This Day In Gay Utah History February 2nd

2 February

1859-Havelock Ellis, born, author of the seven volume "Studies in the Psychology of Sex" and "Sexual Inversion," which presented homosexuality as neither a disease nor a crime, something inborn and unchangable.

1893 James Warren convicted of a crime against nature will be released on February 12 after serving six months. Salt Lake Herald.

1973 Metropolitan Community Church of Salt Lake founded and dedicated by Rev. Troy Perry.

1978 Utah Daily Chronicle has editorial on Homosexuality

1986 Salt Lake Tribune ran article: "Risk for Hepatitis Greater than AIDS for Dentists." (SLTribune D3-1)

1987- SLC UT’s The Connection restaurant at 529 West 200 South closed its doors due to lack of business. Space becomes Between Friends Café. "Between Friends" was ran by Danna Rollins and Mary Johns former managers of the long since defunct Reflections at 315 West 400 South. Closed within year and space becomes part of InBetween.

1988 At Unconditional Support Ben Williams gave a lesson on the Stonewall Rebellion and was so surprised how the majority of the group had never heard of it. He committed to make it his personal crusade to make sure the Gay community of Utah knows what Stonewall means. “At Unconditional Support tonight it was a different kind of crowd. Younger crowd. Kind of a “Do me group” I gave a lesson on the Stonewall Rebellion and I was so surprised how the majority of the group had never heard of it. It will my personal crusade to make sure the Gay community of Utah knows what Stonewall means. After the meeting went to Dee’s on 4^th South for coffee. I saw Neil Hoyt tonight and he said he attended the Utah Valley Men’s Group. [1988 Journal of Ben Williams]

1989  At The Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah, Neil Hoyt, Chuck Whyte, and Ben Williams assumed their duties as officers. At The Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah tonight I assumed the duties of Secretary/Treasurer. It was a small meeting probably due to the 15 inches of snow  that was dumped last night. After Community Council Brook Hallock held a meeting for community leaders about the nature of informers who she called “ducks”. Brook Hallock was herself a duck in several conservative women’s group, infiltrating their meetings to gain access to their secret agendas. Brook Hallock said there were three types of ducks. Decoy Ducks were Gays who were blackmailed or coerced into spying by governmental or religious organizations. “If you are truly repentant you will do this for us”. Ring Neck Ducks are paid Gay informers who do it for the money, and Mallard Ducks are actual Church Security or FBI or CIA plants. Brook told me that she thought Derek S. was a Ring Neck doing it for the money and loyalty to the Mormon Church.  Her reasoning was that first Derek attends every Gay meeting and function there is. Secondly he’s been out of work by his own admission and yet drives a new car, has a nice apartment, and has money to take trips to national Gay conferences. Thirdly Derek had worked for the Church for the last 15 months at the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Fourthly he does not break the word o Wisdom, still wears his garments, believes that the Mormon Church Leaders are inspired and that homosexuality is a sin. Fifthly He is well known at the Mormon Archives where Rocky O’Donovan was banned and he had Christmas dinner with Brent Metcalf a known Church Security Spy. And Lastly Derek has been out for six months now and has not grown in Gay consciousness one iota. He didn’t even protest or act shocked at Brooks accusation when she confronted him. Whether he is a duck or not GLCCU probably need to be more careful about who has access to our membership list. Other then than I see no real reason to feel concern. I certainly don’t want to get hysterical. 

1989-Allen Ward, an HIV positive grade school basketball coach, was allowed to resume coaching until the school board determined whether or not he posed a health risk.

1989-Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson were allowed to visit for the first time in four years, since Kowalski's father got a court order forbidding Thompson to visit her in the nursing home she had been in since she was seriously injured in an accident. 

1990 JUDGE REFUSES TO MOVE TRIAL IN SLAYING OF SUSC STUDENT A judge has rejected defense pleas to hold Lance Wood's capital homicide trial somewhere other than Utah County, and ordered jury selection to begin on Feb. 20 in Provo. Fourth District Judge Boyd L. Park, in concluding a hearing in the case Thursday, said he saw no reason why an impartial jury could not be selected in Utah County. Wood's co-defendant, Michael Anthony Archuleta, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to die by a Utah County jury. Wood, 20, and Archuleta, 26, were charged in the Nov. 22, 1988, bludgeoning death of Gordon Church, 28. On Thursday, Park denied a motion by public defender Marcus Taylor seeking suppression of Wood's comments to law officers on the basis that Wood had not been properly advised of his rights.

1992 The Deseret News stated that "homosexuality is vile," in an editorial which called for sexual orientation not to be included in a proposed anti-hate bill.

1995  OGDEN MAN GETS TERM, IS ORDERED TO REPAY $34,350 Associated Press A man accused of stealing more than $34,000 from elderly residents of an Ogden living center has been sentenced to one to 15 years in Utah State Prison on eight felony forgery charges. Before his sentencing Monday, Sid Johns, 42, offered to sell his Ogden home to repay his victims. He also asked the court to send him to prison for a diagnostic evaluation. Instead, 2nd District Judge Stanton Taylor sentenced Johns to prison and ordered him to pay $34,350 in restitution. Johns pleaded guilty in December to the eight second-degree felony counts. He is accused of altering checks from elderly residents of Adams Place, where he had worked for 10 years. He is a former state-appointed, volunteer nursing-home ombudsman in Weber County. Johns also ran the Northern Utah AIDS Society and allegedly laundered the altered checks through the society's bank account. Defense attorney Kent Snider said his client is "absolutely devastated by what he has done to these individuals."

1996 - Anti-Gay Meet: Secret's Out, Anger Sets In Unlike the Senate's Anti-Gay Meeting, The Anger of Critics Is No Secret Criticism rained down Thursday over a secret Utah Senate meeting that saw conservative lawmakers accuse top education officials of spurning family values and promoting homosexuality in Utah schools. Two groups, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (GLUD), threatened legal action over Tuesday's closed-door confrontation on Capitol Hill, held in violation of state open-meetings laws. ACLU attorneys demanded a full list of meeting participants and a record of what was said, promising ``vigorous action,'' including a lawsuit, if they were not produced. They and leaders from a wide range of human-rights and gay-advocacy groups denounced participating senators for what one called ``outrageous gay baiting.'' ``They should be embarrassed at their shameless acts of gross misconduct and prejudice,'' said GLUD founder David Nelson. House Democrats voted to send a letter of condemnation to Senate President Lane Beattie, R-West Bountiful, about the 90-minute session -- only to back down later after meeting with their Senate counterparts, many of whom attended the meeting as well.  ``There are shades of Nazism and the ultimate in terms of back-room conspiracy going on,'' said Assistant Minority Whip Grant Protzman, D-North Ogden. After announcing Tuesday the bipartisan caucus would be devoted to a mundane budget matter, Senate leaders closed the doors on the meeting with Cecelia Foxley, state commissioner of higher education; Scott Bean, state superintendent of public instruction; and others The real topic: Proposals for banning a newly formed gay and lesbian student group at East High School in Salt Lake City. Senators said later their legal reason for excluding the public was to discuss ``pending litigation'' --  apparently expecting a court challenge to any law they might pass to shut down the club. Once doors swung closed Tuesday afternoon, Sens. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, and Charles Stewart, R-Provo, launched an anti-homosexual diatribe and a stream of accusations that left many in the room stunned. It was unclear Thursday whether senators still were considering a move to close the East High club. The Utah Attorney General's Office has concluded the club has a right to exist under federal laws guaranteeing all social groups equal access to school facilities. When the meeting came to light Thursday, the Senate's GOP leadership was besieged by news-media inquiries and calls from the public. By mid afternoon, Beattie had apologized for ``procedural mistakes'' in how the meeting was closed, but still defended the reasons for holding it outside the public view. ``Closing that caucus still was proper and correct,'' he said. The Senate president also denied claims of intolerance leveled at senators from several corners. ``There are many of us who disagree with their lifestyle,'' he said of gays and lesbians. ``That doesn't mean we look down on them. But I don't want their lifestyle taught to my children in our schools, and neither do my neighbors.'' Others defended the gathering, which broke key portions of the Utah Open Meetings Act. ``It wasn't a secret meeting. It was a closed meeting,''  Senate Assistant Majority Whip Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, insisted Thursday.  When asked the difference, he said, ``a secret meeting is one that nobody knows about.'' The gathering came to light only when Democrats and moderate Republicans privately shared details, fearful that speaking out publicly might draw retaliation from the powerful GOP Senate leadership. As Senate Majority Leader Leonard Blackham, R-Moroni, presided Tuesday, Stephenson confronted Bean with what he said were teacher-instruction materials detailing how information on various sexual behaviors should to be taught to Utah grade-school students.  Stewart threatened to end all school social clubs statewide rather than let East High's Gay-Straight Student Alliance continue to meet. He then showed caucus members an anti-homosexual video produced by supporters of an unsuccessful Oregon initiative to restrict gay rights. Before returning to the Senate floor 20 minutes late, those in attendance were sworn to keep what transpired confidential. Under the Utah Open Meetings Act, bipartisan Senate caucuses can be closed only in a few circumstances, including for the purpose of discussing legal strategy when litigation is imminent. Even then, meeting closures require a vote conducted in public and support from two-thirds of those in attendance. Detailed minutes or a tape recording then must be taken of the proceedings. Beattie said Senate leaders were ``embarrassed'' about forgetting to take those steps. He urged senators to be more vigilant in the future. Though still tight-lipped Thursday, Stephenson acknowledged obtaining some of the materials used during the meeting from members of the archconservative Christian (Mormon) group, Utah Eagle Forum. Among the materials Stephenson brought to the meeting were gay-theme children's books, including one titled, Heather Has Two Mommies, about a lesbian couple and their daughter. School officials have denied the book ever has been cleared for circulation in the Utah school system. Stephenson also produced teacher-training materials issued by the state Office of Education. He says the guidelines show how to instruct elementary students about sexual practices. Stephenson claimed Thursday he had confirmed the source of the materials was Bean's office, a claim Bean apparently denied in the meeting. ``I still haven't heard an apology from him for calling me a liar,'' said Stephenson, who also heads the business-backed  Utah Taxpayers Association. Bean, while sticking to the vow of confidentiality, said Thursday Stephenson still had not proved anything. ``I don't care what he says he's confirmed, and frankly I don't care,'' the superintendent said. Lily Eskelsen, president of the Utah Education Association that represents 85 percent of the state's public-school teachers, said she was appalled at claims made at the meeting by Stewart and Stephenson. She said they had a hidden agenda of derailing record increases in school spending this year.  ``They will sink to any depths to erode confidence in public education,'' she said. Meeting Thursday in an open caucus, House Democrats denounced the Senate meeting, which had left the hallways of Capitol Hill buzzing for most of the day. Minority members discussed the possibility of calling for an ethics investigation, but abandoned the idea.  Beattie dismissed Democratic complaints as sheer politics. ``It's small-minded, small purpose and a cheap shot,'' he said. (2/02/96 Page: A1 SLTribune)

1996 GAY STUDENT CLUBS ANTI GAY POLITICS 44% FAVOR ALLOWING GAY-LESBIAN CLUB IN SCHOOL Rather than ban all extracurricular school clubs, more Utahns believe gay and lesbian student clubs should be allowed in Utah public schools. In a poll of 604 Utahns, 44 percent said gay and lesbian clubs should probably or definitely be allowed to meet. Twenty-five percent said all clubs should probably or definitely be banned rather than allow the homosexual organization to form on campus. However, pollster Dan Jones said 31 percent of the respondents either had no opinion or believed the state should pursue other options. Some respondents said they were opposed to gay and lesbian student groups meeting on school campuses. Yet they feared banning those clubs would unnecessarily impugn other student clubs. "Even though I'm against gay clubs, it would be punishing other clubs," said one respondent. Said another, "Why can't they disallow them? They wouldn't allow gangs or marijuana users to form a club or meet there, would they? This is a serious moral issue. Leaders need to determine what kinds of clubs are allowed to be recognized." State Superintendent Scott Bean said the poll results indicate Utahns are generally supportive of school clubs yet want more local control over the types of organizations allowed to meet in public schools. "I think that just verifies the concern we've had all along. The concern is with the federal law and the control school districts should be able to exercise over all clubs. We feel school districts should have total control over high school club formation. The results of that particular question seem to verify that," Bean said. Among respondents who claimed to be very conservative, 35 percent supported banning all clubs. Yet, 26 percent said the clubs should probably or definitely be allowed. The issue stems from a student request to form a gay and lesbian student group at East High School. The issue has been debated by the Utah State Board of Education and Utah Legislature. The Salt Lake school board is studying the issue and has instructed its attorney to write policies that in effect would treat all clubs equally, regardless of their controversial nature, or ban all clubs not tied to class work. The board will address the issue at its next meeting Tuesday night. Meanwhile, additional information has come to light as to the nature of Tuesday's closed-door meeting in which state senators discussed ways to keep gay and lesbian clubs from organizing at public schools. According to one Republican who participated in the meeting, the first 20 minutes of the meeting were spent discussing litigation strategy with a representative of the Utah Attorney General's Office - something that lawmakers can legally discuss in secret under Utah's open meetings laws. After that, Sens. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, and Charles Stewart, R-Provo, took over the meeting, leveling accusations against Bean and commissioner of higher education Cecelia Foxley.” Scott got drilled and Cecelia got drilled, and it was all coming from Howard and Chuck," the source said. "No one else was asking questions at that point. Once Chuck Stewart got started, it went way beyond discussing legal strategies. He was only interested in eradicating homosexuality.” Among the allegations leveled by Stephenson and Stewart was that teachers' in-service training related to homosexuality was too explicit. Stephenson held up a green booklet he said was being given to teachers to train them on how to deal with homosexual students. Bean told lawmakers it did not come from his office and angrily asked Stephenson to retract.” He took personal offense" the Republican participant said. "And he vociferously rebutted allegations that teachers advocated homosexuality in the classroom.” Stephenson, who said he obtained the document from Gayle Ruzicka of the Utah Eagle Forum, said Thursday that he had confirmed the text indeed came from the state Office of Education. Utah Education Association president Lily Eskelsen said Stephenson's comments reveal an agenda to take away from the excitement of an optimistic public education budget, charging that he skewed the discussion Tuesday to criticize public education. "He is trying to systematically discredit public schools," she said. The Tuesday caucus was called partly to discuss state funding of public education, she said. "And what did they talk about? A homosexual agenda.” Stephenson defended his actions Thursday and demanded an apology from Bean. "I just wanted to clear my name,” Stephenson told fellow senators. "I haven't heard an apology for him basically calling me a liar.” Foxley was called to the meeting to answer allegations that at least one University of Utah professor is openly teaching homosexuality in a sociology class entitled "Gender Equity.” “There was apparently some reference to homosexuality (in the course description) and Chuck made the leap that the professor was advocating homosexuality. But no, there was not a lot of substance to back up those allegations.” Stewart also challenged Foxley concerning a symposium held several years ago at the University of Utah by an organization not affiliated with the U. Among the symposium topics was a seminar on gay rights.” People are saying that senators were using the closed meeting for gay bashing," the Republican said. "But that's not true. It was Charles Stewart doing the gay bashing. It was very clear he wanted to eradicate homosexuality.” Before Stephenson and Stewart launched their diatribes against public and higher education, the meeting was focused exclusively on three different legal strategies. "There were no derogatory references to homosexuals, but obviously the sentiment was that we did not want the (East High School gay and lesbian) club to exist and we wanted to know what our options were," the Republican said. The first option available to lawmakers is to challenge in court the federal law that mandates that all school clubs be granted equal access to school facilities regardless of what those clubs advocate. Other states have challenged the law and have all failed. Lawmakers were told that a Utah lawsuit on the matter would probably also fail. The U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that states and school boards cannot regulate what is discussed in these extracurricular clubs. Lawmakers questioned whether a ban on clubs advocating illegal acts - and sodomy is still illegal under Utah law - would holdup. They were told that any group that practiced something illegal could be banned, but that students meeting together to discuss the political issues of homosexuality and gay rights was protected under federal law. "Anyone can organize to talk about whatever they want to," the Republican said. "Just because an idea is politically un popular does not make it illegal." A second strategy involved requiring participants in all Utah clubs to obtain signed permission slips from their parents. That approach would not ban gay and lesbian clubs from organizing, but it might discourage some students from joining. The third strategy - one that is being seriously contemplated - is to ban all extracurricular clubs at Utah's public schools. Such a ban would probably be legal because the gay and lesbian club would be treated no differently than the chess club, the rodeo club or any of the hundreds of other clubs that now exist. Such a ban would affect thousands of Utah schoolchildren. Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell, who attended the closed-door meeting but is opposed to banning social clubs, said the prevailing feeling among Senate Republicans is that they will do whatever is necessary to stop gay and lesbian clubs from organizing at public schools. If an outright ban is the only feasible option, then so be it. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Federal law and the U.S. Supreme Court rulings say if a school district allows student clubs to use schools all such clubs must be allowed to use schools. Some East High School Students want to form a gay lesbian club and meet in the school. This has caused some negative reaction from district parents. Considering the law and court decisions should all clubs be banned from local school or should the gay and lesbian club be allowed to meet at East High School? Definitely ban all clubs 15% Probably ban all clubs 10% Probably allow gay and lesbian clubs 21% Definitely allow gay and lesbian clubs 23% Other 18% Don't know 13% Poll conducted Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 1996, of 604 residents. Margin of error +/-4%. Survey conducted by Dan Jones &Associates. ((02/08/96 D8, 9 Deseret News)

1999- Actor Nathan Lane came out. "It's never been something I kept a secret," he said.

 1999 Hate-crimes legislation that would provide specific protection for gays, lesbians, abortion clinics and other groups and enhance penalties is already drawing contentious debate on Capitol Hill. At a hearing Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, both proponents and opponents of a proposed hate crimes law packed the room to hear and voice their own views on SB34, which outlines categories of people and institutions that would receive protection under the current law. Sponsoring Sen. Pete Suazo, D-Salt Lake, said the hate crimes statute passed in 1992 is inadequate because it was watered downed by the same opposition it faced Tuesday. "Why are we even considering something like this?" asked Gayle Ruzicka, head of the conservative Eagle Forum, an opponent to the bill. "All people deserve to be protected equally." She said Utah law should not protect "illegal and immoral behavior" such as sexual orientation under the proposed bill. But Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake branch of the NAACP, said Utah needs to stop denying it has a hate crimes problem. "It is a big problem here in Utah when we have to come back and discuss this bill. There shouldn't even be an argument." The committee did not vote on the bill as time ran out before all those scheduled to testify could speak. The bill would protect people against hate crimes on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or mental or physical disabilities. Any misdemeanor crime such as assault, telephone harassment or vandalism becomes a third-degree felony if motivated on the basis of these categories. In addition, the bill also protects religious institutions, psychiatric hospitals, abortion clinics and health-care providers. The bill also provides for sentencing enhancements if the crime is already a felony. For example, a judge would have the discretion to impose a minimum term of between five-to-eight years in prison if the person is convicted of a crime that is a first-degree felony and proven to be hate crime. "These acts of terrorism are taking place. These are crimes we must vigorously prosecute," Suazo said. "They are the antithesis of the values that define us as a nation and a state. They have nothing to do with equality, freedom or respect." Prosecutors have complained that Utah's current hate crime law is difficult to prosecute because it fails to define protected categories and it requires proof that the accused meant to intimidate or terrorize. Suazo's bill deletes the language of intimidate or terrorize. Paul Boyden with the Statewide Association of Prosecutors said after the hearing that the proposal addresses some of the problems with the current law, although his group has not taken position.

2001 LGSU Raises Money for Center By Bobbi Parry The Lesbian and Gay Student Union at the University of Utah took another step toward establishing a permanent resource center when they held a fundraiser Thursday evening. The event, which was driven by LGSU and supported by the Associated Students of the University of Utah, included a dinner and a silent auction. “The dinner will raise money to help start up the resource center and…let people know what we are about and what we’re trying to accomplish,” said LGSU Co President Arlyn Bradshaw. The future center hopes to provide education and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students on campus. “There is a large population of gay students and faculty on campus, and they need a place to gather to find information,” said Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Kay Harward, who also attended the event. During the event LGSU members shared their plans and gave a presentation of the future center. “We want to present to the entire campus what’s going on and how they can help,” said LGSU Co-Vice President Charles Milne. The center will boast an education center, a library containing LGBT literature, and student support groups. “We currently have the space and the volunteers, and we’re working on the rest,” Milne said. Bradshaw said the money from the fundraiser will be used to create a counseling center, and to provide scholarships. The center will have its own governing body and political- action committee. Another program the center will offer is the “safe-zone” project, which will create nondiscrimination and hate-free zones for LGBT people on campus. LGSU was not the only organization who pushed for the center. ASUU also provided a large amount of support. Although LGSU has “spearheaded the effort to create the resource center [it is] not an entity of LGSU,” Bradshaw said. “It has been a collaborative effort of LGSU and the ASUU Diversity Board,” said ASUU’s Marty Liccardo, diversity board chairman of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered issues. Liccardo said, while LGSU has worked to create the center, the diversity board has “been on the outskirts, trying to bring in other projects such as the safe zones [to the center].” All proceeds from Thursday’s event will go toward the center, which will be set up in the A. Ray Olpin University Union Cork Room until officials approve a more permanent location, possibly in May. Guests at the event included U students, administrators, alumni and prominent members of the gay and lesbian community. Tickets to the event, which was held in the union Panorama Room, cost $35 and were by invitation only.

 2005 The LGBT resource Center and National Organization for Women in conjunction with Panini Restaurant proudly present:  The L-Word Lounge--A Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Social group trans and gender queer women are of course always welcome.  At Panini Restaurant, 299 South Main Street at 7:30 PM on Thursday nights. Panini will be providing free appetizers and there will also be $2 Drafts.  The L-Word lounge will be screening an episode of season one of the L-Word every Thursday

2005  Subject: GLBT happenings in St. George area  After the little bit of news, there is a list of what is going on in the St. George area for GLBT and friends. Contact info for all events, dates, times, ect...I (Little Aimee) will be speaking about this bill on Wednesday the 9th at 9:20 am on Newstalk 890 AM- KDXU. Listen in and give the station a call.  Mutual Dependence Bill Fails in the Utah Senate Here is an email I recieved from [State] Senator Hatch about SB89. Just thought you would all like to know that doing anything to protect our families is not something "our" elected folks want to do, and we need to speak up and speak out!!!  Thomas Hatch  wrote: Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 14:38:08 -0700 From: "Thomas Hatch" To:  Subject: Re: Please Vote YES on SB89 “I thank you for your input on SB-89. The bill is unnecessary. The publicly-recognized contracts outlined in it are allowed under current law through private contracts. This proposed legislation intrudes on the able functions of the private sector and simply adds one more layer of needless bureaucracy to our already-burdened state government. Thanks again for your input. Senator Hatch”  Hey everyone- here is an update on the GLBT happenings in the St. George area. Every week:

 Sundays- Coffee at Xetava Gardens 815 Coyote Gulch Court, Ivins, Utah (435) 656-0165. Stroll through galleries and have a nice cup of coffee or tea out in beautiful Kayenta. Starts around 11am. Wednesdays- Coffee at Starbucks 250 N. Redcliffs Dr. St. George, Utah. Come and enjoy the mini San Fran that we create each week in the middle of our own repressed community. Starts around 7pm. Saturdays- Have some lunch and a drink at the new Kaleidoscope Cafe in Coral Canyon, just off the I-15 at the Hurricane exit. 2303 N. Coral Canyon BLVD. Suite 107, Washington, Utah (435)627-8175. Starts around noon.  Once a Month: 3rd Tuesday is PFLAG-  (Parents, Families [or friends] of Lesbians and Gays) We need to get our families, our parents out to this!!! If they are struggling or feeling like they are the only ones, they need to be here and meet Claudia Bradshaw who is an incredible Mom for all of us!!! Call Claudia at (435)673-3356 for more info. Give your parents her #, and let her help. Start time is 7pm. 3rd Sunday is Movie Night-  Starts at 7pm at Mark Harris' home. 5735 North 1400 West, St. George. Call (435)656-1696 for directions and to find out what the movie of the month is. 3rd Thurday is Southern Utah Pride at Zion planning meeting-If you want to help with pride, have ideas or want to see how it's coming, call The Amies to find out where this months meeting will be. (435)635-0624 or (435)313-4528. Once a month on Saturday night (actual Saturday changes each month) Womyn's Night-Usually held at The Amies home it is a social to get the ladies out of thier homes and mingling with one another, offering support and friendship. A lot of laughs and good food (potluck & BYOB if you want alcohol- not a must for those who don't drink). Call The Amies to find out where this months will be!!! 

2005 The LGBT resource Center and National Organization for Women in conjunction with Panini Restaurant proudly present:  The L-Word Lounge--A Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Social group trans and gender queer women are of course always welcome.  At Panini Restaurant, 299 South Main Street at 7:30 PM on Thursday nights. Panini will be providing free appetizers and there will also be $2 Drafts.  The L-Word lounge will be screening an episode of season one of the L-Word every Thursday

2006  Bill may stop SLC health insurance plan It would prohibit government funds for unmarried partners By Heather May The Salt Lake Tribune Rep. LaVar Christensen may stop Salt Lake City from subsidizing health insurance for its employees’ unmarried partners – be they gay, heterosexual or first cousins. The Draper Republican has sponsored a bill – HB327 passed a House committee Wednesday – that he says isn’t meant to target one city, but nevertheless could have the most immediate effect on the capital. The bill conflicts with the Salt Lake City Council’s health-insurance proposal that would subsidize employees’ “adult designees” –such as domestic partners, relatives, friends – by $225,000 a year. The designees must meet a list of criteria to be eligible. Christensen’s measure would limit government agencies to insuring only employees, their spouses and children. Cities, counties and school districts could offer insurance plans to cover others – those “others” aren’t defined – as long as the benefit isn’t subsidized by the employer or with government funds. The cost would be paid by the employee. “Rather than take taxpayer money and sanction whatever those relationships [between employees and others] might be . . . you at least say to them, ‘You at least don’t have to go out and search’ “ for insurance, Christensen said after the committee meeting. Still, Salt Lake City Council Chairman Dave Buhler will urge the council to approve its plan on Tuesday. During a meeting last month, the council considered not subsidizing the designees’ insurance, but rejected the idea because the city subsidizes employees’ spouses. “The whole idea of this is to be fair,” Buhler said. Neither Buhler nor Christensen knows if the state bill would trump the council plan. The council itself is trumping Mayor Rocky Anderson, who signed an executive order, now the subject of a lawsuit, in September. The order offered insurance benefits to employees’ domestic partners and their children. Christensen’s bill would make such executive orders illegal, leaving the decisions to legislative bodies such as city councils. Anderson said the bill undermines local control and separation of power between mayors and councils. He said some lawmakers are willing to do that because of their “hostility toward providing greater equality for those who don’t have traditional families.” hmay@sltrib.com DOMESTIC PARTNERS

2006 Dear Equality Member: Equality Utah opposes SB97 Student Club Amendments introduced by Senator Buttars.  This bill has been sent to the Senate Education Committee. As of the writing of this email, SB97 has not been given a date/time on the committee’s agenda.,-Mike Thompson Executive Director

2006 NEW! Thursday Feb 2 nd – Armed Forces Support Group – Multi-Purpose Room (6pm) Have you served in the armed forces or are currently serving? This group is for you! Reoccurs the 1 st Thursday fo every month. Contact Karla for more info: (801) 643-4550.

2006 Deseret Morning News, Bill spotlights custody issue By Angie Welling Deseret Morning News A conservative Salt Lake County lawmaker has proposed a bill that would forbid courts from awarding parental authority of a child against the wishes of the child's biological parent. Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper, pledged to run the legislation last summer following a Utah Supreme Court hearing in the case of a Utah woman fighting for visitation with her former lesbian partner's 4-year-old biological daughter. Christensen said this week that HB148 is not solely intended to address that case or any others involving homosexual couples. It is simply, he said, an attempt to clear up a deficiency in the law. But Keri Jones, whose battle with her former partner, Cheryl Pike Barlow, brought the issue to the forefront, thinks otherwise. "I think it's totally an attack on (homosexuality)," Jones said. "I very much think it's about our family." Until the Supreme Court rules in the case, Jones and Barlow are operating under a lower court's order that allows Jones to visit the child every other weekend and requires her to pay child support. If HB148 passes, however, it could affect that order and, ultimately, the Supreme Court's decision. "I'm scared to death, honestly," Jones said. "It could undo what we have done to get this far." HB148 would forbid courts from invoking "in loco parentis" — a Latin phrase meaning "in the place of a parent" — to award parent-time, visitation, custody, legal guardianship, child support or adoption to a non-biological adult against the wishes of a biological or adoptive parent. "In the Barlow case, judges with good intentions . . . ignored existing case law," Christensen said. "(HB148) is a clear codification of a well-established legal doctrine that has been misused in this case and others." In loco parentis is meant to be a "temporary, voluntary delegation of parental authority," the Sandy lawmaker said. It should not, he said, be used "to force a biological mother to accept an agreement" with which she disagrees. But Salt Lake City family law attorney Lauren Barros said there are many times when a neutral third party needs to weigh in on these emotional decisions. Often in situations involving separation or divorce, adults may harbor animosity or bitterness toward their former partner and act out of those feelings, rather than do what's best for their child, she said. In loco parentis is determined on a case-by-case basis and judges take into account the bond between the non-biological adult and the child. "This bill would just say that children no longer have that right to continue that bond," said Barros, Jones' attorney. The common-law legal doctrine is used in cases of step-parents and grandparents, as well as live-in boyfriends and girlfriends who wish to continue a relationship with their former partners' children after the relationship ends. "There's just too many people in Utah that are in this situation," she said. "I would hope that (lawmakers) would recognize that it would dramatically change a law and would affect a lot more people, not just gay and lesbian couples."

2006 Deseret Morning News, Winterfest party for gays, lesbians Weeklong festival features conference, ice skating, potlucks By Deborah Bulkeley Deseret Morning News It's a Valentines Day and Family Week celebration with a twist, as the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah prepares to kick off its first Winterfest. Center director Valerie Larabee said the weeklong celebration is the first event of its kind in Utah, featuring entertainment, social activities and a day-long conference for the gay and lesbian community, and their friends and family. Mayor Rocky Anderson will open the festival Friday at 7 p.m. at the Rose Wagner Center. The opening night show features comics Jason Stuart, Vidur Kapur and Michelle Balan. Other activities throughout the week include a Valentine's gala, bowling, ice skating and neighborhood potlucks. “It's to give people something fun to combat the negativity and oppressive language coming from some certain people at the Utah Legislature," Larabee said, referring to bills pending in the state Legislature such as SB97, which sponsor Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, has said would ban gay-straight alliances at Utah's public high schools. Winterfest is also a way to bring a conference on GLBT issues to Utah, said Larabee, noting that professionals from social workers to guidance counselors to parents pay to go out-of-state for the information. Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, is among the speakers scheduled.

2007 Date: February 2 @ 7pm.Location: City Library Auditorium, 210 East 400 South.Cost: Free.METH is a new film exploring the rising wave of crystal methamphetamine use within the gay population. The documentary takes an unflinching, provocative look at past and present gay users.  Ahlberg gained remarkable access to their lives, their drug use (shown with unnerving candor onscreen), and even a "party and play" sex event popular among users. The result is a candid, judge-for-yourself take on the topic. For mature audiences only.After the screening there will be a Q & A. Visit http://www.utahaids .org/meth for more information.METH is being shown in conjunction with the 2nd National

Jon Jepson: Working from the Shadows  Written by JoSelle Vanderhooft   

Monday, 02 February 2009 15: On Jan. 27, independent insurance broker Jonathan “Jon” Jepson came to the attention of many Utahns, gay and straight, when he testified before the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee in support of Salt Lake Democratic Senator Scott McCoy’s Wrongful Death Amendments bill (SB 32)—a bill that would allow loved ones other than parents, children and spouses to sue if someone with whom they share financial obligations dies because of medical malpractice or negligence. If his fiancé, Queer Utah Aquatics Club president Paul Reynolds, were to die in such a manner, Jepson told senators that he would likely be unable to keep his house or stave off bankruptcy. “It is highly unlikely I could continue with my financial obligations — our obligations,” he said at the time. But like many gay and transgender people who speak out on bills that could help people Utah law largely ignores, Jepson does much more for the community than look anti-gay Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, in the eye. Jepson not only serves on the board of directors for QUAC and the Utah Pride Center, he also advocates for Equality Utah and serves as co-chair for the gay rights group’s annual Allies Dinner, along with Brandie Balkan. “The greatest thing about my profession is it allows me to do these other things I’m passionate about,” says Jepson. “It doesn’t commit me to sit at my desk from 9-5 every day, and it allows me to get away and serve in diff community and non profit organizations. I’m really lucky that way.” Before Jepson entered the insurance business, stepped foot inside Utah’s Capitol Building, or even came out as gay, he was doing something many Utahns would find familiar: growing up on a farm. In his case, a farm in a little southern Idaho town outside of Preston, the town made famous in Napoleon Dynamite. He moved to Utah to pursue a degree in business finance from the University of Utah and has remained here ever since—with the exception of the two years he spent in England on an LDS mission. Once active in the LDS Church, Jepson said he eventually left the faith in which he was raised, though not because of his sexuality. “I felt the church was not what it purported to be—that being the only true and living Church on the face of the earth,” he says. Like many other Mormons who come out as gay to church leaders, Jepson’s bishop had counseled him to serve a mission, marry in the temple and have children. When the bishop’s promise did not come to pass, Jepson said he hid his sexuality from his wife. “I was very discouraged and hated myself for being gay,” he remembers. The sorrow he experienced from “not being true to myself” took a toll on Jepson’s mental and physical health—at one point, he weighed 305 pounds. When Jepson finally left the church, he knew he was taking a gamble—one which he says he largely lost. His wife divorced him, and he lost several business clients. But at the same time, Jepson says his “self-image and happiness improved immensely” as he finally began coming out. To get to know more “people like him who were gay,” Jepson joined the Queer Utah Aquatic Club, where he soon became treasurer. Here he lost 140 pounds and gained his partner, QUAC president Paul Reynolds. He started volunteering for the Utah Pride Center last year, after QUAC annual Ski ‘n’ Swim weekend teamed up and the Center’s now-defunct Winterfest. “I was so impressed with those people, how professional they were and how well they represented the LGBT community,” Jepson recalls. He donated his time and money to the Center, and hosted tables at the Center’s annual National Coming Out Breakfast. Soon, Center leadership asked him to serve on the organization’s board of directors, a new commitment that Jepson says he is “excited” to undertake. Another thing that he is excited to do is lobby. These days, Jepson can often be found on Capitol Hill, lobbying for Equality Utah’s Common Ground Initiative, a set of four bills and one policy change aimed at securing equal housing and employment protections, probate rights, and other rights for gay and transgender Utahns. Most pivotally, Jepson has helped Equality Utah draft a proposal urging Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. to issue an Executive Order that would extend healthcare benefits to adult designees of all state employees. Although Jepson is no stranger to lobbying — in the past, he has advocated for bills pertaining to insurance on state and national levels — he says he gets a few surprised looks from state legislators when they see him sporting a Common Ground button in the capitol’s halls. When he is not at the capitol speaking to a surprised senator about the need for the Common Ground Initiative to pass, Jepson says he enjoys swimming, running, reading and spending time with friends and with his fiancé — even if Reynolds seems to enjoy renovating the condo they just built more than he does. “Paul loves working on the kitchen and remodeling, but I don’t really like it,” he laughs. “So the agreement is Paul puts down the tiles and installs the cupboards, and I go into my office and work on fighting for our rights.” He also flies to Colorado each month to visit his four children: Sarah, Mary, Emma and Daniel. The kids moved when Jepson’s ex-wife remarried a few years ago. “I’m very lucky to have such wonderful talented kids who are obedient, but have just the right amount of obstinance,” he says. “I always like it when they question things, it never bothers me when they question my authority. It’s something I didn’t do enough when I was young.” But whether he is planning Equality Utah’s Allies Dinner or questioning the authority of anti-gay legislators over the lives of gay and transgender Utahns, Jepson says he is a little “spotlight shy.” “I’m very happy to serve quietly from the shadows,” he says. “A lot of people don’t know who the heck I am, and I’m fine with that, I’m able to catch people off guard a little more when I do that.”

2009 A Blooming Good Time with Florist Ray King  Written by JoSelle Vanderhooft    Monday, 02 February 2009 06:28      

 Business is blooming at Twigs Flower Company. No, really. Just take a look at all the roses, lilies and daisies in the refrigerators, each blossom colorful and full despite the chilly winter wind blowing outside. It’s a slower Saturday for owner Raymond “Ray” King — if slower means he has a few minutes in between finishing the flower arrangements for a wedding and preparations for another project. In between customers looking for the perfect orchid to alleviate the winter gloom, King talks about the ins and outs of the floral business. Although Americans — including Utahns — consistently pick the rose as their favorite flower and King just as consistently has won awards for his roses from City Weekly, QSaltLake and others, King prefers a different flower: Professor Blau iris — a pale blue-purple member of this many-hued species. When asked if he has a least favorite, he says no. “Well, except for the skunk flower,” he says, referring to a large, ugly and unusual plant with a very appropriate name. King’s love for all flowers began when he was a child living on a cattle ranch in southern Colorado. After school he would help his grandmother who owned Forget-Me-Not Flowers, a tiny floral shop she ran out of her house. “It was pretty, and different from the ranch,” he says. Although King had always loved flowers, he only found himself thinking about working with them for a living after graduating from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. King says that he soon discovered he “wasn’t any good” at his job. “I was too empathetic, and you can’t be that way,” he explains. “I’d take their problems home and lose sleep and dwell.” At first, King worked for local shops like Neff Floral. But he quickly discovered that he wanted his own store. In 1989 Flower Exchange opened its doors on 900 W 900 S, where it would remain for over two decades. Its catchier name came along in 1993, when King also briefly considered calling it “Stems Flower Co.” “I thought Twigs was easier to remember,” says King. “[The customers] just held onto it.” At one point, Twigs had locations in Cottonwood Mall and Trolley Square. Wanting to concentrate on quality over quantity, King closed those down by 2000. Today, his shop is located in Sugarhouse at 1100 E 1616 S. Along with individual blossoms for those looking to surprise a friend or liven up a room, King also sells a variety of vases, garden decorations, fruit baskets, and even self-described “junk food baskets,” along with flower arrangements for any occasion imaginable. And while King has created wreathes, bouquets and centerpieces for everything from funerals to luaus, he says that his favorite events are weddings and commitment ceremonies. For one upcoming wedding, he mentions that he is flying in a special kind of peony from Israel. The reason? The bride-to-be has fond memories of their smell. “If it adds to the celebration of that day, that’s great,” he says. “Often they [people marrying or having a commitment ceremony] have planned this day for years, and often they have an exact idea of what it looks like.” When he is not creating custom arrangements or corsages, King still spends his time working with flowers and plants. His home, he says, currently has three gardens — one for roses, one for vegetables, and one for what he calls “mixed flowers,” or different kinds of flowers growing side by side. “I’ve got a lot of space,” he laughs. He also attends the Kula Community Yoga Center in Salt Lake City, where he is a much-loved student and sometime-decorator. “Owner Ray King is one of our favorite students and always brings great smiles and cheer,” reads the Local Businesses page on the studio’s Web site. “If you've noticed any of the arangements [sic] at the desks, they have been the gifts of Ray.” And when the weather is nicer, King also enjoys camping, hiking, biking and hanging out with his friends. But until the days become longer and warmer, he and others can take consolation in the gorgeous blossoms that have brought Twigs awards from all over the state for as long as King has been in business. “In here, it’s always spring,” he says.

2010 Some wonder why Utah lawmakers backed off on gay-rights bills Legislature » Momentum was on our side, advocates say, so why wait until next year? By Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune 02/02/2010 With an LDS Church endorsement, surging public support and Utah's most populous city and county signing on, efforts to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination had momentum going into the 2010 legislative session. So when Democrats shelved until 2011 an anti-discrimination effort -- in addition to three other gay-rights measures -- as a "compromise" to block anti-gay legislation, many supporters felt deflated. "I understand that there is a political process," Valerie Larabee, director of the Utah Pride Center, said Monday. "It just seems to me that protecting LGBT people is the right thing to do, and waiting another year is disappointing."  Martha Amundsen, a Salt Lake City lesbian and an employment attorney, questions the strategy. "The choice has been made to roll over rather than go down swinging," she said. "Make the anti-gay legislators have their feelings be known and draw them into the spotlight. This just gives them another year to hide." Facing five potential bills aimed at stopping or limiting local governments from passing anti-discrimination ordinances -- similar to Salt Lake City's and Salt Lake County's -- Rep. Christine Johnson and other Democrats called a truce last week, even though the LDS Church, according to spokesman Scott Trotter, has urged legislators not to overturn those local statutes. Both sides are expected to drop their bills. Johnson, who had planned to run a statewide anti-discrimination bill, is asking the Legislature to take a year to study the issue and decide whether to pass legislation in 2011. That effort, HB128, is co-sponsored by Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper. Johnson hopes to build on the collaborative spirit that led to widespread support, including a key endorsement by the LDS Church, for Salt Lake City's ordinances banning housing and work discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. "This is anything but giving up," said Johnson, who is a lesbian. "It is a priority to keep those [Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County] protections in place. ... The LGBT community has lost nothing with this compromise but has gained an opportunity to make progress on an issue which matters very much to us."  Gail Turpin, a Salt Lake City mother to two lesbian stepdaughters, said she felt "disappointment" when she heard about the deal. As a retiree, she devotes much of her time pushing for gay rights and was looking forward to visiting Capitol Hill this year. "I was fired up. I was ready to go," she says. "I respect and trust Christine Johnson. ... But I do not trust that the other side is really concerned with the welfare and well-being of the LGBT community. That's what worries me: What happens in this yearlong process?" Jacob Whipple, a gay activist, wonders how independent the results of a Republican-led legislative committee will be -- although he sees why Democrats chose to compromise. "They felt it was nothing or worse -- and they chose nothing," he said. "The fact that we came so far in public opinion and in motivating our own community to now be stalemated for a full year, because of this deal, is incredibly disheartening." Two-thirds of Utahns support expanding Salt Lake City's anti-discrimination protections statewide, according to a recent Salt Lake Tribune poll. Quin Monson, associate director of Brigham Young University's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, said it may be a "wise move" for Democrats to wait. "Certainly the odds won't get any worse over the course of the year," he said. "The downside to waiting is you don't see immediate action. But the upside may be success in the long run." Bills dropped or blocked by the compromise Pre-emption » Five bills reportedly were in the works that would have weakened or overturned Salt Lake City's and Salt Lake County's anti-discrimination ordinances. Anti-discrimination » Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, planned to push a statewide ban on housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Wrongful death » Sen. Ben McAdams, D-Salt Lake City, shelved his bill to allow same-sex partners and other financial dependents to sue when a breadwinner suffers a wrongful death. Currently, only spouses, parents and children can.Adoption » Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake City, dropped her three-year fight to restore adoption rights for unmarried couples, including gay and lesbian pairs.Military service » Johnson won't run a resolution urging the president and Congress to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which bans openly gay service members.

Bob McIntier

2016 Robert Morgan McIntier was born October 23, 1948, to Morgan E. (Bud) and Beth M. McIntier in Pocatello, Idaho. He passed away on February 2, 2016 at his home in West Valley City, Utah, after a struggle with cancer. His three passions in life were electronic gadgets, music, and television broadcasting. In school, he could always be found setting up microphones or lighting for a school play, assembly, or dance, as well as for church events. He sang in the Highland High School choir,and in smaller groups, including a quartet that won local and regional competitions. His long career in television included KID-TV, KTLE, and KPVI in Pocatello, and KUTV and KSL in Salt Lake City, before moving into the manufacturing of television studio equipment. He served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in  England. Following that, he served in numerous capacities in both the LDS Church and other churches [MCC and the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ] devoted to the LGBT community. He  served for two years on the board of directors of the Utah Stonewall Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his three siblings, Marcia (Wayne) Cahill, Arvada, Colorado; Alan (Charlotte) McIntier, Salt Lake City; Scott (Carol) McIntier, Everett, Washington. A viewing will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn mortuary at 2350 E. 1300 South, in Salt Lake City, on February 13 from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM. Funeral services will be at the same location at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Sunset Lawn Memorial Gardens in Salt Lake  City

• I have known Bob for 30 years one of the first people I met at the old Affirmation and was one of the founders of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ. He succeeded Tony Feliz as president of the Church a position he held for probably 25 years. Prior to RCJC he was on the board of the Resurrection metropolitan Community Church. I will find out more details as they happen... He attended the 1987 March on Washington as I did and he was an important figure in the late 1980s laying the foundation for the community we have today. A true pioneer. RIP, Ben Williams

James Humphreys

2017 After Berkeley, Utah man says he's faced left's sting for being gay, Republican by KUTV Utah gay Republican activist James Humphreys does not share the flamboyance or inflammatory rhetoric of Milo Yiannopoulos, whose planned speech at UC Berkeley triggered a violent, destructive protest. But Humphreys said he can relate to Yiannopoulos in one way -- being subjected to intense criticism for being gay and conservative. "It means we share something very important in common," said Humphreys in an interview with 2News. "We're both hated more by the gay community than we are by Republicans." Yiannopoulos, editor for Breitbart, who speaks on behalf of free speech and against political correctness, has traded in what critics may call "hate speech." He was also a vocal supporter of President Trump during the campaign. "I don't have opinions that are particularly outrageous," Yiannopoulos told students at another California campus earlier this month. "But I like to say them in outrageous ways, of course, because I like attention." Humphreys -- a former GOP state delegate, Log Cabin Republican president, and campaign aide -- called Yiannopoulos an "entertainer," who takes oratory to an uncomfortable level. But Humphreys said backlash was "ridiculous" at Berkeley. "For people who claim to love free speech, they seem to only love it when the free-speech agrees with them," he said. Humphreys said the Utah Eagle Forum's Gayle Ruzicka, perhaps the best known conservative presence in Utah, has shown him more "dignity and respect" than many in the gay community. While gay leaders in Salt Lake City have also been respectful, he said "vocal" gay activists have treated him "abhorrently." Humphreys said his stance on same sex marriage -- in which he preferred a state solution rather than a U.S. Supreme Court ruling -- even led to death threats. "I received close to a half dozen (threats) over the course of the year," Humphreys said. "And I lost a lot of friends." Asked if Yiannopoulos ought to be heard, Humphreys responded, "Yes on a taxpayer-funded state campus, paid for by the federal government, primarily through student loans that the state of California eats constantly for breakfast." Asked if he thought he, himself, should also be heard, Humphreys smiled and said, "Well maybe."

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