This Day In Gay Utah History December 17th

December 17

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1953- James Dabakis was born. Jim Dabakis came to Utah from Massachusetts to attend college in 1971. Going to Provo was a necessity as there are no good institutions of higher learning in Massachusetts. He has called Utah home ever since. Dabakis was involved in radio and television from 1976 to 1989. He worked for all three major network television stations in Salt Lake City as well as numerous talk radio stations. Dabakis was recognized with national awards during his time as a journalist and talk show host. He was a guest on several national television shows including NBC’s Today Show, CBS Nightly News and CNN. Dabakis was known as “Mr. Democrat” during his 13 years on Utah talk radio. Starting as a volunteer intern at a small radio station, Dabakis eventually ended up as a partner with a small chain of stations that he sold in the mid-1990’s. Sensing opportunity in 1989 with the imminent collapse of Communism, Dabakis quit on-air broadcasting and moved to Eastern Europe with his partner (now husband) Stephen. He spent most of the next 20 years in Russia, China and living abroad, successfully developing a business around his passion—art. As Communism was collapsing, Dabakis began funding bright, emerging capitalists. Jim Dabakis has met a payroll every week, for 30 years, although he admits in the early years there were times when it was not easy. “Several times I asked our employees to hold their checks over the weekend while I hustled up cash.” Dabakis is passionate about equality and was the Chair for the Utah Pride Center and the founding Chair of Equality Utah.1963-The New York Times ran a front page story titled "Growth of Overt Homosexuality in City Provokes Wide Concern." It told of a series of police raids on gay bars and arrests.

1966- 18 year old Steven Shea while working at a Service Station in Kearns was kidnapped by Walter Bernard Kelbach age 28 and Myron Darl Lance  age 25.  He was stripped nude on a lonely road in Skull Valley in Tooele and stabbed five times. Died from stab wounds to the heart. Police Officers stated that Shea did not appear to have been sexually molested

• The Salt Lake Tribune December 20, 1966 page two KEARNS - Funeral services for
  
  Steven Allen Shea, 18, 4330 W. 4745 South, Kearns, who died early Sunday, will be Wednesday noon in the Kearns Third LDS Ward Chapel, 4660 W. 5015 South. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mr. Shea was the receipient of the Duty to God award prior to his graduation in 1966 from Granger High School. He had atteded the Granger High School Seminary, was active in the Kearns Third Ward and was an Explorer Scout. BORN IN UTAH Mr. Shea was born April 7, 1948, in Salt Lake City, a son of Hafrington A. and Rhea Allen Shea. Survivors include his parents, Kearns; a brother and four sisters, Vernon Ray, Christine, Wendy, Claudia, Linda, all of Kearns; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Shea, Salt Lake City; Mr. and Mrs. Aram Allen, Swan Lake, Idaho. Friends may call at 4330 S. Redwood Rd. Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m. and Wednesday at the ward chapel prior to services. Burial will be in the Valley View Memorial Park. 

Gloria Steinem

1970-Gloria Steinem and eight other feminist leaders announced at a press conference in New York City that they support gay rights.

1971-The Florida Supreme Court voted 6-1 to repeal the "crimes against nature" law, but ruled that crimes punishable under that law could be tried under the "unnatural and lascivious act" statute, reducing sodomy from a felony to a misdemeanor. (Seven people convicted under the previous law sought to have their sentences reduced, three were denied.)

1979  Former Michigan Governor George Romney says the equal rights movement has attracted ‘moral perverts’ who want to undermine the very family the Mormon Church is striving to enrich. “At an international women’s year meeting,” said Romney, “lesbians and the homosexuals and moral perverts (cited) this amendment as a means of eliminating any basis of moral criticism.” ...Romney said he supported his church’s decision to excommunicate feminist Sonia Johnson who had campaigned for the ERA. A week later, the leaders of the Michigan state senate and house, along with 32 other state legislators, called on former Gov. Romney to resign from a post he held in 1979 as governor of Wayne State University. House Speaker Bobby Crim and Senate majority leader William Faust issued a joint statement in December 1979 that Romney’s statements “sadden us deeply. His insinuation that the amendment is being promoted by ‘moral perverts’ is misguided and inaccurate.”
1982-"Tootsie," a movie featuring Dustin Hoffman as an actor who passes as a woman to get a role on a soap opera, premiered.

1987-Morton Downey Jr. was arraigned on charges of attacking a gay guest on his show.

1988 Darrell Webber picked me up to take me over to his place for diner and to discuss Unconditional Support.  He has almost convinced me to continue as leader while delegating out the responsibilities of Refreshments and social activities. But finally I say no. I just need a rest from it. He said he’ll serve as director if no one else steps up to serve. (memoirs of Ben Williams) He would be murdered in less than four months/

1990-Three same-sex couples in Hawaii applied for marriage licenses. The licenses were not issued.

1990-Connecticut State Rep. Joseph Grabarz (D) came out.

1993 B1 CATHOLIC BISHOP REVEALS 2 CASES OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT  Just months

William K Weigand

after an allegation against a former Ogden priest, Utah's Roman Catholic diocese revealed two other  sexual-misconduct allegations involving minors.   One involves a retired Utah priest who is being accused by a 27-year-old man who claims to have had an ongoing relationship with the cleric since he was a teen-ager. The other involves a lay volunteer at Salt Lake City's Cathedral of the Madeleine who was dismissed last September after allegations of past sex abuse surfaced.   Officials of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City discussed the cases with The Salt Lake Tribune Thursday. Bishop William K. Weigand addresses the incidents in a statement published in this week's diocesan newspaper, theIntermountain Catholic, which is being delivered today.   ``It is important that these accusations not be sensationalized by rumor and misinformation,'' said Bishop Weigand. ``Releasing the information myself is the only way I know to protect against these dangers.''   He said if unknown others have suffered abuse from someone connected with the diocese, ``I urge them to contact my delegate, Father Robert Bussen, at 328-8641.''  Father Bussen is the vicar general of the Salt Lake Diocese and as such is Bishop Weigand's chief administrator.   One

case involves the Rev. Lawrence M. Spellen, who served 34 years as a priest at seven Utah parishes and for a few years as a teacher at Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City before his retirement in 1987. The relationship with the man, who alleges it began when he was a minor, came during the five-year period when Father Spellen was pastor of Salt Lake City's St. Patrick's Parish during the mid-80s. Bishop Weigand said the 76-year-old Father Spellen told him last summer he was being privately accused of sexual misconduct in a relationship ``that purportedly involved a minor many years ago.''  When the diocese's preliminary investigation showed the allegations had some foundation, diocesan officials reacted immediately.  ``Father Spellen was placed on canonical suspension, which removes him from any liturgical capacity within the church, including his permission to celebrate Mass and the sacraments,'' Bishop Weigand said.   In late October, a 27-year-old man visited Father Bussen, reporting his relationship with Father Spellen. The man said it was continuing, but that he was trying to break it off. Father Bussen offered to arrange psychological care, which the man accepted. In early November, Bishop Weigand said a lawyer representing the young man verbally contacted the diocese and asked for money. He said the diocese reiterated its commitment to providing the man counseling, but did not respond to the request. On Nov. 30, Bishop Weigand said the diocese received a letter from the attorney stating that ``if we did not provide an immediate and substantial cash settlement, a civil lawsuit would be filed against Father Spellen and the diocese.''   Father Spellen's attorney, John Green of Salt Lake City,  said neither he, Father Spellen nor the priest's California lawyer, John O'Brien, would comment about the case.   In the case of the lay volunteer at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, ``[he] was immediately relieved of his services,'' said Bishop Weigand. The diocese refused to name the volunteer. Father Bussen told The Tribune that the volunteer had not been involved in youth ministries.  Last September, a man in his mid-20s reported to Father Bussen that he was abused by the layman 15 years before. He said he knew of other victims and talked with two others, who subsequently visited diocesan officials with him to discuss their cases. Father Bussen said the three, in their 20s, currently are receiving professional counseling. They are not threatening the diocese with a civil lawsuit, he said.   ``The lay volunteer used his position to get to young people,'' said Father Bussen.   The cases -- and the Ogden case in which a retired priest was accused of fondling a 14-year-old boy in 1989 – are the first sexual-misconduct incidents to be reported in the Utah diocese within his memory, said Father Bussen.

1996 Page: B1 State Sets Rule On School Clubs; State Board Sets Rule On Clubs in Schools Byline: BY KATHERINE KAPOS THE SALTLAKE TRIBUNE    The state School Board on Monday fine-tuned a policy that will give Utah educators more control over controversial school clubs, such as those for gays, lesbians and bisexuals.   But officials from the American Civil Liberties Union are calling the rule unnecessary and vague.   Utah's 40 school districts have been awaiting the state board's new policy, which comes nearly a year after a controversy erupted over a request by some students at Salt Lake City’s East High School to form a gay-lesbian alliance.   The Salt Lake City School Board subsequently ruled that any club had to be aligned with school curricula, effectively shutting down groups ranging from rugby enthusiasts to gays, lesbians and bisexuals.   Other districts have considered their own policies, but have also watched to see how the state board would handle the issue.   Under the new rule, which is up for final approval in January, the state's 40 school districts would be bound to follow the regulations, thus protecting them from liability incase of a lawsuit. No suit was filed after the East High episode.   Board attorney Doug Bates said that while there are no guarantees, he hopes the rule also will end any potential for litigation against the state.   Under the rule, students or school staff wanting to organize a club must develop a charter that describes the kind of activities planned for its members.   The state board is calling for different kinds of club supervision depending on the age of students. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade could only participate in clubs organized and directed by the school.   Students in seventh through ninth grade would-be allowed to participate in ``supervised students clubs'' or those organized with the permission of the school and operated under close supervision of a faculty adviser.   Students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades would-be given the most leniency. They would be allowed to participate in ``monitored school clubs,'' or those with an assigned faculty adviser who provides support as necessary but is around mostly to make sure school rules are followed.   Local boards also have the ability to set different regulations for the different kinds of clubs, including:   -- Controlling the time and place a club meets,   -- Denying access to the school newspaper, yearbook, bulletin board or public-address system,   -- And requiring informed, written parental consent to join some clubs.   The local board may also get to decided whether a proposed club name is acceptable.   The rule calls for a club name that reflects the nature and purpose of the club and will not cause undue disruption, student harassment or imply an inappropriate association with outside organizations or group.   Bates did not anticipate any substantial changes to the rule before January, when the board is expected to give final approval.   The rule specifically states that a local school board cannot prohibit a club simply because of its controversial nature as long as the club charter and application meet laws and rules.   While the words gay and lesbian are not used in the new rule, Bates said ``the policy makes it clear that straight kids and gay kids have the same rights. It does not discriminate.''   

Carol Gnade

But Carol Gnade, executive director of the  Utah chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, says the policy still has the potential of violating the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech.   ``Our position has been from the beginning that it has been unnecessary. The Equal Access Act addresses all the issues surrounding school clubs,'' she said, referring to a federal law that ensures students equal access to school facilities. The Salt Lake district was within the law when it linked clubs to curriculum.   Gnade said the ACLU will watch closely to see how individual districts interpret and apply the rule.   With Monday's action, local school boards are expected to begin developing their own policies.   Work likely will begin immediately in the Granite School District, where a group of students at Cottonwood High School have applied to have a gay-straight alliance.   That application, along with several other requests for new clubs, has been on hold pending the state rule.   During a special session in April, the Legislature passed a law enabling school districts to deny access to clubs that ``materially or substantially encourage criminal or delinquent conduct, promote bigotry or involve human sexuality.''   The wording in the state law is included in the state board rule.

1997 Eric Brett Swanson, born November 23, 1968 in Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on December 17, 1997 in San Francisco, California after a lengthy illness. Eric is survived by his mother, Nancy H. Parker; stepfather, Gregory L. Parker; brother, Greg Parker, Jr., all of Houston, Texas; grandmothers, Barbara Willden of Kearns, and Patricia "Pat" Swanson of Salt Lake City; grandparents, Mary and Dwaine Parker of Taylorsville; uncles, Steve and Brent Swanson and their wives, Ruth and Elaine of Salt Lake City; aunts and uncles also include, Kim and Mark Lister of Rigby, Idaho and Kay and Doug Parker of Phoenix, Arizona; numerous cousins and a half-sister, Sarah Tripp of Salt Lake City, Utah, also survive Eric.    Eric had lived in San Francisco for the last three years having moved there after seven years in Honolulu, Hawaii where he briefly attended Hawaii Loa College. Eric graduated from Heritage High School, Littleton, Colorado in 1987.  An interment ceremony will be held at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 South Redwood Road at 2 p.m. December 30, 1997. In lieu of any flowers, donations may be sent to USCF AIDS Health Project, Box 0884, San Francisco, CA 94143-0884.

1998 Deseret News, Hearing to focus on motives behind ban on student clubs Was S.L.

Bruce Jenkins

board's policy neutral — or biased facade? By Joe Costanzo, Deseret News staff writer  What were Salt Lake City School Board members thinking when they banned all non-curricular student clubs?  Were they aiming at a better educational environment with a blunderbuss policy that just happened to take out the controversial East High Gay-Straight Alliance? Or was the Gay-Straight Alliance the target and all the others just unfortunate casualties of discrimination? Attorneys for students challenging the ban would like to question school board members about their motives, but they encountered some stiff legal opposition during a hearing Wednesday morning in federal court.  "They are trying to find one little incriminating thought," said Assistant Attorney General Dan R. Larsen. "It is an improper purpose to attack motive. It is relevant only to the plaintiffs' public campaign." But ACLU attorney Stephen C. Clark argued that motive goes to the question of whether the elected school board members engaged in unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. "Basically, we had a vigorous, ongoing dialogue of student voices.  But when gay and lesbian students wanted to add their voices to that dialogue, there was an immediate reaction from the board," Clark said. Faced with a growing public controversy and student demonstrations, the school board voted 4-3 in 1996 to ban all non-curricular clubs at all of the city's high schools.  A total of 46 clubs — including the Gay-Straight Alliance — were affected. "On its face it was neutral, but the policy was a facade to shut out the new voices," Clark said, calling it a classic case of viewpoint discrimination.  "We're interested in discovery (questioning of school board members) that goes to that issue.  I'm not sure how we can prove viewpoint discrimination if we don't get to motive." But Larsen insisted the policy was viewpoint neutral and had as its purpose the limiting of student clubs to school-related subjects.  And since there was no discrimination, school board members can be questioned solely about purpose, not motive, he said. U.S. District Senior Judge Bruce Jenkins asked, "You argue why they did this is nobody's business, including the public's?"  "Except they are answerable to the public," Larsen replied.  He also noted that the school board could simply go back and pass the policy all over again, only this time with "wiser speeches and no public expressions" that would raise no questions of motive. And Larsen questioned the motive behind Clark's attempt to get at motive.  He noted, for example, that Clark intends to depose two new school board members as to why they refused to reconsider the club policy.  The intent is to embarrass the school board, he said. Clark rejected that assertion, saying there would be no attempt to psychoanalyze board members or delve into their religious beliefs and sexual attitudes. "We won't spend a lot of time grilling board members on things not directly related to viewpoint discrimination," he said. Jenkins said the conflict covers some uncharted legal territory that will require more analysis.  He promised to rule before the Jan. 29 deadline for depositions in the case.   "Ordinarily, motive would be of scholarly interest but of no legal interest," Jenkins said.  "However, this is a more finely tuned area."

17 December 2000 SLMC Provo Tabernacle   

Gordon Storrs on the right

2004 SL Tribune revealed that Utah Log Cabin Republican Chairman Gordon Storrs is a member of Huntsman's transition team. Gordon Storrs, Master Planning Coordinator at SLCC

2004 Fruit Heights Republican Sen. Greg Bell drafting legislation to allow unmarried adults who live together but are ineligible to marry in Utah the right to sign a contract legally establishing their relationship and granting the couple some rights assumed in marriage.

2005  Center’s Holiday Party!  Multi-Purpose Room (7-9pm) Come get festive with friends, get your picture taken with Santa, make Christmas tree decorations and enjoy music, cookies, eggnog and hot chocolate!  Gifts for all who sit on Santa’s lap!  Bring a non-perishable holiday food item – we will be putting together gift boxes for those in need!  Brought to you by your Community Center, Lavender Catering, sWerve, & Equality Utah.

2005 I WANT TO INVITE YOU TO A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PARTY. Each Christmas, Reconciliation, along with the Utah AIDS Foundation, and many friends like you, provide Christmas for people living with HIV & AIDS.  This is a most wonderful event – one you will NOT want to miss.  The information is below: Reconciliation and Friends 2005 Christmas Party Saturday, December 17, 2005 Home of Art & Barry Bountiful, UT  Time: 6:30 pm – whenever SUB FOR SANTA This is not your traditional Sub for Santa.  Without question, THIS WILL BE  THE FUNEST CHRISTMAS PARTY YOU WILL ATTEND THIS YEAR!  We will be providing Christmas for several people living with AIDS (Coordinated through Utah Aids  Foundation). AGENDA: * 6:30 pm Eat POT LUCK Dinner   (If you are fashionably late, you will miss the main activity – Big Fun time shopping!) * We will be divided into shopping groups, and given money & shopping lists. * 7:30 – 9:30 pm Shop for Gifts * 10 pm Return to Party and Eat Dessert & Goodies * Wrap Gifts & Play Games Picture “family,” shopping lists in hand, dancing through Wal-Mart  buying  Christmas items for someone in need.  Every year, participants rave about  how much fun they had. PLEASE RSVP TO RUSS GORRINGE TO GET POT LUCK FOOD ASSIGNMENT DONATIONS: Gifts will be purchased out of the money you generously donate. Whether you can participate or not, your generous gift will be greatly  appreciated.  To make a donation BEFORE Dec 10, send your tax deductible donation, payable to Reconciliation, to: Russ Gorringe Salt Lake City, UT  If you cannot mail in a donation BEFORE Dec 10, getting your check cashed may be difficult, so after Dec 10, all donations must be cash so that we can easily purchase gifts.  Therefore, we will need cash; however, I can provide you with a receipt for your tax deduction.  Money not collected prior to the party will be collected the night of the party.  Bring Cash.  You are under no obligation to donate…just come and have fun. Please forward this invitation on to your friends and people in other GLTB organizations.This is one of the most rewarding events of the year.  GUARANTEED FUN! Please participate, and be generous in your donation. ABOUT RECONCILIATION: Reconciliation is an organization that promotes spirituality for Gays and Lesbians who come from an LDS background.  People of other faiths also participate.  Participants reconcile their personal faith with the gifts of being Gay.  Most participants find joy in being Gay; while at the same time develop peace with their faith.

2005  The RCGSE along with Empress 30 Krystyna Shaylee, Empress 20 Sheneka Christie, and Princess Royale 30 Kennedy Cartier Present:" Naughty or Nice" benefits to benefit the RCGSE People Concern Fund.  Show time 9pm, $5 cover at the Trapp Door XOXOXO Krystyna Shaylee Empress 30 of the RCGSE

2008 Gay newspaper names Monson 'Person of the Year' Associated News Wednesday, December 17, 2008 SALT LAKE CITY-- A Utah-based gay and lesbian newspaper has named Mormon church President Thomas S. Monson its 2008 'Person of the Year.' Editors of the biweekly "QSaltLake" say Monson has had a significant impact on Utah's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, sparking many people to get involved in the movement to secure equal rights. In June, Monson asked church members to help pass Proposition 8, a California ballot initiative to ban gay marriage. The measure was approved by voters in November. Church facilities have since been picketed or targeted for vandalism. QSaltLake editor Michael Aaron says the selection is not meant to spite Monson or the church, but instead recognizes his part in invigorating Utah activism for gay and lesbian rights.

2009 Democrats to pick new state senator Saturday Politics » Scott McCoy's resignation clears the way for another Democrat to take a seat on Capitol Hill.  By Dan Harrie Salt Lake Tribune Ben McAdams, a top adviser to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, appears to be the odds-on favorite going into a special state Senate election Saturday.  But that doesn't mean the selection of a replacement for newly-retired Sen. Scott McCoy will happen without a fight.  State law states that the party of the resigning office holder gets to choose the replacement for that person's seat. In this case, because a Democrat is stepping down, the Democrats get to choose the replacement. The seat will be subject to an election later in 2010.  Among the contenders are Arlyn Bradshaw, administrative assistant to Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch; Brian Moss, the son of the late U.S. Sen. Frank "Ted" Moss; and Mark Towner, a one-time-Republican turned Democrat. Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, who had considered jumping into the race, was not on the final candidate list.  "I'm going to stay put" in the House, Chavez-Houck said Thursday. She said the smaller number of constituents in her House District 24 -- less than half the size of Senate District 2 -- is "more suited to my style."  McAdams, a longtime party activist, has been working the 165 delegates in the district hard and has lined up dozens of endorsements, from Becker to Senate Minority Leader Pat Jones.  One name missing is McCoy's.  But the senator, who resigned effective Dec. 4 to devote more time to his law practice, is said to be a McAdams' supporter.  McCoy won't confirm that publicly, saying he's offered his opinion to delegates who ask, but "that's a private conversation."  He disputes internal party rumblings that he and other party leaders have cleared the way for McAdams.  "The 'powers that be' in this situation don't exist," said McCoy. "When it comes right down to it, whoever convinces the most delegates to vote for them is going to be the replacement.  "Everybody thought the fix was in five years ago, and it wasn't," he said, referring to his own upset defeat in a special mid-term election of Rod Julander, the hand-picked successor and husband of then-retiring Sen. Paula Julander.  Both Julanders, by the way, are on McAdams' endorsement list. Bradshaw acknowledges that he's running uphill.  "A lot of the elected officials had lined up behind a particular individual, but I chose to run anyway," he said.  "Delegates are independently minded. When they come Saturday, they'll look at all the options and make the choice," Bradshaw, a former state Democratic Party executive director, said.  McAdams says that, while he has a lot of high-powered support, "I'm not taking anything for granted."  He believes he is the best candidate because of his two years as Salt Lake City's point person at the Legislature, with a number of accomplishments to show for it, such as helping secure funding for light rail and fending off attempts to block a nondiscrimination ordinance.  "I can step in on Day One to be an ally in the Legislature for the people in our district," McAdams said, adding that, if elected, he would "step away from" his role as a city lobbyist and pick up some reshuffled duties.  But he has to win the election first.  Moss, a lifelong Democrat who ran unsuccessfully against Sen. Orrin Hatch in 1988, acknowledges that he's jumped into the race a bit late but, "for us old-timers, having a Senator Moss out there again sounds like a lot of fun."  Towner, who was active in the Republican Party until a few years ago, is eligible and welcome to run, said Salt Lake County Democratic Chairman Weston Clark.  "We like to consider ourselves pretty open," Clark said. "He is one of us, I guess."  And on the Republican side GOP delegates in the south valley's County Council District 5 will meet Saturday to pick three candidates to replace Councilman Jeff Allen, who is resigning his seat a year early because of demands at work and troubles at home. The Democrat-led County Council then will chose a council member from that list.

Christopher Allen

2009 Mistrial in gay-bashing case / Juror admits to knowing key witness; retrial won't happen until Published on Standard-Examiner (http://www.standard.net) Mistrial in gay-bashing case / Juror admits to knowing key witness; retrial won't happen until next year By admin Created Dec 17 2009 - 12:43am Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN -- A mistrial was declared in a gay-bashing case after a member of the jury admitted knowing a key prosecution witness. The revelation stopped the trial of Christopher Vonnegut Allen, charged with beating a gay man and a lesbian woman, just as attorneys were preparing for opening arguments Wednesday afternoon. The two-day trial will not likely start over before February because of scheduling conflicts. Allen, 31, is accused of beating the two the night of June 2 at an apartment complex while yelling homophobic slurs, leaving the woman unconscious with a broken nose. "I don't think the motivation was to prevent a fair trial from taking place," Deputy Weber County Attorney Branden Miles told 2nd District Judge Mark DeCaria. He called it a misunderstanding by the juror of trial rules. Miles and defense attorney Brian Duncan agreed the trial could not go on over what DeCaria called "a legal defect in the proceedings that would have rendered any verdict reversible. So I'm calling a mistrial." "In the future," he advised Miles, "have your witnesses take a close look at the jury." The problem came to light when Victor Lapreese Kirby recognized one of the eight members of the jury, when he passed her in a hallway, as the cousin of someone he once dated and who disliked him. "She didn't say (she disliked him), but he did date her cousin," Miles said after the hearing. "Just knowing someone is not the problem, but this was much more personal." Kirby was the roommate of Wil Phillips when Allen is accused of attacking Phillips, 24, and yelling gay slurs. Phillips had to ward off blows to his head from Allen's fists and feet, according to testimony at Allen's Aug. 31 preliminary hearing. Phillips and Kirby were able to push the intoxicated Allen out of their apartment in the complex at 3455 Harrison Blvd. Moments later, according to the charges, Allen encountered Whitney Goich, 20, who was on her way to visit a friend at the same building, and punched her in the nose, again shouting gay slurs. As Goich was bent over in pain, Allen allegedly kneed her in the face multiple times. Jury selection featured the rarity of defense counsel asking prospective jurors their sexual orientation. Duncan phrased the question "Have you or anyone you know been involved in a homosexual relationship?" so they could simply answer yes without further detail, he said. Few among the jury panel of 35 people answered "yes," and only a handful said they objected to the lifestyle, all but one saying they could set their feelings aside. That panel member was excluded when he told the court he would not be able to believe a gay man or woman's testimony because, to him, they were not truthful or credible. Allen is charged with one count of burglary, a second-degree felony, for the alleged entry into Phillips' apartment with intent to commit assault, and two counts of misdemeanor assault for the actual attacks. Officials had considered charging him under Utah's 2006 bias crime law, but it only goes as high as a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail. The burglary charge can bring a prison term of one to 15 years.

2014  Another Great Year for SAGE Utah! SAGE Utah, the significant and growing elder-queer program of The Utah Pride Center, had a very productive and robust year in 2014. Numerous social events, educational gatherings, and aging services events took place. Growth occurred with SAGE Utah in 2014; the following are some of the highlights. SAGE Utah in 2014 got off to a slightly late start, with the SAGE Utah Board finalizing a CBO (Community based organization) and a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with Utah Pride. However, once we were moving the year began with a festive Spring Soiree, held at Culinary Krafts with attendance of 152 people. This event was also the launch of the Caring and Aging with Pride national survey, and Karen I. Fredricksen-Goldsen flew onto SLC to explain the importance of the national survey to the Sagers in attendance. SAGE Utah and UPC are proud to announce that 208 surveys were completed either online or in hard copy, from throughout the state, and we now possess some extremely valuable data regarding LGBTQ Seniors and service needs, health, background information, social support, and discrimination. Thank you to all Sagers throughout Utah who participated in this 6 month survey, as well as those who promoted the survey in various ways and methods. A special thank you to Steven Ha for partnering with Caring and Aging with Pride and being a tremendous partner with SAGE Utah in making sure the survey was completed by as many SAGE-aged Utahans as possible. SAGE Utah played an important part in the 2014 Utah Pride Festival with an estimated 440 people visiting the SAGE booth on the festival grounds to learn more about SAGE Utah and its offerings, mission, and vision to sincerely help mature LGBTQ adults. This booth was co-sponsored by AARP Utah, an esteemed and valued community partner of SAGE Utah. Summer 2014 brought a most successful Summer Potluck BBQ with 167 people attending. The event committee, led by Angie Rice and team, created an amazingly comfortable and memorable evening at Fairmont Park. In past years the event has been held in Liberty Park, and it is the plan to return to Liberty Park in the Summer of 2015. Various speakers, including political candidates attended and shared their opinions. The event was emceed by SAGE Utah Board member Tammy Dosenbach. Remaining potluck food, and there was a plentitude, was given to a large number of youth at Fairmont Park. A lot of shared kindness and gratitude occurred. A special thanks to Jimmy Lee, volunteer coordinator and the extremely helpful group of volunteers. They have been a very important assisting force at all SAGE Utah events in 2014. Throughout the year from March to December SAGE Utah in conjunction with 10th East Senior Center has conducted monthly SAGE socials and salons. The salons have featured speakers, authors, travel experts, entertainers, poets, healthcare experts, and social-emotional experts that have shared with Sagers. The socials are an every other month gathering filled with conversation, welfare check ups, care networking, and lots of fun. These socials and salons have been attended by 113 people throughout the year, and are managed by SAGE Utah board members Ingrid Davis, Daniel Musto, and Peggy Kjelstrom. SAGE Utah has produced 6 newsletter email blasts throughout 2014. The eBlasts are focused on upcoming important events for Sagers, as well as a reflection of events in the recent past. They also focus on research, current medical information, and health & wellness information. Numerous other LGBTQ support and social groups are featured in the newsletters. The Eblast newsletter is sent to 893 Sagers, each time it goes out with an open rate of 35.67%, which is more than 10% higher than the industry average. Thank you to all who contribute to the successful release of these eBlasts, in particular Charles Frost and Davey Stevenson. Fall 2014 brought the SAGE Utah Fall Potluck and Awards event at Chase Mill inside Tracy Aviary. 110 people attended, and the SAGE Utah 2014 Outstanding Contribution awards were given to Tracey Morrison and Ben Williams. Past recipients have been Maggie Snyder and Jim Struve in 2013, and Polly Stewart and David Turner in 2012. Sage has also been involved in an important special partnership with Art Access in offering INTERSECTIONS-stories from LGBTQ and Straight allies regarding life's important moments where choice and change became significant factors that impacted the LGBTQ or Straight Ally individuals. 25 people participated in the 5 classes, and now the stories are being shaped, molded, refined and are going to be turned into a theatrical production. Other strong alliances and partnerships SAGE Utah has strengthened in 2014 include AARP, The Alzheimer's Association, Salt Lake City Mayor's Council on Aging, Salt Lake County Government, the State of Utah Adult and Aging Services (DAAS) as well as the State Aging Ombudsmen office. Additionally-State Dept. of Health HIV Prevention and Education, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, The Gay Men's Book Club, OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change,) OWLS and Golden OWLS (Older, Wiser Lesbians,) Pearl, Weekly Men's Sack Lunch Group, Spicy Dinner Group, and the Thelma & Louise Coffee Clutch. Two members of the SAGE Utah Board attended the national SAGE USA Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, representing Utah amongst other SAGE USA affiliates. Current Facebook likes on the SAGE Utah page has also grown to 484 people, which is a 27% growth in 2014. Facebook continues to be a very successful way to communicate immediate items, issues, news and call-to-action information for Utah's Sagers. Charles Frost has been the P/T Sage Coordinator since June 2014, and in that P/T position does case management for SAGE Utah members, having handled 24 different Sagers with issues, connections, referrals, and regular follow up. Frost is also liaison with partner organizations, UPC and SAGE Utah Board liaison work, macro and micro interventions, social media management, contact link and communication sharing from Sage USA, contractual & contact aspects of SAGE events, research, attending conferences, meetings, and sitting on several committees that deal with, or provide solutions to the elder queer population of Utah. The current SAGE Utah Executive Board includes-Jerry Buie-Chair, Kip Swan-Vice-chair, Tammy Dosenbach-Secretary, and Mary Olsen-Treasurer, with Charles Frost as an ex-officio, non-voting member. Board members are Ingrid Davis, Peggy Kjelstrom, Angie Rice, Daniel Musto, David Andreason, Kevin Scott, Julie Anderson, and Doug White. Donate Today to support continued programming for SAGE Utah in 2015. From the Donations Page you can designate SAGE Utah. 

2016 Jason CoZmo's working "9 to 5" to bring "welcoming" show to Utah masses. By Sheena McFarland Special To The Tribune  December 17, 2016 4:33 pm  Looking at the audience seated at Club X, it's nearly impossible to tell what show they've gathered to watch. There is a group of giggling LDS bachelorettes at a large table, a gathering of straight, male, millennial snowboarders at another, gay couples and friends throughout the crowd and a raucous table of grandmothers nearing their 80s. Jason CoZmo wouldn't have it any other way at his semimonthly drag show, Viva La Diva. "To be somewhere like Salt Lake City and have such a huge wide range of demographics, I can't think of any other kind of venue or show or party that has all of these types of groups come together," CoZmo said. "That has been the most rewarding thing for me."CoZmo is a Utah native who chose to skip a full-ride scholarship to Weber State University to move to California and portray the Mad Hatter at Disneyland for years. He stumbled upon a drag contest and fell in love with the art form, moving to New York City to perform professionally. After 16 years away, CoZmo (née Jason

Jason CoZmo

Zambos) has moved back to Magna and is bringing his show to his home state. "As I traveled the country to perform over the years, I realized the small towns need a show like this more than the big metropolises," CoZmo said. "If I'm going to live here, I'm going to shake things up and make some noise in a good way." CoZmo never puts on the same show twice as he and his fellow drag queens lip sync as different celebrities each time, largely performing Broadway numbers. In December, he's hosting holiday-themed shows. Even his signature Dolly Parton closing song changes, which is fairly easy to do as he has 19 costumes and 10 wigs to help bring her to life onstage. His shows have gathered a strong following of repeat customers and newcomers, with the audience so far never dipping below 120 people. David Van Wagenen of Salt Lake City is one of those dedicated fans. He identifies himself as a 25-year-old straight man who snowboards and listens to death metal. "This is not a place people think I would be ever, but I've invited a large number of my friends to come with me, and every time, we have had a blast," Van Wagenen said. "I think that's why it's so fun. He can pick on people, but they have fun at the same time and are not leaving there butt-hurt." Those women ended up sending CoZmo a Facebook message thanking them for a wonderful night, gushing about the enjoyable time they had. "I want everyone to know they are welcome," he said. "I even want the Republicans to come in because they have more money to tip and hopefully I can teach them a thing or two." CoZmo doesn't get too political during his performances, but fully recognizes that his show is filled with men dressing and acting as women onstage. "People come to the show and see us as acts. As much fun as we are, we take it all off and have to coexist in society, and that's when it gets hard," he said. "You can't just come to the show and love and accept us only onstage. We take it all off and shop at Walmart like everyone else and we coexist in the suburbs." CoZmo also realizes his show has helped people express themselves in ways they couldn't before, such as Shaun McKinley of Clinton. McKinley had dressed as Cleopatra once in college and worked as a server at a drag show in Los Angeles. When he saw CoZmo's show, he knew he wanted to be involved. He offered to do backstage work or wait tables. CoZmo didn't have the funding for that, but he needed performers, so McKinley, an English and creative-writing high-school teacher, auditioned. "It's all been so great. I think my first show I was such a wreck and all the other queens were so nice, which surprised me as drag queens can be known to be catty, but not these girls. They fixed my wig and makeup, my husband was there in the audience, it was great," said McKinley, whose stage name is Roary Hollace.  The political message is not lost on Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah, who has attended past shows. "Drag is outrageously political. We gay men have always loved our divas because they taught us how to rise above oppression and patriarchy. Madonna taught us to express ourselves, Marilyn Monroe showed us how to revolutionize sex. Hillary [Clinton] taught us that politics wasn't just for straight boys. So many powerful women taught us how to command the stage and transform our lives. Drag queens honor them by playing, celebrating and sometimes deconstructing gender," Williams said. "Drag is unapologetically defiant — just like the iconic women our queens emulate." CoZmo, though, has made that a welcoming environment for everyone. Williams noted that the first show he went to, he was astounded at how large the proportion of straight people was. Gerri Leonelli, 78, has known CoZmo since he was a child. She has traveled the country to watch his shows. Once, she took her husband, Frank, to one of CoZmo's touring shows several years ago. After the performance, he was complimenting the woman who played Dolly Parton and Liza Minnelli. Leonelli had to correct him to tell him it was Jason Zambos, the young man they had known for years. "He had no idea, and he was so impressed," she said. Watching CoZmo grow into his performances has been a joy for Leonelli, but watching him bring diverse groups of people together has been her biggest point of pride. "He has such a rapport with the audience," she said. "No matter who they are or what they come up with, he's a natural comedian, and he'll come back with something that makes everyone comfortable." — Viva La Diva Show Jason CoZmo's semimonthly drag show, Viva La Diva, is celebrating the holidays with three performances. When • Broadway DIVAS Brunch: Sunday, 12:30 p.m.; Viva La Diva Show: Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. with a midnight celebration Where • Club X, 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City Tickets • $25-$35; shows are 21-and-older and tickets are available at cityweeklystore.com The cast Harry-It-Winston (local drag queen staple) hosts a pre-party and creates the menu for the buffet. Salt Lake City's Drag DJ, Flame Fatale, works hand-in-hand with CoZmo in editing all the music for the shows as well as run video and sound. Celebrity impersonator David Lorence, known best for his Celine Dion and Cher, is the costume designer for the group numbers and many replica looks featured in the show. Christopher Chavez recently relocated from New York City to run marketing and stage manage the show.  Upcoming cast members include Ava ZaWhore, Roary Hollace, Karl Rice, Lady Go-Diva, Trynity Starr and Nicole Nueman.