14 February
1903
Ogden Standard Examiner Random References Section page 5 The preliminary hearing of Steve Hubble a
colored man charged with a crime against nature is taking place at the
municipal court this afternoon. Judge Bagley is acting for the defense and
county Attorney Hulaniski for the state
1965-A six-part series began running in the Denver Post on the
problems homosexuality poses to society.
1976- Salt
Lake City's first official Gay awards banquet called
the Salt Lick Seagull Awards Banquet was held at the Sunset Room at the Sun
Tavern by the Imperial Court of Utah. Approximately 30 awards were given
including "Best Baths Attendants", "Judy Garland Comeback of the
Year" and "Best Advise Bitch of the Year".
1977- A Gay Valentines Day Party held at Radio
City Lounge, SLC UT. Patrons charged 20 cents for Mixes and
Drafts!
1978- Valentine's Day Party at the Club Comeback
SLC UT to celebrate its first anniversary.
1978- The Advocate sent out press packets to
newspaper agencies across the United
States regarding the upcoming publishing of
the Payne Papers. The religion editor of a newspaper in Oregon sent a copy of the Advocate press
packet to a Mormon friend, who forwarded it to Dallin Oaks at BYU. Oaks then
drafted a letter to Boyd K. Packer warning him that "in view of this
national publication, and the accusations it makes…your (upcoming) remarks are likely
to get wide newspaper coverage and to be viewed by many against the background
of this article and these charges”.
1985-The University of Utah University of Utah
Lesbian and Gay Student Union fought and won a case against the Daily Utah
Chronicle when they refused to print two Valentine ads that included the word
"Lesbian". Mihcael Aaron wrote: This was one of my most favorite times in all my gaystory. Poet Brook Hallock had written two poems for her then-girlfriend, Nancy Perez. I remember one ending in "Lesbianly Yours." The Chronicle had written stories almost every other day for the year, calling us the Lesbian and Gay Student Union. I appealed on Brook's behalf to the Publications Council, which oversaw the paper. Only the council, the newspaper's editor and I were allowed in the room. The first words out of my mouth referred to a news story that broke in the Tribune about a college professor making a controversial remark in class, somehow declaring black people "spades." I said, "Let's call a spade a .... small shovel — it is ridiculous we are having to sit in this room." The entire council laughed and vocally agreed that it was a waste of their time. I mentioned the number of times the paper had printed the word "lesbian" and said that the author was a well-respected poet. The editor blathered on about who was in charge of the paper, without really addressing the issue at-hand. The council took offense to the editor thinking he had full control, and decided right then and there that the paper would be forced to print the valentines and we were out the door. The front-page headline was in monstrously large type, screaming "CHRONICLE FORCED TO PRINT OFFENSIVE VALENTINES. WHO'S IN CHARGE IS IN QUESTION." Feather in my cap.
- 1985 Parsons, Buck Get 4 Months for Perjury COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former South Carolina women's basketball Coach Pam Parsons and ex-player Tina Buck were sentenced to four months in prison Wednesday for lying to a federal jury during a libel trial. U.S. District Judge Clyde Hamilton actually sentenced the pair to three years but suspended all but four months. They will be on probation for five years. The perjury charges stemmed from Parsons' unsuccessful $75-million libel suit against Time Inc. The former coach sued after a February 1982 Sports Illustrated article depicted her as a lesbian involved in a love affair with Buck. Hamilton ordered a perjury investigation after conflicting testimony during the nine-day trial last May. Parsons and Buck pleaded guilty to perjury charges in November, admitting they lied during the trial about frequenting a Salt Lake City lesbian nightclub.
- 1985 Parsons Jailed for Perjury COLUMBIA, S.C., (UPI) - Pam Parsons, the former women's basketball coach at the University of South Carolina, and Tina Buck, one of her former players, were sentenced to four months in prison today for lying to a Federal jury during a libel trial. United States District Judge Clyde Hamilton sentenced each of them to three years in prison but suspended all but four months of each They will be on probation for five years. They will report to a Federal prison in Lexington, Ky., later this month. Judge Hamilton presided over Miss Parsons's unsuccessful $75 million libel suit against Time Inc. Miss Parsons sued after a February 1982 article in Sports Illustrated depicted her as a lesbian involved in a love affair with the player. Judge Hamilton ordered a federal perjury investigation after conflicting testimony during the nine-day trial last May. Both women pleaded guilty to perjury charges in November, admitting they lied during the trial about frequenting a Salt Lake City lesbian nightclub. Both Miss Parsons and Miss Buck apologized in court today for their perjury.
1986 Utah’s Murray School District
policy on AIDS follows recommendations from the CDC in Atlanta calls for a student to be placed in
an alternative study program away from school when AIDS is first diagnosed.
Employees with the disease will not be allowed to work until a decision is made
in how to deal with the problem. A contracted employee may be entitled to benefits
while off the job. (Salt Lake
Tribune B-3)
1987-Mormon Apostle Dallin H. Oakes stated that
"he did not know whether individual priesthood leaders had given such advice,
" when asked if the church had counseled homosexuals to marry as a cure
for homosexuality in an program entitled "LDS Policy on Homosexuality
Reaffirmed " during a CBS TV Interview ."
1988 The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire's
King and Queen of Hearts Ball was held at Club Backstreet in SLC, UT.
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| Bruce Barton |
1989 Tuesday Unconditional
Support officer Ray Neilson led the
meeting at Unconditional Support with the topic being Our Most Romantic Date.
After the meeting the group went to see Torch Song Trilogy
1991 The Utah AIDS Foundation and local participating
Massage Therapists cooperated for a "Have a Heart" fund-raiser to
benefit AIDS research. on Valentine's Day, all participating therapists donated
individual earnings for that day to the Utah AIDS Foundation.
1991 Wasatch Leathermen Motorcycle Club of Utah sponsored
a four day President’s Day Trip to Phoenix .
1991-275 Gay and lesbian couples registered their relationships in
San Francisco at City Hall after voters passed a domestic partnership law.
1992- Pioneer Utah AIDS Activist David Sharpton left
Salt Lake City and returned to
Lancaster , Texas
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| David Sharpton |
1994- The Mormon First Presidency issued a
statement that reads, in part, “We encourage members to appeal to legislators,
judges, and other government officials to preserve the purpose and sanctity of
marriage between a man and a woman, and reject all efforts to give legal
authorization or other official approval or support to marriages between
persons of the same gender.”
1998-The National
Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum announced that Jubi D. Headley Jr. had
been hired as the organizations new executive director.
 |
| Faulkner & Johnson |
1999-At New York's St Patrick's Day Parade, state senator Tom Duane
and city councilwoman Christine Quinn were arrested for demonstrating on behalf
of Gays and lesbians who wanted to participate.
2000-82 couples in Denver
Colorado Denver was the 36th US city to enact a domestic
partnership registry. Denver
mayor Wellington Webb and other city officials congratulated the couples in a
brief ceremony at the city and county building rotunda.
2000 Feb 14th NEW!!! Women's
Support/Social group 7 pm Middle Meeting Room All women are welcome to come
participate in this facilitated group discussion on issues that are important
to you! This will be a safe space for
women to talk with other women about their experiences, socialize, and get
support around coming out, life, relationships, and more. Occurs every Monday at 7 PM
14 February 2000 Page:
A6 Vermont Offers Gay Couples Benefits -- But Not Marriage Proposal's
distinction adds to the firestorm BY
ELIZABETH MEHREN LOS ANGELES TIMES MONTPELIER ,
Vt. University of Vermont Vermont Vermont appears poised to become the first state to enact
such sweeping same-sex benefits, outsiders have descended on the Green Mountain Vermont
as leading the charge for an effort that failed in Hawaii
and Alaska Binghamton , N.Y. "It's their Normandy Beach Vermont Vermont Vermont Vermont South Africa
2003 Join special
invited guests for an evening of wonderful wines
and scrumptuous chocolates from some of Salt Lake Salt Lake City Utah
Oh.....yeah....sure....add
a beer....and well
2003 I was on one
yesterday, got bothered again by the assimulationists....Then found out that two
projects that I had been advising people on (Flag Team, and Marching Band)
were to be assimilated, and the two people in charge of each were to get a
paid job at the Center.....It is nice to know they have so much money to
pay everyone...We will all be assimulated soon, sorted, and then some marched
off to the Gas Chamber. I tired of
everything ending up with them...again who made them Lord and Master in
SLC...They need to learn their place... [Notes of Chad Keller]
2003 A Utah
2003 Dear Ms. Wolfe: Everyone is asking
about Pride Day… This week it has
surfaced that many prominent individuals and
organizations have been asked to participate as
“Producing Partners” in Pride Day, according to an
“acceptability rating.” That any, organizations may
have accepted or are even considering
accepting this invitation smacks of elitism and they
should be ashamed. Everyone should be asking why some
elements in the community have not been asked to
participate as a “Producing Partner” and others have not.
What are the criteria for being on the list and who
is making such a list? Those who are truly interested
in the benefit of the entire sexual minority community
should be seeking an inclusive process at the
Pride Day planning table not an exclusive one,
before making a financial commitment. This attempt to
divide the community into two camps, those who can
afford to fund Pride Day and those who cannot, is
insidious and has an undercurrent of greed which is
destructive to the historic spirit of Gay Pride Day. There is already a
perceived notion that there have been many poor
choices made relating to the merger of Pride Day with the
Center. Many believe an official announcement relating
to the merger of the GLCCU and Pride Day has not
occurred due to the backlash that is slowly building in
the community. This silence gives the appearance of
a "keep ‘em in the dark, they’ll soon loose
interest, then we can do it our way" philosophy. Backroom secret
deals may be a way of life in Utah
2005 The Anti-Valentines Day Movie Night 7pm Showing of
"Friends & Family" about a hip Manhattan gay couple who have it
all, until a surprise visit from Stephen's parents threatens to blow the boys'
big secret. The secret? Not that they're
gay - but that they are hit men for the mafia! GLBT CC
2005-QUARTER-ANNUAL MEET-AND-GREET COFFEEHOUSE MEETING of Pink
Pistols Our quarter-annual Meet-and-Greet coffeehouse meeting is planned
for Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m. at A Cup of Joe
Coffeehouse at 353 West 200 South in Salt Lake City (3-minutes from Salt Lake
City), (801)363-8322.
 |
| Stuart Merrill |
 |
| Chris Butters |
2009 Straight couples rooting for gay-rights bill, too When Rep.
Jennifer Seelig thinks of who would benefit from her so-called gay-rights bill,
it's usually not a gay or lesbian couple. It's an elderly widow who leans on a
son for support, two sisters who live together and -- perhaps most commonly --
unmarried straight couples like her Rose Park neighbors Joey Behrens and Brent
Grabler. Author: Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake
2009 Three gay-rights bills clear hurdles, make it out of Utah
House panel Three gay-rights bills, all sponsored by Salt Lake City Democrats,
cleared legislative hurdles Friday. The measures, considered long shots, have
made it out of the sometimes-bill-blocking House Rules Committee and scored
public hearings. Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck's HB288 -- which would allow
unmarried couples, including gay and lesbian partners, to adopt and foster
children in Utah
-- will be debated Tuesday before the House Health and Human Services
Committee. Author: Rosemary Winters
The Salt Lake
2010 Richard Loren Dotson died in Magna age 75 years. Dick Dotson was a companion to Donald Steward long time AIDS activists. Dotson with Steward founded the Horizon House to provide client services to the general AIDS community and perhaps, as some critics insinuated, to placate the LDS sensibilities of Utahns who viewed UAF as a gay organization.Bad feelings were rife between the two AIDS service providers from the start, but they boiled over in 1991, when after a disparaging letter written by Stuart McDonald, was sent to the National People With AIDS Coalition. McDonald attacked the Horizon House and the integrity of Dick Dotson, causing the national AIDS conference that was scheduled to be held in Salt Lake City to be pulled.
2016 Mama Dragons breathe fire to protect their young by Kim Ditty is no stranger to prayer. It was the prayer Ditty offered outside the intensive care unit where her son was holding on to life that started her on a journey of peace, discovery, and to the Mama Dragons. What are Mama Dragons?
If you haven’t heard of the Mama Dragons, there is a good
chance you will — soon. The group is growing exponentially on a daily basis.
They are LDS women who have lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, or queer
children or they mentor them. Recently they have been joined by women of other
faiths. Mama Dragons will do just about anything to protect their children — if
needed even breathe fire and brandish their claws. In May of 2013, Meg Abhau
coined the term “mama dragon” on her blog. It was shared
on Facebook groups like Mormons Building Bridges and LDS gay social media
groups. Women with LGBTQ+ children identified with her term, according to Gina
Crivello, founder of Mama Dragons. Crivello, earlier that year had begun her
own blog. Many people began sharing their feelings with her through her blog.
She also got many responses through instant messaging. “They didn't mind the
cramped quarters because it was filled with unconditional love and safety,”
Crivello said. “No lurking ward members. No tattletales. No judgement for
unsanitized expressions of feelings.” Crivello, who started in dragons as a fully active member
of the LDS Church, has since asked for her name to be removed from the records
of the LDS Church. She added, “Mama Dragons doesn’t want to destroy the church,
we want the church to stop destroying our kids.” By the end of 2013 Crivello
said she saw a need for these conversations to continue and set up a Facebook
group for them and set the privacy setting to "secret" — not because
she didn’t want anyone to know about the group, but because they needed an
emotionally safe place to share. “It quickly became clear that Mama Dragon has
to somehow be a part of the (groups) title,” Crivello said. Now, just two years
later, there are more than 725 members of Mama Dragons from Australia to
Canada. Women who want to join are vetted to make sure their intentions and
needs match the mission of the group. Several locations like in Seattle have
started their own local groups and even have in-person get-togethers. Meet the Dragons
To understand how an active LDS relief society president
can find comradery with a dragon, who has left the faith and takes issue with
the LDS Church, is a compelling story of support, love and acceptance. When
Ditty’s son, Anthony, was 14 he started bit by bit talking about being gay
around the house. It was nothing in detail, but he would bring it up to see how
his LDS family would react to the notion. He told them he was gay when he was
15. “I was a naïve parent and didn’t think that way, that my child was gay,”
said Kim Ditty. “When he did come out, I said, ‘Oh no you’re not. Hanging out
with the girls doesn’t make you gay’.” Kim Ditty said she always believed that
same-sex attraction is something people can overcome. “The route we took, we
meant well,” Kim Ditty said. “We had wonderful church leaders. The truth was he
wasn’t changing. The final stroke was after his (Anthony’s) mission. I prayed,
‘Lord I’ve done everything as a mother ... the words that came back clear to me
was ‘just love him’. I knew Heavenly Father loves those kids.” Anthony said coming out to his LDS family was one of the
hardest things he has ever done. “My mom was out of town and I text messaged my
dad,” he said. “I didn’t want to see their faces. I didn’t want to say it in
person. After I said it, I felt a deep secret and weight go away. I was
relieved. Now I must deal with the consequences.” Anthony continued being
active in church with his Young Men activities and preparing for his mission. “I’ve
always loved serving people,” Anthony said. “I am the oldest of the grandchildren
and the oldest child. I wanted to go on a mission.” And serve he did, in the
Washington, D.C. South Mission. “My bishop and stake president knew,” Anthony
Ditty said. “I served 18 months. There was a lot of anxiety and depression, and
I was being over-medicated.” Anthony Ditty was sent to his mission’s
psychiatrist, who thought that since he was gay that was the root of the
problem. She medicated him for it with anti-psychotics to take away the anxiety
and depression of being gay. Even with prayers, fasting and a lot of hard work,
it all was too much. “My mission president had my back and sent me home telling
me I had fulfilled an honorable mission,” Anthony Ditty said. “At home I
started feeling more myself.” Anthony had several suicide attempts before and
after his mission. It was about a year after his last attempt when his mother
Kim Ditty found the Mama Dragons. “I saw a Mama Dragons story in the Huffington
Post and I joined on Facebook,” Kim Ditty said. “Mama Dragons helped me know
there are moms out there like me.” While Anthony has not gone to church for a
while, his name is still on the records of the LDS Church. Anthony just started
a new relationship. His boyfriend also is a returned LDS missionary and was
previously engaged to be married in the temple. The engagement was broken, and
he came out three months ago. Jill Rowe has a
different story. Rowe admits she was a "lazy"
Mormon. And wasn’t
quite sure what the gay agenda was. She was a relief society president in
California and was raising six children. Life changed when her son came out as
gay. As one of the original nine founding Mama Dragons, Rowe said she has
learned much about her children and about being gay. “This is not a choice,” Rowe said. “Dragon Mamas teach
and love and hope that religion doesn’t get in the way. Kids are asking God to
take it away. You can’t pray the gay away.” Rowe said that while they are moms
with a cause, the Mama Dragon’s intent is not to destroy the LDS Church or its
culture. That said, her concerns have been heightened with the recent changes
to the LDS Handbook. Rowe was in disbelief when a premature release of pages to
the handbook by former LDS member John Dehlin went viral online. She, like
others, was concerned about the children of same-sex couples not being allowed
to be blessed, baptized, or receive other ordinances until they are 18 and no
longer living with their parents. “The church is in trouble with this next
generation,” Rowe said. “When the (LDS) handbook change came out I had to check
John Dehlin’s page. Is it true? Even about the kids? Historically a policy is
just a policy. With Elder Nelson’s talk (that indicated the handbook change was
a direct revelation) it threw everybody for a loop.” Rowe believes the doctrine
of Christ is love; he didn’t marginalize them. “How do I tell my son God loves
you, but you have to be celibate,” Rowe said. “You know the church has it wrong
to tell kids they can’t belong. I can’t look at grandkids and tell them they
can’t have it (baptism).” Feelings are so strong on both sides of the
discussion that some Mama Dragons are staying anonymous because of retribution.
A Mama Dragon in Highland has had to go stealth in her fight, because as one of
the founding dragons, she claims to have lost half of her clientele. But her
story is just as poignant. “It was tough
when I was first searching, there wasn’t any support,” she said. “I was crying
through church. I really struggled. It is so great to have support. I met with
my leaders many, many times. It’s a long, long journey for someone who doesn’t
understand the issues. If you can influence a leader, that’s the best
influence.” She said, “We see kids struggling, they’re scared to death. Parents
are unaccepting or parents are frozen. Every child wants to be accepted.” Chrysteil
Hunter Bird is an active member of the LDS Church, and she even served a
full-time mission. Her journey with her child goes down a different and
changing road. “I have a transgender child going from female to male,” Bird
said. “My daughter came out 3 1/2 years ago. My son began his transition in
August. Thus began my new adventure. It wasn’t a gigantic surprise but we had
no foundation for help.” Bird said that about a year ago she started getting
impressions to get involved with the LDS LGBT things and she came to know the
Mama Dragons. “I was asked to be a member,” Bird said. “They vetted me and then
invited me. I met other Mama Dragons that were transgender moms. I have found
support for me and educational support. I am learning exponentially faster than
I would have. If someone has a question it’s right there for you including
scientific research.” The group is growing so fast in Seattle, where Bird is
from, they are doing special story projects together and every day chat with
each other for support. “It’s really amazing,” Bird said. “I can’t say enough on
how incredibly impressed I am with this group of women. Everyone has a valid
voice. We don’t always agree but we are compassionate.” Julie Packer said she
found the Mama Dragons when her gay son
was having a mid-drug addiction relapse. “He got himself into rehab and when he
got out, I posted his picture asking for prayers. I was really hopeful that he
was going to make it this time. A few days later he ended his life. Mama
Dragons I had never met rallied around me. Some of them drove from Utah and
other parts of Idaho to go to his funeral in Southeastern Idaho. I was able to
channel my grief into this cause. I really felt like Mama Dragons saved me, in
a different way than they save other mothers and I have seen that over and over
again, too.” Packer said her son admitted he was tired of pretending about his
drug use, even though he said he was comfortable being gay. On the day he died
he seemed happy, had served others, and shared time with his mother. He died at
age 26. Packer said just posting on Facebook with the Mama Dragons has opened
up doors for other kids. “There’s a parent they can talk to,” Packer said.
“Anytime I have a chance, I would love help a kid be safe.” Crivello added,
“Mama Dragons give children a refuge. They know their child is a miracle from
the divine. You’re not crazy loving your kids.”
A dragons keep of support Crivello said there are several resources to help Mama Dragons and parents of LGBT children. For Mama Dragons visit www.mamadragons.net. It will link you to their Facebook page. The Mama Dragons now have a Spanish-speaking branch called "Mama Águilas" (Águilas translates to "eagles" and is used because there isn't a Spanish word for dragon). Recently a group called Dragon Dads has also been started on Facebook. Frequently the Mama Dragons will suggest The Family Acceptance Project booklet (scroll down to view the LDS version). The PDF version may be downloaded free of charge. Its purpose hopes to help families understand as children come out. Along with the booklet is the Families Are Forever video featuring the family of one of the Mama Dragons.
2016 Mama Dragons breathe fire to protect their young by Kim Ditty is no stranger to prayer. It was the prayer Ditty offered outside the intensive care unit where her son was holding on to life that started her on a journey of peace, discovery, and to the Mama Dragons. What are Mama Dragons?
 |
| Gina Crivello |
 |
| Kim and Anthony Ditty |
 |
| Mama Dragons |
A dragons keep of support Crivello said there are several resources to help Mama Dragons and parents of LGBT children. For Mama Dragons visit www.mamadragons.net. It will link you to their Facebook page. The Mama Dragons now have a Spanish-speaking branch called "Mama Águilas" (Águilas translates to "eagles" and is used because there isn't a Spanish word for dragon). Recently a group called Dragon Dads has also been started on Facebook. Frequently the Mama Dragons will suggest The Family Acceptance Project booklet (scroll down to view the LDS version). The PDF version may be downloaded free of charge. Its purpose hopes to help families understand as children come out. Along with the booklet is the Families Are Forever video featuring the family of one of the Mama Dragons.
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