January 28
1976 Wednesday- Daily Utah Chronicle page 3 “A Jack Ass” As a
student of psychology I must complain. Some of your recent articles have defined
what could become a major problem in my chosen field of work. I was not aware
of just what the problem was until being enlightened by your journalism. With
the reclassification of behavior previously thought to us as “abnormal” (e.g.
Homosexuality, lesbianism, sexual deviations), I have found to my astonishment
that my text books are becoming thinner and thinner! Presently we are down to
one mimeographical sheet. I think something should be done before we all
graduate and find ourselves with nothing to do.
Perhaps one solution would be to begin adding behaviors to the texts as
they progressively become more deviant (such as honesty, heterosexuality,
virginity, parenthood, family membership, and integrity). Only one problem
stands in our way: There are very few studies, if at all of any kind, on those
behaviors plus no notion as to their etiology or prognosis for behavior modification. Brian
Leon Arneser
1976 Wednesday All the recent philosophical and religious
controversy concerning sexual preference is becoming a bit absurd. It isn’t so much a matter of what people
should be allowed to do sexually…rather it’s a matter of what people do, and
enjoy doing, moral and legal consideration aside. Be advised that too much
philosophical posturing in the bed is not a good thing. When James Dean was questioned about his
sexual preference, he replied by saying, “I can’t see going through life with
one arm tied behind me.” That strikes me as a fairly reasonable attitude. Let the
good times roll. (Name Withheld) Daily Utah Chronicle page 3
1976 Wednesday Is Lorin
Twede for real or just a pseudonym being used by an idiot? Many of us enjoy the frank approach the
Chrony took to a much too little discussed subject (i.e. homosexuality)
Inherent in freedom of the press is the knowledge that someone somewhere will
be offended by what someone else prints.
Suppose Lorin Twede that the Chrony thought your letter was “junk” and
infringed on their right to print only logical and well written letters to the
editor. The point is your letter was as offensive to some as the Chrony’s
homosexual issue was to others. The Chrony may be biased but unlike you, it is
willing to represent both sides of an issue.
In reference to the persuasive nature of Mr. Twede’s letter, let me
quote one of his better sentences, “Most of us students don’t appreciate the
trash you print and the mouthy majority is the reason we have to put up with
it.” If most implies majority than your two juxtaposed statements contradict
each other. Rex Bierley Daily Utah Chronicle page 3
 |
| Anita Bryant |
1977 Friday The first Lesbian support Group-Women Aware sponsored
Olivia Music
singer-composer Cris Williamson in concert. Utah Daily Chronicle
pg. 5 Women Aware will present singer-composer Cris Williamson in concert
Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. The concert will be held in the community school auditorium 233 West 200 North. For the past year and a half Williamson has focused her
energies and talents towards making and helping define what she calls “women’s
music” Typical is her new album The Changer and The Changed, Williamson
will perform her own folk rock composition as well as the music of other women.
Appearing with her on this bill are local musicians Julie Mack, Marcia Gardiner,
and Joan Batter. Tickets are $4 and are available at The Open Door, The Glass
Menagerie, and at the door.
1983 -" Interview with Bob Lange 20/20 concerning
homosexuality and the Mormon Church. Mr. Lange told me of a reported class at
B.Y.U. in which the class mates would get credit by going out and entrapping a
fellow student in homosexual behavior or other standards offenses. I told him I
only knew of the request by Apostle Kimball and campus security to turn in
names of fellow students. That seemed to be the end of his interest. "
(David Attridge)
1988-Ben Barr of the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation, Lucy Houser, the
AIDS education coordinator of the SL Chapter of the Red Cross and Gayle
Williamson RN bureau director of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic of SL
City/County Health Department spoke at an AIDS workshop sponsored by the YWCA.
1998-Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund announced it would
file a lawsuit in Little Rock Arkansas to challenge the state's sodomy law.
28 January 2000 Provo Paul
Ream's Wilderness
Park Independence Street Provo
.jpg) |
| Dr. Kristen Ries |
2003 Salt Lake
Tribune's Tradewind Section Kristen M. Ries, professor of internal medicine,
has been named president of the medical
staff for University of Utah Hospitals &
Clinics. She will act as liaison for the University's 850 board-certified physicians with the University Hospital
2004 I would like congratulate the new Monarchs of Chico,
California Empress 13 Debbie Delicious and one of our own past Monarchs Regent Emperor 13 Bruce Harmon (Emperor 15
RCGSE)
- (Utah Gay Forum) YOU GO GIRL!!! Lol or boy, well whatever, I agree entirely:)Nova Starr
2004 (Utah Gay Forum) Toni (and any other interested), I think you
misunderstood my email. This e-mail is an attempt to clarify my position and opinion.
You said: You're right; we should all just sit back and be nice quiet little
Queers and wait for the heteros to pass out our equal rights to us. My
response: I never said that we should just sit back. What I DID say was that
there are more effective ways of getting things done, than shouting or making a
scene on a street corner. Tonight I was at the Capitol Rotunda with Equality
Utah at a very powerful and politically LOUD rally, fighting for the rights of
equal marriage. If you want legislation and laws to change, there is a certain
process that you have to take in this country. There is also a certain decorum
and behavior that is required, if you expect to get any respect. So, by NO
MEANS should we be quiet and sit back...but we DO need to make our voices heard
in a respectable, civil way. You said: The "protest" wasn't to change
the minds of church leaders. It was a
F*ck you to the fact that the LDS church has so vehemently opposed Queer marriage,
both in words and with countless thousands of dollars (Hawaii for example). And also to it's many many, very homophobic
speeches (comparing us to child-molesters) and practices (aversion and electro-shock
therapy done at BYU as late as the80's).My response: I am just as upset with
the church as you are about some of their attitude and things that they have
done. In fact, I cringe when I read some of the things they say in general
conference. However, how in the world are we going to get these people to understand
our point of view, what it means to be gay and have a long term committed
relationship, that we are normal valuable people, if we are telling them "F*ck
you!"? Do you honestly and truly expect for the LDS controlled legislature
in Utah , to
pass gay-friendly legislation if you're telling them "F*ck you!"?
I've worked customer service jobs and when people called me demanding things,
yelling profanities, demanding that I give them what they deserve, nearly every
company I've worked for said to just hang up. People (as well as organizations)
don't need to put up with people telling them "F*ck you!". If on the
other hand, someone called (even if they were frustrated beyond belief) and
asked me to just hear them out, chances were very high that I (or anyone) would
have done their best to help them. The same principle applies here. You said:
It also was to show the LDS leadership and members that we WILL marry & we
already Do. Regardless of what they say
or preach or how much money they contribute to fight Queer marriage, we WILL marry
anyway. Maybe not legally right now, but
we will marry and celebrate our love and lives and have our own brand of
family, regardless of all their hateful efforts. My response: That's awesome! I
agree that we need to show them that we will marry and be with each other no matter
what. What I question is the technique that was used in this street
demonstration. How much more effective do you think the protest would have been
if you had actual couples holding signs saying something like "25 years
together and still going strong". Maybe the kids could have held signs
that say "I love my gay daddies". You said: "Disgust and
Offend", huh? Wow, it's too bad to
hear that you think Queers kissing is disgusting and offensive. Maybe you should look at your own
internalized Homophobia. And don't try
to say "no, I don't think Queers kissing is disgusting and
offensive", why would those words ever even enter your head unless you
Did. Talk about feeling disgusted and
offended. And what is so
"disgusting and offensive" to you bout the idea of two Queers" marrying"?
My response: You misunderstood me. I said that the LDS CHURCH
it as "disgusting
and offensive." It is truly a
beautiful... or maybe I should say Faaaabulous thing. My response: Again, I
don't see it as disgusting or offensive. Active LDS people may, but I don't. It
IS beautiful AND faaaaaabulous! Aaron Cloward. (founder of LDS Gay Young Adults)
 |
| Aaron Cloward |
2004(Utah Gay Forum) I agree
very much with Fergie's point regarding that a successful protest must have a
two prong approach. The protests against the American Psychiatric Association
were successful because of this strategy. Militant homosexuals had disrupted
annual meetings while closeted Gay men within the profession worked for change
by controlling the positions of authority. However in Utah I doubt very seriously whether this
approach will ever work since the state is neither a democracy nor
heterogeneous but a semi-theocracy homogeny where allegiance to one's church's
authorities is paramount over the true principles of republicanism. Closeted
Gay and Lesbian state representatives will stay closeted or dig in even deeper
when other Lambda people charge ahead for social change in this conformist
climate. This state is an oligarchy and change will only come when forced upon
us from outside (i.e. Johnston 's
Army, the Manifesto, Blacks in the Priesthood etc.) and then the "powers
that be" within the state will do damage control and say it was always
their intention to make the changes. Hallelujah for federalism. This is not to
say we simply should roll over and die in this state. We need to be the state's
conscience and standard bearers for the progressive movement. We need to be
actively participating in our liberation- each in our own way. If "kicking
at the pricks" heals the broken heart or using the "balm of
Gilead" works for you I say let each Lambda person express themselves in a
way that is appropriate for them. Instead of going after each other we need to
turn all our attention on the sexist dysfunctional patriarchal-matriarch system
that is willing to disregard the pursuit of happiness of ten percent of its fellow
citizens. Its okay to be a lone voice crying in the wilderness or lighting a
lamp in a dark room. Nothing is ever in vain. I have lived in Utah for 30 years and openly as a Gay man
for 20. My very presence in this state is a protest against the establishment.
Ben Williams
2004(Utah Gay Forum) Here!
Here! about the need for all factions: radical, moderate, conservative, etc. I
remember the days of ACT-UP, and how those who put themselves on the line, in
your face, made it easier for the "diplomats" of the community to get
face to face. Deb Rosenberg
2004 (Utah Gay Forum) “K.A.P.", you make an excellent
observation. It's sad but true we are preaching to the choir. In addition, on
that rare occasion when we do have media coverage it's so brief and the message
is so distorted and incredibly inaccurate the public doesn't pay any
attention. If the real truth were to be
told to the general public, and they were to get to know us, our community and
who we really are. None of these
"protests" would be necessary.
I pray that one day the overall community will see and hear the real
truth, however the lies give some of our community leaders the power and
control they desire. James P. Hicks
2004 (Utah Gay Forum) On Monday January 26th, there was a great example
for us all. In the morning the Supreme Court chamber at the Capitol was packed
to overflowing with media, elected officials, clergy, prosecutors, people with
disabilities, minority reps, police chiefs, and LGBT advocates, speaking on
behalf of an enforceable Hate Crimes law in Utah that included sexual orientation. It
was an impressive coalition. For years we have been told that if sexual
orientation was removed from a list of protected categories then Hate Crimes
legislation would pass overnight. This divide and conquer strategy isolated the
GLBT population, and put serious pressure on minority groups and faith communities
from their constituents to drop "us" in the name of political
expediency. This year these groups stood along side the GLBT community and sent
a clear message that any meaningful Hate Crimes legislation includes
"us". So even if HB68 disappears in committee or is voted down, their
collaboration and participation is a huge step towards our goals (both with
hate crimes and other discriminatory issues further down the line). Personally
I cringe when someone says "let’s do a vigil" or stage a rally if all
we are doing is singing to our choir. Rallies have their place, but to move
this society we need votes, influence, and allies. That comes back to three
things....outreach, education, and networking. All things that we can do as
individuals in our daily lives to increase our communities visibility and also
our political leverage. Fergie (Donald Steward)
2004 No list? Evans' audience is a hard sell By Rebecca Walsh The
Salt Lake Tribune State Sen. James Evans claims he has found the solution to Utah 's hate-crimes
stalemate. Year after year, legislator opposition to the idea of a hate crimes
law seems to hinge on a list of protected groups -- based on race, religion and
so on. So, the Salt Lake City Republican got rid of the list. But a skeptical
audience of gay and lesbian factions of the Republican and Democratic parties,
Latino activists, and current and former legislators gathered at the Salt Lake
County Complex on Tuesday night apparently wasn't convinced by Evans' tactics.
Over and over, they asked why his hate crimes bill doesn't include a list.
Evans' quick fix -- modeled on a Georgia statute being challenged in
that state's Supreme Court -- is being offered as an alternative to the bill
Salt Lake City Democratic Rep. David Litvack is sponsoring his year for the
fourth time. The two drafts are similar, except for the list missing from
Evans' version. "I don't want to exclude," Evans said. "A woman
can be Jewish, she can be gay, and she can be black. But the reason I targeted
her is because she is overweight. "I don't think it's fruitful for us to
continually go down the path that we have to list." Litvack, however, says
Evans' bill is unworkably vague. "What isn't excluded? What isn't a hate
crime? Everything's a hate crime. How is that going to be enforceable?" he
asked. Evans' and Litvack's debate was a prelude to the perennial, inevitable
hate crimes debate that arises each legislative session. Evans is a longtime
opponent of hate crimes legislation. Critics say by offering his own version
this year, the senator simply is trying to derail Litvack's legislation. On the
defensive all night, Evans rebuffed question after question, even interrupting his
predecessor, former state Sen. Alicia Suazo, when she asked why he didn’t
revive a compromise he worked on in the final days of the 2001session. Between
1998 and 2002, the number of hate crimes reported in Utah fluctuated between 68 and 124.Litvack
acknowledged Tuesday that the biggest obstacle to his bill is its inclusion of
"sexual orientation" along with gender, national origin and ethnicity
as the motive for hate crimes. Some lawmakers worry singling out gays and
lesbians for protection will give them so-called "special rights." "It
all of a sudden becomes a gay issue," said Michael Picardi, chairman of
the Stonewall Democrats. "If sexual orientation were not in Litvack's
bill, it would be passed in a second." But Log Cabin Republican Chairman
Kevin Cromer is open to Evans' idea. "Is the exclusion of groups something
that creates a problem of vagueness? Or is it actually an innovation of
legislation that will serve as a model?" he asked. "Maybe the best
solution is to test this legislation." The Anti-Defamation League's
Central Region director Jonathan Bernstein urged Utah lawmakers to change the state's
unenforceable hate crimes statute. Of 47 states with hate crimes statutes, 45 include
a list of protected classes, Bernstein said. "We need a similar kind of
law here in this state." Evans insists his bill has a better chance of
being passed by lawmakers. "Is it a hate crimes law we want? Or does it
have to be a certain way?" Litvack also is unbending. "It's time to
do it the right way," he said.
 |
| Kortni Coats & Taunica Crump |
2009 Uncommon ground Equality Utah's Common Ground
Initiative has been grounded. The package of gay-rights legislation simply
isn't going to fly. Unwarranted paranoia about protecting the sanctity of
traditional male-female marriage, or perhaps something deeper and darker, will
keep the Utah Legislature from granting gay and transgender persons and
same-sex couples what amount to basic human rights. The Senate's Judiciary
Committee shot down the most benign of the four bills. Tribune Editorial
2018 SALT LAKE CITY — (KUTV)- With one location already in Provo, Utah, Encircle: LGBTQ Family and Youth Resource Center announced the opening of its second center in Salt Lake City Wednesday evening. Encircle found a beautiful house, now under contract, near the University of Utah and the Trolley Square Trax station that will hopefully become the next safe place where LGBT+ individuals can find understanding, information, and support within their families and communities. Encircle, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was established in 2016 and opened its first center in downtown Provo with the mission to "empower families to sustain the circle of their love, enabling each member to thrive." Created by founder and executive director, Stephenie Larsen, along with her uncle, John Williams, a prominent member of the community, the nonprofit's new house will be dedicated to Williams, in honor of his contributions to both the organization and the Salt Lake community. “We are thrilled to be expanding into Salt Lake City where we can reach more youth and families. Our Provo house is bursting at the seams, with as many as 50 plus visitors a day. We are excited to expand our services to Salt Lake County and impact more lives,” expressed Larsen. The Salt Lake location will offer services to LGBTQ youth, their families and the community—providing a loving space to gather, find support and create meaningful friendships. Encircle also strives to address the loneliness and high rates of suicide experienced among Utah’s sexual and gender minority youth and young adults. Utah continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in the country, with suicide being the leading cause of death for young people in Utah and LGBTQ youth who are three times more likely to commit suicide than their "heterosexual" peers. According to a recent study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in November 2017, the federal government recommended expanding mental healthcare focused on evidence-based methods and implementing prevention programs that focus on helping young people feel connected with their communities, schools, and families. With the recommendations made by the CDC regarding Utah’s youth suicide rate, Utah Department of Human Services’ suicide prevention coordinator proposed that one of the ways Utah could improve efforts in addressing the alarming increase in youth suicide was through “creating more places where lesbian and gay youths can meet up” to strengthen connectedness. Encircle wants to make progress in the prevention of teen suicide in Utah. The LGBTQ family resource center applauds Utah governor’s recently-announced youth suicide task force and looks forward to the contribution. Stated in the press release, Encircle states: Encircle embraces and sustains every LGBTQ+ youth, every family and every community—the organization aims to give LGBTQ youth and their families the space, resources, and community support they need to make healthy decisions about their futures. These services include individual and family therapy, support groups, training for Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs statewide, and much more. If you want to help support the opening of the new SLC center you can donate $10 monthly at www.EncircleTogether.org. Larger donations to help with the purchase price of the John Williams Encircle House in Salt Lake, now under contract, are now being sought.
2018
2018 SALT LAKE CITY — (KUTV)- With one location already in Provo, Utah, Encircle: LGBTQ Family and Youth Resource Center announced the opening of its second center in Salt Lake City Wednesday evening. Encircle found a beautiful house, now under contract, near the University of Utah and the Trolley Square Trax station that will hopefully become the next safe place where LGBT+ individuals can find understanding, information, and support within their families and communities. Encircle, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was established in 2016 and opened its first center in downtown Provo with the mission to "empower families to sustain the circle of their love, enabling each member to thrive." Created by founder and executive director, Stephenie Larsen, along with her uncle, John Williams, a prominent member of the community, the nonprofit's new house will be dedicated to Williams, in honor of his contributions to both the organization and the Salt Lake community. “We are thrilled to be expanding into Salt Lake City where we can reach more youth and families. Our Provo house is bursting at the seams, with as many as 50 plus visitors a day. We are excited to expand our services to Salt Lake County and impact more lives,” expressed Larsen. The Salt Lake location will offer services to LGBTQ youth, their families and the community—providing a loving space to gather, find support and create meaningful friendships. Encircle also strives to address the loneliness and high rates of suicide experienced among Utah’s sexual and gender minority youth and young adults. Utah continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in the country, with suicide being the leading cause of death for young people in Utah and LGBTQ youth who are three times more likely to commit suicide than their "heterosexual" peers. According to a recent study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in November 2017, the federal government recommended expanding mental healthcare focused on evidence-based methods and implementing prevention programs that focus on helping young people feel connected with their communities, schools, and families. With the recommendations made by the CDC regarding Utah’s youth suicide rate, Utah Department of Human Services’ suicide prevention coordinator proposed that one of the ways Utah could improve efforts in addressing the alarming increase in youth suicide was through “creating more places where lesbian and gay youths can meet up” to strengthen connectedness. Encircle wants to make progress in the prevention of teen suicide in Utah. The LGBTQ family resource center applauds Utah governor’s recently-announced youth suicide task force and looks forward to the contribution. Stated in the press release, Encircle states: Encircle embraces and sustains every LGBTQ+ youth, every family and every community—the organization aims to give LGBTQ youth and their families the space, resources, and community support they need to make healthy decisions about their futures. These services include individual and family therapy, support groups, training for Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs statewide, and much more. If you want to help support the opening of the new SLC center you can donate $10 monthly at www.EncircleTogether.org. Larger donations to help with the purchase price of the John Williams Encircle House in Salt Lake, now under contract, are now being sought.
2018
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