This Day In Gay Utah History January 14th

 14 January 14

1848 - Brigham Young instructs an LDS Seventy's meeting: "For the first act of adultery you may forgive a man, but if a man beds with a woman and does it 10 times he is guilty."

1892 Ogden Standard Examiner 1892-01-14 The Reform School page 5 following is the report of the number of inmates received into the school from November 7th 1889 to December 31^st 1891 male inmates 66 female inmates 12 (13 under the age of 12 youngest 8 year old) Crimes Against Nature 2

Liberace

1940-Master pianist Liberace made his first performance with the Chicago Symphony at age 20.

1949 The Utah Supreme Court upholds a sodomy conviction, but three justices argue against criminal penalties for sodomy, urging "treatment" instead. This is the first sodomy opinion in the United States to refer to the Kinsey studies. An amazing case was decided by the Utah Supreme Court in 1949 in State v. Cooper. Grant Cooper had been convicted of an indecent assault on an 11-year-old boy. The conviction was upheld, but of interest is an essay by Justice James Wolfe, who wrote for the Court. The crime involved "is a type of homosexual offense" and [h]omosexual practices may result either from congenital homosexuality, psychopathic homosexuality, or excessive sexual vigor expressed in homosexual practices in the absence of opportunity for heterosexual relations. Congenital homosexuals, and to a certain extent, psychopathic homosexuals, may be wholly unresponsible for their homosexual acts. They are motivated by biological and physiological factors which may be beyond their power to combat or control. However, while such persons cannot be left to prey upon society, and particularly upon young children, the wisdom of declaring their conduct to be criminal may be seriously questioned. In the light of advanced biological and medical knowledge, the legislature might well provide for their confinement in sanitaria for necessary treatment. Up to now the legislature has made no distinction between the various classes of offenders of this type, and we have no choice but to accept the legislative mandate. Two of the other four members of the Court joined Wolfe, giving his opinion precedential value. Justice Roger McDonough concurred in the result, and Justice Lester Wade "concurs but expresses no opinion on unnecessary matter discussed." Justice Wolfe was regarded as a liberal with views on social issues "ahead of the times" and he "kept well advised with respect to the undercurrents of society and when he became convinced that change was indicated, he faced the issue with courage and imagination." 8 Utah 2d ix, at xiii.

Joe McCarthy

1952-Syndicated columnist Drew Pearson, who kept a file on evidence and rumors on Sen. Joseph McCarthy's sexuality, recorded that a letter was sent to Sen. William Benton by a young Army Lt. that said McCarthy picked him up in a bar and they engaged in sodomy.

1974-Lesbian Marcia Freedman was sworn in as a member of the Knesset, Israel's governing body. 

1976 The Imperial Court of Utah held their first

Pepper Emperor I

Coronation.  The first royalty were Empress I Deanna, Emperor I Pepper, Princess Royal Terry, Prince Royale Chad, Czarina Gordi, Czar Larry, Grande Duchess, Jay, Grande Duke, Ron all members of the first court in Utah. The first coronation was held at the Rusty Bell on Redwood Road. The 1st Reign was called The Salt and Pepper Court. Emperor 1 The Spice of the Spike, The Genesis Emperor Pepper. Empress 1 The Origin of the Spike Deanna. Price Royale 1 Chad, Princess Royale 1 Terry.

Mark E Petersen

1978 Mormon Apostle Mark Peterson published a vitriolic anti-Gay article entitled “The Strong Delusions” in the Church News section of the Deseret News page 16 A 1977 Sacramento Bee article "gave expert evidence that homosexuals certainly are not born - they are made - further defusing claims that they ‘can't help it.'"

1985 Emery L. Prickett (1948-1985) committed suicide. Emery Lee

Emery Prickett

Prickett was born August 23, 1948 in Torrance, LA County, California, to Leroy and Norma Prickett. He committed suicide on January 14, 1985 in Covina, California. Emery lived much of his life in the LA area, California. He was a convert to the LDS Church at age 18. Emery was married in 1971 in the Los Angeles Temple and he and his wife had three children. Later he divorced. Some time after his divorce, Emery was given custody of his three children, whom he raised with his partner Richard. Emery became involved in Affirmation in Los Angeles in its early years. He held a variety of positions including assistant Los Angeles chapter director. He served as general coordinator of Affirmation (the equivalent to an executive director) in 1983-1984. He was very well liked by everyone and had an undeniably enthusiastic spirit. He and his partner Richard contributed much to the organization. The greatest achievement in Emery's life was the way he bettered himself. He was born into a ghetto family situation and he lifted himself to achieve professional status in his occupation and life. He became controller of Ameriton Paint Co. and then went on to work in prominent positions in Xerox and in real estate. Emery committed suicide January 14, 1985, in Covina, California. He was survived by his partner Richard and his three children. A graveside service in memory of emery was held January 18, 1985 at the Loma Vista Memorial Park. Emery is buried in the Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, California. Quote by Emery: "I know without a doubt that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I also know that even though I am Gay, I have not lost my testimony of the Gospel. I really appreciate belonging to Affirmation" ("Working for What You Believe In", Affinity, March [April] 1984, p. 1).  Emery L. Prickett  A Tribute to a Star: Emery Prickett by Paul Mortensen Affirmation. In the early years of Affirmation a brilliant and stellar comet streaked across the Affirmation sky. Like all comets it only stayed around for a very brief time, but it returned in a couple of years for another stellar fly over. Affirmation should forever be grateful for this wonderful and beautiful person who made a difference in our lives in his brief flyby. This comet was Emery Prickett.  In the beginning, Emery Prickett was the stereotypical Mormon. He went on a successful mission, he married in the temple and he and his beautiful wife promptly had three children. But something was missing in his life. He knew he belonged somewhere else and he was searching hard for it. Emery discovered Affirmation in 1979 and his life promptly changed. He jumped into Affirmation with all fours. In that first year in Affirmation, he accomplished many firsts. His first big move was to march in the first gay pride parade and festival that any Affirmation chapter had ever been in. In July of 1979 he marched at the head of the Affirmation parade unit and also was responsible for putting a booth in the gay pride festival for the very first time. His next achievement was stunning. He became acquainted with Leonard Matlovich at an outing the LA chapter had at the Russian River where Leonard was living. Some of you may remember Leonard Matlovich was the first person to take on the US Military for its ban on homosexuals and he was determined to take it all the way to the Supreme Court. In the process he got his picture on the cover of Time Magazine in full military dress with the headline "I AM A HOMOSEXUAL". And he was also a Mormon at the time. Emery got Matlovich to come and speak at LA Affirmation. We sent out press releases, made flyers, rented an auditorium in West Hollywood and got 250 people to attend the Matlovich talk and it provided a wonderful showcase for Affirmation. Emery also hosted an incredible pool side reception for Matlovich at his beautiful home where his wife and oldest child were present. It was amazing. Next, Emery was made assistant Chapter Director of Los Angeles and the first thing he did was go to Washington DC to join the very first March on Washington for gay rights. He marched with 14 other gay Mormons from around the country under the banner of "Gay Mormons United", which was our name at the time. This, mind you, was a person who had just come out of the closet. But his greatest achievement was yet to come. In December of 1979, Affirmation held its first ever leadership conference in Los Angeles that brought together the four existing chapters to establish a formal organization. Emery was largely responsible for putting this event together. At this first conference we changed the name of the organization. We wrote a national charter and by-laws. We formed a national organization and elected our first national executive director. Emery organized this event and bird-dogged it every step of the way. I believe this was the single most important event in Affirmation history and Emery was there every step of the way making sure it happened. And shortly thereafter, Emery disappeared from the sky. He resigned from Affirmation to take time to get his life together regarding his family and relationship with the Church. And then what happened, two years later in 1983 this brilliant comet reappeared. When he came back, he had divorced his wife, amicable I might add, he had gotten his life resolved with the Church and had found a wonderful man that he had moved in with. His lover was Rich Talt who some of you may remember form the wonderful Christmas parties LA chapter had at his home in San Dimas for many years. Emery went right back to work in Affirmation where he left off. He was made leader of the LA family home evenings which we held nearly every week. It was a big job and he did it with gusto. But in a matter of a few months, he ran for National Director and won hands down. He was a tireless director and a major workaholic in the job. He made it his mission to give all the guidance and help to all the chapters that he could. (There were now nine chapters) He called every chapter every month. He sent out a monthly Directors newsletter and tried to visit all the chapters at least once. His single minded goal was to make sure that all these new chapters succeeded as well as Los Angeles had done. Then, as suddenly as before, the comet left our heavens. Six months into his brilliant tenure as National Director he resigned. He told us that his personal business and finance's were in a mess and he had to devote full time to them. Emery didn't do anything halfway and he wasn't going to do that to Affirmation. He needed to devote all his time to solve his business problems. Eleven months later in January of 1985 we buried Emery. In his total effort to succeed completely at all he did, it took its toll. Emery took his own life. And before any of you jump to the conclusion that this was another suicide brought on by the Church; it was not. Emery had his life in order in that regard. He had fully come to terms with being a gay person in the Church. And he had fully come to terms with his God in that regard. No, unfortunately, Emery got overwhelmed by his business and financial problems and they took a toll that we will never understand. There was no funeral. (Mormons don't seem to allow funerals in the case of suicide). But there was a beautiful graveside service. While it was conducted by a Mormon bishop, Affirmation was allowed to provide the music, give a short eulogy, and dedicate the grave. It was moving and emotional to the many Affirmation people in attendance.  My final comment is that a great and wonderful comet has left the sky, never to return. Emery is at last at peace. I shall never, never forget him. Affirmation should never, never forget him. The likes of Emery only comes along once in a great time. I believe that if he had stayed in Affirmation we would have a Prickett award instead of a Mortensen award. We were truly blessed by his short presence. My life was blessed by his presence, Affirmation was blessed. God bless you Emery. Rest in peace our dear friend and brother.

Clair Harward

1986 AIDS victim Clair Harward excommunicated from his church and abandoned by family and friends says recent publicity about his plight has generated an out pouring of sympathy calls, letters and money. Harward, 26, Ogden told the Ogden Standard Examiner in a copyright story that he is dying of AIDS related cancer and expects to live about 1 more month.  Since his story appeared last week Harward said he has been inundated with calls and letters expressing sympathy for his condition. He said one caller promised to send Harward $1000 and patrons of the Sun Tavern which has a homosexual clientele have donated $500 to help him defray his expenses. Harward said his telephone had been ringing off the hook since the story appeared. “It was very rewarding to getting my story told, but I don’t want it to go on.” He said he probably would give the money to his roommate who has cared for him during his illness. “he’s been a real help. He’s taken care of me and I couldn’t have found that anywhere.”  Harward said. The Standard Examiner reported it  also has received numerous letters addressed to Harward and telephone calls expressing sympathy. Word of the support from strangers and friends elevated Harward’s mood described Friday as “dejected and depressed” by Sheldon Spears, a friend of Harwards who also has AIDS and founded the Utah AIDS Society last fall. (SL Tribune D7)

1987-KRON in San Francisco became the first television station to run a condom ad.

1987- A Holistic Support Group for people with AIDS, based on the teachings of Louise Hays,  was began by John Gatsmeyer. First meeting  showed the video “Doors Opening: A Positive Approach to AIDS” at St. Marks Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City. Hays taught "Every ailment in the body can be traced to an emotion and belief in the mind" and had a following of Gay Men hoping her teaching would cure AIDS or keep them from being infected by have positive daily affirmations.

1988-Thursday-I went to Gay Fathers tonight to support Steve Breckenbury. He had about five people there, Mike Buck, John Reeves, Scott Anderson, Steve B. and myself although I am not a father. The group was so small we decided to meet in the kitchen of the Crossroads Urban Center. It felt homier. When I came home Garth Chamberlain had left a message about the Gay Youth Group and asked me to put some information about it in the Triangle.  So before going to bed, I wrote a brief note about Gay Fathers and Gay Youths for tomorrow’s deadline. [1988 Journal of Ben Williams]

1989 Saturday, ORDER OF THE HOLY CROSS NUNS FIND LOVE HELPS AIDS

Sister Linda Bellemore

PATIENTS COPE  By Hilary Israelsen, Associated Press  Sister Linda Bellemore does not wear a habit. But next to the insignia identifying her as a member of the Order of the Holy Cross, she wears a button that reads "Heal AIDS with love." Because of her work with people with AIDS, she is known among friends as "the AIDS nun" and along with Sister Joan Steadman, handles the needs of AIDS patients once they leave Holy Cross Hospital.” The program was started because we saw a need here that no other organization was addressing," she said. Sister Linda said the Order of the Holy Cross in Utah goes back to 1875 when Mormon leader Brigham Young asked the organization to come to Utah to help care for miners who were sick and needed medical attention. Helping in areas that other organizations are not addressing is what the Order of the Holy Cross is all about. The program at Holy Cross Hospital is designed to help patients deal with the disease once they leave the hospital. While all area hospitals handle people with AIDS, Sister Linda said Holy Cross seems to get the majority of AIDS patients at some time in their treatment because Dr. Kristin Reis, who treats many of them, admits all of her patients there. The program started nearly one and a half years ago with Sister Linda. Sister Joan came on board last August to help with the education part of the work. Sister Joan has background as a health educator and offers instruction in the ethics of the disease as well as the transmission of the disease. Sister Linda has been a registered nurse, but now works with the pastoral care staff as well as the health care staff in her work with people with AIDS. "Caring for people with AIDS is a blessing and a challenge both, " she said. The people they work with are young and not used to being sick. Many times they are not aware of the resources available to help them and don't know where to turn. When a person with AIDS is admitted to Holy Cross, one of the sisters visits him or her and offers help. When victims are released, the sisters make sure they are taken care of at home. "We think people with AIDS that are in a caring environment do better than those who are not," Sister Joan said. Both agree that the most effective technique for AIDS patients is so-called "hug therapy," along with spiritual comfort. "Very few of the people we work with are Catholics," Sister Linda said, "we encourage people to discover what the real meaning of life is to them, whether or not that includes religion." But, she added, many of them choose to invest in a "divine insurance policy." The sisters do whatever people with AIDS need them to do, they have taken them shopping for groceries and to doctor's appointments besides checking on them at home.

1990 Ray Klenk, born January 2, 1962, passed away at home January 10, 1990. He worked as a nursing assistant. Preceded in death by a life mate, Bill Lanning. Survived by many close friends. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 20, 4p.m., at the Metropolitan Community Church, 823 South 600 East. Directors, MacKay Deseret Mortuary.

1997 Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons David Nelson Appointed To Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund The gay Utahn

David Nelson

who  built one of the largest political-action committees in the state is planning to continue his work here as part of one of the largest political-action committee in the United States. David Nelson was appointed today by leaders of the Washington-based political-action committee Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund to serve as a member of the group's national board of directors. He served for seven years as the founder of the political-action committee Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (TM) before it closed last month. The five-year-old Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund has raised more than $1.3 million as the only group in the nation that works to elect openly gay and lesbian people to local, state and federal public offices. The group ranks as the 15th largest independent political-action committee in the nation and helped double the number of openly gay and lesbian elected public officials. Nelson looks forward to his work with the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund which will include developing ways for the group to expand its growth in the state and nation with fund raising and recruiting candidates for elected public office. "Nothing compares with electing our own leaders," Nelson said. "Gay and lesbian elected public officials are serving their communities as ably and articulately as our friends have, Their elections guarantee us uncompromising place at the political table." "There are certain political districts in the state and nation where qualified gay and lesbian people can be elected to public office with the right combination of campaign resources and training," Nelson said. "Our job is to match these resources with talented candidates."

1998 The Salt Lake Tribune Rolly & Wells By Paul Rolly and JoAnn Jacobsen-Wells ...On the Map Now that Salt Lake City has repealed its gay-rights ordinance, gay-rights advocate David Nelson announced a local effort to recruit international gay and lesbian athletes to speak out against the city hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. But Salt Lake's repeal differs from the blatantly anti-gay resolution passed by the Cobb County Commission in Georgia, which sparked the successful effort by former Olympic diver Greg Louganis and others to boot the 1996 Summer Games out of that county.

1999 Thursday I called Pam Mayne of Bountiful UT  to set up an interview with her as one of the founding members of Gay Liberation;

2003 Author: BROOKE ADAMS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE   Page: B6 Gay Community Prepares to Fight Marriage Amendment Utah's gay and lesbian community is organizing to fight a proposed legislative resolution backing the Federal Marriage Amendment, calling the move "anti-family" and "a gross encroachment" on state rights. More than 200 people Wednesday night packed the council chambers at the Salt Lake City-County Building for the first meeting of Equal Families,

2004 Author: Brooke Adams The Salt Lake Tribune Page: B1 Conservatives' words used to fight ban on gay marriage Borrowing the words of conservative politicians and pundits, the Human Rights Campaign launched a multicity offensive Tuesday with radio and newspaper ads opposing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex civil marriage. The message apparently reached its target audience in Salt Lake City -- with mixed results. The ads urge residents to call congressional representatives and ask them to "be conservative with the Constitution.

2006 Self-appointed czar Salt Lake Tribune Aren't we lucky? We have a new self-appointed moral czar in Larry H. Miller and his Jordan Commons movie theater managers. I feel better already. No more worrying about having to make the adult choice of seeing a critically acclaimed movie like "Brokeback Mountain." I notice they didn't pull the movie "Hostel" from his theaters. I suppose brutal torture, violence and soft-core porn don't offend his delicate sensibilities - as long as there aren't gay people in the movie. So, can we expect to see his movie theaters close on Sundays and the Delta Center to stop selling beer? He hasn't seemed to lose any sleep cashing those checks. I will think of this hypocrite every time I drive past his complex to a competing movie theater that allows me to choose for myself, and I have a feeling I'll have a lot of company. Sleep well, Larry. Maryann Martindale Salt Lake City

2006 Boycott Miller businesses Salt Lake Tribune I didn't want to see "BrokebackMountain." In fact, you'd have to pay me $100 before I would see it even now. But, when Larry H. Miller and his theater managers exercised their all-knowing bigotry and decided I couldn't see it at the Jordan Commons Megaplex, he crossed the line.Mr. Miller's grandchildren are going to be ashamed of his act. But let me give them a good excuse, "Well, it really wasn't grandpa's idea. It was a local management decision." Will that work? Tolerant and right-thinking Utahns should boycott Jordan Commons and Larry Miller's auto dealerships for a while. Mr. Miller's action is going to make our whole state look like Bigotville. I can't wait to hear what Jay Leno is going to say. We are again going to be the laughingstock of the country. I wonder if Mr. Miller knows what happened to the idea of free choice? Roger E. Carrier Sandy

2006 Kirby: Most of us go to films to watch ourselves By Robert Kirby Tribune Columnist Salt Lake Tribune Step away from the controversy swirling around "Brokeback Mountain" for a minute. There's another movie some people don't think is worth seeing because of who it's about. "States of Grace" is the latest Mormon-based film from director Richard Dutcher, who also directed "God's Army" and "Brigham City." Already, some of you are starting to turn away. It's the "Mormon-based" comment, right? You know all you need to know about Mormon theology, lifestyle, politics, etc., and aren't impressed, so why bother watching? This is great logic if we're willing to concede that people who are equally dismissive about homosexuals are correct in not seeing "Brokeback Mountain" simply because the premise involves people who are gay. "States of Grace" may be a Mormon-based but it's no more a Mormon film than "Fiddler on the Roof" is a Jewish movie, or "Brokeback Mountain" is a gay flick. The characters simply have a particular identity while encountering problems with which most people can hopefully identify. This may be a reason why "States of Grace" didn't do well under the original title "God's Army 2." When it was released in December, non-Mormons didn't go because they likely believed it was pro-Mormon (it's not). Meanwhile, Mormons didn't go because they thought it wasn't pro-Mormon enough (it is). On Wednesday night, Mormons, non-Mormons and a mess of people in between packed a couple of theaters at Trolley Square for a free screening of "States of Grace." The film examines the experiences of two LDS missionaries in Southern California and the people they encounter. Everyone goes about the business of being their oblivious selves until blundering into the one thing all human beings need that should transcend our petty differences. You'll have to see the film for more. I thought parts of it were beautiful even when it wasn't very pretty. But since I'm going to "Brokeback Mountain" next, what the hell do I know? A panel discussion followed that included Dutcher, Calvary Baptist Rev. France Davis, David Rowe of the Salt Lake Theological Seminary, BYU professor (and LDS bishop) Roger Keller, and myself. Keller offered insight from the LDS point of view. Rowe covered the evangelical Christian take. Davis denounced the use of a perceived negative African-American stereotype. Dutcher explained what he was trying to accomplish with the characters. I argued for more kung fu. Or even some. Following our blather, members of the audience were invited to ask the usual questions that some managed to cleverly disguise as considerable holding forth. Everyone, it seemed, had a personal filter that either helped or hindered the way he or she interpreted the film. Sitting on the stage like a dope, I suddenly realized that most people don't go to films for any real understanding. Most of us go to watch ourselves. And any film that doesn't give us the narcissistic view we want is smugly deemed a travesty of art. If you want your head stretched about something everyone in Utah thinks they already have figured out, go see this one. "States of Grace" opens again at The Gateway, Jordan Commons and the Provo Wynnsong on Friday. It will be here for two weeks before taking off on a national run.

2006 Morality, not bigotry Salt Lake Tribune I would like to add my thoughts about the controversy surrounding Larry Miller's decision not to show "Brokeback Mountain" in his Jordan Commons MegaPlex theater. I think the main issue that becomes overlooked is a question of morality, not of bigotry. It isn't fair to call someone a bigot simply because he finds a certain practice, such as homosexuality, immoral. Refusing to give service to a homosexual at a business, or firing someone because they are homosexual is bigoted. Feeling that homosexuality is wrong is not. I am offended by those who so hypocritically demand respect and show little respect for those of us who have a different opinion of what is right and what is wrong. I speculate that Miller did not want to show what he viewed as an immoral practice being portrayed as morally acceptable. Instead of publicly laughing at him and calling him "immature," as one of the actors from "Brokeback" did, we need to respect his beliefs. As others so eloquently pointed out, it was his business right. Melanny Cowley Hyrum

2006 Morally correct decision Salt Lake Tribune I have read the supposed controversy over the gay-themed "Brokeback Mountain" not being shown at Jordan Commons. A recent Tribune article quoted an activist as calling for a boycott of Larry Miller's businesses. I want to be among those who commend Larry Miller and Jordan Commons for not showing this movie. Too many people and businesses in Utah are giving in to pressure to be politically correct instead of morally correct. Hearing that this film is not being shown in a theater owned by Larry Miller only makes me want to do more business with him. I would like to call on moral-minded people in Utah to actively support Miller's businesses, especially his movie theater, to show the state and the country that there are still some people who have not given in to societal pressure to accept that which is immoral. He should be praised, not condemned. Harry A. Rodas Orem

2006 You know this guy Salt Lake Tribune Yea for Larry Miller! Thank you for standing for some great values that all citizens should applaud. We need more people and business owners with the courage to take a stand against the movie "Brokeback Mountain." Thank you for standing for your slogan, "You know this guy." Betty Ann Baer Taylorsville

2006 Save me a seat Salt Lake Tribune In electing not to show "Brokeback Mountain" at MegaPlex 17, Larry H. Miller placed personal principles over the pursuit of money. One Forum writer cited this as an example of why people leave Utah. Another considered it an infringement of her civil rights. A Tribune editorial called it a sad choice. What I find sad is that the people who feel Mr. Miller's beliefs should not influence his business practices are among the most vocal critics of the corporate and political scandals of today. By expecting Mr. Miller to show a movie he deems inappropriate, the people who accuse him of forcing his beliefs on others are, in fact, guilty of the same "crime." It is sad that someone actually believes viewing a particular movie at a particular location is somehow a civil right, and that a man acting on his principles is seen as a reason to leave Utah. For me, Mr. Miller's actions - and those who cling to "traditional Utah values" in the face of such public reviling - remain reasons to love Utah. The next time I'm in town, I hope Mr. Miller will save me a seat at the MegaPlex. K. Martin Ricks Orange, Mass.

2006 Kiss or dismemberment? Salt Lake Tribune It's ridiculous, although not unexpected that, in this day and age, a movie theater such as the MegaPlex in Salt Lake Valley would choose to cancel the screening of a film ("Brokeback Mountain") because of its gay content. What is truly unfortunate is that a love story that involves two men is banned while one that includes gratuitous scenes of torture ("Hostel") is being promoted. God forbid that someone should be allowed to view a same-sex kiss, especially when the alternative is dismemberment by power tools. John Osmond Toronto, Ontario

2006 Don't focus on hateful things Salt Lake Tribune Lately there has been a lot of public discussion about issues concerning gays and lesbians. It seems to heat up a few times a year. I was just contemplating how sad it all seems to me. I am a gay man. I was married at one time, and I once served an LDS mission. I used to think that some of the issues I faced were the worst, but during Thanksgiving and Christmas I really began to realize that there are issues and experiences much harder to face. I watched as my older sister buried her second son. She has lost two children to drug- related problems. The pain I felt was more overwhelming than I would have ever imagined and I ask myself what she and her husband must feel. I saw the news coverage about a family losing their son, who was on his mission, to a senseless act of violence. Yes, they have the knowledge that they will see him again, but they still have to live with their loss for the rest of their lives. I try hard to have respect for the beliefs of others. I don't always get it back. I have even been threatened with violence because of my sexuality. I am grateful I have a family that respects me. They may not agree with what I have chosen, but they respect me, and I am a part of their lives. If we believe in God, we should believe that He created us all. Instead of focusing on all the hateful things, it would sure be nice to feel the love. We should realize that the hard times come to all of us. If we want respect for ourselves, we should be able to give that same respect to everyone around us. There are a lot of wonderful people in our city. Many of my neighbors are LDS and I am so grateful for the way they have made me feel. It doesn't take much to make someone feel good. Randy Gordon Salt Lake City

2006 Talking about sex, or the lack of it, in today's movies Sean P. Means ON MOVIES Salt Lake Tribune Tracy Bartram really wanted to know: "OK, how graphic are the sex scenes?" This was the burning question Bartram, the morning host on the Australia Broadcasting company's station in Melbourne, asked me Tuesday (Wednesday morning in Australia) about "Brokeback Mountain." Yes, the story of how Larry H. Miller's Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons canceled its scheduled Jan. 6 opening of Ang Lee's acclaimed gay Western romance had gone to the other side of the world – and this Aussie wanted to know how much of her studly countryman, Heath Ledger, was on display. So, how graphic are the sex scenes in "Brokeback Mountain"? Here's what you get in 134 minutes of screen time: Ten minutes and six seconds of characters coupling, kissing or doing something likely to earn your film an R rating. In that 10 minutes, there are 84 seconds of partial or full nudity. Here's how those 84 seconds break down: l 43 seconds is an extended sex scene between Ledger's character, Ennis Del Mar, and Ennis' wife Alma (played by Michelle Williams). l 17 seconds of Ennis, naked, washing himself (in the background, out of focus). l 17 seconds of Jack, naked, washing himself and his clothes in a river. l 3 seconds a quick but memorable view of Anne Hathaway's breasts when her character, Lureen, and Jake Gyllenhaal's Jack Twist are doing it in the back of a car. l 3 seconds of Ennis and Jack, naked, skinny-dipping (the scene is actually about 15 seconds, but you only see them in the altogether for a part of it). l 1 second of a fleeting shot of Jack's rear end, as Ennis takes Jack's pants off, during an 80-second sex scene in which the camera otherwise never veers below the character's chests. (Boy, chronicling smut second-by-second is a tedious business. No wonder those people watching Janet Jackson's boob frame-by-frame for the Parents Television Council are so grumpy.) So, the answer to Bartram's question, "how graphic are the sex scenes?" is "um, not very." But, if you think about it, when was the last time you saw a truly powerful sex scene - straight, gay or whatever - in a Hollywood movie? The answer is, you probably haven't, because Hollywood's cowering before the ratings system - where a PG-13 is a guarantee of box- office wealth and an NC-17 is the scarlet letter (or letter/number combination) - has largely kept onscreen sex off screen. There are no official rules for how much nudity gets what rating, but anyone who has watched a lot of movies learns the "unofficial" guidelines. To get a PG-13 rating, the exposure of female breasts during the sexual act is forbidden. (A bare breast in a nonsexual context, such as Kate Winslet's famous scene in "Titanic," is acceptable.) If you see a couple in bed in a PG-13 movie, you may think they're naked but you won't see anything below the armpits - and you won't see any implication that the couple is moving around in bed. Most sex in PG-13 movies begins with a couple in bed, kissing passionately. Then the camera pans up to the headboard, there's a cross-fade, and the camera pans back down to the couple the next morning. (Julia Roberts once said this is the only kind of sex scene she ever does.) In an R-rated movie, a film can include bare breasts, even a fleeting glimpse of frontal nudity below the waist - but, again, not during a sex scene. (Examples include Maria Bello in "A History of Violence" or that skinny-dipping scene in "Brokeback Mountain.") Last week's release of "Casanova" was rated R, though you'd be hard-pressed to see why. There's a bit of rumpy-pumpy in a convent between Casanova (played by Ledger, by the way) and a novice, but there are too many sheets in the way to make anything out. (The scene does inspire the movie's funniest line of dialogue, "She was hardly a novice.") Compared to Fellini's "Casanova" (1976), this new one is as sexy as "Mary Poppins." There are a few recent examples of movie sex that were both strong and artistically done. The scenes between Bello and Viggo Mortensen in "A History of Violence" - actually two scenes, one tender, the other brutal - come to mind. So does the climactic scene in Atom Egoyan's "Where the Truth Lies," though that one got tagged with the dreaded NC-17 (though the distributor opted to release the film unrated). But under today's ratings system, honest portrayals of human sexuality are few and far between. So maybe it's no surprise that when a movie does attempt to put that kind of honesty on screen it makes international news. Correction: In last week's column, I wrote that there were three movies that had received award nominations from all four Hollywood trade guilds. In fact, there are four: "Brokeback Mountain," "Capote," "Crash" and "Good Night, and Good Luck."

2006 The GLBT Community Center of Utah for a Citizen Lobby Training and Town

Chris Buttars

Hall   When: January 14, 2006 1pm - 3pm  Where: West Building on Capitol Hill Room W125 Utah Senator Chris Buttars (R) is planning to introduce a bill in the 2006 legislative session to ban Gay-Straight Alliances in Utah high schools.  It is time to take action! We must be involved citizens, engaged in the process to influence change.  Gay-Straight Alliances are important to promote greater understanding and provide support for teens already facing a challenging environment.  To ensure this legislation is defeated, we need you to join Equality Utah for our Citizen Lobby Training, “How to Talk to Your Elected Officials” and Town Hall Meeting with Representative David Litvack. Register today! Representatives Roz McGee, Ross Romero and Jackie Biskupski as well as Senators Karen Hale, Gene Davis and Scott McCoy will be part of this important training. Space is limited so please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your spot.  To register for this important training, send an email to Melissa@... For further information on Senator Buttars proposal, click here.  Also, check out Equality Utah's response.

2007 Hey all, Tomorrow is the opening of the Utah State Legislature and LGSU will be there!  Come and join us in making young, queer voices heard on the hill.  Here's the info: When:  Monday January 15^th 8:45am until lunch time Where:  the Utah State Capitol Building at the fountain between the buildings There is no school tomorrow for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so hopefully you can all make it. We have buttons for everyone.  Everything from "GSA A-OK" to "My uterus, my business."  Take your pick!   Hope to see you there! John

2014 Oklahoma judge strikes down same-sex marriage amendment 10th Circuit • The ruling mirrors Utah’s in several ways, calling the ban a violation of the 14th Amendment. BY BROOKE ADAMS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE A federal judge in Oklahoma ruled Tuesday that a state amendment barring same-sex marriage is unconstitutional — a decision that comes less than four weeks after a federal judge struck down a similar amendment in Utah. U.S. District Court Judge Terence C. Kern said the state amendment, approved by Oklahoma voters in 2004, violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Kern immediately stayed his decision because of a Utah same-sex marriage case pending before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which also oversees Oklahoma. Kern made several references to Utah’s Dec. 20 decision in Kitchen v. Herbert by U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby, which he said also found that lower courts must look to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court order in United States v. Windsor for guidance in state bans on same-sex marriage. “This court interprets Windsor as an equal protection case holding that [the federal Defense of Marriage Act] drew an unconstitutional line between lawfully married opposite-sex couples and lawfully married same-sex couples,” Kern said, though like Shelby, he noted the Supreme Court decision wasn’t a “perfect fit.” He said the constitutional amendment adopted in Oklahoma had, at least in part, the purpose of excluding only same-sex couples as a group from marriage. “This is a classic, class-based equal protection case in which a line was purposefully drawn between two groups of Oklahoma citizens — same-sex couples desiring an Oklahoma marriage license and opposite-sex couples desiring an Oklahoma marriage license,” the judge said. The aim of that line was to promote “one specific moral view of marriage,” Kern said, but “moral disapproval of homosexuals as a class, or same-sex marriage as a practice, is not a permissible justification for a law.” He quoted Shelby’s opinion that same-sex couples were not seeking a “new” right but rather an already established, “fundamental right.” And like Shelby, Kern said the defendants had not proved a rational link between discriminating against same-sex couples and its interest in encouraging responsible procreation and child-rearing or promoting stable, opposite-sex relationships. “Excluding same-sex couples from marriage has done little to keep Oklahoma families together thus far, as Oklahoma consistently has one of the highest divorce rates in the country,” Kern said. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s office, which has supported the law, did not immediately have a comment on the ruling. Not including Utah and Oklahoma, 27 states still have constitutional prohibitions on same-sex marriage. The Oklahoma lawsuit was originally filed in 2004 by two lesbian couples. They challenged two provisions in the Oklahoma constitution that limited marriage rights to opposite-sex couples and two sections of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The two sections in the state amendment barred same-sex marriage and recognition of such marriages performed in other states. The two couples’ amended complaint named the Tulsa County Court Clerk as a defendant as well as U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who later declined to defend one of the challenged sections of DOMA. Instead, the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives temporarily stepped in as a defendant. Kern said that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor, which struck down one of the contested sections of DOMA, made any ruling on that claim moot since there “is no longer any live or ongoing controversy.” “All evidence before the court indicates that Section 3 [of DOMA] will no longer be used to deprive married same-sex couples of federal benefits that are bestowed upon married opposite-sex couples, even when those couples live in non-recognizing states such as Oklahoma,” Kern said in his decision. However, he commended one couple, Susan Barton and Gay Phillips, and their attorneys for their “foresight, courage, and perseverance” in filing their lawsuit “many years before it seemed likely that Section 3 [of DOMA] would be overturned.” Barton and Phillips have married in three different places — Vermont, Canada and California — and sued over the refusal of Oklahoma and the federal government to recognize them as a married couple. The other couple, Mary Bishop and Sharon Baldwin, have been together for 15 years; they sought a marriage license in 2009 in Tulsa County but were refused. Kern dismissed a claim that a section in DOMA that allowed Oklahoma to refuse to recognize Barton’s and Phillips’ other marriages based on standing since it was the U.S., not the county clerk, who authorized the act giving states that power. Kern said the couple had not shown that they had been injured by Oklahoma’s refusal to recognize their California marriage.

2014 Poll: Utahns evenly split on same-sex marriage Support for the repeal of Amendment 3 is strongest among younger, non-Mormon population. BY BROOKE ADAMS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE  A new poll for The Salt Lake Tribune shows that Utahns’ views on same-sex couples’ relationships have dramatically shifted in the decade since voters amended the state’s constitution to prohibit them from receiving any legal recognition. Residents are now evenly split on whether same-sex couples in Utah should be allowed to get state-issued marriage licences — 48 percent for and 48 percent against — and nearly three-fourths (72 percent) said same-sex couples should be allowed to form civil unions or domestic partnerships in lieu of marriage. On one side: Paul, who lives at Sundance in Utah County and participated in the survey. “I just don’t have any religious basis for why marriage should be between a man and a woman, and, personally, I don’t see that there is a meaningful difference between the rights of heterosexual couples as opposed to homosexual couples,” the 24-year-old said in an interview. “I’ve never really understood the idea that two people should not be able to be married if they want to be.” And on the other: LaNae, 50, of Orem, who also took the survey. “I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” LaNae said. “That is what marriage means — a man, a woman and God. I just don’t see it as anything else. If the gay community is wanting their relationship to be legally recognized, they can do that without having a marriage license.” The results reflect a remarkable turn since 66 percent of Utahns who participated in the 2004 general election approved Amendment 3, which limited civil marriage to a man and a woman and barred any state recognition of other relationships such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. The latest poll follows landmark decisions this year on marriage rights of same-sex couples by a federal judge in Utah as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. Support for same-sex marriage was strongest among non-Mormons, people between ages 18 and 34 and those who described themselves as Democrats. Slightly more than a third of respondents (36 percent) said their views on same-sex marriage have shifted over time, something that was equally true of Mormons and non-Mormons. Overwhelmingly, people in both of those demographic categories said their views had become more accepting. But perhaps in one surprise, the broad support for civil unions or domestic partnerships included 65 percent of respondents who said they were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sixty-nine-year-old Mike, of American Fork, said he opposes marriage rights for same-sex couples but over time has come to believe civil unions should be an option. The Tribune agreed to identify survey respondents, who were willing to be interviewed about their answers, by first names or a nickname only. “Years ago, I would have thought that homosexuality was an individual choice,” said Mike, who is Mormon and came to his views during discussions through the years with friends who are gay. “I’ve come to conclude more and more that it’s not a choice, but something that is inborn and a lifelong attraction rather than something someone chooses. If people choose to live in a same-sex relationship, they should enjoy all the legal benefits that occur with a marriage, without calling it a marriage and still using that term for man-woman relationships.” SurveyUSA conducted the recorded telephone survey of 600 randomly selected Utahns from Jan. 10 through Jan. 13 and asked nine questions related to the Dec. 20 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby that the state’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court put Shelby’s decision on hold Jan. 6 while the state challenges it before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The survey used both landline and cellphone telephone numbers and involved a mix of Utahns from across the state. Those reached by cellphone were able to fill out a survey form. Depending on the question, the margins of error ranged from 3.7 percent to 5.3 percent. Poll respondent SpydrMyk, who lives 37 miles north of Moab in Thompson Springs, said when he joined the military in 1978 he was asked if he held any prejudices. He answered yes and then explained he was biased against “liars, thieves and [gay expletive].” But as the now 51-year-old traveled the world with the military, his view began to shift as he got to know people who were gay. Closer to home, he learned an immediate family member had had a spouse who was bisexual and that an in-law is a lesbian. “There are gay people everywhere,” he said. “Here in Utah, it is not really accepted. And worse than not being accepted, it’s not being talked about in families. When you add people like me who have people within the family who are gay [and] who are supporting the gay people, [your views have] no choice but to evolve.” A slim majority of respondents — 52 percent — said they back the state’s decision to appeal Shelby’s ruling, with 40 percent opposed and 8 percent unsure. Support for the state’s appeal was strongest among Mormons, men, and people who identified themselves as either Republicans or independents. “The word of the people should override what they think the country should do,” said Glen, 53, of West Jordan, who is not Mormon. “We have our own constitution, and it’s not violating anyone’s constitutional rights as far as the state for us to have people decide. As long as the people’s voice is heard, that should be the ultimate stand.” Dot, 43, from Draper, has seen her opinion evolve over time and opposes spending state money on what she sees as “an exercise in futility.” She grew up in a family that was religiously and politically conservative, and it once made her “uncomfortable thinking about same-gender marriage” since she associated marriage with religion. Today, she believes drawing a distinction between marriage and civil unions is irrelevant and supports access to both for same-sex couples. “This is a historical moment,” she said. “They can fight it, they may even stop it temporarily, but in the long term, this is the direction of it.” Nearly 70 percent said they favor amending the Utah Constitution, as one lawmaker has proposed, so church and clergy are not forced to perform same-sex marriages against their religious beliefs. That support cut across nearly all demographic groups — Mormon and non-Mormon, men and women, younger and older — with only Democrats failing to muster a majority for such a change. Rep. Jacob Anderegg, R-Lehi, is sponsoring a bill and joint resolution to amend the state’s constitution to exempt religious leaders and organizations from being required to participate in gay marriages. Latter-day Saints recently pushed such a proposal in Hawaii as lawmakers there voted to legalize same-sex marriage. In a statement released last week, the LDS Church said it “insists” on its leaders’ and members’ constitutionally protected right to advocate for religiously held views on marriage and noted that lay leaders may not perform same-sex marriages or allow them to occur on church property. The Tribune poll is not the first to note a shift in attitude during the past decade. A public opinion survey by Brigham Young University’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy in February 2012 found 29 percent of Utahns opposed all legal recognition of same-sex couples’ relationships, down from 54 percent in 2004 when it first asked the question. In that 2012 survey, 28 percent expressed support for marriage rights for same-sex couples, while 43 percent favored allowing same-sex couples in Utah to form civil unions. Wesley, 34, a St. George poll respondent, said he opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions as a “really good solution to the whole problem.” If the 10th Circuit and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court uphold Shelby’s decision, then civil marriage could be scrapped altogether in favor of nondiscriminatory unions, he said. “It could be really great to have Utah say we won’t give anybody a marriage,” said Wesley. “Marriages could be a private thing. What we do instead is we have domestic partnerships.” Wesley, a former Mormon who now embraces a “heathen” worldview, said his attitude toward homosexuality has become less accepting over time. “I think I valued freedom more and traditional values less as a Christian,” he said. “Now I think that traditional values are what hold societies together. And more often, they need to be upheld against even individual freedom.” As with marriage rights, Utahns are evenly divided about whether married same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children — with 45 percent supporting the idea, 45 percent opposing it and 10 percent unsure. Sixty-four percent of respondents are against adoption by unmarried same-sex couples in Utah. Utah law currently bars unmarried, cohabitating couples — both opposite-sex and same-sex — from adopting children. However, many same-sex couples have adopted children out-of-state; others have children conceived through artificial reproductive technology or from previous, heterosexual relationships. The ability to have a partner recognized as a legal parent is a key issue in the marriage rights’ debate for many of those couples.

2014 New petition to Attorney General Sean Reyes Supporters of same-sex marriage in Utah submitted a petition with more than 32,000 signatures Monday protesting the state’s efforts to fight a court ruling legalizing the unions. The petition on change.org addressed to Attorney General Sean Reyes takes aim at the estimated $2 million cost of the legal battle to keep Amendment 3, the state’s ban on gay marriage. It asks Reyes not to use the money of taxpayers who oppose the ban. “To continue with this decision to use taxpayer money for something that is a religious matter is a violation of the separation of church and state,” the petition reads. U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby struck down Amendment 3 on Dec. 20, allowing about 1,300 same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on same-sex nuptials as the state appeals Shelby’s decision. Two other similar petitions with a total of 58,000 signatures were delivered Friday by activists after a rally that attracted more than 1,000 people. Monday’s petition was started by Sophia Hawes and wife Danilynn Tingey, both transgender women over 40 who see legal marriage “as vital to being able to adequately care for one another as they age,” according to a statement.

2014 Days after hundreds of gay and lesbian couples swarmed county offices to get Utah marriage licenses, a group originally founded to help Mormons eliminate same-sex attraction closed its doors. Before doing so, Evergreen International turned over some of its resources and mailing lists — said to number up to 30,000 participants, including many from Spanish-speaking countries — to a newer LDS-based gay support group, North Star. Combining the two groups, organizers say, will create "the largest single faith-based ministry organization for Latter-day Saints who experience same-sex attraction or gender-identity incongruence and will also provide increased access to resources for church leaders, parents, family and friends." The scale and scope of the challenges facing this community "can sometimes be overwhelming," North Star board chairman Jeff Bennion writes in a news release, "which is why I am thrilled that so many of the strong and experienced associates of Evergreen will be standing even more unitedly with us."  Evergreen President David Pruden, who could not be reached Thursday for comment, will not be joining North Star's leadership but will continue as executive director of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality. Preston Dahlgren, Evergreen's chairman, will become a member of North Star's board. As to the question of changing or diminishing sexual orientation, North Star takes no position, says the group's newly named president, Ty Mansfield. "If someone had a positive experience with reparative therapy or change, we are OK with t hem sharing that," says Mansfield, a marriage and family therapist in Provo. "If they had a negative experience, they can share that, too." Neither Evergreen nor North Star has any official connection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but both groups cater to Mormons and follow LDS doctrines. North Star affirms the right of individuals to self-determination," Bennion says in the release, "and supports all efforts consistent with the [LDS] gospel that help individuals live in harmony with their covenants and attain greater peace, fulfillment, and sense of individual worth, while affirming that the most essential and eternal growth and progress come through the power of the Savior and adherence to the teachings of his prophets." The group tries to "stay away from ideologies," Mansfield says, "and focus on the narrative experience." To that end, North Star has produced a series of online video testimonials from gay Mormons called "Voices of Hope" and found at ldsvoicesofhope.org.  Right now, the series has 40 testimonials, with 20 more ready to go, Mansfield says. "We are hoping eventually to include a thousand." This approach "is more consistent with national positions by the American Psychological Association that change is not possible and reparative therapy is not effective," says Richard Ferre, an adjunct psychiatry professor at the University of Utah. "The group is still trying to provide a support for Mormon gays to maintain their connections with their religion." It's time, says Ferre, who has had many gay patients, to recognize that "diverse experiences and different voices require different responses. We need to respect individuals and their personal discovery of the response that would most benefit them." Evergreen's end has been obvious for a while, says Kendall Wilcox, a Mormon filmmaker working on a documentary about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Latter-day Saints. For years, a Mormon general authority typically spoke at the group's annual conference, but that practice eventually stopped. In May 2012, the author of a controversial 2001 study — which claimed that gays can change — disavowed his conclusions. But Pruden told The Salt Lake Tribune he saw no reason to discontinue using so-called reparative therapy. In June, Exodus International, a group similar to Evergreen but for a larger Christian audience, shut its doors. At about the same time, Pruden approached North Star with the idea of merging the two groups. "There was some unnecessary competition between us," Bennion told The Tribune. "We were starting to step on each other's toes." Evergreen began in 1989 as a therapeutic solution for Mormons with unwanted same-sex attraction, while North Star took a more person-to-person tack. The newly constituted North Star will now provide its own annual conferences — the first one is scheduled for May in Provo — but its focus will be on wide participation. Wilcox — who is on the board of Mormons Building Bridges, a grass-roots group seeking to enhance good will between the LGBT and LDS communities — fears a subtle evolution in North Star's perspective as well. Mansfield co-wrote a 2004 book, "In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Gender Attraction." He described himself as permanently, inescapably gay and accepted the requirement of celibacy to remain a faithful Mormon. He has subsequently married a woman and had two children. With Mansfield at the helm — and Bennion, who is also married to a woman — there seems to be subtle pressure, Wilcox says, to follow their lead. Both North Star leaders hope that isn't the case. They believe that marriage to someone of the opposite sex should not be seen as a way to "cure" gayness, Manfield says, "but it should be considered as an option." Whether gay Mormons stay single or marry, he says, "we want to help them to be as healthy as possible."