Metro - 4 - Oct. 28, 2004

October 28 – November 10 Volume 1 ■ Issue 14

Religious Leaders Weigh In Amendment 3 causes confusion in churches

Georgia Hate Crime Law Struck Law similar to Utah’s is called ‘too vague’

Flu Shots Available to Utahns with HIV Vaccine shortage not causing problems

Newspapers Oppose 3 Majority editorialize against the Amendment

AberRant Mecham: Vote or get out of my face

A&E Feminist Theatre Troupe Launches First Production

Ruby Ridge Sluts Unite!

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OCTOBER 28, 2004

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News NATIONAL AND REGIONAL

Georgia Supreme Court Strikes Down Hate Crime Laws Language Not Listing Groups Is Declared “Unconstitutionally Vague” Atlanta, Ga. – The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously discarded their state’s hate crimes laws on October 25, calling it overboard and ruling that the language was “unconstitutionally vague.”

The 4-year-old law called for stiffer penalties for crimes where a victim is chosen because of “bias or prejudice.” In the 7-0 decision, the courts ruled that the language, which does not specify which groups might be victims as many other states do, was too broad and difficult to interpret.

The ruling came in the case of a white man and woman convicted of beating two black men in Atlanta. Angela Pisciotta and Christopher Botts were accused of severely beating two brothers, Che and Idris Golden, in 2002 while screaming racial epithets.

They pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, and the original trial judge sentenced them to six years in prison, plus two years under the hate crimes law. Their lawyers argued on appeal that the hate crimes statute should be struck down because almost any crime involving prejudice falls under its scope.

The court wrote that it “by no means” condones the “savage attack ... or any conduct motivated by a bigoted or hate-filled point of view,” but that the broad language of the law didn’t pass constitutional muster.

Originally, the proposed legislation defined a hate crime as one motivated specifically by the victim’s race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation.

After fights over the inclusion of sexual orientation, the language was removed by the Legislature and replaced with a section defining a hate crime as one in which the victim or his property was targeted because of bias or prejudice. The bill was passed in 2000.

Forty-eight states have hate crimes laws, but Georgia’s and Utah’s are the only ones that did not specify which groups qualified for protection. Utah’s Hate Crimes law, passed in 1992, is so watered-down that most consider it overly broad and unenforceable. Rep. David Litvack has tried, repeatedly, to pass legislation that would list age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion and sexual orientation as categories for which hate crime punishments might be attached to crimes.

The judges wrote that the standard could be applied to every possible prejudice, “no matter how obscure, whimsical or unrelated to the victim.” It cited a rabid sports fan picking on a person wearing a competing team’s cap or a campaign worker convicted of trespassing for defacing a political opponent’s yard signs. – JK

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NYC’s Gay Commissioner Quits over Mayor’s Suit New York, N.Y. – A lawsuit filed by the Mayor of New York City’s office against a new law that would have forced companies to offer domestic partner benefits has prompted the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to resign from the city’s Commission on Human Rights.

Noting that the twelve-member commission would be required to enforce the city’s human rights laws, Matt Foreman, the official in question, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director said that principle Matt Forman required his resignation. He also said that the lawsuit went against the city’s “long and proud tradition” of using its purchasing power to safeguard and promote gay and lesbian concerns.

“Through its lawsuit, the Administration is saying loudly – and inexplicably – that gay and lesbian families do not merit being part of this tradition,” Foreman said in a letter to commission chairwoman

Patricia Gatling.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said that his office filed the lawsuit to block the Equal Benefits Law because he thought the city council had overstepped its authority when it overwhelmingly approved the law last May. “The proposed local law imposed an across-the-board social policy mandate applicable to virtually every purchase by the City of goods and services,” an October 22 New York Blade article quoted the mayor as saying. “When companies choose to forego dealing with the City based upon our efforts to dictate their employment policies, all New Yorkers lose.”

Although several New York lawmakers have expressed disapproval and dismay over the mayor’s suit, Bloomberg’s office added that it had filed the suit based solely on legal reasons – not as an effort to encourage discrimination against gays and lesbians.

“The law is illegal,” said Bloomberg spokesman Jordan Barowitz. “It violates both state and federal statutes and jeopardizes the City’s ability to procure goods and services consistent with the law.” – JV

Bishop V. Gene Robinson

Gay Episcopal Bishop Won’t Resign Concord, N.H. – In the wake of a commission report calling for a moratorium on the ordination of bishops living with same-sex partners, V. Gene Robinson has said he will not resign from his position as head of New Hampshire’s Episcopal diocese, even though he said he felt “regret for the difficulty, disruption and pain this has caused in parts of the Anglican Communion.”

For the past year, Robinson, who has lived with his male partner for fifteen years, has been at the center of a controversy which many fear will create a schism in the 77million strong Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church, its 2.3 million-member US affiliate. Since his August 5, 2003 election, several Anglican churches who disapprove of homosexuality on a Biblical basis – including several in Africa – have threatened to leave the religious body. In response, church leaders in England have held several conferences on the issue in an attempt to reach a compromise. During the

most recent of these meetings held October 18 in London, Anglican leaders called on the U.S. church to express regret for consecrating Robinson and to put a freeze on blessing same-sex unions. Several Episcopal parishes have blessed such unions for decades.

At this time, however, presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold also said that he was “obliged to affirm the presence and positive contribution of gay and lesbian persons to every aspect of the life of our church and in all orders of ministry.”

While Robinson said the ban on ordaining gays with partners was disheartening, he nonetheless added that he had not lost hope.

“I am at least encouraged, and very encouraged, by the fact they did not say this will always be wrong, that no gay or lesbian person should ever be elected a bishop,” he said. “They called for a moratorium, and a moratorium is a period of time in which something is suspended but gets reinstated.” – JV

Mayor Removes Anti-Gay Resolution from Agenda

their rally where they listened to speakers who had originally planned on addressing the commission while in session.

Kentucky is one of eleven states, including Utah, with anti-gay marriage constitutional amendments on the November ballot. As in Utah’s Amendment 3, a second clause in the Kentucky amendment stipulates that “…legal status identical to or similar to marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.” Antiamendment groups have expressed concern that this language may be interpreted to an extent beyond same-sex marriage to deny unmarried women police protection from domestic violence, and children of unmarried couples basic rights.

“We know that some senior citizens decide not to get married because they would lose some of their Social Security benefits,” said Chad Smith, a Bowling Green man opposed to the amendment. “For those on a fixed income, every little bit makes a difference. Yet they need some legal documents that recognize them as a couple in order to take care of each other in their declining years.” - JV

Bowling Green, Ky. – As more than 40 “No on the Amendment” supporters entered the City Commission meeting, Mayor Sandy Jones moved to strike a resolution supporting Kentucky’s proposed same-sex marriage from the evening’s agenda, saying that commissioners would decide whether or not their city backs the state amendment if voters approve it on November 2.

The group had previously gathered for a rally at a nearby Lutheran church when they heard about the meeting, whereupon they walked to City Hall.

“Several questions have arisen that our commissioners would like to discuss,” Jones said as campaign supporters moved into the chamber’s gallery. “So I am requesting that item number eight [the resolution in question] be pulled off of our agenda.” Jones had previously sponsored item number eight.

Outside the chambers, No on the Amendment supporters greeted the news with cheers and singing before returning to

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News LOCAL AND REGIONAL

Religious Groups Respond to Amendment 3

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Proving that Amendment 3 has turned out to be even more controversial than conservative lawmakers first expected, several religious groups have spoken out in the last few weeks on both sides of the issue.

On October 13, some 80 or so evangelical Christian leaders announced their public support for the measure, although they also expressed hope that courts would narrowly interpret the second part of the amendment.

In response, Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish, Episcopal bishop of Utah, and 17 other Protestant leaders formally announced their opposition to the proposed amendment, calling it bad law and discriminatory.

Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish On October 19, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement addressing same-gender marriage, without specifically endorsing or opposing Amendment 3.

“We of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reach out with understanding and respect for individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender. We realize there may be great loneliness in their lives but there must also be recognition of what is right before the Lord,” said the statement.

“As a doctrinal principle, based on sacred scripture, we affirm that marriage between a man and a woman is essential to the

Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. The powers of procreation are to be exercised only between a man and a woman lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

“Any other sexual relations, including those between persons of the same gender, undermine the divinely created institution of the family. The Church accordingly favors measures that define marriage as the union of a man and a woman and that do not confer legal status on any other sexual relationship.”

The statement has caused a stir of confusion. Many are confused as to whether or not the church is endorsing Amendment 3 specifically, and spokespeople from the LDS church refuse to elaborate on the statement.

“The LDS Church has already stated that they are in favor of amendments banning same-sex marriage, so this recent statement comes as no surprise,” said Scott McCoy of the Don’t Amend Alliance. “In fact, the LDS Church had the opportunity to directly endorse Amendment 3 yet failed to do so. The LDS Church’s statement does not change the fact that Amendment 3 is both legally flawed and deeply hurtful to certain Utah families.”

The following day, on October 20, the Catholic Diocese of Utah also chimed in, opposing Amendment 3.

“While it is true that the Catholic Church is opposed to same-sex marriage, we are reassured that Utah law already prohibits such marriages,” Bishop George Niederauer said.

Niederauer also said that Catholics are free to vote according to their own conscience. —JK

Don’t Amend Airs Vote No on 3 Ads The Don’t Amend Alliance has begun airing television ads that urge voters to vote no on Amendment 3. Six ads were created focusing on a variety of subjects. Families of gay and lesbian people speak out in four of the 30 second spots, saying that Amendment 3 will hurt real families by denying basic legal rights.

The ads (which can be viewed at www. dontamendalliance.com) hope to reach out emotionally and intellectually to voters who are unsure about the amendment. All

the ads focus on the second part of the ballot question, which has caused confusion with conservative and liberal voters alike because of its vague legal implications.

The ads began airing October 19 and the Alliance is spending over $200,000 to air them to as many voters as possible.

Meanwhile, supporters of Amendment 3 have spent less on media buys and are airing two separate ads with couples reading the amendment and declaring it to be “simple.” —JK

AIDS Coalition Honors UGRA, Whyte and Johnson The 11th Annual Community Awards Dinner, hosted by the People With AIDS Coalition Utah, honored long time community supporters, Ron Johnson and Chuck Whyte as well at the Utah Gay Rodeo Association. Ron Johnson, businessman, has been active in the Gay community since 1972, serving on various boards Ron Johnson of trustees, as well as donating time and money to GLBT causes. Long time community activist, Chuck Whyte, besides serving on diverse boards, and raising thousands of dollars for homosexual organizations, also has the distinction of creating in 1988 the first food bank in Utah for people with AIDS. UGRA has since its inception generously supported and funded Chuck White

PWACU’s many projects. The Awards ceremony, banquet, and silent auction event is organized as a benefit for Utah’s PWAC in conjunction with its 16th Annual Living With AIDS Conference. This year’s event was presented on October 15th at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City. —BW

Ferguson: Health Summit was a Success Invenio, the fourth annual Utah Gay Men’s Health Summit, held October 15–17 at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Salt Lake boasted 135 attendees this year. According to organizer David Ferguson, the event had more young people this year than previous summits, and the connection between older and younger gay men was important.

He also pointed to the spontaneous S&M Caucus and a workshop on the Native American Two-Spirit concept as highlights of the weekend.

“I would say we were successful,” Ferguson said. “We created a sense of community and folks who previously felt isolated came together. New groups were formed out of the summit that I think will last.”

Ferguson also announced that next October Salt Lake will host the national Gay Men’s Health Summit. —JK

Center Offers New Hours at Coffee Shop Stonewall Coffee, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center’s coffee shop, has announced new regular hours, ending several months of confusion about the facility.

Beginning October 24, the coffee shop will be open from 6:30 am to 10 am Monday through Friday, 4:30 pm to 10 pm Tuesday through Friday, and 10 am to 10 pm on Saturdays. The coffee shop will be closed on Sundays.

The new hours come after close evaluation of the resources available, a poll of Stonewall Coffee patrons, and an internal facelift for the coffee and information

depot. Stonewall Coffee will be open for morning coffee as commuters head to work, and again in the evenings when the Center hosts a variety of groups and meetings on site.

Stonewall Coffee is also adding to the menu homemade items by local caterer Boxrud Baked Goods. They will continue to offer their trademark bulletin boards and info stands about the queer community, copies of publications of interest, and email/web access. Soon, they also plan to offer entertainment such as local musicians, poetry jams and spoken word performances. —JK

Hundreds pack the lobby of the Rose Wagner performing Arts Center in a rally sponsored by Parents of Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Mayor Rocky Anderson, PFLAG Executive Director Ron Schittler and others spoke to the crowd.

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Protesters from Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas conducted a short protest against the National Conference of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in Salt Lake City Oct. 24. Phelps is shown here demonstrating at the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

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OCTOBER 28, 2004

About 500 people from across the nation gathered at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake for the 3-day national conference of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). The educational and social gathering, held Oct 22-24, marked the thirtieth anniversary of the organization.

Between leadership and organizational training seminars, the attendees also shared stories of support and hope. Special presentations included topics such as reconciling support for GLBT people with religion, the science of sexuality, answers to legal questions, and the truth about samegender parenting.

About 8 protestors from Fred Phelp’s Westboro Baptist Church picketed outside the conference, holding signs which read: “God Hates Fags,” “Thank God for Sept. 11” and other similar statements. The Westboro Baptist Church first gained notoriety for protesting the funeral of Matthew Shepard. Since then, they have toured the nation protesting gay groups and causes wherever possible.

But most PFLAG attendees ignored the protestors and concentrated on enjoying the camaraderie and support of kindred spirits. – JK

News LOCAL AND REGIONAL

Flu Shot Shortages Not Causing Problems for Utahns with HIV

By Darren Tucker You see them on every news program— seniors and kids, lined up for flu shots.

Health care officials are scrambling to make sure a shortage of vaccine does not stop high risk groups from getting the protection they need.

But what about people living with HIV/ AIDS? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pinpoints people living with HIV as a high-risk group. But the government has made seniors the priority when it comes to limited supplies of the vaccine.

Terje Anderson, executive director of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) expressed concern that HIV-positive people may be overlooked in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.

“We strongly support efforts to get the flu vaccination to senior citizens, but we are deeply troubled by your statement that seniors will take precedence over the other vulnerable populations for whom the complications of influenza are equally potentially deadly,” Anderson wrote.

In Utah, people dealing with HIV/AIDS don’t seem to be having a problem getting the vaccine. Seanna Williams, a case manager for the Utah AIDS Foundation, said she has not heard of “anyone having problems getting them.”

“Our doctors here are pretty good,” Williams said. “I haven’t had any clients at all complaining that they are not getting [the

shots] and I am the one who would hear it first.”

Williams did point out that determining who is eligible for the shot and who is not can be a little tricky. The best person to determine what type of immunization and who needs it is your health care provider.

But, she said, her advice is always to get to a doctor as quickly as possible.

“I always tell people, get your butt down to wherever you have to go and get the shot. I don’t care where they get it, just get it,” she said. “If you have to beg, borrow and plead to get it from your doctor, get it.”

NAPWA’s director of public affairs, Paul Feldman, agrees. “If they believe they are candidates for this vaccine, they should vigorously assert their rights to get the vaccine from their health care providers,” he said.

Even if they can’t get a flu shot, health experts say HIV-positive individuals should get at least a pneumonia shot. It protects against a deadly germ that is a common complication of the flu. Ample supplies of the pneumococcal vaccine are available.

If someone does come down with the flu, they are urged to contact their health care provider right away. There are anti-viral treatments that can lessen the symptoms.

People living with HIV positive individuals should try the flu mist vaccine. This will protect them from the flu and also help prevent them from spreading it to their HIV-positive companions. People with HIV should not use the flu mist because it contains a live version of the flu virus.

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Gay & Lesbian Bars Receive Police Training Members of the South Salt Lake City Police Department, Salt Lake City Police Department Vice Squad, and the GLBT Public Safety Liaison Committee hosted a workshop on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement for gay and lesbian bar owners and staff on October 8th. 19 staff members from 7 of Salt Lake’s largest gay and lesbian clubs turned out for the training.

Designed specifically for clubs that cater to gays and lesbians, the two-hour course covered Utah’s DUI laws and the impacts of laws which make bar owners liable for selling alcohol to people who subsequently cause death or injury to third-parties as a result of alcohol-related crashes.

SSLPD Patrol Officer Ron de Robles conducted the training on blood alcohol levels and the physical effects of alcohol and drug related impairment. SLCPD Vice Officer Jeff

Johnson discussed the purpose and methods of Vice enforcement, assuring the bar workers that his squad does not target gay and lesbian bars, but spends the bulk of their time on prostitution and escort cases.

The sheer number of licensed bars in Salt Lake City means that the Vice Squad rarely inspects more than three to five of them a week unless there is a complaint from the public concerning underage drinking or obvious license violations. South Salt Lake Deputy City Attorney Janice Frost was also available to answer questions from the group concerning alcohol and impairment convictions, and the responsibility of bar managers.

The workshop was considered such a success that a follow up training for bar staff on ID checks and drinking by minors will be held in early 2005. — JK

The crowds packed into Club Sound Sunday, October 24, for the Miss USofA at Large, Rocky Mountain Division pageant.

Miss USofA is a national pageant group with competitions in black, classic and at-large categories. Tracy Edwards of Chicago, Kitty Litter of St. Louis and Salt Lake City’s Nova Starr competed in entertainment and evening wear for the atLarge crown. Kitty Litter took top prize with Nova Starr coming in 1st runner up. Both will get a chance to represent the Rocky Mountain division at the Miss USofA at Large finals in Dallas in December. For more information, go to USofA.org.

Controversial Lesbian Takes Center Stage in 2004

By JoSelle Vanderhooft Whether sitting next to her partner at the Republican National Convention as the rest of her family took center stage, or becoming a discussion point during the presidential debates, Vice President Dick Cheney’s openly lesbian daughter Mary has been labeled as one of this nation’s most controversial public figures.

Mary Cheney has become a political issue for both Democrats and Republicans this election year, while remaining remarkably silent in the media. Her critics, such as the website dearmary.com have suggested that her silence and orientation are at cross purposes and have asked her to speak out against the president’s stand on same-sex marriage.

Cheney’s supporters, on the other hand, have said that her father’s position has simply put her in an unenviable political position.

But Mary Cheney could not have achieved such an ambiguous place without her family’s reactions to comments made about their daughter in the months leading up to the election. In August, Dick Cheney won the approval of gay rights groups nationwide by making the following statement about his daughter at a political rally in Iowa: “Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so [samesex marriage] is an issue our family is very familiar with. With respect to the question of relationships, my general view is freedom means freedom for everyone…people ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to.”

During September’s vice presidential debate, Dick Cheney also thanked rival candidate John Edwards for his “kind words” about his openly gay daughter. Edwards had said it was obvious that the Cheneys loved their daughter and that “you can’t have anything but respect” for them.

But the Cheneys did not react similarly to John Kerry’s remarks about their daughter when moderator Bob Schieffer questioned Kerry and Bush about whether being gay was a choice during the final presidential debate held October 14.

“We’re all God’s children, Bob,” Kerry said. “And I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney’s daughter, who is a lesbian, she

would tell you that she’s being who she was, she’s being who she was born as.”

In a press conference held the following day, Lynne Cheney said that Kerry’s mention of her daughter was “a cheap and tawdry political trick.” Additionally, Mary’s sister Liz said the Kerry campaign was attempting to “exploit” her sister by using her to make “some kind of political point,” according to an October 16 New York Times story.

In response, Kerry said that he was only attempting to point out how well strong families like the Cheneys dealt with having an openly gay child. Elizabeth Edwards also suggested that the Cheneys’ response indicated “a certain degree of shame with respect to her daughter’s sexual preferences.” Several political commentators have also pointed out that the Cheneys remained silent late this summer when candidate Alan Keyes referred to their 35 year old daughter as “a selfish hedonist” for being gay.

Regardless of whether or not Kerry made the remarks to divide the Bush administration on the gay marriage issue or to “confuse and dismay Bush supporters who believe that same-sex marriage is wrong, to suggest that Bush is as ‘soft on same-sex’ as Kerry is,” as an October 21 Alameda Times-Star editorial suggested, Kerry’s words appear to have negatively effected some voters’ perceptions of him. For example, an October 18 ABC news poll indicated that 64% of voters found Kerry’s remarks inappropriate. However, most gay rights groups such as the Human Rights Campaign have not objected to Kerry’s remarks.

“He didn’t say she was an ax murderer, he didn’t say she did anything wrong, he just said she was gay, which is a fact of life, like her hair color,” said Cheryl Jacques, HRC president. “If he had said something about [her sister] Liz being married with three kids, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Notwithstanding the political debates her presence engenders, Mary Cheney continues to remain out of the spotlight despite reputedly being one of her father’s top political aids. And according to one of her friends, quoted in an October 18 CNN story, she seems content to stay there.

“She doesn’t want to be the poster girl for anybody else’s causes,” he said.

Newspapers Weigh In on Amendment 3 City Weekly: Hits and Misses “Too bad that, even in an age when WalMart has policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, Utah’s Legislature is hell-bent on dirty tricks like Amendment 3.”

Aug. 12, 2004

Ogden Standard-Examiner: Utah’s gay-marriage amendment is flawed [The amendment is a] “redundant killshot” and “ill-considered strategy” that “should be defeated” because Utah law already prohibits gay marriage.

Aug. 12, 2004

The Herald Journal: Before you mark ballot for Amendment 3 “Forget for a moment all the feelings you may have about gays and gay marriage.

The wording of this ballot measure takes Utah beyond that issue into the realm of common law marriage. And as a fixture in the Constitution, the amendment would cut off avenues of redress for those who believe their rights have been violated.”

Sept. 19, 2004

City Weekly: John Saltas, Wanna Bet? “Also, I particularly disagree with Huntsman on Amendment 3—the ‘Utah Hates Gays and We’re Going To Prove It’ amendment. That bill is a piece of spiteful, righteous trash, and, one day, a Buttars, or Throckmorton, or even a Huntsman will fall victim to its myopic meanness.”

Sept. 30, 2004

Salt Lake Tribune: Amendment 3: No “The amendment is as troubling as it is brief. About the only certain future for Amendment 3 is in federal court, where it could cost taxpayers millions of dollars, drag the private lives of good and decent people into public conflict and, eventually, lie in ruins before the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The vote is no.”

Oct. 10, 2004

St. George Spectrum: Amendment 3 falls short on wording “Utah voters can make a statement about marriage. But if Amendment 3 passes as the second part now reads, we all should be prepared to open the checkbook for what could very well be a losing cause.”

Oct. 15, 2004

Salt Lake Tribune: Going too far

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Oct. 20, 2004

Provo Daily Herald: Amendment 3 and Mormons “The First Presidency statement, on its face, does not appear to override a member’s autonomy in the voting booth.

It’s entirely possible a church member can, within the bounds of his faith, vote down Amendment 3 for any reason—for example, if he believes its problematic language will trigger a fruitless and expensive court battle that will result in its being scrapped by the federal courts. Ultimately, he may believe Amendment 3 could become the instrument that forces Utah to recognize same-sex marriage.

Oct. 22, 2004

AccountabilityUtah.org: Is Caesar’s Marriage Idolatrous?

“We oppose both sentences of Constitutional Amendment 3. Government proponents feverishly sell this amendment as a way to protect the traditional family. This is a farce and a smoke screen.”

The Park Record: Amendment 3 is discriminatory and shouldn’t be on the ballot “If the overall goal is to encourage mutual caretaking, financial stability and, dare we say, affection, then it makes no sense to exclude same-sex partners, whether homosexual or just devoted friends, from those benefits. The amendment is counterproductive and mean-spirited. It may even be proven unconstitutional because it singles out one group of citizens for different treatment. Constitutional Amendment Number 3 shouldn’t be on the ballot, but it is and now it is our responsibility to vote against it.”

October 25, 2004

Ogden Standard-Examiner: On Tuesday, reject Amendment No. 3

Oct. 21, 2004

October 28, 2004

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“It is human nature, perhaps, to loathe admitting one’s own mistake. How else to explain the utter lack of remorse exhibited

by Utah lawmakers who voted to place Amendment 3 on the statewide ballot?”

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“Any Utah voter, LDS or not, should consider the arguments for and against Amendment 3. Our hope remains that voters, once alone with their ballot and their conscience, will reject it.”

SALT LAKE METRO

Oct. 19, 2004

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“It is not necessary for Utah to go down this very rocky road. There’s just not a lot to be gained. In all likelihood the state will find itself involved in a protracted and expensive lawsuit if Amendment 3 passes.

And it’s a likely loser. Isn’t there something better to spend our money on?”

“Marriage, the most basic and important domestic union predates our government and our Constitution. It has existed since the beginning of time. It is co-equal with the origin of mankind and it is the means by which the human race has perpetuated itself over thousands of years.

“History will record that traditional values were under attack in our day. I believe it will also show that at the critical hour, Utah stood firm in support of traditional marriage, as we have always known it—a union of one man and one woman.”

at

OCTOBER 28, 2004

Provo Daily Herald: Why Utah should reject Amendment 3

Hurricane Valley Journal: What is Amendment 3 and how will it affect the residents of southern Utah?

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Opinion

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OCTOBER 28, 2004

Our Endorsements Newspapers across the country, and notably the dailies in our own home town, are debating the ethics of endorsing candidates and positions on citizen initiatives and constitutional amendments. The question is whether a news organization can claim to be non-biased in its coverage of candidates and political questions while stating their stance.

Salt Lake Metro works very hard at journalistic integrity and providing balanced, professional news. We are also a newspaper geared towards a certain population—the gay and lesbian community of the state of Utah. We come with preconceived notions of truth. As our editor put it—we believe in the truth that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people deserve all of the rights and privileges that all others have in this country. That in itself may differentiate us from other news outlets in this state.

We also believe we are in a unique position that part of our role is to advocate for our target readership. Many local news programs have called us to make statements about decisions made by our representatives and our opinion about questions posed to the voters that affect the gay and lesbian community. We have generally steered those questions to those we feel more appropriate to answer them— our leaders of organizations or well-known activists.

We also know that in the course of our work we sort through mountains of news and information that many in the community never see. We talk to people at a myriad of different events and activities that we cover or sponsor.

Some look to us to sift through that info-clutter and decipher what it all means. The news media in general are, for better or worse, taking that role upon themselves and are more apt to dispense their opinion, allowing its audience to weigh for themselves what that might mean to them.

In this spirit, we offer up our endorsements of the following for your consideration. All of the following are agreed upon unanimously by our editorial board:

President: We firmly believe that George Bush and the Republican Party has done everything in their power to alienate the gay and lesbian community and use our issues as a wedge in this election. For that reason, and for the reason that we believe he will be an excellent president, we endorse John Kerry for President of the United States.

House of Representatives, District 2: John Swallow is an enemy of the gay and lesbian community. Jim Matheson is close behind with his endorsement of the Federal Marriage amendment and his vote on the Marriage Protection Amendment. Matheson is in office largely because of this community’s involvement in his campaign two years ago.

His actions are a slap in our face. We endorse Green Party candidate Patrick Diehl, a firm supporter of gay marriage, for U.S. House District 2.

Utah State Senate, District 1: Rose Park Senator James Evans single-handedly blocked hate crimes legislation that his predecessor, the late Senator Pete Suazo, championed as his top priority. His actions shamed Suazo’s memory. We endorse a friend of the gay community, Democrat Fred Fife, for the position.

Utah House of Representatives: Based on their track records of ardently and publicly supporting our rights, we endorse incumbent Representatives David Litvack, Jackie Biskupski and Ralph Becker for re-election.

Salt Lake County Mayor: Peter Corroon will serve Salt Lake County well in all aspects. He is a strong leader and we endorse him for the position of Salt Lake County Mayor.

Constitutional Amendment 3: We have come out at numerous times against Amendment 3 and laud the efforts of the Don’t Amend Alliance to defeat it.

Salt Lake County Proposal — ZAP Tax: The Zoo, Arts and Parks Tax has enriched the culture of this valley, supporting arts organizations of all sizes and making their existence possible. We heartily ask our readers to support its extension.

From the Editor First Impressions

by Jere Keys

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, right? Now the pressure’s on.

For those of you scratching your heads and wondering “who’s this guy?” – I’m the new editor of Salt Lake Metro and a new resident of Salt Lake City. I’m thrilled to be back in the place of my birth and part of this fabulous publication.

Some of you are wondering what, exactly, I’m planning to do with your newspaper. I believe that a healthy community newspaper and a healthy community go hand in hand, so I’ll be doing my best to support, grow and improve our common queer culture.

I have a number of sayings tacked up above my desk that describe my philosophies as an editor. With every article, news tip, or story that crosses my desk, I ask myself a number of questions, including: How does this serve the community? Do our readers want to read this?

Do our readers need to read this?

And while the Metro staff and I discuss the future of the paper, please tell us what you want to see in these pages. We have an online readers’ survey at our website right now where you can give us your opinion. You can also drop me a note at jere@slmetro.com with any news tips, requests, or comments. I welcome your feedback.

But in this first opportunity I get to address you directly, I want to urge you, beg you, implore you to get out and vote this week. More than voting, it’s time for each of us to take up the cause of protecting our freedoms. Never in the history of the gay rights movement have we faced such organized and calculated opposition to our civil liberties and the road to equality.

Even after the election, there is still much to do.

Regardless of the election results, we still have battles to fight on Capitol Hill and throughout our community.

I’m trying to make a good first impression on you, but let me tell you my first impression of the Utah queer community. One of the first events I was able to attend was the Family Voices For Equality concert on October 21. How lucky we are to live in a community with such strong leaders organizing our fights. How wonderful it is to see so many people filled with optimism, determination and unity. I hope that such enthusiastic support and dedication to equality lasts beyond the election, because we need for it to do so.

Sure, there are problems within our community, but trust me when I say that’s true of every city with a large and growing queer community. Time and the relentless support of the community will overcome all these obstacles.

My first impression of the Utah queer community is that it’s stronger and closer than any other city I’ve lived in. We are blessed with spirited, passionate and talented leaders, as well as the amazing volunteers who often go unthanked. We are indeed fortunate to have so many social, political, and educational organizations to draw from. Hold your heads up high, you have much to be proud of.

And I am honored to be the newest citizen of queer Utah. I hope to meet many of you in the coming weeks and years, but don’t wait for me to find you. Community leaders, members and malcontents alike are all welcome to visit me at the Metro office, call me on the phone, or pull up a stool next to me at the bar. This paper belong to you, and my job is to make sure you know that.

The Other Homo

by William Todd Park Put two homos together and you’ll eventually end up with one thing: drama. The debates have been high drama, to be sure, including indignant facial expressions, finger pointing, and a verbal bitch slap or two. I’ve been wondering if our two presidential contenders were taking lessons from the bad boys on gay.com or if they were closet cases.

But the only thing gay about the political scene this year has been that political hot potato—gay marriage. Don’t broach that topic with the parents of Mary Cheney, though.

Instead of would-be role models, the veep and his wife—two people who have been under public scrutiny longer than most Gen X-ers have been alive—are somehow shocked that someone would have the unmitigated gall to point out that their daughter is a lesbian and deserves to be happy.

Put homosexuals with the other homo—homogeneity—and you’ll get drama we’re used to seeing. Don’t get me wrong. I like homogeneity, but I think we should reserve it for things that need to be the same all the time like, say, milk. Homogeneity can be good for people that like to do things together, that have common interests and beliefs. What I take exception to is when a group comes to the illogical conclusion that the way they think is best, and then proceed to impose those particular thoughts and values on others.

Sure, there are times when that is appropriate. Professional, military, and family settings, for example, might require that a set of values be upheld, but they’re always temporary.

Members who don’t like particular requirements can either leave those organizations or, in the case of family, grow up. That’s not an option when it comes to the laws of the land, but the culture that styles itself as homogeneous and morally superior is clearly neither.

This country is by definition a melting pot.

Our national motto, E Pluribus Unum, says it all—“out of many, one.” Diversity is, and always has been, the foundation of America. We are a country of many cultures, many shades

MetroCosm

of skin tones, many languages, many faiths, and many, many freedoms. Likewise, the foundation of the Salt Lake Valley is a melting pot.

Originally, it served as a refuge for people who, much like those who colonized the Eastern seaboard, were fleeing persecution from dogmatic power brokers and the simple minded, fearful citizens whom they controlled.

Yet, today, we find ourselves in a situation that echoes the births of both our country and our state. Amazingly, the minorities who were instrumental in the establishment of these commonwealths have, themselves, unwittingly become the tyrants they fled. The move to codify discrimination into the Utah constitution with legislative maneuvers like the proposed Amendment 3 is clearly a move to justify bigotry that the collective consciences of the majority cannot break free of. Oh, the irony!

But it certainly doesn’t end there. The panic to silence dissenting opinions runs rampant.

Sean Hannity’s pre-emptive appearance is allegedly preserving “balance” at Utah Valley State College to save the facile minds from Michael Moore; Clear Channel is abruptly ending 34-year “Voice of Reason” radio veteran Tom Barberi’s employment to pursue a “new direction;” and the cancellation of Utah author TerryTempest William’s speaking engagement at a Florida university is just too “politically unbalanced.”

Maybe I’m thinking just a little outside the box, but I would venture to say they are the balance. So are we.

This state we all call home is not homogeneous, although the dominant culture would like us all to think it is. Salt Lake City isn’t granite edifices, plastic smiles, and automatons. There are hundreds of thousands of vibrant, colorful, creative people that are all unique harboring different hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

The first step in pushing bigotry back into the cesspool it came from is standing up to be counted. Casting your vote isn’t an effort in futility; it’s your responsibility. It’s the way to voice disapproval of discrimination. Even dissenting votes make a difference. Each vote that reduces the margin of victory is another voice that tells the new official that he or she represents people who don’t happen to agree lock-step with the platform that won the office.

Voting proves that the only kinds of homos in town aren’t homogeneous.

Each of us has a heart and a voice that

ASKED AT HEADS UP: “Are you planning to vote this year? Why or why not?”

needs to be heard on November 2. The vote you don’t cast is a vote for Chris Buttars, LaVar Christensen, George W. Bush, and the other peddlers of hate and self-righteousness.

Regardless of what our culture would have us believe, Utopia doesn’t exist, but reason—prevalent of the philosophy enshrined in that ideal place of fiction—is something we all have and something we need to impart on November 2.

“Vote or Die!”—Citizen Change.

Letters Dear Editor: I work up the road from the intersection of 4500 S. and 300 W. and so I see the large quantities of political advertising and signage there almost everyday. Today however, I noticed that all of the “No on 3” signs have disappeared and have been replaced with extremely large bright green “3. Yes.” signs.

Since I was off work on Monday and Tuesday of this week, I can’t confirm when the sign switching took place, and obviously can’t prove who did it. However...I think it’s a little fishy that the “No on 3” signs would disappear the same day that the “3.

Yes.” signs appeared. Don’t you?

I even thought I’d give the “yes on 3” campaign the benefit of the doubt: maybe the bad weather we’ve had lately just blew over the “No on 3” campaign signs.

I walked through the muddy hill of each corner of the intersection and even went through bushes and weeds, but not a single “No on 3” sign was to be found.

First of all, taking the opposition’s signage down is something that high school kids did in student government elections and is extremely childish.

Second of all, if these people are going to take down the opposition’s signs, they should at least be smart enough to just turn them over and blame it on the wind instead of stealing them outright.

Second, a person has to be pretty lacking in confidence and faith in their preferred candidate, amendment or initiative if they feel like they have to resort to removing the competition’s signage.

If you really think that your preferred candidate, amendment or initiative is good and right for your area, at least show a little faith in them instead of tearing the opposition down...literally!

Sports Editor David Nelson

Aaron Cloward Salt Lake City

Write us at: Metro Publishing, Inc. Suite 350 352 S. Denver Street Salt Lake City, UT 84111 or email letters@slmetro.com or fax 801-323-9986.

Graphic Designer Kris Kramer Sales Director and Office Manager Steven Peterson Sales Executives 801-323-9500 | 877-870-0727 Sebastian Cruz | sebastian@slmetro.com Janis Gardner | janis@slmetro.com Bob Tubbs | bob@slmetro.com Distribution Steven Peterson Courtney Moser, Northern Utah Copyright © 2004 Salt Lake Metro.

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Salt Lake Metro is published bi-weekly on alternating Thursdays by

Metro Publishing, Inc. 352 S. Denver Street, Suite 350 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 323-9500 Fax: (801) 323-9986

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Salt Lake Metro reserves the right to edit for clarity and brevity. Letters under 300 words are given preference. True, full name, address and phone number must be included for verification purposes.

Art Director Michael Aaron

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Scott Student 22 “Maybe, I might as well. I guess I’ll vote because of Amendent 3 and because I haven’t agreed with anything Bush has done in this past term. I really don’t want Bush to be president next year.”

Contributing Photographers Lucy Juarez, Jere Keys, William H. Munk, Shauna Sanchez, Joel Shoemaker

SALT LAKE METRO

Cameron Student 21 “Yes, but I want to trade my vote so that it matters. I’ll vote for Kerry, but I’d like to trade that and vote for Nader, because a vote for a Democrat doesn’t mean anything in Utah.”

Proofreader Nicholas Rupp

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Brett Bartender/Student 23 “Yes. It’s my constitutional right and there are many issues that affect me personally, such as Social Security, health care, foreign policy and affairs, and, of course, gay marriage.”

Salt Lake Metro welcomes letters from our readers. Rants, gushes, thoughtful diatribes, pats on the backs, incredulous expressions, rabble-rousing raves and maudlin sob stories are all encouraged!

Contributing Writers Scott Abbott, Brandie Balken, Lee Beckstead, Xenia Cherkaev, Janice Eberhardt, Jace Garfield, Beau Jarvis, Lynette Malmstrom, Laurie Mecham, LaDonna Moore, Rob Orton, William T. Park, Scott Perry, Jim Pitts, Nicholas Rupp, Mandy Q. Racer, Ruby Ridge, Joel Shoemaker, Jim Struve, Eric Tierney, Darren Tucker, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Ben Williams

OCTOBER 28, 2004

Heather Massage Therapist 28 “Yes, so Bush gets the hell out of there.

I’m worried because I really want him out of the White House.

He’s been a divider, not a uniter.”

Editor Jere Keys Events Editor Greg Harrison

Letters to the Editor

Aaron Retail Manager 24 “Yes! I hate Bush, he’s an ass. I just think it was wrong to go to war and he’s making poor decisions for this country.”

Publisher Michael Aaron

AberRant Ohmygod

by Laurie Mecham Ohymygod ohmygod ohmygod. There’s going to be an election in five minutes. The last time the stakes were this high in terms of human life and the hemorrhaging of dollars and bullets, we were involved in a little game called “Vietnam,” played by spoiled adult boys with too much money and too much power. The last time that discrimination was so big and so blatant and so acceptable for cocktail party conversation, the targets of that bold-faced animosity were labeled with words like “heeb” and “nigger.” Oh, yeah, and “faggot.”

So maybe it’s more tailgate party conversation now, but still.

I am very afraid that we are going to open our eyes on November 3rd in the middle of a frighteningly surreal waking nightmare. We may find ourselves living in a land called Amerika, a place that has a bible under every pillow and a white sheet hanging by the back door.

What did we do, what can we do, what will we do? It feels like judgment day. My life of the last few months is passing before my eyes. I’m doing some mental tap-dancing. Um, I created a get-out-the-vote flier targeting “disaffected youth,” with a picture of my Mohawked son.

I handed it to kids seated outside coffee shops and restaurants and gave them voter registration forms. I spammed everyone I know and everyone they know with political rants and pleadings and calls to action. I sent emails and faxes to my legislators. I hauled a truckload of “Don’t Amend” signs to a lesbian event and found a home for every sign. I made phone calls to inform voters in Southern Utah about the harmful effects of Amendment 3. I put a “No on 3” bumper sticker on my car and a button on my purse. I wrote a letter to the editor of the Tribune. Yet I know I could have done more, and it’s giving me that special “God can see you and he’s pissed!” feeling – you know, the way you used to feel when you first learned to masturbate?

Kids, it’s time to fast and pray. By the time you pick up this paper, we will have about a nanosecond to repent and do good works. At least you’re registered to vote.

Right? Because if for some inexplicable reason you are not registered to vote, you can put this paper down right now and get the hell out of my face. You can take your uninformed, lazy ass back to the tanning booth and then go shopping while someone else fights for your civil rights. “Babe, do I look like a second-class citizen in these slacks?”

I’m sorry, do I sound irritated?

How did we get here? How did we travel through some freakish time warp in just a

couple of years, even weeks? One day, we had a vice-presidential debate that included John Edwards respecting the Vice President’s family for being loving and willing to talk about their gay daughter. Cheney replied by thanking Edwards “…for the kind words he said about my family and our daughter.”

Then, ten seconds later, in the last presidential debate, the candidates were asked if they believed that homosexuality was a choice.

George Bush answered, “I don’t know.”

(Was it just me, or did anyone else also hear him mutter, “…and I don’t care. I don’t wear no underwear!”)

John Kerry replied, “If you were to talk to Dick Cheney’s daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she’s being who she was, she’s being who she was born as.”

Now, one would think that this comment is pretty damn similar to the one made earlier by Edwards. But nooooooo… Vice First Lady Lynne Cheney jumped all over that shit, as though Kerry had said “hooker” or “slut-puppy” or “liberal” instead of “lesbian.” “…This is not a good man. What a cheap and tawdry political trick.”

Oh Lynne, Lynne, Lynne! Get your story straight! First, you need to understand what “cheap and tawdry political trick” really means. No, Lynne. A cheap and tawdry political trick would be more along the lines of Ruby Ridge when she’s working the legislature in a closed-door Republican, er, “caucus.” A cheap and tawdry political trick is Jim Matheson voting for discriminatory amendments simply so he can appear conservative enough to keep his office.

I’m working hard to understand this.

Trying to pass a constitutional amendment in order to codify discrimination against one group of people for the first time in history is important to our country because of our values, which include Britney Spears, The Bachelor, and Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire. But simply using a noun that respectfully describes the sexual orientation of a member of a candidate’s family is a cheap and tawdry political trick. If Joe and Judy Born-Again Conservative think that they can try to prevent me from enjoying every last civil right that every straight person in this country already has and that I am going to just go home and pout and eat a quart of Ben and Jerry’s and never go to another Pride celebration and rip off my equality bumper sticker and settle for some new kind of caste system in this country, they are as wrong as mullets and NAMBLA and stirrup pants. I am not going to get on my knees and beg “…please, Massuh, can I have just a few civil rights?”

And I am not alone. We’re fags from hell, and we’re not going to take it any more.

I am not going to.

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OCTOBER 28, 2004

The last time the stakes were this high in terms of human life and the hemorrhaging of dollars and bullets, we were involved in a little game called “Vietnam.”

Laurie Mecham is a fag from hell. Whether or not she is a hooker or slut-puppy depends on whether or not you registered to vote.

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History: A Happy Medium

By Ben Williams Aren’t there times you’d give anything to be a fly on the wall? Me too. And I’d loved to have been in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1928. No, not to hear the choir… boring… but to witness a homosexual clairvoyant conjure up the spirits of dead Mormons and Nephites for Rudolph Valentino’s mother-in-law!

No, I have not been sniffing green Jello powder. It’s factual! In 1928 two sisters, granddaughters of Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young’s counselor, decided to visit their Mormon relatives in Salt Lake City.

One of the women was Winifred “Winky” Hudnut, mother of Natacha Rambova who had been married to Rudolph Valentino, the silent screen Latin lover. Winky Hudnut, who was a multimillionaire in her own right, was also wife of cosmetic magnate Richard Hudnut.

This homosexual telepathist’s name was George Wehner and was employed by both Winky and her daughter Natacha. He was an amusing traveling companion for both women and one hell of a spiritual advisor.

In June 1928, the two sisters, accompanied by Wehner, visited a cousin, Edward P.

Kimball, who had a large organ. He was the Salt Lake Tabernacle organist.

Back then family connections were everything, and the sisters were members of Mormon royalty. Kimball gave the socialites a private recital in the tabernacle and while he played the world famous organ, Winky and her sister Teresa had Wehner hold a séance.

I’m not sure what music was being played but I sure hope it was a fugue! Anywho, Gay George is immediately in contact with the who’s who of Mormondom- Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and countless Kimball kindred spirits. Among those, said to have left the ladies messages from the beyond, were “Grandpa” Heber C. Kimball, “Uncle” William Kimball the Danite, “Aunt” Margaret Judd Clauson, and their own mother Phoebe Judd Kimball.

As these spirits began to fade away into the ether, the pansy Wehner envisaged an even more fantabulous revelation: “I saw the whole interior of the Tabernacle shimmering in a glorious blaze of golden light, in the midst of which appeared in the air above the organ, the figure of a young man in blue robes holding a long trumpet of gold. From my clairvoyant description of this radiant being my friends recognized the spirit as that of the Angel Moroni… who led his people across the plains and deserts to ultimate safety … as a beacon light of faith and love.” Yeah right. I didn’t know Moroni has his own handcart company.

After leaving Utah, Winkie Hudnut re-

turned to New York City with George Wehner where the gay medium began to host séances on a regular basis for the “smart set.” Wehner was also invited by Natacha Rambova to participate in investigative psychic research in Greenwich Village. A court stenographer was hired to transcribe the psychic investigators’ discoveries of what lay “beyond the induced trance state. “ Regular séances were held for the remainder of the year in “a darkened apartment while light from the fireplace danced across a gold sari stretched along one wall.”

Way cool!

However all these séances failed to predict Richard Hudnut’s death in October of 1928. Winkie, his wife and Natacha, his adopted daughter, were left his vast fortune. Despite George Wehner’s inability to predict Mr. Hudnut’s death, Winkie Hudnut and Natacha Rambova’s admiration for his psychic powers was unabashed for the next two years. Wehner’s autobiography A Curious Life, was eventually published in 1930. Wouldn’t you love to get your hands on that book?

STONEWALL COFFEE NEW HOURS Monday – Friday 6:30 – 10am Tuesday – Friday 4:30 – 10pm Saturday 10am – 10pm Sunday CLOSED

Ruby Ridge Living Sluts Unite!

By Ruby Ridge

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Ruby Ridge is a member of the Utah Cyber Sluts, a group of camp drag performers who support and raise funds for local charities.

Her opinions are her own and fluctuate wildly within a four percent margin of error.

OCTOBER 28, 2004

Happy Halloween muffins! And welcome to the only time of the year when you can dress up like a Cyber Slut and not get arrested for prostitution, or shunned for mixing sequins, faux fur, and plaids. For us fashion-challenged Cyber Sluts, Halloween is the equivalent of a high holy holiday. Not just because bad drag and fake eyelashes are on sale everywhere…but for once we can drive around in the Slut Mobile and not fear for our lives at traffic signals on State Street.

You have no idea what a temporary relief that is darlings.

Even without Halloween, September and October has just been a blur of community events and activities, and I for one am exhausted pumpkins, I tell you exhausted!

Between AIDS Awareness events, Amendment 3 fundraisers, Royal Court shows, PFLAG conferences, Camp Pinecliff, DUI Trainings, and Cyber Slut shows, these last eight weeks have been frantic. So this morning when I received an e-mail survey from the Stonewall Historical Society asking about all of the overlapping and competing events in October, I let out a huge sigh of relief. Thank God I am not the only one feeling overwhelmed and totally stretched thin.

For those of you out of the loop, the Stonewall Historical Society newsgroup has turned into a sort of community clearing-

house for GLBT events and community discussions. And considering that the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Utah has been missing in action lately it’s a grapevine resource that we sorely need.

Now before you break out the pitchforks and flaming torches, I am not disparaging the Center. It’s just that their mid-life crisis (slash) needs assessment (slash) staff purge could not have come at a worse time. With the election season full of anti-gay rhetoric, false advertising, and appalling arguments for Amendment Three, it seems as if Scott McCoy from the Don’t Amend Alliance is the only voice out there in the media representing our perspective. I really miss Paula Wolfe, Darrin Hobbs, and Erin Litvack because ten to one muffins, they would be on camera raising hell in response to some of the trash talk we are being slimed with right now.

The absence of a visible spokesperson (or preferably a team of them) is just one problem that needs to be addressed quickly by the Center. Another is the scheduling fiasco that is our community calendar and especially Gay Pride Week. Could we possibly cram more crap and redundancy into seven days if we tried? Why not take the Film Festival, Interfaith Service, 5K Run, and some of the other Pride events and spread them throughout the year, so that the community can support them? Who knows, you might get better attendance and have much more impact. Ya think?

Salt Lake Metro’s Guide to This Year’s Election

Deciding “Who’s on Our Side”

By Joel Shoemaker

hen Republican Attorney General Mark Shurtleff broke from his conservative party to oppose the proposed Amendment 3 to Utah’s constitution, he not only won favor from many in the gay and lesbian community, he also received an endorsement from Utah’s largest GLBT political group, Equality Utah.

But not everyone was happy about the endorsement.

“I think Equality Utah has endorsed two candidates that don’t support the gay and lesbian community,” says Mike Picardi, chair of the Utah Stonewall Democrats. Picardi says he was “disappointed” by Equality Utah’s decision to not only endorse Shurtleff, but also State Senator James Evans, a Republican up for reelection in District 1.

Picardi says the fact that Shurtleff filed a friend-of-thecourt brief to the U.S. Supreme court in the hopes of preventing the court from overturning a Texas anti-sodomy law shows he’s not a true friend for the gay and lesbian community. And he says that even though Evans was the sole Republican to vote against putting Amendment 3 on the ballot, his record on gay and lesbian issues is questionable. “There are other Republicans that are more moderate they could have chosen,” says Picardi.

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Equality Utah Executive Director Michael Mitchell admits there’s been some slack over the endorsements but defends the decision. Shurtleff’s opposition to Amendment 3 has been crucial for the campaign against it. And as for Evans, Mitchell says, “Has he been perfect on our issues? No. Will he be perfect on our issues in the future?

Don’t know. But we feel our endorsement is an investment in a future where we can work with Sen. Evans, and other elected officials like him, educating them and working with them.” Mitchell says it’s important to support candidates that can help open doors for gay and lesbian issues in the future.

The conflict of opinions about who should get the nod from gay and lesbian voters underscores the difficulty political groups sometimes have in choosing which candidates to endorse. But each of the state’s most active GLBT political groups says the endorsements come after much thought and consideration.

Equality Utah and Utah Stonewall candidates both use a questionnaire to guide them in choosing which candidates to endorse.

For Equality Utah, Mitchell says a strategy board makes up their questions, this year focusing on Amendment 3, employment, housing, hate crimes legislation, and other

issues. The questionnaire is then sent to every major race, including candidates for US Senate and House, state Governor, Attorney General, state House and Senate, and Salt Lake County Council and Salt Lake County Mayor. The candidates interested in getting Equality Utah’s support then meet with board members for an in-person or telephone interview.

“We consider the interviews a fantastic education process not only for us, but for the candidates on our issues,” says Mitchell of the more than two dozen interviews. He says one highlight this year was the interview with Odgen’s District 9 Representative Neil Hansen (D), who Mitchell expected to be more conservative. “He has a great approach for LGBT issues … he represents all of the people in his area.”

Based on the information from the questionnaire and the interview, along with the candidates’ records, the board of Equality Utah chooses the candidates they’ll endorse. This year they endorsed 16 candidates, with 6 more getting “positive ratings.”

Along with many of the endorsements from Equality Utah comes money totaling over $26,000 – much of which came from the Allies Dinner. Mitchell says openly lesbian District 27 Representative Jackie Biskupski (D) received the most financial support, totaling over $4,000. Along with a financial contribution comes election support like phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, etc.

Mitchell notes that Equality Utah’s non-partisan stance and endorsements for representatives in both parties helps to open doors where partisan endorsements may not. As with the Evans endorsement, Mitchell says, “It’s important for the Utah Republican Party to know that we are willing to work with candidates from their party.”

On the partisan side, Utah Stonewall Democrats, which is also the gay and lesbian caucus of the Utah Democratic Party, actually chooses which candidates they’ll endorse before it’s even a sure thing they’ll be in the race.

According to Picardi a questionnaire was sent before the convention to Democrats running in major races for the first time this year. Then during the convention, the Stonewall Democrat delegates (this year there were 121) vote on whom to endorse. But, then the candidates also have to make it through the convention to be in the race as a Democrat. Picardi says there were a few who were endorsed at the convention that never actually made it to the race.

Since Utah Stonewall Democrats are actually part of the larger Democrat party, candidates they endorse don’t get a financial contribution. Picardi says candidates do get their volunteer support and, in some instances, Utah Stonewall Democrats can sponsor a fundraiser. He says much of the value of their endorsement comes from the votes it hopes to bring in.

The Utah chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, another gay and lesbian partisan group, endorses candidates after they’ve come to their board meeting and met with them. Chair Gordon Storrs says the two candidates they endorsed, Shurtleff and Evans, both came to their September fundraiser. Storrs says the group, comprised of less than ten members, uses a list of criteria to decide who to endorse. One major issue was the candidates’ stances on Amendment 3. The other criteria focus on how involved the candidate is with gay and lesbian issues, and if they are a person who will listen to the community.

The group followed the national Log Cabin Republican in not endorsing President Bush for re-election. No money comes with their endorsement, as the group is focusing on building its own infrastructure, according to Storrs.

Mitchell says it’s important for the gay and lesbian community to contribute to each of the political organizations that are looking out for the larger community needs, regardless of political affiliation. Not only money, but volunteer hours too, he says.

“We lost Amendment 3 in the Senate by just one vote.

Had one more race been won, we wouldn’t have Amendment 3,” he says. And considering that in 2002, a handful of legislative races were lost to under a hundred votes, 1 or 2 people getting out to vote in each community does make a difference.”

Third Party Candidates

By Rob Orton y now, most people planning to vote have a pretty good idea where the major party candidates stand on the issues, buy what about all those other names on the ballots? With a halfdozen alternate party choices, we thought it would be helpful to know a bit about these other candidates, and where they stand on GLBT issues, when you go to cast your vote.

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The Presidential/ Vice Presidential Candidates MICHAEL BADNARIK RICHARD V. CAMPAGNA LIBERTARIAN PARTY Badnarik is supportive of civil rights for all citizens from all agencies of the government.

“Government’s role in business relationships is to enforce, not dictate, its terms; and its role in marriage should be the same. Just as anyone can engage in a business relationship, any individuals should be able to enter into a marriage.”

WALT BROWN - MARY ALICE HERBERT SOCIALIST PARTY USA The Socialist Party recognizes the human and civil rights of all, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.

The party calls for repeal of all sodomy laws and anti-lesbian/gay restriction and legalization of same-sex marriage. They call for full funding for AIDS research, parental and foster rights for gays and lesbians, equal validity education regarding same-sex relations.

DAVID COBB - PAT LAMARCHE GREEN PARTY

JAMES HARRIS MARGARET TROWE SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY

RALPH NADER - PETER MIGUEL CAMEJO REFORM PARTY Nader supports full equal rights for gays and lesbians. His campaign states that the only way to ensure full equal rights is to recognize same-sex marriage. “The U.S. Constitution has been amended only 17 times since the Bill of Rights – and in each instance it was to extend rights and liberties to the American people, not restrict them. It would be the only one that would single out one class of Americans for discrimination.”

MICHAEL ANTHONY PEROUTKA – CHUCK BALDWIN CONSTITUTION PARTY Although the party is discontent with Amendment 3, their reasons are based on a belief that the founding fathers’ intent of ‘all men are created equal’ prohibits discriminatory legislation and thus allows freedom of religion and speech to override civil freedom. Paroutka’s platform states: “’Hate Crimes’ legislation has nothing to do with hate, and everything to do with the advancement of the radical gay agenda...by attacking freedom of religion and speech.”

DIANE TEMPLIN - AL MOORE AMERICAN PARTY “Homosexuality and lesbianism are a plague sweeping the nation and creating a wave of disease and immorality,” taunts the American Party platform. They believe in no special rights or privileges – familial, adoption, or marriage rights – and they encourage states to enact legislation restricting these rights, the arts, and free speech.

KEN LARSEN, TALEA SHADOWIND — GOVERNOR, LT. GOVERNOR PERSONAL CHOICE PARTY

PATRICK S. DIEHL — U.S. CONGRESS, 2ND DISTRICT GREEN PARTY “We need to support loving relationships among human beings, not throw stones at them or put stumblingblocks before their feet!”

LINDA KELSCH, UTAH HOUSE DISTRICT 53 PERSONAL CHOICE PARTY Government needs to get out of the business of marriage and defining what constitutes a family. Marriage is a private, ecclesiastical affair [and] a personal choice where it harms no one else. The only thing that threatens the ‘traditional marriage’ in this country is divorce.”

DANIEL DEAN MCGUIRE — UTAH SENATE DISTRICT 1 PERSONAL CHOICE PARTY McGuire opposes Amendment 3. “I think it will end up costing the taxpayers a lot of money to defend it from challenges in court under the 14th Amendment. The State should refrain from hurtful discrimination.”

He also believes censorship in our education perpetuates ignorance, leading to uninformed decisions, accidental pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease.

ELAINE JENKINS — UTAH SENATE DISTRICT 1 CONSTITUTION PARTY

John Kerry (D) –

UNITED STATES SENATE Paul Van Dam (D) – USD,

UNITED STATES HOUSE District 2, Patrick S. Diehle (G) –

GOVERNOR Ken Larsen (PC) –

UTAH ATTORNEY GENERAL Andrew McCullough (L) – EU+ Mark Shurtleff (R) – EU, LCR Greg Skordas (D) – EU+, USD

UTAH STATE SENATE District 1, James Evans (R) – EU, LCR District 1, Fred Fife (D) – EU+, USD, District 10, Joey Foote (D) – EU+ District 27, Mike Dmitrich (D) – USD

UTAH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES District 8, Rik McDonald (D) – EU District 9, Neil Hansen (D) – EU District 11, Mandi Draayer (D) – EU District 24, Ralph Becker (D) – EU, District 26, David Litvack (D) – EU, District 27, Jackie Biskupski (D) – EU, USD, District 28, Roz McGee (D) – EU District 31, Ty McCartney (D) – EU District 35, Mark Wheatley (D) – EU District 37, Carol Spackman Moss (D) – EU District 38, Chuck McDowell (D) – EU District 53, Laura Bonham (D) – EU

SALT LAKE COUNTY MAYOR Peter Corroon (D) – EU+, USD,

SALT LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL At-Large, Jenny Wilson (D) – EU, District 4, Dina Blaes (D) – EU+, USD,

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Amendment 3, No – EU,

CITIZEN’S STATE INITIATIVES Initiative 1, Yes –

SALT LAKE COUNTY PROPOSALS ZAP Tax, Yes –

UTAH COUNTY PROPOSALS ZAP Tax, Yes – FOR MORE VOTER INFORMATION, VISIT OUR SPECIAL VOTER GUIDE AT

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Jenkins states that she is not supportive of sodomy based legislation but against Amendment 3. “In my opinion, Amendment 3 is unnecessary at best and dangerous at worst.” She believes that putting marriage under supervision of the government will ultimately pervert the “God ordained institution.” She continues, “Human sexuality education belongs in the home under the supervision of parents.”

UNITED STATES PRESIDENT

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“I am against gun control, drug control, adult entertainment control and marriage control, including the anti-gay, anti-polygamy, anti-Muslim Marriage Amendment.” Larsen touts throughout his campaign what Governor Brigham Young would think of today’s

Presently, McCullough is member of Board of Directors, and Membership Chairman of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. He states in his platform: “I can see no harm to society if a contract includes mutual personal commitment. Marriage contains a religious element and has traditionally been a religious rite. If a particular religious body is willing to bless a same-sex contractual union and call it a marriage, I think this is also protected under the First Amendment.”

Endorsements: EU = Equality Utah EU+ = Equality Utah Positive Rating, not endorsed LCR = Log Cabin Republicans USD = Utah Stonewall Democrats = Salt Lake Metro Political Parties: (D) = Democrat (G) = Green Party (L) = Libertarian (PC) = Personal Choice (R) = Republican

SALT LAKE METRO

Some of the Utah Candidates on the Gay and Lesbian Issues

W. ANDREW MCCULLOUGH — UTAH ATTORNEY GENERAL LIBERTARIAN PARTY

ENDORSEMENTS

BY GAY AND LESBIAN GROUPS

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Róger Calero was this party’s presidential nominee, but is ineligible. Martin Koppel apparently is no longer a nominee either. James Harris seems to be the Socialist Workers Party candidate as a write-in. The party is focused on the worker assuming power over the ‘boss’. Their Marxist platform is devoid of most of the standard platform issues, including lesbian, gay, or civil freedoms.

“If there is going to be a Constitutional amendment, it should be one that clears the way for same-sex marriages, by disallowing the discrimination against individuals on the basis of sexual preference... Show me a married heterosexual couple that feels its union is threatened by the existence of gay marriages and I’ll show you a marriage that is weak enough to have problems under any circumstances.”

CLIP AND TAKE TO THE POLLS

OCTOBER 28, 2004

The ‘Greens’ believe in comprehensive sex education as part of a prevention awareness campaign against AIDS and HIV. They will implement the recommendations of the National Commission on AIDS and promise to end HIV discrimination. They support equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender people regarding marriage, child custody and adoption, employment, and “all other areas of life.” They are supportive of Hate Crime legislation for sexual orientation.

CHARLES JAY - MARILYN CHAMBERS TAYLOR PERSONAL CHOICE PARTY

government. He believes Young would have had a compassionate attitude toward gay and lesbian rights, and would vote No on Amendment 3 to defeat this “cultural intolerance... If I am elected Governor of Utah, I will seek the dismissal of any county clerk who disobeys my Executive Order to end marriage discrimination in Utah.”

GAY VOTE 2004

The Road to November 2 The Campaign Against Amendment 3 from a Volunteer’s Perspective

By Pat Riley Special to Salt Lake Metro

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OCTOBER 28, 2004

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Mail to: Metro Publishing, 352 S Denver St, Ste 350, Salt Lake City UT 84111

remember the first day I got involved in the Don’t Amend Alliance. It was a Saturday in mid-June and I was attending KRCL’s Day in the Park. I’d heard about Betsy Burton’s fundraiser for moveon.org—was Betsy shooting for ten thousand or a hundred thousand? I think it was a hundred thousand—and she was appealing through an open-mic forum to those who could help her reach her goal.

From Jordan Park, I rushed home to meet Tammy and Marty for a ride to Betsy’s event. We got there early, so we watched other folks setting up their booths. After hearing Scott McCoy speak, I paid a lot more attention to the Don’t Amend Alliance booth. I remember talking to him afterwards and expressing my disbelief with the second part of Amendment 3. I signed up to volunteer right there. I wanted to wear the yellow Don’t Amend T-shirt.

I’m trying to remember what my first event with the Alliance was. It was either the farmer’s market or doing lawn sign distribution. Farmer’s market is the best training ground for a new volunteer, but each Alliance event is so different. The most difficult is going door-to-door because once you ring the bell, you have to get psyched for whoever may answer.

It’s been so exciting being part of this well-organized, well-funded grassroots campaign. I have met and worked with such a diverse community. My favorite times are like a recent Thursday, when a bunch of volunteers sent campaign literature out. We laughed so much and the crowd continued to grow all day. We had Kay (in a common law marriage), Angie (who has a lesbian daughter), Jim (the nurse who just moved to Utah after being honorably discharged from the army), Clay (the Log Cabin Republican whom I can call a friend) and Keven (who came a bit late and was introduced to “Jim Man”). Call me paranoid, but I think we had a spy in our midst when we were first stuffing envelopes. Someone made a comment about “never being around so many Bush-bashing people before.” Hmm, I haven’t seen her since.

I believe that an in-your-face approach would not work for this campaign. People still think this is the gay marriage amendment, when it is so much more than that. If we get into people’s faces, they won’t listen at all to what we have to say. I find that when I treat each person with respect, they treat me with respect (most of the time)— even if they have a different view. All of us at the Alliance are angry, but we know that our actions speak volumes.

Once, during a door-to-door distribution in Magna, I came to a door where I swear someone from her ward must have called her and warned her I was coming. She was

ready for me. Although we had opposing views, we still respected each other and I told her I would take her challenge if she read the Constitution to see where it says there should be a separation between church and state.

I’ve done so many things with the Don’t Amend Alliance. My initiation was delivering the first batch of signs. That took two days because it was so much fun trying to find all the houses. The Saturday I was supposed to go to Bluffdale’s Summer Days was unnerving, but it turned out the folks from the Alliance who went for the morning shift left after a bit because they felt like they were in a hostile environment. From there, I went to the farmer’s market, which

was a great political initiation. Not knowing what kind of reaction I would get from each person I approached made for an exhausting day. I remember getting home from the market and being exhausted—and emptyhanded too. By the time I’d finished for the day, all the good pickings were gone and lots of the vendors were, too.

I’ve worked many events in addition to the market; everything from the Avenues Street Fair to MoDiggity’s to Lucie Blue Tremblay. I always stand at events, even when I could sit, because I feel better when I’m at eye level with whoever I’m talking to.

One of the things I haven’t done for the campaign is throw a house party. I haven’t even attended one. House parties are a big success. Someone throws a party and the Alliance sends a speaker to the party to talk about the amendment and to take donations and encourage volunteering. I’m always hearing about how fun they are and how generous people are with their donations.

The best and most exciting event I went to as a participant, rather than a workerbee, was the Allies Dinner. I got to attend this $100 plate dinner as a “super volunteer.” This was the most re-energizing event! This was the third anniversary and I can’t believe I’d never before attended. I do regret not chatting with Bruce Bastian, who started WordPerfect. (I also felt way underdressed. Yikes!)

What keeps me going is that people still don’t know about the second part of Amendment 3. When they hear about it they don’t believe that it is going to affect a

If you're looking for Don’t Amend Alliance volunteers get ready for a day of handing out literature and buttons at the Park City Arts Festival.

Left: The team ‘debriefs’ after the event.

www.diversity1st.com

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SALT LAKE METRO ■

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each voter personally. There’s something about the personal touch there. I remember talking to this woman in Layton last Saturday. I explained to her the two parts to the amendment and asked her if she agreed with each one. After she said yes to each part I asked her, “Then you agree with taking peoples’ civil rights away?”

She gasped and said, “No! That’s not what I said.” I took my cue and headed out, offering her a good day. I know she’s still thinking about it now. There are so many people like here that we still need to talk to, and the election is just days from now. How can we reach everyone?

Last, but not least, is phone banking.

It’s probably the main volunteer event going on for the rest of the campaign. We’re calling the list of thousands of supporters who have signed on to the Vote No on 3 campaign. I’m not sure why phone banking seems so hard. You have to like the telephone, that’s for sure. This is one volunteer event where I’m a real slacker. Or maybe I’m just saving it for the last week before the elections. That’s going to be a real phone banking week! The first time I did phone banking I worked with several other folks, including a woman and her teenage daughter. It was really cool; the woman had phone banked the week before and knew how important it was so she brought her daughter along that week. I recently heard that she also brought her husband.

Phone banking is huge in campaigns, but my guess is that they get the fewest number of volunteers. My last phone banking experience was rejuvenating in its own way. I was calling a list of volunteers to get people for our Saturday literature drops, where you go door-to-door. As I slowly made my way through the list I was leaving lots of messages. But John would stop in the doorway several times to say so-and-so “just returned your message and signed up.” Wouldn’t you call that volunteeringon-demand?

Hi, my name is Pat; I’m a volunteer with the Don’t Amend Alliance. I’m just calling to remind you to vote No on Amendment 3 on Tuesday, November 2nd. Please don’t forget to vote. Thanks.

OCTOBER 28, 2004

lot of people, not just gays and lesbians. I would expect most people to have at least heard about this amendment, but lots of times they haven’t. Finally though, the Tribune did a great article breaking down the different groups this amendment would affect. The figures, roughly, are: 4,000 gay and lesbian couples (I this it’s higher), 20,000 common law couples, and 4,000 senior citizens who have lost spouses and have found new love, but can’t afford to pay the marriage penalty.

I haven’t been involved in the debates – I just remember one of the first televised debates on Channel 2 with Rod Decker as mediator. He kept calling it Proposition 3 and was rude and very distracting when the debaters tried to talk. I remember Scott getting a bit tense sometimes when Monty would say something so stupid, like our campaign was trying to use scare tactics.

We don’t want to wait and see the legislation start. The whole ordeal with Monty’s visual aids – those large floppy pieces of cardboard with the Nebraska amendment language on one and the proposed Utah marriage amendment written on another.

Monty was so busy whipping them around on stage that we couldn’t read either one. It was so bad it was funny, but scary too.

I can’t tell you how proud I am to be working on this campaign with the Alliance staff, especially when I get such great compliments. I was working the northeast corner of the farmer’s market one morning, right next to Peter Coroon, and he basically said he was jealous of our organization. “I can’t believe it, you guys are everywhere. And there are so many of you,” he said. “There’s only me to cover all these events and you are always there. If you have any extra bodies, send them over to my campaign.”

Another time three or four of us were pounding signs at the office and a guy that works in the building commented as he was leaving, “You guys are always having so much fun when I see you. I’ve never seen such a well-organized grass-roots campaign and I’ve been around many.”

That’s why this campaign is doing as well as it is—because it’s so well organized.

Sometimes though, I wish I could clone myself a thousand times over and talk to

Honesty, Integrity & Reliability in your Mortgage Lender, Think DIVERSITY 1ST!

30SATURDAY 31SUNDAY

David Sedaris.

See Thursday, November 4

See the Halloween Party Guide on page 30.

2TUESDAY

THE GAY AGENDA 28THURSDAY A horror comedy by Sundance Summer Playwriting Institute Young Playrights award winner Jared Anderson is being produced at the Lab Theatre on the University of Utah campus.

THE LEAST OF THESE is a jolting and dramatic play with comedic and absurd elements that is not for the faint of heart.

7:30pm Thurs.–Sat., 4:30pm Friday and 2pm Sunday. Lab Theatre/Studio 115, Performing Arts Building just west of the University of Utah bookstore. Tickets $5–7 at 355-ARTS or 581-7100.

The University of Utah School of Music presents a HAUNTED ORCHESTRA HALLOWEEN CONCERT: CREEPY TALES. A “spooktacular� evening of musical tricks and treats by the Utah Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra. Features music from the films Spiderman and The Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as works from Hansel and Gretel, The Phantom of the Opera, and Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni.

Broadway in Utah brings in the first-ever Broadway production of everyone’s favorite boy-meetsgirl, plant-eats-world phenomenon. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is the musical comedy masterpiece about a loser, the girl he loves, and the man-eating plant that is about to change their lives forever.

7:30pm Thurs., 8pm Fri.–Sat., 2pm Sat.–Sun. and 6pm Sun., Capitol Theatre, 50 W 200 South. Tickets $30–57 at 355-ARTS.

OCTOBER 28, 2004 â–

SALT LAKE METRO â–

Salt Lake County Elections 468-3427.

Davis County Elections 451-3420.

Tooele County Elections (435)843-3140.

Utah County Elections 370-8238.

Weber County Elections 399-8400.

Halloween parties begin and run all weekend. See Salt Lake Metro’s complete

Halloween Party Guide on page 30.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW returns to the Tower Theatre for Halloween weekend. All you sweet transvestites are invited to dress in your favorite Rocky drag, but leave the toast and rice at home. Prop kits will be available for $3 at the theatre.

4THURSDAY NPR’s storyteller, DAVID SEDARIS, returns to Utah for what is sure to be a sold-out performance. Sedaris is best known for his readings of “Santaland Diaries� on NPR’s Morning Edition and is the definition of sardonic humor. He also penned Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day.

29FRIDAY

7:30pm, Libby Gardner Hall on the University of Utah campus. $7 through ArtTix.com Midnight Fri–Sun. Tower Theatre, 876 E. 900 or 355-ARTS. 0AINS/F9OUTH-ETRO!D TH PDF 0South. Tickets $9 available at the Tower or Broadway Theatre box offices. 321-0310.

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Make sure to get out to the polls and VOTE in this very important election. Your polling location can be found by going to slmetro. com/vote. You can also get a ride to the polls by calling the Don’t Amend Alliance offices at 746-1314.

Call your friends and family to make sure they vote as well.

Come watch the ELECTION RETURNS as they pour in on Amendment 3 and the local and national races. A reception and dinner precedes an open VICTORY PARTY at Panini.

8pm, Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. President’s Circle on the University of Utah campus.

Free parking by shuttle at the Rice-Eccles stadium. Tickets $22.50–28.50 at 355-ARTS or 581-8100.

5FRIDAY

5:30–7:30pm reception and dinner, Panini, 299 S. Main Street, second floor. $35 per person. RSVP to Mike, 746-1314.

7:30pm Victory Party, Panini. No charge.

Join the seductive gypsy girl, her wouldbe lover Don Jose and the dashing matador Escamillo as the artists of BALLET WEST present an interpretation of the world famous opera libretto CARMEN.

3WEDNESDAY

7:30pm through Nov. 15, Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South. Tickets $17–65 through 355ARTS or ArtTix.org

The AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL screens annually in Seattle, West Hollywood, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City and Laramie, WY and returns to our city for its fifth season. This year’s festival features 15 films by filmmakers from around the world who work against long odds, short finances, and threatening politics to bring to the screen these powerful stories of human struggle, sacrifice, and triumph.

Importantly, the festival hopes to offer opportunity to see, to learn and to care. And should some who attend be moved to action, Amnesty International will be ready to help them get involved.

See the full schedule on the next page.

Tickets $5 for matinees, $7 evenings. $30 full festival pass, $40 VIP festival pass.

8MONDAY Salt Lake Metro and CLUB PANINI present SPEED DATING. Cram as many 5 minute ‘dates’ into the evening and, if you both decide it’s worth another try, you’ll both get contact info. A very fun night.

7pm, Club Panini, a private club for members, 299 S. Main Street. Call to RSVP 535-4300.

10WEDNESDAY The University of Utah Department of Theatre presents Tennesee Williams’ GLASS MENAGERIE, the story of a gentleman caller’s visit to the awkward daugher of a fading southern belle.

7:30pm through Nov. 21. 2pm Sunday matinees. Babcock Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East.

Tickets $12 at 355-ARTS

Theatre Reviews

11THURSDAY Cue Media presents a stage preview of their upcoming film, PECULIARITIES — a contemporary tragi-comedy, which weaves the stories of LDS couples, each struggling with issues of love, sin, romance, and sexuality. Directed by Jerry Rapier and written by BYU professor Eric Samuelson, the story follows the loves of three couples — one returning to annul a Las Vegas marriage so they could have sex, two coworkers with forbidden sexual tension, and a man and wife on their way to her first day as a sex worker in Nevada.

8pm Thurs.–Sat., 3pm Sat. matinee. Studio Theatre, Rose Wagner, 138 W. Broadway.

Tickets $12 through 355-ARTS or ArtTix.org.

Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief

By Mandy Q. Racer

UPCOMING Friday, November 12 GLBT Public Safety Liaison Committee CYBER SAFETY WORKSHOP Sunday, November 21 Plan-B Theatre CHOCOLATE PARTY

Amnesty International Film Festival FILM SCHEDULE: WEDNESDAY 11/03 THE CORPORATION. Followed by remarks from Chip Pitts of Amnesty International’s Business and Human Rights Program and Jennifer Abbott, the film’s producer.

6pm, Salt Lake City Library Auditorium

THURSDAY 11/04 REPATRIATION 6pm, Salt Lake City Library Auditorium

FRIDAY 11/05 DISBELIEF 6pm, Salt Lake City Library Auditorium

SATURDAY 11/06 CONDOR: AXIS OF EVIL (Salt Lake Premiere) Preceded by ARCHIVO DE LA IDENTIDAD (Salt Lake Premiere) and NO PLACE TO GO FINAL SOLUTION 1:30pm, Salt Lake City Library Auditorium

TBA 5pm, Orson Spencer Hall Auditorium, UofU

SUNDAY 11/07

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3pm, Salt Lake City Library Auditorium

Popcorn continues Thursdays through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through November 7. For tickets, call 355-ARTS (2787) or visit www.pygmalionproductions.org. Tickets are $15 adult, $10 student.

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BORN INTO BROTHELS Followed by a reception with the Director, Zana Briski, and the Executive Producer, Geralyn Dreyfous showcasing information about “Kids with Cameras” and photographs.

Popcorn is just what the carb-starved city of Salt Lake has been craving. Pygmalion Productions Theatre Company chose to produce a winning script by the prodigious comedian-playwright-novelist Ben Elton. It is highly unfortunate, though, that Pygmalion’s production of Popcorn is not quite on par with Elton’s piercing satire.

The issue lies not within Rose Wagner’s Black Box Theatre as venue, nor with the technical aspects of the production. While the seats may be a little harsh on the backside, the stark stage was impeccably appointed and the sound system unerringly operated.

Elton’s sardonic tone is expertly set from the moment one enters the theatre. As audience members file in, they are greeted by Trent Reznor, who informs them that he wants to fuck them like animals. This “bloodcurdling comedy” is no trip to the Desert Star Playhouse.

Elton’s Popcorn is a chillingly funny satire not just of films such as Natural Born Killers, but also of the public’s rubberneck reaction to and thirst for these violent pictures. Elton crafts a cunning question of blame and points the finger at those who point fingers.

The responsibility for this production’s mild failing lies in the majority of the cast’s talented yet undeniably stilted acting. Uncomfortable pauses and strange non-comedic timing break the audience from its required suspension of disbelief, and they are left wringing their hands, nervous for the actors.

Luckily for Popcorn, Pygmalion, and the audience at large, Lane Richins and Daisy Blake have been expertly cast as maniacal spree-

main ingredient, Pygmalion has added appropriate staging and high-quality, professional transitions and settings, culminating in a deliciously guilty pleasure, a recipe for Popcorn that leaves only a few kernels unpopped.

SALT LAKE METRO

12:30pm, Salt Lake City Library Auditorium

By Mandy Q. Racer

murderers Wayne Hudson and Scout. While obviously drawn from Oliver Stone’s Mickey and Mallory Knox, Richins and Blake infuse what could have easily become caricatures with powerful, joyous and ironic life. Neither of the lovers misses a beat, a step or a chance to draw blood with a force that moves beyond theatre and into visceral reality.

In an amusing twist of incongruence, it is with the life force of murderers Richins and Blake that this play truly breathes. To this

Desdemona will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the UAA Center on October 30, November 5, 6, and 13.

Shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. on October 31 and November 14. For reservations, call 971-7866 or email avalonisleslc@yahoo.com. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 students.

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ARNA’S CHILDREN (Salt Lake Premiere) Preceded by DETAIL (Salt Lake Premiere)

Popcorn

indulges in sex with whomever she pleases, even going so far as to spend a Tuesday night in a pitch-black brothel filling in for prostitute Bianca (Charla Brinkpeter). In a somewhat jarring direct address, Desdemona (Candace Christensen) describes how sex becomes a conduit to freedom: “In the dark of my mind, how I travel.”

Travel is impossible for Desdemona; throughout the play she is trapped, along with her maid Emilia (Aina Holtz-Lagor), on a single,

OCTOBER 28, 2004

10am, Salt Lake City Library Auditorium

Shakespeare’s Othello is an utterly masculine power struggle in which Desdemona, Othello’s painfully loyal wife, is but an impotent pawn. Lesbian playwright Paula Vogel attempts to turn this patriarchy on its head in Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief, which Avalon Isle, Women’s Theatre Group, chose as its first production.

In a sharp break from the chastity of Shakespeare’s Desdemona, Vogel’s lead

unchanging set. Avalon Isle is, for the time being, a theatre run entirely by volunteers, and the lack of funds is reflected in the sparse surroundings. Happily, considering the symbolic properties of the scenery, this serves to enhance instead of damage the play’s integrity.

Unfortunately, the choice was made to use a pre-recorded voiceover during a scene in which the audience is made privy to the thoughts of Emilia. Earlier, Emilia was the first to directly address the audience – a harsh and startling move, yet one that paved the (rather rocky) way to Desdemona’s much longer direct address. While uncomfortable, a direct address would have been preferable to the long-winded voiceover that had no place in the play. In all, each pre-recorded segment served as an unfortunate detraction from the play’s immediacy.

Some may think Brinkpeter’s Bianca – who looks quite disarmingly like a drag queen doing Carol Channing – over the top. However, her entrance at the production’s midpoint pumped an intense amount of much-needed energy into the acting. During the first handful of fragmented scenes, Holtz-Lagor and Christensen anticipated rather than reacted to each other’s lines, and the result was a recitation of rote memorization. The women began to interact believably as the play progressed and the acting was at its best after the uproarious Brinkpeter completed the threesome.

Desdemona stirs with feminine sensuality while exuding a sense of power. This power, however, proves to be illusory, which makes the play a perfect first choice for the feminist theatre troupe. The production serves as a reminder to both the cast and the audience that the struggles faced by the three women transcend time and are relevant today.

OCTOBER 28, 2004 â–

SALT LAKE METRO â–

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Monday, November 8 at 7pm Cram in as many 5-minute dates as you can in one evening. If you both like what you see, you get contact information to set up a real, full-length date.

Call 535-4300 to reserve your spot.

Club Panini, a private club for members. 299 S. Main Street, 2nd Level

Halloween Party Guide Salt Lake Metro presents your guide to this year’s 3-day weekend of ghoulish galas.

H

alloween is celebrated like a high holy day in the gay community, but when it lands on a Sunday, it gives us an excuse to party all weekend long doing things we may never have done in standard garb.

Many local bars are having contests with cash prizes and organizations are hosting special events of their own.

This guide to the many parties around town will allow you to hit as many costume contests and special events as your ankles can possibly take in those ohso-not-comfortable shoes you chose at Deseret Industries.

Friday, October 29 Wasatch Leathermen’s Association & Utah Bears Alliance host “Things That Go Bump In The Night” at Club 161* from 9pm. Raffle, door prizes for those in costumes, and prizes for best costumes in a daddy/son theme, master/slave theme, bear/cub theme, and best overall. $5 Gossip’s “Halloween Nightmare” features a costume contest with cash prizes and “Devil’s Night” by Nova Starr at midnight.

Paper Moon* holds its annual Devil’s Night with a costume contest with prizes.

Come dressed in your black.

Club Try-Angles* has an all-day Halloween party. Buffet and costume contest begins at 8pm.

Saturday, October 30

Paper Moon* has a Pre-Halloween party with cash prizes for their costume contest.

The Southern Utah GLBT Community Center’s Halloween costume party is at a private home in St. George. Call (435)6690760 for details. Donation at the door is suggested for the center and for SUP@Z. Charley’s in Pocatello has their Halloween bash with cash prizes for best costumes.

The Trapp* and Trapp Door* host costume parties with cash prizes. Costume contest at 10pm at the Trapp, 11pm at the Trapp Door.

Naked* offers up sexy boys providing tricks and treats, slime shots and a costume contest at The Haunted Laboratory.

A monster mash show with Krystyna is at midnight.

Heads Up* starts their two-day Halloween celebration and costume contest with a $250 first place cash prize, $100/second and $50/third. Special gravedigger iced teas and DJ Dega.

Salt Lake Metro Bar Guide OGDEN, UT Brass Rail* ADDRESS: PHONE: HOURS:

103 27th Street 399-1453 M–W 5:30pm-1am TH–SA 3pm-2am SU 2pm-midnight

Every day AGE: 21+ COVER: No Still the one and only gay & lesbian club in Ogden. DJ on weekends.

GAY:

POCATELLO, ID Charley’s PHONE:

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

PHONE: WEBSITE:

161 Pueblo Street (1440 W.)

363-8161 club161.com

Chevy Suburban and Chuck White of the Royal Court host Paper Moon’s* Halloween party complete with apple bobbing and a sloppy joe contest.

Charley’s presents Goth Halloween. Dress in your best black, dress risque or come see those who do. * a private club for members.

Fri. & Sat. nights–DJ Boy Toy. Mon.–“Mor-Mondays.” Tues., Fri. and Sun.–$1 drafts.

Sun. afternoons–Buffet.

Tues.–Beer-soaked weenies.

Heads Up*

Radio City Lounge 147 S. State Street 532-9327 HOURS: 10am-2am GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ COVER: No Beer bar. The oldest gay bar west of the Mississippi.

ADDRESS: PHONE:

Todd’s Bar and Grill* 1051 S. 300 West 328-8650 WEBSITE: toddsbarandgrill.com HOURS: Weds. 10am-2am GAY: Wednesdays AGE: 21+ COVER: No Gay on Wednesdays with DJ Ebenflow and Brent B. Free parking.

ADDRESS: PHONE:

Trapp* 102 S. 600 West 531-8727 WEBSITE: thetrapp.com HOURS: 10am-2am daily GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ COVER: $3/Members free Really gay every day. Country, Cozy, Cruisy. Buffet and NFL on Sundays. Karaoke Mondays and Wednesdays.

Plenty of free parking.

ADDRESS: PHONE:

Trapp Door* 102 S. 600 West 533-0173 WEBSITE: thetrapp.com HOURS: TH-SU 9pm-2am GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ COVER: $3/Members free Dance and show club. Hot men and hot music. Latin night on Sundays. Plenty of free parking.

ADDRESS: PHONE:

* A PRIVATE CLUB FOR MEMBERS

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ADDRESS: 163 W. Pierpont Ave 326 S. West Temple (250 S) PHONE: 521-9292 PHONE: 359-2161 WEBSITE: nakedslc.com WEBSITE: headsupslc.com HOURS: Sat. 9pm-2am.

HOURS: 4pm-2am daily GAY: Saturday nights GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ AGE: 21+ COVER: $5-7 COVER: No Gay on Saturdays. 21+ Salt Lake’s newest and hotdance club on two levels test club. Mon.–Karaoke with with an outdoor patio.

Jamie. Tues.–50¢ drafts.

Weds.–Latin night. Thurs.–$2 Club Panini* shots. Fri. & Sat.–High NRG ADDRESS: 299 S. Main Street dance. Sun.–Eighties night.

PHONE: 535-4300 WEBSITE: panini.us MoDiggity’s* HOURS: M–TH 11am-10pm ADDRESS: 3424 S. State St. F–SA 11am-midnight PHONE: 832-9000 GAY: Mondays WEBSITE: modiggitys.com AGE: 21+ HOURS: M–TH 4pm-midnight COVER: No F–SA 4pm-2am Metro Mondays. Separate SU 11am-2am smoking room, outdoor area.

GAY: Every day Speed dating first Mondays AGE: 21+ of the month. $2 drafts.

COVER: $4/members free A sports and music club for Club Sound* women. Voted best gay bar ADDRESS: 579 W. 200 South in Utah by the readers of PHONE: 328-0255 Salt Lake City Weekly 2004.

WEBSITE: soundslc.com Football and mimosa brunch HOURS: Friday 9pm-2am. on Sundays. Live shows.

GAY: Friday nights AGE: 18+/21+ Paper Moon* COVER: $5-7 ADDRESS: 3737 S. State St. “Gossip” Friday nights. 21+ PHONE: 713-0678 dancefloor, pool hall and roofWEBSITE: thepapermoon.com top patio w/ bars. 18+ dance HOURS: M–F 3pm-1am floor and outdoor patio.

SA 7pm-1am SU noon-1am Club Try-Angles* GAY: Every day ADDRESS: 251 W. 900 South AGE: 21+ PHONE: 364-3203 COVER: $2 (80¢ Weds.)

WEBSITE: clubtry-angles.com Salt Lake’s Premier Woman’s HOURS: 2pm-2am daily Club. All family welcome.

GAY: Every day Tues.–Karaoke. Weds.–80¢ AGE: 18+/21+ COVER No drafts and shots Thurs ADDRESS:

UGRA nights. Fri. & Sat.– hip hop and dance.

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7pm-2am Closed Tuesdays GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ COVER: No A men’s bar. Thurs.–Underwear night. Fridays–Bear and Leather nights. Weds.–Free pool Sundays 75¢ drafts HOURS:

MoDiggity’s* King or Queen of Halloween costume contest awards a 27” color t.v. for first place, $100/second, $50/third.

SALT LAKE METRO

ADDRESS:

Heads Up* finishes their two-day Halloween celebration and costume contest with a $250 first place cash prize, $100/second and $50/third. Special ‘GraveDigger’ iced teas and eighties music all night.

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Club 161*

The Royal Court dishes up bowls of chili from Hell’s Kitchen at the Trapp* from 6–8pm. $2/bowl.

OCTOBER 28, 2004

331 E. Center St. (208) 232-9606 HOURS: M–W 5:30pm-1am TH–SA 3pm-2am SU 2pm-midnight GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ COVER: No Southeastern Idaho’s only gay dance club. Believes in and accepts the diversity of the human race. A great place to meet and make new friends.

ADDRESS:

Club Naked*

Sunday, October 31

Now Playing A DIRTY SHAME

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OCTOBER 28, 2004

A concussion unleashes the erotic fire within formerly repressed convenience store manager Sylvia Stickles (Tracey Ullman), who joins forces with sexual healer Ray-Ray (Johnny Knoxville) to push carnal boundaries. But Sylvia’s mother (Suzanne Shepherd), distressed that her Baltimore neighborhood is suddenly teeming with swingers and queers and bears — oh my! — vows to save the city from sex addiction. Director John Waters’ exuberant catalog of outré sex practices will probably land with the force of an explosion. But the one-time enfant terrible has become a dirty grandpa trying to shock with hoary jokes. The cast is fabulous, the rockabilly soundtrack adds a percussive thrill, but the bathroom humor never rises above the mildly amusing.

Grade: B- / Kinsey Scale: 5 (This comedy explores all modes of sexuality — hetero, homo, and bi are only the basic categories.

Waters, of course, is one of the pioneers of queer cinema and many of his longtime collaborators — Mink Stole, Mary Vivian Pearce, Jean Hill, Patricia Hearst — appear here. Other cast members with queer film, TV, and theater bona fides include Ullman, Jackie Hoffman, and Selma Blair.)

detective Nakagawa (Ryo Ishibashi) explains that, according to legend, the house is cursed and so are all who enter it. Ju-On, the popular Japanese horror film series that inspired this Americanized version, is rumored to be truly terrifying; but though this shares the same director, it lacks genuine thrills. Too much exposition bogs down the plot, but more than that, a demon who phones her victims and even rings their doorbells is downright comical. The scares are minimal, but there are plenty of unintentional laughs in this supremely silly shocker wanna-be.

Grade: C Kinsey Scale: 1 (Gellar starred in the queer-inclusive Buffy the Vampire Slayer and had a sapphic moment in Cruel Intentions. Co-star Grace Zabriskie was in Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, while co-star Clea DuVall played a lesbian in But I’m a Cheerleader.)

I HEART HUCKABEES

Existentialist detectives Bernard (Dustin Hoffman) and Vivian (Lily Tomlin) believe everything is connected. Their former pupil, Caterine (Isabelle Huppert), has gone nihilist, stressing the cruel randomness of life.

These high-minded gumshoes and their opposing doctrines compete for the souls of environmental activist Albert (Jason Schwartzman), department-store executive THE FORGOTTEN Brad (Jude Law), spokesmodel Dawn Grieving mother Telly Peretta (Julianne (Naomi Watts), and fireman Tommy (Mark Moore) can’t let go of the memory of her Wahlberg). Luckily, a philosophy degree is dead son, an 8-year-old boy who may or not required to appreciate the absurdity may not have ever really existed. It seems of this screwball comedy with a brain. that she’s the only person in her circle The cast clearly relishes the opportunity of friends and family who remembers to perfect their pratfalls while spitting out the child. Just as she meets a neighbor sparkling one-liners. Hoffman and Tomlin (Dominic West) who also lost a daughter are particularly charming as the cheerful and his own memory of her, the Feds step shamuses who never give up on a client. in to run interference while Telly begins Rarely have serious questions of being a desperate search to uncover the truth. and nothingness been rendered this silly “Desperate” also describes the script, or this fun. which takes a compelling idea — govGrade: B+ / Kinsey Scale: 1 (Tomlin is ernmental conspiracy and mind-control — and negates it with third-act cheesiness openly gay, and she, Huppert, Hoffman, and silly sci-fi impossibilities. This paranoid Wahlberg, Law, and Watts have all appeared in queer-themed films.) thriller starts out riddled with tension and loses its way completely, insuring that LADDER 49 it — like other botched suspense films Firefighter Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix) — will wind up forgotten. has fallen and can’t get up. As he lies on Grade: C- / Kinsey Scale: 1 (Moore has the cement floor of a burning warehouse, appeared in two films by gay director trapped by the flames, his life literally Todd Haynes, Safe and Far from Heaven; passes before his eyes in this sentimental played a nominally lesbian character in drama in which easy emotions are tapped Gus Van Sant’s Psycho; and starred in the at regular intervals. Flashbacks tell the 10lesbian-themed The Hours. West had a role year story of Jack’s experience as a rookie in Chicago, while Alfre Woodard appeared in a company with a stoic yet kind and in the gay-themed Christmas TV movie wise chief (John Travolta); they also reveal Holiday Heart, and Linus Roache played a details of his marriage, children, injuries, gay priest in Priest.) doubts, and close calls with death. In the end, the audience is left with a simplistic FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS account of heroism instead of a complex Football is serious business in Odessa, view of human reality. The movie is wellTexas, so the townsfolk let Coach Gary meaning and inoffensive enough, and the Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) know that his job depends on his Permian High Panthers fiery action sequences are palm-sweat-inwinning the state championship. That goal ducing; but the bland attempts to lionize all firefighters as noble gods make for a film becomes tougher when star running back that never reaches the top rungs.

Boobie Miles (Derek Luke) blows out his Grade: B- / Kinsey Scale: 1 (A gay prank knee. This drama is allegedly based on is played on one of the firefighters, but any the real-life Panthers’ almost-Cinderella 1988 season, but the characters are stock possible homophobic edges have been sanded off, in keeping with the middlesports caricatures lost in a field of gridiron of-the-road nature of the film. Phoenix clichés. Director Peter Berg tries to add verisimilitude with a documentary shooting worked with gay director Gus Van Sant on style, but his staccato editing leads the film To Die For.) to frequently resemble a commercial for RAISE YOUR VOICE Monday Night Football. Hardcore football For Terri Fletcher (Hilary Duff), being fans will revel in the on-field action, while blonde and cute just isn’t enough — she everyone else will wonder why anyone needs to sing. But when she’s accepted should care about Gaines or his team. for summer placement at a prestigious Grade: C / Kinsey Scale: 0 (Co-star music conservatory, her overprotective Connie Britton guest-starred in several father (David Keith) denies her permission episodes of Ellen DeGeneres’ groundbreakto go. Does that stop her? No way. With a ing sitcom.) little scheming help from an understanding mom (Rita Wilson) and her free-spirited THE GRUDGE aunt (Rebecca DeMornay), Terri runs off Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar), an American to L.A. to express herself creatively. The living in Japan who finds herself in a house 90 minutes of this movie are as sunny, where a long-ago murder-suicide took wholesome, and smoothly predictable as a place, soon begins experiencing horrifying visions. Her fear only increases when police glass of full-fat milk — it turns out Terri’s a

musical genius and a diplomat, smoothing grumpy Dad’s ruffled feathers with a well-placed tear or two. But bemoaning its obviousness is useless, since preteen girls — the target audience — will thrill to their heroine’s pluck and welcome every calculated plot twist like it’s never been done before. Like, ever.

Grade: B- / Kinsey Scale: 1 (If there are gay students in this summer conservatory, the audience never meets them, so the film is absent any queer content. Duff worked with gay director Jim Fall (Trick) on The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Co-star John Corbett was a regular on HBO’s queer-inclusive Sex and the City, while Wilson co-produced the gay-themed Connie & Carla as well as appearing in Gus Van Sant’s Psycho.)

SHALL WE DANCE? John Clark (Richard Gere), a suburban guy facing a midlife crisis, stumbles into a ballroom dance studio after cruising its beautiful dance instructor (Jennifer Lopez) from his window on the commuter train.

He begins lessons, but not an affair, still keeping his dancing life a secret from his loving wife (Susan Sarandon). When ballroom competition calls, however, the truth is revealed, and the rest of the story is exactly the sort of affirmation of middleaged love and family life one might expect from a movie in which the home furnishings are as polished and attractive as the lead actors. Yes, it’s dopey and predictable, and neither the performances nor the dancing are going to set anyone’s world on fire. But the movie effectively hits all the old-fashioned marks that undemanding, crowd-pleasing romances are supposed to, without tripping over its own feet too much.

Grade: B- Kinsey Scale: 1 (Bobby Cannavale plays a closeted dance stud who talks a little too much about how straight he is. Gere played gay in And the Band Played On, and has appeared in queer-inclusive films like Chicago, Dr. T & the Women, and American Gigolo. Sarandon famously made love with Catherine Deneuve in The Hunger, and appeared in queer audience favorites Thelma & Louise and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Lopez played a team-switching lesbian in Gigli and guest-starred on Will & Grace.)

SHARK TALE Great white mobster Don Lino (Robert DeNiro) sends his sons out into the ocean so that older son Frankie (Michael Imperioli) can teach timid Lenny (Jack Black) how to be a proper shark. But an anchor lands on Frankie’s head, leaving Lenny too fearful to go home, while opportunistic fish Oscar (Will Smith) becomes a local hero by claiming to have slain the shark. This pallid cartoon’s idea of being clever is to re-create Times Square on the ocean floor, but the animation is just so-so, with only Don Lino, Lenny, and puffer fish Sykes (Martin Scorsese) having any personality. Aquatic creatures spouting old movie clichés is amusing for about five minutes, and the story is so thin as to be practically nonexistent.

Grade: C- / Kinsey Scale: 2 (Lenny’s situation could be a gay metaphor — he lives in the closet, afraid to reveal to his family that he’s a vegetarian, and he cross-dresses as a dolphin. Smith, Imperioli, and bisexual co-star Angelina Jolie have all appeared in queer-themed films.)

SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW An evil scientist (the late, digitized Laurence Olivier) wants to destroy the world, so it’s Joe “Sky Captain” Sullivan (Jude Law) to the rescue. Together with reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Captain Franky Cook (Angelina Jolie), he battles multiple armies of robots in the search for the man who wants to control the fate of the planet. This is grand-scale silliness, lacking the galloping momentum and excitement of modern retro-classics like Raiders of the Lost Ark, but Sky Captain still has plenty to recommend it.

The old-fashioned, color-tinted, black-andwhite look created by using blue-screens

Earpiece Entertainment News and Notes

By Eric J. Tierney Something is seriously wrong with our commercial theatre. Stephen Sondheim—a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Kennedy Center honoree, and a Pulitzer Prize winner—cannot get a show on Broadway, yet it was announced this week that a stage version of the film Shrek will bow in one of Midtown’s schlock palaces sometime in 2005.

Not only that, but the production will be helmed by Sam Mendes—the former artistic director of London’s Donmar Warehouse, which brought about a kind of renaissance of the high-concept, sophisticated American musical in the West End in the nineties, and the director of American Beauty, perhaps the finest film made in the past fifteen years.

This is further proof to me that Andrew Lloyd Webber is a harbinger of the end of civilization, since Broadway is now selling out—at $90.00 a pop—to the same googly eyed tourists who not only crowd places like the Virgin Megastore Times Square, but who proudly buy tickets to the their hometown stop on The Phantom of the Opera’s national tour year after year so that they can brag to the other soccer moms and dads about how “cultured” they are.

The Fox comedy Arrested Development’s first season was released on DVD on October 19. Since I am apparently the only person in these United States who faithfully watched the show last year, I encourage you to purchase the disc and see what you’ve been missing. How could anyone not love a show that features a character whose chief mode of conveyance is by Segue Scooter, a psychiatrist whose own pet neurosis is that he’s terrified of being nude and so wears cutoff jeans at all times (even when showering), a man in his thirties who decides to throw off the oppressive bonds of his smothering mother by dating Liza Minelli, and a fifteen year old boy mooning over his live-in first cousin? There’s also Jason Bateman, who is worth watching for a host of reasons uniquely compelling to and complicated computer tricks makes for a gorgeous eye-candy experience. So does the all-too-brief presence of Jolie as a saucy, in-command military leader whose winking performance is enhanced, not obscured, by a very sexy eye patch.

Grade: B- / Kinsey Scale: 2 (Although there’s no queer content, the cast includes the bisexual Jolie — who played gay in Gia — and the CGI ghost of the bisexual Olivier. In addition, Law played gay in both Wilde and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and was the object of Matt Damon’s affection in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Paltrow played bisexual in The Royal Tenenbaums and cross-dressed in Shakespeare in Love.)

TARNATION With initial production costs of only $218, this documentary memoir recalls director Jonathan Caouette’s troubled childhood in Texas in the 1970s and ‘80s.

the readership of this particular publication—among them, that he was once on a television show with Valerie Harper. Also, that he’s cute.

Being the serious connoisseur of mass entertainment and pop culture that I am, I’m not usually one to gossip. But my editor pretty much told me I have to, and I know we all enjoy the occasional good laugh at the expense of others who are infinitely more wealthy and attractive than we are, so I hope you’ll excuse the occasional bit of dish. That said, my pledge to you is that you will never, but never, have to endure a mention of Paris Hilton in this space under my watch. Except that one, of course.

This week features nothing especially interesting—no vapid starlets endorsing political candidates, no former N-Sync members trying to butt their way onto spacecraft, no high-profile divorces to shamelessly enjoy, no new May-December or December-May romances and, perhaps most disappointing, no outings. So we will have to content ourselves with these two relatively uninspired bits of news: first, Jim Carrey, in a rather unfortunate turn of events for us, has become a United States citizen. Carrey is of course Canadian born, and the decision to leave a country with a pretty solid national health care system and an all-around higher standard of living indicates that he’s still struggling with the kind of thinking that led him to believe that The Majestic was a good idea. Secondly, Britney (no last name necessary) is going away to have a rest for a bit. It seems that the Blond Juggernaut hasn’t had a real vacation in seven years, what with all the weddings and mediocre music to record, and so she’s treating herself to some time off. This is a decision which I heartily applaud, as I’ve been waiting for my vacation from Britney for about the same amount of time.

Finally, pre-registration for locals-only packages of Sundance Film Festival tickets is available online at www.sundance. org/locals through October 29. Sundance has always gone out of its way to ensure that Utahns have a fair chance to see the films featured at the festival, and the result of their largesse has been the creation of a sophisticated film culture in the state.

Well, in the Salt Lake area. Still, the People in Black who attend the festival often seem to somehow resent locals, so I recommend the additional purchase of some aviator sunglasses and the sort of wildly inappropriate ski wear that would indicate that you’ve never been on a slope in your life.

You’ll blend in just fine.

The film opens in the present, with the adult Caouette, now in a gay relationship, learning about the lithium overdose of his mother, Renee. Then, in crazy-quilt fashion, he intercuts old family snapshots with home-movie footage and factual narration to trace Renee’s descent from beautiful child model to institutionalized madwoman, and to recount his own struggles in foster homes and with mental illness. Exceedingly arty and oddly detached, the film at times seems more like an album of horrifying family experiences than a meaningful reflection on surviving insanity and abuse.

In the end, many viewers may simply be relieved that their own messed-up families look like the Cleavers by comparison.

Grade: B- / Kinsey Scale: 6 (Caouette’s sexual identity is a major theme — “I’ve always been gay,” the young Jonathan states. Indeed, the most riveting scenes are home movies of the prepubescent Caouette — shot by himself — in trailer-trash drag,

demonstrating how early “queerness” manifests itself. Producers John Cameron Mitchell and Gus Van Sant round out the gay involvement in this project.)

TAXI New York police detective Washburn (Jimmy Fallon) loses his driver’s license, so when he gets a report of a bank robbery in progress, he flags down Belle’s (Queen Latifah) tricked-out, turbo-charged taxi. Endless car chases, some fine stunt driving, and a handful of carefully choreographed accidents are designed to please NASCAR fans, but the humor falls as flat as a punctured tire. Nonstop cracks about someone’s bad driving simply aren’t funny, although at least they aren’t as tasteless as the jokes about Washburn’s lush of a mother (Ann-Margret).

Grade: D / Kinsey Scale: 1 (There is a very brief, hot scene of supermodel Giselle Bundchen.)

Queeriscaping Big Beautiful Bulbs

by Brandie Balken

There are few things you can plant that will reward you as heartily and as quickly as spring blooming bulbs. Just when you think you will die from the oppressively gray winter landscape, the thaw begins and the bulbs you planted only 5 months ago explode with color. Thus saving you from re-activating your Zoloft prescription.

Here’s how: CHOOSING: When choosing bulbs for purchase, avoid those that are soft, mildewy under the skin, or small in comparison to the others. Choose bulbs of different varieties that bloom from early spring through summer, so your bulb area is loaded with color until your perennials come up.

PLANTING: Bulbs can be planted anytime after the evening temperatures drop between 40 and 50 degrees until six weeks before the first hard freeze, which generally occurs in January. Bulbs perform best if they are planted in an area that has good drainage and some sun.

Bulbs should be planted three times as deep as they are tall, with the pointy end up. e.g. 1.5” tall tulip bulb, plant 4.5” deep. Small bulbs can be planted on top

Red, White & Bubbly Undiscovered Calif.

By Beau Jarvis

VARIETIES: We all know and love the tulip, the daffodil and the crocus. Now let’s talk about some more interesting varieties.

Crown Imperial (Fritillaria Imperialis).

These are in the lily family and have dramatic yellow or red flowers that cluster at the top of a 28-36’ blooming stalk under a tuft of spiky green foliage. Very nice.

Wind Flower (Anemone Pulsatilla).

These plants are in the ranunculus family, and produce a low carpet (6-8”) of daisy like flowers ranging from white to mauvepink and blue. Lovely.

Ornamental Onion (Allium Giganteum). These plants are also in the lily family and have a wide range of blooming height, style and color. My personal favorites have a 36” blooming stalk topped with a sphere of tiny individuals flowers that are either rosy purple or deep violet blue. Yummy.

Of course there are also some bulbs I recommend you avoid. These are invasive, and incredibly difficult to remove once established. Two of the worst are Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum) and Grape Hyacinth (Muscari).

Brandie Balken is a horticulturist in Salt Lake City and can be seen at Cactus & Tropicals, 2735 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City. cactusandtropicals.com

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Beau Jarvis is a sommelier and wine educator who operates basicjuice.com and manages a weblog of entertainment and culture at basicjuice.blogs.com.

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Mendocino, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Coastal Mountain Range. The weather is notably cooler. Exotic grapes dwell here with names like Gewürztraminer and Viognier. Viognier is one pungent little cuss, tickling the nose with scents of honey, orange blossom and apricot. Take a sip. There is nothing delicate about this wine. It’s deceptively full-bodied and has a ‘slippery’ mouth-feel.

Spend $14 and spend the evening sniffing a glass of Mendocino’s Jepson Viognier (2002).

We’ll next hang a left at route 20 and drive east towards Lake County; home to Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California. It is surrounded by dormant volcanoes, rolling hills and boulders. Grapes growing in Lake County’s vineyards are treated to bright sunny days and cool, chilly nights. Syrah, a grape variety from the south of France, seems to have found a second home here. Its aroma is intensely fruity with a right good bit of pepper and pipe tobacco. It’s easy to drink and packs enough of a tannic punch to make one crave pepperoni pizza or a double cheeseburger. Call the pizza man and open up an $11 bottle of Shooting Star Lake County Syrah (2001).

According to my roadmap, we’re just 80 miles from Napa. As wine lovers, it would be downright blasphemous to completely ignore the valley. We can simply take Highway 29 and zoom on down south to Atlas Peak—one of the highest mountains in the valley. There is a winery here by the same name that specializes in Sangiovese. This is the same grape that is used in Italian Chianti. The Atlas Peak Sangiovese (2000, $12) is full of ripe cherry and strawberry scents. This is the perfect wine to sip as shadows grow long in the valley. It would really pair well with roast duck over a bed of soft polenta. Cheers.

OCTOBER 28, 2004

Name the last bottle of wine you shared with a friend.

Chances are it was from California. More specifically, said bottle was likely from Napa Valley. Of course there is nothing wrong with enjoying Napa wine. However there is much more to California wine than ‘the valley.’ Believe it or not there are many great non-Napa wines just waiting to be discovered. Let’s hop on Highway 101 sprouting north out of LA’s concrete tangle.

Our first stop is about 100 miles outside Los Angeles. We’ve arrived in Santa Barbara County, the so-called American Riviera. Warm temperatures and ocean breezes greet visitors and caress vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Rita hills.

Aside from the trusty grape varieties grown here in abundance such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, there is a deliciously interesting genetic mutant of a grape enjoying this idyll.

It’s called Pinot Blanc and it is the albino variant of the better known grape variety, Pinot Grigio. Pinot Blanc makes for a heady white wine; offering up green apple, pineapple, peach and pear scents and is full in the mouth with notable zing. This is a great wine for stir fried veggies hot off the wok. Try Steele Pinot Blanc (2002) for about $16.

Highway 1 is a joy to drive. Let’s motor north past Carmel and Monterey, skip San Francisco and put it in park near the small hamlet of

of larger bulbs for a layering effect. Plant varieties with different blooming times together, and plant your bulbs en masse.

There are fewer things sadder than a thin line of singularly planted bulbs, none of which are the same size (that’s nature for ya’) and few that have bloomed at exactly the same time.

Sports Queer Utah Aquatics Club Pink Flamingo synchronized-drag team, who brought down the house, but failed to win any of seven awards for the performance, prompting a judging scandal reminiscent of the past two Olympic Games.

Doug Fadel, Queer Utah Aquatics Club coach, competes at the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

QUACkers Place 7th at IGLA Championships

By David Nelson

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Betsy Watkins comes up for air as she competes in the meet. Watkins broke three IGLA records at the event.

fort lauderdale, fla. – The 47 Queer Utah Aquatics Club members who competed at the 2004 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships from Oct. 7 – 10 broke five IGLA records, and won 15 event first-place finishes, 19 event second-place finishes and 15 event third-place finishes. QUAC placed seventh of 50 teams in the overall team scores.

The QUAC Water Polo team peaked in its first IGLA tournament at an unexpected ninth place against 16 teams. The group’s Pink Flamingo synchronized-drag team earned a standing ovation from spectators but received none of the seven event awards prompting accusations of an uninvestigated judging scandal.

“QUAC’s victory seemed almost a done deal,” QUAC Coach and former IGLA CoPresident Doug Fadel said. “I, for one, am very comfortable being a sore loser – we were robbed. Nevertheless, team morale is at an all time high. Next year, QUAC will certainly be a force to reckon with.”

Richard Goers broke two IGLA records for his age-category times in the Men 50 LC Meter Breast (38.79) beating his own 2002 IGLA record in the event (39.95); and Men 200 LC Meter Breast (3:42.71). Betsy Watkins broke three IGLA records for her age-category times in the Women 50 LC Meter Breast (40.55); the Women 200 LC Meter Breast (3:19.52); and the Women 1500 LC Meter Free (21:36.32).

Goers also won first-place rankings for his age-category times in the Men 800 LC Meter Free and the Men 1500 LC Meter Free. Watkins also won first-place ranking for her age-category time in the Women 100 LC Meter Breast.

First-place rankings were also won by Patrick Hayes for his time in the Men 100 LC Meter Free; Brandon Hutchinson for his times in the Men 50 LC Meter Free and the Men 100 LC Meter Free; Amber Tackett for her times in the Women 100 LC Meter Breast, the Women 200 LC Meter Breast and the Women 200 LC Meter IM; and Patrick Wentworth for his time in the Men 800 LC Meter Free.

Hayes, Bill Barnett, Chris Brady and Kyle Treadway won first-place rankings in the Men 400 LC Meter Medley Relay. Tackett, Watkins, Chris Barnes and Mario Silva and Tackett won first-place rankings in the Mixed 400 LC Meter

Medley Relay.

Second-place rankings were won by Barnes in the Men 200 LC Meter Fly; Brady in the Men 100 LC Meter Back; Goers in the Men 100 LC Meter Breast and the Men 200 LC Meter Breast; Hutchinson in the Men 50 LC Meter Free, the Men 200 LC Meter Free and the Men 400 LC Meter Free; Tackett in the Women 100 LC Meter Free; Treadway in the Men 200 LC Meter Fly and the Men 400 LC Meter IM; Watkins in the Women 50 LC Meter Breast and the Women 400 LC Meter Free; Wentworth in the Men 100 LC Meter Back and the Men 200 LC Meter Back; Isaac Hart in the Men 1500 LC Meter Free; Andrew Hunt in the Men 50 LC Meter Breast; and Bernard Simbari in the Men 100 LC Meter Free.

Barnes, Brady, Silva and Sorenson won second-place rankings in the Men 800 LC Meter Free Relay. Hart, Tackett, James Balls and Noelle Hansen won second-place rankings in the Mixed 400 LC Meter Free Relay.

Third-place rankings were won by Barnes in the Men 50 LC Meter Back and the Men 100 LC Meter Fly; Brady in the Men 50 LC Meter Back; Silva in the Men 100 LC Meter Fly; Simbari in the Men 50 LC Meter Back, the Men 50 LC Meter Fly and the Men 100 LC Meter Back; Tackett in the Women 50 LC Meter Free; Treadway in the Men 100 LC Meter Fly and the Men 200 LC Meter IM; and Scott Thomas in the Men 100 LC Meter Back.

Barnes, Hunt, Hutchinson and Wentworth won third-place rankings in the Men 200 LC Meter Medley Relay; Barnett, Hayes, Treadway and Doug Fadel in the Men 400 LC Meter Free Relay; Hart, Hunt, Hutchinson and Paul Reynolds in the Men 200 LC Meter Free Relay; and Reynolds, Mark Linnell, Michael Patton and Chad Wright in the Men 400 LC Meter Free Relay.

Michael Anderson, Martin Anderson, Alan Barton, Troy Blanchard, Jeffrey Breglio, Aaron Butler, Jason Garfield, Kenneth Gentry, Hi Gibson, Robert Haedt, Sean Hammon, Robert Harline, Brian Harper, Wes Heaps, Jeff Hutchings, Nathan Larsen, Val Mansfield, Nader Oskoui, Raul Peragallo, Mark Pfitzner, James Viney and Dennis Weaver were among those who also competed.

Complete results are available at http://www. ci.fort-lauderdale.fl.us/meetmanager/.

Obituary Troy Dean Tingey

Troy was born in Salt Lake City on February 18 1969.

He passed away on October 14 2004 following surgery.

Rolland and Leona adopted Troy and brought him home to complete their family. He graduated from East High School. His most recent job included work at the Garden Restaurant.

Troy and I met each Monday night at The Trapp for Karaoke, where he always greeted me with his usual, “Hello, Darling.” Always a smile, no matter how bad the day. He loved singing and was good – Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, the classics.

His personality and glow were his trademarks. He liked everyone – never a bad word. He always called me “Marvelous Marty.” I never knew why, that was just Troy.

My final precious moment with Troy was on October 19. I said what I wanted. I love you darling, marvelous Troy.

—Marty Pendry

HELP WANTED MATH TUTOR. Need xtra xmas cash? 4 hours per week, I pay hourly fee to be negot. based on exper. with college-level math (for GRE).

Own materials/curric. a plus.

Call Angelina 430-0039.

ACCOMPANIST WANTED Salt Lake Men’s Choir is seeking a part-time piano accompanist for weekly Thursday evening rehearsals, four annual concerts and various special events throughout the year. The ideal candidate will have previous experience and be skilled at sight-reading and playing from up to four staves at once. We welcome candidates who share our dedication to building bridges of understanding and tolerance through musical excellence. Interested applicants may submit a resume and cover letter to SLMC, 1601 Treeview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124.

Obituaries are printed free of charge as a FUNDRAISER DIRECTOR GLBT Community Center of service to our readers. Please submit them to Utah seeks funds developeditor@slmetro.com or call 323-9500. ment professional. Manage fund development plan, write grants, develop donor relations. Email cover letter & resume to cbeyer@glccu.org

WOMYN 4 WOMEN would love to have a part time saleswoman to sell display advertising. Experience preferred. Reasonable commission and rewards.

Call Janice 801.268.6487 or womyn4women@networld.com.

WRITERS WANTED: Salt Lake Metro is always on the lookout for talented writers willing to cover a variety of topics. At this time, we are especially interested in writers of diverse ethnic backgrounds and people with strong interviewing skills. Send writing samples to jere@slmetro.com

REAL ESTATE GRAYSTONE MANOR Condo. 4 Floors, 6,700 sq. ft. Hollywood era eloquence.

3 Bdrm, 2 1/2 Bth. 540K Richard (801) 485-8700 NEW LISTING 11696 Oak Manor Dr. on the 16th hole of the Hidden Valley Golf Course.

Very open 3,304 sq. ft. with 4 bed and 3 bath. 3 car garage on a wooded .26 of an acre.

Priced to sell @ $280.000.

Dawn Colbert, Signature Group RE, 979-3558.

SANDY 877 E 7865 S. over 2,000 sq. ft. 4 bd, 2 bath, private backyard. Arbor over deck. 100% finished rambler. Seller relocating. $175,000.00 1 oversized car garage. Dawn Colbert, Signature Group RE, 979-3558.

DOWNTOWN TWIN HOME Model unit $138,650. 3BR/ 2BA, only one left. 586 N. 800W. See tour at urbanutah. com. Babs De Lay, Broker, cell: 201-UTAH PERFECT 2 BED, 1 bath starter. Stream runs behind.

Walkout patio w/park-like backyard. Quiet location, mature trees surrounding make it an ideal place for someone who has a night job. Great daytime sleeping. $86,900 Dawn Colbert, Signature Group RE, 801-979-3558 AVENUES INVESTMENT— Hardwood flrs, fplc, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car gar w/wkshp.

Walk-out, stainless steel appliances. One yr. lease in place. $209,900. Dawn Colbert, Signature Group RE, 801-979-3558 REAL ESTATE Classifieds are just $5 for two weeks.

Five lines. 323-9500.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE NEW OFFICE CONDO’S, Redwood Rd. exposure in S. Jordan. Starting at $125,000. 980–5,733 sf available. Cambridge office complex. Dawn Colbert, Signature Group RE, 801979-3558

FOR RENT HARVARD-YALE Neighborhood $995.00 3 bedroom, hardwood floor, hook-up’s, fenced, storage. 997 S. McClelland St (1040 E) CDA Properties. Valene 262-0113.

ROOMMATES AVENUES HOME. Large 2 bdrm 1 bath house. Frplc, wash/dry. Built in Wardrobe Landscaped, pond and waterfall. Fenced yard, covered patio. High speed internet.

Bus stop in front of house on bike route. Grocery close by. Close to Memory Grove, City Creek Canyon. $350 per month $200 Deposit. Half Utilities (gas, elec, cable) No Smoking. Pets Negotiable Call 801-455-2497.

ROOMMATE CLASSIFIEDS in Salt Lake Metro work!

Advertise your available room at slmetro.com.

GAY MAN SEEKING same to rent large basement of West Valley townhouse.

Great location—close to freeway, shopping & fitness center. $400/mo. includes utilities. Call Steven at 996-8170.

QUIET GAY MALE, nonsmoker seeking roommate to share 2 bdrm condo in Taylorsville area. $350 a month includes utilities.

Pool, hot tub, weight room.

Call Larry at 913-7004.

ROSE PARK GWM 50 seeks responsible roommate to share 2bdrm apartment. $250 month. Call Bob at 347-5490.

WANTED FEMALE to share house, private room share bath, pets okay, no smoking, $350/mo includes util. and cable w/d avail. (801) 230-2529 ROOMMATE CLASSIFIEDS in Salt Lake Metro work!

Advertise your available room at slmetro.com.

FOR SALE BOWFLEX MOTIVATOR for Sale (LIKE NEW), been used only a few times. Originally paid $1,000 for it. Asking $300. Contact Devon (801) 390-0395.

JEEP GRAND WAGONEER 1985, SUV, 4WD, 6-cyl 4.2 liter engine, 4 door, power everything, CD, Allow Wheels, Rook Rack Silver & Gray. New tires, Showing its age but no major repairs needed. $1,700 OBO. Call Steven at (801) 323-0727.

MISC JOIN THE MOB! Wanna have fun in a FLASH! Wanna sometimes prove a point with out destruction to property or harm to others? Seeking individuals from the Gay community to join the Velvet Mob. Send email with name, age and why you are mob material to velvet_mob@yahoo.com for further instructions as to date, time, and specific action. Email is a must! Only fun Gay Mobsters need apply. Change the world one crazy action at a time.

ADVERTISE IN THE SALT LAKE METRO CLASSIFIEDS. PERSONALS $1 CLASSIFIEDS $5 SERVICE DIRECTORY $25 Get yours today online at slmetro.com or call 323-9500.

Rates are for Five lines.

WRITERS WANTED: Salt Lake Metro is always on the lookout for talented writers willing to cover a variety of topics. At this time, we are especially interested in writers of diverse ethnic backgrounds and people with strong interviewing skills. Send writing samples to jere@slmetro.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ATTORNEY

FURNITURE

JEWELERS

REAL ESTATE

MARLIN G. CRIDDLE, P.C. Serving Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities. Estate Planning, Probate, Criminal Law, Bankruptcy, Corporations/Business.

474-2299. marlincriddle.com

MANHATTAN LOFT – Contemporary furniture and accessories with hip sophistication for urban and surburban living.

Check manhattanloft.com to see the style. Stop by the showroom floor for greater selection and instore pricing.

Open 11-7 Mon-Fri, 11-6 Sat. 2233 S. 700 East, SLC

CUSTOM DESIGN JEWELRY. Relaxed atmosphere. All types of stone settings. Commitment rings, wedding rings, earrings, pendants. Repairs welcome.

Charley Hafen Jewelers. Trolley Square. 521-7711

NOT YOUR FATHER’S Realtor®. Brad Dundas, Stonebrook Real Estate Inc. 5500330 or bradley@xmission. com. www.saltlakesgayrealtor.com

ADVERTISING SERVICE DIRECTORY listings in Salt Lake Metro are a great value at just $25. Call today at 323-9500 or slmetro.com.

Discounts for 8 issue, 12 issue and 26 issue contracts.

AUDIO VIDEO

ESTATE PLANNING

UTAH MALE NATURISTS Yahoo Group for men who enjoy being nude in the presence of others. Nonsexual group.

Home of the naked lunch. groups.yahoo.com/group/ UtahMaleNaturists BURNING MAN Local group that holds an annual ‘burn’ in early summer. Learn about Burning Man and get to know others who go. Synorgy.org.

STUDENT SPECIAL. Receive 1 Hr. massage for $25.00 with Student ID. October only. Contact Pent Bradford at Jealous Salon 524-0750 or cell 2051755. By Appointment Only.

BREWER TWINS at www. cruisingthenet.com HIDDEN CAMS at www. cruisingthenet.com

WWW.DENNISMASSAGE.COM A Man’s Man. 598-8344.

“For Men” Model/Massage.

LMT#98212332470

Get yours today online at slmetro.com or call 323-9500.

Rates are for Five lines.

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BEST THERAPISTS, best price, best place, best hours, call for appointment 486-5500 Pride Massage 1800 South West Temple Suite A224

ADVERTISE IN THE SALT LAKE METRO CLASSIFIEDS. PERSONALS $1 CLASSIFIEDS $5 SERVICE DIRECTORY $25

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SALT LAKE METRO. Join our Yahoo group and be the first to find out about events in the area. groups.yahoo. com/group/slmetro

WWW.DENNISMASSAGE.COM A Man’s Man. 598-8344.

“For Men” Model/Massage.

LMT#98212332470

SALT LAKE METRO

Service Directory ads are $25 for five lines. Down to $14 with contract. Call 323-9500.

GROUPS GAY WINE CLUB. Join qVinum at qvinum.com for monthly wine tastings and events.

WEBSITES JOIN THE ALL NEW GayUtahSingles.com – Exclusively for Utah’s Gay and Lesbian community. Online chat, email, messenger and photos! Join for FREE! http:// www.GayUtahSingles.com

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JANE MARQUARDT & DOUG FADEL Attorneys at Law, providing comprehensive estate planning services, custom designed to your unique family situation, including trusts, wills, partnership agreements, estate administration. 801-294-7777

JIM RENGSTORF Freelance Graphic Designer. Consultation, Concept, Design, Layout. www.creativehotlist.com/ j_rengstorff2 671-1672

BEAUTIFULY DECORATED rooms for rent. Furnished w/ table, chairs, CD player, $10/hr. Also large classroom for rent $25/hr. or $100/day.

Great for support groups, lecturs, meetings, art shows, etc. Four Winds Healing Arts Center @ Trolley Square.

521-8448

DWIGHT LINDSAY, Realty Brokers Excel, 801-2053166 cell. YourRealtor@ DwightLindsay.com. www.

DwightLindsay.com

OCTOBER 28, 2004

DAN FAHNDRICH PRODUCTIONS. Creation in multi-media. Choreography of still or video images with music onto DVD. 801-487-2593. dan. fahndrich@earthlink.net

GRAPHIC DESIGN

MASSAGE

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OCTOBER 28, 2004

PERSONALS MISSED CONNECTIONS HEADS UP – October 16 we talked about movies and math professors at the U. You gave me your name and number but I lost track of it.

Please let me know you’re still interested in going skiing next month.

REPLY TO BOX 150, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

CLUB TRY-ANGLES German bbq fundraiser. You told me you wanted to see my bratwurst. I blushed, but wanted to see yours too.

REPLY TO BOX 103, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

GATEWAY. You were dancing in the fountain. Shirtless, tan and in cutoffs. I was sitting on the rocks staring and you began dancing for me. Was that your girlfriend or friend?

REPLY TO BOX 85, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

JOHN OR JOSH? – you came into Try-Angles because you’d had a fight with your boyfriend – we talked over beer and popcorn – I said you deserved better and I meant it, I’d like to prove it to you – If you decide to dump his cheating ass, let me know.

REPLY TO BOX 152, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

I WAS PRETENDING to study at Harold B. Lee Library (BYU) and you slipped me a note saying to follow you. You were hot in that tight t-shirt and I can’t stop thinking about the bulge in your jeans. I was wearing the blue sweatshirt and gym shorts. Couldn’t follow right then, but I’ve been back every day since. Look for me again.

REPLY TO BOX 151, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

TRAPP DOOR - You had a black Nikki Beach tank top on and danced like a pro.

Beautiful smile. We’ve met once or twice before - I remember that you’re an actor – really want to have coffee with you some time.

REPLY TO BOX 153, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

HEADS UP You were at opening night, Oct. 1, took your shirt off and jumped on the bar and danced. You came over after and planted your tongue in my mouth. I was speechless – obviously.

You walked away before I came to my senses. I can still taste you. Please reply.

REPLY TO BOX 102, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

NEW CLUB on Latino night.

You – white boy with green eyes. Me – Latin boy through and through. Hit me back.

REPLY TO BOX 105, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

BLUE-HAIRED boy at Heads up – Does the rug match the drapes?

REPLY TO BOX 104, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

TRY-ANGLES Saw you at the urinal. Nice. You laughed at where my eyes were.

REPLY TO BOX 94, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

161 The hair on your back made my naughty bits stir.

You mentioned the hole in the back of my pants. Help me fill it.

REPLY TO BOX 94, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

YOU WERE IN the rented car in Oxbow Park reading book, “Hey Dude Who Stole My Country.” I was in white Rabbitt. Said hi. You looked at me and said hi and left. I like Michael Moore too. Let’s go see F911 together.

YES SIR, OFFICER! Goodlooking, professional GWM, mid-30s, seeks dominant law-enforcement professional, 35-55. I’m healthy, clean, discreet and eager to please. Wild times, no strings.

Comics ADAM AND ANDY by James Asal

REPLY TO BOX 86, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

GWM SEEKING BEAR for friendship or more. No smokers. No partyers. Must be employed. Mid 40’s, furry, beard a plus. Must like massage, long walks, and home cooking.

REPLY TO BOX 88, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

AM I READY? Perhaps it’s time to try again. 40 looking for 30s. Arts, travel, festivals, camping, getting out and doing things. Watching a video by the fire is nice too. Not big on bars, but get there often enough. Wanna know more?

REPLY TO BOX 101, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

WOMEN FOR WOMEN NEW IN TOWN, or interested in meeting new friends?

Come to sWerve monthlies, 3rd Saturday of each month, GLBT Center. Info 539-8800 ext. 25 or www.swerveutah. com (join email list!)

A COUPLE OF GUYS by Dave Brousseau

REPLY TO BOX 84, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

MEN FOR MEN LOOKING FOR a Phineas to my Gene. Serious, intelligent 30ish guy looking for an athletic, adventurous spirit 25-35. Let’s climb trees together.

REPLY TO BOX 154, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

80S MUSIC FAN, 36, is searching for a soul mate who can rock out with me to Bananarama, Pat Benatar, or Poison at the karaoke bar.

80s mullet optional.

REPLY TO BOX 155, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM

PERSONALS ARE JUST A BUCK AT SLMETRO.COM! GET YOURS TODAY! ONLINE ORDERS ONLY FOR THE $1 PRICE.

MEN4MEN, WOMEN4WOMEN AND MISSED CONNECTIONS ADS ARE JUST A DOLLAR AT SLMETRO.COM

Advertise in the upcoming

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SALT LAKE METRO

Call 323-9500 for details.

BITTER GIRL by Joan Hilty

OCTOBER 28, 2004

Metro Holiday Shopping Guide.

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OCTOBER 28, 2004