5 March 5-
1953 Utah enacted a psychopathic offender law in 1951.Specific
criminals, including anyone convicted of sodomy, lewdness, or an attempt to
commit either, were required to be referred for mental examination prior to
sentencing. Commitment for life was compulsory for anyone so examined who was
determined to be suffering from mental illness.This law was amended in 1953 to
add "assault with intent to commit sodomy" to the list of referable crimes
Laws of Utah 1953, page 30, ch. 22, enacted Mar. 5, 1953
1969 -Albert Ross Diem, 45,
of 1181 Lake Street was arrested when police seized pictures, books and
movies at his home deemed obscene. 35 reels of motion picture film, many
photographs, and paper back books were located in a bed room closet, a desk
drawer,, a film projector, and a hall closet. Charged by Police officer Jim
Hoffman. (05/15/69 SLTribune 28A)
1976- In Peoria
Illinois President Ford told an audience of university students that while he
has no easy answers to the question of Gay rights, he tries to be understanding
of people who are different from him. His life would later be saved by a Gay man.
5 March 1978- Boyd K. Packer spoke at BYU on a special assignment from Spencer W. Kimball saying that homosexuality is a curable problem when
considered as a moral or spiritual matter. “We have had very little success in curing
perversion by treating perversion. If we try to treat selfishness there is a
possibility of correction. Individuals guilty of selfish acts inevitably hurt
those around them.” The first step to correction is the self commitment “to
never have another deviant thought” and “breaking all connections”
with people or places associated with deviant behavior.” In response to the Payne Papers
President Spencer Kimball asked Apostle Boyd K. Packer to “specifically address
the local problem of homosexuality and offer solutions”. Packer delivered his now famous “To the One”
speech during a 12 Stake fireside at BYU. Although the speech dealt with
homosexuality, Packer used the word homosexual only once because he felt that
Mormons, “can very foolishly cause things we are trying to prevent by talking
to much about them”. Mr. Boyd K. Packer spoke at BYU on a special assignment from Spencer W.
Kimball saying that homosexuality is a
curable problem when considered as a moral or spiritual matter. “We have had
very little success in curing perversion by treating perversion. If we try to
treat selfishness there is a possibility of correction. Individuals guilty of
selfish acts inevitably hurt those around them.” The first step to correction
is the self commitment “to never have another deviant thought” and “breaking
all connections” with people or places associated with deviant behavior.”
Packer, Boyd K. (1978), To the One: Address given to the Twelve Stake Fireside,
Brigham Young University, March 5, 1978 published in 1978 by "Corporation
of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"
Finding "the cause of this condition" is "an essential step in
developing a cure." (1) "It is not desirable; it is unnatural; it is
abnormal; it is an affliction. When
practiced, it is immoral. It is a transgression."
(p. 2) (2) "I accept that word [homosexual] as an adjective to describe a
temporary condition. I reject is a noun
naming a permanent one." (p. 2) (3) The "reason why we in the Church
do not talk more openly about this subject"...is because "with many
things, it is easy - very easy - to cause the very things we are trying to
avoid." (p. 3) (4) "Some who become tangled up in this disorder
become predators. They proselyte the
young or the inexperienced." (pp. 5-6) (5) "Perversion may have some
very physical expressions, but it is not a physical disorder. A most extensive physical examination will
not reveal one shred of evidence that it is." (p. 9) (6) "Have you
explored the possibility that the cause, when found, will turn out to be a very
typical form of selfishness - selfishness in a very subtle form?" (pp. 10-11)
1985- Salt Lake City’s The Best Source signed an agreement to be
affiliated with the National Gay Radio Network headquarters in San Francisco
for news.
1986-Wednesday
AFFIRMATION-“I went to Affirmation -Salt Lake Chapter for the 2nd
time tonight. The discussion was about the LDS Church
1988- Saturday A scheduling meeting was held by LGSU President
Chris Brown, Wasatch Affirmation
Director David Malmstrom, and Unconditional Support Director Ben Williams to
plan monthly Saturday dances to be held at the Salt Lake Central City Community
Center and the Unitarian Church. These are tentative dates for dances this year- April23rd, May 14th,
June 4th, June 18th, July 2nd, July 16th,
August 6th. August 20th, September 17th,
October 15th, October 29th, November 12th
December 17th and December 31st. We also discussed how
disappointed we are in The Youth Group and their failure to follow through on
the objectives we asked them to do if they wanted our support. Garth Chamberlain is now saying he doesn’t want
any adult supervision. [Ben Williams Journal 1988]
5 March
1992- David E. Robinson, director of the Utah Division of
Occupational and Professional Licensing, that licenses health-care workers
wanted the state health department to share results of confidential AIDS
testing. Robinson said his agency could better regulate health professionals if
he knew who was infected with HIV. The director of the Utah AIDS Foundation opposed
the measure saying licensing officials shouldn't have open access to test results. ``It
really shouldn't matter if they [health professionals] are HIV-positive or
not,'' said foundation director Ben Barr. ``What should matter is whether the worker is using standards the
profession set for them.'' Geoffrey. Wertzberger estimated there may be 20
health-care workers in Utah who are infected with HIV. [SLTribune]
1995 Douglas Kinney-Frost is perplexed by the gay-straight
debate: ``I don't even know what it
would mean to be a `gay choir.' What music would I do differently than I do now?''
Choir members rehearse for March 12 performances. Group began ``as a bunch of
guys singing around a piano.''
Although it is called ``An AIDS Requiem,'' next weekend's performance of
``When We No Longer Touch'' by the 40-voice Salt Lake Salt Lake City physician and AIDS-treatment
pioneer Kristen Ries, and Kathleen Braza, who heads the Intermountain Organ
Recovery Services' bereavement program. The events are the second benefit since
Kinney-Frost, a 27-year-old Murray
native, became music director in 1992. Proceeds will be split between the Utah
AIDS Foundation and the People With AIDS Coalition of Utah. Last year, some
$5,000 in proceeds went to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Magna for its
social and music ministry. Next year's edition will raise funds for the YWCA's Women
in Jeopardy project, which targets domestic violence, added Nancy C. Ghirla,
who last year became the choir's administrative director. Sunday's composition,
Kinney-Frost explained, is a hybrid -- Andrews' music, poetry from the book How
to Survive the Loss of a Love co-written by Peter McWilliams, and the Latin
text of the traditional Catholic Requiem Mass.
But it doesn't ``feel like a requiem,'' said Kinney-Frost, who added that the
piece is subtitled ``A Song Cycle for Survival.'' Anthony, a member and
assistant conductor of the Dallas-based Turtle Creek Chorale, was going through
the end of a long-term relationship when a friend gave him a copy of the
self-help survivors' book in which a psychologist and medical doctor explore
the seven stages of the grieving process -- from anger to denial to acceptance.
The volume ends with seven poems by McWilliams that describe grieving in a
nonclinical, lyrical way. When Anthony was diagnosed with AIDS, ``the
composition became the focus of his life,'' Kinney-Frost said. It was featured
in the hourlong PBS-aired documentary ``After Goodbye: An AIDS Story.'' Anthony
never saw the 1993 documentary, Kinney-Frost recounted. The day before the show
aired on a Dallas PBS station, he died at age 31. ``It's remarkable,'' the
conductor added. ``No,'' he paused, ``actually it's depressing as hell that at
the height of his first big work, he dies of AIDS.'' The work is
listener-friendly, ``and despite the Latin, you can tell by the music exactly
what's happening -- you can sense the mood,'' Ruiz explained. ``We passed the
box of Kleenex around the first time the choir listened to it,'' he added. No matter how moved by the material,
performers ``don't want to go onstage and `lose it,' '' said Kinney-Frost. ``So
I've encouraged the choir to `lose it' at rehearsals.'' Similarly, while the singers are all
volunteers, recent emphasis has been on professionalism. Besides hiring a music
director and administrator, it has engaged Ruth Stoneman of Bountiful as its
composer-in-residence, and is aggressively seeking grants from arts
organizations and foundations Kinney-Frost -- who also is music director of the
Colorado Lyric Theatre Festival – foresees the choir's first recording and
out-of-town tours He mentioned southern Utah destinations such as Cedar City,
St. George and the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater at the entrance to Zion National
Park. All of which takes money. Next weekend's events are in part underwritten
by the Utah Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Episcopal
Diocese of Utah, ``and without them, this benefit wouldn't be possible,'' the
music director said. The choir began ``as a bunch of guys singing around a
piano,'' said Ruiz. It was formally organized in 1982 with 16 members. A
half-dozen still are on the 60-member roster. It never is at full strength
``because some take time off for school -- or take a break for a season and
then return.'' Ages range from 18 to 65, and the singers represent professions
from physicians to postal workers to policemen.
The choir stages three main concerts --Christmas, spring and the benefit
-- plus 20 to 30 free ``outreach'' programs to churches, hospitals and
senior-citizen centers. Kinney-Frost,
who is in a long-term gay relationship, said the choir has homosexual and heterosexual
members, although some perceive it as a gay choir. ``We've always had both [gays and
straights],'' added Steven Ireland, the ensemble's publicist. ``As far as us
having any political agenda,'' Ruiz said, ``there's none.'' Kinney-Frost admitted
he sometimes is perplexed, perhaps even amused, by the gay-straight debate. ``I
don't even know what it would mean to be a `gay choir.' What music would I do
differently than I do now?'' he asked rhetorically. When the Lesbian and Gay
Chorus of Salt Lake City
was organized in 1993, one member left to join the new ensemble -- but two
others currently sing in both. Audiences are growing, said Ghirla, a Cincinnati native who runs a small business in Murray . The choir's
mailing list now has 1,000 names, and there is a core audience of around 600.
``And it's not just family -- my mom and all my brothers and sisters,'' Ruiz
said with a laugh. Part of this spring's concert will include
country-and-Western and cowboy music, Kinney-Frost said. ``There'll be a little
fiddle band with a banjo and stuff,'' he explained. `And a bit of clogging.''
And, he added with a laugh, ``I can't wait to see these guys dance.'' A Caring
`Touch' The Salt Lake Men's Choir performs `When We No Longer Touch'' March 12
at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, 231 E. 100 South. On
Saturday at 6, a workshop on coping with
loss and an update on AIDS research and treatment is also planned at the
cathedral. Suggested donation is $25 for both events for $15 for each. Seating
is limited. For reservations, call 482-SONG. 03/05/95 Page: E3 SONGS FOR
SURVIVAL MEN'S CHOIR CONCERT TO EXPLORE GRIEVING PROCESS Byline: By Lance S.
Gudmundsen THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
March 5, 1995 Concert, workshop to focus on grief, emotion and
problems of AIDS MEN'S CHOIR PLANS BENEFIT PERFORMANCE By William S.
Goodfellow, Deseret News Music Critic The Salt Lake Men's Choir will be joined
by members of the Utah Symphony for a performance of "When We No Longer
Touch: A Song Cycle for Survival," to be presented as part of an AIDS
weekend March 11 and 12.The concert will take place Sunday, March 12, at 6
p.m., preceded by a workshop Saturday at 6 p.m., both at the Cathedral Church
of St. Mark. Written by Kris Anthony, who until his death from AIDS was
assistant conductor of the Turtle Creek Chorale, the work was featured in the
PBS documentary "After Goodbye." Composed for men's chorus, soprano
soloist and small orchestra, it consists of seven sections drawn from the
poetry of Peter McWilliams ("How To Survive the Loss of a Love") and
the Latin text of the traditional requiem mass. Douglas Kinney will direct the
performance, with Heidi Bloyer as guest soloist. KSL's Amanda Dickson will
introduce the program. "It's a very emotional, extremely human piece,"
says Kinney, who has served as the choir's artistic director since the fall
of1993. "The writing is very simple in terms of texture and harmonic
structure, but when it comes to describing human emotions, such as the anger of
the "Dies Irae,' it changes tempo and meters like crazy. "It also
reflects the emotions Kinney says he felt during the eight years it took him to
come to terms with the death of his father. "I think it's sort of a
"mini loss seminar' in dealing with grief," says the 1986 Murray High
School Utah
women. Kinney says he wanted to bring a comparable degree of class to this
year's program. Currently based both here and in Boulder , Colo. Utah , he says, "all
the AIDS benefits I've seen have been things like casino nights, comedy nights
and spaghetti dinners. I've never seen anything that actually dealt with the
weight and seriousness of the disease. "That focus will also be maintained
in the workshop, where University
of Utah P.O. Box
1844 , Salt Lake City , Utah 84110-1844
Friday March
5-7 1999 GAY RODEO Utah Gay
Rodeo Association Big Horn Rodeo in Las
Vegas
Friday March
5-13 1999
ROYAL COURT Royal Court presents
Breast Cancer Awareness Week Proceeds go to Women’s Breast Cancer Assistance
and Research Fund All functions throughout the community bars
5
March 2000 Affirmation --Workshop on love and personal spirituality with Margo Hope at Metroplitan Community
Church, 823 S 600 E in Salt Lake
05
March 2000 The Salt Lake Tribune Page: A1 Alan Hansen, with son Nicholas, has found himself at odds
with leaders in his LDS church ward in Tracy, Calif., over his opposition to
Proposition 22.; page A14: Brent Newbold, a Mormon bishop in Sacramento,
Calif., says his ward supports the measure he believes will preserve the
sanctity of families. LDS Bishop Brent Newbold of Sacramento , Calif.
please." Inside voices. That is an admonishment Alan
and Yvette Hansen have been hearing themselves. The couple have been speaking
out against California California Southern California
ward. "It's just pretty doggone touchy and people don't want to betray
themselves to somebody who might report them. In ways, it's like what I
imagined it was like living in Russia San Jose Tracy ,
located about 60 miles east of the San
Francisco Bay Alaska and Hawaii Utah reportedly has not given
a dime to the California California Hinckley said last fall.
"Such is currently the case in California Hinckley
says the church will continue "to love and honor them [homosexuals] as
sons and daughters of God." The LDS
Church Hinckley and
other leaders say, this is a moral issue, and it calls for political
activism. Gay rights advocates
question why the church picked Proposition 22 instead of loads of other
legislation – child welfare or domestic abuse laws, for example -- that could
reinforce the fabric of families.
"They [homosexuals] feel like this is in their face and is really
anti-Gay," says Gary Watts, a Utah Mormon and father of two Gay children.
He is co-chair of Family Fellowship, a support group for Mormon parents of Gays
and lesbians. "Up until I became familiar with the issue about 11 years
ago, I probably would be there with everybody else [supporting Proposition 22].
Unless you . . . know someone who is Gay or lesbian, it's very easy to demean
them." Gay marriage is not currently allowed in California California California Rands ' wife, Janet.
Other local church leaders acknowledge the issue is at the root of some
discord, but they say support for the measure and the church's position on it
have been overwhelming. "When the prophet [Hinckley] speaks, we
listen," says Brent Newbold, a Mormon bishop and owner of a dry cleaning
store in the Sacramento Utah Worthington Worthington
2001Students Accuse No Bull Party Candidate of Being Homophobic By
Emily fuller Former classmates of No Bull vice-presidential candidate Mike
Nelson have accused him of making homophobic remarks during a Spring 2000
class. However, Nelson, who’s party supports the Lesbian and Gay Student Union,
denies making the comments.“I was there when the words: ‘guys dating
guys…that’s sick,’ came out of…Mike Nelson’s mouth,” said Joseph Stone, a
senior in mass communication. Sherry VanLinden also recalls remarks made by
Nelson in Spanish 1010 during the Spring 2000 Semester. “He said something to
the effect of, ‘That’s just gross,’” Van Linden said. When a fellow classmate
remarked that Nelson sounded very “homophobic,” Stone said Nelson responded by
saying he was “glad to be homophobic.” Nelson denies the claims. “Personally, I
am not homophobic, [and] I’ve never been homophobic,” Nelson said. Stone said
he worries Nelson’s/No Bull’s support of LGSU is insincere. Stone said he hopes
Nelson simply has had a change of heart instead of lying for votes. “His words
were very crowd pleasing, saying that his team will extend themselves to the
LGSU,” Stone said. “Stunned by his apparent acceptance of human diversity, I
made sure that this was indeed the same Caucasian, hairless Mike Nelson with
glasses who I had heard in our class just months ago verbalizing remarks
against gay persons.” Nelson, however, said he would never make such remarks
because of his personal experience being treated differently for something he
could not change. “I’ve been called skin-head and had rude remarks said to me
my entire life, and would never lash out against a group of people like that,”
Nelson said. Nelson suffers from alopecia areata, a disease that inhibits hair
growth. “I would never make a remark against anyone due to my own experience,”
Nelson said. Spanish teacher Eduardo Castilla said he did not remember any comments,
nor did he believe the accusations. “[Off] the top of my head, I do not
remember him making such remarks,” Castilla said. Katrina Mustoe, who ran for
vice-president with the Unity party this year, also attended the class with
Nelson. “His character is way above saying something like that,” Mustoe said.
“I was there everyday and he never said anything like that.” Stone says he
believes Nelson could have changed since Spring 2000, but feels Nelson owes the
school proof. “I’m open to the idea that he may have changed; I think the
school should know what kind of person he is now,” Stone said. “We don’t need
an intolerant leader.” Nelson and No Bull do support the creation of the LGSU
resource center. “I love people, I love
to be nice to people…all kinds of people,” Nelson said.
2002 Mell Bailey, who co-owns a Salt Lake City
Olympic memento shop, produced a lapel pin with an American flag draping the Twin Towers Salt
Lake Bluegrass
for the Bravest New York City’s poorest firehouse. By Deroy Murdock 2002 ]
2002 LGBT Resource Center Gets Adviser By Sheena McFarland Less
than two weeks ago, Alabama's Chief Justice Roy Moore made anti-gay remarks in
a custody battle involving a lesbian mother. He called homosexuality
"abhorrent, detestable and evil." In his official opinion, he also
said, "if a person openly engages in such practices, that fact alone renders
him or her an unfit parent." Last fall, anti-gay activist Fred Phelps
visited the U spreading his hatred of homosexuals. In order to combat these
attitudes, the U created the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource
Center. Before the center could start planning its programming, it needed an
adviser. Four months after the Oct. 31 application deadline, the center has
finally found its leader. After a nation-wide search, the U hired Kristin
Rushforth to head the resource center in mid-February. "I'm thrilled to be
here," she said. "I'm really excited to be back in a campus
environment." Rushforth has a master's degree in women's studies with an
emphasis in queer theory, and has more than seven years teaching at schools
including Brigham Young University and Ohio State University. However, for the
past two years, she has worked as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines. When
she walked in to the resource center, she felt like she had come home. "I
was made to feel so comfortable. People have been so welcoming," she said.
She's excited to work with college students on an issue she is passionate
about, Rushforth said. "There's a lot of bigotry and discrimination
against LGBT people that still exists," she said. "Homophobia is
still pervasive in our society." She feels part of the purpose of the
resource center is to end homophobia. "One of our roles is to educate the
entire campus community about LGBT concerns and eliminate homophobia and
prejudice against LGBT people," she said. The other main reason for the
center is to provide a refuge for LGBT students, Rushforth said. "We're
here to provide a safe haven for LGBT students who may not feel comfortable
expressing themselves in a classroom or social setting," she said.
"We're here for students to get support and not be judged for their sexual
orientation or practices." Rushforth has been in the center for about two
weeks, but she is quickly learning the ropes. "The first task at hand is
to assess the needs of the campus. I'm still in that phase," she said.
"I want to find out how to reach the members of the LGBT community with
the most meaningful programs possible to help them through their college
careers." She hopes to have a lot of programming accomplished in about six
months. "By next fall I hope to have weekly activities. By then I hope to
have found what's needed and what the most useful types of outreach are,"
she said. Currently, the center offers a resource center and a Queer Peer
Counseling program. The program allows a student who is going through the coming
out process to talk to a student who has already gone through the process. This fall, the center received a $20,000
grant from the Gill Foundation, which makes donations to LGBT and AIDS
foundations across the country. The rest of the funding comes from the U.
5 march 2005 Dear
friends, Just a reminder that tomorrow, Saturday, March 5, we will be holding
the awards ceremony for Salt Lake Metro Utah’s Best for 2005. we’d like to
invite the community to come out and recognize these amazing award winners. On
Saturday, March 5 at 7pm, in the Black Box at The Center (355 N 300 W, SLC), we
will be holding an awards ceremony for all those names our readers have chosen
to honor. A $5 donation at the door will benefit The Center. Whether you are an
award winner, or just want to mingle with Utah ’s Best, all are welcome to attend.
Please feel free to pass this information along.
2005 Everyone is welcome; RSVP's are greatly appreciated! The hot
tub will be open, so bring a towel and flip-flops if you want to get wet! We are
requesting a $5 donation for this party, to help cover expenses. Saturday,
March 5th, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM In beautiful Slut Lake City, UT As always, you
will be greeted at the side door off the driveway, so please cum around to the
lighted door at the side. Please arrive by 7:30, so your hosts don't have to
spend all night doing door duty! This will be an old-fashioned Bear Hug for
Bears, Cubs, Daddies and Chubs, and men of all descriptions who admire them.
Soft Drinks, Water and Snacks will be provided. Please bring your own liquor,
lube & condoms, and whatever toys you want. We ask that no illegal drugs be
consumed on the premises. This is NOT a clothing-optional event; clothing is
NOT an option! We encourage all party guests to engage in safer sex, especially
for buttsex. This is NOT a "barebacking" party. Your fellow guests
will be expecting you to use a condom.
2006 UAF Oscar Night March 5, 2006 UTAH
AIDS FOUNDATION
OSCAR NIGHT See and be seen at
the greatest party in Utah ! At the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center ,
Salt Lake City For more information about this gayla of night contact Utah
AIDS Foundation at 801-487-2323 or
www.utahaids
2006 Sunday March 5th - "Feed for a Cure" Dinner from
4-7pm at the Trapp $5. This Event Will be hosted by Empress 28 Heidi Ho West
Waters and Princess Royale 22 Makayla.
2010 Utah Legislature: Rep. Christine Johnson opts out of seeking
new term
Published: Friday, March 5, 2010
12:00 a.m. MST SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake, announced
Thursday she will not be seeking a third term in her House District 25 seat.
Johnson, one of two openly gay legislators, has been an outspoken advocate for
equality issues during her four years at the Legislature and has particularly
been involved with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people's issues.
Johnson said her time as a state representative has been "uniquely
humbling," but she is troubled by what she sees as a "blatant
disregard of those so in need of equal protections." Earlier this session,
Johnson agreed to a truce with GOP leaders on new legislation aimed at
instituting a statewide statute that would create workplace and housing
protections against discrimination on issues of sexual identity and sexual
orientation. While Johnson agreed to put her legislation on hold, Republicans
agreed not to move any proposals that would work to undo new
anti-discrimination laws passed by Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County. Johnson
said she hoped local government would continue to move forward on
discrimination issues and "demonstrate to state leaders that courageous
leadership is admirable and that Utah is a better place when we suppress our
entitled need to cast judgment on one another and instead respect the
authenticity and free agency of each person." Johnson did not say what her
future plans are, though she is currently carrying a baby as a surrogate for a
gay couple. Of her time in the Legislature, she said, "It has been a life
lesson in authenticity, consensus building and personal struggle for which I am
immeasurably grateful." Johnson "carried the flag" for the LGBT
community, despite facing tough opposition, said Valerie Larabee, director of
the Utah Pride Center. "Chris was very open about what she believed in and
what she hoped for," she said. "Knowing what opposition she faced and
just to be up against that wall had to be exhausting. ... We're certainly going
to miss her, but I think good leaders create leaders around them. She helped
create leaders in our community who will pick up the flag and carry it
forward."
2014 LGBT activists rally in support of Utah’s
SB100 Discrimination • Bill would prohibit
bias against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST THE SALT
LAKE TRIBUNE A bill that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual
orientation appears dead for this year, but its supporters brought energy to a
rally Wednesday afternoon at the Utah Capitol. “We’re under no illusion this is
going to make it out to be heard this session,” said Connie Anast-Inman, who
blocked the door to Gov. Gary Herbert’s office during a protest in support of
SB100 last month. “But we need to keep it in the minds of the legislators ...
this is going to be a top issue next year.” Owen Smith, manager of community
programs for Equality Utah, said he trained as an emergency medical technician
in his home state of Maryland but ended up living out his car for a time when
crews balked at hiring him because he is transgender. “‘What are you, anyway?’”
said Smith, describing the reactions he got when potential employers realized
his appearance didn’t match the name on his driver’s license. “We can’t have
you around patients ... you’re just too much.’” When he moved to Utah last
year, Smith said, he contacted 16 rental agencies before he could find an
apartment. “Don’t think that because you came to this rally, you did your
part,” Smith said, encouraging the crowd of about 400 people to get more
involved in politics and the legislative process. “You have the power to end
discrimination in our state.” American Fork High School senior Ethan Johnson
said he and his classmates faced an “uphill battle” to establish a gay-straight
alliance. After the club was approved in November, students scrawled hate speech
on their posters and tore them down. They put up another round, then a third. “After
the first wave of posters, those who had hate became more indifferent,” he said
— while the kids who were excited about the cause got more involved. Now, about
a dozen students come to meetings. “I want to live in a world where everyone is
under the equal gaze of the law,” Johnson said.
SB100 sponsor Sen. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, said he felt a little
awkward accepting a roar of applause from the crowd. “So many of you have
walked so many miles down this road and you’ve suffered so much, and I’m new to
it,” he said, adding that he appreciated those who patiently worked to convince
him to support the proposal to prohibit discrimination in housing and
employment. It’s been proposed for five years, but didn’t make it out of
committee until Urquhart got behind it last year. Though polls indicate a solid
majority of Utahns support the idea, legislative leaders have said they won’t
hear any bills related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues (LGBT)
this year — including other proposals less friendly to the LGBT community — as
the state defends its ban on gay marriage in court. “I get it, there are some things to be pissed
off about,” Urquhart said. But the way
we win this is, my colleagues get walked to this position.” Utah’s sole openly
gay legislator, Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, echoed the sentiment. “It’s
frustrating, it’s exhausting and it’s hard, but we need to be patient with our
legislators. They are going at breakneck speed for them,” he said. Activists
have nevertheless been pushing to have the bill heard, leaving hundreds of
notes on the Senate door and organizing the protest that led to the arrests of
13 last month as they blocked access to a committee hearing. Angela Isaacs, a
straight Mormon woman, spoke to the crowd with fellow arrestee Gail Murdock. “Anyone
who says my religion and Gail’s rights and Gail’s happiness cannot coexist does
not speak for me,” Isaacs said. “We can and we must coexist. Even better, we
can live and share and laugh and cry together.” Thirty people stayed at the
Capitol after the hour-long rally, many wearing signs, to keep the issue in
people’s minds. Gail Turpin, another of the so-called Capitol 13, said her LGBT
friends and family are “responsible, caring parents” with strong commitments to
each other. “This is not a religious issue. It’s a civil rights issue,” she
said. “Second-class citizenship will never be enough.”
2019 Testimony is given during a House Judiciary Committee hearing at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on regarding HB0399 which would prohibit the practice of conversion therapy upon minors. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
2020 Salt Lake Tribune By Sean P. Means By Paighten Harkins The invitation went out on social media around Brigham Young University: Meet at “The Wilk” — the Ernest L. Wilkinson Student Center, the student union building on the Provo campus. One Twitter user instructed: “Wear good walking shoes, bring hats and sunscreen, wear BYU gear, bring signs.” Word spread, and a couple of hundred people launched into a second day of protests at the school owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The protests are in response to the school’s reaffirmation Wednesday that same-sex relationships were still “not compatible” with the school’s Honor Code — despite removing the code’s ban on “homosexual behavior” last month. Ryan Jenks, a BYU senior who helped organize the protest, said Thursday’s rally was markedly more organized than the demonstration that popped up soon after the church’s surprise announcement Wednesday. There were more protesters assembled at the start and more materials for signs because attendees had been able to prepare. And while protesters’ emotions were raw Wednesday, Jenks said, on Thursday people were tired but determined to persist. “There was a mood of consistency, like wanting to stay at this until they recognize that we’re part of this community and we’re not going to go away, and what they did wasn’t right,” Jenks said. “Just this desire to keep going and keep trying until we’re heard.” Jenks, who is a part of the LGBTQ community, said demonstrators aren’t naive. They know the educational system isn’t going to backtrack on its Honor Code clarification, at least not any time soon. What he and others want is an apology, he said, and for LGBTQ students to be looped into conversations about decisions that impact them. “We don’t feel like our input is taken into consideration and we feel like these individuals who don’t know what our lives are like continue making decisions for us with this idea that they’re making our lives better,” Jenks said. “But they continue to make our lives significantly worse.” Kyle Broderick, a 19-year-old pre-business student who came out as gay in February, after the ban’s removal, got a surprise before Thursday’s protest began: His mother, Joni, who had flown from Virginia to Salt Lake City to attend a conference, wanted to drive to Provo to take part. “She was all in,” Kyle Broderick said. “She was telling me she could get posters, and she had pins and rainbow ribbons and all this stuff.” Joni Broderick made two signs. One stated “Moms Love Boldly” across the top, with an added message, “Listen Love Learn from our BYU Students.” The other, Kyle Broderick said, read, “Free Mom Hugs.” Many students at the protest took her up the offer. Hugs were plentiful. “I had more than one tell me, ‘You don’t know how much this means,’ ” she said. Her son agreed. “It showed there are adults, and parents, out there that are supporting the LGBTQ community,” Kyle Broderick said. “A lot of times, we can feel it’s just the students, the younger generation. So it’s really good to have an older generation to show their support.” Joni Broderick came to Utah to attend the North Star Conference in Salt Lake City. The gathering of Latter-day Saint members “reconciling faith with sexual orientation and gender identity” started Thursday evening and runs through Saturday. Joni Broderick, a BYU alumna, said she and her family have had to “relearn” a lot in the last six months, since Kyle came out to them. “Everything I was taught about gay people does not fit how I know my son,” she said. “He’s such a good, kind, loving, accepting person. And if someone like him is gay, then everything that we have known about gay people in the past is not accurate.” Setting foot on campus for Wednesday’s protest, Joni Broderick said, “I just felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb, because I’ve never done this before. … This is out of my comfort zone, for sure, but because of my son, I’m willing to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” The demonstrations are moving north, with a protesters planning an event Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Church Office Building, 50 E. North Temple, Salt Lake City. The theme of Friday’s event is “Just Let Us Love One Another.” The goal, according to one of the organizers, AnnElise Guerisoli, is “to create a space to vocalize the thoughts and feelings of many of our active, believing and nonbelieving, LGBTQ+ community.” Jorden Jackson, another organizer, said their hope is that people can come “with the range of emotions they are feeling right now, and recognize that LGBTQ+ members are not separate from Mormonism or from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” They are “part of us and with us,” Jackson said, “but they are hurting right now.” Tribune reporter Peggy Fletcher Stack contributed to this report.
2019 Testimony is given during a House Judiciary Committee hearing at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on regarding HB0399 which would prohibit the practice of conversion therapy upon minors. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
2020 Salt Lake Tribune By Sean P. Means By Paighten Harkins The invitation went out on social media around Brigham Young University: Meet at “The Wilk” — the Ernest L. Wilkinson Student Center, the student union building on the Provo campus. One Twitter user instructed: “Wear good walking shoes, bring hats and sunscreen, wear BYU gear, bring signs.” Word spread, and a couple of hundred people launched into a second day of protests at the school owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The protests are in response to the school’s reaffirmation Wednesday that same-sex relationships were still “not compatible” with the school’s Honor Code — despite removing the code’s ban on “homosexual behavior” last month. Ryan Jenks, a BYU senior who helped organize the protest, said Thursday’s rally was markedly more organized than the demonstration that popped up soon after the church’s surprise announcement Wednesday. There were more protesters assembled at the start and more materials for signs because attendees had been able to prepare. And while protesters’ emotions were raw Wednesday, Jenks said, on Thursday people were tired but determined to persist. “There was a mood of consistency, like wanting to stay at this until they recognize that we’re part of this community and we’re not going to go away, and what they did wasn’t right,” Jenks said. “Just this desire to keep going and keep trying until we’re heard.” Jenks, who is a part of the LGBTQ community, said demonstrators aren’t naive. They know the educational system isn’t going to backtrack on its Honor Code clarification, at least not any time soon. What he and others want is an apology, he said, and for LGBTQ students to be looped into conversations about decisions that impact them. “We don’t feel like our input is taken into consideration and we feel like these individuals who don’t know what our lives are like continue making decisions for us with this idea that they’re making our lives better,” Jenks said. “But they continue to make our lives significantly worse.” Kyle Broderick, a 19-year-old pre-business student who came out as gay in February, after the ban’s removal, got a surprise before Thursday’s protest began: His mother, Joni, who had flown from Virginia to Salt Lake City to attend a conference, wanted to drive to Provo to take part. “She was all in,” Kyle Broderick said. “She was telling me she could get posters, and she had pins and rainbow ribbons and all this stuff.” Joni Broderick made two signs. One stated “Moms Love Boldly” across the top, with an added message, “Listen Love Learn from our BYU Students.” The other, Kyle Broderick said, read, “Free Mom Hugs.” Many students at the protest took her up the offer. Hugs were plentiful. “I had more than one tell me, ‘You don’t know how much this means,’ ” she said. Her son agreed. “It showed there are adults, and parents, out there that are supporting the LGBTQ community,” Kyle Broderick said. “A lot of times, we can feel it’s just the students, the younger generation. So it’s really good to have an older generation to show their support.” Joni Broderick came to Utah to attend the North Star Conference in Salt Lake City. The gathering of Latter-day Saint members “reconciling faith with sexual orientation and gender identity” started Thursday evening and runs through Saturday. Joni Broderick, a BYU alumna, said she and her family have had to “relearn” a lot in the last six months, since Kyle came out to them. “Everything I was taught about gay people does not fit how I know my son,” she said. “He’s such a good, kind, loving, accepting person. And if someone like him is gay, then everything that we have known about gay people in the past is not accurate.” Setting foot on campus for Wednesday’s protest, Joni Broderick said, “I just felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb, because I’ve never done this before. … This is out of my comfort zone, for sure, but because of my son, I’m willing to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” The demonstrations are moving north, with a protesters planning an event Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Church Office Building, 50 E. North Temple, Salt Lake City. The theme of Friday’s event is “Just Let Us Love One Another.” The goal, according to one of the organizers, AnnElise Guerisoli, is “to create a space to vocalize the thoughts and feelings of many of our active, believing and nonbelieving, LGBTQ+ community.” Jorden Jackson, another organizer, said their hope is that people can come “with the range of emotions they are feeling right now, and recognize that LGBTQ+ members are not separate from Mormonism or from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” They are “part of us and with us,” Jackson said, “but they are hurting right now.” Tribune reporter Peggy Fletcher Stack contributed to this report.
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