more than they believe in Valerie. I have spoken to Beano about this. If a funder is upset then all it will take is Dabakis or Turpin to ask for their continued support and it will be there. Beano loves gay kids. She will not abandon the Center over this.
- Drew McGee I can reach out to Geoff Dorion. Shall I forward Jen's original message to him?
- Jennifer Nuttall That is absolutely true Troy, and I also know John knows that. Very disappointing. All the more reason for our letter. If you are hesitating at all about signing please understand how important this is.
- Jerry Buie Troy: I heard it as BS but it's the present strategy and way of thinking from the board. I was full blown Italian social worker/activist on him. We tangled a bit.... Bottom line..... Blame nikki.... Save val. She raised all the money and to lose her is to loose the money.....
- Brent V. Marrott Please add--- Brent V. Marrott Sage Advisory Board Member
- How can I have faith in John Netto when his credibility is undermined by keeping Valerie on.
- Jerry Buie I told him his biggest challenge is going to be earning trust of the community..... How does he expect to earn that trust and keep his ed?
- Michael N. Westley I think we have to approach this from the stance that if John and members of the board actually KNEW what WE know about how Val treats people, they wouldn't be so firm in the idea of keeping her. So our job is to educate them.
- Jerry Buie I told him he needed to show up Wednesday with something that would say we can trust that we are heard. Also, they went on isolate the concerns around sage. As opposed to a general mistrust from the community, this letter is timely. I might add, as if today he had still not read the sage letter
- Michael N. Westley If the board does not give us a satisfactory response in time this week, and this goes to the media, we should have a clear plan for who in the list wants to speak and tell their stories and in THAT, there should be a clearly crafted message.
- Jennifer Nuttall Yes you are right on Michael!
- Michael N. Westley I also think the names on the letter should be listed in groups of staff and community members
- Drew McGee I am not sure on my position. I support the directness and the community coming together to foster growth and fix the issues that are there, and yet I am concerned with the nature of the message where there is no clear suggestion of a direction to move towards. There is an idea of mechanisms, and suggestions of ways to improve through upper-level changes but I am curious: is there a commitment in this group to see this through to the end, not just to add our voices to the outrage, but to create these positive changes we want?
- Troy Williams That's a great idea. It carries more weight. I second michael's suggestion. Former staff, then former board, then former affiliate members. Drew, I would love to see your name on this list. We can put pressure on the Board to follow up in the way you suggest.
- Michael N. Westley This group might also want to consider coming up with a name for itself for the sake of clarity in the media
- Jerry Buie Drew...... This is a critical observation.... We don't need the centers permission to create what is needed Rainbow crusaders? Kidding
- Shauna Brock The bi community has been screaming for change, Drew. To the point where we are so hoarse we had to stop. I know there will be support for positive change.
- Michael N. Westley And for impact, it could be delivered in a press conference. Or just hand delivered to Q and The Tribune. It is newsworthy that 30+ former staff members want Val out.
- Jennifer Nuttall Also read the newest draft of the letter that I just attached. It calls for the community to have more access to the decision making powers as well as to have input on the hiring process. I am really nervous that we will move forward with new leadership that will continue to disenfranchise the community.
- Drew McGee My thoughts exactly Jen
- Michael N. Westley So Jen, over the next couple of days, identify those who can speak the most effectively on each of the points mentioned here. I will be happy to speak, if needed, on her effectiveness as a manager.
- Jerry Buie One thing that did come up with John today, is a community advisory board.... as a way to have direct feedback and input to the board from various community resources etc Jerry Buie again he was brain storming..... I don't fully get the need to KEEP val... but it seemed critical in his mind.... although not sure everyone on the board shared his opinion. I do think he will be more open to dialogue on 13 and I feel its critical that people show up for this next meeting. He is not letting VAL attend.... not sure why..... but to be there, to represent your letter, to dialogue face to face is always the best advocacy approach. Please consider it.
- Troy Williams I vote only former staff members should speak for the group. Your voice will carry the most weight.
- Bri Anne James Jen, my name in real life isBrianne Blanchard. I share your and Rose Ellen's concerns about the need to have a much more culturally competent leadership. I like your additions to the letter.
- Joni WeissI agree on just about everything discussed here so far. However, I do feel strongly that those who do speak for the group include someone from each of various segments if the community. If we want to preach cultural competency, it has to start here.
- Jennifer Nuttall I was just going to say that it's everybody's letter and that anybody should be able to speak about it if they want to. I like what you are saying even better Joni
- Jerry Buie However select spokespersons will keep the focus.....
- Joni Weiss And Jerry. The community advisory board idea is not new and it's not John's idea. Val discussed it with me as I was on my way out. Thing is, is is a good idea that seems to be trotted out every time there is an issue brought to them by one segment of the community or another... But never implemented.Jennifer Nuttall And I don't want to reorder the list. Every single person on there has been significant in working for the community. I think an alphabetized list doesn't prioritize anyone over anyone else and I like that.
- Joni Weiss I agree, Jen. Speaking out and speaking up is difficult for some and easier for others. However, it is important for people to be heard and if anyone or everyone wants to speak, it would be better to hear from them rather than through the voice of a spokesperson/ representative. Some of us may stammer and tremble while we speak. Yet our choices are as valid as anyone else's. We have been long represent led by white mostly male community members. I would like our voice to be one yet be a voice that the broad queer community can identify with.
- Carol Gnade Joni. Good ideas are a dime a dozen. Takes good people to implement and see their importance.
- Joni Weiss The letter is excellent. I didn't see a timeline in the letter. Do we wish to specify a date and time by which we need a response, or just make a commitment here among ourselves on a timeline? Also, is the letter going just to John Netto, or will we CC val and other board members?
- Jennifer Nuttall it is going to all board members. and i wasnt sure about valerie. thoughts? i was going to tell john the timeline when i tell him about the letter, what do you think?
- Joni Weiss i feel if we do come to the point of amplifying our voices through the media, timing it to occur before Thanksgiving would be best. That's cool.*just so he knows.
- Nicholas Critchlow Beyond words, truly
- Joni Weiss I wish we could 'like' each other's comments in here.... I'd be liking everyone and just about everything said here... Even the quiet ones of you
- Troy Williams I like YOU Joni!!
- Joni Weiss I love you TroyBen Williams Okay I have been reading and recording this thread and its is so interesting to read the different points of view. However its tiresome to hear attacks on the white GAY male community whom without, much of what was built in this community wouldn't be here... And yes it was built with women who were always being included. The Wasatch Leathermen was the ONLY group that excluded women... however Women Aware excluded men... They each had had special interests and we valued them without criticizing them. However all other organizations where inclusive. In the 1990s we even insisted on Gender parity in leadership roles. I don't see that now. The Wymyn's Community News was for women... no one protested. We worked together knowing we had different interests. Out the 9 Executive Directors of our Centers 6 of them have been women. Of the 14 Board Presidents 10 have been women. Of the 10 community papers 6 have been run by women or were the editors. Those who pioneered the way to where we are today had their own battles too... Gay men not only had to build a community but see it decimated by AIDS... If you want to have an inclusive community you might want to include some Gay men voices as well... Just remember who were the two fired from the center? Two older Gay men... I made sure that EVERY organization I ever started was inclusive..every one... I helped build this community a Gay White Male who has spent hundred and hundreds of hours recording the history of our community including the Lesbian, Bi, and Trans... If you were not around to see the struggle from the beginning don't criticize how it was done... Everyone struggles... Every one has their issues... just don't make your issues everyone elses but concentrate on lifting everyone equally. And I hope we can stay on topic about improving the community for everyone and not have to disparage any one part of the community.
- Troy Williams Ben, I love gay men!
- Ben Williams I know you do
2015 Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY — A group of about 50 gay rights supporters held a peaceful protest Sunday at Temple Square, voicing their opposition to new policies issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding same-sex couples and their children. On Thursday, the church released an updated handbook for lay leaders of Mormon congregations mandating church discipline for same-sex couples who marry and prohibiting their children from receiving baby blessings or being baptized until they reach age 18. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the new policies are designed to protect children from conflict, not to limit the opportunities for children in the church. "We don't want the child to have to deal with issues that might arise where the parents feel one way and the expectation of the church is very different," he said. The update affirmed one of the church's fundamental doctrines that marriage is between a man and a woman. The policy also clarifies that same-sex marriage is considered apostasy and requires a church disciplinary council. "We recognize the same sex-marriages are now legal in the United States and other countries," Elder Christofferson said, "and that people have the right if they choose to enter into those, and we understand that, but that's not a right that exists in the church. That's the clarification." Gregory Lucero, who organized Sunday's protest, said he believes the church is wrong. "We put pressure on these men of power and wealth and we say no," Lucero said. "We are all together and we say no." Lucero told the group the church needs to stop being a club of exclusion. "Though we may have anger, the anger comes from love," he said. The protest included more than four dozen people, many holding signs. One woman's missive said, "This mama bear is mad. No more bullying the kids." Carly Haldeman said she was raised a bishop's daughter and can't understand the church's new policies. "I call for an end to the oppression and to stop the hate," she said. Lucero said it is distressing that the church continues to perpetuate inequity with its release of the updated policies. "This is about basic human rights. … The church needs to put aside this bigotry and follow the teachings of Christ." Elder Christofferson said the goal of the policy regarding children is to protect them so "they are not placed in a position where there are difficulties, challenges, conflicts that can injure their development in very tender years." The new policies are similar to multiple church policies and practices regarding baptism, including a policy that says no child between 8 and 18 may be baptized without parental approval. Another example is that children of polygamist families cannot receive church ordinances until they are 18 and commit to living the teachings of the church and disavow the practice of polygamy.
2017 Transgender Sophia Hawes-Tingey lost her bid in the Midvale Mayor race with 40 percent of the vote to winner Robert M. Hales' 60 percent. Gay man Chris Wharton won the 3rd District Salt Lake City council seat at 55.5% to his opponent Phil Carroll. Wharton, Erin Mendenhall and Amy Fowler won their races and were all endorsed by Equality Utah for their SLC council races.
2017 Transgender Sophia Hawes-Tingey lost her bid in the Midvale Mayor race with 40 percent of the vote to winner Robert M. Hales' 60 percent. Gay man Chris Wharton won the 3rd District Salt Lake City council seat at 55.5% to his opponent Phil Carroll. Wharton, Erin Mendenhall and Amy Fowler won their races and were all endorsed by Equality Utah for their SLC council races.
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