This Day In Gay Utah History December 5th

1641-Bishop John Atherton of Ireland, who had successfully campaigned for the passage of an act that instituted the death penalty for sodomy, was the first to be hanged under the act. He was convicted of sodomy seven years after the passage of the act.

1642-The Essex County Court in Salem in Massachusetts Bay reported that Elizabeth Johnson was fined 5 pounds and sentenced to be severely whipped for several offenses, among them unnatural acts with a woman.

James M Cain

1937-A book review of "Serenade" by James Cain was printed in the New York Times. It was the story of an opera singer who lost his voice due to his affection for a man. (It had been theorized at the time that homosexuality caused loss of singing voice.)James Cain author of the Postman Always Rings Twice anf Mildred Pearce

1978 The Lesbian and Gay Student Union elected Allen Blaich as President. The Lesbian and Gay Student Union met Monday nights at 7 p.m.  133 Orson Spencer Hall  for a half an hour. At 7:30 p.m. the Gay Consciousness Raising Group followed. (12/05/1978 Utah Daily Chronicle page 4)

1979- The LDS Church called Sonia Johnson into a Bishop's court.

Sonia Johnson

Bishop Jeffery Willis presided over the hearing to determine whether or not Sonia should be excommunicated from the church. Despite the many testimonies on behalf of Sonia and the support vigils outside the hearing, Sonia Johnson was officially excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on December 5, 1979. This act alone propelled Sonia Johnson and Mormons for ERA into the national media spotlight and the heated national debate over ERA. Johnson's troubles began soon after she co-founded Mormons for ERA in the winter of 1978 to oppose the church's covert campaign against the amendment. Her ouster nullified her marriage in the eyes of the church, and then husband Richard, 45, who is also a Mormon, announced he wanted a civil divorce. She eventually states that she is a Lesbian by choice and began a relationship with an African American woman. After ending that relationship, she wrote in The Ship that Sailed Into the Living Room that even relationships between female couples are a dangerous patriarchal trap, because "two is the ideal number for inequality, for sadism, for the reproduction of patriarchy", and that relationships are "slave Ships" (a concept from which she derived the title of the book). "Nearly four years after I began my rebellion against relation/sex/slave Ships," she wrote, "experience and my Wise Old Woman are telling me that sex as we know it is a patriarchal construct and has no rightful, natural place in our lives, no authentic function or ways. Synonymous with hierarchy/control, sex is engineered as part of the siege against our wholeness and power."

1985- Salt Lake Tribune ran article about Granite School District keeping children with AIDS from attending school. "Students With AIDS Can't Go To Granite." (B1-2)

Michael Archuleta

1989 ARCHULETA'S TRIAL BEGINS  Michael Anthony Archuleta and another man murdered a Southern Utah State College student in a "cruel and atrocious" manner, prosecutors told a 12-member jury Monday during the first day of Archuleta's capital murder trial. Prosecutors Warren Peterson and Carvel Harward said evidence will show that Archuleta, 26, and co-defendant Lance Conway Wood, 20, who faces trial on the same charge Feb. 20, were with Gordon Ray Church, 28, the night of the slaying and that they drove the victim's car later that night and early the next morning. Though admitting Archuleta was present during the homicide, defense attorney Michael Esplin indicated he will place blame upon Wood. Esplin reminded the jury that the state must prove that Archuleta committed murder, not that he was simply at the murder scene. Peterson said Church was kidnapped, terrorized, tortured and sexually assaulted before being beaten to death in the early morning hours of Nov. 22, 1988.

  

1991 Legislature: Interim panel fails to discuss issue. Pignanelli accused of misleading the

Frank Pignanelli

public.  HATE-CRIME MEASURE ISN'T LIKELY TO PASS UTAH HOUSE By Bob Bernick Jr., Political Editor  Gay men and women will turn their hopes to the Utah House in January, asking that a hate-crime bill deliberately bypassed by an interim study committee be adopted. But the odds aren't good, as Republicans and Democrats alike are questioning the wisdom of Rep. Frank Pignanelli's attempt to give homosexuals a more protected status in criminal attacks. Wednesday, the interim Judiciary Committee adjourned without taking any action on two of Pignanelli's bills. It was last meeting of the year for the committee, so Pignanelli, D-Salt Lake, will take his proposals directly to the House of Representative, without the blessing of committee action. Pignanelli wants those who commit crimes against people for racial, ethnic and religious reasons or because of the victim's sexual preference - be given longer sentences. He also wants local law-enforcement agencies to report "hate crimes" as a criminal statistic, which isn't being done now. It's likely the committee wouldn't have approved the bills - even if a vote had been taken - because members from both political parties are opposed to including "sexual preference" in the measures. Rep. Merrill

Merrill Nelson

Nelson, R-Grantsville, who said he's concerned Pignanelli's bills have been misunderstood by the public, Wednesday accused Pignanelli of purposely perpetrating a fraud on the public. "There are two great misconceptions (with the bills)," said Nelson. "The first is that homosexuals aren't protected now. They are, just like all of us are protected (against verbal or physical attacks)."  The second, Nelson said, is that Utah is the only state in the nation without a hate-crime law. Pignanelli repeated that claim at the hearing, to which Nelson quickly replied "the masquerade is over, there are only 10 states in the nation which give heightened protection to homosexuals, and only six other states in the contradictory position we'd be in (if Pignanelli's bills pass) of prohibiting sodomy (as Utah does) and protecting homosexuals."Nelson and others argue it makes little sense to outlaw sodomy and then give heightened protection to a group of people who likely practice the criminal act. Pignanelli said he never said all the states include homosexuals as a protected class. But all other states do have hate-crime laws - usually listing race, national origin and religion as deciding factors. Nelson interrupted to say that by not saying other states don't include homosexuals, Pignanelli was confusing the issue. Pignanelli said that statistics in other states show that homosexuals are the targets of most hate-crime attacks, so it doesn't make sense to adopt a hate-crime law without including them. But the Utah Legislature hasn't looked kindly on hate-crime bills before. Traditionally the bills die without even being voted upon. © 1998 Deseret News Publishing Co.

1992 The Salt Lake Tribune Gays Say New Law Still Falls Short Since They Are Not Legally Married Most Insurers Won't Cover Partners By Chris Jorgensen The anti-discrimination law passed by the Salt Lake County Commission last month was a great gesture but doesn't go far enough, say gay and lesbian leaders.The law prohibits the denial of employment and services based on sexual orientation.Yet gay and lesbian people working for the county -- an estimated 300 of the county's 3,000 employees -- still are denied the same insurance benefits extended to married couples."All employees should have equal access to all services the county offers, regardless," said a lesbian employee who has worked for the county for more than 10 years. At issue are domestic partners. Like many married couples, the woman said she has a committed partner who is essentially a spouse. If the county were playing fair, the woman said, her partner would be entitled to share her dental, health and life insurance. Employees also should be able to take a day off to care for a sick partner or funeral leave for a partner's family member -- all benefits the county offers to married employees."We're in a catch-22," the woman said. "We don't have the opportunity to be legally married, and we can't get insurance benefits unless we're legally married."County officials say it could cost taxpayers several hundred thousand dollars a year to cover domestic partners. The county already spends more than $8 million annually for employee insurance benefits, which increase in cost by 15% a year, said J.D. Johnson, the county's director of personnel."Alternatives to marriage have not been defined nationally a whole lot yet," said Mr. Johnson. "And I don't know if the county in conservative Utah is willing to be a leader in testing those issues."In the meantime, the county will remain open-minded, he said."We shouldn't try to sweep it under the carpet," said Mr. Johnson. "We're going to have to react to it anyway. We may as well study it now and make logical decisions based on more than emotion."More than 1.6 million American households are gay or lesbian couples, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As the number of nontraditional couples increases, some U.S. companies, including Lotus Development and the Ben and Jerry's ice-cream corporation, are altering their insurance coverage to include domestic partners, states an article in FYI, a newsletter for Salt Lake County employees. Only 20 of Lotus' 3,000 North American employees, however, have taken advantage of the company's offer, the article said. Many employers worry that benefits would be abused by signing up roommates or casual acquaintances instead of domestic partners, said David Nelson, a member of the Gay and

David Nelson

Lesbian Utah Democrats who helped draft Salt Lake County's anti-discrimination law. That easily could be avoided by employers requiring proof the couple is committed. Proof could include a joint-checking account or partners naming each other as beneficiaries on life insurance claims, Mr. Nelson said. Democratic County Commissioner Randy Horiuchi was one of the champions of the anti-discrimination law but said he hasn't heard a clamor from gay and lesbian county employees to expand benefits. Even if there was an uproar, the county is a long way from considering domestic partnerships."Insurance coverage is a matter of the family unit," said Mr. Horiuchi. "When people decide to get married and have children, that is the type of relationship that is traditionally covered by insurance."

1993- THE SALT LAKE MEN'S CHOIR, under its new artistic director, Douglas Kinney, will present its annual Christmas concert Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12, at 7 p.m. at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 S. 1700 East. Kinney joins the group after three years as associate conductor of Virginia Opera and music director of the Spectrum Young Artists Program. He is on the faculty of the University of Colorado. Under the theme "Christmas Comes Anew," the choir will offer music ranging from Beethoven and Vaughan Williams to Jule Style and Irving Berlin. Accompaniment will be by piano, organ, percussion and flute. Tickets are $10 from choir members or $12 at the door. For information call 485-2989.© 1998 Deseret News Publishing Co.

1993 ``Art for Life'' More than 100 works of art by Utah artists were auctioned at Tivoli Gallery, Salt Lake City, to benefit the  Utah AIDS Foundation. Proceeds from ``Art for Life'' go to pay for HIV and AIDS education and to provide services to people afflicted with the virus. Among those artists who have donated their works were Randall Lake, Trevor Southey, Randi Wagner, Mary Ellen Hogle, Ken Baxter, Zelda Bills, Nancy Glazier, Woody Renzetti, Theodore Wassmer, Roberta Glidden, Nancy Lund, Lori Mehan, Joe Stetich, Noel Betts, Frank Huff and Jossy Lownes.  Also donated anonymously was a painting by acclaimed artist David Johnsen titled ``Certified Cremo.'' Summerhays Music has contributed a limited edition oak conservatory grand piano. In speaking of the auction, LaDonna Moore, executive director of the Utah AIDS   Foundation, said, ``World AIDS Day [Dec. 1] acknowledged the incalculable losses to the artistic community -- and to society as a whole -- from AIDS. Broadway lights were dimmed, music was silenced and art was shrouded in solemn commemoration of lives lost.  ``But art celebrates life. And today is the day to put that art back into our lives, and at the same time to ensure that the foundation's vital programs will continue uninterrupted.''( 11/28/93 Page: F7 SLTribune)( 12/05/93 Page: F4  SLTribune) 

Bruce Barton

1993 Friends and family members of People with AIDS or HIV gathered at Dinwoody Park, 45 W. 100 South, to unveil a memorial plaque honoring the 476 Utahns who have died of the AIDS virus since 1983.

Walt
Larabee

"My son Chance and I face our mortality here today," said Peggy Tingey, who has been diagnosed with AIDS. "Thank you. You have made us immortal." According to Kim Russo, outreach coordinator for the Utah AIDS Foundation, 744 Utahns have tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Another 860 Utahns have been diagnosed with AIDS. The memorial was the work of the Utah AIDS Memorial Project, a group of volunteers led by Bobby Hubert, who spent 17 months raising almost $2,000 to build the memorial. "This is important not only for those we have lost, but for ourselves," said Walter Larrabee, co-president of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. Rev. Bruce Barton of the Metropolitan Community Church offered the invocation, praying that a memorial like this one would never again have to be dedicated. "We stand united in our memories and our anger," he said, "and most of all our hope."

1996 Page: A1Chang Hawaii Gay Marriages Put on Hold; Hawaii Stays Ruling on Gay Marriages Byline: TRIBUNE STAFF AND NEWSSERVICE REPORTS    HONOLULU -- A day after issuing the first ruling in American history that allows gay marriages, a judge put the effects of his decision on hold while the state appeals to Hawaii’s Supreme Court. The stay means gay couples won’t be able to marry in Hawaii for at least a year.   It will remain in effect until a ruling by the state’s highest court, which ruled in 1993 that Hawaii’s ban is unconstitutional unless the state could show a compelling government interest in preventing gay marriages.   Circuit Judge Kevin Chang agreed there would be confusion if gay couples got married and then the high court overturned his ruling.    ``We kind of expected it, but we're not happy with it,'' said Joseph Melillo, who sued along with his partner, Pat Lagon, and two lesbian couples.   On Tuesday, Chang said Hawaii failed to show any compelling state interest in denying  gay couples the right to marry. He ordered the state to begin issuing them licenses. It was the first such ruling by a judge in the United States.   Within the religious community, a broad range f groups -- including evangelicals, Mormons and Muslims -- condemned Chang's decision. But others, including Reform Jewish leaders and several pro-gay caucuses within mainline denominations, hailed the ruling as a positive move forward for homosexual rights.   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly opposes gay and lesbian marriage, and many Hawaiian members actively worked against it. On Wednesday, church leaders in Salt Lake City said they were ``troubled'' by the decision.   ``Scripture teaches that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and to alter that sacred union is to lay an ax to the root of civilization's wellbeing and disqualify society from the blessings, stability and happiness promised by our Creator,'' read a statement released by church spokesman Don LeFevre.   ``This decision is most unfortunate, especially at a time when America is experiencing so many severe consequences from failed families,'' the statement read. ``Fortunately, other states and the federal government have recently adopted legislation strengthening traditional marriages.'' The federal law signed by President Clinton says the U.S. government will not recognize  gay marriages and allows states to refuse to recognize such unions licensed in other states. Sixteen states have passed laws denying recognition of gay marriages.   Utah is one of those states. In the final seconds of the 1995 Legislature, lawmakers passed without debate a law aimed at preventing the state from being forced to legally recognize  gay marriages performed elsewhere. Gay activists and civil-rights groups initially vowed a legal challenge, based on constitutional law as well as questions whether the bill passed after midnight, when the Legislature's authority had expired. But the lawsuits never materialized.   Utah's law was drafted by Lynn Wardle, a law professor at LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University. Wardle has denied acting at behest of the church although the statute conformed with the faith's official pronouncements against gay marriage.   The Legislature's attorneys have warned of potential legal flaws. ``[There are] possible due-process issues since marriage is a fundamental constitutional right,'' legislative counsel Janetha Hancock wrote in a legal assessment of the bill.   ``But there are strong arguments that the state's interests outweigh any infringement, ''Hancock added.   In Hawaii,  Deputy Atty. Gen. Rick Eichorhad sought the stay, arguing that allowing couples to marry immediately would undermine the state's case. ``If hundreds, or even thousands, of gay marriages take place, the Supreme Court probably won't even hear the appeal,'' he said.

1998 Similar Behavior    Jeanne Minert (Forum, Nov. 21) asked for a reasonable debate on what she labels ``the behavior of homosexuality'' and its connection to AIDS. I offer three points to consider: First, there is no ``behavior of homosexuality'' any more than there is a ``behavior of heterosexuality.'' In terms of sexual behavior alone, homosexuals and heterosexuals alike can be celibate, monogamous, or promiscuous, or each in turn. Pedophiles and rapists are found in either population, as are nurturing, loving, faithful mates. So sexual orientation itself is not a behavior. Second, since the issue of electing a lesbian to office focused Ms. Minert's concern over homosexuality and AIDS, let's acknowledge that even the most promiscuous of lesbians probably runs less risk of contracting AIDS than does a heterosexual male who cheats once on his wife.     Third, since promiscuity sharply increases the spread of AIDS, shouldn't our concern be to foster stable, nurturing, faithful relationships between homosexual couples? What responsibility does, say, the leadership of the LDS Church bear for promiscuity among homosexuals? Might their encouraging tolerance for homosexuals and sanctioning marriage for those who feel they have found their life's partner help to diminish the risky behavior that makes male homosexuals particularly vulnerable to AIDS (as well as depression, self-hatred and even suicide)? Homosexuality (like heterosexuality) is not something one chooses. Who would choose to be vilified by a large segment of society, let alone by the parents they love? But how each homosexual is to be treated is something wed o have a say about -- both as individuals and as a society. I trust I join Jeanne Minert in asking this: As caring individuals in an increasingly civilized and enlightened society, shouldn't we try to examine homosexuality dispassionately, free of all the old prejudices and hatreds?     WILL PITKIN, JR.     Hyde Park

Lane Cheney

2004 This Sunday at 7:30pm, the Salt Lake Men's Choir will present its 22nd Annual Holiday Concert, titled "What Sweeter Music." This evening will also be the 10th anniversary of our Artistic Director, Lane Cheney. Please plan to attend this one-night-only concert at the Jeanne Wagner Theatre in the Rose Wagner Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $15 at 355-ARTS.

• In this day of rotating leadership and rotating organizations, I just think it's great to recognize when a leader has stuck with a long-standing organization for 10 years. Lane Cheney, Artistic Director for the Salt Lake Men's Choir will be celebrating his 10th year with the choir at Sunday's concert.  Michael Aaron
• The December 5th holiday concert of the Salt Lake Men’s Choir will be the tenth anniversary, to the day, under the baton of Artistic Director Lane Cheney. This is quite a milestone for me,, said Cheney. ,Ten years ago I hadn’t done anything for ten years.  was a teacher that worked nine months at a time, moving on to another school at the end of the year. Lane CheneyToday, Cheney is also a choral music education specialist and Acting Director of Choral Activities at Utah State University, where he conducts the University Chorale and Women’s Choir, teaches choral methods and literature, and supervises student teachers in the public schools. He also serves as Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City. Under Cheney’s tutelage, the Choir has nearly doubled in size, has grown tremendously in its level of artistry and has embarked on a number of regional and world tours, including a trip to Australia for the Gay Games to sing in the Sydney Opera House. Cheney earned a Bachelors of Music degree magna cum laude from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, where he sang with the Westminster Symphonic Choir under such notable conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, and Kurt Masur. He completed his Masters of Music degree in choral conducting at the University of Utah. He is also in demand as a guest conductor and clinician for choral festivals and has presented workshops for choral conductors in national and international forums.

Chad Keller

 2006 Chad Keller to Michael Aaron: Hello Gay Freedom Day Team. During our Thanksgiving feast Ben Williams and Nova Starr had a discussion on the increasing number of young men in our community who are becoming HIV positive. Days before as you know I received my own equally earth shattering news about my own health. All of that began to strike home when I sat with Auntie Dee to get her oral history and heard how as a community our leaders gathered to prepare and get a game plan for the AIDS epidemic head to Utah from both coasts. The seeds of planning blossomed only two years later with Scott Stites launching  AIDS Awareness Week. For months now I have been in my own world of emotional and physical recovery.  I have not found passion in much that was not self centered (often bordering on selfish)  What I did find passion in had timing that was not in sync with key people and elements like you and the paper. I have found myself frustrated with the attitude of  business as usual in the internal functioning of our community.  The Gay Men's Health Summit seems to just be going though the motions so it can keep, renew, and get grants.  You continue to send the messages to take better care of ourselves, and yet Men in our community still continue to make choices that are unhealthy and lead to greater problems. When I stated to Ben at Thanksgiving Dinner that we had to over throw the current community health care administrations, he reminded my of what I so often had done before.  That I and others in our community could blaze our own trail to create new solutions to the Meth and other health issues for our fellow men. Now is the time Micheal--the pilot light has been lit. I want to establish something similar to what Auntie Dee did over 23 years ago, and connect it to the paper: a committee focus specifically on addressing the health needs of the Gay Men’s community.  It might not go too far.  It might not do much, it might only take one more stike at the Meth epidemic.  Who knows.  Lets talk about this next Wednesday the 12th. Thanks!  Michael and I are excited to announce that we will be again host Gay Freedom Day. In keeping with history and with what was outlined last year we should have freedom day June 24, 2007.  This is again in direct conflict with the Utah Arts Festival.  However we are still confident that we could still get a strong crowd, and have thought perhaps to see if we could get some sort of discount admission to the Arts Festival that would only be available at our event.  Please share your thoughts on this issue. This year in mulling over a plan to get the word out--and to further set the tone for the Year, we have decided to add a theme.  The theme we are suggesting to you is Stand UP, Stand OUT.  Thoughts or suggestions? We feel this year it is imperative that we now move forward in 2007 full speed ahead.  The community is aware that the event exists, and that we are not a replacement for Pride, but in addition to, and a complimenting event. I know that all of us have our pet projects and we have thing that we intend to accomplish in the year to come.  Michael and I hope that again you would lend your name and time to helping further nurture something new in our community. Is there something specific or area that you would be interested in taking responsibility for?  Could any of you make suggestions for others who would be reliable and an asset to our efforts? Thanks! Chad

2007 Utah Pride Festival Director – Vacancy Announcement Vacancy:  2008 Utah Pride Festival Director Company: Utah Pride Center Location: Salt Lake City , Utah Status: Contract Salary: Negotiable Posted Date:  December 5, 2007 Job Description:  The Festival Director is responsible for directing all aspects of the Utah Pride Festival, a program of the Utah Pride Center .  This includes budgeting and financial management, festival operations, logistics, development, fundraising (sponsorships) , media relations and marketing. The position also supervises a college intern (part-time), outside vendors & suppliers, and a large volunteer staff and support corps that participate up to and during the Festival.  The position reports to the Executive Director of the Utah Pride Center . Requirements: Bachelors Degree Preferred. At least five years' experience in event production and planning or the equivalent.  Logistics experience preferred.  We seek a self-starter with enthusiasm, leadership ability, good managerial and administrative skills, marketing skills and the ability to work well and interact effectively with a wide variety of people and business structures. To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to apply@utahpridecent er.org.  No phone calls please.  Position open until filled. The Utah Pride Festival is an annual festival lasting five days with the final day (Pride Day) attracting well over 20,000 to a wonderful downtown Salt Lake City location at Library Square .  Most major activities for the 2008 Utah Pride Festival are scheduled for June 6-8, 2008.  Each year the festival features performing and visual arts exhibitions, film screenings, a Pride Dance, Opening Ceremonies, a Pride Parade, a Grand Marshall Reception, and musical entertainment as well as food, information and retail booths. Contact Information:  apply@utahpridecent er.org Job Code: PRIDE08