February 27-
1778-Lt Col. Aaron Burr presided over the court martial of Ensign
Anthony Maxwell, who was charged with filing a scandalous report about Lt.
Gotthold Frederick Enslin (who he accused of having sexual relations with
Private John Monhart). He was acquitted.
1889 - LDS political newspaper Salt Lake Herald's
article titled, "FAILED MARRIAGES," regarding "the report of the
Labor Commissioner Wright, presented last week, on the statistics of marriage
and divorce in the United States from 1867 to 1886 inclusive," with
following: In 1870 Utah had highest rate of divorce out of all states and territories.
In 1870 Utah 's
rate was one divorce per 185 marriages. National averages was 1:664. States
with lowest divorce rates are South Carolina
at 1:4,938, Delaware at 1:123,672, New Mexico at 1:16,077, North
Carolina at 1:4,938, and Louisiana
at 1:4,579. In 1880 Utah
had tenth highest rate of divorce out of all states and territories. In 1880 Utah 's rate was one
divorce per 219 marriages, which was more than twice the national average of
1:479. In twentieth century, divorce rates for LDS temple marriages starts out
three times higher than this "divorce mill" rate for early Utah civil marriages.
1933- Two employees of Magnus Hirschfeld at the
Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin, Dr. Max Hodann and Felix Helle, were
arrested and sent to a concentration camp with the pink triangle. Max Hodann was a City physician in Berlin.
 |
| Russ Lane |
1986- Russ Lane, founder of Wasatch Affirmation,
arrived in Utah on a bus from San Jose, California because he felt that he had
a calling to come to Utah to start a chapter of Affirmation that was following
the general charter.
1989 AIDS FOUNDATION ELECTS SLATE OF OFFICERS John Seaman,
a professor in the University of Utah Graduate School of Social Work, is the
new chairman of the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation. Vice chairman is Bruce Harmon, a
professional fund-raiser for a major national health agency. Elected secretary
was Cindy Kindred, program underwriting director at KUTV. Terry Chin, vice
president of finance at Holy
Cross Hospital Deseret News)
1989 University of Utah’s Lesbian and Gay Student Union's topic was
Gay Paganism and Wicca presented by Brook Hallock and Nancy Diatima Perez, Tom
Abizu Jensen, and Becky Moorman. “I went
to Lesbian and Gay Student Union where the topic was Paganism and Wicca. Brook Hallock and Nancy Diatima Perez, Tom
Abizu Jensen and Becky Moorman were the presenters. It was interesting but the room was filled with attitude. I was very,
very good at keeping my mouth shut until The meeting closed with a Pagan candle
lighting circle. When each person lit
their candle I declined and simply said “my life is my light.” [1989 Journal of
Ben Williams]
 |
| Gordon Church |
1993 A Highland High School counselor was charged
with forcing two male students to fondle him during a meeting with the youths
in his Salt Lake City school office. Lynn T. Wood, 54, grabbed the boy’s hands
and placed them on his genitals during a Jan. 25 meeting, investigators allege.
Wood was also the Mormon bishop of his Murray
ward, in Murray UT
1994- -The SLCC Gay & Lesbian Student Association held a benefit show at Salt Lake
Community College for The Utah AIDS Foundation called ``A Night to Remember.''
which' was presented in the SLCC Grand Theatre,. Event featured the gay singing
and comedy duo Ron Romanovsky and Paul Phillips; lesbian comedian Marilyn Pittman;
and Salt Lake City-based folk singer and song-writer J. Nelson Ramsey. Romanovsky and Phillips began their careers
in
1994 Todd M. Phillips age 29 died at his home from complications of AIDS. He
attended Judge Memorial
High School ; and the University of Utah
1996-According to a report from the Service members Legal Defense
Network, 722 people were discharged from the US military during 1995, the
highest in four years. Reports of witch-hunts were as prevalent as before
"don't ask, don't tell" was enacted.
1996 ANTI GAY OPINION PUT STOP TO GAY-LESBIAN AGENDA An
Arab and his camel were stuck in the middle of the desert during a fierce
sandstorm. The Arab pitched his tent, leaving the camel outside. The camel
persistently asked the Arab if he could put his nose in the tent to keep the
dust out of his nostrils; the Arab finally consented. By exerting constant
pressure and persuasion, the camel eventually got more and more of his body
into the tent. Eventually there was no room for the Arab, who was forced out to
die in the sandstorm. The East High gay and lesbian club proposal is like a
camel's initial proposal to put his nose into the "tent" of Utah schools. The
ultimate goal is to infiltrate all Utah
schools, forcing traditional moral values to die out as the rising generation
pities, endures, then embraces their lifestyle. Homosexuals say that they are
entitled to the same rights as any other school club. But no other school
club's sole purpose is to advocate and, yes, recruit minors to perform illegal
activities. In Utah ,
sodomy is illegal, along with pedophilia and other sexual perversions.
Homosexuals argue that scientific evidence indicates that they are
fundamentally different. If indeed there are differences at birth (which I
doubt), they would be classified with hereditary tendencies toward such
disorders as alcoholism. It would be irresponsible to create clubs for
school-age children that lure potential alcoholics to join in the revelry of
heavy drinkers. In that company, it is unlikely that they would be informed of
the significant health risks, psychological damage to self and family, and immense
cost to everyone. The morally responsible thing for the rest of us to do is
work through our schools and Legislature to not allow the formation of any club
that promotes illegal activities, directly or indirectly. I urge all readers to
contact your local and state school boards and your state representative and
senator to make your feelings known. Otherwise, your silence is implied consent
to the gay-lesbian agenda. Stan Covington Orem Deseret News
2000- Hank Tavera, co-founder of the National Latina/o LBG & T
Organization, died of kidney cancer at age 56.
27 February 2000 Family Fellowship Quarterly Forum at the University of Utah Los Angeles Santa Cruz
27
February 2000 Page: AA1 Intolerance on
Adoption -The 21st century is not starting off as a new era of tolerance in
Utah, not after the Senate and House last week passed bills banning adoptions
to Gay and lesbian couples and to unmarried straight couples. These bills,
spurred by an overwrought concern that lack of such restrictions could hurt the
state if it is ever sued over same-sex marriage, are mean spirited and
misguided. Assuming the Gay-adoption ban is signed into law by Gov. Mike
Leavitt, Utah Florida Utah
27
February 2000 Page: Battle Lines Drawn on Gay Adoption Bills Opposing sides debate proposed legislation
that would ban cohabiting couples from adopting BY ROBERT GEHRKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS On the heels of a
Mormon crusade against same-sex marriage in Hawaii, California and Alaska,
Utah's predominantly Mormon Legislature is poised to stamp out a nagging
reminder of homosexual lifestyles at home. A pair of bills would ban all
adoptions by sexually involved couples living together. The ban is broad enough
to cover heterosexual and homosexual partners. But Gay couples say they are
squarely in the bill's crosshairs. "Although it's aimed at morality --
it's aimed at Gay and lesbian couples and it's aimed at couples living together
-- the people it's hurting is kids," said Hazel Jensen-Wysinger. She and
her partner adopted each other's biological children. But Scott Clark, chairman
of the board of the state's Division of Child and Family Services, said the
sole purpose of the ban is to protect children, not deny homosexuals adoption
rights. "They've hijacked the dialogue and talked just about same-sex
couples," said Clark . Clark
said the change was brought about by cases where live-in boyfriends abused
adopted children and a 1991 case in which the state placed the children of a
deceased polygamous wife in the home of her fellow wives. The placement was
challenged in court. Regardless of the
intent, the debate is clearly focused on the same-sex issue. "I think [legislators] have this
firm-rooted religiously based conviction and it is disingenuous to say [the
law] is not aimed at Gay people," said attorney Laura Milliken Gray. Gray's office wall is lined with pictures of
some of the roughly 20 same-sex couples -- including the Jensen-Wysingers and
Robert Austin and his partner Bradley Weischedel-- whom she helped with
adoptions. Austin and Weischedel have a 10-year-old son they adopted from an
abusive married couple in October 1998. "We are working on a daily basis
fixing the damage that was done to a child in the home of married couple,"
said Austin Utah Brigham
Young University University
of Southern California
2003 Dear Mr. Webb, This is Ben Williams from the Historical
Society. I am truly dishearted by your circumstances and feel your club (Club Blue) is a
loss to our community. When the SL City Weekly once wrote an article by Phil
Jacobsen about women being excluded from the club, I wrote them a letter that
was published, taking them to task. Unfortunately Utah is a dysfunctional
sexphobic society and many Gay men are also infected with that mental disorder.
I will get off my soap box and get to the point. When you are clearing out your
club will you consider donating items like the WLMC flags or logos, signs,
photographs, flyers, calendars, etc. from the business to the Stonewall
Historical Society? We, as you know, are dedicated to preserving our historical
identity in this culture and since sadly Club Blue is now relegated to
"history" we would feel it a great loss not to have some items for
preservation. Years from now people will be shocked and amazed that such
Gestapo Tactics were still being used in Utah at the beginning of the 21st
Century. Thank you for your consideration. Best Wishes in all your future and
happier (Gay-er) endeavors. Ben Williams
Utah Stonewall Historical Society
- Thanks for the kind words. I agree completely. I have saved many items that I would love to see preserved. Give me a few weeks to get stuff in order; I'm still settling small details with respect to the closing of the club. I'm not sure who you are, Ben and I'd love to make your acquaintance. If you see me out somewhere before I get these items compiled, please say hello. Thanks, Mike Webb
2003 Dear Friend, Your emails,
letters and phone calls have been very important in this legislative session.
It's imperative that our elected officials hear from us about issues that
concern us. As a representative myself, I am acutely aware how important it is
to hear from my constituents. I'm also very aware of how an ill-spoken
communication from a constituent, even when it's well meaning, can turn me off
to a particular issue. We have an
incredible opportunity this year to pass a hate crimes bill, HB 85, which his
being sponsored by Rep. David Litvack (D-SLC) and Rep. Jim Ferrin (R-Orem).
Your communication with your representatives on this particular bill has been
great, but there sometimes arises a situation around an issue when it's
important to do what will make a difference on a bill as opposed to say exactly
what is on your mind. The hate crimes
measure is being framed as a law enforcement issue, not a civil rights one –
and especially not a gay rights issue. People who are opposing HB 85 are
couching their arguments mainly from the point of view that if passed, HB 85
would give `special rights' or a special designation to people because of their
sexual orientation. You and I both know that this is not true. Many legislators
do not feel this is true either. However, the opposition is saying that by
recognizing sexual orientation as a protected group in the bill, it gives legal
status to the GLBT community – and they are playing on the fears of Utahns who
don't know better. Indeed, I can tell you from personal conversations with
representatives who are on the fence on this issue that if it's seen as
forwarding GLBT rights at all, they will need to vote against it. I encourage you to
contact your representatives about HB 85 immediately. When you do, stress that
it is about increasing tools for law enforcement and an attack on hate in Utah
2003 Hate Crimes - In a perfect world, even in a world that could be seen from a perfect world, a law that made it a special kind of crime to attack someone out of racial, religious or sexual hatred would not be necessary. In such a world, the normal laws against murder, assault and vandalism would suffice. People who hurt other people would be dealt with under the law, without fear or favor. No person who happened to be a member of a minority or disadvantaged class would have to worry that their suffering would be seen as any less serious than the suffering of anyone else. In a perfect world, Utah House Bill 85, sponsored by Rep. David Litvack, is the kind of law that wouldn't be necessary. It could even be hoped that his bill, which ratchets up the penalties for crimes that are motivated by hatred of a particular group of human beings, wouldn't be necessary in our little corner of this world. There is no particular pattern here of people who victimize blacks, Jews, gays or other groups -- and get away with it. But now that Litvack, a Salt Lake City Democrat, has respectfully placed the issue before us, now that the measure has won the approval of the the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee -- and the passive backing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- it becomes clear that this particular bill should, indeed, become law. In a perfect world, we would not see the situation we have here, where the strongest argument for Litvack's bill has been made, Bizarro-style, by those who most vehemently oppose it. That opposition, expressed at a Capitol Hill rally on Monday, is the fear that, by stating formal disapproval of violence against homosexuals, the state would somehow be making a special statement in favor of gays and lesbians, up to and including same-sex marriage. That is false. And, significantly, the state's dominant religion sees that. LDS Church leaders, who have actively opposed same-sex marriage in this and other states, are correctly taking some pains to point out that the faith's much-criticized general stance on gays and lesbians should not be read as anything that might forgive or condone violence against any person. In a perfect world, theLDS Church Utah
2003 Hate Crimes - In a perfect world, even in a world that could be seen from a perfect world, a law that made it a special kind of crime to attack someone out of racial, religious or sexual hatred would not be necessary. In such a world, the normal laws against murder, assault and vandalism would suffice. People who hurt other people would be dealt with under the law, without fear or favor. No person who happened to be a member of a minority or disadvantaged class would have to worry that their suffering would be seen as any less serious than the suffering of anyone else. In a perfect world, Utah House Bill 85, sponsored by Rep. David Litvack, is the kind of law that wouldn't be necessary. It could even be hoped that his bill, which ratchets up the penalties for crimes that are motivated by hatred of a particular group of human beings, wouldn't be necessary in our little corner of this world. There is no particular pattern here of people who victimize blacks, Jews, gays or other groups -- and get away with it. But now that Litvack, a Salt Lake City Democrat, has respectfully placed the issue before us, now that the measure has won the approval of the the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee -- and the passive backing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- it becomes clear that this particular bill should, indeed, become law. In a perfect world, we would not see the situation we have here, where the strongest argument for Litvack's bill has been made, Bizarro-style, by those who most vehemently oppose it. That opposition, expressed at a Capitol Hill rally on Monday, is the fear that, by stating formal disapproval of violence against homosexuals, the state would somehow be making a special statement in favor of gays and lesbians, up to and including same-sex marriage. That is false. And, significantly, the state's dominant religion sees that. LDS Church leaders, who have actively opposed same-sex marriage in this and other states, are correctly taking some pains to point out that the faith's much-criticized general stance on gays and lesbians should not be read as anything that might forgive or condone violence against any person. In a perfect world, the
2003 Hate-Crimes Bill
on Track for Debate BY DAN HARRIE THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE It appears there will be a floor debate
this week on hate crimes legislation. House Speaker Marty Stephens, R-Farr West,
said House Bill 85 will be pulled out of the Rules Committee for a floor debate
after sponsors indicated they had the 38 votes to pass the measure. "The same deal [coming out of Rules]
goes for any bill with a reasonable chance of passing," Stephens said. HB85 would create stiffer penalties for
people who threaten or commit acts of violence or vandalism against someone
because of their bias against the victim's race, color, gender, disability,
nationality, ancestry, religion or sexual orientation. Sponsoring Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake
City, said the 38 votes are
mostly "hard 'Yes' " votes, but not all. "It's going to be touch and go,"
Litvack said. "We don't want to get the message out that this is done. . .
. I don't want to light the fire under the opposition." In past years, the legislation has had
tough going, at least in part because some groups saw it as giving legal
protected status to gays and lesbians. This year, The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, which teaches that homosexual behavior is a sin, issued a
statement to lawmakers saying it did not oppose the bill. "The church's well-known opposition to
attempts to legalize same-gender marriage should never be interpreted as
justification for hatred, intolerance or abuse of those who profess homosexual
tendencies, either individually or as a group," Mormon leaders said. There still are plenty of opponents to the
bill on Capitol Hill, mostly from conservative Republicans who view it as
giving special rights to certain classes of people and creating a category of
"thought crime." The Utah Republican Party's Central
Committee last weekend resoundingly passed a resolution urging lawmakers to
defeat HB85 because it "would establish a dangerous mechanism in Utah law under which
freedom of conscience and religious belief is undermined and may be ultimately
threatened." Utah Eagle Forum leader Gayle Ruzicka
organized a Capitol rally Monday against the bill. She downplayed the LDS Church
statement of "non-opposition" to HB85 as merely an attempt by Mormon
leaders to quash rumors that the predominant religion was endorsing the
legislation. That comment prompted a denial Wednesday by
the church. "Ms. Ruzicka's reported assertion
regarding the motivation for our statement on proposed hate crimes legislation
is wrong," said spokesman Dale Bills. "The statement was made in keeping
with our long-standing policy of informing the legislative leadership of both
parties on those rare occasions when we comment on pending legislation,"
he said. "Our statement declared that the church does not oppose HB85 as
drafted. Period. Any interpretation beyond that is speculative."
2004 Hey everyone! I am sending this email out to let everyone know
that through food contributions to the Youth Activity Center (YAC) by you and/or your friends, we were able to feed over 1200 young people since May 7,
2003. We started a program called Soup's On, to help young people with little
or no access to food. We see many young people in the YAC who are "couch
surfing", living on the streets, or have very little money to take care of
their basic needs, such as food and hygiene. The community has been great to
the YAC in making sure the shelves have stayed full with cans of soup. I am now
sending out another email to ask for your donations again. Our shelves are
almost empty, yet we still have a consistent flow of young people who access
the Center, not only for resources and programs, but for food as well. So,
here's the wish list of food items (things that the youth seemed to like):Cup
of Noodles Ramen Noodles Fruit Roll Ups Granola Bars Soups, other than tomato Chili
Macaroni and Cheese Rice Bread peanut butter Popcorn Vegan or Vegetarian
options Anything that can be prepared in a microwave Milk, Soy Milk We are
always in need of plastic spoons, paper bowls, (for the soups) and paper
towels. Donations can be dropped off at the reception area of the GLBT Community
Center of Utah, located at 355 North 300 West. Please leave your contact
information with any items that are dropped off so that we can write you a
thank you letter. The young people are always appreciative and looking for ways
to say thanks. If you have any questions regarding Soup's On, or any of the
Youth Activity Center's programs, events, or activities, please contact meat
801.539.8800.x.14 Thank you again for your donations to the YAC. You are
helping to provide a safe space for young LGBTQ people and their allies. "bob" Director
of Youth Programs GLBT Community Center of Utah
2005 Brian Joseph Stanislawski, 34, died from pneumonia on Sunday,
February 27th in Denver, Colorado. He was surrounded by friends and family at
the time. Private services were held. Brian was born in Beaufort, SC at
Beaufort County Hospital on June 2, 1970. He was raised in Roy, Utah, attended
Valley View Elementary, Sandridge Jr. High and graduated from Roy High School
in 1988. At Roy high he was a member of the swim team and was a featured actor
in several theatrical productions. He won a number of awards at theater
conferences around Utah. He attended Stacy's Beauty College on evenings and
weekends during his senior year. The day after graduating from high school he
moved to Denver, Colorado. He completed his cosmetology education at Emily
Griffith in 1995 and passed his boards that same year. He first cut hair at
Diamond Cuts on Downing Street in the Capitol Hill area of Denver. Within a
year he bought the salon and renamed it Envy. He owned and operated the salon
and served the majority of the clientele until his death. Between 1998 and 2000
he also owned and operated Gallery 13, a shop and gallery around the corner
from Envy, where he sold cards, art and gifts. Many of the items sold there
were hand made by his parents. Brian's dynamic personality won him many friends
and admirers. His annual "costume required" Halloween parties were
famous and always well attended. He had a beautiful singing voice and strong
stage presence and was regularly seen and heard at the karaoke mic in clubs all
over Denver. He is survived by his mother and father, Raylene and Joe
Stanislawski, his older sister, Brenda Whitcomb, his older brother Bill
Stanislawski, his nephews Robbie Breedlove, Bennet Whitcomb and David Whitcomb,
his partner Ken Rales and his extended family and many friends in Utah,
Colorado, Minnesota, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, and
Melbourne. He was an original and will be dearly missed by all who knew and
loved him. Envy's business manager will keep the salon running. Sympathies and
contributions can be sent c/o Envy, 1300 Downing Street, Denver, Colorado
80218. Published in the Standard-Examiner on 3/19/2005.
2008 New Play Focuses on Gay Mormon Suicide “Missa Solemnis” to Be
Staged in New York at the End of February by Hugo Salinas February 2008 Roman
Feeser, a playwright living in New York City, is the author of Missa Solemnis
or The Play About Henry. Four
years in the making, Missa Solemnis is based on
the story of Stuart Matis, a gay Mormon young man who committed suicide on the
steps of his stake center in Los Altos ,
California New York City at the
Manhattan Repertory Theatre on February 27, February 29, and March 1, 2008. All
shows are at 9 PM. Space is very limited in the 44-seat theater, and the shows
are going to sell out. In the following interview, I ask Roman about his life and his new play.
Do you have a Mormon background? What’s your connection with Mormonism? No. I
didn't even know what Mormonism was before I started this journey. I was
researching gay suicide for my first play The Closet Contender and I
accidentally stumbled across the Affirmations website. I asked my writing
partner Brett here in New York City
if he knew about Mormons and he said, “I'm Mormon!” and I thought this was
fate. How did you pick the topic for your play? I read the Newsweek article
written by Mark Miller about Stuart and the last sentence said, “The people who
had prepared his body for burial were struck by the sight of his knees,
calloused from praying for an answer that never came.” and I thought, “Who
prays that hard today?” From that point on I heard his voice—Henry Stuart Matis
wanted his voice to be heard. Why did
you subtitle your play, “The Play about Henry” and not “The Play about Stuart”?
Out of respect. I didn't know him personally, only in spirit. People close to
Henry called him Stuart. Stuart was a man who couldn't come terms with his
trial. If you read some of his writings you'll find he was an extremely
intelligent man. Henry, had he lived, would have been the man to live
comfortably in his skin. Three of the characters in your play (Marilyn Matis,
Fred Matis, and Robert Rees) are based on real people, and you quote from their
writings. Did you try to contact any of them for this project? I did. I was
able to track down Robert Rees and interview him. The Matis family was
impossible to get near. As I understand the media really did a number on them
and they're not so willing to talk. I don't blame them. They lost a son. Some
people I met along the way volunteered to get in touch with them for me
including Ryan Shattuck, [former staff writer for QSL] Henry's cousin. But I was unsuccessful. I wanted to
really give everyone a chance to give their side of the story. I
wanted to put
up the most honest story I could. Luckily both Fred and Marilyn wrote an essay
in the book In Quiet Desperation, telling their side. It helped. How did you research your topic? One of my
dear friends Justin has been a huge help. He grew up in Salt Lake Salt Lake Salt Lake Salt
Lake Salt Lake
 |
| Roman Feezer |
 |
| Ryan Shattuck |
2006 Family Night at the Capitol Monday, February 27 at 4:00
P.M. on the West Plaza Capital Grounds
PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) invites you to a
peaceful rally of support for the GLBT Community and for Gay/Straight Alliances
on Monday, February 27 at 4:00 p.m. on the West Plaza Capital Grounds. What our
legislators are doing and saying is wrong, immoral, and sending a negative
message to our community. Bring friends and family. Wear t-shirts, buttons, and
make banners or posters that make a statement of how you feel about the
proposed bills that will affect our community and our loved ones. Include
positive messages that we want them to know about our friends and family
members. Together we can make a difference.
This is the last chance we have during this Legislative session to stand
together and have our voices be heard. Please join us! Thanks, Geralynn Barney
PFLAG Mom
2009 Gay-rights group drops boycott against Garff A
California gay-rights group announced Friday it is formally ending a boycott of
one of Utah's most high-profile car dealerships. Californians Against Hate had
called for a boycott of Ken Garff Automotive Group's 53 dealerships in six
states in retaliation for a $100,000 donation made by Garff family matriarch
Katharine Garff in support of Proposition 8, California 's same-sex marriage ban, part of
a total of $3.8 million donated for and against Prop 8 by Mormons... Author: Tony Semerad The Salt Lake Tribune
 |
| Ruby Ridge |
2009 The Bingo Queens Bingo » People from all walks of life get together to play
for charity. BY PEGGY FLETCHER STACK THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Ruby Ridge works the crowd in the social hall at Salt Lake
City's First Baptist Church in his green moss wig, dangly grape-bunch earrings
and silver platform pumps. His gray beard peeks out beneath the red lipstick
and rouge. Ruby, aka Donald Steward, affectionately greets longtime
friends and new associates as "queers" or "lesbians" or
"Greek mafia," as he introduces the more than 150 people who show up
for the monthly Drag Queen Bingo. The room is awash in helium balloons,
shimmering fabrics and double-entendres. Mardi Gras beads adorn many a neck as
Ruby's pals in drag circle the room: Petunia Pap Smear waves a wand with gold
tassels; Rusty Faucett has a rubber wig with mylar streamers; and Chevy
Suburban tiptoes in red tutu and big feather headdress. "Any jewelry left behind is mine," Ruby cackles
into the microphone with his slight New Zealand accent, as he calls out the
numbers. "G56. G47. B2. N64." Suddenly, in the corner someone stands up and spins around,
indicating a winner is near. Then it's back to the game. "E8," followed by
shrieks of, "There's no E." Oops. Finally, BINGO. The winner makes his way to the stage amid catcalls and
cheers to receive his prize -- assorted toys and candy from All-a-Dollar.
Fiddle Faddle, Cheetos, a T-shirt and chocolates. It's a frolicking good time, minus the alcohol. All for a
good cause. Surveying the crowded hall with pride, Ruby says, "It's
just like Noah's Ark -- two of everything. Gays, lesbians, straights, young,
old, middle-aged, teens and even babies." Even more striking, it's in a church. "A lot of gays and lesbians have been really damaged by
their churches and don't want to set foot inside a church," says Steward,
who has been a member of First Baptist for years. "This is like an
inoculation, a dose of comfortable church involvement. Those who want more can
pick it up." It started with a skit Steward, a Salt Lake City businessman, and his partner, Dick
Dotson, created Drag Queen Bingo some 19 years ago as a spoof entertainment at
Camp Pinecliff, a weekend retreat for AIDS patients and their families about 18
miles southeast of Coalville. The drag queen show proved to be such a hit that Steward and
Dotson decided to turn it into a fundraising mechanism. For many years, the
queens put on a monthly bingo event for the whole gay community and friends at
the downtown Stonewall Center, but it eventually grew too large for the space.
So they moved it to First Baptist at 755 S. 1300 East. Two years ago, the group
split. Those remaining chose to be less raunchy and more sober, Steward said. The gay community is still a very alcohol-drinking and
partying group, he says. "For those with sobriety or addiction issues,
their opportunities are limited." Every third Friday, then, scores of people gather at the church
to play eight rounds, some with names like Loser Bingo, Teaser Bingo and Drag
in a Bag Bingo. The first game costs $5; each subsequent round is $3. Then
there are the "party fouls," which are called when someone has her
elbows or forearms on the table, makes a false claim or lets a cell phone ring.
When a foul is called, the entire table must stand up, don a turban and carry a
purse around the room, while those at other tables hold up dollar bills to be
collected. "It's like a speed trap," Steward jokes.
"It's just an excuse to collect tips." All told, a typical bingo evening nets about $1,500, he
says. The funds go to a different charity every month. March's
event will raise money for an Ethiopian family with three kids. A big tent Sitting at the round table in the front is the Rev. David
Henry, First Baptist's interim pastor. This is his first bingo night, and he is
clearly enjoying himself. The event fits within everything Henry has worked to
accomplish at his longtime church, Wasatch Presbyterian in Salt Lake City, and
at his new, temporary abode. First Baptist is a mainstream American Baptist church that
sings the old hymns, prays for its members in the military and supports service
missions all over the world. It is one of the oldest churches in the valley,
with members ranging from young children to families to seniors. It also has a
completely integrated and active gay demographic, stretching back almost 20
years. "Ours is an open and encouraging congregation,"
Henry says, before slipping out the back door, wearing a giant lipstick imprint
on his forehead. "This all comes together organically. For two hours a
month, this historically conservative church gets a makeover. I see that as
healthy." About a quarter of the participants are members at First
Baptist; others come from Holladay United Church of Christ, South Valley
Unitarian Universalist Church and Salt Lake Metropolitan Community Church, a
traditionally gay and lesbian Christian faith. Many of this night's attendees also help out at Pinecliff. Marian Stephen, who describes herself as "hopelessly
straight," served as camp chaplain for the first time last September. "This was the most magnificent group of men and women I
have ever seen," says Stephen, who brought along her husband of 47 ½
years. " My message to them was that 'God loves you just as you are.'
" Even a Mormon grandmother got into the act, so to speak. "I have been working as a nurse at Pinecliff since it
opened 19 years ago," Melanie Bosworth says. "I have brought my whole
family, including my daughter, who is now over 30 with two kids, and my mother,
who is 80. We've developed some neat friendships." Bosworth is a Relief Society president in the Coalville LDS
stake and is well aware of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'
positions on homosexuality and gay sex, but finds no contradiction with her
support of the queens. "It's not my responsibility to judge," she says.
"I am here to love everyone and treat everyone kindly."Author: Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake
2014 Utah Pride Center names new executive director, announces mental health clinic.
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| Steven Ha |
February 27, 2014Utah Pride Center leaders chose to extend a one-year contract to Steven Ha, who was named the interim director earlier this year. “This feels like a homecoming to me,” said Steven Ha, “and I am dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders, professionals, and the LGBTQ community to shape a stronger and healthier Utah.” Ha, who will leave his position as treasurer of the Utah Pride Center board of directors, accepted the position at the board meeting held Monday night. Ha helped launch the Utah Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce and served as its first vice chair. He also was Director of Family Services at the Asian Association of Utah and serves on the governor’s Utah Office of Multicultural Affairs Commission. Ha was asked by the family of David Phan, the 14-year-old who committed suicide at Bennion Jr. high in Taylorsville in December of 2012, to introduce them to gay community leaders in the hope of assembling a group to address issues faced by gay-ethnic youth. Shortly after, Ha was asked to join the Center’s board of directors and was elected in 2013 and elected treasurer of the organization in December, 2013. “While Steven has been acting as interim executive director these past three months, we have seen his strong leadership skills. We are very happy with the direction Steven has taken and the plans he is putting in place to make the Pride Center stronger while serving the diverse needs of the LGBTQ community,” said UPC Board Chair John Netto, “We are looking forward to the vision, work ethic, and experience he brings to the Center.” With a background in social work, Ha believes the Center should focus more on the mental health well-being of the community. He proposed a Wellness Behavior Health Clinic at the Monday board meeting, for which he has already asked $80,000 in start-up funds from the Bastian Foundation. The clinic will hire therapists to help community members in four areas: general psychological services, therapeutic specialized services, substance abuse and recovery and a 24-hour hotline for referrals. Ha has gotten the Center recognized by the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System and, therefore, they can receive Medicare and Medicaid payments as well as individual insurance and HHS FLEX payments.Community members can also receive treatment on a sliding scale fee, similar to that used by Salt Lake County. Ha hopes to have an open house for the clinic in 45 days.
2019 The February Public Oratory of the Utah Queer Historical Society featured Kevin
Hillman Thanks to all who attended tonight's
Oratory series with guest speaker Kevin Clair Hillman. We had a good turn out
of 35 people or more who came to hear Kevin share anecdote of his involvement
in the LGBT community since 1982. I know I learned a lot about the back story
of Pride Day at Murray Park when he was a co chair. Also it was interesting to
hear the rich history of the Gay Rodeo in Utah. Ben Williams Journal Excerpts “Tonight
is our 2nd Utah Queer Historical Society Oratory with Kevin Clair Hillman
speaking. He is always an interesting speaker. I finished making 24 dark
chocolate cookies and 24 Sandy Pecan cookies for the meeting. So my duty is
done. I posted on Face Book ‘Kevin Clair Hillman is scheduled to speak and we
will be meeting at 6:30 downstairs in the Pride Center. As they now require
people entering the Pride Center to sign at the front reception area you might
want to come a little bit before that. See you there. The Utah Pride Center also
has a new exhibit of past Kristen Ries Community Service Award recipients. It’s
located on the stairs leading to the second floor. We need to thank and support
the center for believing that preserving our history is important. I would also
like to thank Rich Kane who video records these events. Last months talk by
Luci Malin should be available soon on the Pride Center's site. ” I fronted $30
again for Rich Kane’s service to video tape the talk. Courtney Moser wrote “Tonight
I attended the Utah Queer Historical Society Oratory at the Utah Pride Center.
I was so moved and honored to see that both Kelly and my photos are on the wall
with the other Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award recipients. Thank you
Benedgar Williams for putting this together and Pride Center staff for its
dignified execution.”
2019 The February Public Oratory of the Utah Queer Historical Society featured Kevin
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