This Day In Gay Utah History July 13th

13 July 13-

1900 Ogden Standard Examiner Random References page 5 Alex Lee, a Negro, was arrested last night charged with “Crime Against Nature”

1934-Hitler gave a speech in response to retaliation which occurred after the murder of Ernst Rohm. The speech equated being homosexual with being a traitor.

1966- Jean Sinclair Hearing Is Continued- Hearing a petition for a writ of habeas corpus

Jean Sinclair

filed for the release of Jean Sinclair from Utah State Prison  was continued Tuesday with indefinite date for reconvening.[She shot rival romantic Donald Leroy Foster January 5 over the affections of LaRae Peterson] Deseret News C-7]

Dear Abby (Pauline Phillips)

1970-In response to a letter asking if she considered homosexuality a disease, advice columnist Dear Abby responded "No! It is the inability to love at all which I consider an emotional illness. "

1982-The US House of Representatives voted to begin an investigation into reports that a major homosexual prostitution ring was operating in Congress. After a year of hearings no evidence was presented to support the allegations. The reports were to result of a former page who flunked a lie detector test. During the 1982 investigation into the use of "drugs and sexual activity to lobby congressmen," Carl Shoffler, the arresting police officer who slapped cuffs on the Watergate burglars, did indeed advise congressional investigators to look into a male prostitution ring that serviced Capitol Hill. The veteran police detective believed that the sex ring might be linked to a high-flying Washington lobbyist, Republican operative Robert Keith Gray, who

had more than a few connections to CIA folk. While never openly Gay,  his obituary acknowledged his partner of 20 years, Efrain Machado when Gray died in 2014. In 1967, Gray joined the 50-person committee responsible for charting Richard Nixon's path to the White House. After Nixon was elected president, Gray would often escort Nixon's personal assistant, Rose Mary Woods to official functions.After serving as deputy director of the Reagan-Bush presidential campaign, in 1980, Gray became Reagan's first appointment as president when Gray was named co-chairman of Ronald Reagan’s Presidential inauguration. During the Reagan Administration, Gray started his own firm, Gray and Company, in 1981. When he took the firm public in 1985, it became the first public relations-public affairs firm to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Notable clients of Gray and Company included Adnan Khashoggi, Saudi Arabian billionaire and arms dealer, who financed the Triad Center in Salt Lake City and bought the block where the old Sun was located across from the Union Pacific Depot. According to Peter Dale Scott, some Washington investigators also suspected that the gay sex ring was connected to D.C. crime boss Joe "the Possum" Nesline. Gray was never openly gay, 

Jerry Falwell

1984-Jerry Falwell appeared on television and denied that he had ever referred to Metropolitan Community Church as vile and satanic and its members "brute beasts" on his Old Time Gospel Hour. He offered $5,000 to anyone who could prove that he had. Rev Jerry Sloan of MCC called Falwell's toll-free number and purchased a copy of the tape as proof, and demanded payment of the $5,000. When Falwell refused, Sloan sued and won.

1985- Planning session for the Second Desert and Mountain States Conference was held in Salt Lake City with Eve Goldman formerly of Women Aware and Scott Mills of LGSU Utah Co-Chairs.  

1986 Sunday- Restoration Church of Jesus Christ held Sacrament in the home of Bishop Bob McIntier after early morning endowment sessions. [Journal of Ben Williams]

1986- Michelle “Beau” Beauchaine, co director of the Gay Community Service Center and Clinic became chair of the Pride Day Committee for 1986, came forward to organize the event after the Royal Court relinquished control of it due to burn out. The event was financially sponsored by Beauchaine’s Cabaret Corporation, the parent organization of the Gay Community Service Center and Clinic.  A small fractious division developed in the community over Beauchaine’s decision to hold Pride Day at Pioneer Park. A Gay Pride Day at Lagoon was revitalized and sponsored by The Triangle Magazine as an alternative Pride Day. Gay Day at Lagoon was held June 29th at the Lake Park Pavilion on the National Gay Pride Day. Over 300 Gay men and Lesbians attending the event.  Rev. Bruce Barton pastor of Resurrection MCC held a moment of silence there to remember people who had died of AIDS. Utah’s 1986 official Pride Day wasn’t held until July 13th. Beauchaine wanted to hold Pride Day downtown for the first time at Pioneer Park because he felt the location was convenient to the bars and all their after Pride parties. Besides as he pointed out no other city park was available. Again the fabulous Saliva Sisters were the headline act. Other

Steve Oldroyd

performers were pianist Steve Oldroyd, Walt Larabee’s New Orleans’ Waylon and Madame performance, singers Darrel Rojoit, and Ron Richardson, with the Salt Lake Men’s Choir performed at

Walt Larabee

Pride Day for the first time. Joe Redburn addressed the crowd about his bar’s troubles with the Salt Lake Police’s selective enforcement and the unfair legal harassment of Gay people. Duane Dawson staffed the Utah AIDS Project booth which was the first time an AIDS organization was present at Pride Day.  Gay groups sponsoring booths were the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, AIDS Project Utah, Wasatch Affirmation, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, The Libertarian Party of Utah, and the Triangle Magazine.  Richard “Ragnar” McCall, a local artist sold art work. Run- ins with transients in the park resulted in a gay man bringing charges against an intruder for threatening him with a knife.An estimated  200-400 people attended Gay Pride Day at Pioneer Park.

• 1986 Sunday Mark Bluto, Michelle H. and Janice were up early to be over at Bob McIntier's for an endowment session. So I got up with them and fixed them some breakfast but went back to bed until seven-thirty. Jon Butler called at eight to ask where the Sacrament Meeting was going to be held. He was in Centerville, babysitting his brother's house. I told him that it was at nine a.m. at Bob's house but that it might be a little late because of the early morning endowment sessions. He said he probably couldn't make it for that so I asked if he would swing by and take me to the Pride festival at Pioneer Park. He wasn't sure if he even was going to make that but Mark Bluto and the girls were back at the house by ten-thirty and they said they would take me. I brought with me about thirty giant cookies I called "Whole Wheat Mormon Faggot Cookies" which I was selling at fifty cents apiece. I made $12 for affirmation after two cookies were stolen by transients, and I had given away four more. It turned out that I was the only one to have brought anything for the Affirmation Booth's Bake Sale. Russ

  

  Russ Lane

  Lane was already at the park by the time I arrived and he was in a tizzy because Affirmation's booth was in the direct sun without any cover. So I said let’s just move it to where you want it so we did, beneath a shade tree. There were suppose to police at the park during the fair but I didn't see any. I did see two transients steal cookies from me, an Indian chasing some other Indian with a knife, which Beauchaine intervened by taking the knife away so no one was seriously bothered. All in all the transients kept to their side of the park and the faggots kept to our side of the park. Jon Butler showed up after all just after Marc Lamar came dressed as Alice Foxx. When he saw me, this six foot three inch, former Marine slash drag queen comes running at me and just scooped me up into his arms. That was the most excitement I had all day! Later I asked Jon if he would run me home because no one thought to provide folding chairs and I didn't want to stand all afternoon. He complied and I brought back chairs and paper weights to hold down our pamphlets that were blowing in the wind. As we were leaving I spotted a car driving around the park with a photographer leaning out of the car taking pictures. We drove up next to them and yelled what the hell are you doing? And they sped off but not without us getting their car plate numbers. We are going to give them to Willy Marshall, who works as a dispatcher, to trace. It was kind of a fun day with nearly 200 people showing. I recognized more people then I thought I would. The Libertarians had a booth with Bob Waldrop, Beauchaine had his food concession, Duane Dawson had set up for the Utah AIDS Project, Bob McIntier was holding down the Restoration Church Booth, Bruce Barton and Bruce Harmon were at RMCC's table. There were some others but I didn't recognize what their organizations were. I talked with Mike Anderson who I had met at Affirmation who is dating Duane Dawson. He's really cute and friendly. I wonder how long he's been with Duane. I sat at the Affirmation booth for most of the afternoon while Russ Lane proselytized. However when the Saliva Sisters, sponsored by Joe Redburn, performed I went to the makeshift stage to see them better. They were great! I laid out on a blanket with Eddie Muldong and Mike Howard listening to the campy girl group. A girl name Melanie, staff the booth with me until three when she had to leave and then Russ Lane came and joined me. It was hot in the park and at one point I left with Lon Wright and Jon Butler to go get some drinks. I bought Russ a soda and some California coolers for me which I poured into my bota bag. I guess after a bit I was getting pretty smashed having not eaten anything but a Faggot Cookie since morning. I asked Russ if he wanted a drink from my bota bag after he had finished his and he assumed that it was water in my bag. I on my part assumed that he knew that I had been pouring coolers into my bota bag but evidently he didn't and after the first mouthful he spit the wine out, and made such a fuss. I almost wanted to burst out laughing. What a wimp. Anyway I said I was sorry and thought he knew since I had told everyone else what was in the bag. Maybe if he would have paid me more attention he would have known also. Anyhow Marc Lamar and finally some other church members came to relieve Bob McIntier from his post at the RCJC booth. He had let it go to pot I think because he was upset that he was not included in all the revelatory digs going on at his house. Now perhaps he knows how the rest of us feel when the "Lord" is so exclusive on who is allowed into the inner sanctum circle. By late afternoon I was pretty smash and when the shindig was all over Jon Butler took my drunken butt home. Lon Wright had left the party early in a huff mad at Jon for not giving him enough attention. My first Pride day.[Journal of Ben Williams]
•  Additional Material: The Saliva Sisters are a campy novelty act parodying the Utah culture. Joe Redburn owner of the Sun Club gave them their first break booking them in his club and they in turn have been loyal to their Gay appreciative audience. 1986 was the first of many appearances at Gay Pride Day in Utah.
• Both Mark Blutto and Richard “Ragnar” McCall died of AIDS. 

Mark Lamar

1988 Wednesday- Mark LaMar has been working his ass off for Gay Pride Day getting booths rented out. He’s gotten about 30 so far he said.  [Journal of Ben Williams]

1988 Wednesday AIDS-BOOTH GIVEAWAY RULED `UNFITTING'  BUT ACLU SAYS DEPAULIS' DECISION VIOLATES RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH  By Robert Rice, Staff Writer Deseret News Salt Lake Mayor Palmer DePaulis ruled Tuesday that a local AIDS foundation can't distribute condoms inside an informational brochure to be given away at the city's Neighbor Fair at Liberty Park on Pioneer Day. But the American

Palmer De Paulis

Civil Liberties Union is considering legal action to reverse the decision, claiming the prohibition violates First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, the group's director said. The condoms were to be distributed at a Salt Lake AIDS Foundation booth set up among scores of other non-profit organizations that participate in the Neighbor Fair. Officials said last year's fair attracted up to 400,000 people. But such distribution "would be inappropriate to the environment" that the city, one of three co-sponsors of the event, hopes to achieve at the fair, DePaulis said. The foundation's right to distribute educational material was not at issue in the ruling, he emphasized. In fact, DePaulis said he condones AIDS education. But including a condom in the material detracted from the intended atmosphere at the fair, he said. "Our purpose is to provide a wholesome activity on the 24th of July . . . but distributing condoms is not fitting with that," the mayor said. The foundation planned to include the condoms in a pamphlet called "Condom Sense Rules," which would be distributed only to those 21 or older who sought information at the booth, executive director Ben Barr said. "We don't want to come

Ben Barr

across as heavies, passing out condoms to kids," he said. But a city parks and recreation official was concerned the condoms could possibly fall into the hands of children attending the event. "There are just too many kids; we don't want them making water balloons out of them," said parks department recreation director Scott Gardner, who coordinates the event together with a private contractor. ACLU Executive Director Robyn Blumner said the ruling violates the

Robyn Blumner

foundation's right to freedom of speech because the condom was included as a symbol in the educational brochure, making the condom an element of speech protected by the Constitution. "The condom is merely an exclamation point and not there just to provide contraceptive service," she said, adding the ACLU is considering legal action to change the city's decision. But City Attorney Roger Cutler argued that although the brochure is constitutionally protected from censorship, the condom may not be. The Supreme Court has ruled that symbolic speech does not enjoy unlimited protection, Cutler said, adding he was

Roger Cutler

unprepared to render a complete opinion on the matter pending further review. The issue is fraught with other constitutional questions, Cutler said. Whether the fair is an appropriate forum for a political message and whether the city, one of three co-sponsors, could be held responsible for monitoring distribution are two of those questions, he said. Cutler left room for a change of mind in the matter, saying "it definitely has to be reviewed from a policy point of view." Cutler downplayed any controversy associated with the issue. The city is not engaged in a "book burning," he said. "It's simply a question of what is appropriate for this event." The Neighbor Fair, to be held July 25 because July 24 falls on a Sunday, is also being sponsored by US WEST Direct and KLCY Radio, Gardner said. Non-profit groups pay $150 to $200 to rent booth space at the event, he said.

1990 -I took five people in my van up to Beyond Stonewall, Mike Pipkim, Steve Oldroyd, Bobbie Smith, a guy named Paul from Layton, and myself.  On the way to pick up Mike from work at Nature's Harvest, I see Billy waiting at a Bus Stop at 3rd East and 4th South. I could tell that he recognized me and made a half wave at me.  My heart momentarily sank and I thought "Why does he always have to be with me linked to Beyond Stonewall?"  I wanted to scream, cry or shake my fist at fate's cruel joke. Why are we locked together? But the pang passed and soon went back to its hidden recesses where I must put my feelings for Billy. Debbie Rosenberg wanted to follow me up to Camp Rogers so I went over to Carla's and helped her get settled into Debbie's Four Wheeler.  It was nearly 5:30 before we left the city and traffic was getting bad. My van also was running hot which concerned me but I ran my heater a little and that drew off some of the heat from the engine. We arrived at Camp Rogers at 7 p.m. with no incidents and we hurried to dinner which had started at 6:30 p.m.  Dinner consisted of BBQ ribs, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. Dinner was so much better fare then the meat loaf they served us last year and the chicken casserole the year before. I think there was about 75 people up at the camp, more or less, which is about 30 people less then we had last year but still good considering the lack of publicity that Rod Sheffer did this year.   Anyway I went around greeting people seeing who was up this year from last year since I had know idea who had registered.  Val Mansfield was late getting up with the Pride Flag so we didn't have a flag raising ceremony after all. I must say it was rather strange to be a participant instead of the director this year.  Mixed feelings. I was doing my best not to detract from the honor Rod should have for carrying it through. I guess Rocky O’Donovan and Liza Smart had come up earlier in the day and put up signs on all the cabins giving them names of historical figures from Gay and Lesbian history. The men's showers was named the Rock Hudson T-Room. Anyway the Camp Fire program began at 8:00 p.m. and I wheeled Carla out to it.  Because the trail was level and there was a footbridge across the stream it was fairly wheelchair accessible.  I'm not sure who the keynote speaker was. Someone Dr. Dennis Kay had lined up. He was good but I was tired and in the middle of it I went back to the lodge and talked to Erik Meyers and some others about how much better the camp seemed to be ran this year. I guess last year was a bad experience for all the groups that came up not just us. After the keynote speaker, Kathryn

Kathryn Warner

Warner led people in campfire songs and she was wonderful and so professional.  She even sang for us some songs she had written herself. Interestingly this cute camp worker named Ryan (who was very Gay friendly) led us in songs too.  This was the best campfire sing along yet and yes we did sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow! Puck, Gillian, and Sky Bear had left the sing along and went over to the Beaver ponds on Indian Island to set up a Faerie Circle.  About 11 PM about 40 people wandered over to participate in a Faerie Experience there. The Circle really could be divided into two parts. The first one and half hours was kind of a generic teaching experience. About 12 people stayed an additional one and half hours to participate in pagan rituals. I must admit that it was hard for me to stand sky clad in front of so many of my peers from the Gay Community, like Ben Barr and Liza Smart, but I felt like I had to release my ego and fears.  Puck, Gillian, Sky Bear, Devorah, and I all were the main ones directing the circle. One of the most powerful scenes for me was when about 35 leaders and activists for the Salt Lake Community joined us in a circle procession to dance around the Bonfire in Native American fashion. Everyone was trying to find his/her own sound and it was so powerful and symbolic.  We were being a part of a great circle of Gay and Lesbian people- spokes in a wheel- following those who came before us and trailed by those coming after us.      As midnight turned into the still of the night most people drifted off back to their cabins but Puck, Gillian, Sky Bear, Devorah, and I were joined by Luci Malin, Kathryn Warner, Jon Schild, Mark Hanson, Neil Hoyt, Walt Larabee and A few others to continue the magic, do some story telling. chants and rituals. I was surprised when Jon Schild, Mark Hanson, Neil  Hoyt, and Walt Larabee joined us sky clad in the ceremony. As the bonfire snapped and sent sparks into the air, we continued our chants and went on a journey of spiritual discovery. My whole being seemed to be filled with Magick and I was impressed by the Goddess to enlarge the magick of the circle. I truly felt some real magick and I called upon Neil to tell us a story. He said that he didn't know that he had one to tell and I wondered why I was impressed to have him share but later when we were doing closing rituals, Neil suddenly spoke up and said "Ben is right, I do have a story".  His story was about turtle medicine and about how turtle built protection so well that he could not get out of his own shell. Turtle became a prisoner to his own fear.  It was a powerful night, a magical night. [Journal of Ben Williams]

Maughn Rollins

1996 Salt Lake Tribune Page: A1 Utahn Maughn Rollins, who exchanged vows with partner Troy Duty in a ``commitment'' ceremony, simply wants the same legal and financial benefits from married life that his heterosexual counterparts enjoy.   And so Rollins sighed in frustration Friday upon learning that the House had voted to invalidate same-sex marriages under federal law -- even if individual states sanction them. ``It makes me feel really betrayed,'' said Rollins, whose ceremony last fall in Salt Lake City was attended by scores of friends and relatives.   Among other things, the bill would permit states to ignore gay and lesbian marriages that may be recognized as legal in other states. But, like other critics, Rollins believes it violates the Constitution's full faith and credit clause, which requires states to honor other states' laws. However, Lynn Wardle, a Brigham Young University family-law professor who testified earlier this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the constitutional question makes the debate substantive and symbolic. He said the Defense of Marriage Act attempts to clarify that the federal full faith and credit rules neither prohibit nor force any state to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. He said it does not prevent any state from recognizing same-sex marriage act. ``The rule in America is if a marriage is valid where it is performed, it will be valid in all states everywhere unless it violates strong public policy,'' he said. In the past, states have had to determine if incestuous, polygamous or underage marriages performed in other states would be permitted in theirs. The results have varied.   Same-sex marriages, because they are illegal everywhere, have not been tested in the courts. The

Barbara Hamilton-Holway

Rev. Barbara Hamilton-Holway, co-minister of the South Valley Unitarian Church, is one of a handful of ministers who performs about a dozen gay or lesbian commitment ceremonies each year. She was saddened to learn of the House vote. ``I am not sure why people are so scared of differences,'' she said. ``The homophobia in people brings up their own fear about sexuality. There has been more visibility on gay and lesbian rights now, so they get a counter-reaction.'' Gayle Ruzicka, president of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, chuckled as she talked about the bill's passage. She said gay-rights activists are attempting to undermine

Gayle Ruzicka

everything the nation stands for -- namely morality.   ``Just because they want to perform a legal ceremony does not mean it is moral,'' she said. ``Children want to be in homes with mothers and fathers, not fathers and fathers or mothers and mothers.'' She rejects any complaints about intolerance or homophobia.  ``You don't see me down at the Stonewall Center [a community center for gays and lesbians in Salt Lake City] carrying signs that say `down with homosexuals.' If they choose that lifestyle, that's their business, but don't legislate it.'' 

1996  07/13/96 Page: A1 House lawmakers, acting on a potent social issue in the heat of the campaign season, emphatically embraced a measure Friday that would define marriage as a heterosexual union only and limit same-sex marriages.   In an overwhelming 342-67 vote, a majority of Democrats joined Republicans in approving the ``Defense of Marriage Act.'' Utah GOP Reps. Enid Greene

Enid  Greene

and Jim Hansen voted for the measure, along with Democrat Bill Orton.   The bill goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. President Clinton has promised to sign the measure. ``The vote today reflects exactly what people in this country feel,'' said Rep. Robert Barr, R-Ga., the main author of the measure. ``America today is not ready to redefine marriage'' in ways that would recognize same-sex unions. ``America will not be the first country in the world that throws the concept of marriage out the window.''   The bill would:   -- Declare that under federal rules, marriage strictly is between a woman and a man. That means

Jim Hanson

that even if a state government granted a marriage license to a gay couple, the ``spouse'' would not be eligible for federal benefits such as Social Security, Medicare or veterans aid.   -- Allow states to ignore marriage licenses granted to same-sex couples in other states. During Friday's debate, some House members quoted Bible passages to support their contention that God meant marriage to be a union of a man and a woman. Anything else threatens the survival of U.S. culture, they said. ``A God-given principle is under attack,'' said Rep

Bill Orton

. Steve Buyer, R-Ind. But Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., one of Congress' three openly gay members, said many of his colleagues are in their second and third marriages despite other passages that prohibit divorce or remarriage after divorce. ``There are clearly members in this chamber --supporters of this bill -- who do not think that biblical injunction ought to be civil law,'' he said. ``Why are we so

mean?'' asked Rep. Steven Gunderson, R-Wis., who also is gay. ``Why must we attack one element of our society for cheap political gain?''   The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay and lesbian political group, said the House had hit a ``new low.'' ``The House committed an ugly, cowardly and unconstitutional act by passing this bill, and history will remember it as such,'' said Elizabeth Birch, the group's executive director. ``This [bill] will prevent or stop nothing, but it does effectively divide people in America,'' said Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass. But the conservative Traditional Values Coalition applauded the vote. ``Even President Clinton, who has nodded to every demand from the radical homosexuals, has now left that camp and joined the mainstream of America in opposing homosexual marriage,'' said the Rev. Lou Sheldon, head of the group. With polls showing that as many as 7 in 10 Americans oppose marriage rights for homosexuals, the issue has become a mine field for many politicians -- such as Clinton – who are inclined to favor homosexual rights.   While reiterating the president's willingness to sign the bill into law, the White House on Friday decried the debate as ``gay baiting, pure and simple,'' and chastised Republicans for rushing the politically sensitive issue onto the legislative docket during the election season. ``It's a classic use of wedge politics designed to provoke anxieties and fears,'' said Clinton spokesman Mike McCurry. ``That being the case, though, the president has very strong views, personal views, and he has to act consistent with those views.''   The marriage bill is one of several measures touted as ``family values'' legislation that conservative Republicans are trying to advance. The others include a parental-rights act and a measure relaxing bars on state aid to religious institutions.   Gay-rights groups and their allies in the Senate, acknowledging that the measure will pass Congress, hope to sweeten a bitter defeat by adding language to forbid employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.   The marriage bill was prompted by a recent ruling by Hawaii's Supreme Court that would extend legal recognition to same-sex marriages performed in Hawaii. The case is not settled, however, because the justices have given a lower court an opportunity to offer counter-arguments.   If the high court's ruling stands and Congress does not act, many believe the Constitution would require all states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in Hawaii.   But Atty. Gen. Janet Reno has said the bill will withstand constitutional challenges.

• 1996 House lawmakers, acting on a potent social issue in the heat of the campaign season, emphatically embraced a measure Friday that would define marriage as a heterosexual union only and limit same-sex marriages.   In an overwhelming 342-67 vote, a majority of Democrats joined Republicans in approving the ``Defense of Marriage Act.'' Utah GOP Reps. Enid Greene and Jim Hansen voted for the measure, along with Democrat Bill Orton.  

1996 07/13/96 Page: A10 Public Forum Letter Just a Slogan   Rocky Anderson, Democratic candidate in the2nd Congressional District, was quoted in ``Gay-Rights Issue Blows Up in Anderson's Face'' (Tribune, July 9) that ``gay and  lesbian wedlock is the one issue'' on which he would place the wishes of the voters above his own beliefs. Why only one issue? I thought our elected representatives were supposed to represent all of the voters' wishes. Sounds to me like politics as usual. When Rocky was campaigning in the primary, his campaign slogan was, ``Where Does Anderson Sand on the Issues? Where He Has Always Stood.'' Nice slogan, but now it's just political rhetoric.   Oh, but Rocky has an out. He now says he would not support any legislation he believed unconstitutional, referring to the Defense of Marriage Act, which he called ``political pandering.'' So why isn't Rocky's flip-flop on this issue not political pandering?   He also said we need to ``put behind us the `sensationalized' topic of gay marriages and get onto the meaningful issues.'' So does Rocky now get to choose which issues are ``meaningful'' to the citizens of the 2ndCongressional District? What about his stand on the Equal Access Act, which he cites to support his defense of gay-lesbian clubs in our schools, or the death penalty, where he called  Utah a ``murderer'' for executing William Andrews, or his support of gun control and support of the Brady Bill? These issues are important to me. Doesn't my voice count?   MARIE TAPP   West Jordan.

• Because you live in West Jordan stupid

1996 Page: D3 Compiled by Peter Scarlet UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST   ``An Open and Affirming Church: Seeking to Address the Needs and Contributions of  Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Christians,''will be the subject at Sunday's 10 a.m. worshipa at Holladay United Church of Christ, 2631 E. Murray-Holladay Road, Salt Lake City.

1998-A full-page ad claiming gay men and lesbians can overcome their sexuality by becoming Christian ran in the New York Times. The ads would be opposed by many in the scientific and medical communities, including Dr Dean Hamer of the National Institutes of Health who said the ads "fly in the face of scientific fact and are at odds with what we know from biological and psychological sciences. In an Exodus conference on June 24,  Janet L. Folger, proposed taking out full-page newspaper advertisements that would show ''former homosexuals'' who ''overcame'' their sexual orientation through prayer and the help of Christian ''ex-gay ministries.'' ."The advertisement that ran in The New York Times featured a photograph of Anne Paulk, with a caption that read, ''Wife, mother and former lesbian, and '' showed a portrait of men and women gathered at a convention for Exodus, an ex-gay ministry. Ms. Folger said she wanted to strike at the assumption that homosexuality is immutable and that gay people therefore need protection under anti-discrimination laws.

1999-The Vatican ordered Rev. Robert Nugent and Sister Jeannine Gramick to end their Maryland-based 22 year ministry to gays and lesbians.

1999 An effort by the board of trustees of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to prohibit Gay and cohabitating heterosexual couples from becoming foster parents has stalled at the state office that licenses foster homes, primarily due to that agency deciding against getting involved in the divisive issue.

Wade Richards

2000- Wade Richards, who had been an ex-gay spokesperson, signed a statement saying that his sexual orientation had never changed and that he doesn't believe ex-gay ministries can change sexual orientation.  A little more than 10 years ago, Wade Richards, a tormented, deeply religious 20-year-old gay man, took his Bible school tuition money and used it to fly to Los Angeles to join forces with Christine O’Donnell, a budding Christian right activist. O’Donnell, a former spokeswoman for Concerned Women for America, had founded an organization called The Savior’s Alliance for Lifting the Truth, or The SALT, in 1996; it was meant to organize young people around opposition to abortion, sex education, and homosexuality. Richards had just graduated from an ex-gay rehab program and had been interviewed about it on 20/20. Ostensibly cured, he got in touch with O’Donnell and became The SALT’s outreach coordinator and spokesman on homosexuality. Eventually, Richards reached out to Wayne Besen, the founder of Truth Wins Out, a group that battles anti-gay religious extremism. The two had met when they debated on Alan Colmes’ radio show. Richards finally came out in an article in The Advocate in 2000. After that, he says, O’Donnell “totally turned her back on me. I never heard from her ever again. That’s been my experience with the Christian community in general. The minute I was struggling and saying, ‘Hey, listen, I don’t know really where I am with this,’ that’s when everyone really turned their back on me.” Today Richards, who works as a hairdresser in Arizona, says he is doing fine, but, says Besen, “I think he was harmed by Christine O’Donnell. Christine O’Donnell was toeing the party line at the expense of an individual. Often these groups, in pushing their dogma, they overlook that there’s a human being that’s having their lives upended.”

2003 Sunday, Subject: Meeting Jim Dabakis to Chad Keller “hi Chad I am in Russia until the middle of next week. I have been here for 2 months--longer than usual.  Give me a buzz or email me. Jim

2003 Sunday Subject: Naked BBQ: A Success John Greetings, Gentlemen! I just have to say that the naked bbq and hot tub party was a grand success Saturday Night. Most of the guys arrived promptly at 8pm ready to shed their clothing and gather in the backyard for grilling, tubbing, and socializing. (The massage table was also a VERY popular item later in the evening.)The official count was 23! WOW! Great turn-out! And that doesn't include your hosts John and Jeff. I would have to say that everyone had a good time. People were there until the late evening hours. It's so hard to put on your clothes again and say goodbye. But the experience doesn't have to end. Remember there are folks heading out to the beach today (July 13th) and again next Sunday (July 20th). Put a reminder on your calendar so you don't miss upcoming events! This is a great group with wonderful, positive  energy. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again. Have a great week. Stay cool.....and naked! John (SkUTJohn)

2003 Sunday Subject: Fwd: LAMBDA ....instead of Alphabet Soup! Jacob Groninger For over 25 years we have been using LAMBDA for our various groups we have started instead of the many letters, names - most of them denoting our sexual practices, to discribe our community.  We often referred and preferred to call ourselves LAMBDAS rather than sexually described terms that have been in effect for decades. We disliked the "Q Word" also, because like the "N Word"  is derrogatory and even if used by our own community distasteful.  We also disliked the word Gay to describe the entire community was not inclusive of the womyn members. We now have over 5,000 Members in our LAMBDA GROUPS throughout the country and hope to form a more sincere, welcoming and loving LAMBDA COMMUNITY! This is both a cause, legacy and goal. We hope the entire LGBTIQ...sometimes TS, P, O, SGL, MSM,  WPW, CWS groups will adopt the word LAMBDA as a more encompassing and discriptive term than those previously utilized. The practice of adding more letters will only serve to seperate, not unify. When we think of ourselves as separate groups that only come  together in times of crisis we fail to discover what a potential there is by trying to become a unified LAMBDA COMMUNITY! We recently sent out a press release regarding the establishment of two new chapters - LAMBDA GROUP RAINBOW NEWS and a LAMBDA GROUP - FLORIDA. In our press release we stated "our GLBT Chapters".  Tom Dempsey of "Queer Atlanta" and "Queer South Florida"  would not post them stating that he did not "because GLBT should be LGBT not q or i or etc." "In the south, its women before men and that he would not post GLBT on his lists and actively discourage it." Tom had previously wondered why if we objected to Queer so much we would even bother with posting items to his group.  We simply replied that, although we disliked the word Queer; certain groups that still use this term have attempted to "wake up" our community on issues and accomplished certain overall benefits for us. He  (Dempsey)  likes the word queer since he prefers a more radical group rather than the mainstream. He also believes that gay men use LGBT and lesbians use GLBT and HRC uses both, which he states is unprofessional. I'm presently totally confused and probably you are also about what is politically correct! ? We should not concentrate on what divides us but what many bring us together!  These matters of spellings, labels, group designations, order of alphabet listings...seems such trivial superficial nonsense (alphabet soup).  We are an evolving community and to make it an issue seems trite - but we will carry on our effort for a LAMBDA COMMUNITY! Thank you, XXXX Bob & Dave Cozzoinger, Founders of Lambda Group.

2003 Sunday Subject: COURT MEETING & BOISE REHEARSAL Mark Thrash Hey everyone! Please join us for the next Court Meeting: Tuesday, July 15 - 7:30 PM City Library, Basement Level, Conf Room B Afterwards...We will rehearse for the Boise Entrance. Thanks! Mark Thrash Emperor XXVIII

Blythe Nobleman

2003 Opinion Page: AA2 Public Forum letter Respectful disagreement On June 25 I attended a panel discussion that was supposed to be a forum aimed at finding common ground between Utah's ethnic minorities and the lesbian and gay community.This panel, "Defining Minority: A process of inclusion," was sponsored by the University of Utah Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender Resource Center and hosted by the Hinckley Institute of Politics. As I and the audience listened to this intriguing, yet unbalanced, discussion, an opportunity arose for the audience to ask questions or make comments. I don't recall a warning that if I spoke freely I would be attacked. After the panel, I was criticized in a Tribune op-ed by Blythe Nobleman, Salt Lake City's minority affairs and communications coordinator (Opinion, June 29). I forgive her for that. It was difficult for me to understand why I would be labeled insensitive, for asking a question and expressing my opinion, by someone who worked for minority constituents. My main frustration was not with Blythe Nobleman, but with Mayor Rocky Anderson. I also have since discussed with community leaders, the mayor and Ms. Nobleman ways to work towards a resolution, and although we may disagree on defining what a minority is, we can work toward a common goal that will benefit all Salt Lake City residents.   I do feel that changes will be made in the city's hiring process that will be inclusive and fair. But most of all I have learned an important lesson, that I have the right to express my opinion, but that I will be more sensitive to the process of inclusion.   I am committed to positive progress and will always treat people with dignity and respect. Carol Goode Salt Lake City

Brandon Burt

2004 Brandon Burt to Mandy Racer: I was thinking Ben could talk about different gay enclaves or "ghettos" that may have sprung up in Salt Lake's past -- I think the idea is that unlike in other cities, Salt Lake has never had a real, thriving gay ghetto, but there have been small enclaves where gay people have started to gather which have quickly become gentrified or in which a lot of new, small businesses have sprung up. There is still some controversy regarding how the Mormons will lock gays and lesbians out of downtown. Why is the city council not using one of the best tools it has at its disposal to revitalize the downtown area? There is a philosophical component to the piece as well, though – is "ghettoization" a good thing or a bad thing for the community? In some ways, it looks like a stage that gay/lesbian communities go through in other cities, and then later (as in SF) the community leaves the ghetto and becomes more dispersed throughout the general community. Still, forming those gay-borhoods represents a gathering of power, and often concentrates gay/lesbian voting power enough that the community finds representation in local governments. Keeping gays divided up throughoutthe entire valley is really kind of a gerrymandering of the gay vote. Could there even be a conspiracy afoot to keep us from forming a real, vibrant ghetto here?

• Mandy Racer wrote: Hi Ben, Brandon [Burt] gave me your name in connection with a story about "gay ghettos." He thought you might have some historical information about gay enclaves in neighborhoods in Utah's past. The angle is "where are our ghettos?" and would we want them? I've pasted Brandon's idea about the article below. Let me know what you think. My schedule is good only in the evenings, and Brandon is giving me until Thursday to pump this sucker out. If we can do this by email, that is fine also, but phone is good as well. This is my work email address; if you reply, please cc to my home address: MandyQ@comcast.net. Let me know what you think... Thanks so much!
• From: Ben Edgar Williams Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 To: Mandy RacerSubject: Re: Metro Cover Story I was in California when you emailed and just returned today. Certain areas of Salt Lake City always had higher concentration of Gay men especially Third East and 1st South where the Blue Mouse and Cosmic Aeroplane were in business. Some apartment buildings downtown often became predominantly Gay by word of mouth. The Ben Albert Apartments is a good example of that. The SLC Gay ghetto in the 1970's to late 1980's was from the lower Avenues to about 5th South, 2nd East to about 7th East. After 7th east you were in the University area.  Gays moved into the Lower Avenues in the mid 70's when it was mostly drug and hippy and began to gentrify the area much like the Marmalade area of the 1990's. 9th and 9th became a Mecca in the mid 1980's when Cahoots opened and the Tower had Rocky Horror Shows.  Many Lesbians bought homes in the south Salt Lake area and often on the same street. Milton Street was very Lesbian. Women being nesters often bought homes while Gay men lived a more transient life style moving from Apartment to Apartment. The Ghetto was mainly an area in which you could walk or ride your bike. We were not a real Ghetto with Gay Businesses but merely a concentration of a Gay populace. The Rodeo Association of course lived out in rural SL County. SLC tenant laws before the 1990's stated that only one single individual could occupy a one bed room apartment. Gays lived in fear of being kicked out their apartments if two were caught living in the same apartment. I noticed in the late 1980's the beginning of an outward migration as Gay and Lesbian couples began buying houses in West Valley and such because they were so cheap. Also as more apartments were built that were two bedrooms or more outside of downtown there became a mass exodus as people could now have room mates We use to debate the concept of Ghetto in various support groups during the 1980's. Those who read Mayor of Castro Street and understood the importance of the Castro for Gays in SF to achieve political power supported the Ghetto concept. In the mid 1970's there was even a movement to take over Alpine County in California as a Gay county. Gay communes and Lesbian Communes were important for building self esteem and creating an identity. The Lesbian community identified with 20 Jacob Rue on 8th South and I think 4th East for much of the early 1980's. It was a bookstore, coop, and feminist support center, I did a lecture on Building Community at the Mountain and Deseret State Conference in 1989 and the concept was that empowerment came in the form of identifying with and supporting a community. We use to talk in terms of the Gay Community..I don't think the term has any relevancy anymore.  Many younger people hardly identify with being Gay let alone being included in a community. Metrosexual and all that. When I lived at the Juel Apartment on 6th East from 1986-1989 there were 18 apts and 12 of them were filled with Gay men. We use to run up the stairs in underwear like we were in a dorm rather than an apartment building. LOL I should be home in the morning if you need some specific info phone Sincerely Ben Williams
• Ben, You're fantastic. Thanks so much for taking the time to send me such a thorough response. I do have a couple of questions (and I will call you later when I get off work to save you from typing another essay if you'd rather not): You mentioned the name 20 Jacob Rue and called it a coop. What's a coop? And this was in SLC? Are the Ben Albert apartments still in business and still mainly gay? Also, what do you think about the negative connotations associated with the word "ghetto"? I've talked to some people within the community who hate the term and refuse its use. What do you think? Coming, as you seem to do, from a political history and a personal association with the word (was the word "ghetto" itself used in these support groups during the 80's?), I would love your opinion on this.  Again, thanks so much. I will call later today if I don't hear from you. ~Mandy Racer

Mark Crockett

2005 Partner benefits turned down Emotional County Council kills proposal on 5-4 party-line vote By Derek P. Jensen The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune As national news outlets pressed for the vote tally, advocacy groups and some state lawmakers slumped through the halls of the Salt Lake County Government Center on Tuesday. Staggering through the humanity, one Republican councilman appeared dazed as his eyes welled with tears. Just moments after a 5-4 party-line decision, it was clear the County Council's refusal to become the first local government in Utah to offer domestic-partner benefits to gay employees weighed heavily on some. "It pains me to send any message to someone if they take it that we don't value them," said a tearful Mark Crockett, the GOP councilman some insiders thought might provide the swing vote for the benefits proposal. But Crockett said as long as society links offering such benefits with gay marriage, he would be hard pressed to back the controversial move. His four Republican colleagues agreed - the council's four Democrats voted for the measure - ensuring Salt Lake County did not follow the University of Utah's lead in offering benefits for domestic partners. "I am hugely disappointed," said an emotional Jan Donchess, chairwoman of the county's gay and lesbian employee association. "There are members of this council who in their mind knew they made the wrong decision. I'm sure Mark Crocket

Jenny Wilson

t will lose sleep over this." The proposal, hatched by first-year County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, caught county leaders off guard. Suddenly, this week, she was extolling the benefit of offering insurance for health, dental and life as well as funeral leave for unmarried domestic partners, gay or not. Wilson insisted the cost would be minimal - analysts suggest less than 100 employees would qualify at an annual total tab between $37,000 and $74,000 - and proposed making those interested sign an affidavit proving cohabitation. After the vote, Wilson said equating the employee benefits with an endorsement of gay marriage - as several Republicans argued – was a "broad leap." But she remained optimistic. "It will happen," she said. "It's just a matter of when." Scott McCoy, an openly gay state senator from Salt Lake City who watched Tuesday's debate, agreed. "The younger generations are absolutely in favor of this," he said. "By fighting the fight, we're making the future come faster." Still, Council Chairman Michael Jensen reminded everyone that Utahns voted decisively last election to ban gay marriage under Amendment 3. "Maybe in 10 years or 20 years the county will be ready for this move," Jensen said. "My sense is the Valley spoke in November." Fellow Republican Councilman Cort Ashton agreed, saying the community feels this benefit ought to be exclusive to nuclear families. Plus, he worried about letting down his south and southwest Salt Lake Valley district, which he called the most conservative in the county. I know we are overwhelmingly opposed to this type of action," Ashton said. Deputy District Attorney Gavin Anderson said he could not find any legal constraints to such a move. But, he noted, local governments in Virginia and Georgia had similar policies overturned because they violated state statutes there. Democrats Joe Hatch and Randy Horiuchi argued in vain that amending the county's personnel policy for domestic partners is a matter of fairness. A self-described "hick" from Ames, Iowa, and Logan, Hatch said his awareness of alternative lifestyle came late in life, but should be accepted. "This is not a religious issue. This is not a moral issue. This is not a right-wrong issue," he said. "It is a human issue." Horiuchi said he represented a "triple threat" when elected: a Democrat, a non-Mormon and a non-Anglo. Being elected "demonstrated the openness of this great community." To deny gay employees the same benefits the council members afford themselves, he said, is "dead wrong." While Crockett insisted he could not make the measure a priority, Donchess said Tuesday's vote was a missed opportunity. "Employees are not vanilla," she said. "I see [them] more as Neapolitan."

2005 Both sides say homicide was not about sexual orientation Victim's aunt says: The slain woman was a lesbian but the family doesn't want that to be an issue By Stephen Hunt The Salt Lake Tribune The word "lesbian" was never mentioned at a Tuesday preliminary hearing for Trey Holloway Brown, who is accused of fatally stabbing his estranged wife's girlfriend last month outside a West Valley City apartment complex. Gay and lesbian groups have used the June 10 death of 27-year-old Norma Hernandez Espinoza to rally support against hate crimes. But prosecutors and the defense insist the victim's sexual orientation had nothing to do with the slaying. According to testimony, Brown, 25, was upset because he believed his wife had left their children - ages 3, 5 and 10 - home alone. And he attacked Espinoza only after she intervened in the married couple's argument. Third District Judge Denise Lindberg ordered Brown to stand trial on one count of first-degree felony murder. A scheduling hearing is set for Monday. If convicted, Brown faces up to life in prison. But the defense may claim Brown was under extreme emotional distress and that manslaughter is the more appropriate charge. But West Valley City Detective Gavin Cook testified that during an interview just hours after the stabbing, Brown was "very calm, relaxed." "He was not upset at all," Cook said. "There was no remorse." Even more bizarre, Cook added, was Brown's purported motive for the slaying. After dazing the woman by punching her in the head, Brown told the detective he got a knife from the kitchen to give to Espinoza. "He said it was to even up the odds," Cook testified. "The knife was to make the fight more fair." But when Espinoza ran outside, Brown became enraged. "He said he doesn't like people to run away from him," Cook testified. "It upset him extremely - he snapped." Chasing Espinoza across a parking lot, Brown stabbed her three times in the chest. After the bleeding woman collapsed, Brown kicked her in the head several times and jumped up and down on her chest. The defendant told Cook he continued the attack "to finish the job, to kill her . . . because he was going to jail anyway." Brown's explanation dumbfounded the detective. "It didn't make sense to me," Cook said. "It didn't seem logical." Brown's wife of five years, Miriam Olvera, called the dead woman "my friend." Olvera testified that she, Brown and Espinoza all met while working at a fast food restaurant, and that Brown and Espinoza got along. "He told me she was a good person," Olvera testified. As for Brown, from whom she had separated about two weeks before the homicide, Olvera said she had never seen him so angry before. Espinoza joined in the couple's argument by telling Olvera she "didn't have to explain anything" to her husband. Olvera said Brown started hitting Espinoza after he asked Olvera for a hug and Espinoza told him to leave her alone. Brown told police that he hit Espinoza only after she pushed him. But Olvera said she never saw Espinoza touch her husband. The victim's aunt, who asked not to be named, said Espinoza was a lesbian but added family members do not want that to become an issue. "We loved her and we miss her," the aunt said, adding that Espinoza provided the sole financial support for her aging mother and three younger siblings who reside in Mexico.

2009 Gay-rights group names interim director Politics » Equality Utah is making a renewed

Brandi Balken

pitch for the Common Ground Initiative By Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune Brandie Balken, interim executive director of Equality Utah Equality Utah has named a longtime Salt Lake City activist as its interim executive director. Brandie Balken -- who was the first resident, along with her partner, to sign up for the city's mutual-commitment registry in 2008 -- takes the helm, at least through the November elections, as the group continues its search for a permanent replacement for former director Mike Thompson. He stepped down in May. "Working for equality is something that is -- simply put -- just the right thing to do," Balken said Monday. "Equal rights [for gay and transgender people] are human rights." In addition to starting a new job Monday, Balken celebrated her eighth anniversary with her partner. Balken, 36, got involved in the gay-rights movement after she came out as a lesbian 15 years ago. "That was the moment," Balken said, "for me to reassess where I was at and what I was doing." A sales manager for Cactus & Tropicals, Balken has volunteered with the Utah Pride Center, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Inclusion Center. She served on Equality Utah's board before that panel named her interim director. "Brandie has strong business and management skills

Stephanie Pappas

[and] has worked  extensively as a leader and organizer in the gay and transgender community," Equality Utah Board Chairwoman Stephanie Pappas said in a statement. "She will bring continuity and new energy to the leadership of our organization." This week, Equality Utah launches a series of town-hall meetings along the Wasatch Front and Back aimed at growing grass-roots support for its Common Ground Initiative. The legislative campaign includes measures making it illegal to fire an employee for being gay or transgender and offering some legal protections to same-sex couples.

Sim Gill

2010 LGBT Safety Panel Discussion Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Location: City Library - Main Auditorium Street: 400 S 210 E City/Town: Salt Lake City, UT  Description Are you confused and upset by all the gay bashings, domestic violence and hate crimes happening in our state? From DJ Bell and Dan Fair at their home to Ryan Gray and Kevin Burns at Piper down, there has been a lot of violence in our state.  Well come out and do something about it! Representatives from the DA Office, Police and the Community will be on hand to take questions and clear up a lot of the confusion! Panelists include: Sim Gill - SLC Chief Prosecutor Brandie Balken - Executive Director of Equality Utah Sgt. Julie Jorgenson - Public Safety Liason Committee Eric Ethington - Local Activist and Author of PRIDEinutah. Com Paul Parker - Justice Div. Administrator / Chief Criminal Deputy Presented by the Utah Pride Center and the LGBT Public Safety Liason Committee

2014 Experts: Supreme Court may not take Utah’s same-sex marriage appeal Same-sex marriage • State’s bid for U.S. Supreme Court clarity is no certainty. BY MARISSA LANG THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE For Utah, it’s Supreme Court or bust. After losing its appeal and becoming the first state in which a federal appeals court found marriage to be a fundamental right of all people — gay, straight or otherwise — Utah is done biding its time. The state wants resolution and finality. And it wants it now. This week, Utah bypassed another appeal to the full 10th Circuit. The state will instead appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court “in coming weeks,” the attorney general’s office said. The Kitchen v. Herbert lawsuit, which toppled Utah’s same-sex marriage ban late last year, is the first state same sex marriage lawsuit to go through the appeals processes and is first in line to reach the Supreme Court. But, experts warn, the path to the highest court in the country is anything but simple. The U.S. Supreme Court, which is on its summer hiatus until October, has complete discretion over whether it will hear the case. After Utah files its petition, the Supreme Court has options: • The nine justices may choose to wait until a majority of the country’s appellate courts have weighed in on the issue. • They may take the case on its own or combine it with cases from other states and jurisdictions. • Or they may reject the case — effectively allowing the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling to stand. University of Utah law professor

Cliff Rosky

Cliff Rosky called same sex marriage “an issue of great social importance, of great national importance,” and said that might be a reason the Supreme Court refuses to hear the case. “So, one might think the court would want to take it on. ... But if you have a Supreme Court ruling where nine justices are dictating the law in all 50 states, that’s not necessarily an ideal outcome,” said Rosky, who sits on the board of Equality Utah. Conflicting rulings among federal appeals courts could prompt the Supreme Court to hear Kitchen v. Herbert. In 2006 the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals — which covers Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota — overturned a lower court’s ruling and upheld a ban on same-sex marriage. That was seven years before the Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act and, by virtue of its ruling, extended federal protections to married same-sex couples. The national and political landscape, experts said, has changed since then. Although the high court could decide to remain quiet on the issue of state gay marriage bans, experts said, the momentum with which this issue has swept the country and the conflict in the circuits will demand action. “ If you wait for unanimous rulings in all circuits, theoretically, plaintiffs could win this circuit by circuit without the Supreme Court ever getting involved,” Rosky said. “It may be the conservatives who don’t want to let the liberals off the hook. All you need is four votes for the case to be heard, and so, you might have conservative judges saying, ‘This is about the legitimacy of the court and the court’s role in that country. We believe the Constitution does not speak to gay and does not speak to marriage, and certainly doesn’t speak to gay marriage. If you want to abuse the constitution in this manner than we absolutely want to know why.’ ” But by the time the nine justices reconvene in the fall, they may have more than one case to choose from. Utah’s historic Kitchen v. Herbert lawsuit seems likely to become the first such appeal to come before the Supreme Court, but rulings expected by the Fourth circuit — on the constitutionality of a same-sex marriage ban in Virginia — and the Sixth Circuit, which will hear arguments in early August, may also be contenders. It’s not unprecedented for the court to combine cases. In the history-making Brown v. The Board of Education case that desegregated this nation’s schools, five cases were combined from different states and circuits. “There is a history of justices combining the cases they like most, or the cases in which they want to tackle the reasoning — perhaps they agree with the outcome but not with how the circuit got there,” said University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias, who specializes in the federal judiciary. “It’s more likely that the court will wait to see what cases it gets on this issue, and not necessarily jump on the first one — in this case, Utah’s.” SCOTUS Blog, arguably the most well-regarded news site that covers the Supreme Court, issued a prediction earlier this week on Twitter: The U.S. Supreme Court “will act on the Utah [same-sex marriage] petition by late 2014, likely grant it, hear argument in March 2015, and rule (5-4) in June 2015.” It did not say which way the vote would go. “Everyone seems to be in a big hurry to get to the Supreme Court,” Tobias said. “But I don’t think the Supreme Court is in a big hurry to get to Utah’s appeal.” ·        Re-hiring lawyers for Utah Before the same sex marriage case progresses the state will re-contract outside counsel Gene C. Schaerr, John Bursch and Monte Neil Stewart — whose services have already cost the state $300,000, and are expected to run a similar bill in Utah’s push to the Supreme Court.