This Day In Gay Utah History July 4th

4 July 4-

1663-A New Hampshire colony court ruled that the wife of Mathew Giles falsely accused him of buggery with a male servant, and she was sentenced to be whipped 20 times.

Walt Whitman

1855-Gay poet Walt Whitman published the first edition of "Leaves of Grass." The homoerotic "Calamus" would not be included until the publication of the third edition in 1860.

1965-On July 4, 1965, forty people carried signs in

front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia PA supporting gay emancipation. Each year in NY, DC and Philadelphia their numbers grew. By July 4, 1969, one month after Stonewall one hundred and fifty (150) people demonstrated at Independence Hall. The event marked the first annual "Reminder," a demonstration to remind people that in America homosexuals did not have their basic rights, which was held at Independence Hall. It would occur every year through 1969.  In 1970 the event was replaced with Parades to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Riot

1969 Friday About 40 New York Gays boarded a Homophile Youth Movement (HYMN) chartered bus to go to Philadelphia for the Annual Reminder, a homosexual picketing demonstration in front of Independence Hall.  Sponsored by the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations (ERCHO), the demonstration was celebrating its fifth birthday. The New Yorkers brought with them the memories of the first strike for Liberation in America and brought to the demonstration a new militant self respect. Frank Kameny founder of the Mattachine Society of Washington DC and organizer of the Annual Reminder saw two New York Lesbians holding hands and slapped their hands shouting “You can’t do that! You can’t do that!” The New York people freaked out caucused and wrote on their picket signs Equality For Homosexuals-Smash Sexual Facism!! After several hours of picketting, many were walking hand in hand as couples and the Annual Reminder disbanded, for the last time.  The new young militants stared at the older homophile organizers across a wide “generation gap”. (200)

1973-Seattle: The Lesbian Separatist Group (later the Gorgons) issues The Amazon Analysis, a manifesto and handbook of lesbian separatism. The paper's nearly 100 mimeographed pages are passed among lesbians across the Country.

1977-Denis Lemon, editor of The Gay News, was tried under the UK's blasphemy libel law and convicted for publishing a poem by James Kirkup. The Poem, entitled "The Love That Dares to Speak Its Name," was about Jesus and a Roman centurion having sex.

1986-Friday- The Triangle Magazine sponsored a social to watch the 4^th of July Fireworks at the Rice Stadium. An area just west of the medical center was the gathering area.  “ I went with Lon Wright and Jon Butler to the U of U Medical Center to watch the fireworks with the Triangle Group. I bought a quilt to lay on and I am so glad I did because it turned so cold! About 60 degree and windy. There was a good turn out about 20 Gays. Lon Wright, Jon Butler, and I along with Alma Smith and his friend Stephen Baustraud huddle beneath my quilt trying to stay warm.  I was only dressed in shorts because who would have thought the 4^th of July would be so cold.  Walter Larabee was being a cut up wearing an outrageous Commodore naval hat. 

1986- Women On Wheels sponsored three days of camping in the Uintahs surrounded by sun, trees, mountain air, laughter and of course women. About 25 Lesbians participated.

1986-During a New York celebration for the Statue of Liberty, comedian Bob Hope said that the statue had AIDS, but no one knew if she got it from the mouth of the Hudson or the Staten Island ferry. The audience responded with stunned silence, and Hope later apologized.

1988 Monday About 7 p.m. people started dropping by to go up to the U of U to watch the fire works at Rice Stadium. Mike Pipkim, Steve Oldroyd, Mark LaMarr, John Reeves, Alan Peterson, Dave Omer, Chuck Whyte and I walked up behind the stadium. We all were in kind of a bitchy mood but it still was a lot of fun. The Fireworks were fun. Big crowd as usual and the boy watching was exciting.  After coming back to my apartment Shaun Hughes from The Youth Group and his boyfriend Bob came by to visit at 2 a.m. and we stayed up talking about what they and the group is up to until 5:00 in the morning.

1988  To bolster gay pride, Bob Dubray owner of the

InBetween Bar pledged to sit up on the platform atop one of the pillars on the Inbetween patio for 72 hours. (July 1 to July 4). His descent on the 4th was marked with a BBQ and fireworks. Event called Pillar of Pride, a Red White and Blue BBQ

1990-200 demonstrators in Stockholm protested the Iranian government's execution of gays.

1990 Wednesday- Mike Pipkim, Rocky O’Donavan and I went out to West Jordan Park to see the Indian Pow Wow.  The costumes were crafted beautifully and there was a power and magic in their circle procession.  We ate some fry bread and sat on the grass and watched the dances. I want to do some in the Faerie circle. [Journal of Ben Williams]

1991.SL. VICE OFFICER IS BITTEN WHILE MAKING ARREST  Thursday, July 4, 1991 A Salt Lake police officer was bitten Tuesday by a man who was being arrested for lewdness. Vice officer Bryan Jewkes was working undercover on the east side of Memory Grove, an area where homosexuals often congregate, when the incident occurred. About 12:45 p.m. Tuesday the officer said he caught a 24-year-old man committing a lewd act, showed him his badge and explained that he was under arrest. Jewkes said he asked the man for identification, but the man said he had none and refused to tell the officer his name. The man stood up to leave, but the officer grabbed him and again advised him that he was under arrest. He said the man tried to break free again, so he wrestled him to the ground and sat on top of him. The man continued to resist and at one point bit the officer's left wrist, breaking the skin and drawing blood, Jewkes' police report states. The officer eventually restrained him and took him to jail. The man told the officer he had been tested for AIDS about five months ago and was "clean" at the time. Jewkes was taken to a clinic and received medical treatment and preventative shots. The Salt Lake man was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and lewdness.

1996 Page: A18 It was with supreme irony that I read the editorial, ``Vote in Today's Primary'' (Tribune,June 25). We were informed that, ``Today marks the first time that Utah voters can have their say about (gay and lesbian clubs in high schools) at the ballot box; they should respond.'' At least for those voters in Salt Lake City, the editorial might have been better if it had read: ``Good luck trying to send a message.'' For all the public outcry and supposedly fervent concern on the part of civil libertarians who blasted the Salt Lake City School Board's decision to ban gay and lesbian clubs in high schools, they apparently don't have it together when it comes to figuring out how to put their political muscle into effect.   Some poor thinking went into forcing Ila Rose Fife, a current Salt Lake School Board member who voted to keep gay and lesbian clubs, to waste her time, money and energy competing against four challengers. Where are those supposedly concerned civil libertarians to compete against those Salt Lake School Board members who actually did vote to ban gay and lesbian clubs? If the primary school board election in Salt Lake City is any reflection on the low level of intelligence of and the lack of real commitment on the part of civil libertarians(of which I count myself as one), then perhaps we deserve what we get, which is to lose our effort to reverse the school club ban. Never during all the time this big controversy raged did I receive one damn telephone call to encourage me to run for the board after I resigned (which happened before the petition for a gay club at East High School was presented to the board). It really bewilders me how out of touch from political reality these people are. I feel sorry for Ila Rose, whose consistent and firm voting pattern to uphold the rights and privileges of all children was questioned by having all those challengers campaign against her. Civil libertarians are sending the wrong message to those elected officials who have supported you.   TAB L. UNO   Salt Lake City

1998 Saturday- The Utah Gay Couples Group held a 4th of July BBQ

1998 SLC Metropolitan Community Church met to watch fireworks display

2002 Billy Lewis Volunteer Recognition Party: Hey everyone, Just wanted to give you all an update.  The Volunteer recognition party was a success.  There were approximately 100 people that showed up in/out during the party.  There was a steady group of about 40 there the whole time.  The peak amount was 68.  It was a lot of fun.  There was Frisbee, football, badminton, and the crazy water fight with big ol' water balloons.  The food was consumed with very little left over.  We had a beautiful rainbow pride sheet cake that some Mormon housewife made at Albertsons.  Though a great party and everyone had a good time,  I do want to thank the board members and committee members that made it to the party. Craig Miller Chad Keller Stacy Robinson, Trevor Johnson Ryan Schippers, Adam Frost The volunteers seemed to enjoy having you all there saying thank you! Thanks again, Billy

2002 David Nelson Subject: ADVOCATE: Ashamed of pride: "What does pride mean? Is our pride best represented by the big gay parties that explode every summer in big cities across the country? We have to face it: More and more gays and lesbians are opting out. They don't need a flag, a parade, a banner to be proud. They just need to live openly...." --Charles Karel Bouley, Advocate, June 19. Though I'm a big believer in our annual pride events and haven't missed one since 1983, I wonder "is that all that there is?” After all, though I attended this year's events for about an hour, I left with less than a cursory nod to the crowd. There must be a way to include a more critical and inclusive look at where we are and what we want without losing much of our celebration. What do you think? David Nelson Salt Lake City.

• Chad Keller Ashamed of Pride David Nelson wrote:” Your implication is that Utah Pride Inc. wouldn't organize a political event as much as it does with a pride dinner, pride awards, pride water, pride parade, pride art, pride comedy, pride run-walk, pride food, pride hats, pride entertainers, pride news, pride guides, pride shirts, pride dance and pride parties. I doubt the group is so burdened. It seems your suggestion is to pass the buck rather than respond to a specific programming request." Believe it or not we were stretched to the limits as a committee.  In  all of this bantering I am yet to hear one person say, "I would like to serve a committee chair and do big fantastic political rally, where do I go or who do I need to talk to?" Again, I challenge the political organizations of our community to come together, create a proposal for the Pride Board, and once approved work together the political voice back in.  I think it would sail by the  board with no problem.  And it will be interesting to see how this develops. Chad Keller
• Ben Williams to David Nelson:ADVOCATE: Ashamed of pride: David, I too think Pride Day seems lacking any substance these days but I think I may know why. When Jeff [Freedman] became Co-Chair of Gay Pride Day, it was his agenda to de-emphasize the political nature of the event and change it into a giant party. He eliminated the role of Key Note Speakers and other aspects of pride day which commemorated the Stonewall Rebellion of 1969 and celebrated the struggles of Gay Civil Rights movement.  Jeff told me that he wasn't interested at all in politics and wanted it out of the event. When the committee stopped having any connection with the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah, the change to a "party" was complete. I think it is a real disservice to Gay Youth who think that all we are doing is celebrating being "Gay" instead celebrating the strides that the Gay Civil Rights Movement has made in the past 33 years. The Pride Day committee seems  to be only interested in bigger and better parties and have the lost the vision of why we come together each June in the first place. (I'll probably get crap for this)-Ben Williams.
• Billy Lewis to Ben Williams; Ashamed of Pride: Ben, First of all Ben, this is not giving you "crap", but just a response to your e-mail.  I too agree with you that Pride is no longer a political movement.  It has become a celebration and here are the reasons why we as a Pride Committee have kept it that way to many extents. 
• 1.  Pride Day is our "holiday" it is the one time during the year that we actually come together as a group and celebrate ourselves and our role in the community.  It's the one day that we come together and most of our own personal bias and prejudices within our own community are dropped.  (I am being careful not to you the words 'can'  because we can and would if more was organized more throughout the year). 
• 2.  One of the things about politics and keynote speakers is that not only do some find them boring, while others find them very stimulating and inspiring, but they can also be very divisive.  Not everyone agrees with every speaker’s points and beliefs and may not feel that they represent their feelings and beliefs and my end up feeling unwelcome. 
• 3.  Because Pride Day is a celebration it should leave the politics to the groups that can affect those that are more in tune and educated on politics in Utah. 
• 4.  And personally through my reading and history research of Gay America I feel that most the people that fought back at Stonewall and most of the early activist would be tickled pink to know that their GLBT brothers and sisters can parade down the street, have celebrations during the day, have street banners announcing the celebration, and have the police protecting them the entire time.  So, it's not just a celebration for us it's also a celebration of what they started. By the way, I would love to see a political rally/event during Pride Week as one of the events that we ad.   Just who to organize it?????? With Pride, Billy Lewis Executive Co-Chair, Utah Pride Inc.
• David Nelson to Billy Lewis; Ashamed of Pride:  Billy Lewis wrote:  Pride Day ... is the one time during the year that we actually come together as a group and celebrate ourselves and our role in the community. [T]he things about politics and keynote  speakers is that ... some find them boring [and] they can also be very divisive. But, Billy, this seems contradictory: We come together and celebrate, but not by any political perspective. Which is it, do we come together or excise politics from a political holiday? I would love to see a political rally/event during Pride Week. Just who to organize it? Your implication is that Utah Pride Inc. wouldn't organize a political event as much as it does with a pride dinner, pride awards, pride water, pride parade, pride art, pride comedy, pride run-walk, pride food, pride hats, pride entertainers, pride news, pride guides, pride shirts, pride dance and pride parties. I doubt the group is so burdened. It seems your suggestion is to pass the buck rather than respond to a specific programming request. With respect to yours and Michael Aaron's comparison of our pride event with other holiday parties, I agree. Our pride event has become a fantastic celebration. You and everyone involved deserve thanks. But I disagree that something political couldn't fit in the event profile. Why not borrow from the state Holocaust Memorial leaders who produce a series of event-related political discussions, speeches and documentaries APART from their memorial event? This would suggest that our pride leaders plan similar political events at times and places that are better suited for such events; a documentary screening with a panel debate-discussion about the effect of 33 post-Stonewall years, maybe. Invite a celebrity politician. It might not be the buffo event that most pride-event goers are used to, but it would inform those who wonder what the day celebrates. Then again, so would at least a brief explanation of the 1969 Stonewall riots in the pride guide. David Nelson Salt Lake City.
• Billy Lewis Ashamed of Pride: Wow, I thought that my letter would give some discussion, but I didn't think that I would tick off anyone. First of all, my comment about organizing an event and who to do it was an open invite to anyone that would like to work with the Pride Committee and have an endorsed event for Utah Pride events by Utah Pride Inc.  I was not passing the buck.  I only gave a smartass invitation to anyone willing to accept it. Second of all, this will go on official record.  I was not in agreement with the wording for the banners.  I wanted Gay on them, I wanted the word Gay plastered throughout downtown SLC.  But it wasn't ultimately my decision.  But can anyone argue that really anyone knew what they were?  Yeah, maybe some people that don't have TV's and don't get the newspapers, or live in isolation.  Pride Day has never received as much publicity as it did from those banners.  The story was ran on channels 2, 4, 13, and 30.  It was also on the major radio stations and the Deseret News.  And the words Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered were uttered in the media many many times during the week before Pride Day 2002.  We have never been more visible.  Also, from my own research and that is all I have is books and people to ask that lived it (which there are many left) I do feel that they would be very happy with the way that the gay community has evolved.  Being only 29, I wasn't born until 4 years after the Stonewall riots.  The community back then were sick of being treated like criminals in every aspect of their life.  They were scared of people finding out who they were.  Yes, there were some that were out, but no where close to the amount that are out today.  Do I feel that we are done, hell no.  I feel that there are many, many, many more leaps and bounds, not just steps, that we have to make.  We are still second class citizens. And we need the political statements and representation out there, but isn't that what this talk group, Unity Utah, The Gay and Lesbian Caucus, HRC, Log Cabin Republicans, and the Stonewall Democrats are for.  Isn't that what they were organized and meant to do.  Utah Pride should be the celebration that we have each year.  To say to the community that we are here, were happy, and "fuck you" we aren't going anywhere.  We made it through one more year of their bigotries, biases, and their "laws".  We make accomplishments each year in many different aspects and we should be celebrating those.  Pride is a political statement itself, but not is a speech, but in presence and very fun and relaxing presence. Now for the beer garden.  If it wasn't for the beer garden their probably wouldn't be a Pride Day for us to be discussing right now since it brings in 1/2 to 2/3 of the income to keep Pride Day going. Last of all, to be nasty.  The ones that are bitching about Pride and what it has become why the hell haven't you done something about.  Why haven't you contacted the Pride committee and shared your ideas.  Asked to come to a meeting?   Join the committee?   I always notice that those that criticize the most are the last to do anything about it.  And don't give me the excuses that I hear all the time.  "I don't have time. I don't like the way it's operated.  I don't know how to get a hold of them.  Or my personal favorite,  "I tried in the past and wasn't contacted back or they didn't listen to me."  Because if it is that important to you, you make the time, you find a way, you try to change things, or you are persistent.  Well, as all of you know this is a new committee and we are willing to listen and try new things.  This last year proves it.  We did run out of time and energy, but we want to ! add new things and try new ideas.  We just need people to bring them forth. And thank you for all your support this last year and the thanks from those that gave them.  We try, it may not be what everyone wants, but we try to make it so. With Pride, Billy Lewis Executive Co-chair Utah Pride Inc. 
• Chad Keller Ashamed of Pride: Let’s remember that Community Council ceased to exist. It was at one time a good community resources that over the years legislated itself out of usefulness.  If anything it is the poster child for the many quagmire's full of personal agendas. Pride is a brand.  And it’s the branding of Pride has been because of years of hard work, rallies, and vigilance.  It is viewed coast to coast the same as Cinco de Mayo, and St Patrick's Day. Thanks to all the people in the past for your commitment and service to making our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered community what it is today.  We didn’t need an act of congress to make it official, and put it on the calendar.  As a community we took it ownership of the word and made it ours.  How many cultures, sub communities, or whatever you want to call them use the work Pride in creating events to celebrate or promote there history?  As the person who arranged for the hanging of the banners, and negotiated the sponsorship, the wording "Gay Pride" was discussed.  It was met with great hesitation.  Pride was controversial enough.  And if we did "Gay Pride" then what about Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgendered and Queer?  They are after all small street signs.... I refer back to its all in the Branding...
• Ben Williams Ashamed of Pride: First let me be clear that I think that the hard work and time put in by the Pride Committees is phenomenal and by no means do I want to seem critical or disparage any of their convictions. There has been enough of that. As a former member of Pride and speaking as a long time community organizer I realize that the only pay off for endless hours of devotion to the Gay Community is mostly just a great big thank you. I still stand by my belief however that the whole event (Pride Day) is still a Civil Rights Movement not just a holiday. But be that as it may, even Holidays commemorate an event. What does Gay Pride commemorate anymore? Not that I really care what the non Gay friendly world thinks but it is quite evident that they believe we are just having a party to celebrate being able to have homosexual relationships. They see it as being as ridiculous as having a Straight Pride Day.  In 1988 at Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah I heard the same excuse as you iterated in section 2. I proposed that we have at least a sign at Pride Day saying that it was indeed Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. A few objected, most noticeably John Bennett, that such an obvious sign would keep potential people away from celebrating. I replied that if we can't show them our Pride how will they ever developed theirs?  The council voted to endorse my proposal and I made the first Gay and Lesbian Pride Day Banner for Pride Day.  And while not putting a too fine a point on things, since in Utah we take baby steps (and even then usually fall down a lot), my lover who is from Wyoming kept asking me why did the street signs only say Utah Pride Day. He felt that it implied that we were celebrating the state of Utah! and not Queer Culture and history. Yes everyone loves as party.....however as community leaders (if we are) I feel it is paramount and our very obligation to educate those just coming out about the struggle for sexual equality in America.  If two stages could be built to accommodate! performers couldn't one have been used for a keynote speaker? Can't the Kristen Ries Award winner be given time to tell the community why he/she devotes so much time and energy to this community? There will always be those who eschew any semblance of political awareness. Let them go to the Beer Garden then. LOL
• Toni Palmer: Ashamed of Pride " Ben said.........my lover who is from Wyoming kept asking me why did the street signs only say Utah Pride Day. He felt that it implied that we were celebrating the state of Utah! and not Queer Culture and history." I was amazed to see the signs lining the streets.  Truly, I never thought it would happen here, but I too wondered why it didn't state the true purpose of the day, that it was Queer Pride Day and not Pride in Utah day.  While I was happy to see them, I was also bitterly disappointed by that exclusion. It's Very frustrating to me that in our "pride" we still are not proud enough to say THE words (gay/lez/bi/trans). Let me add too that I am aware that had we used "those words" more than likely the city wouldn't have allowed those signs to be put up.  But by accepting that, we are only going 1/2 way, haven't we sold ourselves short in an effort to appear more acceptable or to not make certain people uncomfortable? To often, I feel, we just accept whatever "they" "give" us, when we should just simply EXPECT full equality (in all areas) and we should EXUDE with that expectation.  The str8's don't Own our rights. To paraphrase Ben: <"In 1988 at GLCCU...........I proposed that we have at least a sign at Pride Day saying that it was indeed Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. A few objected.......... that such an obvious sign would keep potential people away from celebrating. I replied that if we can't show them our Pride how will they ever develop theirs?"> I couldn't agree more with that last line. Toni Palmer.  
• Chad Keller; Ashamed of Pride It is true that Utah Pride is at a crossroads.  In the weeks to come it will continue its transformation, and continue the process from rising from the ashes left by the past.  There is not one Pride Day that was the Utopia we collectively dream of.    I am not sure as a committee we will ever get the recipe right.  To me that would be a good thing, as it would be a sign that as a community we are growing and that we are reaching goals and changing things.  It is my personal hope that it returns to its roots, but doing so while standing firm in the present creating the future. We were lucky to have the small board that produced this years Pride.  It does take time, and it is a personal sacrifice to participate as each of our board and committee members will testify.  It was like pulling teeth to get people to participate and take leadership positions.  Ben and others who helped create the Pride Day's of the past I'm sure remember the headaches and heartaches, and financial woes.  Pride can become a big taxation on ones personal life.  That has been the one constant, unchanging thing. The current Pride Committee is an amazing and wonderful group of people.  I have and will express again the deep appreciation I have for them, and how much I stand in amazement.  They are the best.  And it is not easy  taking on the responsibility of being a leader in this community.  They have done  it well, and created one of the better pride days despite the cold. My thought is that Pride should be a year round organization that  educates, inspires, and yes even entertains.  Its a fact it takes money to  produce anything of value and quality.  Even a simple rally in today's world  has its costs.  There is a fine line that we must always be vigilant in protecting and defining when it comes to the amount of politics that is implemented. I'm sure had we put more into political side of Pride (and there were  some speeches from the stage) we would have still have upset someone.  Utah Pride is lucky, as we are young enough as an organization to embrace change easily. Yes personal agendas have play a role in the producing of Pride in the past, and it often has come with its price.  The financial mess that we have and continue to struggle with is one.  It is a fact agendas will somehow always come into play it is a fact of every organization.  They have been in play during this entire debate. This is the time to come forward and commit to helping Pride grow.  We called and asked for the communities advise every month, and had round  table after round table.  And very few people came forward. I challenge the leadership of the Political Organizations (Unity Utah, GL Democratic Caucus, GayUtahVote.com and the many others) to come together and come up with a plan for a Rally that could be implemented as one of the Pride events.  Select one person to come regularly to Pride meeting as a representative.  It will be interesting to see what you can come up with to fill this need. Sincerely, Chad Keller.  
• John Wilkes Ashamed of Pride Billy: I subscribe to your favorite excuse:  After trying to get involved in Pride, being met with elitism and "superior to thou" attitudes, I didn't give up.  I e-mailed and called and came to a meeting and talked to members.  I met with no response. Yet I still tried to contact individual members to try and just volunteer on the day.  The only one who replied and I was able to help in a small way was Chad Keller.  We may not all agree with his methods, but he gets things done and he doesn't have to hold a retreat, do a survey or study, or go on a hiatus to do it!  Chad kicks butt. The times I offered to help out Chad and had to bow out, I wasn't shunned or my valid excuse met with some defensive rhetoric about "get involved" (If you can, I say.  GOOD LUCK) Instead of expecting the masses to come to you--Pride Committee needs to work harder, I feel, at going out among the masses at every club, group, church, gathering where Pride might find support and assuring them what you promise-that Pride is for everyone and everyone should be involved in whatever way they can.  Grass roots is the best, most cohesive networking you can do.  You got a good start with the club crawls this year, but places were omitted and groups of people were disenfranchised from your process.  This is the public view, not only of Pride, but of The Court as well. Get "in touch" with the needs of people you profess to serve (i.e. 'the community').  Nothing of any lasting notoriety was ever accomplished by any elite clique, unless you count The Nazis. I hope my opinion DOES inflame you and other committee members.  I'm sure there are many others who bite their tongues as I have , in hopes of avoiding exclusion.  After my experience this year, I don't care which of you I alienate.  I also hope hearing this type of honest criticism affects  REAL change in Pride Committee. Sincerely: John P Wilkes

2005 The Center Space and the Administrative Space of the GLBTCCU will be CLOSED Monday, July 4th for the holiday. Gay Men's AA will still be meeting in the Multi-purpose room at 8pm.

D J Bell

2008 – DJ Bell and Dan Fair were brutally attacked. A neglectful mother’s heavy drinking and homophobia led her to falsely accuse them of trying to harm her children. The children were not present when men broke through the locked windows and doors of their home. Some have called it attempted murder. We were the ones who called the police. The police arrived - found two gay men beaten, accused of kidnapping, and only streets away from a recent child homicide. They didn’t ask questions, they didn’t interview their friends who were in the house. They arrested DJ, and charged him with two counts of attempted kidnapping. No charges were brought against their assailants. Assumptions were made, justice not served, Investigations not conducted – because who wouldn’t believe two gay men did this! Many of you know DJ (Lola) and Dan. You know they are Innocent! DJ is facing 30 years in prison. Show the jury just how many of us BELIEVE! DONTATIONS Donations are NOT tax deductible. We are still raising money to help with legal and medical bills. We have set up a bank account at US Bank. Go to any branch and deposit money into an account

2014 Scott D. Pierce: Utah Gov. Herbert will look bad in future docs about gay-rights movement THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Utah Gov. Gary Herbert needs to watch more TV. There’s no need for him to spend his valuable time watching sitcoms, dramas or reality shows. But, clearly, he hasn’t spent enough time watching documentaries about the civil-rights movement. Two such documentaries aired in the past couple of weeks. “Freedom Summer” was the latest in a series of outstanding programs on PBS. And CNN’s “The Sixties” included the riveting two-hour episode “The Long March to Freedom.” Neither documentary made any effort to draw parallels between the civil-rights movement in the 1960s and the gay-rights movement today, but the similarities are unmistakable. Had Herbert seen either documentary, one would hope it would give him pause about his continued fight against same-sex marriage. You watch those programs, and your jaw hits the floor. It’s astonishing to see then-Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett insisting that the end of segregation would be the end of life as we know it. “God was the original segregationist,’’ he declared. ‘’He made the white man white and the black man black, and he did not intend for them to mix.’’ Barnett, Alabama Gov. George Wallace and various other racist mayors and sheriffs insist they’re just upholding the laws of their states. Sound familiar? The tone may have been different, but the message was the same five decades later when Herbert responded to a federal court striking down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage. Decades from now, clips of his public statements will be part of documentaries about the fight for gay rights. Viewers’ jaws will drop when they hear him say that governors and attorneys general who choose not to defend their state’s same-sex marriage bans were taking “the next step toward anarchy.” Future documentarians will salivate when they come across the clip of Herbert saying, “What you choose to do with your sexual orientation is different in my mind than what you’re born with as far as your race.” And those future documentarians will, no doubt, draw the parallel between the LDS Church’s stance and Herbert’s statement, “What your attraction may be is something else, but how you act upon those impulses is a choice.” Viewers will cringe. Herbert’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be embarrassed. In those future documentaries, Utah will play the part of Mississippi in the 1960s — a backward state whose elected officials fought to deny many of its citizens basic rights. Herbert will be remembered. But not in the way he hopes.

2017 PROVO, Utah — (KUTV) The annual Provo Freedom Festival decided July 3 that a local LGBT resource center would not be allowed to walk in Grand Parade, according to Encircle: LGBT + Family & Youth Resource Center. The Festival, according to its website, "highlights freedom through bands, professionally crafted floats, giant helium balloons and local and national performers," while encouraging participants to "promote patriotism and traditional family values to around 300,000 spectators." According to a Facebook post by Encircle, the Festival revoked its previously approved application to participate because it is being classified as an advocacy group. Encircle disputes that classification, however, citing its status as a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

2018  FOX 13 PROVO, Utah -- Among the high school marching bands, veterans, pageant queens and politicians, groups representing Utah Valley's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community took some historic steps. After years of being rejected from one of America's largest patriotic celebrations in one of Utah's most conservative cities, several LGBT community groups were finally allowed in the Freedom Festival parade. LGBTQ veterans march in Provo's Freedom Festival parade on July 4, 2018.  This is about America, all the people here, the community," said Sgt. Jeff Clement, a Utah Army National Guard veteran who rode a float highlighting LGBT veterans put together by Mormons Building Bridges. "I get to be a part of it." After years of being rejected from the parade, the groups were finally allowed in after Utah County Commissioners and Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi inked contracts with America's Freedom Festival that included non-discrimination clauses. The festival's exclusion of those groups put taxpayer dollars for the parade and festival at risk. It led to back-and-forth battles over whether the LGBT groups really would be allowed in the parade. "We're here, we're marching!" said Brianna Cluck with Provo Pride, which pushed to be in the grand parade alongside the floats before a crowd of about 250,000. Provo Pride and Provo PFLAG marched with a 40-foot quilt made with squares from different families across Utah Valley -- gay families, lesbian families, the parents of transgender children, straight couples and single parents. Members of Provo Pride and Provo PFLAG march with a quilt banner at the Freedom Festival Parade. "It really just means a lot, especially to the kids," said Cluck. "When I was in high school, if I could have seen a parade entry like this, where it's these groups working together to say, 'We love you and we want you. You're here and part of my family,' that would have changed a lot growing up." There were no jeers, but the applause was a little more tepid than other groups received. Still, they had supporters. Some lined the parade route waving rainbow flags and giving high-fives. Provo Pride and Provo PFLAG got louder cheers when they engaged in the traditional "spin the banner" for the crowd. In this case, they spun their quilt around as they marched. The director of the Freedom Festival told FOX 13 he was pleased with how the float and other entries turned out. "We're very pleased," Paul Warner said. "We think they were well received along the parade route, too." After all the controversy, the groups said they do plan to return next year. Even Warner said he welcomed them back.  member of the Provo Pride group blows a kiss to the crowd watching the Freedom Festival parade. 

"That's the plan, yep," he told FOX 13. "What we do is, we'll have an application process every year and I think now that they know what we want, clearly when they make their application it will reflect the Fourth of July, America and the red, white and blue of the American flag." Mayor Kaufusi said she wanted to see the groups back in next year's parade. She urged both sides to negotiate to ensure entries fit the theme of the event and to get the LGBT groups in. "Everyone's coming together to celebrate really what it's all about," she said. "Freedom of speech is one of them."