This Day In Gay Utah History February 12th

12 February

1890 First Report of the Utah Territorial Reform School. The Ogden Military Academy offered its vacant buildings to operate in while the school was to be rebuilt. In 1896, the school permanently took over the site of the old military academy. The Institution opened 31 October 1889 and received its first charge November 7. Boys and girls lived in the same dormitories during the first ten years, but daily activities, were divided by gender. Discipline was an ongoing concern deemed necessary to keep children in line at the school. Punishment ranged from deprivation of meals and privileges, to solitary confinement, whipping, and the use of restraints. Youths were confined at the school by the order of juvenile court judges. As of December 31 had 13 children 12 boys and 1 girl  ranging in age from 11 to 17. Two of the inmates were incarcerated for crimes against nature. On June 24, 1891, a fire destroyed most of the building, including the resident halls. ^]With Utah becoming a state, the school was officially renamed the Utah State Industrial School. Salt Lake Herald

1958 The Salt Lake Police Department began arresting homosexuals after instituting the policy of decoys and surveillance at Gay meeting places such as the bars and city parks.

1964-- The Mormon First Presidency issued a letter stating that prospective missionaries “found guilty of fornication, of sex perversion, of heavy petting, or of comparable transgressions should not be recommended until the case has been discussed with the Bishop and state President and the visiting Authority.” "

1976-Actor Sal Mineo of Rebel Without A Cause fame was stabbed to death at age 37. HisP.S. Your Cat Is Dead in San Francisco, Mineo received substantial publicity from many positive reviews and he moved to Los Angeles along with the play. Mineo was arriving home after a rehearsal on February 12, 1976, when he was stabbed to death in the alley behind his apartment building near the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. Mineo was stabbed just once, not repeatedly as first reported, but the knife blade struck his heart, leading to immediate and fatal internal bleeding. In March 1979, pizza deliveryman Lionel Ray Williams was sentenced to 57 years in prison for killing Mineo and for ten robberies in the same area. Although considerable confusion existed as to what witnesses had seen in the darkness the night Mineo was murdered, Williams claimed to have had no idea who Mineo was. Corrections officers later said they had overheard Williams admitting to the stabbing.
murderer was a drifter who claimed he did it "for the fun of it."  By 1976, Mineo's career had begun to turn around. While playing the role of a bisexual burglar in a series of stage performances of the comedy

1979 David Chipman, 22, was arrested and charged with forcible sexual abuse. The charges were filed by David Newmann, a police science student working under cover for BYU Security  Newmann, posing as a homosexual, had previously written a letter which appeared in a gay publication, expressing a desire to organize a gay underground group at BYU. Chipman, a non-student, responded to Newmann's letter and they arranged to meet at BYU. After meeting, they consented to go to Squaw Peak for sexual activity. After sexual activity had been initiated, Chipman was taken to the BYU Security office where he was placed under arrest. Upon learning of the account, President Oaks put a halt to such tactics. However, Chipman was prosecuted and convicted. In the meantime, an elaborate sting operation was being set up by BYU campus security officers to entrap Gay students. I cover this in length because of the extensive media coverage it received and because of all the controversial issues that were exposed as a consequence. Security recruited a student named John David Neumann who was willing to pose undercover as a Gay man and receive college credit for it by enrolling in a BYU course titled "Justice Administration 299R". Neumann took the authority of his role a little too seriously and apparently became somewhat of a rogue agent for Security. Neumann would later tell the press that the reason he had become a student decoy was because he had once been approached by a Gay man and it upset him that such a thing could happen on campus, so he decided to help end homosexuality at BYU. According to later reports, Neumann wrote an "unauthorized" letter for the November 1978 issue of the Gay newspaper in Salt Lake, The Open Door, stating that he was Gay and wanted to start a "Gay Underground" group on campus. (Apparently Neumann didn't realize that the year-old support group for Gay Mormons, commonly referred to as "the GMU", was actually named "Gay Mormons United", not "Gay Mormon Underground".) Interested parties were asked to contact Neumann.  David Chipman, a Gay Mormon from Buffalo, New York, who had previously been expelled from the "Y" (cause unknown), responded to the January ad, hoping to help John Neumann deal with his "homosexuality." Chipman also later testified in court that "he wanted to talk to Neumann only to tell him how to help LDS friends who were homosexuals." On February 12, 1979 John and David met on campus and went driving in Chipman's car. Chipman was unaware that Neumann was wired and was being followed by an unmarked car with BYU security officers Sgt. Clive Winn and Detective Malin Shephard inside. Neumann asked Chipman where to go to meet Gays at BYU, and Chipman told him about the "public sex environments" at the Wilkinson Center bathrooms, and the Richard's P.E. building saunas. 30 miles down the road, off-campus and in another county, Chipman stopped the car and started to chat with Neumann. At one point, Chipman apparently touched Neumann in a "friendly manner" on the leg or knee, although Neumann claimed that after touching him on the leg, Chipman then touched him in the genital area. Neumann screamed into his hidden microphone, "He touched me! He touched me! Come arrest him!" BYU security officers Winn and Shephard then approached the car and initially ticketed Chipman for reckless driving, and then demanded he return to their offices so he could be formally charged with the felony of "forcible sexual abuse". This was a travesty of justice since Chipman was not a student, the security officers were not only off-campus but out of Utah County, were not deputized police officers with the power to arrest anyone, Neumann was an illegal, untrained decoy, and was illegally wired. There were also no outside witnesses to corroborate the testimony of either man, leaving it Chipman's word against Neumann's. Chipman was so upset at the time, that several times during the car trip back to Provo, he contemplated driving his car off the mountainous cliffs to kill himself. A Gay friend of Chipman's, Wendell Ballantyne, also reported that "Security tried to...blackmail [Chipman] into testifying" against Ballantyne, who was then a Senior at BYU, but Chipman refused and instead "tried to commit suicide afterwards."

1980 -Imperial Court of Utah held its last meeting at Denny's 300 West and North Temple

SLC UT to deal with crisis in leadership when Emperor Gordon refused to step down after a vote of no confidence in his leadership. The special meeting took place to have all court members resign and turn in their court cards at the same time in front of Gordon Steele the Reigning Emperor of the ICU and his attorney.  The meeting lasted 10 minutes.  This was the beginnings of what was to become the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire with Joe and Dusty assuming the offices of  Emperor & Empress. 

1987-The Gay and Lesbian Community Council debated the appropriateness of supporting political causes but passed a motion to support Gay Pride Day Activities. The meeting was held at the Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church. A dozen people attended. The council voted unanimously to take responsibility for 1987 Gay Pride Day. The organization still had no regular officers or secretary. Present were representatives from Lesbian and Gay Student Union, Anti-Violence Project Utah, Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, The Gay Rodeo Association, Triangle Magazine, Concerning Gays and Lesbians, and RMCC. Jon Sasserman of the Triangle Magazine was pro tem chair of the council.

1988-US Commission on Civil Rights issued a resolution requesting that Congress enact legislation requiring statistics on hate crimes to be kept by the Justice Department, but excluded violence motivated by sexual orientation.

1988 A fund-raiser was held for the Utah AIDS Quilt at the Newgate Waterside in Ogden. A  benefit fund-raiser was held at the Newgate Waterside in Ogden. Those attending the “all Gay” private party took advantage of the soothing 95 degree water and the two new Wolf tanning beds available, and provided needed seed money for the Quilt Project .The fund-raiser was attended by about 80 people from the Gay and Lesbian communities. Event raised about $250 for the Quilt Project.  Thanks to Terry Thompson-Ferrio, Ben Williams, Bruce Harmon, and Chuck Whyte. “After getting off work came right home to get ready for the water slide event tonight. John Reeves, Mark LaMarr, James Connelly, Mike Anderson, and I all went together. We were followed by Ken Francis and his date James Zurkle. We were in Ogden by 8 PM and it was so much fun. Perhaps about 80 people or more were there.  All the organizations had people represented.  I think the AIDS Quilt made about $150 or more off of the event so that was fantastic.  After the water slide a lot of the people there went to The Journal to unwind before going home.  It was a really fun event and old Donny Eastepp said it would never fly! Ha!” [1988 Journal of Ben Williams]

1988 - I called the YMCA about renting their camp at Kamas for the retreat.  It has bunk house style cabins and meals would be included. The cost would be about $30 per person for two days.  I’m really excited about the possibilities of having it there.  John Reeves is going to call the YMCA next week and go through official channels to see if they would rent to a Gay organization. [1988 Journal of Ben Williams]

1995  Gerrit William Rip, son, brother, uncle, friend and cousin, age 62, died February 11, 1995, at his home in Holladay, Utah. Born August 31, 1932, in Salt Lake City to John and Margaret Reesink . Employed with Harman's Kentucky Fried Chicken for over 25 years as an accountant and administrator. Graduate of University of Utah. Member of LDS Church. Veteran of U.S. Army. A man of class, generous to a fault, he was a devoted son and respected by all. Bill was an avid jogger, shopper, and gift-giver extraordinaire. He met the challenges in recent months, with dignity and never a complaint. A special "Thank You!" to Dr. Kristen Ries, Maggie Snyder, and care givers, especially Beppie.

1996 ANTI GAY OPINION SUBJECTION TO D.C. IS LAMENTABLE In an 1889 ruling against polygamy, the Supreme Court declared that behaviors that "destroy the purity" of marriage between men and women and "debase man" are crimes that "offend the common sense of mankind." In other words, in the 1890s, Washington required that Utah reject polygamy in order to garner the government's good graces. A hundred years later, federal approbation requires that Utah schools embrace sodomy. Federally prescribed condoms for kids will soon follow. Utah is celebrating its centennial anyway. In December, about 15 gay students at East High School learned there is a Santa after all when the Utah attorney general's office announced that Utah's public schools cannot ban gay student clubs as long as those schools accept federal education dollars. In January, the Supreme Court let stand a designation of nearly 7 million acres in the Northwest as protected habitat for the spotted owl. However, Massachusetts parents will have to look outside the court for protection for their children. The Supreme Court let stand a Massachusetts court decision that allows schools to distribute condoms to children in grades seven to 12 without parental notification or approval. Some are blaming religious conservatives for making gay clubs possible at public schools. It's true that conservatives pushed for passage of the federal Equal Access Act in 1984 to thwart the Supreme Court's Bible ban and to again allow Christian clubs access to school facilities. But it wasn't Christians who elevated the heterosexually challenged to the status of "sexual minority." We can thank our moral masters in Washington for that one; the empire is merely striking back. Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, mistakenly dubbed a "new federalist," said last fall that "the national government has alienated citizens to the point of disgust." Yet Leavitt, in his pilgrimage for federal money, is foremost among Utahns in embracing discredited abominations like Goals 2000 and the increased federal control that will come with it. Increased federal control of schools, as we have seen through the Equal Access Act, also means government-approved "acts of licentiousness" that "debase man." In a nation where the government is God, there is no separation of church and state. Instead, there is growing federal intolerance of religious allegiance that competes with statist supremacy. Sorry to rain on Utah's centennial parade, but being subject to Washington is rapidly becoming more a cause for lamentation than celebration. Michael Morris Spanish Fork  Deseret News 

1996 POLITICS- Utah Congressional Delegation Dueling Demos Begin 2nd District Quest Demos Battle Among Themselves In 1984, Utah's Democratic Party delegates had a choice between conservative Kem Gardner and liberal Wayne Owens. In 1992, it was pro-life Pat Shea vs. pro-choice Stewart Hanson. Both times party faithful veered to the left, and both times the Democrat was obliterated by a Republican in the general election. Now come Ross Anderson and Jim McConkie, the two Democrats gunning for the 2nd Congressional

District seat held by Republican Rep. Enid Greene Waldholtz. The Democrats have a golden opportunity in the financial scandal that has engulfed Waldholtz.  So how do they capitalize? The minority party has already lost the advantage of unity, because two candidates guarantee an internal fight. But is the 2nd District in 1996 a replay of Hanson-Shea. Or is it different? ``I don't see any comparison at this point,'' said Hanson, a supporter of Anderson. ``These are two different people. There are different issues involved. It is a different race.'' Shea, a McConkie man, agrees -- for different reasons.  ``The parallel stops at Utahns for Choice,'' said the former party chairman who believes his 1992 loss to Hanson turned on the abortion-rights group and its founder, Democratic donor Annette Cumming. ``Annette and a number of other leaders of Utahns for Choice are supporting Jim McConkie, and to me that's the critical element,'' said Shea. Four years ago, Cumming and her followers would not back Shea, although prevailing wisdom pegged him as the more mainstream candidate for the general election. This year, however, she has contributed $1,000 to the anti-abortion

Jim McConkie

McConkie over the solidly pro-choice Anderson. The 24,000-member Utahns For Choice, meantime, has changed its policy and no longer endorses candidates in a primary unless an incumbent is running, said executive director Beverly Cooper. While Cooper acknowledged that Anderson is more in sync with the group, she said McConkie is palatable because he would ``support and uphold the laws of the land, including the Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade.'' McConkie, who admits he disagrees with the group over the availability of abortion, says the compromise is significant. ``I could say in this particular case I'm fortunate because I have broader backing and broader support,'' he said. ``Annette Cumming and other women asked me to enter the race and are very supportive even though I do not take a pro-choice position. They see this as an opportunity for the Democratic Party to win and see that I'm electable and recognize that a moderate Democrat is not inimical to their interest.'' Cumming was not available for comment, but McConkie indicated her decision to support him was difficult.  Too difficult, Anderson suggests. ``Jim McConkie had the support of many people when he was the only candidate. Now that I'm in the race it's a completely different ball game. Some of the people whose names he has so freely used as being his endorsers would not be on an endorsement list today if they were asked.''    Democratic godfather Ted Wilson, who has allowed McConkie to use his name on campaign stationery but has not made an endorsement, said the 2nd District allows for somewhat more liberal candidates than the state overall, but not by much. This year, the choice faction of the party may be more attuned to that. ``They see that Jim McConkie is a better profile and they are realistic about politics. They're willing to compromise some on the issues to get somebody into office,'' he said. It remains to be seen, however, whether abortion will even be an issue. Cooper insists it will, and the Republicans are sure to make it one. Anderson and McConkie may even bring it up themselves since it is one of the few subjects that illuminates a difference. Anderson, pro-choice without qualification, says it is a personal decision government should

Rocky Ross Anderson

stay out of. But in the next breath he adds that he respects differing views and would like both sides to find common ground: the prevention of abortions and prevention of conditions leading to them. McConkie opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest, when the health or life of the mother is at stake and where the viability of the fetus is in serious question. He would vote for legislation and support federal funding ``consistent with this policy.''  The subject just may not excite delegates and primary voters the way it used to, certainly not as it did for Hanson and Shea, Wilson said. If so, ``that's a huge issue to get off the table,'' he said. ``There may be other issues Rocky can find to distinguish himself from Jim McConkie.'' Such as gun control and gay rights, the latter having roared into the limelight courtesy of the Legislature. ``They wouldn't help Jim or Rocky get elected in the general election, but they are issues they can stoke up and get a primary victory out of, then hope everybody forgets it when they go down the stretch and try to attract mainstream voters,'' Wilson said. Gay rights could easily become a battleground. McConkie opposes any carving out of what he calls ``special privileges'' for homosexuals. As a congressman, he would amend the current Equal Access Act of 1984 to give parents and principals say over whether a gay and lesbian student club could form at East High School in Salt Lake City. ``That's not in the best interest of the community to have those kinds of clubs and promote those kinds of ideas with children,'' he said. Asked how he felt about Democrats pressuring the group Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (GLUD) from dropping the party name, McConkie responded, ``Three cheers. ``It hurts the Democratic Party to be associated with extreme positions. There is a broad middle ground where we should pursue public policy -- where most people can agree.'' Anderson said the East High and GLUD controversies reflect a ``huge difference'' between the two. ``If there's one thing that's been made clear in the last two weeks, it's that these students who want to have dialogue and want to share an understanding and work through their feelings show far more compassion and humanity than the extremist right-wing zealots who preach and practice such intolerance.'' Anderson said.  Beyond that, the two Democrats tack to the right on fiscal matters. McConkie stresses a balanced budget in seven years; Anderson says balancing the budget is a short-term fix. The nation must also eliminate the debt. ``The family that owes the bank a lot of money doesn't get the bank paid back by balancing the budget. You have to pay the bank back at some point or you're going to keep paying interest,'' he said. To do it, Anderson would start with means-testing in programs such as Medicare, and add cuts in wasteful spending and new revenues through gasoline taxes, cigarette and alcohol taxes and a graduated reduction in home mortgage deductions. There is little dispute over wilderness. Both men support more wilderness than the 1.8 million acres proposed by the delegation. McConkie favors 5.7 million acres; Anderson said he wants to talk to advocates on both sides about each of the proposed wilderness areas before settling on a figure. So where else can a delegate look for contrast in a duo one Democrat describes as Michael Dukakis -- ``in the tank'' -- and Dan Quayle. For McConkie it is electability; for Anderson personal ability.  ``Democrats are tired of losing,'' McConkie said. ``The party is famous for dotting I's and crossing T's and misspelling the entire word. ``The question is do they want to stand there and make a political statement which is rather narrow in its scope – and lose. Or do they want to have a candidate that represents the values of a majority of people who can win and bring back vitality to the Democratic Party so that it's a real player.'' Anderson disdains any labeling -- conservative or liberal. ``Once the voters in this district learn of my record of community commitment and involvement it will not be a question of `liberal' or `conservative.' Rather it will be a question of who has worked effectively to solve problems and who is better able to represent the people of the 2nd District.'' Clear choice or not, the May convention will determine if the party rank-and-file opt for unity or traditional alliances, that is unless some other development complicates the mix before then -- say Utah House Minority Leader Frank Pignanelli. Pignanelli has received encouragement to run and is giving it consideration, said state Democratic Party Chairman Mike Zuhl. (02/12/96 Page: D1 SLTribune)

1998-The National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum's 11th annual conference began. Speakers included congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Rep. Sabrina Sojourner, writer and activist Cleo Manago, and author Robert Penn.

1999-A New Orleans appeals court ruled Louisiana's 194-year-old sodomy law unconstitutional.

 2003 U of U GLBT Resource Center And I found out last night that 'I' stands for Intersexed...So when I started last night I jokingly would not say GLBTIQ...but said I would

like to welcome the Alphabet to the meeting...."  Everyone laughed! Still small turn out.  I guess Im going to have to make a visit to the Death Star, and threaten to blow the lid off of their Community Partner crap, if they dont stop bashing the Forum, and make an endorsement. Oh it gets only better. So last night Charles Milne spills that he is one of several organizations asked to be Producing Community Partners for Pride.  That is a real SLAP in the face of the community... [Notes from Chad Keller]

12 February 2005 QUEEN OF HEARTS BALL This is the only pageant the RCGSE holds were you the Audience can decide who should win.  The candidates have 3 weeks to campaign out in the community, then the night of the pageant (Feb 12th 7pm) all those who attend and pay the $6 cover at the door (Proceeds to benefit the RCGSE General Fund) will receive a ballot with all the candidates names running for King of Hearts and all of the names of the candidates running for Queen of Hearts.  So if you can make it out, please join me Feb 12th 7pm at the Trapp Door and Vote Ryann for Queen of Hearts 28.

2006  Ruzicka grooming a nest full of eaglets Following Mama Bird: They oppose a

hate-crimes bill but back restrictions on abortion and gay rights By Susan Winlow Special to The Tribune Salt Lake Tribune Every day during the legislative session you can find them sitting in their favorite corner of the Capitol Hill cafeteria, plotting their next move against what they see as an expanding anti-family agenda. The Teen Eagles are younger versions of Gayle Ruzicka, head of the morals crusading Utah Eagle Forum. “We’re taught that it’s our responsibility to get up here and stand up for what we know is right,” said Kori Petersen, 15, of Riverton. What is right, Petersen adds, is working to promote “family values and uphold the Constitution.” Ruzicka is proud of her mentoring program for youth and candid about its objective. “My goal, of course, is to replace myself,” she said, laughing. “As soon as possible. If all of us here go away and there’s no young people to take our place, then it’s all been in vain; so that’s why we do Teen Eagles.” Ruzicka, apparently, has nothing to worry about. The Utah Teen Eagle program, the number of participants is unknown, is going strong and many of the well-dressed teenagers sitting in the House or Senate gallery or committee meetings are Eagle interns. The program is year-round and provides a pool from which Eagle Forum legislative interns are selected. “We’re trying to encourage kids to become Teen Eagles because that way they work with us all during the year,” said Michelle Seegmiller, coordinator for Teen Eagles and interns. “They can get the training during the year and [learn] why we feel the way we do on certain issues. They just learn a lot about what Eagle Forum is doing during the year.” During this lawmaking session, Teen Eagles are following plenty of bills, including opposing a proposed hate-crimes measure and promoting several measures that restrict abortion and gay rights. Following Ruzicka’s lead, the members say they oppose the gay lifestyle – not the people. “If I had a gay family member, I’d still love them,” Petersen said. “I wouldn’t agree with their choices.” The conservative teen group has a counterbalance. The Utah Progressive Network also has legislative interns, called the Progressive Student Youth Council. This group is responsible for the lawmaker trading cards that are circulating around the Capitol and have tried to engage – with varying degrees of success – some legislators, including conservative ones. “They’re actively going after these guys that they think make bad legislation and unfair legislation,” said Gena Edvalson, interim director of the Progressive Network. “I think it’s fair to say that there is a big difference in what [the teen Progressives and the Eagles think] fairness and justice look like.” But Edvalson respects the commitment of her political adversaries. “Clearly [Ruzicka] believes in what she’s doing,” Edvalson said. “I believe in what I do because it’s the morally correct way to live. It’s the conclusions we’ve come to that might be different.” Teen Eagle, Tyson McBride, 18, said Ruzicka taught him that one voice can make a difference. Along with learning about the inner workings of the Utah Legislature, the interns get some tactical training from Ruzicka. A skilled lobbyist and organizer, she often finds common ground with her opponents before moving in for the kill – a political kill laced with kindness. “I don’t care if they’re liberal, conservative, Democrats, Republicans or chose to live the gay lifestyle – that doesn’t matter to me as far as friendship goes,” Ruzicka said. “In fact some of my best friends up here have been some liberal Democrats who maybe we didn’t agree on anything, but if I wanted a next door neighbor, I think I’d pick one of them.”

2006 Sunday, February 12, 2006 Broadway Centre Cinemas - 111 East 300 South 2:00 pm -Adam & Steve" After a disastrous one-night stand in the 80’s, Adam & Steve don’t recognize each other when they meet again fifteen years later. With the help of their best friends, formerly obese stand up comic Rhonda (Parker Posey), and straight-guy ladies man Michael (Chris Kattan), our protagonists fall in love only to realize, a year into their relationship, that they had met before and unwittingly changed the course of each other’s lives that fateful night in the 80’s.  

2006 WINTERFEST GAY SKI DAY at Brighton Ski Resort Sunday - February 12th 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM  Tickets $50 - All Day Pass or $40 - Beginners Pass  We welcome diversity, so regardless of whether you are a boarder or a skier, join us on the slopes of Brighton! The first 50 tickets sold include a commemorative beanie which is a great way to identify fellow Winterfesters & show your Pride on the mountain. Includes 12:00 lunch, a 1:00 group run from the summit and a 2:00 Apres Ski at Molly Greens slopeside restaurant.  ~The Winterfest Gay Ski Day is graciously underwritten by Todd Randall & Brien Jones~Hurry and check out the many other SLC Winterfest activities being held through Feb 12th!

2006 Winter Fest Facing East Reading with Carol Lynn Pearson

2006 Deseret Morning News, Gays are seeking acceptance, not rights, activist says Former

Utahn tells Winterfest gathering to get angry at bias By Elaine Jarvik Deseret Morning News Being accepted as "fully human" — that's what the gay and lesbian community wants most, says Matt Foreman. Foreman, who spent part of his childhood in Utah and is now, 40 years later, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, gave the keynote address Saturday at Salt Lake City Winterfest 2006, a conference sponsored by the local gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender (GLBT) community. "Our vision, our goal is not equal rights — as if what we are seeking is a better dental plan — but to be accepted for what we are, and that is fully human," Foreman told his audience. "We are, like everyone else, created in God's own image and likeness." Foreman, who attended elementary school in Magna and junior high in Salt Lake City — at a time when "gay" wasn't yet part of the mainstream vernacular but "sissy" was — urged his Winterfest audience to get angry at what he called the "immorality" of discrimination. It's time, he said, to stop ignoring "the lies of our opponents, their distortions, their disgusting tactics, and the vile things they say about us. . . . You hear them, you see them, you feel their poison seeping into the public discourse and into young and old minds alike." He took exception to what he called the "gay exception" — the notion that "it is OK to say things about GLBT people in legislatures, in newspapers, on TV that no one, no one could get away with saying about another minority." He criticized the mainstream media for giving the gay opponents "a free ride and legitimacy"; the Catholic Church for "scapegoating gay people" for decades of sex abuse of children; and the LDS Church for being "the often hidden hand" pushing anti-gay legislation "and certainly never lifting its voice for us." He also had angry words for Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Sandy, for sponsoring a bill in the 2006 Legislature that would prohibit counties from offering domestic partner benefits, as well as a bill that some think will void legal agreements between domestic partners — "the very thing he said during the Amendment 3 debate that he did not want to do. He's a damn hypocrite." On the one hand, Foreman said, the GLBT community can be proud that "no other social justice movement in the history of the world has made as much progress as we have" in the past four decades. On the other hand, he said, anti-gay hate crimes are nearly two times more likely than those motivated by hatred of blacks, GLBT people are three times more likely than others to attempt and commit suicide, and domestic partners are sometimes not allowed to visit each other in hospital intensive care units. Foreman predicted that within seven years there will be a federal law protecting the GLBT community from discrimination, and that within 25 years "we will have the freedom to marry, coast to coast, including Utah." In the meantime, he said, "We need to take our pride and anger and move forward with righteousness."

2009 A boycott of one of Utah's most prominent car dealers remains in place for now, in spite of what both sides described Thursday as an amicable and productive face-to-face meeting aimed at resolving it. John Garff, president of Salt Lake City-based Ken Garff Automotive Group, and Fred Karger, head of Californians Against Hate, both said a resolution to the conflict was in the works, after a two-hour meeting on Wednesday.  The California group has called for a boycott of 53 car dealerships owned by the Garff family for donating to California Proposition 8... The Salt Lake Tribune

2014  TO: Recipients of the Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award Thank you so much for your significant contributions made to our community and congratulations on being a Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award recipient.  You were chosen because of your outstanding service to the LGBT community. The search for the 2014 recipient of the Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award began earlier this month.  We want to be thorough in our search, so if you would like to submit nominations, please send in your nominations as soon as possible via the Pride Festival website   Please remember to include at least 100 words with the name. In preparation for the selection of the 2014 recipient(s), posted below is a brief time line (with target dates) for your review.  As usual, we ask for your continued participation in helping to select our recipient(s).  Please note, the first round of voting will be held via email from March 6 to March 16, 2012.  Please be sure to check your spam box for our emails over the next several weeks.  I will be sure to keep you updated during the selection process and will send the guidelines out shortly. Chuck Whyte and Ben Williams (past recipients) have kindly offered to meet with me and assist.  If there are any issues you would like addressed or if you would like to join in, please let me know. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please let me know. Yours truly, Jon Jepsen Utah Pride Festival, Awards Director  

Time line:

March 7 – Nomination Deadline

March 22 – Selection Completed (Round 1)

March 29 – Selection Completed (Round 2 if needed)

March 31 – Notification to Award Recipients

April 5 – Award Recipient Photos Completed

April 14 – Award Recipients Announced