This Day In Gay Utah History May 18th

18 May

1901 Charged With Sodomy Joe Flaherty, a 17 year old boy who lives in the vicinity of Second North and Fourth West, was Jailed yesterday on the serious charge of sodomy. His alleged victim was  little  George Marsh who lives near fourth West and First South Street. The boy when arrested admitted to the officer that he had committed the crime.  He will likely have a hearing before Judge Timmony today, The Salt Lake herald. (Salt Lake City [Utah)

• 1901 Prisoner Ran- Deputy Sheriff John Shea Has Exciting Race- Deputy Sheriff John [Joseph] Shea indulged in an involuntary foot race this afternoon at 3 o’clock while engaged in taking a prisoner named John Flaherty from Justice Timmony’s court to the county jail. While crossing East Temple [State] Street at the intersection of First South, Flaherty made a temporarily successful break for liberty and dived through a crowd hot footed. The officer lost no time in taking up the challenge. For two long blocks west the two men ran. Shea threatening to shoot but afraid to do so on account of the number of pedestrians on the street. The fellow finally dived into an alley between first and second West and the Shea, reinforced by a big crowd, collared his man. Flaherty seized a piece of wood and threatened the officer with annihilation but subsequently became very docile when a gun was flashed in his face. He was subsequently safely locked up. Flaherty had just been bound over to appear before district court on a charge of a crime against Nature Deseret News.

1971- Jerry Andersen reviewed Theater 138 Underground’s performance of Boys In the Band. Marc Crowley’s “Boys In the Band” opened Friday to a full house in the 138 Underground. The play will run through June 5th on Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30 p.m.. The play casts two intense moods: anger was accented by light touches of humor through out. Both moods were handled to their extremes and in some portions of the play they became overbearing. However the two moods being such the play flowed beautifully and the audience responded with a great amount of sympathy and in some cases uncertainty. Parts were cast in play with good taste. Each actor handled his part with depth and sincerity. Fred Johnson who played Emory upstaged many of the characters with his sharp humor and extreme effeminacy. One probably expected him to wear panty hose or shave his legs to pursue the stereotyped image of the homosexual.  Emory indeed carried the play until Lare Schulze, Harold, entered and bought a different mental picture into the play.  Harold with his self assurance and sensitivity, mastered, and held the play together more than any of the other characters. Combined, the cast was able to convince the audience of the point they were trying to put across; The homosexual situation is real whether people what to believe or not unless it has been brought to their attention. If you have seen the movie of Boys In the Band You will find that there were a few essential parts missing in the play. You will also find that the cast and the audience entranced in what they were are doing and seeing and you will be impressed with the humor and anger presented and in general the acting of the cast.  The director is Douglas Dutton and assistant director is Sunny Carole, props-Chris Fetcher and costumes by Theo Harper, who was a cast member as well and Lare Schulz. Jim Andersen was the stage manager. (05/18/1971 Utah Daily Chronicle)

1975- KSL television aired a five day series on Homosexuality.. The Gay Community Service Center Newsletter interviewed people at the Sun, Radio City, and Perky’s about the program. The following comments were quoted: 

• The KSL series on homosexuality was conducted like so many other subjects which are controversial-in order not to offend anyone, it must be treated with so much caution and delicacy that it also fails to do anything substantial like inform, enlighten, educate, or elevate people to a higher level of understanding. This ignorance only adds to the already tremendous waste of human resources. Sorry KSL but the attempt was somewhat impotent”. 
• “It was good that KSL had the guts to air this type of show, but their bigotry and hypocrisy exposed its ugly head somewhat.”  
• “The KSL series on homosexuality reminds one of something called depression soup- damn little meat-lots of water-hardly any substance- and served lukewarm in a cold bowl.”  
• “Visions of Clock Work Oranges! I think Dr. Card and others like him ought to be subjected to his own therapy for treatment of his aversion to homosexuality.”

1977 Dr. Glen Morley Vernon, 57, a University of Utah Sociology professor, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obscene conduct stemming from his arrest Tuesday in a restroom in Liberty Park. Dr. Vernon was given a $150 fine and a suspended 30 day jail sentence by Salt Lake City Court Judge, Paul G. Grant.  Salt Lake Vice Officer, Ronald E. Nelson said he was on a routine vice assignment in the restroom, at 7:45 PM when he observed Vernon masturbating.  He was subsequently booked into Salt Lake City-County jail. (05/19/77 SLTribune G1)

1984- OWLS [Older and Wiser Lesbians] held a four day camp out at Arches National Park in Utah.

1986- Graham Bell of the U of U's Lesbian and Gay Student Union and Idaho legislator Robert M Forrey appeared on KUTV’s Take Two hosted by Rod Decker. Forrey was publicly supporting an anti-gay comic book written by Dick Hafen entitled, “Homosexuality: Legitimate, Alternative Death style.”  Forrey felt that the book should be read by children to prepare them to resist Gay recruitment and to educate them in the evils of homosexuality. 

1986- Last meeting of the Restoration Church at Crossroads Urban Center. Mike Howard conducted Sacrament Meeting and in attendance were Erick Strickler, Mark LaMarr, Sy Felts, Russ Lane, Randy Holliday, Gordon Jones, Jon Butler,  Craig Hunter, Fran and Ben Williams.Church went well and today was our last time at the Crossroad Urban Center because next week we will be at the Multipurpose Center, in Rose Park. Mike Howard conducted and presided in Bob's absence and Rick Strickler from Provo gave a good talk  on magnifying the Priesthood. Two investigators came today. Mark LaMar and Cy Felts a friend of Mike Howard's from Provo. Mark was so impressed that he took a membership form. Great! It was a great meeting discussing sex and spirituality. [Journal of Ben Williams]

Boyd K Packer

1993 – LDS Apostle Boyd K. Packer tells All-Church Coordinating Council that LDS church faces three major threats: "The dangers I speak of come from the gay-lesbian movement, the feminist movement (both of which are relatively new), and the ever-present challenge from the so-called scholars or intellectuals." 

1993  The University of Utah’s student editors of the Daily Chronicle officially endorsed the legalization of same-sex marriages through the United States.

1998 Vox Homophobuli By City Weekly editors MAY 18, 1998:  The Daily Utah Chronicle had published contentious letters about homosexuals before, but never one quite like Abel Thompson's. A senior in accounting at the University of Utah, Thompson was obviously distressed that a gay man was handing out towels at one of the school's locker rooms. At least, he thought the man was gay.  Soon after Thompson's letter ran, the student-run newspaper unwittingly set off a chain reaction of emotional distress, heated response, a possible lawsuit, and an apology of sorts. Call it a lesson in how not to handle homophobia.  A senior in accounting, Thompson was obviously uncomfortable around gay people. His letter to the Chronicle told it all, in a style of disgust that mocked a humorous tone. The man handing out towels spoke in a high voice, painted his fingernails purple, and wore an earring. The conclusion was easy to draw, really. Taking the Paula Jones school of sexual harassment to absurd extremes, Thompson felt that his rights had been violated. He was going to let this fellow have it.  "I would argue that just the sight of a homosexual working in the locker room is suggestive to the point of making an offensive environment," he wrote. That, even though the high-voiced, fingernail-painted person described made no sexual advances toward the accounting major. Letters in response ranged from the outraged to the educational: "Why provide a forum for such blatantly inflammatory comments?" an assistant professor of Russian asked. "I know that homosexuals are people, they are not crazed animals," wrote a political science major. No one was more distraught than Nelson Clayton, a 22-year-old English major. He, after all, was the towel boy in question. His initial anger turned to unease, followed by fear. He was angry because he didn't understand why he was being singled out. He was disturbed by the letter's ignorance. He was afraid he might get attacked. "You do hear about that stuff happening in the news, as much as it surprises you," he says.  Daily Utah Chronicle editorial Kade Rolfson: "We don't condone [Thompson's] opinion, but for crying out loud, this is America. The irony of it all is that Clayton, in fact, is not gay. So much for appearances. Following the published uproar over the letter in subsequent issues of the Chronicle, Thompson sought Clayton out in person and offered an awkward apology. "I could tell it was hard for him to talk to me," Clayton says. "I don't know if it really changed his views, but at least he's aware of more issues than before." Thompson declined comment for this story. The university's Lesbian and Gay Student Union, along with openly gay U. Law Professor Terry S. Kogan, were a little less conciliatory, especially

Terry Krogan

where the Chronicle was concerned. It's Kogan's opinion that Thompson's letter had no news value, and even constituted an invasion of Clayton's privacy. "The real question is, 'Should a newspaper be outing someone absent of some important public purpose or absent their consent?' " Kogan asks. As for the letter's tone, "That kind of hate-mongering has no place in society, much less a university."  Clayton mused briefly about the possibility of a lawsuit, but dismissed it just as quickly. "To argue a suit involving invasion of privacy I would also have to argue that being gay is a terrible thing, and that's not a position I'm willing to take," he says. "It would only reinforce the views aired in that letter."  For its part, the student-run newspaper acknowledges the mistake of failing to edit Thompson's description of Clayton from the letter. The error is all the more curious given a comprehensive policy printed in every issue: "Letters ... which demean or threaten harm to any individual or group based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion will not be considered." Kade Rolfson, the editorial editor who approved Thompson's letter for publication, sees it all as a learning experience. And, not incidentally, a chance to defend free speech. If you want to kill the cancer of homophobia, it has to stand for some public exposure, he contends. "We don't condone [Thompson's] opinion, but for crying out loud, this is America, he can have his opinion," Rolfson says. "Situations similar to this letter have come up, and I haven't made the same mistake twice. As a student newspaper, the Chronicle has served its purpose."  As Clayton now knows, though, free speech isn't always free. "I didn't think of quitting my job or getting a gun, but it cost me peace of mind," he says.

1998 The Annual Diversity Is Great Awards was held at the Mexico Civic Center. The Theme was Community Under Construction.  Dr. Patty Reagan who was home with pneumonia was honored with a Life time Achievement Award-DIG AWARDS: A COMMUNITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION 18 May 1998  Centro Civico Mexicano  155 South 600 West SLC UTAH We would like to welcome you all to the 1998 Diversity is Great recognition banquet. As co-chairs, we hope that tonight will give you an opportunity to meet some of the people who have made Utah a better place for all of us to live. We hope that when you leave here tonight you will feel inspired, and as proud of our community as we are! Our recipients are a part of the vast numbers of people it takes to create change and keep our community vital. From Logan to St. George and every place in between, there are Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual people who continually fight for our rights, which are the same rights that are afforded to every American. This evening we would like you to not only think about the people who have helped you, but also, all those who have made you proud of who you are. it is time to recognize the affect those people and you have had on others just because of who and what they stand for. Started in 1993 as a fundraiser for the Utah Stonewall Center, our hope is that the Diversity is Great recognition banquet will become a rallying point for all of the communities in Utah, to celebrate how far we have come, and also a time to energize us for the many battles ahead. As always, we will not only recognize our Diversity Recipients, but also a group of volunteers, members and/or employees of different clubs, organizations and businesses that have been an outstanding asset to their organizations. This includes two of the many wonderful and important organizations in this community. You don't have to be on the news or be an activist to make a difference, Many people make a difference just by being a proud and openly Gay or lesbian person. There are also those in the straight community that stand proudly with us and fight for equal rights for all people. Maybe someone is a good listener or gives their time and/or money to an organization or a cause they believe in. Think about the people who have influenced you or made an impact on your life. Then take a moment and tell us about them. They could become the next Diversity Recipient. We are grateful to all of you who helped make this evening possible. In every instance when we have asked for help, the answer has been 'yes'. That, in and of itself, makes a great statement about the wonderful people who are a part of the community we live in. We have done our best to remember all those who were a part of this evening. If we have forgotten to list your name, please forgive us and know that your help was greatly appreciated. Again, thank you all for being here tonight, and please remember that this is as much a fundraiser as it is a night to honor a few of the members of Utah's diverse communities. So "DIG" deep. Kevin Hillman Brenda Voisard Co-founders "Diversity is Great" Mistress of Ceremony: Ms. Becky Moss Guest Performer-Scott Wilson  ORGANZATIONAL AWARDS Outstanding Members, Volunteers, or Employees of Clubs, Organizations, &Businesses Presenters- 

• GAY LESBIAN & STRAIGHT EDUCATION NETWORK: 1998 ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR-Started three years ago by co-founders Doug Wortham and Camille Lee as a moral and legal support group for teachers, GLSEN has grown into one of the best and most important outlets for teachers wanting to learn more about gay and lesbian issues. In the few short years of its existence, GLSEN has had to deal with the State Legislature on Gay Support Groups in Utah High Schools, and Wendy Weaver's ongoing lawsuit against the Nebo School District. Also, GLSEN hosted the first ever National Convention of GLSEN in Salt Lake City this past year. As they continue to grow, they will have many challenges to help make Utah schools gay-friendly. For more information about GLSEN and for meeting times and places, please call 801-296-5411 
• GOAL-GAY OFFICERS ACTION LEAGUE: 1998 NEW ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR GOAL was formed out of a need for uniformed and civilian personnel to have not only a social outlet, but a support group for gay and lesbian officers. Officer Kevin Nollenberg of the University of Utah Police Department is the founder of the Utah chapter of GOAL, whose purpose is to promote friendship among active, retired, uniformed and civilian personnel. For more information, write to GOAL, P.O. Box 521418, Salt Lake City, Utah 84152-1418. 
• CAMILLE LEE: 1998 DIG RECIPIENT Presenter- Doug Wortham “Camille Lee was
  
  approached in October of 1995 by a group of students at East High School to help them start a support group for Gay and Lesbian students and their supporters. She quickly came to the realization that she no longer could keep her personal life a secret, and that she had to help these kids. Raised in Beaver, Utah, and the eldest of four children (one sister and two brothers), and being raised LDS, the thought of coming out both terrified her and excited her at the same time. The students were giving her the push she needed to live her life openly and proudly, but things needed to be put in place first before she could step out. In 1993, after attending the March on Washington (the one time in her life where she felt in the majority), she wanted to come out, but still lied to her students about having been there. The pressures from hiding who she was took its toll, and Camille took a years leave of absence. After hiking the Appalachian Trail with a friend, she started teaching at East High School. Camille stayed to herself for the first year and had few, if any, fellow teachers she could call 'friend'. After the students approached her, she starting building bridges with fellow teachers and, in the process, found others who understood the need for Gay clubs. Armed with her heterosexual allies, she dove in to help the students. Camille graduated from the University of Utah in Exercise/Sports Science and Chemistry and went on to get her Masters of Education from Weber State College. She is a member of NOW, National Science Teachers Association, the UEA and ACLU. She and Doug Wortham are the founders of the Utah Chapter of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) and helped to put on GLSEN's first National I Convention last year in Salt Lake. "There is so much to do to help break down the myths about being Gay," Camille stated. "We have to help as much as we can to make Utah Schools safe for all students. The benefits of coming out are unending, and the freedom of being able to be who I am has made life 100% The positive role model Camille has been, and will continue to be for many students, may never be fully recognized. 
• DAVE OWENS: 1998 DIG RECIPIENT Presenter-Jeff Freedman “Dave has been an active member of our community for many years. The talents that he gives to the Gay Community are immeasurable. There have been many fundraisers that Dave has organized in the past, but his largest and most successful venture was for Chance Tingey, a 4-year old boy who lost his battle with AIDS. The fundraiser was a wonderful event that involved a lot of people. Nothing like this had been done in our community

  

  Dave Owens

  before, and it took Dave's vision to accomplish it. As Entertainment Chair for the Utah Pride Committee, Dave has single-handedly brought to the Pride Stage a diverse range of entertainment for the past four years. He has done this all on his own. The Pride Day Celebration has grown tremendously in size and quality, and Dave has been a large part of that quality and growth. Dave has obtained the bands necessary to perform at Pride Day, and got all of their services donated. That takes great talent! Dave has also organized the entertainment for the Utah AIDS Foundation's "Walk for Life" the past three years; a similar set-up as Pride Day, with performers at no charge! Dave started the Women's Breast Cancer Fund with the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire (RCGSE), Since it's inception, this fund has provided many thousands of dollars of support to the University of Utah's Breast Cancer Research facility. In fact, the RCGSE is now having a week-long fundraising effort just for this cause. Dave is one of those "behind the scenes" kind of guys. One cannot describe in words how valuable Dave has been. His dedication, hard work, and charming personality have been a great asset to our community. Dave has also picked up the ball this year on soliciting corporate sponsorships for Pride Day '98(Sunday, June 14). Dave is just one of those guys who enjoys what he does, but wants little credit for doing it. He is proud of his accomplishments, and we are, too. It's time to show Dave our appreciation.” 
• DEEDA SEED: 1998 DIG RECIPIENT Presenter-Tamera Baggett “For someone who seems to be in the middle of a lot of controversy, Deeda never seems to lose her sense of humor. That is one of her endearing traits, not to mention her willingness to stand up for the rights of all Utahns, even when it could mean the end to her political career. Councilwomen Seed has followed through on her campaign promises to the Gay and Lesbian Community and did not back down when the heat was turned up. To this end we thank you, Deeda! Deeda hails from the windy city of Chicago. She is the eldest of five. Her brother is an investment banker, and all three of her sisters are professional skiers. She has a degree in Behavioral Sciences and Health

  

  Deeda Seed

  from the University of Utah, and her MSW from the University of Chicago. Her concern for social justice is what she feels is her greatest asset, and she has devoted her life to those causes. She states, "we are all human beings and we should find our differences interesting, not threatening." Civil rights for Gays and lesbians are important, and she finds it disturbing that others want to vilify any group of people. Deeda stated, "All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect"...and we need to learn to get along. Building a Community and being part of a team that can make change happen is exciting to her. As a Salt Lake City Council member, she has found that some people forget why they were elected, and take themselves too seriously. You need a since of humor and I don’t take myself too seriously. But I do the best I can and ask for input from others so that I can make decisions based on good information.  Deeda has about seventeen months left to serve on the Council, and she hopes to make an impact so that parents don't have to see their children suffer. She has been involved with Jedi Women, Utah Women’s Forum, and Utah Progressive Network. She lives in the heart of Salt Lake City with her son Noah.” 
• BROOK HEART-SONG: 1998 DIG RECIPIENT Presenter-Becky Moss “Brook was born in Centerville, Mississippi. She received her BA in English from the University of Southwest Louisiana, and taught school from 1964-73. In 1970, before she had even cam

  

  Brook Heartsong

  e out to herself, she was accused of being Gay. At that time in Louisiana, people were being murdered for being Gay. Brook endured three more horrifying years there before moving to Los Angeles. This was a new beginning for Brook. She attended the University of Los Angeles and earned a Paralegal degree. In 1977, she interviewed for a bookkeeping job and stated that she had the skills to do this, even thought she had no formal training. She lied; they hired her. Then she found out that not only was there a CPA for the company, but her boss also was a CPA. Well, they taught her the bookkeeping skills that she makes her living with now. Those same skills are what have made her such an asset to the Utah Community. When asked why she has been so generous with her time, she stated, "those of us who can be out, must be out. When I got here (SLC), I had finally grown up to the point where I felt it was my responsibility to get involved." She credits a male friend, in Los Angeles, for dragging her screaming and kicking out of the closet. He would take her out and then let her know that she was in a Gay restaurant and say, "How does it feel?" She realized it felt great, and that the power of coming out cannot be measured, it can only be felt. She stated that what happened to the kids at East High School made her even more determined to be out and proud. Since moving to Utah in 1989, Brook has been involved with the Utah Stonewall Center, and was the volunteer of the year in 1994. She served as a board member from 1995 to 1998, serving as Chair for a year. She has been the treasurer of the Pride Day Committee for four years. She was the past chair of the PWAC in 1996 and a board member in 1995, '96 & '98. She is a recipient of the PWAC Red Ribbon Award which has been renamed the Barb Barnhart Red Ribbon Award. On 1996 she also volunteered at Kindly Gifts. But one of the things that cannot be measured is her influence on her Gay and lesbian clients who not only have a bookkeeper, but also a friend. Making the evening more special for Brook is the attendance of her sister from Oregon.” 
• COURTNEY MOSER: 1998 DIG RECIPIENT Presenter-Bruce Harmon and Bruce Barton “Courtney doesn't fit the definition of an "Accidental Activist". For anyone who knows him, they soon become aware of how important the Gay and lesbian community is to him. Born in Preston, Idaho, he attended West Side High School and
  
  went on to get his BA in Marketing from Utah State University. He has three brothers and one sister. His partner of eight and half years is Pastor Kelly Byrnes of MCC, Bridgerland. If you ask him about his volunteer work, he will just pass it off as if it is what everyone is doing. But as you dig deeper, you find someone who is involved with all aspects of community life in some form or another. Courtney is a member of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Alliance of Cache Valley; a USU social and support group. He was president for two and half years, and acted as advisor for five years. He has been a member of the Cache Valley AIDS Council for ten years and was its chair for four years. He does AIDS outreach every week with a weenie roast up Logan Canyon to help raise awareness of HIV. He is the editor of the local church and community newsletter and is also the facilitator for the MCC youth group, weekly movie group, and an AIDS support group. With MCC Bridgerland he helps with campout's, river runs, and he puts on dinners for the 24th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. We just want to know when he can find time to go to work. He helped with the first float that the GLBA put in USU's Homecoming Parade in 1992, and was involved with the march on the Herald Journal in 1993 (this took place during the same period of time as the '93 March on Washington). The Journal refused to run the comic strip, For Better or Worse, because it had a Gay theme that week. The Journal must have learned their lesson, as the next time there was a Gay-themed strip, they ran it without much hoopla. Courtney also keeps busy doing Gay and lesbian panels at USU, as well as AIDS awareness in most of the public schools. When asked why he stays so involved he stated “I feel a need to- for myself as much as for others.” The rewards come in after each public appearance, such as the front page article in the Herald Journal last year when he and Kelly were pictured together as a couple, and talked about what it was like to be an out Gay couple in rural America. After the article ran a woman called on National Coming Out Day to say that, because of the article, she was no longer going to hide in the closet. An Accidental Activist? Maybe, but one who has had an huge impact on a large corner of Utah.” 
• DR. PATRICIA REAGAN: LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENT Presenter- Don Austin and Brett Clifford “Patty Reagan moved to Utah over 20 years ago to start a career at the University of Utah, as Professor of Health and Safety. She grew up in Denver, the only girl of four children. After graduating from high school, Patty attended Brigham Young University (a fact that was almost as painful for her to admit, as it would be to have a tooth extracted without anesthesia) and received two degrees in Health and Sociology. After escaping from Utah, she went on to get her PhD from the University of Illinois in Urbana, and then a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from the University of

  

  
  

  California at Berkeley. When offered the job at the University of Utah, she had second thoughts, as that meant having to move back to a state that she did not hold in high regard. The saving grace was that the job offer was in Salt Lake and not Provo. After getting settled in, she could clearly see the opportunities to make a difference. Consequently, she jumped in head first, and became the founder of the Women's Studies Program at the University of Utah, as well as a pioneer (probably a scary word to her) in Women's Health and Safety Issues. She was one of the first in Utah to publicly discuss AIDs education in public schools, and birth control. Patty talked to KSL news anchor Bruce Lindsey about all of these issues in the early 80's before it was the norm. In an interview with Good Morning America, she demonstrated the use of a condom and stated it looked huge on TV because of the close up. Part of the interview was later shown on the Phil Donahue Show. After seeing the segment, Donahue stated, "after that, Dr. Reagan will never be speaking in Utah again." How wrong could he have been? Patty ran for the Utah State Legislature in 1980, and in 1985 founded the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation. As an advocate of women's rights and empowerment, she addressed the topic at a Brown Bag seminar in 1988. She emphasized that women must learn to feel comfortable with their bodies and need to be aware of their sexuality. In conclusion, she said, "I encourage you to have courage, enjoy sex, stop having acts of omission and do acts of commission that give other women permission to love and like themselves." When asked what her greatest asset is, she stated it is her impulsiveness. She civil rights because that is what her spirit says to do, and to be a voice for others. "There are so many opportunities to be a star in this community", she stated. So, hurry up and become one.

2003 Ben Williams To: Jerry Rapier Cc: Charles Milne Subject: Pride Partnership Application-Dear Mr. Rapier, I am extremely apologetic for getting this form to you so late. It was touch and go whether we could even fulfill this project at all. We hit a bit of a snag with the project when Home Depot declined to donate material to us due to over expenditures they had incurred having just given the Boys and Girls Club a sizable donation. While they are still interested in helping us they wouldn't be able until after this summer. Therefore we had to come up with additional resources so that we could buy the material ourselves. We just incorporated our by-laws and established our board in April so that was time consuming for us as well in addition to partnershiping with Ivenio thisfall Gay Men's Health Summit. However our funding is now in place and while we had to scale the project back to six kiosks we still hope to be a positive affirming presence at Gay Pride.  Sincerely Ben Williams Co-director USHS Class of '69

• JERRY RAPIER I think it's great that you're involved - and six kiosks is six more Than there's ever been! Jerry

2003 CRAIG MILLER to Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award Recipients-Hi, Everyone, Thanks to Ben for helping to gather the email addresses of the past recipients and for reminding us the criteria for the award selection.   I just wanted to remind you that you can nominate people also and I can accept nominations until this Thursday at 5:00 PM.  I'll distribute the names of the nominees by next Tuesday.  I'm leaving town on Friday. Depending on the number of nominees, I might be able to send them to you before I leave.....  In any case,  I need to have your responses by Thursday the 29th so we can order the engraving of the plaque.   It will be presented at the Grand Marshall reception which will be held on the 5th floor terrace of the new Salt Lake City Library Building Friday, June 5 beginning at 7:00 PM.  You are all invited, cost $25 per person.  If possible, please RSVP. The recipient will also be honored on stage during Pride Day. Thanks, Craig

Courtney Moser

2003 Weenie World Men's Cookout begins Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM in the "Fruit Loop" 3 miles up Logan Canyon. This will continue every Wednesday during the summer. CHANGES FROM PAST YEARS:   1.  Since the Faith and Fellowship Center kicked the Metropolitan Community Church and the Gay men's community out of their building last year and since The Gay Men's Community is no longer welcome to use that building, if there is rain, we will meet at Kelly and Courtney's house. 2.  In the past we have had grants from the Utah Aids Foundation to buy supplies for these cookouts.  Since organizations are only able to apply for these grants for 3 years in a row we were not able to apply last year or this year. Last Year Kelly and I just covered those expenses ourselves, but since our combined income is less than 50% of what it used to be we will not be able to provide them this year. 3.  Weenie world will be a pot luck event.The food items need to be finger foods, such as hot dogs, cookies, chips etc.  Don't forget something to drink, too. If the food items you plan on bringing are going to need utensils or a plate etc. in order to eat it then you will also need to bring those items. Remember that there will be newcomers etc. that will not have provisions for themselves so you might want to bring a little extra to share with those who are new or come unprepared.  Remember that you were new once, too. THE HISTORY BEHIND WEENIE WORLD: For many years The "Fruit Loop",  Lady Bird Park, First Dam, and in general Logan Canyon have been places where men have visited in order to have sexual encounters with other men. Men who have lived in other parts of the country have compared these places to many others is other cities, and rate them as "busier" than most. When the Forest Service tore down Lady Bird Park, most of that  activity moved up to the "Fruit Loop". When I came out of the closet 15 years ago there was very often lots  and lots of cruising traffic in the loop, and lots and lots of sex  going on.  Most of it could easily be classified as unsafe, anonymous sex.  A few of the men were "Out of the closet" but most were and still are closeted Gay men who do not have any other outlet.  I used  to joke with a couple of Gay guys that I was going to come up there and open up a hot dog stand, and that I could make a fairly good living at it.  One week the 3 of us just decided to have a cookout up there.  While we were having our cookout, many cars drove past us and we joked with each other that we should make this a weekly event and  invite all the cruisers.At this same time frame, Bob Evans who was volunteering with me on the Cache Valley AIDS Council wanted to install some condom dispensers up at the loop to encourage the men to have safer sex.  I could not see how we could logistically do that because I was fearing vandalism to the dispensers.  A  while later, Greg Gerard said that he had read that on Fire Island in New York they just hang empty milk jugs in the trees and fill them with condoms.  Then I thought that even if they were destroyed, there was no big loss and we could easily replace them. Hence began what we now call "Weenie World".  At first it was a pot  luck cookout.  Then in later years we got grants from the Utah AIDS  Foundation to buy the supplies.  PHILOSOPHY BEHIND WEENIE WORLD: In association with the advocacy of Gay rights, I am also an advocate  of the larger and contributing issue of lessening the shame and negative hysteria often associated with open discussion and healthy __expression of human sexuality. Following the examples of such notable public figures as Dr. Ruth Westheimer and others, I have  advocated that openness about sexual __expression between consenting adults is a healthy thing. A friend of mine has often stated, "Repression breeds perversion. If you suppress the healthy outlet of human sexual __expression long enough and strong enough, it will eventually manifest itself "sideways", often in an unhealthy way, possibly doing irreparable harm to the individual and others." I have known hundreds of repressed Gay men, who do not value themselves  and because they believe that they are going to hell anyway, engage in unsafe and unhealthy sexual behaviors. One result being that I have witnessed more than 2 dozen of my own personal friends die from AIDS. Unless and until the legal and social constructs which provide heterosexual relationships with a degree of  stability are available to the Gay population, that is unlikely to change. Those who understand their homosexual orientation, in an accepting environment, have fewer difficulties adjusting, often have fewer sexual partners, and have a better chance of achieving a healthy self-image and a positive lifestyle I have tried to be supportive of everyone and not act as a moral  policeman of someone else's behavior. I wholeheartedly support people  who believe that celibacy or monogamy is best for them and I try and celebrate with and for them in their relationships. Likewise, I support other people who feel that celibacy and/or monogamy will not work for them. I do not feel it is moral for any person or group of people to force their personal beliefs about sex or anything else onto other people. I believe there is room on the planet for all views and that all views can live side by side without contention or condemnation. These type of events work. As part of a longstanding commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention, I and others in the Cache Valley have tried a number of different ways to present HIV prevention messages. The Weenie World Cookouts are one more way, a very popular way among Gay men. It is established behavioral theory that as a group learns to humanize each other, learning names, histories, etc., they tend to care for themselves and their partners more. This leads to conversations around HIV, status, responsibilities, condom usage, etc., that makes the sexual encounter occur more safely than had it occurred in any of the other non-traditional locations Gay men tend to meet to find other men. Our efforts have been noticed. The Utah AIDS Foundation and the Utah  Department of Health, Bureau of HIV/AIDS, have both sent representatives to several of our other efforts. New and effective ways of presenting a very old, and for gay men, passé message of safety when having sex are treasured commodities, not to be guarded but  hared. We are regularly supplied with condoms and lube to give  away by the State  Department of Health. They are very pleased with our efforts and our ingenuity in reaching this traditionally hard-to-reach population.

Larry Tidwell

2003  Lavender Tribe  Larry Tidwell    Topic:    Hopi chanting  Experience the healing and melodic rhythm of the ancient Hopi chants. They have been used for thousands of years to heal ourselves and heal Mother Earth. Please bring a pillow or something to sit on (we will be on the floor) and a SMALL sacred item to place on the altar.

2004 PFlag Claudia's St. George Working through Anger, Grief and Loss In Our Journeys of Coming Out Guest speakers Kraig and Chris We have some great stuff to present. This should make for interesting discussions. BIO: We both have a Masters in Social Work and have been involved in counseling many GLBTQ people. We use to chair the Affirmation G/L Mormon group in Las Vegas for 5 years. We are both we both served LDS missions. We have been together for 9 years

Kim Russo

2006 Dear Community Member, The election the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire will be holding this Saturday, May 20th from noon to midnight at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel (the voting room is on the east side of the hotel near the main ballroom) for the position of Co-President (Emperor) is a very important election for the organization. There is a Candidate that will take the RCGSE and our COMMUNITY into an HONEST, CARING and COMMUNITY BASED 4TH DECADE. That Candidate is Mr. Chuck Whyte for Emperor. The reason this election is so vital is because the outcome of this election can determine which direction the RCGSE will take and the impact it will have on the community. By electing Mr. Chuck Whyte Co-President of the RCGSE, he will have a

Chuck Whyte

very positive impact on the organization and the community at large. EVERY VOTE COUNTS! Your VOTE will determine who wins this election. I hope we can count on your vote for Mr. Chuck Whyte for Emperor and hope to see you on voting day. If you need transportation to go and vote, please call 661-1961 and we can arrange for someone to pick you up to go and vote. Thank you! Sincerely, The Community Members who support Mr. Chuck Whyte for Emperor 31

• This Saturday voting will take place for the positions of Emperor and Empress of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, a charitable fundraising organizations. Two highly visible community members Kim Russo and Chuck Whyte are running for the office of Emperor. While I feel the two are remarkably qualified I am endorsing my long time friend Chuck. Chuck has been an active member of the Royal Court from the days it was still the Imperial Court. He has generously raised tens of thousands of dollars and has done everything in the court from running the spotlights to being on the stage as Chuckles. It is time to honor Chuck with a position he so richly deserves for his long time service to this community and to the RCGSE. Join me Saturday in casting a vote for Chuck Whyte. 

2006 City Weekly Salt Lake City's Pride parade ends with a giant rainbow flag. It's the parade's version of the Santa Claus that brings up the rear of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, said parade organizer Don Steward. Like everything else related to Pride, it's also political. Parade watchers fall in behind the giant flag and follow it to the parade's end, across 400 South and into the Pride Festival at Library Square and Washington Square Park. The swelling throng is a show of "we are family" unity. But it's also a headache for Salt Lake City police who struggle to prevent parade-goers from getting run over by 400 South TRAX trains. So it's no surprise a proposal to move this year's parade route set off a storm among some in the gay community who wondered if city officials were trying to get gay marchers out from the shadows of the LDS Church headquarters, traditionally part of the parade route, which comes within one block of Temple Square and the LDS Church Office Building. However, the only known complaint about the parade came from the pastor of a different downtown church, who asked that the route be changed since the parade blocks the church's parking lot. The reason Pride organizers were given regarding the route change was public safety. One of the alternate routes suggested was a march down 500

Donald Steward

South below Trolley Square, a route used for the Days of '47 Youth Parade. "It just seemed so politically motivated. Each year they've gotten more and more resistant to the parade and more contentious to work with," said Steward, citing occasional clashes between police patrolling the parade and parade organizers or participants. "It seems like they want us out of downtown Salt Lake City.  "This is the one time of the year the gay and lesbian community gets to be visible in downtown Salt Lake. The sort of conspiratorial part of me thinks they want this subdued, kept quiet." But if there was conspiracy afoot to hide Pride, it didn't work. This year's Pride will be more prominent than ever. Due to heavy use of Library Square, the dates for this year's four-day Pride celebration were moved at the request of city officials. It's now June 1-4, the same weekend as the Salt Lake City Marathon. And the parade also will keep its prized downtown route, which begins at 300 South and runs in a horseshoe up State Street and across South Temple before turning south again on 200 East. Following discussions with parade organizers, the Salt Lake City police have arranged to stop traffic on 400 South during the parade to aid street crossing. The police additionally have asked the Utah Department of Transportation to stop 400 South TRAX runs. To aid police, Pride organizers will take after organizers of spring's immigration marches and marshal a volunteer security force to help keep parade participants and spectators from getting run

Jere Keys

over. Jere Keys, Pride coordinator for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah, said many of the difficulties encountered in past parades likely stemmed from a lack of communication with the police department. Much of the confusion this year was cleared up following Pride organizers' initial shock at being asked to consider a move. "The new dialogue that has sprung up between ourselves and the city solved problems we've floundered with for years," he said. Keys said the city and police department appear to be working hard this year to accommodate Pride's needs. Some past years' parade participants haven't always felt that sense of cooperation. An annual Pride parade crowd favorite is QUAC, the Queer Utah

Doug Fadel 

Aquatic Club, whose parade entry features long lines of men performing routines in swim briefs. Doug Fadel, QUAC captain, said police threats to pull the entry from the parade if members stop to perform drill routines has been a bigger problem than protestors at some past parades. "To me, that's not about public safety. That's content," said parade organizer Donald Steward. "There's no way this would happen at the Days of '47 Parade." Detective Joe Cyr said it's standard procedure for police to urge parade entrants along, and slowpokes in the Days of '47 Parade have been pulled out of the route in years past. Detective Robin Snyder, police department spokeswoman, said perceptions that police officers don't like Pride are unfounded. Officers volunteer for the parade. "It's one of the funnest parades I've every worked," she said. "I've never heard one complaint" from an officer. Cyr noted police work to keep protestors away from parade participants. Participants bunching up at the end of the parade was the biggest problem, Cyr said. That should be alleviated with this year's changes. Crowding problems at the end of the parade were exacerbated last year when, for the first time, Pride began charging admission for its festival. That meant instead of being able to walk directly across 400 South into Library Square, parade-goers "hit a wall" at entry gates, said Keys. Additional entrances will be added. Keys' big concern now is keeping Pride's downtown route for the future. The parade was originally founded to be a source of visibility for the community, a political statement to say, `We're here. Look how many of us there are, how diverse we are.' The current route is very visible, right in the heart of downtown," he said. There are segments of the community who love that [the route] is so close to Temple Square and church headquarters. It sends a message we are not afraid to travel next to those buildings." And some parade enthusiasts wish the route took an even more political direction. There are people in the community who have said we should march down from Capitol Hill, circle Temple Square six times, then march down the street. So it's not like we don't have other ideas," said Keys. "But we really like this route and want to hold on to it as long as we can."

•         Thurs May 18th - Live music by Mary Tebbs – Center Space (7pm) Come hear the amazing sounds of Mary Tebbs, local favorite - LIVE tonight in the Center Space. This event is FREE but PLEASE bring a tip for the musicians!

2010 Logan adopts ordinances to stop anti-gay bias By Arrin Newton Brunson Special To The Tribune 5/18/2010 Logan » In one motion, the Logan City Council on Tuesday night mandated that employers and landlords cannot discriminate against gays, lesbians or transgendered people in the city limits. Modeled after anti-discrimination laws recently adopted in Salt Lake City, Logan's housing and employment ordinances passed with four votes and one abstention, by Councilman Dean Quayle. A crowd, which filled the City Council Chambers halls and an overflow room, was mostly subdued throughout a one-hour public hearing. Following the tally though, the crowd erupted in applause and rewarded the council with a standing ovation. In the days leading up to Tuesday's meeting, Council Chairman Jay Monson said he received more than 250 calls and e-mails "for" and only 10 "against" the ordinances, all from Logan residents and business owners. Meanwhile, a handful of protesters staged a ruckus in front of Monson's LDS chapel Sunday, carrying banners and drawing attention to themselves by calling this lifelong Cache Valley educator names such as, "child hater." Two other council members were similarly targeted in their neighborhoods, where the protesters also handed out anti-gay literature door-to-door. On Tuesday night, Monson defended his support of the ordinances and clarified the stan ce of the area's largest church after calling the LDS headquarters in Salt Lake City on Monday. "The [LDS] church supports nondiscrimination ordinances, period. Certainly, I was told that this applies to Logan as much as any other place in the world," Monson said Tuesday before calling for the vote. "They do and I do and I agree that this is not the answer for everything ... But it is a step in the right direction and it is long overdue in my thinking." Logan resident James Gibson, a business owner and landlord, disagreed saying the City Council is overstepping its bounds. "I don't feel that it is the place of the government to step in and say who I can and can't hire," Gibson said, adding that, if anything, it should be a state matter. "If anybody feels like they've been discriminated against on behalf of any landlord or business owner, that becomes a civil matter. "  Joshua Frazier added, "The problem is a lack of compassion, not a lack of laws. You cannot legislate compassion and attempting to do so only creates resentment." Frazier said the ordinances are unconstitutional because employment and property rentals feature a private contract. "It's wrong for governments to interfere with contracts between individuals," Frazier said. "I see this as the government forcing moral decisions on private individuals. I do not want the government determining and defining what is moral and what is not." Councilmember Holly Daines said the ordinances have passed the legal test in other cities where have been in effect and that several exemptions make them easier to deal with. For example, businesses with fewer than 15 employees are exempted from the new standards, as are owner-occupied rentals. Gail Hansen, a citizen of Logan for 30 years, said she has been enlightened by the support among her neighbors and friends for the ordinances. "I wasn't aware that there was a problem because the people who suffered the injury just found a different job, just found a different place to live," Hansen said, adding that she believes in liberty and justice for all described in our nation's founding document. "I was reminded that our constitution was enacted in order to establish justice..."  abrunson@sltrib.com