4 June
 |
| Alla Nazimova as Salome |
1879 The divine Alla Nazimova (1879 - 1945), who insisted
on being addressed as “Madame”, was born Mariam Edez Adelaida Leventon June 4,
1879 in Yalta, Russia to Jewish parents. During the first two decades of the
20th Century, Nazimova became the darling of New York Theatre, introducing to
American audiences the geniuses of Europe - Stanislavsky, Chekhov and Ibsen -
on the stage. By 1910 she even had a theater named in her honor on 39th Street
in New York City. During these early years, Nazimova met a Gay Englishman named
Charles Bryant, who would become her alleged
"husband." However hey were never legally married, for
Nazimova was still married to a Segei Golovin. All the same the two claimed to
be married and would continue the pretense for 20 years. As an actress on Broadway, Madame was also
acquainted with Broadway Stage agent Bessie Marbury. Marbury introduced the
notorious seducer of women Mercedes de Acosta to Nazimova, afterwards becoming
lifelong friends. Nazimova was at the
avant-garde of bohemianism, hedonism and sensuality in New York City’s theater
life in the “nineteen teens” and during this time she also befriended a
handsome young Italian gigolo. The young man after being arrested by the police
in New York on suspicion of petty theft and blackmailing was bailed out by
 |
| Rudolph Valentino |
Nazimova, who then got him a job as a chorus boy in a touring musical headed
towards the West Coast. The young man would change his name in California to
Rudolph Valentino and marry the great granddaughter of Mormon Apostle Heber C. Kimball. In 1916, Nazimova stared in 35-minute film, “War Brides”,
which was critically acclaimed, despite its
pacifist theme on the eve of World War I. Metro Studio impressed by her
performance offred Nazimova a 5-year, $13,000 a week contract -- $3,000 more
than Mary Pickford, America’s Sweetheart, earned -- with the right to approve
director, script, and leading man. In Hollywood Nazimova became known as a
woman of “variable passions.” In an interview for Motion Picture
magazine, she acknowledged, "most of my friends are young girls." Her
detractors added to the insinuations, often more bluntly, as when one reviewer
wrote that "her vogue is based not so much on the perfection of her
productions as on her own bizarre personality and artistry, and seemingly an
overwhelming appeal for the feminine sex."
After completing the two films for Metro, Nazimova returned to the New
York stage, in 1918, but later returned with a "protégée," a tall
thin actress named Jean Acker (1893-1978). The 25 years old was part Cherokee,
and had a preference for mannish tailored suits. Shortly upon arriving in
Hollywood however, Acker strayed from Nazimova affections and began an affair
with Grace Darmond, (1898-1963) who at the age of 20 was a star at Vitagraph. The forty-year-old
Nazimova took the loss in stride and concentrated on production on her third
film, “Eye for Eye”. With her film career flourishing, Nazimova bought an
imposing California Spanish home at 8080 Sunset Boulevard, building a pool and
landscaping the property's three and a half acres. The residence was named “The
Garden of Alla,” and became a popular place for the Hollywood elite, Gay and
straight. By 1920, Nazimova’s next films were met with mixed reviews, with
critics feeling that her pictures were becoming ever more "lurid" and
"preposterous." These films which showcased Nazimova as an exotic
adventuress caused her popularity at the box office to wane. After her next
films, “Madonna of the Streets”, “Heart of a Child”, “Madame Peacock”, and
“Billions”, which was notable only by the work of the set designer Natacha
Rambova, wife of Valentino, Nazimova dropped from #4 to #20 in Photoplay's annual popularity poll.
When the Hollywood press began to attack her for the stupidity of her most
recent productions, Nazimova announced that she would star only in films drawn
from notable works of literature from thereon. Alla Nazimova was not merely
interested in her own career but also of those she thought of as her protégés.
The mistress of the Garden of Allah” attracted talent and it was through her
efforts that rising star Rudolph Valentino was elevated to the strata of living
legend while also nurturing the careers of writer June Mathis and art designer
Natacha Rambova formerly Winifred Shaunessy great granddaughter of Heber C.
Kimball Mormon Patriarch In Hollywood
Natacha Rambova found herself with a new identity, a new stepfather, and a new
lover. Her mother, Winnie Kimball de Wolfe having divorced her husband Edgar,
left him in New York to manage the business affairs of his sister Elsie. Winnie then remarried for the last time self
made millionaire Richard Hudnut, who having no children of his own adopted
Natasha Rambova as his daughter. Richard Hudnut made his millions by premiering
the first American-made cosmetic lines.
Previously all cosmetics and fragrances available in the United States had been
imported from Europe; but in 1903 Hudnut introduced to the wealthy clientele of
New York an exotic fragrance he discovered in Europe. He named his cosmetic line after the Comtesse Jeanne duBarry
who was known as the "the essence of femininity." Immediately, the
DuBarry mystique swept New York society. To those who knew the line, it
represented elegance, beauty, and prestige. In its mid-1900's heyday, DuBarry
was bigger and more popular than Revlon is today. Besides having a new father,
by 1920 Rambova had fallen in love with Broadway star Alla Nazimova who had
just recently moved to Hollywood to begin a film career. Although Natacha
Rambova was 22 years younger than Nazimova, she became her lover and art
director. When Kosloff learned of Rambova’s plans to leave him for Nazimova he
would shoot her a jealous rage, seriously wounding her in the leg and there by
ending her career as a dancer. Rambova became the protégée of Nazimova after
Metro Pictures engaged her for the film Aphrodite where she discovered the
versatility and depth of Natacha Rambova's artistry. Although the film was
never made, it was the vehicle by which Rambova met Nazimova. Nazimova thought
Rambova seemed “so modern, so intelligent, so elegant” and having “clicked
instantly”, an affair followed. It was during production of Aphrodite
that Theodore Kosloff, having heard of Rambova’s affair with Nazimova, shot
her. Paul Ivano who was hired to photograph
the film stated, Rambova “was in tears, nearly hysterical. We spent nearly an
entire day picking the bird shot out of her leg, as she related how Kosloft had
tried to kill her." Rambova however refused to press charges against her
former mentor feeling that the notoriety “would only cast aspersions on her
own reputation and cause her great embarrassment.” Not long after being shot by
Kosloff and being taken as a lover by Nazimova, Rambova met her future husband
Rudolph Valentino. Rodolpho Alfonso Raffaelo Pierre Filibert di Valentina
d'Antonguolla Guglielmi was the son of an Italian army veterinarian from
Castellaneta, Italy, who attended the Royal School of Agriculture in Genoa
where he earned a degree. At age 18, Valentino immigrated to New York from
Paris. There, after failing to find work as a gardener he became gigolo at the
exclusive Maxim's restaurant. The word at that time described young men who
danced with wealthy young women (mainly widows) for money. A gifted dancer,
Valentino was popular with the “well-heeled clients”, both on the dance floor
and in the bedroom. The death of the husband of one of his admirers caused
Valentino to flee from New York in 1917. Through the kindness of his actress
benefactress, Alla Nazimova, Valentino was hired to dance in a musical which made
it to Ogden, Utah before closing. The chorus boy was paid off with a train
ticket to San Francisco where he found work as a dance instructor, and as a
chorus boy in a play Nobody Home.
While in San Francisco, Valentino met 23 year old, Norman Kerry, a Gay actor
who advised him to try his luck in Hollywood. Valentino managed to join the
cast of an Al Jolson revue to get to Los Angeles. After arriving in Hollywood,
he found work in the Torch Club which was an up-scaled setting for Gay men in
Hollywood. Eventually he met the director Joe Maxwell who gave him a part in
the film The Married Virgin, and Kerry now back in Hollywood also
helped Valentino land a few minor roles in films. By 1919 the young Italian was
being typecast as a shifty-eyed Latino villain. In late 1919, the young Italian
who was now going by the screen name of Rudolph Valentino, was unemployed,
lonely and broke. When invited by Gay director Douglas Gerrard to a party
hosted by actress Pauline Frederick, Valentino jumped at the opportunity and
there he met Jean Acker. The actress was recovering from the break-up with
Grace Dormand and Valentino who was looking for financial support could not
help but notice Acker was making two hundred dollars a week in films and living
at the prestigious Hollywood Hotel. Alla Nazimova who was both their
benefactress thought that it would be good for their careers if the two
married. Acker knew a lot of people that could help his career and Valentino
could act as a “beard” so Acker could continue her friendship with her Lesbian
friends. On her advice, they decided to get married and held a quiet ceremony
November 4 1919. That night at the Hollywood Hotel, however, was anything but
quiet. Acker abruptly slammed the door in Valentino’s face, locked it, and wailed
that she had made a terrible mistake. She wanted to return to her Lesbian
lover. Valentino’s marriage to Jean Acker lasted one day and was never
consummated. One month later, Valentino and Acker publicly announced their
separation, but the motives of all parties involved in the marriage were never
satisfactorily explained to the press. Acker made Valentino pay her a weekly
support payment for his trouble. Jean
Acker's career floundered shortly after the failed marriage was made public
because she acquired more notoriety for being the estranged wife of Valentino
than she did as a leading actress. Jean Acker filed suit for divorce on January
17, 1921 and in the messy divorce proceeding, Jean Acker alleged that the
Valentino had struck her during a household quarrel. Valentino in turn said his wife had deserted
his bed and board, an accusation which made many fans wonder more about him
than her. An interlocutory divorce from
Acker was granted on March 4, 1922 and she was awarded a one time only alimony
payment of $12,000. Under California law of the time the divorce was set to
become final one year later. After Valentino and Acker separated Valentine met
Paul Ivano, another protégé of Nazimova. Ivano was a French-born cameraman of
Serbian extraction who found work in Hollywood after WWI and because of a
combination of “strength, sensitivity, and sophistication, came to the
attention” of Nazimova and her entourage at the Garden of Alla. Ivano said Valentino and he met when a friend
asked if Valentino who was penniless could share his bungalow for three days.
Ivano consented, and the three days turned into three weeks. The two became
lovers as well as roommates. Fortune was finally changing for Valentino when in
1920 June Mathis, formerly of Salt Lake City, the head studio script writer for
Metro went to her studio's bosses and got Valentino the lead in The Four
Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Mathis, who was also a Lesbian friend of Nazimova,
insisted that Valentino was the perfect type for the role of Julio. Finally
Valentino's star potential was realized. Valentino's “unique brand of sexual
charisma scored an immediate hit with the public.” Paul Ivano was also hired
for the film as technical advisor, making sure that the French villages and
French uniforms looked authentic. It was while working on this film that
Valentino had an affair with his co-star, Ramon Navarro, who later went on to
be the partner of the piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz. After the success of
The Four Horsemen, Nazimova pushed to have Valentino cast as Armand in her
production of Camille. Rambova was also hired as set designer. In the fall of
1920 Rudy and Paul shared an apartment in the Formosa Hotel, located at the
corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea. Valentino, and Ivano began living
with Rambova at her bungalow at 6612 Sunset Boulevard during the filming of
Camile. The men shared the house with Natacha. Valentino would cook elaborate
Italian meals for themselves and guests such as June Mathis and Nazimova. In a
biography of Rambova, author Michael Morris wrote that while living at this
address, “At four o'clock one morning, Valentine awakened Ivano in a wild
panic, screaming, "Paul wake up! I have killed Natacha!" As Ivano
recalled, "I rubbed my eyes and tried to make sense of what he was telling
me." Standing over the couch he could see a shivering and naked Valentine,
sparkling in tears and sweat. He had an erection. "When I saw that, I
immediately had a clue to the cause of the problem. I asked him if he and
Natacha had been making whoopee. Rudy said yes, but that I should hurry into
the bedroom because he thought that Natacha was dead." Rising from the
couch, Ivano calmed Valentine and told him to sit down. He then proceeded to
the bathroom. "I took an Italian sponge and soaked it in the sink. Then I
went into the bedroom and closed the door. There on the bed I saw Natacha lying
on her back without a stitch of clothing on. Her hair was unbound and flowing
over the bed sheets and pillows." Ivano vigorously applied the wet sponge
to the body of the deceased. In a short while Rudd could hear a moan emanating
from the room. “When I was finished, I returned to the living room and told
Rudy that I had revived the corpse, but that he should wait a few minutes
before returning because she hadn't completely cooled." On another
occasion Rambova’s pet cub lion escaped from the bungalow', on Sunset
Boulevard, roaring at passers-by. Panic-stricken that someone might shoot her
pet, “she dashed out of bed without stopping to grab her robe. Neighbors that
morning who happened to gaze out their window caught sight of the lioness
racing down Sunset Boulevard with a bare-breasted Amazon in hot pursuit.” When
the film Camille was released, the reviews were mixed. Some critics praised
Nazimova and the highly stylized art deco sets of Natacha Rambova while others
panned the adaptation as gaudy and ludicrous. Now over 40, with Camille a
failure at the box-office, Nazimova, Metro did not renew her contract. At the
same time Valentino decided to leave Metro when the studio failed to capitalize
on his new popularity. He joined “Famous Players-Lasky” (Paramount) where he
co-starred in his most famous role as The Sheik (1922). Critics said that Valentino's
magnetic personality permeated every frame of the film and firmly established
him as a star in Hollywood. In Camille, which had been released before The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Valentino had been given second billing to Nazimova; however after The Four Horsemen, the film’s marquee for Camille for where ever
it played stated "Starring Valentino", in bright lights
"with Nazimova" in second billing. Undaunted by the lack of studio
support of her artistic vision, Nazimova turned to producing her own films,
returning to familiar material with Ibsen’s “A Dolls House” (1922) and Oscar
Wilde’s dark and exotic Salome (1923). The
cast for Nazimova’s 1923 production of Salome was said to have been entirely
made up entirely of homosexual actors and stage crew as a tribute to Oscar
Wilde. That Nazimova was able to have the film made at all showed that she must
have been near omnipotent in Hollywood at this time in her career. Nazimova’s
“husband”, Charles Bryant was hired as director, Paul Ivano was hired as the
assistant cameraman, and Gay erotica artist Aubrey Beardsley inspired the sets
and costumes which were executed exquisitely by Natasha Rambova. Nazimova
starred as Salome. While the film was being shot, the set was strictly closed
to all visitors since most of the actors “were naked, or nearly so”. The
cameramen photographed each scene at least six times, accumulating 500,000 feet
of film. The total cost of the film came to $350,000, an exorbitant amount for
a movie made on such a small scale. However Salome was a labor of love for all
who participated in it. "My job obliged me to view the completed film more
than four hundred times," Paul Ivano told a journalist during Salome's
post-production stage, "and I was still not tired of it." Starring a reputedly all-gay cast, “this highly stylized
silent film horrified censors”, who deleted several sequences, “including a gay
relationship between two Syrian soldiers”. It did not help that the Fatty
Arbuckle sex scandal had the conservative elements calling for a clean up of
Hollywood decadence. The art film sat on the shelf for nearly a year
without distributorship and caused her bankruptcy. The “Doll House” while
restoring Nazimova's prestige as an actress, was a financial disappointment, as
was Salome, with its highly stylized acting and ultra-modern sets. Her losses
from the two films were heavy, and in need of work she returned to the theatre
to rebuild her stage career. Nazimova returned to the theatre for good, only
returning to Hollywood for small parts in “Zaza,” “Escape”, a remake of “Blood
and Sand”, “In Our Time”, and “Since You Went Away”. In her later years
Nazimova hoped that by remodeling "The Garden of Alla" into a Hotel
with 27 bungalows on the sizeable grounds it would assure her an income for
life. But she was bitterly disappointed. Her business manager and advisor, who
later vanished, mostly stole the money invested and eventually Nazimova lost
the property. When it became a residential hotel, she took a small room in the
house that had once been her home. Madame Alla Nazimova died penniless and
mostly forgotten in California of coronary thrombosis on July 2 1945.
1906-Dr William Lee Howard presented a paper to the American
Association of Medical Examiners in Boston warning of the dangers of providing
life insurance to male or female homosexuals. He said they are prone to
disease, abuse drugs and alcohol, and males especially detest any form of
physical exercise.
 |
| Henry Gerber |
1925-Henry
Gerber, founder of Chicago's earliest Gay organization The Society for Human
Rights, and three other members of the organization, were arrested without a
warrant after the wife of a member complained about the organization's
newsletter. The charges were dismissed, but as a result of the arrest Gerber
lost his job and the organization folded since he could no longer financially
support it.
1985- Sheldon C. Spears, a 33 year
old native of New York City, was diagnosed with AIDS and became the first Gay
Man in Utah to publicly acknowledge that he has the disease and became Utah’s
first AIDS activist. He was the 15th AIDS case diagnosed in Utah.
1988 I
called Satu Servigna and told her that I couldn’t help distribute The Triangle
anymore
because my car was stolen yesterday in front of the In-Between. I called
Ken Francis and said that I would need a lot of help at the community dance
tonight because it is Unconditional Support’s turn to host the dance and I am
all stressed out. It was a smaller turn
out tonight but it was also high school graduation for a lot of the Youth
Group. I think we did fine however and the dance went well.
1991 AIDS hysteria could resurge if proposed mandatory AIDS tests
are required for all hospital patients, health-care workers, pregnant women and
newborns, an AIDS activist Don R. Austin, Utah AIDS Foundation said. Mr. Austin, a licensed
clinical social worker and director of client services at the AIDS Foundation, doubts if mandatory tests would
solve much. The disease cannot be detected until 90 days after infection,
making test results questionable, he said. Deseret News
1998- Joan Garry of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
announced that Chastity Bono was stepping down as the organization's
Entertainment Media Director.
1999- Gay Philanthropist James
Hormel was appointed ambassador to Luxembourg against vocal conservative
opposition.
4 June 2000 GAY
RODEO The
Salt Lake Tribune 06/04/2000 Page: B1 Dan Guevara of Mira Loma, Calif., takes
his first turn in the barrel races Saturday during the Gay Rodeo at Utah State
Fairpark.; Bob Buenfil, left, and
Patrick Kearns watch the rodeo opening ceremonies after making the long trip
from Acton, Calif. HOW TO STIRRUP EXCITEMENT Bucking a Stereotype; Debut of Gay rodeo breaks new ground in
Utah; Gay Rodeo A Milestone For Utah The
day was hot, and so was Erica K, her tall, slim bod tucked in a tight, velvet
mini-dress and matching black pumps. Not
exactly the attire you'd expect to see at a rodeo. Then again, there is a lot
more to this rodeo than meets the eye. For starters, Erica K is California's Miss Gay
Rodeo, which is not to be confused with Ms. Gay Rodeo, who is, biologically
speaking, a real woman. The second thing is you don't have to be Gay, lesbian
or a transvestite to enter. Third, and most important, you don't have to leave Utah to compete, at
least not anymore. This weekend marks the
Utah Gay
Rodeo Association's first-ever rodeo, and that's no small matter when you
consider this group has been ridin' and ropin' for 11 years. "The Gay community in Utah has come a long way," said
rodeo Grand Marshal Dean Walton, a.k.a.
Auntie De'. He should know. Walton, who grew up on a ranch in Wyoming, has been part of many Utah firsts, from initiating the annual pig
roast and high heel race to co-founding the Gay/Lesbian Business Association. He also started the Salute to Cowboys, a 23-year-old
fund-raising event that heightened awareness for the Gay Western lifestyle.
That gave rise to the UGRA in 1989.
Today, the association has 150 members -- and it took darn near every
one of them to organize the rodeo, which continues today at the Utah State
Fairpark. With sweat dripping from his
forehead and tears filling his eyes, fund-raising coordinator Chad Keller described all the hard
work that went into making this weekend a reality. The cost of the inaugural
event could near $50,000 when all the ribbons, buckles and catered meals are
considered. To raise the money, members sold toe tags on Halloween, wreaths at
Christmas and raffle tickets during Cinco de Mayo. There were dozens of
barbecues and drag shows and dances. "This community really stepped forward,
and not just the Gay community," Keller said. "They
believed in us and that allowed us to take the next step." It was a milestone not only for Utah, but for Gays everywhere, said public-television
reporter Jan Sylvester, who is
covering the rodeo for "Colorado Outspoken," a weekly program that
airs on KBBI in Denver.
Utah has been
a hotbed of discouraging and derogatory comments about Gays, from the fight at
East High for a Gay/straight alliance
to the state's recent refusal to let unmarried couples adopt. Because of that,
Sylvester said, there is national interest in the rodeo. "It gives us something positive about Utah and lets the word
out that this isn't such a bad place," she said. Several contestants said they came to Salt Lake City not so much
for the competition, but to show support for the UGRA and its first event.
Present were Gay rodeo representatives from California,
Canada, New York and states in between. Greg
Baczek came from Albuquerque,
N.M., to lend support. Utah has been in the
news a lot, Baczek said, and that has created a false impression. "There
is a large Gay and lesbian community here, but you wouldn't know that if you
just read the national blurbs. You would think it is totally closed off." That certainly was not the scene Saturday,
as the rodeo drew 99 contestants and more than 500 spectators. The were treated
to traditional events like barrel racing, pole bending and bull riding, as well
as ever-popular "camp" events like goat dressing, steer decorating
and a wild drag race. The latter is a crowd favorite involving one male, one
female and one person dressed in drag. Team members pull a steer -- or as one
contestant said, "it drags you" -- across a chalked line, after which
the drag queen must ride the animal back across the stripe. Fun, but dangerous, said Clark Monk, Utah's public relations coordinator and
first runner-up to the international association's Mr. Gay Rodeo. Monk's
partner Kris once took a horn through the jaw. Gay rodeos also feature a few heartfelt
traditions. The Ceremony of the Riderless Horse is a farewell to friends who
have passed away. What's more, profits are donated to charity -- this weekend's
beneficiaries include City of Hope,
the YWCA's battered spouse programs and the Special Olympics. Thom Brennan had an especially tough
time returning to Utah for the rodeo; it was
his first time back since his friend, Salt
Lake City resident Leonard Ray, died of AIDS in 1996. Brennan and Ray were partners in
and out of the rodeo arena, where they competed in steer decorating, a timed
event that involves tying a ribbon on a steer's tail. Brennan and his new steer deco partner,
Sherry Le, both work for the Los Angeles Police Department, which had a
recruitment booth set up in the arena concourse. Next to the booth, vendors
hawked T-shirts with such slogans as "Rodeo Naked" and "Bear Bum"
and photographs of Gay lovers. The
rodeo is a sign of how far Utah's
Gay-rights movement has come -- even Gov. Mike Leavitt wrote a letter welcoming
participants. It also is a reminder of how far it has to go. When organizers called Utah stock owners to rent animals for this
weekend's rodeo, all refused when they found out it was a Gay-sponsored event.
They ended up using animals from Oklahoma
City. "You
run into rednecks no matter where you go," said Grand Marshal Auntie De'.
4 June 2000 SODOMY
LAWS
06/04/2000 The Salt Lake Tribune Page: B2 Federal Judge Upholds Dismissal of
Lawsuit Over Sodomy, Fornication Laws Y MICHAEL VIGH THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE A federal judge has upheld an earlier
magistrate's decision to dismiss an 8-year-old lawsuit that alleged Utah's
sodomy and fornication laws violate a constitutional right to privacy. Last
year, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Boyce recommended dismissing the lawsuit,
noting Salt Lake District Attorney David Yocom had said his office has
priorities other than prosecuting men and women for having sex outside the
bonds of marriage. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart agreed with
Boyce's recommendation, calling it "well reasoned." The case was
filed in 1991 by civil-rights attorney Brian Barnard on behalf of a plaintiff
known only as "W.N.J.," and other Utah residents, who also challenged the law
anonymously. The suit claimed unmarried couples are discriminated against by
the sodomy and fornication laws because such practices are legal for married
Utahns. W.N.J., who was unmarried at the time of the filing, said he had
engaged in fornication and sodomy, and had planned to do so in the future. He
said he feared criminal prosecution, and sought to overturn the law because he
said it was unconstitutional. But
Boyce had responded: "It is apparent the Utah fornication and sodomy
statutes are not being enforced in Salt Lake County by the . . . Salt Lake
County district attorney [who was named as a defendant]. . . . The injury to
plaintiffs is purely hypothetical and not concrete." Barnard's lawsuit
only addressed "noncommercial, non prostitutional, consensual and
heterosexual" private relations. It did not raise the issue of homosexual
physical relationships. Under Utah
law, sodomy includes any sex act involving the "genitals of one person and
mouth or anus of another person, regardless of the sex of either
participant." Married couples are exempt from the statute.
 |
| Chad Keller |
2003 Chad Keller- I want Utah to take its place front and center,
and all the people that have pushed us to our rightful place and a
community. We deserve some recognition
as a community in this state. Todd will you run this.....? Ben what's your
ideas on getting some Utah people on this list that will be in the Advocate??
To quote Barbra Streisand, "ordinary miracles happen all around." In
celebration of Pride season, we'd like to pay tribute to some of the unsung
"miracle workers" of the gay community. Is there someone in your world whose efforts
deserve to be recognized? Maybe it's that teacher who started a gay-straight
alliance at your school or opened a center for gay and lesbian youth in your
community. Maybe it's the small-town mayor who stood up for gay and lesbian
issues during a tough re-election campaign.
We want to hear about people -- gay or straight -- who have made a
difference to the GLBT community. It's our way of saying "thank you"
to all those people who you otherwise wouldn't hear about -- the ones who
really make the gay world go round. To
nominate a local hero, please write to us at localheroes@planetout.com. Tell us
in 500 words or less what makes your nominee special. Please include his or her
contact information (including e-mail address if possible), so we can get in
touch
- "Chad
C Keller" to: "Marke Bieschke" Subject: Local Hero Response
Marke; Here you go, and like everybody else here is a picture of me that I
like. This one will probably be the best from an event this past weekend.
Let me know when it is on the site, and if you decide to do anything else.
Thanks for the recognition, it’s nice, and thanks for the opportunity to
participate. I am truly honored.
Keep in Touch, Chad Keller Salt Lake City, UT - A short reply to the
question: ["What inspires you to make a change in your
community?"] I was taught the lessons of service from a very young
age. It perhaps is a Mormon thing, there isn’t times that I don’t remember
being busy doing something to help others or to improve the world we live
in. Pitch in and get the work done, someone has to set the chairs up, and
clean up the mess when the party is over. I look around at that that have
laid the foundation to the Utah Gay Community and am inspired to keep the
work they started moving forward. We will always be met with challenges to
improve ourselves, and the places that we live to be more diverse and
inclusive. [A brief list of organizations, events or efforts you've been
involved with.] Active in the Utah Gay community since 1987 when he became
a member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Cache Valley, a Utah State
University student organization. Since that time he has held several
notable positions, and has created numerous projects for the betterment of
the Utah Gay and mainstream community, highlights include: Current Crown Prince XXVIII of the Royal
Court of the Golden Spike Empire, Fundraising Director Utah Gay Rodeo
Association 1999 to 2001 Executive Director UGRA Rodeo 2001& Wild West
Festival Creator of the 1st Utah Pride Kids Activity Center 2002 Utah Gay
Pride Parade Chair Salt Lake First Night 2003 Processional Chair 2004
First Night Entrance designer, and Processional Chair Creator of Utah Gay
Service Day Founder Golden Spike
Literacy Project Co Founder Utah Stonewall Historical Society Founder GLBT
Community Leadership Forum Founding member and visionary of Utah GLBT
Business Guild Active Volunteer Utah Heritage Foundation Active Volunteer
Salt Lake Downtown Alliance Active Volunteer Memory Grove Foundation,
Creator Adopt a Monument program Founding Partner Mixed Media, LLC
- Ben
Williams to Marke Bieschke: The above while it is only an abbreviated list
of the many organizations and projects that Chad Keller has generously
donated his time, talent, and vision. As the novelist George Eliot said,
"Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right; decide on what you think
is right and stick to it." This has become his mantra. Often
controversial because of his outspoken nature, once his sights are set
there is no stopping him, but for certain the outcome of his vision and
determination will be outstanding. Throughout his 16 years of service he
has often made great making great sacrifices to see to the betterment and
growth of the Utah Gay Community, stating. "I was taught at an early
age to put Community first, and it’s a habit I’m in no rush to
break."
- Chad
Keller to Ben Williams “Here is what was submitted....again thanks to
whomever may have made This nomination. I am honored, and deeply touched.
It will be on line the weekend of the 4th..... Do I ever have a good hair day....no...simply no....”
.jpg) |
| Donald Steward |
2004 Friday Subject: Pride Parade
2004 - Logistics from Donald Steward
Darlings, Here is everything you need to know (and more!) about the 2004 Pride Parade.
ROUTE The Pride Parade route is identical to last year so the Parade will assemble
on 3rd South between Main Street and State Street. At the end of the Parade
floats will be emptied of participants between 3rd and 4th south, and they will
drive East to the float parking area on 3rd East between 4th and 5th
South. PARADE ASSEMBLY & LINE UP The Assembly Area on 3rd South will be
closed to traffic at 8.30AM. Enter from the West end off Main Street heading
East. There will be a Check-In Volunteer at that entrance. All entries will be
sent to one of four colored columns or lanes. At step off, a Parade Volunteer
will direct you when to start moving. The outside lane will be left clear for
emergency and public safety vehicles. If you only have one float or vehicle you
will be directed to one of the colored columns at the East end of the area.
However if your entry has multiple vehicles arriving at different times you
will be held back at the West end until all of your group is assembled and then
you will be inserted into the line up. Floats with sound systems will be
given time to adjust their volume levels but they must be left off during the
remainder of the Parade Assembly. All engines will be turned off until
immediately before stepoff. Any entries violating these rules will be removed
from the parade. Safety instructions and a final briefing will be held at
9.45AM at the back of the Parade Line Up. All entry and float leaders are
required to attend. STEP OFF AT 10.00AM The Parade will begin promptly at
10.00AM, and is to be completed by 11.30 AM so that the city streets can be
reopened to traffic. We have a higher number of entries this year so flow and
continuity is vital if we are to end on time. PARADE CONCLUSION The Pride
Parade volunteers and Salt Lake City Police will have 2nd East
blocked off between 3rd and 4th South. Only floats and Parade entries will be
allowed into that block and it is essential for speed and safety's sake that it
remains clear. Important! Please tell all of your friends and supporters to
move North away from that block to watch the parade. When your entry is
directed into that block move halfway down to the Parade Volunteer and stop.
Remove the participants off your float. They will exit to the sidewalk on the
right. The empty float or vehicle will be sent forward to line up at the
traffic signal and will turn left with the traffic signal sequence (going
across the Fourth South Trax Lines and then take a right on 3rd East to the
Float Parking area). FLOAT PARKING The 3rd East block adjacent to Library
Square has been set aside for Float parking. You will be directed by a Parade
Volunteer to move as far South as possible and park facing fifth South. OTHER
PARADE CONSIDERATIONS For important safety and liability reasons, no items can
be thrown from a float to spectators. This means candy, Frisbees, water
bottles, t-shirts, etc. People walking beside a float can carefully distribute items
by hand but we do not want spectators surging forward into parade traffic. If
you have choreographed presentations that require your float or entry to stop,
please make them short so that the Parade can keep moving. The Salt Lake City
Police Department has the authority to remove any entry along the Parade route
that violates this rule. DRESS & BEHAVIOR Pride Parade is a chance to
express your individuality and identity but the public nature of a Parade
requires adherence to all local laws pertaining to decency and safety. Please
follow common sense and act appropriately. If your outfit is too revealing and
does not conform to state or local law, you will not be included in the
line-up. We have to apply for a city permit every year to conduct the Parade,
to get street closures, and have public safety resources assigned, so your behavior
directly impacts that approval process. PROTESTERS Pride Parade inevitably
attracts street preachers and protesters. Ignore them and keep your parade
participants away from them. Do not engage them in any way because that is the
type of attention and conflict they crave.
2005 Donald Steward Subject:
Zions Bank Follow Up I don't know how
many of you sent Zions an inquiry but here is the response I got. Chances are
it’s a form letter crafted by their media relations folks: “Thank you for
taking the time to contact me. I appreciate your feedback, and I respect your
comments. Please know that Zions Bank takes its responsibility to the community
and the people in this community very seriously. As a financial institution, we
actively support community causes throughout Utah and Idaho. However, historically,
Zions Bank has not taken a position on controversial issues outside of our
industry. When it was brought to our attention that our support of the Human
Rights Campaign gala might be misinterpreted by some as taking a position on a
controversial issue outside of our industry, we made the decision to withdraw
our sponsorship. We are disappointed with the way
this story has been spun in the media. In making our decision, we were not
making a judgment on same-sex marriage. We were making a judgment on whether
the issue is controversial. And it is. As an organization, Zions Bank does not
have a position on the issue. We do, however, strongly support equality in the
workplace and strongly support (and, in fact, encourage) all employees in their
participation in community groups and organizations they individually support.
Thank you, again, for your comments. Scott” I see a response to Zions as a two
step process. We need as many GLBT folks as possible to contact
Zions (local branches, managers, central administration, etc.) and express
disapproval in the media (letters to editor - Tribune, DESERET NEWS!,
University newspapers, and if anyone is ballsy enough....talk radio, etc) and
create some buzz. Loud enough that Zions will be compelled to respond, or at
least meet with GLBT representatives behind closed doors. Next step we need
someone who speaks "banker" to brief the GLCCU and/or Equality Utah
on the banking/finance industry, its policies, structure, etc. And then set up
a meeting with Scott Anderson when we can offer constructive suggestions on how
to be GLBT inclusive and demand support for GLBT charities and programs from
their community reinvestment side. Keep up the pressure on Zions folks. They
are counting on us losing interest and letting the issue drop. Fergie
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| Jere Keys |
2005 The spiritual side of Pride Interfaith Service: Organizers
work to foster a place where homosexuals can unite and continue their faith in
God By Jennifer W. Sanchez The Salt Lake Tribune Jere Keys grew up in the
archetypical Mormon family: Sundays at church, family time together on Monday
evenings, baptism and the priesthood progression, Boy Scouts, youth groups,
daily prayer. Along the way, he says, he was
taught in church that gays were "promiscuous, godless and evil." He
remembers a seminary teacher telling the class, "Homosexual people don't
love each other. They're only interested in selfish pleasure." Keys was a
senior in high school when he came to accept that he was gay. His belief in God
dissolved, and he believed he would never be accepted as a good Mormon because
he didn't want to marry a woman -he longed for a man. "Gay was wrong," says
Keys, now 28. "I wasn't angry at God, but at the church, for making me
feel ashamed of myself." Now, after years of hating the LDS Church and denying
religion, Keys says he has found "spiritual peace" and hopes folks -
gay and straight - realize that faith is important to all people. That's why he
is part of a group organizing a faith-based service during Utah Pride 2005 -
the gay community's five-day celebration that includes a film festival and a
parade that ends with a big party at Library Square. The annual Pride
Interfaith Service started in 2001 with about 60 in attendance, but this is the
first year it's officially on the Pride schedule, and organizers expect about
200 people. It's at the First Baptist Church in Salt Lake City and is hosted by
the Pride Interfaith Council, which is made up of about 20 members of 10
faiths, including Mormonism, Episcopalianism, Presbyterianism, paganism and Judaism.
Each of those faiths, and many others, have had their struggles with
homosexuality, and have adapted in various ways and degrees. The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has invited gays into the wards, provided
they maintain the celibacy required of all unmarried people. The Episcopal
Church, which long has ordained gay priests, last year ordained a gay bishop
and endured a barrage of criticism from the international Anglican Communion.
Salt Lake's Congregation Kol Ami has a lesbian rabbi. The June 11 interfaith
service is designed to add a spiritual dimension to Pride that
encourages gays to continue their faith and let
 |
| Maureen Duffy-Boose |
them know God has not abandoned
them, said Maureen Duffy-Boose, Bio a pagan priestess and council member. "We
remind them that God loves them for who they are," said Duffy- Boose, a
Salt Lake City lesbian. "We don't have to repent for who we are - God
wants us to delight in our sexuality in the way he created us to be." The
Rev. Scott Weisser of First Baptist Church said he's tired of the stereotypes
that Baptists are "very, very conservative" and don't accept gays. He
said his church is hosting the service because he wants the gay community to
feel welcome anytime. Weisser hasn't been asked to perform any gay marriages or
holy unions, but he said he would consider it. At his church, families range
from those with a single parent to mom-and-dad couples with children to
same-sex couples, he said. "Families come in all forms," said
Weisser, who has a wife and two adult children. Weisser said he
 |
| Scott Weisser |
wants Pride
service attendees to respect each other's faiths. "I hope it brings people
a little closer together," he said. "I hope it gives people a sense
of unity as children of God." Valerie Larabee, 43, is the executive director
of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah, a Salt Lake
City-based agency that's been organizing Pride for two years. She remembers
dressing in white dresses to go to Catholic Mass with her grandmother and
 |
| Valarie Larabee |
attending catechism classes. But when she realized she was gay at age 15, she
stopped going to church because she knew she wouldn't be welcomed. Since then,
she said, it hurts when she hears any religious leader go on about how gays
"choose" their lifestyle and aren't holy people. That's why many gay
people struggle with spirituality, she said. "It's very painful that the
church you were born into rejects who you are," said Larabee, who moved to
Utah eight years ago. "Gay people are spiritual. Gay people are religious.
They're just like everyone else." Larabee said the interfaith service also
is a time when straight people, or gays still in the closet, can learn more
about the gay community. After all, she said, the whole purpose of Pride, which
started in Utah in the 1970s, is to unite gays as well as to show they are
involved in their community as leaders, parents and neighbors. The week's
events also focus on educating people on gay issues, such as discrimination in
the workplace and partner benefits, she said. "If you don't expose yourself
to different people, how are you ever going to learn about them?" Larabee
said. For Keys, Pride is a time for him to be proud of who he is – a Utah
native. A son. An older brother to nine siblings. An editor of a city gay
alternative newspaper. A gay man. "There are a lot of people who would
like to pretend we don't exist," he said. "But Pride week is a way
for us to say, 'Hello, we're here and you can't ignore us.' " Growing up
in Ogden and later in Las Vegas, Keys said he sort of knew he liked other boys,
but he often made fun of gays in front of his friends. "Back then, I just
thought I admired guys and wanted to be their friends," he said. "But
now, I know it was a bunch of self-denial." Keys came out to his friends
and family when he was in college. "There was some tears and
arguments," he said. "Even today, I wouldn't say they're totally
accepting of it, but it's not an upsetting thing anymore." Still, Keys
said he didn't return to church and pretended he wanted nothing to do with God.
But he researched religion after religion. "It's hard to believe you don't
believe in anything," he said. "You lie awake at night and there's
just something missing." Now Keys said he has found "spiritual
peace" at South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, a church made up of
a rainbow of faiths, from Buddhism to Christianity. There, everyone's God and
faith is accepted. His pastor loves him for who he is. People don't judge him.
He's able to teach a class about the gay community. "I still don't have
all the answers," Keys said. "I'm just trying to be the best person I
can be."
.jpg) |
| Bruce Bastian |
2005 The Human Rights Campaign
and Bruce Bastian would like to invite you to join us at “We Are Family” The
First Annual HRC Utah Gala Dinner and Silent Auction Come out and celebrate!! June 4th, 2005 The Residence of Bruce Bastian
1384 N. 450 East Orem, UT 84097 Cocktails and Silent Auction 6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm We are pleased to announce the evening program: 2005 Keynote Speaker:
Tipper Gore HRC Speaker: President Joe Solmonese Musical Entertainment Provided
by: Oleta Adams Post party dancing under the stars The evening dress is Summer
Chic Ticket packages include either a standard ticket to the Dinner and Silent
Auction or an upgraded "VIP" package that includes the Dinner, Silent
auction, and an exclusive private reception in Bruce's house before the dinner
on Saturday, as well as entrance into the Patron Reception on Friday night.
Federal Club Members: You must reserve your two (2) complimentary tickets to
the dinner and silent auction or upgrade to the VIP package at
www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc. For your
convenience, buses will be provided for the trip from Salt Lake City to Orem
and returning to Salt Lake City. REGISTER
AS A TABLE CAPTAIN: Invite your friends and family to attend. For more information
about becoming a table captain, contact Rick Ith or Michael Marriott To inquire
about the Federal Club of Utah: call Toby Sanchez In addition to the dinner, please join the
Federal Club of Utah, Major Donors and Corporate Sponsors the evening before
for an HRC Utah Patron Event
 |
| Troy Williams |
2006 Pride Not Prejudice this years Pride Day Theme. Boyer Jarvis was chosen as Grand Marshal for his unwavering support of the Gay community. Lesbian State Representative Jackie Biskupski was chosen the recipient of the Dr. Kristen Ries Award. Pride Parade- 10 a.m. in downtown SLC, kicks off at 300 S and State St. (FREE)
Pride Festival 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. @ Washington Square and Library Square
($5/ticket, $3/seniors). Political Stage Emceed by the legendary Troy Williams,
and some surprise guests, this year’s Political Stage will feature national
politicians as well as local political celebrities. Individuals who are running
for office in 2006 will have the opportunity to win your support as they talk
about their campaigns. Please join us during the June 4th Utah Pride Festival
at the political stage from noon to 4:00 p.m.
View the Political Stage line-up at the Festival Entertainment Schedule.
Project Fabulocity!
 |
| Boyer Jarvis |
- Boyer Jarvis was Grand Marshall of Utah Gay Pride Parade. “I came to Salt Lake
City in June of 1955 to do research of a Ph.D. dissertation at
Northwestern University and was employed as a Teaching Assistant and
Assistant to the Dean of the College of Letters and Science at the
University of Utah.” Board Member, of Salt Lake Branch NAACP 1986-94, of Utahns United
Against the Nuclear Arms Race 1983-92, Repertory Dance Theater 1985-86, of Salt Lake NAACP 1985-94, of ACLU of Utah 1989-90, of Salt Lake Chapter PFLAG
(Parents, Familes and Friends of Lesbians and Gays 1993-06 Awards Martin
Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award 1989, Utah Pride Parade Grand Marchal 2006 Equality Utah Allies Award (with
wife, Pat) 2008
2007 You said to contact you when I go through my
files, so I need a phone number or E-mail address to contact you. It looks like I was chapter director 1984-1986 and Kim
Shirtliff was director before me for about two years 1982-1983 and before him
was Ray King. I understand Ray owns a flower shop in Salt Lake City. Do you know him? Have you
talked to him? Please get back to me when you can. I know you are probably busy
with the Pride Week fallout right now.
John Cooper
2007 Pride Festival
provides sense of community, security for homosexual students U students joined
thousands in downtown Salt Lake City last weekend to celebrate equality for all
during the annual Utah Pride Festival. Members of the U Queer Student Union
said aside from the sense of community the festival creates, they attend the event
to reach out to students who might not know about the support available for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on campus. Daily Chronicle
2008 Music | Loud and Proud: Utah
Pride Festival weekend highlights diversity onstage and off By Princess Kennedy
Salt Lake City Weekly In honor of this year’s Utah Pride Festival, we offer a
look back on how it all began: June 27, 1969: A dark day in history. Beloved
songstress Judy Garland was found dead of an overdose in her London apartment.
Across the pond in a dank little bar called the Stonewall Inn, at 53
Christopher Street in New York City, depressed drag queens and humorless homos
drowned their sorrows. That’s when the NYC Police made one of the biggest
mistakes of their lives. A pastime for the men in blue was raiding gay bars as
it was still illegal to live on the pink side of life. These raids resulted in
arrests and abuse. On June 27, we were not going to take it anymore. In fact it
was a tranny who threw the first punch. Imagine (true story) drag queens
ripping parking meters out of the ground, swinging them at cops; lesbians
starting cars on fire; gays breaking every glass door and window throughout the
West Village. The three-day Stonewall Riots ensued, during which participants
sang, “God Save Us Nelly Queens!” These
fierce forefathers and mothers are responsible for Gay Freedom Day, or as we
now call it “Pride Day,” a historic, now less tumultuous annual event. With
such milestones as Salt Lake City’s Mutual Commitment Registry and the
California Supreme Court’s overturning the state’s ban on marriage for gays and
lesbians, we truly have something to celebrate this weekend. On Thursday, June
5, DJ/DC presents Jer Ber Jones at the ultra-culturally mixed club night Dance
Evolution (Trapp Door, 615 W. 100 South). Jones makes her first appearance in
Salt Lake City as Jer Ber, though her alter-ego, Robbie Daniels Jr., is a Utah
native. Daniels is a multimedia artist and musician who has been producing and
performing his original works internationally for more than 15 years. At 17,
Robbie, known then as Gumby, was both art director and star on The Palladium
Dance Party, a weekly Salt Lake City-based performance art television dance
show. Now Jer Ber, she will be performing excerpts from Fowl, her hit
electro-musical currently sweeping the West Coast. Opening for Jer Ber is Salt
Lake City’s own unpredictable firecracker Gorgeous Jared Gomez. There will be
much more going on at the Trapp Door, including a surprise performance from an
international electro pop diva that DJ/DC can’t disclose for security reasons.
Doors at 9. Friday, June 6, marks the official Grand Marshall reception at the
Hilton Salt Lake City Center where Salt Lake City Council members and Mayor
Ralph Becker will get their props. Becker says he’s proud to be celebrating all
the community has accomplished in this last year to ensure equal rights. After
the inspirational speeches, head to Club Gossip at 579 W. 200 South at Club
Sound, for adult film stars, go-go dancers and a drag show hosted by the ever
sharp-tongued Nova Starr. If nightclubbing is not your bag then head to the
Tower Theater (9th & 9th) for a midnight viewing of gay auteur John Waters’
Cry Baby. Starring Johnny Depp and Tracy Lords, there is eye candy for all. On
Saturday, June 7, festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with the Dyke March starting
at City Creek Park (North Temple & State Street). Marching 700 strong for
the sixth year, this motorcycle-heavy throng is just for ladies—sorry fellas.
But you can still come cheer them on! The march ends at Pride’s official
stomping grounds, Washington Square Park. Festival entertainment kicks off with
Salt Lake City’s Rope or Bullets, followed by Cavedoll and recent winner of
QSaltLake’s Most Faaabulous Local Band, Purr Bats. Pride headliner Meshell
Ndegeocello will unleash a storm of rhythm funk world beats at 7:30 p.m.,
followed by local DJ Nick James—keeping your booty shaking all night long. Try
to get some rest to make the official Pride Parade’s 10 a.m. start Sunday. You
don’t want to miss the Salt City Derby Girls, the bearded Cyber Sluts on
scooters and the Gay Radical Cheerleading Squad, among other highlights. The
parade ends at Washington Square (400 S. 200 East), where three stages worth of
performers will provide the soundtrack to a fabulous afternoon. On the main
stage, longtime favorites The Saliva Sisters join Mesa Drive, Mary Tebbs,
Leraine, Salsa Brava and irreverent drag a cappella act The Kinsey Sicks. Pride
stage action includes locals Jinga Boa, Kid Madusa, Bronwen Beecher, Cholula
and All Star Band. My must-see pick is Kid Madusa. Watching her perform is like
a circus show for the senses. On the interactive stage, local artists Brinton
Jones and Chaz Prymek will warm—and possibly break—your heart with their honest
sounds. Rounding out the weekend is the Trapp Door’s Gay Day Street Fair, 600
West to 100 South, Sunday from 5 p.m. well into the night. Booths, food,
performances and DJs hit the street bringing the club outside and extending the
day for diehards. Be it song, dance, film or good old-fashioned partying, there
is something for everyone. Young and old, black and white, gay, lesbian, bi,
trans and straight (but not narrow), I personally invite you to come together
and raise a glass slipper to gayness! UTAH PRIDE FESTIVAL @ Washington Square,
451 S. State, June 6-8. UtahPride.org
2009 LGBT festival: Privately gay, exposed on film Docs look at
closeted politicians and an old-school fashionista. By Sean P. Means The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: The Damn These Heels! LGBT Film Festival -- which starts its five-day
run June 10 at Salt Lake City's
Tower Theatre -- is an event based on openness, on the idea that gays and
lesbians can tell their own stories fearlessly. So it's interesting that two of
this year's headlining films are documentaries about people who aren't open
about their sexual identity. In "Outrage," the festival's closing-night
film, director Kirby Dick explores why any gay politicians not only stay in the
closet but vote against gay-rights legislation such as same-sex marriage and
Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And in the opening-night film, "Valentino: The Last
Emperor," director Matt Tyrnauer profiles the fashion designer Valentino
Garavani and his Director Kirby Dick on the set of "Outrage."
(Magnolia Pictures)decades-long relationship with his business partner,
Giancarlo Giammeti, which resembles a marriage -- though neither man discusses
the depths of the relationship publicly.
Dick was inspired to make "Outrage" when he was in Washington, D.C.,
promoting his movie about the double standard of the MPAA's rating system,
"This Film Is Not Yet Rated." Having nailed a case of hypocrisy in his
own industry, he was intrigued with the hypocrisy of closeted gay politicians
voting against gay-rights legislation. "I was developing something else,
and as soon as I came across this I just immediately stopped [the other
project]," Dick said in a phone interview. "This was so rich."
Dick interviews out politicians -- Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank and former New Jersey Gov.
Jim McGreevy, who famously came out when he resigned from office in 2004 -- as
well as a variety of sources who discuss gay encounters with specific elected
officials who routinely answer questions about their sexual orientation with
denials or evasion. Finding people to talk on the record was tricky.
"People in Washington
are very careful," Dick said. "Washington
is a town of relationships, so they were very careful. And this is obviously
an Movie Cricket blog
 |
| Jon Huntsman Jr |
 |
| Walter Larabee |
2009 Governor's gay-rights stance honored The Salt Lake
Tribune Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will be
honored by Utah's
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community at this weekend's pride
festival. The Utah
Pride Center
and other LGBT organizations have picked Huntsman for the Pete Suazo Political
Action Award. Huntsman is the first Utah
governor to openly support civil unions for same-sex couples. Earlier this
year, he also endorsed the Common Ground Initiative, a campaign for basic legal
protections for gay and transgender Utahns that fizzled in the Legislature. The
award is named for the late state Sen. Pete Suazo, who worked for years to pass
hate-crimes legislation in Utah.
Walter Larrabee, a drag performance artist, has been named the recipient of the
Kristen Ries Community Service Award. Both awards will be presented during a
reception at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hilton
Salt Lake City Center.
But the governor has a "scheduling conflict" that makes it unlikely
he will attend, pride center spokesman Michael Westley said Thursday. Rosemary Winters
2009 Thursday, COALVILLE — The Summit County Council has passed an
anti-discrimination resolution and has plans to extend health care and other
benefits to county employees' domestic partners — including gay couples. The
resolution, passed in a 4-1 vote, was shepherded through by Councilwoman Sally
Elliott, whose brother and daughter are gay. "They don't have the same rights
under the law that I do, and I feel that's wrong," Elliott said. The
resolution does not specifically mention paid benefits, but the County Council
plans to discuss that issue during a budget retreat June 18. Rather, the
resolution on "inclusive communities" is a call to action for local
elected officials nationwide. "We mourn past and present discrimination
based on race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation,
gender identity, HIV status, veteran status, political affiliation, marital status,
disability, poverty and other classifications which have been used to
oppress," it reads. "And we envision a future where unique
characteristics and perspectives are treasured and welcomed." If Summit County
were to offer benefits to domestic partners of its employees, it would follow
in the footsteps of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake
County. Other
municipalities, including Sandy,
also are studying the issue. (Deseret News)
2010 Gay pride fest touts history, future LGBT » Utah Pride has
grown from a canyon kegger to 20,000 strong. By Rosemary Winters Salt Lake
Tribune 06/04/2010 Members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender community have a lot to celebrate at the 2010 Utah Pride Festival
with the theme "Our History, Our Future." The festival's annual parade has grown into
Utah's second largest. And with that growth has come adoption of
anti-discrimination ordinances in a handful of communities. This week, West
Valley City became the fifth city or county in Utah to protect residents from
being fired or evicted because of sexual orientation or gender identity. Salt
Lake City, Salt Lake County, Park City and Logan have passed similar statutes.
Equality Utah hopes to get five more cities and counties to follow suit by the
end of the year to fill out its "Ten in 2010" campaign. Gay pride in
Utah started in 1975, with a casual kegger in City Creek Canyon attended by 300
or so revelers. Today, the pride festival has swelled to a three-day,
.jpg) |
| Nikki Boyer |
$275,000
event attended by 20,000-plus people."There just weren't the organizations
that there are now," says Nikki Boyer, president of the board of the Utah
Pride Center, which presents the annual festival. Boyer, a lesbian, says the
climate for LGBT people has changed dramatically since she moved to Utah 40
years ago. "Our entire social life
was in the [gay] bars," says Boyer, 67. "It was the only place we
felt safe enough to congregate." The Utah Pride Center chose to focus on
history this year in tribute to the 40th anniversary of the nation's first gay
pride march, which took place in New York City. The June 1970 march
commemorated the first anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a violent
confrontation between police officers and patrons of a gay bar that helped spur
the national LGBT rights movement. This year, a new exhibit at the Utah Pride
Festival will outline the history of that movement, along with 20th Century
efforts to secure civil rights for women and African-Americans. C.D Clawson, a
25-year-old volunteer from Logan who is gay, assembled the display. He came out
two years ago and wanted to learn more about the history of his new community.
He attended his first pride festival in 2009. A returned LDS missionary,
Clawson says coming out was hard at first. "For a while, I felt alone.
Everybody does at first when they feel different," he says. "It's
just a matter of finding your community and finding your history. Suddenly, you
realize you're completely normal." The history display features a
timeline, portraits of civil rights leaders submitted by college students from
around the state, and a dinner table set with six place settings. "To sit
at a table is to commune, to speak to our brothers and sisters as equals and as
a family," Clawson explains. "That's really what we seek. We want to
sit at that table to be recognized and be heard." The timeline outlines milestones in the
LGBT-rights movement, including the first election of an openly gay person to
public office in Michigan in 1974; the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, in 2003,
to overturn sodomy laws that prohibit private, consensual sex; and
Massachusetts becoming the first U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage in 2004.
"By looking at the past I gained an incredible hope for the future,"
Clawson says. In Utah, the movement has had setbacks and successes. In 2004,
voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that forbids same-sex
marriages or similar unions. Equality Utah, the state's leading gay-rights
advocacy group, emerged from
.jpg) |
| Brandie Balken |
that campaign. Today, the group's focus has shifted
from fending off anti-gay measures to a "proactive" tact, says
Brandie Balken, executive director. The past few years, the Utah Legislature
has quashed proposals to add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing
state laws that forbid housing and employment discrimination based on a
person's race, religion or other characteristics. But in November, Salt Lake
City approved ordinances that protect gay and transgender residents from
housing and employment bias. The measures received a landmark endorsement from
the LDS Church, which opposes gay marriage. In January, a Salt Lake Tribune
poll found that 66 percent of Utahns support expanding such protections
statewide. And support for some rights for same-sex couples, short of marriage,
jumped from 56 to 67 percent in one year. "People are becoming more and
more willing," Balken says, "to engage in a conversation about what
an inclusive community looks like and who gets invited to the table."
.jpg) |
| Sister Dottie S Dixon aka Charles Lynn Frost |
2010 Utah Pride Festival Theme » "Our History, Our Future"
Grand marshal » Sister Dottie S. Dixon, a fictional character portrayed by
actor Charles Lynn Frost. Dixon is a Mormon mom of a gay son who crusades for
love and acceptance of LGBT folks. Meet her at a reception at 7 tonight at the
Jewish Community Center, 2 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City. Cost is $35.
Festival grounds » Music, food, booths and more at Washington Square, 451 S.
State St., Salt Lake City. Festival grounds are open 4-11 p.m. on Saturday, and
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $10. Parade » The Pride Parade is Sunday,
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., along State Street and 200 East between 100 and 300
South.
 |
| Sandra Bernhard |
2010 Utah Pride Festival gets under way Saturday By Arthur Raymond
Published: Friday, June 4, 2010 5:25 p.m. MDT
SALT LAKE CITY — A weekend chock full of rallies, marches,
entertainment, food and beverages will draw tens of thousands to downtown Salt
Lake City's Washington Square for the 2010 rendition of the Utah Pride
Festival. Activities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday with a 5K run and continue through
Sunday evening. Highlights include an appearance Saturday night by
actress/comedienne Sandra Bernhard. The state's second-biggest parade will wend
its way through downtown beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday. Former radio character
and current theater sensation Sister Dottie S. Dixon will head the parade as
grand marshal. Dixon is portrayed by Charles Lyn Frost, a local actor who has
been lauded for his Pygmalion Theatre performances that explore the struggles
and triumphs of a Mormon mom who has to come to terms with her son coming out
of the closet. Utah Pride Center executive director Valerie Larabee said the
Dixon character sends a message she hopes all Utahns will hear. "In every
home where a conversation exists about LGBT people, be it friends, family,
co-workers, etc. … that conversation happens best in an environment of love and
compassion," Larrabee said. Pride center spokesman Michael Westley said
entertainment at the three sound stages will be more streamlined this year,
with the north main stage booked for nonstop entertainment Saturday night and
throughout Sunday. Details on Utah Pride Festival events, including ticket
purchases, are available at www.utahpridefestival.org.
2010 It’s raining entertainment
at Pride Fest By david burger The Salt Lake Tribune June 4,
 |
| Martha Walsh |
2010 12:41AM
"QUAC," The Queer Utah Aquatics Club, marching at a past Salt Lake
City Gay Pride Parade. Scott Sommerdorf/The Salt Lake Tribune The headliners of
the 2010 Utah Pride Festival say shows celebrating the lesbian gay bisexual transgender
community and supporters are among their favorite gigs. “I want to come to a
place known as a little backwards to my way of thinking,” said comic and singer
Sandra Bernhard, headliner of Saturday’s entertainment lineup. “I’m a champ of
people on the fringes who haven’t had a voice.” “I always like doing the pride
fests, because it’s fun,” said Martha Wash, Sunday’s headliner, best-known for
“It’s Raining Men,” the 1982 disco song that has become a gay anthem. “That’s
the bottom line, whether you agree or disagree [with equal rights].” Bernhard
and Wash will perform during a packed weekend for the festival, which includes
two days of entertainment, a colorful parade, plus booths spotlighting more
than 120 shops and organizations, and food selections from around the world.
Bernhard and Wash talked to The Tribune about why, when it comes to honoring
the diversity of LGBT community in Utah and beyond, it all comes down to love.
Sandra Bernhard • The 54-year-old entertainer was born in Michael Moore’s hometown
of Flint, Mich., but spent most of her childhood in Arizona. Bernhard began
performing in the late 1970s with an acerbic stand-up act that specialized in
skewering America’s celebrity culture and worship. In 1983, she entered the
mainstream when she starred alongside Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis in Martin
Scorsese’s black comedy “King of Comedy.” Later that decade, Bernhard began a
series of one-woman shows, and in 1991 she was cast as Nancy Bartlett on the
hit sitcom “Roseanne,” becoming one of the first actresses to portray an openly
lesbian recurring character on American TV. Since then, she has expanded into
an author and singer in addition to her comedic career. Her performance at the
Utah Pride Festival will be a “mashup of singing, burlesque and [comedy],” and
she’ll be accompanied by a keyboard player. “I think of myself as an
entertainer,” she said. Her performances are largely improvisations, and in
Utah she said she will riff and comment on issues facing the gay community and
their supporters. Those issues are important to her because she and her
longtime partner are raising an 11-year-old daughter whom Bernhard delivered in
1998 (with an unnamed father). Despite the controversy surrounding California’s
Proposition 8, the ballot measure restricting
the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples, she said she doesn’t
intend to marry her partner unless it becomes “relevant for taxes,” she joked.
“Spiritually, we’re all connected.”
Martha Wash • The 56-year-old San Francisco resident still can’t believe
that a song she recorded in an hour in 1982 — “It’s Raining Men” — has become a
gay anthem. “It has become a cult classic,” she said. “It’s one of those fun
songs that everyone can relate to. There are children who love it.” The song is
addressed to “all you lonely girls,” telling them to “leave those umbrellas at
home.” The producer initially marketed the song to gay clubs when it met some
early resistance from mainstream radio in the waning days of disco, Wash said.
Besides that song, Wash’s bold, gospel-influenced voice can be heard on more
than two dozen hits over the years, from her work with the Weather Girls, Black
Box and most notably, C + C Music Factory, who used her vocals in the 1990 No.
1 hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” without giving her vocal
credit. Wash successfully sued to receive proper credit and appropriate
royalties as the vocalist on C+C Music Factory songs, which led to legislation
making vocal credits mandatory on albums and videos. Wash said her set at the
Utah Pride Fest will include songs from her entire career. In later years, she
has broadened her career and is working on finishing her first straight-ahead
gospel album. But the singer still embraces her self-proclaimed title as “The
Queen of Clubland” and the singer of “It’s Raining Men” because when it comes
down to it, she said, what the LGBT community needs is love.
2010 Miss City Weekly 2010 is
Drew Landerman!In Section: News Blog » Posted By: Jesse Fruhwirth Salt Lake City Weekly In 2004, Ana Matronic
of the Scissor Sisters paused the show at Liquid Joe's to compliment a tall
drink of glittery water with blonde hair. "What are you doing in Utah?
You're too fabulous," she said. "Get thee to New York City!"
We're glad Drew Landerman
 |
| Drew Landerman |
keeps zer stinger in our beehive, however, because
last night "the Drewnicorn" was named Miss City Weekly 2010.
Landerman won $1,000 in prizes--thanks to sponsors u•lys•ses, City Homes, and
Dogmode--and will be the star of City Weekly's float in the Utah Pride Parade Sunday.
Originally from Sandy, Landerman first did drag at the wee age of 5 years old.
I was one of the judges of last night's pageant and was happy to see Landerman
win. More than any other contestant, Landerman had the crowd sharing a
universal smile that stretched from one side of Circle Lounge's patio to the
other. A performance featuring gigantic, unbridled tits bouncing to the beat
will do that, I guess. Always gracious, the dragon thanked zer critics via
Twitter. "I WON!!!! take that haters posting anonymous comments online!
this androgenous tranimal took the crown... xoxoxoxo." If Miss City Weekly
should become unable to fulfill her duties throughout the next year, Miss
Champagne Starr is waiting in the wings, as first-runner up. The dragon with a
heart of gold, Miss Nikki Steele, of Roy, was selected by online readers as
their favorite. Again, thanks to our sponsors--u•lys•ses, City Homes, and
Dogmode--for their generous sponsorship of the first-ever Miss City Weekly
Pride Pageant. Let pride weekend begin!
2010 Your Pride Weekend Events
CalendarIn Section: News Blog » Posted By: Jesse Fruhwirth Salt Lake City
Weekly It's Pride Weekend and you still don't have plans? Have no fear, we've
got all the hottest parties listed right here.
FRIDAY: •Piper Down: 2nd Annual Pride Green Party, featuring Jason
Cozmo, celebrity impersonator. 21 1492 South State Street, SLC, UT •Studio 27:
Best In Show Fundraising Gala hosted by Walter as Carol Channing and featuring
DJ Brent Vincent. Cocktails and buffet from 7-8:30pm, showtime at 9pm. Pride
party favors and summer treats! $15, 21 615 West 100 South, SLC, UT •Jam: Glow
it up! Pride Party with DJ Tidy and the Stoli Vodka Guys. Wear your best
glow-in-the-dark attire. Glow sticks and glow body paint for everyone! FREE. 21
751 North 300 West, SLC, UT SATURDAY: •Utah Pride Festival @ Washington Square.
Opens at 4pm. Performances by Backdoor Burlesque, Sandra Bernhard and more! Day
admission, $10. •Studio 27: G-Elect presents Princess Kennedy's Pink Party with
JSJ. Featuring performances by Gorgeous Jared, Coko Couture & the DC
Cowboys. Scrumptious ice cream sundae bar. 21 615 West 100 South, SLC, UT •Club
Edge: Fusion Overload Pride Party 2010 featuring Wayne G, Flava and the debut
of the Fusion Dancers. Doors at 8pm, cover $10 before 10pm, $15 after. 21 615
North 400 West, SLC, UT •Jam: Pride Blow Up Doll Party with Mike Babbitt. Doors
at 4pm. Meet the plastic man of your dreams while showing off your boogie to
the hottest hits in The Boom Boom Room. 21 751 North 300 West, SLC, UT SUNDAY:
•Utah Pride Festival @ Washington Square. 11am to 7pm. Performances by Martha
Wash and more! Day admission, $10 •Studio 27: After Pride BBQ Party presented
by City Weekly featuring Guy Branum from Chelsea Lately and DJ Brent Vincent.
Delicious BBQ & amazing giveaways. Doors open at 5pm. $10 for BBQ/Show, $5
Show Only. 615 West 100 South, SLC, UT (City Weekly is sponsoring this event).
•Jam: BBQ Party featuring Jujubee from RuPaul's Drag Race with DJ Tidy &
Burdy. Doors at 4pm, show at 9pm. 751 North 300 West, SLC, UT •Craft Sabbath:
This month Craft Sabbath will be happily celebrating Fathers Day and Gay Pride
with a plethora of gifts for the purchasing. 12pm-4pm at Nobrow Coffee and Tea.
315 East 300 South, SLC, UT. (City Weekly is sponsoring this event).
2014 Jim Dabakis commenting on the US Supreme Court's decision not to stay the Oregon
 |
| Jim Dabakis |
decision on Equality Marriage: This makes the stakes in the Utah marriage case in Denver
unbearable! The entire U.S. Supreme Court has DENIED a stay on Oregon
marriage equality. The marriages will roll on, despite NOM. The highest Court announced on Wednesday it won’t place a
stay on same-sex weddings taking place in Oregon in response to a request from
the National Organization for Marriage. The court issued its decision against placing a stay on U.S.
District Judge Michael McShane’s ruling against the state’s marriage ban
without giving any justification for the determination. “The application for stay presented to Justice Kennedy and
by him referred to the Court is denied,” the notice states.
 |
| Michael Aguilar |
2016 Michael Aguilar, chair of the Board of the Director of the Pride Center recreates the Grand Marshall Reception Event to the Sapphire Spectacular with grant money from Mark Miller Suburu. At the top of the list of changes was the decision not to
select a single grand marshal for the event and the annual parade, but to
instead honor and celebrate three "icons" from the LGBT community. Tickets and sponsorships to
this event sold out in the first two weeks with over 340 attendees. The 2016 "SAPPHIRE SPECTACULAR - A Sensory Experience!" Presented
with pride by Mark Miller Subaru! Formerly the Grand Marshal Reception, the
SAPPHIRE SPECTACULAR will help ring in the 2016 Utah Pride Festival! Join the Utah
Pride Center as we celebrate the past, present, and future of our beautifully
diverse community, and as we recognizes the recipients of the 2016 Dr. Kristen
Ries Community Service Award & the Pete Suazo Political Action Award. Your
senses will come alive during the SAPPHIRE SPECTACULAR with entertainment
provided by Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory. Tickets to the SPECTACULAR are limited and this event will sell out!
Scholarships are available!
2017 Pride parade attendees feel sense of urgency to ‘elevate’ the LGBTQ conversation By Taylor Stevens | The Salt Lake Tribune June 5, 2017 Some participants stress the need for more inclusion in the LGBTQ movement, especially for people of color, transgender individuals. As they marched in celebration and for acceptance, many in the LGBTQ community also felt a sense of urgency Sunday as thousands of people gathered in downtown Salt Lake City for the culmination of Utah Pride Week. In fact, many participants in the 42nd annual Utah Pride Parade said they were looking beyond the event, trying to figure out what’s next for the movement under President Donald Trump’s leadership and amid vocal opposition from a group of protesters. Many answers seemed to lead back to the theme of this year’s festival — “Pride Elevated,” a catchphrase some participants said
 |
| Chris Wharton |
encompasses the need for people within the LGBTQ movement to elevate new voices in the conversation. Chris Wharton, an openly gay candidate for Salt Lake City Council District 3, said Pride is an important and visible reminder that Utah is not as homogenous as some may think. In the future, he said, the visibility of other types of diversity will become more pronounced, even within Pride and the LGBTQ movement. “The movement has been criticized for being too focused on the ‘L’ and the ‘G’ — the lesbian and the gay — and not enough on our bisexual community, our transgender community and our gender queer community,” Wharton said. “More opportunities will come to be more inclusive of those other groups as well.” Piper Stewart, a Salt Lake resident and first-time Pride attendee, echoed the need for the movement to become more inclusive. “It’s really important that the LGBT community starts including and supporting more people of color and transgender people because, in the past, I think both of those groups have kind of been excluded,” Stewart said. Another group looking to enter the conversation is Affirmation — LGBT Mormons, Families & Friends, which provides support for people navigating the complexities of the LDS faith and their sexuality, according to John Gustav-Wrathall, the organization’s president. In November
 |
| John Gustav-Wrathall |
2015, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that children of parents in LGBTQ unions would be ineligible for a naming blessing, baptism or mission call without the approval of the faith’s top leaders. Affirmation members hope to support those families and enact change by sharing their stories with church leaders and other Utahns. “The policies of the church, those are always the things that change last,” he said. “They can’t just change the policy overnight. That’s not going to happen. But as [church leaders] continue to get more information and they hear people’s stories and they begin to get deeper into the discernment, I think that’s when good things start to happen.” Though Gustav-Wrathall said he’s seen a “grassroots groundswell of support” from within the LDS Church, not all religious groups are ready to accept people they feel ignore the word of God. That includes Street Preachers, about a dozen members of which protested at the parade with signs evoking the fear of God and hell. Eddie Blastus said he traveled from Washington state to take a stance against “the homosexual agenda” in Salt Lake City and beyond. “The way [the LGBT community] cram their stuff down our throat, we’re going to cram the Gospel down their throat,” he said. “It’s time to fight back. We have a new sheriff in town, and his name is Donald Trump.” Although Trump has publicly said he “will do everything” to safeguard LGBT communities from violence, some Pride attendees said they don’t feel their rights will be protected under his presidency. “We’re worried right now that the current administration [will start] taking away rights that we fought so hard for: marriage equality, discrimination in workplace and living,” ACLU volunteer Diane Keech said. Those fears, some attendees said, are why this year’s Pride parade is particularly important. “It’s great that we have this day to laugh and to celebrate, but the work that needs to be done is serious and it’s happening right now,” said Leah Weisgal, a community organizer with Planned Parenthood. “It’s important not just to be out celebrating today but to make sure that you’re turning out tomorrow for all of our family in the movement — especially our queer brothers and sisters of color.”
Today’s Pride Festival events Pride Parade Route • Begins at 200 S. West Temple and ends at 400 East. Start • 10 a.m. Cost • Free Festival events Location • Washington Square and Library Plaza Hours • 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets • $10; kids younger 12 free; cash only
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — KUTV) 2017’s Utah Pride Week was the biggest
yet, organizers said. Event organizers estimated more than 60,000
people attended Utah’s 2017 Pride Festival, in addition to 1,000 volunteers. The Pride Parade is Utah’s second largest
parade, after the Days of ’47 Parade. "The first Gay Pride I went to was held
up at a park. And there were probably 50 people there," said a veteran
attendee, Joel Redmond. Utah Pride has existed in some form since 1977.
Since then, there have been many changes to laws, religion, and society. “People who are not LGBTQ still come out and
support us. And that’s the big change I’ve seen. We can only hope it goes
forward,” said Redmond. “I also love to see the number of younger people who
are coming to these events and are learning acceptance. That we’re all here and
we’re here together.” Event organizer John Johnson said he had
never seen
crowds the size of what he saw this weekend. “I think it’s just becoming a great party
that everyone wants to come down to!” said Johnson. “It’s support of the LGBTQ
community, but also the inclusiveness of everyone just wanting to come together
and have a good time and celebrate all of ourselves and each other.”
Utah Pride Week 2017 SALT LAKE CITY Fox 13 News -- Utah
Pride Week kicked off on Wednesday at the Salt Lake City and County Building as
the mayor and her Pride staff raised the rainbow flag to half-staff. They
raised the flag to half-staff in memory of the rainbow flag’s original
designer, Gilbert Baker. He died two months ago. Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie
Biskupski read and signed a proclamation making May 31 to June 4, 2017 the
official week of Pride. The week will include events each day, including a new
Youth Pride Dance on Thursday night at Library Square for ages 14 to 20. There
will be a march, a rally, a festival and a parade. The parade will include more
than just LGBTQ people. “We have been reaching out to community organizations
of all types,”
 |
| Dabakis, Liz Pitts, Biskupski |
explained the Pride Entertainment Director, Liz Pitts. “All
people who are concerned about clean air, immigration rights, anti-racism,
reproductive rights, fair pay and so much more.” Pitt said her team wanted the
parade to be all-inclusive. “There are more people who really want to be heard
and get out and make a political statement,” Pitts said. Lu Prickett is the
Pride Entertainment Technical Director. She has been a part of the Pride
Movement for decades. She said she was a “late-bloomer” when it comes to
“coming-out” and said she was naïve to understanding what she wanted then. “I
was 24 when I came out in 1988,” Prickett said. But since then, Prickett has
been clear about who she is and proud to be a part of this ever-growing
movement. “I started working on Pride years ago when there was one stage for
one day and maybe 12 performers," Prickett said. "We now have just
under 60 performing groups, 221 performers, on six stages, over four days!” Prickett
and the rest of the staff said they are thrilled for this week’s events and
hope it grows stronger next year. Senator Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, was
also there early to help raise the rainbow flag with Pride staffers. “For those
of us who were alive and around in 1975, to see our mayor stand here [now] and
to watch in front of the City County Building the LGBT flag unfurl with pride,
and then to see 50,000 Utahns come out and celebrate with us, is a moment that
none of us could ever have dreamed about [back then in 1975,]" Dabakis
said. The city anticipates 50,000 people will participate in Pride over the
next five days. The Pride Week funds the life-saving services
of the Utah Pride Center that include mental health services, youth program
support services, AA groups, a local church group, and, new this year, a
Survivors of Suicide Attempts group.
2018
Utah
LGBT activists, Salt Lake City mayor lament court decision in baker case;
Hatch, Lee, Mormon church cheer it By
David Noyce By
Peggy Fletcher Stack By
Scott D. Pierce Utah LGBT activists, Salt Lake City mayor
lament court decision in baker case; Hatch, Lee, Mormon church cheer it Utah’s LGBT activists
mourned, its Republican senators applauded, and its faith leaders breathed a
momentary sigh of relief, but all sides agreed that Monday’s narrow Supreme
Court decision, allowing a Christian baker to refuse to make a wedding cake for
a gay couple, will hardly be the final word in the tug of war over religious
rights. The day after its celebratory Pride Parade, Salt Lake City’s LGBT
community saw smiles turn to frowns with the justices’ 7-2 ruling. “We’re
incredibly disappointed that that was the decision,” said Rob Moolman,
executive director of the Utah Pride Center. “Particularly because we woke up
to this news the day after the Pride Festival and the parade. It’s given us a
reality check about the amount of work that still needs to be done. … It’s a
call to action.” Equality Utah Executive Director Troy Williams emphasized that
the limited ruling focused on this specific Colorado case and “does not turn
back the clock on equality.” “For more than 50 years, Americans have agreed
that a person should not be fired, evicted or denied goods and services because
of who they are,” he said. “Today’s decision affirms these principles in that
LGBTQ couples are to be afforded dignity and worth in society and in the law. “Now
more than ever, we need comprehensive federal and state nondiscrimination laws
that protect all Americans,” he said, adding that “Equality Utah looks forward
to working again with the Utah Legislature to pass a comprehensive public
accommodations law in 2019.” The LDS Church — which embraced and indeed pushed
Utah’s 2015 compromise statute protecting LGBT individuals from housing and
workplace discrimination while safeguarding some religious liberties — welcomed
the high court’s decision. “This nation’s laws can protect both religious
liberty and the rights of LGBT citizens,” church spokesman Eric Hawkins said.
“That is the meaning of fairness for all.” Last year, The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints joined a handful of religious organizations — including the
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the National ssociation of Evangelicals, the
Orthodox Jewish Congregations and others — in signing a friend-of-the-court
brief filed by the Virginia-based Christian Legal Society on behalf of the
baker. It asked the justices to consider the First Amendment rights of deeply
religious Americans. While acknowledging the legal right of same-sex couples to
marry, it also noted many people of faith steadfastly believe that providing
services for a gay wedding betrays their religious views. The document pointed
to that Utah compromise as evidence that the interests of those groups “need
not be fought as a zero-sum conflict with political winners and losers.” Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, cheered Monday’s
ruling as well. ”Hostility toward religion has no place in government. At the
same time, religious freedom means much more than freedom from government
hostility,” the longtime senator said in a news release. “Courts must protect
the ability of believers to freely live their faith and to express their
religious beliefs openly and honestly.” Hatch’s Utah GOP colleague, Sen. Mike
Lee, also welcomed the decision, calling it “a win for our nation’s founding
principle that our laws must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward
religion.” Salt Lake City’s openly gay mayor, however, was “disappointed and
surprised” by the ruling. “The court had the opportunity to reaffirm the
long-standing principle in this country that businesses should be open to all
people,” Mayor Jackie Biskupski said in a news release. “With that said, I am also
relieved that the court was extremely narrow in their decision focusing on
particular actions in the Colorado case and avoiding any negative precedent.” Biskupski
noted that Utah’s capital joined 102 cities in an amicus brief arguing in favor
of the same-sex couple in that case. “I feel strongly, as I did then, that Salt
Lake City will continue to participate in litigation which endangers the equal
rights of any people in our community. Everyone should know, that if you do
business in our city, you do business with everyone.” Until future legal
disputes settle the issue, Biskupski said, “LGBTQ people in this country must
continue to wonder whether they may be refused service for who they are — and
that’s simply unacceptable.” But the Sutherland Institute’s Bill Duncan,
director for The Center for Family and Society, sees the justices’ 7-2
breakdown as a sign that liberals and conservatives agree that the First
Amendment rights of people of faith must be protected. Duncan advised
policymakers to heed this “principle of inclusion” when passing laws and
setting rules. “Reasonable actors of all stripes ought to see today’s decision
as an opportunity to elevate our dialogue rather than retreating into
ideological comfort zones,” he said in a news release, “and seek out legal
protections inclusive of everyone — even those with whom we disagree.” Assistant
Pastor Jim Harris of Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City, a nondenominational
Christian church, trumpeted the ruling as a clear win for religion. It sets a
precedent so that “an evangelical pastor or a Mormon bishop or a Catholic
priest or a Muslim imam won’t be forced to do something,” he said, like
officiate at a same-sex wedding “that is outside their religious beliefs.” Calvary
Chapel teaches that the Bible is “inerrant” and does not accept gay marriage or
allow its pastors to conduct any such wedding, Harris said, but it doesn’t
instruct members to refuse to bake cakes or provide other services to people
whose views differ from their own. “That’s an individual conviction,” Harris
said. “We don’t use religion to bash people. We preach love.” The Rev. Scott B.
Hayashi noted that “the very narrow court decision opens up an opportunity to
affirm the Episcopal Church’s belief and our church’s resolve for equal treatment
for all who God formed in his image.” Utah’s Episcopal bishop, who marched in
Salt Lake City’s Pride Parade, is concerned “that people are losing voice and
dignity when they are denied service because of religion, sexual orientation,
gender and country of origin.” Hayashi remains heartened that Episcopal
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who preached eloquently of love in his sermon
at Britain’s recent royal wedding, “also filed an amicus brief [against the
baker] in this case denouncing the humiliation of discrimination.”
because my car was stolen yesterday in front of the In-Between. I called
Ken Francis and said that I would need a lot of help at the community dance
tonight because it is Unconditional Support’s turn to host the dance and I am
all stressed out. It was a smaller turn
out tonight but it was also high school graduation for a lot of the Youth
Group. I think we did fine however and the dance went well.
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