November 25–December 8 Volume 1 ■ Issue 16
Community Members Call for Protests Anger and frustration at Amendment 3 vote
9th and 9th in Need of Queer Eye Plans being discussed include roundabout
Police Investigate Possible Hate Crime Police can’t pursue hate crime angle: no such law
Idaho Right Takes Aim at Gay Marriage Will our northern neighbors face an amendment next? World AIDS Day List of events, free HIV testing
Dining Guide Café Med serves up date food
Bar Guide Where to go, when and how much
NOMINATION FORM
S ’ H UTA presents
2004
NAME
PHONE/EMAIL
Sexiest Man Sexiest Woman Sexiest Couple
Sexiest Business Owner Sexiest Queer Leader Sexiest Politician Sexiest T.V. Reporter Sexiest Religious Leader Sexiest Bartender/Server Sexiest Cowboy Sexiest Cowgirl Sexiest Leatherman Sexiest Drag Queen Sexiest Drag King Sexiest Bear Sexiest Eyes Sexiest Ass Sexiest Smile Sexiest Legs
2
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
WIN A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CHRISTOPHER’S SEAFOOD & STEAK HOUSE JUST BY NOMINATING AND BEING DRAWN
NOMINATION RULES You may complete only one nomination form. Duplicate entries will be disgarded. Contact info must be given in order for us to determine acceptance of the award and to arrange for a bio and photo to be published in the Salt Lake Metro. Your full name and contact info must be completed to be valid. Persons nominated must live in the state of Utah.
DRAWING RULES Only one entry per person. Multiple entries are disqualifed. No purchase necessary to win. Employees, staff and family members of Metro Publishing are not eligible. You must be 18 years or older to be eligible. Winner will be notified by mail and has one month to respond or the prize will be forfeited.
NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP PHONE EMAIL DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 10, 2004. FAX TO 801-323-9986 OR DROP BY OR MAIL TO METRO PUBLISHING, INC. 352 S. DENVER ST. #350 SALT LAKE CITY UT 84111-3059
T
he Bungalow
at
N in t h
an d
N in t h
An immaculately kept, fully furnished Arts and Crafts house in the 9th and 9th District of Salt Lake City. Ideally suited for those who require a serene, home-like environment for a day, a weekend, or longer.
Available for rent $110. per day Visa or MasterCard only Adults only - No pets or smoking
For reservations or color brochure please call or e-mail: 801-582-2515 bungalowslc@comcast.net
NOVEMBER 25, 2004 â–
SALT LAKE METRO â–
3
News NATIONAL AND REGIONAL
Florida Baptists Push for Marriage Amendment, Face Protests By Joselle Vanderhooft joselle@slmetro.com
Jacksonville, Fla. – Concerned that a state judge may overturn Florida’s 1997 Defense of Marriage Act that prohibits same-sex marriage, Florida Baptists voted to support an amendment banning such marriages during their annual convention, held November 9. The resolution calls for the amendment to define “marriage as a union between a man and a woman and the God-orBarbara Denman, Florida dained building Baptists spokesperson block of the family and the bedrock of civil society,” according to convention spokesperson Barbara Denman. She added that the convention’s vote was prompted by the decision of 11 states to ban gay marriage this November. President Bush’s re-election also played a part. “Baptists have been energized since the election to be more vocal about their conservatism,” she said in a Sun-Sentinel article. The 2000 delegates representing 2,800 Florida churches also called for state legislators to start work on drafting such an amendment and to throw their support behind a federal marriage amendment as well.
Governor Jeb Bush says he will also back the proposed amendment, while adding that the state may not need such an amendment. “If there is a threat that gay marriage would be accepted in our state, then I’d be supportive of [a constitutional ban],” he said, adding that Floridians would overwhelmingly vote in favor of such an amendment. In the wake of the convention, a group calling itself Equality Polk County staged a Sunday protest outside Rev. Jay Dennis’ First Baptist Church at the Mall. Dennis sponsored the November 9 motion and wrote a letter to Lakeland’s paper The Ledger urging Baptist pastors to help collect signatures to put the proposed amendment on the 2006 ballot. The group, which consisted of representatives from PFLAG, Log Cabin Republicans, the Rainbow Promise Metropolitan Community Church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland and the Christian motorcycle group Faith Riders, has vowed to continue the protests from 9 a.m. to noon each Sunday. “We were disappointed by the setbacks in the last election,” organizer Jim Narbone told The Ledger on November 17. “This not only came home to Florida. It came home to Lakeland. We said, ‘Let’s get out there and put a face to the demon. They’re demonizing gay people.’ We just felt it was important to let people in that church know we’re ordinary people.”
Gay Academy Alumni Seek Recognition By William Todd Park
4
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
liam@slmetro.com
Annapolis, Md. – Leaders of an organization of U. S. Naval Academy GLBT alumni are seeking official recognition from the Academy’s alumni association. The request for recognition has already been sent to George Watt, President and CEO of the Academy’s alumni association and is awaiting a decision by the board of trustees who meet in early December. The original filing was presented to Jeff Petrie the association in 2003 as USNA Out, but was rejected by the board on the basis that the group was not geographically based. Although there is an RV chapter, the group re-named itself as the Castro Chapter to reflect its base in the predominantly gay district of San Francisco. Its bylaws and are now identical to most
other Naval Academy alumni chapters. The group formed to accommodate the growing number of alumni who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, its 67 members ranging from the class of 1958 to 2006. “In the Castro Chapter one’s sexuality is of no concern. All are welcome,” said Jeff Petrie, President of the would-be chapter. His ultimate goal is to honor the accomplishments, contributions and heroics of queer alumni to the Academy and the nation, as a whole. “We just want to support our alma mater openly and honestly.” Queers are serving today on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan in every branch of the military, according to Aaron Belkin, Director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military, an official research unit at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, gays and lesbians are allowed to serve in the military, but not tell their counterparts about their sexual orientation. Twenty-four nations globally have successfully integrated queer service members into their armed forces.
Palm Springs Group Rallies Against Anti-Gay Bullying Cathedral City, Calif. – Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) members and supporters convened November 16 in Cathedral City Council Chambers to discuss creating an organization to prevent anti-gay bullying and harassment in Palm Springs schools. “This will be a community-based organization working to help promote safe schools and a hostile-free teaching and learning environment,” said Selvakumar Newton in a Desert Sun article. A retired math teacher, Newton has spearheaded the drive to create a Palm Springs GLSEN chapter, which would bring the total number of California GLSEN chapters to eight. Although the California Student Safety and Violence prevention Act of 2000 (AB 537), amended the Education Code’s nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity, gay students still face harassment at school, according to
Rick Smedstad, executive director of the Gay Associated Youth program, a Palm Springs student advocacy group. The program serves more than 150 students each week. “All of them can tell you how many times they’ve been hassled by somebody who suspected or knew they were gay,” he told the Press Enterprise. “It’s terrible.” The meetings attendees outlined a plan to make bullying and harassment unacceptable on school grounds and to ask local districts to train staff on issues pertaining to sexual orientation. Representatives from Gay Associated Youth and local PFLAG and human rights groups were also in attendance. Founded in 1990, GLSEN is a national organization working to end harassment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. It held its first national meeting in Utah in 1997. —JV
Univ. of Virginia Study Examines Children of Lesbian Couples Charlottesville, Va. – Teenagers with parents in lesbian relationships appear to be just as happy and as academically sound as teens with heterosexual parents, according to a recent study co-authored by a University of Virginia professor of psychology. “The central finding is that teens who have same-sex parents are doing well,” Professor Charlotte J. Patterson told The Daily Progress. “The big picture is that the two groups look alike in almost all respects.” The study focused on children 12 to 18 year old from 88 families across the United States. 44 children came from households headed by lesbian couples and the other half from households headed by opposite-sex couples. The two groups were also comparable in gender, race and household income. The participating teens were asked to rank their self-esteem, their overall happiness and the quality of their relationships with peers and teachers. The study also asked teens their dating and sexual behav-
iors. Thirty-four percent of teens in both groups said they had engaged in sex in the last 18 months. Sixty-eight percent of teens with lesbian parents and 59 percent of teens with heterosexual parents also said they were currently in a romantic relationship. But while the study asked students about their grade-point averages, it did not ask them to disclose their sexual orientation. The study also found that the teenagers did better in school and reported being happier when they described their relationship with their parents as “warm” and “close.” “More than the structure of the family, the biggest predictor of well-being was the quality of relationship with parents,” Patterson said. The study, which appears in the November/December issue of the journal Child Development, used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a school-based study of health-related behaviors. – JV
Ohio Colleges Wait to Act on Ban Cleveland, Ohio – Although 61% of Ohio voters approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage earlier this month, several of the state’s universities have yet to revoke benefits for employees with samesex partners. “The issue is under review, and we won’t have much to say until our legal counsel has a chance to finish that review,” Ohio State University spokesperson Elizabeth Conlisk told OSU’s student newspaper The Lantern. She added that OSU had not yet made a decision on the benefits, which cost the school approximately $340,000 each year. Other schools offering the same benefits, including Miami University, Denison University, Oberlin College, Case Western Reserve University and Ohio University, have not taken action either. Although the new law forbids the “state and its political subdivisions” from creating or “[recognizing] a legal status for relation-
ships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage,” Ohio University spokesperson Hub Burton said that this wording is broad and thus open to different interpretations. He also said that OU is currently waiting for state courts to rule on whether or not the university will still have the right to offer these benefits. Additionally, the school will continue to offer these benefits to the 11 faculty and staff members with same-sex partners until they are legally forbidden to do so. “Constitutional amendments, such as [Ohio’s] Issue 1, must be interpreted,” said Marac Spindlman, OSU assistant professor of law and researcher on GLBT rights. “[It is] no small irony that the amendment’s proponents, who advocated taking powers away from the courts, wound up multiplying them.” —JV
Idaho to see Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Next? Inspired and energized by wins in other states, three conservative Idaho leaders have launched a campaign to get a similar amendment on the 2006 ballot in Idaho, banning gay marriage and possibly any other legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples. The Times-News reported on November 12 that Family Forum Executive Director Ultra-conservative Henry Dennis Mansfield, Kulczyk of Eagle, Idaho. Republican state Sen. Jerry Sweet, and former GOP state Rep. Henry Kulczyk are determined to get
it on the ballot for the next election. The group, which calls itself “Marriage Yes: One Man, One Woman,” is upset that previous attempts to amend the state constitution have been blocked at the level of the state legislature. “The nation has sent a clear message,” Sweet said to the Times-News. “We felt this was the time to carry that momentum forward.” Prior to the last election, the measure passed the Idaho House of Representatives with more than the required 2/3 votes, but failed to pass through the Idaho Senate. Opponents of the bill effectively argued that Idaho already had a ban on gay marriage and the additional steps were unnecessary. —JK
Federation of Gay Games Touts Plan to Unify Gay Sports
Nell Mullin, one of Caggiano’s lawyers, said that Essex County department had issued a “whitewashed” internal affairs report that found no merit to her client’s complaints. Mullin also told The Star-Ledger of Newark that Caggiano’s superiors had acted maliciously. Although the department has not yet filed an appeal, Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura told the Associated Press on November 16 that he expected portions of the verdict to be appealed. “We did everything we were supposed to do when it was brought to our attention,” he said. —JV
Lesbian Officer Awarded $2.8 Million in Damages
www.diversity1st.com
Co-Parenting Case Could Test DOMA
Classic Contemporary
Lindsey Kraatz
Gorgeous contemporary home with open floor plan and spectacular views. Great for entertaining ! 10 min. to downtown.
(801)-201-3571
■
lindseyrealestate@comcast.net
5
Visit CindyWood.com or call (801)-277-5445
SALT LAKE METRO
When Lisa and Janet Miller-Jenkins split up, they didn’t know that their battle for custody and visitation rights of their child could be the first major challenge to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. While in a legally recognized civil union in Vermont, Lisa Miller Jenkins gave birth to a daughter through artificial insemination. The couple later broke up, and Lisa moved to Virginia, which has some of the most anti-gay laws on the books. The case has been tried in two separate courts. Vermont ruled that Janet must be considered a co-parent under Vermont law. Virginia ruled that Lisa is the sole parent and Janet has no legal relationship with the two-year-old child. But now the question remains, which state is correct? Must Virginia respect Vermont’s co-parenting ruling, or do family rights stop at the border of the state in which they are granted? Both judges ruled correctly according to the laws of their respective states, said Michael Mello, a professor at Vermont Law School. “It’s this kind of jurisdictional collision that’s going to get this issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.” Under the full faith and credit clause of the US Constitution states must accept each others’ laws. Some legal scholars say the case also could bring into question federal DOMA. If the US Supreme Court chooses to hear the case, which may take 2-4 years, it could be the first serious challenge to DOMA, anti-gay adoption laws, and a variety of other gay and lesbian family law issues. – JK
■
Newark, N.J.– On November 15, a jury awarded $2.8 million to a former Essex County sheriff’s officer who said she was subject to harassment because of her sexual orientation. In the three-week trial, Karen Caggiano testified that she had to use bathrooms and locker rooms assigned to male officers during the late 1990s. Here, pictures of naked women were repeatedly posted on locker doors, and one officer repeatedly exposed himself to her, according to her lawyers.
Honesty, Integrity & Reliability in your Mortgage Lender, Think DIVERSITY 1ST!
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
Cologne, Germany—The Federation of Gay Games announced Nov. 12 it would organize an open-invitation conference discussing ways to unify the ever-growing gay sports movement in the first half of 2005. The FGG board voted 30-1-1 to organize and publicize the conference to be open to all interested parties, held in a city as centrally located as possible, and conducted by an independent facilitator. The conference is being organized in response to letters received by the FGG during the prior weeks calling for discussion about unifying the worldwide LGBT sports movement in the wake of two competing large-scale events in 2006. “We did the right thing to wait until the entire board of directors had the opportunity to meet in person and discuss these matters at our annual meeting,” said Roberto Mantaci, co-president. “We had careful and considered discussions over several sessions, including an open forum that allowed the FGG board to listen to members of our community, and we came forward with a proposal that gathered widest consensus from the board.” “I think this year’s board meeting showed how unified and committed we all are to the Gay Games legacy and its inspiration for future generations,” Mantaci said. “It warms my heart to see people travel from all corners of the world every year for our in-person meetings because they believe so strongly in the Gay Games movement.”
If you're looking for
News
HRC Hosts Women’s Forum By Mandy Q. Racer mandy@slmetro.com
JOEL SHOEMAKER
LOCAL
About 100 attended the forum at the U of U addressing the passage of Amendment 3 to Utah’s constitution.
Amendment 3: Now What? Some Call for Protest at a Tense Community Forum, Others are Planning One By Joel Shoemaker
6
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
joel@slmetro.com
Members of Utah’s gay community say they want a protest or some other show of the anger and frustration felt by many after the November 2 election and the passing of Amendment 3. Several people mare a call to action at a November 16 forum held at the University of Utah addressing the amendment, which defined marriage as only between a man and a woman and denied marriage-like rights to other couples. Following the remarks of several Utah gay and lesbian political leaders (Jane Marquart, Scott McCoy and Michael Mitchell of Equality Utah, and Charles Milne of the University of Utah LGBT Resource Center), some audience members flatly told the leaders there should be plans for protests, sit-ins and the like. Attendee J. Davison de St. Germain said he felt there needed to be more visible signs of the community’s strong feelings. Others echoed his comments at the forum, like attendee Frank Williams who took issue with the speakers looking too much at the silver lining, and not showing enough anger. “Why aren’t you all really mad? No one sounds like it!” Williams said. “Why hasn’t anyone said the ‘B’ word tonight? This is bigotry plain and simple.” McCoy, who directed the Don’t Amend Alliance in the fight against the amendment, argued that protests weren’t always the best means to the end. “It’s not that we’re not angry or stupid. There are ways that we can move forward to achieve the objective. When you’re in the water, you can thrash around so much that you actually drown,” said McCoy. Earlier in the evening, McCoy, and his colleagues provided the forum with a long
list of “little victories” that the fight against Amendment 3 had won. McCoy told the group that more people voted against the amendment than for Democrat Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, that six of the other eleven states with similar amendments passed them with higher percentages, and that two Utah counties (Summit and Grand) defeated the amendment altogether. “This issue isn’t over. We’re going to have to live with this. But we’ve positioned ourselves much better for the future.” Some audience members at the forum had taken issue with Marquart’s statement that there are no plans to sue over the Amendment, and that lawsuits would only happen “as life happened” and the amendment is challenged. Marquart and others told the group that if there were a lawsuit planned to fight state anti-same sex marriage amendments, it wouldn’t start in a conservative judicial system like Utah’s. But while some are talking, others have begun acting on plans to demonstrate. A group loosely affiliated with the Utah Stonewall Historical Society held a preliminary planning meeting November 14 and is now soliciting others who want to help plan the protest. The protest is tentatively planned for the first day of the state legislative session in 2005. “A protest, a demonstration, a show of solidarity are all appropriate ways to describe it. It’s a way of capitalizing on the frustration we feel,” said co-organizer Ron Hunt. Mitchell, executive director of Equality Utah, said at the forum he supports the idea of a protest as long as it serves a purpose. Anyone interested in helping plan the protest is encouraged to join the yahoo group (groups. yahoo.com/group/AgainstAmendment3) or call Todd Bennett at 801-486-7415.
National representatives of the Human Rights Campaign met with Utah residents on November 13 for the first annual Women’s Forum. A meeting that they hope to make a tradition, “Give to Get” was a presentation about HRC’s objectives and scope, as well as an informal discussion about future social events. In addition to national representatives Adrian Boney and Kate Driscoll, Megan Pedersen represented the Utah Steering Committee, one of 28 across the nation. Through these committees, HRC acts on a local level to lend support to organizations such as Equality Utah. “We only succeed at the national level if we’re strong at the local level,” said Boney, Director of Volunteer Relations. HRC’s strength is fed from the bottom up, beginning with the individual member. Driscoll, Senior Membership and Community Events Manager, dubbed membership “the basic backbone of all the work we do.” Membership in HRC is important for many reasons, but above all else, an increase in members is crucial to the promotion of gay-friendly legislation. According to Boney, election exit polls showed that 61% of voters endorse some type of support for gay and lesbian marriage. However, lawmakers aren’t easily swayed by polls. What is significant instead is the number of people represented by a lobbying group. Therefore, the two million people represented by the Christian Coalition far outweigh HRC’s 600,000 members. The gay and lesbian community’s opposition has “cornered the market of fear,”
Driscoll said. Education is the best weapon to combat both the radical right’s approach and the ignorance that exists within the community itself. For example, Boney stated that some gay and lesbian citizens believe that they may marry in Hawaii or Vermont, when gay marriage is currently legal only in the state of Massachusetts. In addition, 23% of those who identified as gay or lesbian voted for Bush. Not only must the community strive to educate within its boundaries as well as without, the need for such work is greater than ever before. “There is so much work to do,” Boney said. In light of the recent election results, those who had been involved in efforts to forward the gay rights movement will likely give up the fight. “Many people will retreat. We have to reach back out to those people,” Boney said. Boney and Driscoll envision local events that blend educational and social aspects, and the discussion was opened up to the attendees for suggestions. While the lesbian-focused group sWerve has been quite successful at drawing women out for activities, other events are usually loosely attended. Proposals to increase attendance and HRC membership ran the gamut from bowling to mud volleyball. Overall, it was agreed that an event must be fun, inexpensive, and the educational aspect must be brief as well as accessible. One such event already in the works is The L Word premier party, February 20, 2005. The Utah Steering Committee is open to your suggestions. Contact Megan at hrc_web_ content@comcast.net or 577-3802. Utah HRC’s website is at hrc.org/utah.
Salt Lake Men’s Choir Artistic Director Celebrates Ten Years By Michael Aaron michael@slmetro.com
The December 5th holiday concert of the Salt Lake Men’s Choir will be the tenth anniversary, to the day, under the baton of Artistic Director Lane Cheney. “This is quite a milestone for me,” said Cheney. “Ten years ago I hadn’t done anything for ten years. I was a teacher that worked nine months at a time, moving on to another school at the end of the year.” Lane Cheney Today, Cheney is also a choral music education specialist and Acting Director of Choral Activities at Utah State University, where he conducts the University Chorale and Women’s Choir, teaches choral methods and literature, and supervises student teachers in the public schools. He also serves as Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City. Under Cheney’s tutelage, the Choir has nearly doubled in size, has grown tremendously in its level of artistry and has embarked on a number of regional and world tours, including a trip to Australia for the Gay
Games to sing in the Sydney Opera House. Cheney earned a Bachelors of Music degree magna cum laude from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, where he sang with the Westminster Symphonic Choir under such notable conductors as Leonnard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, and Kurt Masur. He completed his Masters of Music degree in choral conducting at the University of Utah. He is also in demand as a guest conductor and clinician for choral festivals and has presented workshops for choral conductors in national and international forums. The choir is in its 22nd season, having started in 1982 with 13 members in the living room of one of its founders, Ron Richardson. The original members yearned for a musical expression that embraced comraderie and friendship and celebrated diversity in its ranks. The choir maintains those priorities to this day. The 22nd Annual Holiday Concert, titled “What Sweeter Music,” will be performed at the Jeanné Wagner Theatre in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center at 138 W. Broadway in Salt Lake City. Tickets to the concert are $10–15 and are available through ArtTix at 355-ARTS. More information on the choir can be found at www.saltlakemenschoir.org.
sult will be very nice, but we still have to pay the bills while the construction is going on.” He said he has heard things could start happening as early as next May, which would suit Hebertson at the Coffee Garden just fine. “Let’s get this walkable neighborhood walkable again,” Heberston said. And everyone agrees the diversity of the neighborhood is one of the things that makes it so unique. They all want the same mix of businesses that have been there for years. “We want the merchants who are here to stay here, and want more like them to come here,” Kurz said. “This is such a fantastic neighborhood and I really don’t want that to change.” “They keep talking about the ‘re-birth’ of 9th and 9th. As far as I can tell, it never died. Business just keeps growing and growing,” Heberston added.
Queer Eye For 9th & 9th By Darren Tucker darren@slmetro.com
NOVEMBER 25, 2004 ■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
Think of 9th and 9th, and what comes to mind? A hip, gay-friendly shopping Mecca? A fun-filled, friendly neighborhood with quirky businesses and residents? How about a decaying, older area of town that needs some serious infrastructure repairs? That’s how many residents and business owners surrounding the 900 East and 900 South intersection feel. With businesses like Cahoots Card Shop and the Coffee Garden, 9th and 9th has always been a popular neighborhood with the gay and lesbian community. Now, plans are being made to improve the area without losing that charm. “We’ve got bad gutters, few trees and no pedestrian crossing lights,” said Boris Kurz, chairman of the East Liberty Park Community Council. “The infrastructure is a dump.” Alan Hebertson, owner of the Coffee Garden, agrees. “For 13 years I’ve heard rumblings of change,” he said. “When the first piece of concrete is tipped, I will believe it. All that talk and you still wipe your muffler out every time you back out of one of these parking places.” Everyone seems to think something should be done. The issue is, how? Ask any of the business owners or residents what their vision is for 9th and 9th and you will get almost the same answer. They all want more trees, some ornamental benches and trash cans, and a more pedestrian friendly intersection. “I had another idea about perhaps a small performing arts area,” Tom Cordova, owner of Great Harvest Bread, said. “Some place where some acoustic guitars or a string quartet could play.” That would certainly go well with Herberston’s ideas for the Coffee Garden. He said he would like a bricked-off area for outdoor seating. And, like everyone else, he wants more trees. Kurz’s plans include a median in the center of the road, with angled parking on either side and—you guessed—more trees. “It’s a hip, alternative business area—at least that is the reputation,” Kurz said.
“And that is our vision for 9th and 9th. We want to make it more of what it already is. It’s why we live here and why we all have strong feelings about it.” Everyone does have strong feelings about it. While the basics—more angle parking, more trees and landscaping, ornamental benches—are easy for everyone to agree on, some of the bigger changes have residents and business owners on opposite sides of the street. Take, for example, the idea of a roundabout for the 9th and 9th intersection. It’s an idea Cordova soundly opposes. He is afraid slower traffic may block the entrances to his business. “It would be very challenging to my costumers,” Cordova said. “I am afraid they would just avoid the area.” He even has a petition in the lobby of his business against the roundabout. Kurz, however, is one person who won’t sign that petition. He said the very European way of handing traffic flow would be just the ticket when it comes to controlling speeding. Cars would no longer “hit the gas” to make it through a yellow light—and yet traffic in off hours could move smoothly through the intersection without having to stop at all. “It just seems really crazy to me to engineer everything for the cars instead of the people,” Kurz said. Hebertson doesn’t feel too strongly about the roundabout either way. What he really wants is for something—anything—to happen. “Giddy-up! Put your money where your mouth is and let’s go,” he said. “We have three high schools and Smith’s, and little old ladies back and forth here every day, and we don’t even have a pedestrian count-down timer.” Kurz said he is confident residents and businesses can come together with a plan that will satisfy the diverse needs of all the neighbors. But he doesn’t want the city to get too hasty of a start. “If we do this the wrong way, this will be a mud hole for three months and that is a disaster for everyone,” he said. “My business is a ‘grab and go’ kind of business,” Cordova commented, echoing the concerns. “Good access is very important to my customers. I’m sure the end re-
7
News LOCAL
by Michael Aaron michael@slmetro.com
A local man was assaulted after leaving the Trapp, a local gay club, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department. The alleged assault happened at 625 S. 600 W. on Monday, Nov. 15 at 10:39 p.m. According to police, the man exchanged verbal bantering with occupants of a gray Oldsmobile Cutlass as he was walking home. The man claims that the driver then struck him with the vehicle and backed up to hit him again. Two of the car’s occupants—a Latino man in his 20s with black hair and no shirt and a Latina woman with black hair in a pony tail wearing a white sweat shirt—then jumped out of the car and beat him severely. The man was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. “He was pretty badly beaten up,” said Detective Dwayne Baird of the Salt Lake City Police Department. “He had no broken bones, but many abrasions on the legs, arms and torso and his face was pretty bloodied,” he continued. The fact that the victim had no broken bones is puzzling to the police department. “If I
were run over by a car, I would have broken bones,” Baird said. The man’s identity is not being released. Baird said that the case will be difficult to prosecute because of his unwillingness to testify and have his identity revealed. The case is being investigated by the SLCPD Gang Unit. Asked if it was being pursued as a hate crime, Baird said, “There is no such thing as a hate crime in Utah. We can only investigate this as an assault.” Frank Chugg, manager of the Trapp, said that “nothing like this has ever happened” since the bar opened. “We’ve had people get rolled outside, but that was six or seven years ago, and nowhere near this bad,” he said. He is hoping the police will release the identity of the victim to them so they may see how he is doing. According to Chugg, news reports that the assault happened right outside the bar are incorrect. The Trapp has asked for a retraction of those reports. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the attack or have any further information to call 799-3000.
Suspects Charged With Robbing and Beating Two Gay Men Await Trial by Rob Orton
8
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
rob@slmetro.com
Two men are now in custody and awaiting a November 30 trial for an April attack on two gay men. Scott Lewis Hoerster and Larry Steven Bates are charged with felony aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, and failure to appear in two previous court arraignments. According to police, in April Kyle Morris and Calvin Smith went to a popular “lookout” spot behind the capitol. They parked their car and got out to look at the city lights. Two men got out of a nearby car and asked Morris and Smith if they wanted to drink beer with them in their car. After declining their offer, one of the attackers allegedly stated they had a gun and threatened to kill them, and forced the victims into the suspects’ car. They drove away from the area and were forced to drive to West Valley City. The suspects took Morris and Smith out of the car, allegedly beat them, and took their wallets. They then drove the victims to various ATMs, forcing them to withdraw an estimated sum of $1,000.00. The suspects returned the victims to their car on Capitol Hill and told them they knew where they lived and if they told
anyone about it, they would come to their house and kill them. Morris and Smith suffered numerous lacerations and injuries. Medical response indicated stitches were required but did not transport the victims at their request. Salt Lake Metro has been unable to reach the victims. Hoerster was arrested by Yellowstone County, Mont. sheriffs deputies and booked into the county jail on Sept. 26. He was identified and tracked by an illegal license plate on a recently purchased car. Bates was arrested on October 11 on a warrant after failing to appear in court on Sept. 30. Chad Black, prosecutor for Salt Lake County District Attorney, told Salt Lake Metro that the victims have been subpoenaed but have not been contacted. Black does not believe this was a ‘gay related’ crime. He also indicated that the victims were not targeted because of their sexual orientation, and that the suspects did not intentionally case the site to specifically victimize anyone gay. Black claimed to have been unaware that the victims are gay and feels that will have little impact on the ruling of the court. Black intends to prosecute the felony charges to the fullest extent.
MICHAEL AARON
Police Investigate Possible Anti-Gay Hate Crime
Dozens of high school students rally outside the Salt Lake City and County Building against war and for gay rights.
High School Students Risk Punishment to Rally Students from West High School and East High School organized a walk-out and political rally on the lawn across from the City-County Building on Tuesday, November 16. More than 80 students participated in the rally, which supported a number of liberal causes including abortion rights, peace and gay rights. “Not a lot of people listen to high school students,” said Whitney Warren of East High, who attended the rally holding a sign that read “Gay Rights.” Participants said that the rally was organized by a group of seniors who were frustrated by the election results and being unable to vote and make their opinions known. “A lot of kids were angry,” said Alex Ortega of West High School, “We have a political conscience, but we’re not allowed to vote. We have considerable opinions. The
decision made in this election are going to affect us.” Ortega also said that school officials may choose to punish the students, that they were threatened with suspensions, but he thought the organizers may get the worst punishment. “But I think all of us will stand by them, if that’s the case.” One of the hot topics among the students was the passage of Amendment 3. One student, who only identified himself as Tony, admitted that he was gay and very upset about voters making a decision that affected him while he couldn’t have a voice in that decision. Mayor Rocky Anderson came out and spoke with the students at one point, praising them for political activism, but also concerned that a walk-out from their classes might not be the best way to spread their message. —JK
AIDS Foundation Seeks Community Support for Clients for the Holidays The Utah AIDS Foundation is asking the community to help them ensure that all their clients have happy and healthy holidays this year. As part of an annual seasonal giving program, there are a variety of ways you can participate. They are asking people to put together Christmas/Channukah Food Baskets for clients. You can make these as festive and fun as possible, including any type of dry or canned food, but they ask that you do not include turkey, ham or other meat, as these will be handled separately. You can deliver your food basket to UAF on December 16 or 17. You can also donate turkeys or hams to UAF separately and they will see that clients receive them. Another holiday giving idea UAF is coordinating is the personal care stocking. UAF is looking for people to donate stockings
that include toiletries such as deodorant, razors, bathroom products, etc. Items such as baby diapers, cotton swabs, dental care items and feminine hygiene products are also useful. One of the highlights of the UAF holiday giving programs, though, is the Red Ribbon Tree. From the Red Ribbon Tree, individuals, families, businesses and organizations can “adopt” a UAF family this year. The UAF families are asking for help with some of the most critical and necessary needs in their lives – everything from warm winter clothing to diapers and wipes for babies. Of course financial gifts are also welcome and will be used to help people affected by HIV/AIDS through the holidays. For more information please contact the Utah AIDS Foundation at 487-2323 or 1-800-865-5004 – JK
Spirituality
Engendered Species Celebrates Transgender Awareness Month by JoSelle Vanderhooft joselle@slmetro.com
By JoSelle Vanderhooft joselle@slmetro.com
(Part One in a six part series on gay and lesbian spirituality)
Continued on page 23.
■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
9
A November 14 fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign and Queer Lounge featured a sneak preview screening of Testosterone, starring Antonio Sabato, Jr. Organizers and sponsors shown include (left to right) front: Billy Butler from Dodo Restaurant, Toby Sanchez of HRC; back: Laurie Mecham of Queer Lounge, film writer Dennis Hensley, Ellen Huang of Queer Lounge, David Hurst of Heads Up, Michael Aaron of Salt Lake Metro and Emily Mecham of Queer Lounge.
Were it not for the orange tiled cross on the sidewalk, one might easily mistake Salt Lake City’s Metropolitan Community Church for just another charming home in the neighborhood surrounding Liberty Park. But given that the building has served as the spiritual home for many of the city’s gay and lesbian Christians for the past 18 years, looks in this case may not be deceiving. “The people here in this congregation come from a wide variety of backgrounds— Pentecostal to very Mormon,” says Reverend Dee Bradshaw, the church’s pastor since his ordination in 2002. “The main thing that you have to remember is, just because [church members] are not like you, it’s OK. If they’re in a more conservative walk that’s OK, and if they’re over here in the more wild walk like the Pentecostals, with the running around and falling down and praising and speaking in tongues, it’s OK.” With its Protestant meeting house interior and a candle-covered altar straight from a Catholic high mass, the Salt Lake MCC’s art and architecture seems to fully embrace the focus on “individual spirituality” that the church has encouraged since Troy Perry founded the first chapter in 1968 after being excommunicated from his Baptist church. Its rainbow stained glass artwork also reminds visitors that, while not an exclusively “gay and lesbian” church, the MCC was first created to meet “the spiritual needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community around the world” by helping them “reclaim the fullness of our humanity, including our spirituality,” according to its website. Sitting on one of the church’s wooden pews, Rev. Bradshaw recalls his own journey to fully reclaim his spirituality as an openly gay man. Growing up in Ogden before 1970, Bradshaw served an LDS mission and did “all the returned missionary stuff” including attending BYU and getting engaged twice. Still, Bradshaw left his childhood faith shortly before coming out on Pioneer Day of 1978. Around this time, he found himself in a spiritual bind due in part to Romans 1:2629, a scripture some Christian denominations use to condemn homosexuality and which some theologians now consider to have been intended as a condemnation of fertility cults popular in ancient Rome. The text reads, in part, “the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” The passage goes on to describe its subjects as “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness [and] maliciousness”—things Bradshaw couldn’t see in himself. “You’re going to BYU and you have all the feelings … and back then you didn’t
have any of the role models, you had to look hard,” he recalls. “You heard about the scriptures that they use against gay people. I looked at myself and went, that’s not me. I don’t worship idols. It doesn’t fit me. That was part of my denial: that I don’t fit that mold they tell me that I fit.” “When I left the Mormon Church and I didn’t have a spiritual connection to anybody, I went through that land that a lot of [gay and lesbian] people end up going through—promiscuity and all that other stuff,” he continues. “I wandered into that land because that was what we were supposed to do, what was expected of us. I got caught up in that trap and it took awhile to realize that it was just a trap, it wasn’t who I was.” Bradshaw says that a close personal connection to the Holy Spirit helped him get out of this trap after a vacation to San Francisco with one of his BYU roommates. “I figured the only way I’d find out if I was gay or not was to end up having sex with somebody,” he says. “After I did, I sat in the subway that night waiting to go back to my roomate’s place and I felt guilty about it and started praying. The Spirit very distinctly told me that I was fine. I was the same person I had always been except now I knew who I was. And then I felt like, everybody back home is going to be so disappointed, and again the same voice said “It’s their problem, not yours.” When Bradshaw’s colleagues at the hospital at which he worked criticized him for coming out, he responded with the words he considers the Holy Spirit as having given to him: “It’s your problem, not mine.” Eventually most of his fellow employees apologized for their behavior. In 1988, he joined Salt Lake City’s MCC and enrolled in seminary classes in 1991. After being ordained, Bradshaw began ministering to the members of his church, who can number over sixty on some weekends. He does everything from running Sunday services and performing commitment ceremonies, to meeting and praying with church members about problems they’re having in their lives and even building maintenance. “I can very easily put in 40 or 50 hours here and 24 at my other job at the hospital,” he says. “And I’ll be running along and suddenly I’ll realize that [my partner] Scott and I haven’t sat down together for a couple of days and spent time together.” Still, he always finds time to encourage people to maintain a close relationship to God on their spiritual journeys—no matter their background. “So many people have a relationship with a religion but not with God and Christ,” he observes. “So that’s what I try to tell everyone here. The church is you. It isn’t a building, it isn’t the organization, it isn’t the MCC. You’re the church. And the most valuable thing you can have is your relationship with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. If you don’t have that, forget it. Because the rest of it is just peripheral stuff you take care of.”
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
JOEL SHOEMAKER
Dick Tracy’s “Crimestopper’s Text Book” told Deborah Dean everything she needed to know about being a cross-dresser in the late 1960s. “It had two pictures of women and it told you how to spot the male,” Dean remembers. “The implication was that [crossdressing] was a criminal activity. It told me the possible social standing of this thing, so of course I was going to keep it secret for another thirty years or so.” Whether or not cross-dressing was a crime, Dean, a self-described “male who can identify as female,” had enjoyed wearing women’s clothing since the age of five. As a “home alone teenager,” she would put on her older sister’s dresses, always alert for any sound that might signal her parents’ return. “You just knew you [couldn’t] get caught,” she remembers. “I’ve had a lot of members say that their parents caught them and beat the hell out of them. Others just ridiculed them.” The “others” Dean speaks of are the members of Engendered Species, which Dean founded in the mid-1990s with her spouse Aere, a male-to-female transsexual. Consisting of “a couple hundred” members, according to Dean, Engendered Species is a support group for a number of individuals who in some way identify as transgender. Possibly the least understood letter in the GLBT acronym, “transgender” is often an elusive term to define. As the term “gay” is now often used to describe lesbians and bisexuals as well as gay men, “transgender” can appropriately be used to describe a variety of people, according to the website gender.org. This includes “people who have gender identities, expressions or behaviors not traditionally associated with their birth sex,” or the biology and anatomy determining whether one is female, male or intersexed as well as people who “transcend the con-
MCC Pastor Stresses Personal Walk With God
ventional definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’,” including Butch Lesbians, drag kings, drag queens, cross-dressers and male-to-female and female-to-male transsexuals. And as Dean explains, being transgender is very different from being gay or lesbian because it is a gender identity, not a sexual orientation. “They say 10% of the population is gay or lesbian. Well, ten percent of our population is gay or lesbian too,” she says. “But that means the other 90% is so-called straight. It’s two different things really. If you’re transgender you identify with one gender or not. Like I’m a male I can identify as female, but I can also be attracted to men or women and that has nothing to do with me being transgender.” While Engendered Species’ membership is just as varied as the transgender term itself, several of its members are crossdressers, often in their “mid twenties” who call her looking for help, guidance or support. According to Dean, there are different things she can do for these individuals based on their level of comfort with their identity. We have different stair steps,” she continues. “When I meet with someone I usually meet in a neutral public place and the first thing I do is pull out our photo album. It shows all the different things that we do.” These include private meetings and more public events, such as the group’s annual float in Salt Lake’s gay pride parade and their monthly restaurant dine out, in which group members go to dinner and “dress like any other woman or man would.” “My whole point of this is, I don’t care if they ever tell anyone else they do this or not,” Dean says. “It’s up to them how public or private they wanna be. But I want them to be ok between their own ears with this, [to know that] that they’re not criminals or freaks.”
Opinion
10
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
The Least They Could Do As time passes in the wake of the passage of Amendment 3, people are angry. Rightfully so. Perhaps community leaders, including us, have put too much emphasis on the positive effects of the organized response to the campaign. Maybe we should all take the time to be angry, upset, hurt, grieving and generally pissed off. Certainly, anyone who is feeling that way is entitled to their emotional response to organized bigotry. Plus, anger and disappointment are responses that can help us in the first and most winnable battle of the new legislative session: Hate crimes. The time is right for us to win the fight to get inclusive, effective hate crime legislation passed. Recent media attention to possible bias-motivated crime has pointed out that it’s not as uncommon as we would hope. In a nation that has rarely been so divided over ideological reasons, it is time to draw a line in the sand. It is time for us to say, “You can have a different opinion, but you cannot commit violent, frightening or intimidating crimes to espouse that view.” Now is the time for each of us to call our state senators and state representatives and tell them that we want a hate crime bill passed which includes sexual orientation and gender among its protected groups. Nothing less even begins to be acceptable. On November 20, the sixth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance served to remind us that few members of our society are so routinely killed or
allowed to die simply for being different. We must insist that hate crime legislation include gender or gender identity in its language. The carefully concealed anti-gay sentiments of the Yes on 3 campaign have caused many in the state to feel that their homophobia is validated by the majority. How many unstable characters now think it will be okay to violently and aggressively attack gay, lesbian, or bisexual people? We must insist that hate crime legislation include sexual orientation in its language. Let’s not be precious about the fact that inclusive hate crime legislation is the very least our state government could do to address the inequalities, prejudice and bigotry we are faced with. The very least. After years of seeing anti-gay bill after anti-gay bill, it’s high time we demand that they begin to treat us as people who are created equal, and have the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. So we ask those people who are angry, hurt, upset, disappointed, and just generally pissed off to take action. Don’t let your feelings fade, harness them and use them to spur you to greater action. Call, write, email, fax and visit your elected officials to tell them of your support. Call, write, fax and email every elected representative to tell them of your support. With enough noise, maybe we can even drown out that little voice in the heads of our legislature telling them to glance nervously down at Temple Square.
From the Editor A Season of Giving by Jere Keys jere@slmetro.com
Let’s face it, I’m not getting rich as a journalist and activist. That was never really a life goal of mine anyway. And short of meeting that perfect sugar daddy, I doubt I’m ever going to be the kind of person who has money to burn. I mention this because we’re heading into the time of year when it’s traditional, despite your religious or spiritual persuasions, to give and exchange gifts. For those of us on the lower ends of the economic spectrum, the holiday season can add stress to already tight budgets. Yet year after year, I still manage to squeeze enough extra cash out of my wallet to let my family and friends know I care. I also find a way to truly embrace the spirit of giving by making donations to good charities. Like many people in Utah, I was raised in the predominant religion of the state. Even when I moved away for several years, my thoughts and actions were always impacted by the attitudes and beliefs of my childhood. You know the old saying, “You can take the gay boy out of Utah…” So at this time of year, I feel it’s especially important to make charitable donations, to give whatever gifts I have (time, talents or treasures) to causes that help shape my vision for what the world could and ought to be. And I’m encouraging you to do the same. On the national level, organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force deserve your financial support. They have been tireless advocates for our community and, in a very real sense, we could not enjoy the lives we do today if it had not been for them. On the local level, I’m still getting to know the local community, but I can strongly recommend Equality Utah, the Utah AIDS Foundation, the People With AIDS Coalition of Utah, and the GLBT Community Center of Utah. Every one of these organizations needs your volunteer support and your financial contributions. Many of us belong to churches, temples, mosques or synagogues that can help you to find charities to support. Whether you want to shelter the homeless, adopt an impoverished family, provide relief to the ill or dying, or just offer emotional support to the vulnerable, there are places to get involved and to help. This weekend, we kick off the season of giving with a reflection and offer of thanks for all that we have. I’d like to say thanks to the community which has welcomed me in. I’m truly grateful to have met, and continue to meet, so many dedicated, wonderful and caring individuals. I encourage all Metro readers to take stock of their blessings and make a commitment to take the spirit of giving more seriously. Don’t just exchange gifts with those you expect to get gifts from in return. Make an effort to give to charities, causes and programs that truly need it. You might not get a tangible gift in return, something wrapped in paper and foil, but there will be a benefit.
Letters Let’s Set Our Own Agenda Dear Editor, How did the GLBT community allow Karl Rove & Company to hijack our issues for the last election and force us to spend all of our time, money, resources & energy fighting for their chosen issue? If you’re wondering what I’m talking about—it’s gay marriage. Let’s face it, of all of the issues currently facing our community; marriage or civil unions really belong at the bottom of the list. Don’t get me wrong, I’m appalled that eleven states opted to write blatant discrimination into their constitutions. It’s anti-ethical to the concept so brilliantly outlined by the framers of the Constitution. Honestly, I was shocked by the feelings of desolation & disenfranchisement I felt the morning after the election because of those states. But, I am a pragmatist. I know, legally & constitutionally these should never stand up in court, if the justices are truly objective. It boils down to discrimination and we don’t legislate that in this country; contrary to any individual’s actions or belief system. I’ve been asked by acquaintances & excoriated by friends for not giving what they deemed the proper amount of time to the Don’t Amend Alliance here in Utah. My immediate gut reaction was I wasn’t thrilled by the message of Don’t Amend. That’s the short answer. I believe the focus we should have placed on this issue was that it is discrimination and we don’t sanction that
The Spin Doctor is In by William Todd Park liam@slmetro.com
Deborah A. Pavek Murray
Letters to the Editor Salt Lake Metro welcomes letters from our readers. Write us at: Metro Publishing, Inc., Suite 350, 352 S. Denver St., Salt Lake City, UT 84111 or email letters@slmetro.com or fax 801-323-9986 We reserve the right to edit for length. Letters are run at our discretion. Full name must accompany letter, even if you wish to remain anonymous.
Editor Jere Keys Arts Editor Eric J. Tierney Arts Greg Harrison Sports Editor David Nelson Contributing Brandie Balken Writers Lee Beckstead Janice Eberhardt Beau Jarvis Lynette Malmstrom Laurie Mecham LaDonna Moore Rob Orton William T. Park Jim Pitts Nicholas Rupp Mandy Q. Racer Ruby Ridge Joel Shoemaker Jim Struve Eric J. Tierney Darren Tucker JoSelle Vanderhooft Ben Williams Proofreader Nicholas Rupp Contributing Lucy Juarez Photographers William H. Munk Shauna Sanchez Joel Shoemaker Art Director Michael Aaron Graphic Designer Kris Kramer Sales Director Steven Peterson Sales Executives Sebastian Cruz Janis Gardner Bob Tubbs Distribution Steven Peterson Courtney Moser Copyright © 2004 Salt Lake Metro. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner, including electronic retrieval systems, without the prior written permission of the publisher. One copy of this publication is free of charge to any individual. Additional copies may be purchased for $1. Anyone taking or destroying multiple copies may be prosecuted for theft at the sole discretion of the publisher. Reward offered for information that leads to the arrest of any individual willfully stealing, destroying or trashing multiple copies. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or staff.
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 President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer:
Michael Aaron Steven Peterson Steve Whittaker Larry Tanner
SALT LAKE METRO ■
11
and in four years, we’ll elect someone else to pillage the treasury under the guise of a new cause célèbre. In the meantime, I, for one, have no desire to throw my hands up in surrender and I hope you don’t either. This isn’t the time to play the victim. We have too many self-proclaimed victims running around and not enough of us who are willing to make a difference. Perhaps having Bush in the White House for another four years is what it will take to wake us from our apathy. Perhaps being on the receiving end of open and ‘legal’ discrimination will be what it takes to get us angry enough to stand up for what’s right. Perhaps we’ll log off of the chat room long enough to log into reality. Locally and nationally, we must come together around what is important and raise up candidates who are willing to champion justice and fairness. We have to recognize and lobby for important issues such as economic recovery so that stagnant unemployment improves. We have to prove to our allies in the community that being gay is not an immoral sickness, but a human quality so that gay unions aren’t a debate topic, but obvious and normal institutions. We have to be citizens and participants in the process rather than whiners. Internationally, we can no longer be embroiled in Iraq. We must bring our troops home. After all, the only thing we can say about the difference between Iraq and Vietnam is that is that at least for Vietnam, Bush had an exit strategy. My friends, the Spin Doctor is in and while I wouldn’t mind one of those prescriptions, the only way to get it filled is through less expensive Canadian pharmaceuticals manufacturers.
Publisher Michael Aaron
■
Behind the bravado of bullets and beer, we Americans tend to be a fearful people. We lock our doors against would-be thieves, we air segments on the nightly news about the dangers in very own homes, and we immediately cast suspicion upon people who are different from us. Right-wing politicians appealed to those fears and won the election by styling themselves as saviors instead of the demagogues that they truly are. Dick Cheney insisted that if we didn’t re-elect Bush, “we’ll get hit again.” Instead of being afraid of the national 50% divorce rate, social conservatives are afraid that the issue of gay marriage will somehow destroy the sanctity of marriage, notwithstanding the sterling examples of cultural icons like Britney Spears and eighttime altar veteran Mickey Rooney. Some have even suggested that Western civilization could crumble if gay marriage became legal. Talk about homophobia! More than conservatives who mindlessly contributed to the delinquency of a nation, it is nothing short of astounding how someone who has vocally campaigned against gay families won 23% of the gay vote. The 18-24 crowd didn’t help like we had hoped, either. MTV won out over real life and just like the 2000 election, only 17% of the country’s youth thought it was important enough to get themselves off the couch long enough to give a damn. We can be thankful the drama of the election is over, but the truth remains: for the next four years, the United States has someone at the helm who has proven himself to be inept, dishonest, and bigoted. While emigration to Canada sure looks attractive, it shouldn’t be the first course of action. The USA belongs to every American
for or that important items previously agreed upon by both houses of Congress were removed. Current federal hate crimes legislation only covers crimes based on race, color, religion or national origin. That should have been a huge issue toward the end of this election cycle, maybe then we wouldn’t have lost so many seats. Moving forward, the GLBT community and its leaders need to garner the political savvy and backbone to set their own agenda and not allow the “hot-button” fear tactics of Karl Rove and those who emulate him to set our political battles for us. Else we will forever be distracted by the “shiny” object twirled by the homophobic minority on the right. We are so fortunate here in Utah to have friends of our community like Dave Litvak, who continues year after year to introduce hate crimes legislation to the State Legislature; who year after year defeat it due to the inclusion of the words “sexual orientation.” If that doesn’t prove we need a hate crimes bill, I don’t know what does.
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
What does it say about a man who campaigned as a “uniter, not a divider” and then with 51% of the popular vote, proclaim that he received a mandate from the people? What does it say about a man who commits more money to rebuilding a country he destroyed than to key facets of security infrastructure of the one he was elected to protect? What does it say about a man who fervently insists that a fertilized cell is a human life—untouchable and sacrosanct—yet destroys lives by the tens of thousands in a war of choice? What does it say about a man who claims to champion morality by spearheading a national objective to promote bigotry and discrimination? In my mind, it speaks volumes. At the very least, the man is delusional, in serious denial, or a pathological liar. Amazing, but thanks to the Washington spin doctors and millions of lemmings, this single man was just re-elected to the most powerful office in the free world. A more important question though, is what does it say about the people who have instant access to this damning information—and a whole lot more in glorious detail—yet state with their votes that George W. Bush makes the better president? The answer really comes down to simple fear consummated by willful ignorance.
in this country. I felt there was too much emphasis on the fact that straight couples would also be affected. It seemed for a while there the message was this can hurt straight folks so you can’t do it. The biggest piece missing for me was I never heard anyone come out and say that by not passing this amendment gay marriage or civil union would still not be legal in this state. Those are some of my biggest objections to the way the campaign was handled. My larger reasons for only donating funds and not my time are more complex. We need to focus our energies and resources on larger issues facing this community. It is now over six years since the brutal torture and murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo. and by and large there is still no comprehensive hate crimes legislation in this country. Not on the local, state or national levels. Personally, I think this issue affects more members of the community than concern over marriage. There are no comprehensive equal opportunity employment protections nor is there comprehensive fair housing legislation to protect us. Again, I think we need to put these basic, albeit, important civil rights well ahead of civil union or marriage. By focusing our attention on the marriage initiatives around the country this election season; the Republican House Leadership was able to avoid being called to task for removing legislative language strengthening hate crime prosecution from the 2005 defense authorization bill. The media didn’t cover this, where were the ACLU & HRC? Most people I don’t even know that the defense authorization bill is designed
AberRant And Now, Something Lighter … Like My Hair by Laurie Mecham
12
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
laurie@slmetro.com
Pre-election was timeconsuming, harrowing, and crazy-making. And that was before the results were in. Thankfully, I padded my calendar to allow for post-election depression. This week we are watching the reconstruction of the presidential cabinet (piss off, Ashcroft!) and sighing for the promise that Colin Powell once held. Political commentaries have rightly noted that it is crucial for the next four years that we liberals find ways to communicate with conservatives. Surely we can talk about values in a broader context than simply abortion and gay “rights.” Our religiosity and spirituality may be expressed in different ways, but many of us do have spiritual lives. We will need to examine the huge differences in urban and rural lifestyles that were so beautifully articulated in the theme song to “Green Acres.” The key to unraveling the mystery of How America Voted lies in making sense of the neo-conservative way of thinking. We must find our common ground. I think a good place to start is with hair. Do you know anyone, gay or straight, liberal or conservative, who is happy with his or her hair? OK, a few people, and more men than women. Of course, for most men (I’m not talking about gays or metrosexuals) simply having hair suffices. Girlfriends, you know what I’m talking about. If a woman’s hair is curly, she wants it straight. If her hair is stick-straight like mine, she wants some waves. My partner has very thick hair, so thick that she does best when very large segments of her hair are simply removed. She uses products with names that sound like the commands of a dominatrix: “Sit, STAY,” “Lie Flat and Beg for Mercy,” and “Oh no, motherfucker, not today!” By contrast, my hair is baby fine, and I spend a great deal of effort just trying to get some volume. My hair-care routine goes like this: Shampoo with volumizing product, condition with volumizing product, towel dry, apply approximately $50 worth of hair product, blow dry with head upside down until eyeballs bleed, lacquer, repeat. Most of my six sisters share my genetic makeup—ha ha, that was just a joke—they share my genetic problems: small breasts, depression and anxiety, and baby-fine hair. Here’s the email I got from my sister Pat after her move from the Bay area to Boise, Idaho. She is tall, like me, but unlike me she is slender and busty. Ok, New town, new hair stylist, supposed to be an upscale salon. I’m there to see Todd Mitchell. I, having never met Todd Mitchell, keep thinking any one of the people who emerge could be him. One guy looks like Jack on Will and Grace and seems to have some flair, and I
think, “He’d be good.” It’s not him. Another guy comes out, very tall, very pale complexioned, black hair and looks like he could cry easily. Not him either, good. I see a couple of fashionista women who are probably not named Todd, and then comes a guy covered in tattoos with short neoNazi-ish hair, and I think, “Please don’t let it be the convict.” OF COURSE, IT IS HIM. SUPER! Then I think, “don’t judge a book by its cover, could be fabulous, my neighbor likes him. Be optimistic.” I tell him I want it short and sassy, basically just clean up what I have. ...Apparently what he heard me say was that I don’t have enough challenges in my life and I wonder what kind of work he could do on crack with his eyes closed using just a dull knife? At least it will grow eventually, and I will probably stop being approached as an NRA lobbyist in about 4 weeks. I now know how those bald babies feel, the ones whose moms put bows in their hair with honey to get people to stop asking their gender. The name “Pat” is not helping me out here either. I was writing about this, trying to draw a comparison, and came up with who I look
like. I am the Bill Gates of Barbies. You know how when we were kids at some point we all cut a Barbie’s hair, then kept trying to fix it and finally just took her out to the sidewalk and smashed her boobs in and had Ben, Ken’s little brother? REMEMBER? OK, all done sharing. Pat I wept for her. I really did. I have felt her pain, and it is a pain that lasts for days, even weeks. True, this kind of pain doesn’t last through the duration of a presidential term, unless you are a complete lunatic or have incredibly horrific luck. Here’s the thing that is troubling me. I know that before the year is out, my spouse and I will probably be relocating. It looks like our destination is Portland, Oregon. It will be good for her job prospects. It is – you’ll find this hard to believe—a much more liberal locale. Unfortunately, like Utah, Oregon also just passed a keep-marriage-so-perfect-NOT amendment, but it was a very close margin. I don’t think that we will have any trouble finding a political comfort zone and building coalitions in Portland. But the thing is, they have a rainy climate. What am I gonna do with my HAIR? Laurie Mecham is neither the Bill Gates, nor the Barbie, of anything.
Ruby Ridge Living Smart, Real Smart by Ruby Ridge ruby@slmetro.com
So petals, what should have been a mellow breakfast and a quiet read of the morning paper unexpectedly turned ugly. According to the newspaper, Elizabeth Smart opened up for Toby Keith playing the Star Spangled Banner on her harp. My nervous system did the only thing it could and did that involuntary head jerk, combination puke, gasp, and gag thing. And let me tell you darlings, there is nothing like a mixture of Bloody Mary and Mini Wheats blowing out your nose to ruin your entire day. Now etiquette requires that I give the following politically correct disclaimer. The criminal abduction of Elizabeth Smart was horrifying and incredibly difficult for the Smart family, and traumatizing for the entire community. We were all relieved when she was returned home to her family safely. So with that said and out of the way, muffins, I have to tell you … the Smart family’s apparent willingness to exploit the crime and their daughter has pretty much erased whatever sympathy I had. First of all, can you believe how ultra gay Ed Smart comes across on television? I mean seriously, if you closed your eyes and only listened to the audio, can’t you just see some overly dramatic 1970’s queen wearing a Shelley Winters caftan and sea grass sandals, clutching a mother of pearl framed picture of his missing
poodle “Fantasia?” Well OK, maybe it’s just me. But considering how often Ed’s on the tube milking the drama of his daughters misfortune, you would think Lois would tell him to butch it up a bit. Secondly, I just can’t help thinking that if Elizabeth Smart was not a blond, blue eyed, East Side Mormon from a wealthy family, we never would have seen the gushing community response that bordered on melodramatic hysteria. It made great tabloid television for the Greta Van Susteran types, but I guarantee if the victim was a Hispanic Catholic kid from Glendale, there would only be one brief blurb on the Fox 13 news while they dredged the Jordan River. And that’s only if they didn’t have to use their newscast to promote the token Mormon on American Idol, or promo When Big Fat Obnoxious Bosses Attack, or whatever lowbrow entertainment Rupert Murdoch is profiting from while he laments America’s moral decline. Bitter Ruby? Well now that you asked…. YES! From my perspective, the only longterm victims of the Smart saga are the poor teenage girls in Elizabeth’s LDS ward. Can you imagine how torturous and icky Fast and Testimony Meeting must be for Becky, Muffy and Shantelle, knowing that their most sentimental testimony about grandma dying in a freak scrap booking accident is always going to be trumped by Liz Smart and her damned visit with Oprah? Somewhere on the East Bench, the hills are alive with the sound of loathing. Ruby Ridge is a member of the Utah Cyber Sluts, a camp drag group of performers who raise funds and support local charities. Her opinions are her own, and fluctuate wildly due to bloating and irritability.
Lambda Lore Death of a Sodomite by Ben Williams It is rare to see the word “Sodomite” used in 19th Century journalism and rarer yet to find it in the headlines of the Deseret News. The broadsheet was founded as the official organ of the Latter Day Saints Church shortly after the arrival of Mormon refugees to the Wasatch Front. The weekly paper printed pontifications from the Tabernacle pulpit as well as more secular news. However, whatever was printed was carefully reviewed and approved by the Mormon hierarchy, in particular Brigham Young. Therefore an article on the murder of a Camp Douglas soldier for the sexual molestation of a Mormon youth was printed in October 1864 more as a warning to the Gentile population of their precarious situation among the Saints than as an accounting of the facts. Nevertheless it is the first public use of the word “Sodomite” in Utah. In 1864 Federal forces occupied Utah. They were stationed at Camp Douglas on the east bench of Salt Lake City to deter the Saints from acting on any of their own secession notions while the American Civil War raged. Utah was a slave state and Brigham Young made it clear that Mormons were not going to fight to preserve the Union. Tensions between the local populace and the federal troops stationed in Utah were, to say the least, unpleasant. Frederick Jones enlisted as a Private in Company G of the 3rd California Infantry in the Union Army on July 25, 1864. Three months later he was murdered. The Salt lake Coroner recorded his death as an assassination. On October 31, 1864, Thomas Stenhouse, soon to be Mormon apostate, and present editor of the Deseret News printed the only known account of the murder. His bias towards Jones was clearly evident when he wrote, “we have no crocodile tears to shed over him (Jones), he is dead, and we have not the slightest disposition to call him back again to change the manner of retribution. To give the details of his crime would be to besmear our sheet with facts so loathsome enough to crimson the face of the most barbarous of the human race. We confine ourselves to
narrative, our readers who want more information then we are disposed to publish can seek it elsewhere.” According to charges leveled against Private Jones, on the afternoon of October 19th in City Creek Canyon, he had anal sex with Charles Monk Jr., a ten-year-old boy whom Jones threatened to cut his throat if he told anyone about the assault. The boy told his father and the pair went to the Quarters of Company G where the boy saw Jones. Monk Sr. then went to General Patrick Connor’s Headquarters where the General’s assistance was solicited. An orderly was immediately instructed to bring the accused before the General, but on returning to the Quarters of Company G, Jones could not be found. After much searching Frederick Jones was eventually found sitting in the extreme corner of the building “turning the leaves of a book.” Private Jones was said to have turned “pale” when he saw the boy and his father, but he denied the crime. He voluntarily accompanied Charles Monk Sr. and Jr. to the General’s Headquarters where he again denied the charge. The General ordered Jones to be taken to the guardhouse and instructed Monk to secure a warrant and let the civil law take its course. On October 25th, Private Jones was brought to the city jail where he was questioned by Justice Jeter Clinton. Jones again pled not guilty. He was finally brought up on trial on October 28th, but due to the fact that Utah had no Sodomy Law to criminalize anal
MetroCosm Shane Accountant 32 “A friend once wrote me a poem. It was a poem about friendship. I seriously cried for three days.”
Barry Public Health 44 “It was a coat. It was wool and it was warm and cozy and nice.”
sex, Jones was released. He was never found guilty of his alleged crime, of which he had always maintained his innocence. Private Frederick Jones left to return to camp about 3:00 p.m., but three hours later his body was found near the residence of Horace Eldredge, Brigadier General of the Nauvoo Legion. Two boys and a young man testified during the official inquest to seeing the flash of the pistol that killed Jones, who was shot four times. An hour after Private Jones was found, the Mormon police arrested Charles Monk for murder. Captain Charles Hempstead, provost marshal of Salt Lake City, acted as prosecutor in the case. The Captain repudiated sympathy with the perpetrator of the “most heinous of heinous crimes,” while denouncing the assassins of Jones, according to Editor Stenhouse. Charles Monk’s defendant counsel however addressed the Mormon court and with “everybody being of the one opinion the court” the defendant was discharged. Records show that Charles Monk, who was living in Salt Lake City in 1863, moved to Spanish Fork in 1866. Both father and son lived to a ripe old age. Charles Monk Sr., a Mormon polygamist, died March 31, 1920 in Spanish Fork at the age of 88 years. Charles Monk Jr. died February 16, 1952 in Big Horn County, Wyoming at the age of 96. Private Frederick Jones was buried in an unmarked grave at Fort Douglas. Ben Williams is the founder and president of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society.
ASKED AT CLUB TRY-ANGLES: “What was the best holiday gift you’ve ever received or would like to receive?”
Carl Surgical Technician 32 “The best gift would be to have a donation made to charity in my name. I’m not a very materialistic person.”
Becky Payroll 31 “The best gift I ever got was my Easy Bake Oven when I was little. It still works today.”
Jim Postal Service 58 “My Dolphins football team jacket from my sons. I’m a vivid fan of the Dolphins and they went out of their way to get me that jacket.”
NOVEMBER 25, 2004 ■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
13
Gifts Under $15
❄
Coming Out Magnets “We’re queer. We’re cartoons. Get used to it!” Four big fridge magnets, including (clockwise from top left) “Hey Micky, I’m coming out”, “Uncle Bill, I’m coming out!”, “Hey Pops, I’m Gay!”, and “Hey Granny, I’m involved with another plunger!” The “Hey Micky” magnet (top left) measures approximately 3 x 4.5. Full magnetic backs that are extra hick to really stick!
❄
$10.99 slmetro.com
Reichen 2005 Calendar
Metro T-Shirt
A graduate of the Air Force Academy, a Captain in the Air Force, a successful entrepreneur, one half of the winning team on CBS’ Emmy Award-winning Amazing Race, a gay rights advocate… all this and Reichen Lehmkuhl has not even turned 30. Evident by the photography of Kal Yee, Reichen is in great physical shape due to his thrill-seeking, adventurous, outdoor nature. Experience beauty and adventure with Reichen in this 16-month calendar.
Show off your support your favorite newspaper.
$14.95 slmetro.com
❄
❄
Our 100% cotton, Hanes Heavyweight is preshrunk, durable and guaranteed. 100% ComfortSoftTM cotton yarn, 5.5 oz. Double-needle sleeve and bottom hems. Taped shoulder-to-shoulder. Densely knit. Our printing is better than ever — full of detail and color — and exceptionally fade resistant wash after wash.
❄
❄
$10.99 slmetro.com
Jesus and The Shamanic Tradition of Same-Sex Love Set of Six 3 Inch Mirror Balls
Paperback Jesus and The Shamanic Tradition of SameSex Love is a passionate exploration of the history of Western religion as seen through the queer eye of one of the most widely acclaimed authors in gay spirituality.
Queer Eye for the tree. These 3 inch Kurt Adler mirror ball ornaments are a perfect addition to any fabulous tree. Sold in a set of 6 ornaments.
14
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
❄
❄
$11.53 slmetro.com
$12.95 slmetro.com
❄ Metro Coffee Mug
‘I Love My Moms’ and Dads Infant Clothing
Coffee never tasted this good before. Our 15oz ceramic mug will keep your favorite beverage hot. Large handle for easy grasping. Dishwasher and microwave safe. Printing is full of color and detail. Guaranteed. $10.99 slmetro.com
❄
For the proud babies of Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads.
❄
❄
Our T-Shirts and creepers are 100% cotton jersey knit, doubleneedle hemmed sleeves and bottom, double-needle ribbed binding on legs. Creeper has 3snap bottom. $9.99ea slmetro.com
Salt Lake Men’s Choir Holiday CD Ring Out Wild Bells There’s no better gift to give Mom than something beautiful from your fellow gay men—a CD of music from the last 22 years of the Choir’s Christmas concerts. Over an hour’s worth of the sounds of the season to brighten your holidays for years to come. $15.00 slmetro.com
❄
Toilet Paper, Deoderant, Razors, Baby Diapers, Cotton Swabs, Tootpaste, Tampons Friends in Need.
❄
Please consider donating to the seasonal giving projects of the Utah AIDS Foundation.
SALT LAKE METRO
priceless slmetro.com
■
For more information, please go to our site and we will hook you up with all you need to know to participate.
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
You may not think that ordinary toiletries would make a good present, but it does to someone with HIV/AIDS who has to weigh every penny and make decisions like whether to buy their drugs or food or toothpaste.
■
15
Love Rocks CD Love Rocks: A Star-Studded Benefit Album to Celebrate Marriage Equality The Dixie Chicks, Melissa Etheridge, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mandy Moore, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Dido, Carole King, Yoko Ono, Simply Red, Cyndi Lauper, Kimberly Locke & Oleta Adams are only some of the 32 artists that have joined forces to celebrate marriage equality by donating songs of love and inspiration to the Human Rights Campaign’s newest benefit album, Love Rocks.
❄
Gifts $15–25
❄
$19.95 slmetro.com
Pilates Secrets DVD All Male Nude Basic Mat Workout A new totally naked pilates workout DVD from the makers of Yoga Secrets. Pilates is a form of exercise developed to stretch, tone and strengthen the body—particularly the core—your abs. This new DVD offers stepby-step instruction for the 32 most popular Pilates mat exercises. You will be taught by two gorgeous naked hunks. Here’s your chance to work off some winter fat, get rock-hard abs—and it’s made kind of fun by the studs on screen. $21.99 slmetro.com
❄❄
At last a game for couples that can go wherever your passion takes you. Try Gay Play at the beach, on your bed, in front of a fire, at a park, inside your tent, or on top of a washing machine! Gay Play is printed on a 40” X 60” throw blanket where you and your lover actually play on the game board! The blanket is even washable, so cleanup is a snap!
16
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
$22.97 slmetro.com
The Phantom of the Opera 2004 Movie Sountrack Collector’s Edition
$19.99 slmetro.com
❄
❄
❄
Huge festival and theatrical hit, Latter Days is the story of 19-year-old Elder Aaron Davis, a sexually confused Mormon missionary who moves into an apartment complex in West Hollywood with a fellow group of missionaries. There he meets a neighbor, Christian, who, on a bet, tries to seduce him. As each boy’s reality is shattered, the two are drawn into a passionate romance that risks destroying their lives. $17.99 slmetro.com
Rufus Wainright–Want Two CD/DVD Combo
Gay Play– An Erotic Game for Lovers
In this special 2-disc collector’s edition, the original soundtrack recording of music from director Joel Schumacher’s film of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” features one of the most popular musical theater scores of all time plus a new end-title song written especially for the film, “Learn To Be Lonely,” performed by singer/actress Minnie Driver.
Latter Days DVD/VHS
Already being hailed as his “finest hour,” Rufus Wainwright has released Want Two, the follow-up to his 2003 hit Want One. With complex musical tracks, intelligent lyrics and his signature singing style, Want Two makes no secret of the artist’s gay identity. Fans will also drool over the bonus DVD featuring Wainwright in concert.
❄
$15.99 slmetro.com
Suzanne Westenhoefer: Live from the Village DVD
❄
A brand-new DVD from one of the first openly-gay comedians. Bold, brash and fearless Suzanne Westenhoefer performs to a sold-out audience at The Village Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Suzanne began doing stand-up as one of the first comedians performing gay comedy to straight audiences in mainstream comedy clubs. Suzanne Westenhoefer starred in her own HBO Special, earning her a Cable ACE Award for Best Comedy Special. $17.99 slmetro.com
❄
❄
Better Gay Sex DVD/VHS This is one of the most lavishly produced erotic gay videos ever made. Featuring eight of Britain’s sexiest guys, Better Gay Sex illustrates the beauty, passion, and sensuality of manon-man sex. Experience the spectrum of gay sex as our gorgeous guys take you through the best their bodies (and yours) have to offer. Amazing sex is all about having the most wonderful, mind-blowing fun. Sex gives you a more confident outlook on the whole of your life. This video won’t just turn you on with its explicit red-hot imagery. It’ll show you how to really enjoy the sexual part of your life. $19.96 slmetro.com
❄
Latter-Day Sinner™ Perfect for those not-so-perfect Mormons on your list. Clocks, mugs, hats, shirts, thongs, boxers, buttons and more from the new irreverent line of Utah paraphernalia.
❄
❄ My Boyfriend Can Totally Beat Up Your Boyfriend T-Shirt
$19.99 slmetro.com
Give your friends and family a subscription to Salt Lake Metro and they will remember you at least 26 times a year as we bring them news and entertainment every other Thursday right to their mailbox. This is the only time subscriptions have been sold at the rate of $11.95 for six months or $19.95 for a full year! Take advantage of this offer before it’s too late!
Gift #1
✗
✗
13 issues (6 months) / $13.95 26 issues (one year) / $24.95 $11.95 $19.95
NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE
Gift #2
ZIP
✗
✗
13 issues (6 months) / $13.95 26 issues (one year) / $24.95 $11.95 $19.95
NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE
Gift #3
ZIP
✗
✗
13 issues (6 months) / $13.95 26 issues (one year) / $24.95 $11.95 $19.95
NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE
Gift #4
ZIP
✗
✗
13 issues (6 months) / $13.95 26 issues (one year) / $24.95 $11.95 $19.95
NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE
ZIP
Your Information: Yes! I would also like to subscribe to the biweekly Salt Lake Metro. Please send me: 13 issues (6 months) / $13.95 26 issues (one year) / $24.95 $11.95 $19.95
✗
✗
NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE
ZIP
EMAIL*
PHONE
CARD NO: EXPIRES
/
SIGNATURE A CHECK IS ENCLOSED.
*All information, including your email address, is collected only for the purposes of transacting business of Metro Publishing, Inc. We will not sell your personal information to any other entity for any reason without your express permission. For your convenience credit card orders, exceot gift subscriptions, will automatically renew after the end of the subscription period unless you call the offices and unsubscribe at 801.322.0727. Subscriptions are sent the day of printing via first or third class U.S. mail.
OFFER EXPIRES NOVEMBER 30, 2004
■
17
Mail to: Metro Publishing, 352 S Denver St, Ste 350, Salt Lake City UT 84111
SALT LAKE METRO
PLEASE CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD: MASTERCARD VISA AMERICAN EXPRESS
■
❄
Save 20%
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
A challenge that we would all like to be part of. Pretend to be the fight club president as you sport this T advertising the brute strength of your boyfriend. Totally 100% Cotton.
$2.95 to 24.99 slmetro.com
Give the Gift that Keeps Coming All Year!
❄
Gifts $25–50 Groom and Groom Pillowcase Set Perfect for that happy gay couple in your life.
Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Volume 2 DVD Though aimed at the little ones, much of Paul Reubens’ humor was on a level that adults could enjoy. Reubens based the show on his “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” an adult-oriented comedy special with a children’s show backdrop.
This 100% cotton pillowcase set comes printed with “Groom” across the front. Also available in Bride and Bride.
❄
This is volume 2 of a two volume set that contains all 45 episodes of the series, including 6 never-before-released shows! Just Released. $39.99 slmetro.com
Gayopoly Board Game
$32.95 slmetro.com
❄
❄❄
A 2-sided board game including hot-spots such as: New York City, South Beach, Houston, West Hollywood, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, and Key West, because sometimes you want to play the bottom and the top!
NOVEMBER 25, 2004 ■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
18
❄
The first comprehensive documentary series to chronicle the history of the American musical art form. Each episode depicts a different era in American history and the Broadway shows and songs that defined the period. Julie Andrews hosts this amazing six-part series originally shown on PBS. Contains over 4 hours of exclusive material not shown on TV, including “The Making of Wicked.” $49.99 slmetro.com
Iron Away Ironing Board Cover
Ironing will never be the same with this sexy ironing board cover; not only does it feature a stud staring back at you while you work those wrinkles out, but it also has a surprise waiting. As you pass that hot iron over his groin, his towel disappears! It’s a great way to spice up the household chores and is sure to put a smile on your face. Iron shown not included.
In order to get “out of the closet” all you have to do is sing. Over 50 of your all-time ultimate Divas are in the deck including our favorite songstresses of yesterday and today.
❄
❄
B’Way, the American Musical 3-DVD Set
$39.95 slmetro.com
$32.95 slmetro.com
❄
❄
Scene It? The DVD Game – Turner Classic Movies Edition
The Golden Girls: The Complete First Season
Enjoy the greatest moments from the greatest movies of all time. You’ll watch scenes from legendary films in every genre, including Casablanca, Singin’ in the Rain, Doctor Zhivago, and The Wizard of Oz. The collectible metal game pieces are King Kong, The Maltese Falcon, Ruby Slippers, and the Rosebud Sled. So pop some corn, round up the usual suspects, and play.
Here they are! Finally available on DVD—our favorite seniors talking about sex and men and more sex! The Golden Girls won an Emmy its first year on the air. TVs favorite silver foxes Beatrice Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty star as elderly roommates on a mission to prove life really does begin at 65.
$49.99 slmetro.com
❄
❄
$34.95 slmetro.com
Gifts Over $100
Gifts $50–100
❄
Tom Of Finland Rebel Doll
❄
Tom Of Finland’s Rebel Doll is the first in the series of officially licensed dolls based on the artwork of Tom Of Finland. These serially numbered dolls stand 13 inches tall and feature 15 joints, detailed paint jobs, removable clothing, and a range of accessories. A 6 inch x 4 inch chromemetalized base functions as a storage box for accessories, and is covered with a 17 inch protective clear bell-jar vitrine.
❄ ❄ Sony DSCP150 7MP Digital Camera with 3X Optical Zoom
The doll features a ball-jointed and flexible penis, flexible hips, elbows, knees, hands, feet, and boots.
❄
$69.99 Mischievious 559 S 300 West, SLC
Limited Edition Bound Volume 1 of Salt Lake Metro.
The Sony DSCP150 Cyber-shot® is the world’s first compact point-andshoot digital camera in the marketplace loaded with 7.2 megapixels, putting breathtaking, near-professional-quality photos in your shirt pocket or handbag. It features a Carl Zeiss® Vario Tessar® 3X optical zoom lens to complement and maximize the benefit of the camera’s high resolution. Empowered with Sony’s Real Imaging Processor™, means you’ll never miss that one-in-a-million shot because the camera is always ready to take great pictures. $499.99 slmetro.com
Keep our first year’s worth of news in a single location—beautifully bound, printed on photo-white paper in full color. 526 full-sized pages are 10” x 11.5”. Only 50 of these books will be made, many going to library archives. Available December 30, 2004. $100.00 slmetro.com
“The Three Graces” Concrete Garden Plaque
❄
The Three Graces were daughters of Zeus and maidens of Aphrodite. As the Goddesses of Joy, Charm, and Beauty, they brought goodwill to both the gods and the mortal. Cast in concrete, these delicate beauties are durable enough to withstand harsh weather outdoors and are a beautiful addition to any garden. The rugged/distressed concrete finish has an antique patina (for an “aged” look) and hangs easily. $59.99 slmetro.com
Tales of the City DVD: The First Three Sets
■
SALT LAKE METRO
$89.99 slmetro.com
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
We have grouped the three Tales of the City television mini-series to create a bargain-priced set for the completist. Among the best queer TV ever—and among the first as well. Taken from Armistead Maupin’s endearing and popular novels, these boldly original and faithful adaptations follow the interconnected lives of a group of San Francisco eccentrics (both gay and straight) during the 70s. Each DVD contains six episodes. That’s 18 hours of entertainment!
■
19
THE GAY AGENDA 25THURSDAY The holidays are fraught with ritual and tradition. For many these days, it’s the only time of year when traditions are actually practiced. Join the Cultural Celebration Center as it presents HOLIDAY AND NEW YEAR TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD, a mix of art and artifacts that examines Yuletide celebrations around the world. 6pm reception. No information on admission or length of exhibit available. Information at 965-5108.
26FRIDAY As my drunken Irish grandmother was fond of saying every Christmas, tradition is what binds us. Bind yourself to your fellow Salt Lakers tonight as the Downtown Alliance presents LIGHTS ON!, the annual Holiday tradition celebrating the glitz and schmaltz of Downtown Salt Lake City at Christmastide. The event kicks-off at 6:30 with the Temple Square lighting, and continues at the Gallivan Center, Gateway, and Downtown Malls. Drink cider, sing carols, and, as my teetotaler mother would say, soak up the season. 6:30, Downtown Salt Lake. Admission free. Information at 333-1102.
■ There’s nothing that JUBILANT SYKES can’t sing. Opera, jazz, spirituals… his enormous, rich voice is heartrending, expressive, and technically awesome. He’ll be shaking the crystals at Abravanel Hall with the UTAH SYMPHONY tonight and tomorrow, performing a Holiday program that’s sure to warm the cockles.
mention it because I know many of you silly gits are AI fans, which only makes our continuing struggle for equality that much harder. Thanks, guys.
8:00. Friday 26 and Saturday 27, Abravanel Hall. Tickets $20—$45.00, 355-2787.
8:00. Abravanel Hall. Tickets $31.50-$43.00 at 355-2787.
27SATURDAY
1WEDNESDAY
Musical theatre fans — chances are more than a few of you read this publication — are familiar with Forbidden Broadway, the musical revue that skewers Broadway personalities and shows with unparalleled wit and smartass-ism. Tinsletown gets the same treatment tonight in Park City with FORBIDDEN HOLLLYWOOD.
If you’re like me, you’d love to have a gorgeous Christmas tree, you’re too lazy to decorate one, and you’d love the chance to support a worthy charity. We’re in luck kid because tonight through the 4th is the 34TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES! More than 700 beautiful Christmas trees are displayed and are available for purchase, with proceeds gong to Primary Children’s Medical Center.
November 26 and 27, 7:30PM. Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, Park City. Tickets $15--$50 at 435-655-3114.
29MONDAY So it’s come to this: Tonight, CLAY AIKEN, in concert with a thirty piece orchestra, will do to beloved Christmas tunes what he’s already done to a cache of really terrific songs. In a word: sing them. I only
20
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
Introducing the Newest and Hottest Clothing Line:
LATTER-DAY
SINNER T-Shirts, Boxers, Thongs, Jackets, Camisoles, Mugs, Beer Steins, Coasters, Clocks, Teddy Bears
www.latterdaysinner.com
Salt Lake Men’s Choir. See Sunday, Dec. 5
10am–10pm through Dec. 4. South Towne Expo Center. $4.00 at the door. For information, call 588-3674.
2THURSDAY To enjoy the Greatest Snow on Earth is indeed a blessing, but one that must be entered into advisedly. The REI Foundation will help tonight when it presents a free presentation on AVALANCHE AWARENESS. 7pm, Sandy REI Store, 230 W. 10600 South. Admission is free.
3FRIDAY There was a time when THE NUTCRACKER was a forgotten ballet, languishing in obscurity. Oh, how the times have changed. Every ballet company in America now produces the piece every Yuletide – but what makes us lucky is that our local ballet company is the incomparable Ballet West. Remember when all the little people come dancing out from underneath the giant hoop skirt? I love that part. 7pm Tues.–Sat., 2pm Sat. and Sun.. Through December 31. Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South. Tickets $10–60 at 355-2787.
4SATURDAY Again, the theme of this issue’s Agenda is tradition. I know of no finer Holiday tradition than the singing of Handel’s stunning MESSIAH. Yes, there’s a lot more to it than the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Come hear it all in what is sure to be a fine reading by the SALT LAKE ORATORIO SOCIETY. 2pm and 7pm. Libby Gardener Concert Hall at the University of Utah. Tickets $8–10 at 581-7100.
5SUNDAY For the gay holiday musical tradition, make your way to the SALT LAKE MEN’S CHOIR’S 22ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT: WHAT SWEETER MUSIC. This is one of the best events to take mom to to show her some of the best sides of being gay. Make sure to stay afterwards for the deserts, punch and the guys in the Choir. 7:30pm. Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $10–15 at 355-2787 or saltlakemenschoir.org.
6MONDAY One year, my boyfriend gave me and all his friends handmade books containing his short stories, essays, etc. I have to say it was once of the best gifts I’ve ever received. The COMMUNITY WRITING CENTER will present a workshop in two parts on the 6th and 13th that will help you to create gifts from your own writing. 6–8pm, Community Writing Center, 511 W. 200 South. $20 commitment fee. Information at 957-4992.
7TUESDAY Not all traditions are good. For instance, KURT BESTOR is still tickling his inane ivories every year, plugging away at his Mannheim Steamroller-esque Christmas muzak like a poor man’s John Tesh. Nonetheless, this is a tradition now, so it merits mention here. 8pm through December 11. 2pm Saturdays. Abravanel Hall, 123 W South Temple. Tickets $17.50–32.50 at 355-2787.
8WEDNESDAY You loved him as Batboy. He was brilliant in Pains of Youth. You may also have seen him in Big Love or any of a number of brilliant productions at Salt Lake’s professional theatres and at the University of Utah. This year, ROBERT SCOTT SMITH will don the floppy, pointy shoes of Krumpet, everyone’s favorite Macy’s elf in what is fast becoming everyone’s favorite Salt Lake Christmas theatre tradition. Yes, its once again time for Tooth and Nail Theatre’s production of THE SANTALAND
DIARIES by David Sedaris, Savior of American Humorists. Definitely a tradition worth keeping. 8pm Weds–Sun. 3pm Sunday matinees through Dec. 19. Studio Theatre at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $22 at 355-2787.
upCOMING 12 DECEMBER Utah Symphony 3000 Voice Messiah, Abravanel Hall 20 DECEMBER Andy Williams Christmas Show, Abravanel Hall
worldAIDSday december1st2004
9AM–NOON Weber State University Union Shepherd Building AIDS Awareness Fair 10AM–7PM Westminster College 1840 S 1300 East, SLC Quilt Display, Red Ribbon Booths, Film Festival 3PM–7PM Utah AIDS Foundation 1408 S. 1100 East, SLC Open House 5–8PM People with AIDS Coalition 1390 S. 1100 East, SLC Open House 7–8PM Holladay United Church of Christ 2631 Murray-Holladay Rd, SLC World AIDS Day Worship Service DECEMBER 3 6–9PM Day Without Art Holiday Gallery Stroll Salt Lake gallery Association will give tribute to the Day Without Art action. DECEMBER 1–21 Alice Gallery 617 E South Temple Art Positive! art exhibit created by people living with HIV/AIDS.
freeHIVtesting Harm Reduction 155 South 300 West, Suite 101, SLC Thursday, December 2, 4–6PM Planned Parenthood 654 S. 900 East, SLC and all locations Wednesday, December 1, 1–4PM Salt Lake Community College South Campus, 1575 S. State Street Tuesday, November 30, 10AM–1PM Redwood Campus, 4600 S. Redwood Thursday, December 2, 10AM–1PM Salt Lake Valley Health Dept. 610 South 200 East, SLC Wednesday, December 1, 1–5PM Southwest Health Department St. George, La Verkin, Cedar City, Beaver, Kanab, Panguitch Wednesday, December 1, 9AM–12PM Tooele County Health Dept. 151 N. Main Street, Tooele Wednesday, December 1, 1–4PM University of Utah Student Health, 555 S. Foothill Blvd. Thursday, December 2, 1–5PM Heritage Center Plaza Thursday, December 2, 6–9PM Utah AIDS Foundation 1408 S. 1100 East, SLC Monday November 29, 5–7PM Friday, December 3 by appt. only Saturday, December 4, 10AM–3PM Utah County Health Dept. 151 S. University Ave., Provo Weds. December 1, 8:30–11AM, 1–4PM
SLAC’s Madagascar Ultimately Successful by Eric J. Tierney eric@slmetro.com
■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
21
Madagascar runs through December 12. Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30. Friday and Saturday at 8:00. Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00. Single tickets $23.00 to $31.50. Student and group discounts available. Salt Lake Acting Company, 1368 West 500 North. Information and tickets at 801-363-SLAC (7522).
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
J.T. Rogers’ new play Madagascar, which is having its world premiere this month at the Salt Lake Acting Company, is a flawed but ultimately moving family drama told through a fractured, complex narrative. The evening, while successful, ranges from soporific to transcendent. The first act is rendered almost totally ineffective by a lack of pacing and tension. There is no dramatic action and very little conflict – three characters, through direct address, shade in the details of their lives and personalities in a seemingly endless series of memories and anecdotes. The audience endures endless exposition in the form of monologue after monologue, poignant personal insight after poignant personal insight. Because the dramatic question which jump starts the plot is not introduced until the last five minutes of the act, there is nothing at stake for the characters and hence, nothing at stake for us. Character in drama is meant to be revealed rather than explained, and three bodies onstage who never interact with one another and who step forward again and again to impart an anecdote and then interpret its meaning is a cumbersome way of framing a narrative. The first act is also entirely lacking in pace. The stage pictures are pleasing and the space is used effectively, but the actors are seldom permitted to go anywhere near one another. After each mini-monologue ends, there is a light change before the next begins, creating a pattern which lulls the audience into a kind of stupor. There is nothing dynamic or energetic about this polite, formalized structure. The play is saved, however, by the remarkable second act. A story is finally being told, and the disparate narratives of the three characters are finally united by an issue. The script begins to have motion, conflict, and drama. The writing becomes sublime and piquant. Now that they are dealing with concrete issues and not abstract emotional concepts of loss, ennui and the like, the characters become more human, more complex, and much more compelling. The final fifteen minutes of the piece are genuinely moving.
As cumbersome as the first act is, the entire play is lifted up by the strength of its cast. Anne Cullimore Decker, Utah’s best actress, brings her usual ease and naturalism to the role of Lillian. Decker skillfully invests the character with a variety of contradictions that make her rich and vital – she is wise yet naive, independent yet needy, fearless yet terrified. Brenda Sue Cowley, a SLAC veteran, once again plays to her strengths, endowing her character with intense and sincere emotion without becoming earnest. It is quite something to watch her adeptly move between moments of pathos to blithe comedy. And finally, there is Joe Cronin. Cronin’s work is remarkably detailed and is underplayed beautifully. This is the kind of subtlety and precision that can only a performer who absolutely knows what he’s doing can achieve. Kevin Myhre’s set is beautiful and unobtrusive, providing a space for the complex narrative to unfold without distraction. Simple white furniture on a white floor comprises the playing space, while the proscenium is decorated with sketches of Rome and Roman art, the kind that a skillful tourist might do while spending a long afternoon on a piazza. James Craig’s lighting is perfectly complementary – clear, pure, and subtle. Cynthia Kehr’s sound work is the most dynamic and effective design element, particularly in the moments when the action is underscored with music. All the same I felt that there may have been too many cues. SLAC is a brave company which frequently takes chances on new work. They have developed a positive working relationship with J. T. Rogers through successful mountings of two of his earlier plays. This commitment to new plays is laudable, and Madagascar, despite its problems, ultimately proves the gamble, as usual, to have been more than worthwhile.
SINGERS AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT Utah’s first all-male Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat
Sunday, January 9 & 16 – All Saints Episcopal Church, 1700 S. Foothill Dr. Performances: June 24, 25, 26, 2005 in the Rose Wagner Studio Theater Rehearsals: Thursday (all) and Sunday (solos) nights beginning January 2005, plus some additional scheduled rehearsals. Produced by Salt Lake Men’s Choir Auditions Requirements: Prepare one minute of music NOT from Joseph. Find music that you like, that shows off your voice to its best advantage. Accompanist provided. Wear clothing that you can move in; auditions will include both singing and movement. No experience necessary.
www.saltlakemenschoir.org for more info.
Mary Tebbs and Lisa Marie croon at Stonewall Coffee Company during CenterPeace open house Nov. 13.
PHOTO: JERE KEYS
CenterPeace Open House Reveals New Plans for the Center
22
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
On Saturday, November 13, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Utah hosted an open house event called CenterPeace to showcase the many exciting changes happening at the non-profit agency. Dozens of people showed up to see the remodeled Stonewall Coffee Company and office spaces. Newcomers were given tours of the lending library, the youth activity center, and the black box multipurpose room, where the Cyber Sluts
hosted gay bingo. Staff, volunteers and board members were on hand to answer questions and to point out the changes. Local entertainers also broke in the new performance space at Stonewall Coffee. The coffeeshop will now feature regular live entertainment including local musicians, poetry, and open mic nights. Gay Bingo, hosted by the Cyber Sluts, was generally considered the highlight of the evening. These colorfully coifed and costumed female impersonators brought their unique style of comedy and entertainment to a fun game of bingo with proceeds benefiting the Center. The Center recently lost $200,000 in funding from the state health department. The loss of two years’ budget has forced the board and staff to reexamine the programs, plans and functioning of the service agency. Maryann Martindale, chair of the Center’s Board of Directors, said, “This has been a real transitional year for the Center, and one with many challenges. We are using these challenges as a catalyst for change. With a new executive director and strategic plan we are refocusing the mission of the Center to better address the needs of GLBT people in Utah. It is an exciting time and I am confident that the new leadership and focus will provide a true ‘Center’ for the community.” The Center offers dozens of programs for the community, including youth and adult programs. They also oversee the annual Utah Pride celebration and team up with other non-profit organizations to lend support to a growing community. For further information about the GLBT Community Center of Utah, phone 5398800.—JK
Engendered Species Continued from page 9
Engendered Species not only welcomes cross dressers, but it also invites their spouses to events. Often heterosexuals, these men and women are at varying levels of comfort with their partners’ gender identities and gender expressions. “Some spouses are accepting of this and it’s just another shared activity, and some spouses do not accept this and there’s divorces over it,” Dean explains. Additionally, Engendered Species also welcomes a comparatively smaller number of people who want or have had sexual reassignment surgery. This includes Dean’s spouse Aere who lived and identified as a gay man for four years. “It felt like one foot was out of the closet and the other was still in,” she remembers. “And when I started dealing with the transgender side, the puzzle pieces started to fit together.” And when the pieces began fitting
Queeriscaping Nature’s Decor by Brandie Balken brandie@slmetro.com
On to the store, pick up whatever looks good to you, but avoid fruit that’s bigger than 3” or smaller than 1” in diameter as these are difficult to work with. I recommend crabapples, pomegranates, artichokes, and kumquats. Begin by creating your form, unless you bought a pre-made. Square wreaths are very easy to assemble: place 4 equally sized bundles of reeds in a square, with the ends extending past each other. Tie the ends together with raffia, after you’ve wrapped it securely around several times. Lay your decorative objects on the base, remember that odd numbered groupings look best. It’s also a good idea to layer your material as a group, e.g. a juniper branch topped with 3 kumquats and a bunch of purple sage. After the “design” is complete, assemble your wreath. The fruit should be “picked,” shove the wood of the pick into the fruit, taking care not to push it all the way through, then shove the wired end from the front through the back of the wreath, and stabilize it there by wrapping the wire around the base. The smaller pieces can be bundled, tied to the pick with raffia, and then stabilized by wiring. The moss and the ribbon are added at the end to cover any unsightly areas in the wreath. These same steps can be utilized to build a centerpiece; and Voilá, a beautiful natural creation to warm your table, doorway and heart. 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
Engendered Species holds an outreach Transgender Open House each month at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. They can be reached at 320-0551 or on the web at www.engenderedspecies.com
A GRIPPING NEW MYSTERY
der n U nd $18 a 0 3 Age Tickets
BY
S R E G O R J.T.
12 R E B M E C E D NOVEMBER 16
earance d disapp e lv o s n u and uzzle of enseful p ysterious p m s u a s f , o te rules. ting story An intrica own dangerous The haun ree lives forever. ir e hant. th the Elep th follow ges th g u n tr in a e h d c e n t S a a d th place le an ere time, ite Peop a play wh the author of Wh By
For Tickets call 363-SLAC or 355-ARTS
■
23
THE SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY 168 WEST 500 NORTH www.saltlakeactingcompany.org
SALT LAKE METRO
See Page 2.
feeling good about who you are,” Aere adds. “People somehow fall into the idea that woe is me I’m transgender and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It may not be so. There are always different ways of looking at it.” But any way of looking at it, Aere says transgender people have a great deal in common with bisexuals, gays and lesbians. “I think what really helps is we, as transgender people, take part in activities in the GLBT community,” she says, citing the Center’s Lambda hiking club in which she participates. “You tell each other your stories and it just fosters understanding. Our stories are real similar and really different in other ways. But the people I’ve known in the GLB community, there are a lot more similarities than differences and I’ve never had any difficulty. I encourage people to take part in GLB activities.”
■
Nominate Your Picks for Utah’s Sexiest for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Christopher’s Steak and Seafood House.
likely statistically to happen to you but it does happen, and it does happen 100% for those they get. We’ve been real lucky here in Utah, we haven’t lost anybody due to somebody killing them, but we have lost one in five to suicide.” Like gays and lesbians, transgender individuals often experience a variety of problems that have little to do with their gender identity or sexuality. Dean blames this on social attitudes which can teach transgender people that they are “less than desirable.” “We’re humans just like everyone else and of course we have all the other debris that goes along with that. But sometimes transgender gets blamed for things that have nothing to do with transgender,” Dean observes. For example, “it’s really that their social skills are shot or they never learned how to relate to their spouse or how to get on at work or they have problems with drinking. [If] they’re just an alcoholic [then] they need to deal with the alcoholism.” “Sometimes we kind of fall into a trap with that and that’s the other reason for
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
This is the time of year when I begin casting a critical eye at my home decor. I want my home to be warm and inviting, but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, nor have my decor look like it came from WalMart. What’s a girl to do? I’ve come up with a few ideas for wreaths and centerpieces that can be built from garden clippings, fresh produce and branches. WOW! You must be thinking— sounds lovely. Well, give me a minute. Your first step should be to assess what you have available in your garden, dried seed heads and flower stalks, branches with berries: anything that’s colorful and sturdy. Now to provide the basic form of the wreath. Head to a local craft store, where you can choose from a wide variety of wreath bases. You can also pick up bundles of dried wheat, reeds or cattails, all of which make fabulous square wreaths. Be sure to get some raffia, green moss, ribbon and wired craft picks while you’re there. If you’re not sure what these things are or where to find them, ask the plump little Mormon lady behind the counter. She may not want to help you, but she knows about these things and it’s her job!
together, Aere said she was lucky. With only one exception, her family accepted her as a woman. But she is quick to point out that other individuals who have permanently changed their sex may face problems lesbians and gay men don’t often encounter. “Some are able to transition on the job, [but] that’s a scary thing to do because you can easily lose your job,” she explains. “For people who change permanently, it isn’t like if you were gay or lesbian. Then you can easily hide [who you are], though I don’t know if you’d want to. But if you were one gender and you become the other, you’ve got two choices. Either you tell significant people in your life about it, or you never see them again.” And then there is anti-transgender violence. According to the website for the National Day of Remembrance (held November 20), 41 transgender people worldwide have been victims of anti-transgender murder since last year’s event. “People are killed just because they’re perceived as being transgender, and it’s not snipers kicking you off from a distance, it’s up close and personal because they want to see you die,” says Dean. “It’s not
Now Playing
24
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
contrary. This remake of the iconic ‘60s comedy-drama is at its best during these intimate confessionals, as the beautiful, vacuous Alfie proves a charming, if selfAFTER THE SUNSET deceiving raconteur. Attempts to update Max (Pierce Brosnan) and Lola (Salma the story with such modern additions as Hayek) are master thieves who like to steal erectile dysfunction can’t obscure the fact expensive diamonds. After their final big heist, during which they are nearly captured that this tale of a lascivious Lothario seems antique in our post-Sex and the City world, by FBI guy Stan (Woody Harrelson), they in which few women still see themselves as retire to the islands and spend a lot of time men’s passive playthings. getting undressed for each other. Then, coaxed into one last job, the pair once again Grade: B- Kinsey Scale: 1 (With his attention to dress and grooming, this Alfie run into Stan, who’s finally caught up with is definitely a metrosexual. Law played gay them, determined to bag his prey. This is a heist movie that wants to be sexy, sleek, and characters in Midnight in the Garden of sophisticated, but ends up uninspired, over- Good and Evil and Wilde, and was the object of Matt Damon’s desire in The Talented Mr. long, lazily plotted, and dull. Director Brett Ratner doesn’t care about making his thieves Ripley. Sarandon starred in queer favorites The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Thelma roguishly likable or human; their bland and Louise. Co-star Gedde Watanabe has a moves are stolen without inspiration from recurring role as a gay nurse on E.R., while the history of cinematic capers. It’s more co-star Dick LaTessa won a Tony for his than just disappointing that two sexy leads performance in Hairspray and co-starred in can’t create any sort of screen sizzle—it’s the AIDS drama The Event.) something approaching criminal. Grade: D Kinsey Scale: 1 (There’s unexplained homosexual panic in a couple BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF of scenes between Harrelson and Brosnan, REASON who wind up sleeping in the same bed and, Perky Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) has long been one of love’s losers, but she’s in another scene, have to—ew!—apply finally found her soul mate in staid but sexy sunscreen to each other. It’s all played for lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). That is, if laughs, but the inept storytelling makes her jealousy over his comely new colleague, it impossible to determine what’s really Rebecca (Jacinda Barrett), doesn’t tear being laughed at—the characters’ own stupid homophobia or homosexuality itself. them apart and send Bridget back into the arms of her womanizing ex-beau, Daniel Meanwhile, Hayek—who played bisexual (Hugh Grant). This sequel begins six weeks artist Frida Kahlo in Frida—should turn after the popular Bridget Jones’s Diary more than a few lesbian heads with her heaving cleavage, which threatens to burst ended and simply recycles much of the original’s plot, throwing in a cocaine bust out of her bra at every turn. Troy Garrity and an unrequited crush for fresh color. The (A Soldier’s Girl) has a small part as a game cast charms, which makes the long somewhat gay-acting bartender.) stretches of tedium bearable, but there’s ALFIE still plenty of time to ponder why this shalBy day, Alfie (Jude Law) chauffeurs low, date- and weight-obsessed ditz should Manhattan’s elite, but by night he is the be a heroine for our age. elite—a sought-after bachelor whose many Grade: C Kinsey Scale: 2 (Bridget has conquests include a wealthy older woman a new admirer in a fetching lesbian, and (Susan Sarandon) and his best friend’s she still counts among her Greek chorus of girlfriend (Nia Long). Alfie pleads his case friends an apparently neutered gay man. directly to the camera, insisting that he’s Firth, Grant, and co-star Gemma Jones have living the high life despite evidence to the all appeared in queer-themed movies.)
FINDING NEVERLAND Playwright J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp), seeking inspiration to cure his writing slump, befriends a sickly widow (Kate Winslet) and her four grieving children. As they get to know each other, Barrie and the boys invent games revolving around pirates and other adventures. Flashy fantasy sequences take the audience into Barrie’s mind as he imagines these scenarios, all of which are eventually incorporated into his most famous play, Peter Pan. The film is meant to uplift by showing the transforming power of imagination and friendship. But in spite of Depp’s solid, subdued performance, the movie seems to force strong emotions rather than just let them happen. Emotional scenarios and their outcomes are set up early on and delivered later with a precision that eliminates the need for any audience investment—ironic for a film about the human need for imagination. Grade: C+ Kinsey Scale: 1 (Depp played gay in Before Night Falls and starred in the John Waters film Cry-Baby. Winslet played a teenage lesbian in Heavenly Creatures and starred as the young, bisexual Iris Murdoch in Iris. Co-star Radha Mitchell played a lesbian in High Art, and Dustin Hoffman starred in the gender-bending Tootsie.)
in the queer-inclusive Buffy the Vampire Slayer and had a sapphic moment in Cruel Intentions. Grace Zabriskie was in Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, while Clea DuVall played a lesbian in But I’m a Cheerleader.)
THE INCREDIBLES Too many lawsuits spell the end of superheroes, exiling Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson), aka Mr. Incredible, and wife Helen (Holly Hunter), aka Elastigirl, to life in the suburbs, where Bob works in insurance while Helen raises the kids. Frustrated by his empty life, Bob happily dons his old tights when a mysterious stranger seeks his services, and soon the whole family is pulled into the adventure. This frequently hilarious Disney/Pixar cartoon is best in its first half, where it gleefully lampoons pop culture and frivolous lawsuits, before it settles into a so-so James Bond-type parody. With plenty of gunplay and explosions, this is a family comedy with an edge that never quite conceals its conservative message trumpeting traditional nuclear family values. Grade: B Kinsey Scale: 1 (On the small screen, Hunter played Billie Jean King in When Billie Beat Bobbie and Norma McCorvey in Roe v. Wade. Co-star Wallace Shawn appeared in the gay drama Prick Up Your Ears, while co-star Jason Lee was in the straight man’s lesbian-fantasy drama Chasing Amy.)
Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore in “Finding Neverland.” © 2004 Miramax Films testament to a formidable talent, thanks to Foxx’s transcendent performance, in which he seems to inhabit the singer-musician’s very soul, and a soundtrack resplendent with Charles’ awesome music. Grade: B Kinsey Scale: 0 (Co-star Kerry Washington played a lesbian in Spike Lee’s She Hate Me.)
SAW
Two men, a doctor (Cary Elwes) and a photographer (Leigh Whannell), wake up in a grimy underground restroom, chained to pipes, a dead man lying on the floor between them. A tape recorder in the dead man’s THE GRUDGE hand explains that the doctor must kill his Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar), an American NATIONAL TREASURE cell-mate in order to save not only his own living in Japan who finds herself in a house life but the lives of his wife (Monica Potter) where a long-ago murder-suicide took place, America’s founding fathers left behind arsoon begins experiencing horrifying visions. cane clues hinting that they had secreted a and child (Makenzie Vega). This grisly, violent Her fear only increases when police detective fabulous treasure. After spending a lifetime film has a few cracks in its armor: bad acting searching, Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is all around, implausible plot mechanics, and Nakagawa (Ryo Ishibashi) explains that, according to legend, the house is cursed and close to discovering the treasure’s location, dialogue that’s a little too in love with itself. but first he must stop his rival, Ian Howe However, it is a horror movie, a genre in so are all who enter it. Ju-On, the popular which these flaws are often forgiven. On the Japanese horror film series that inspired this (Sean Bean), and save the Declaration of other end of the scale is a twisting and turnAmericanized version, is rumored to be truly Independence. This woeful excuse for an action-adventure film is even dumber than ing plot, plus intensely frightening imagery terrifying; but though this shares the same it sounds, with moronic dialogue, indifferent and a no-way-out quality that keeps the director, it lacks genuine thrills. Too much performances, and an obsession with free- gruesome action suspenseful until the last exposition bogs down the plot, but more chilling frame. than that, a demon who phones her victims masonry. The screenwriters miss a basic premise of the action movie, which is to cut Grade: B- Kinsey Scale: 1 (No queer and even rings their doorbells is downright to the chase, because too much exposition content. Elwes starred in Another Country comical. The scares are minimal, but there underlines the inanity of the story. And given at the outset of his career, and character are plenty of unintentional laughs in this the nature of the “treasure,” did they really supremely silly shocker wanna-be. actor Michael Emerson—who has a small, Grade: C Kinsey Scale: 1 (Gellar starred mean to suggest that this nation’s founders pivotal role as a hospital employee—was were involved in a conspiracy to hide stolen seen in The Laramie Project.) antiquities? Grade: D Kinsey Scale: 1 (Co-stars Jon SHALL WE DANCE? John Clark (Richard Gere), a suburban Voight and Sean Bean both appeared in guy facing a midlife crisis, stumbles into gay-themed films made by gay directors, a ballroom dance studio after cruising its respectively, John Schlesinger’s Midnight Cowboy and Derek Jarman’s Caravaggio.) beautiful dance instructor (Jennifer Lopez) from his window on the commuter train. He THE POLAR EXPRESS begins lessons, but not an affair, still keepWhen a nameless young boy (voiced by ing his dancing life a secret from his loving Daryl Sabara and acted by Tom Hanks in a wife (Susan Sarandon). When ballroom digital “motion capture” performance) on competition calls, however, the truth is the verge of chucking his belief in Santa revealed, and the rest of the story is exactly is awakened on Christmas Eve by a huge the sort of affirmation of middle-aged love train that beckons him to hop aboard for and family life one might expect from a adventure, he obeys and embarks on movie in which the home furnishings are as a strangely emotionless odyssey to the polished and attractive as the lead actors. North Pole. Visually, his journey is a swirl Yes, it’s dopey and predictable, and neither of computer-generated marvels, but as a the performances nor the dancing are story it’s a series of brushes with danger going to set anyone’s world on fire. But the that have very little to do with supporting movie effectively hits all the old-fashioned the film’s thesis—that human beings must marks that undemanding, crowd-pleasing love their friends, have courage, and retain romances are supposed to, without tripping their sense of wonder and belief in, well, over its own feet too much. Santa Claus. Small children will enjoy the Grade: B- Kinsey Scale: 1 (Bobby movie, and Hanks is impressive as multiple Cannavale plays a closeted dance stud who characters, but this holiday treat is more talks a little too much about how straight he technical achievement than heartwarmis. Gere played gay in And the Band Played ing tale. And who decided, in a Christmas On, and has appeared in queer-inclusive movie, to make all the elves Jewish? films like Chicago, Dr. T & the Women, Grade: C- Kinsey Scale: 1 (The late gay and American Gigolo. Sarandon famously actor Michael Jeter, to whom the film is made love with Catherine Deneuve in The dedicated, plays two characters here. Hanks Hunger, and appeared in queer audience won an Oscar for playing gay in Philadelphia favorites Thelma & Louise and The Rocky and got his start in drag on TV’s Bosom Horror Picture Show. Lopez played a teamBuddies. Peter Scolari, Hanks’ Buddies coswitching lesbian in Gigli and guest-starred star, appears here as “Lonely Boy.”) on Will & Grace.)
RAY
SHARK TALE
This epic biopic traces singer Ray Charles’ (Jamie Foxx) life from a childhood of grinding poverty—during which he lost both his younger brother and his sight—to his first two decades of stardom. Screenwriter James L. White and director Taylor Hackford take a warts-and-all approach to Charles’ life, so that while the drama presents the many ways that Charles revolutionized popular music under the shadow of Jim Crow, it also spends an inordinate amount of time on his drug addiction and womanizing. The story occasionally bogs down in a morass of show-biz cliches, but remains a powerful
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 cliches 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.)
THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE SpongeBob SquarePants (the voice of Tom Kenny) has a problem. The scheming Plankton (Doug Lawrence) is trying to put the Krusty Krab restaurant out of business, so he steals Neptune’s crown and blames Mr. Krabs for it. Then it’s up to SpongeBob and his best friend, Patrick Starfish (Bill Fagerbakke), to venture out of Bikini Bottom and into Shell City to get the crown back. Naturally, there’s no suspense behind this premise, because it’s bound to turn out happily in the end; but none of that’s really important. SpongeBob has become something of a national symbol for stubborn, childlike innocence, appealing to fans across all demographic lines. The character’s genuine sweetness, plus his simple life and loyalty to his friends, render him almost irresistible. And it doesn’t hurt that his watery world is laugh-out-loud funny, making his journey to the big screen a splashy success. Grade: A- Kinsey Scale: 1 (SpongeBob and Patrick are more silly-acting than gayacting, but there are odd moments when things do start looking a little queer—a scene in which Patrick is revealed to be wearing fishnet stockings, for one. But it’s all in good fun, and the subtext is genuinely limited unless you’re desperate to find it everywhere you look. Voice talent Alec Baldwin, as hit man Dennis, was in the TV movie A Streetcar Named Desire and in the very gay-subtext-heavy Prelude to a Kiss.)
STAGE BEAUTY Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup) is the last of the female-impersonating actors during the 17th-century reign of Charles II (Rupert Everett), and Maria Hughes (Claire Danes) is his dresser. Maria’s desire is to act on stage, too, even though women aren’t allowed to. And if that plot is ringing a few Shakespeare in Love bells, well, it should. But this clunky bit of revisionist history wants more than love: while depicting Maria’s ascent and Ned’s demise, the movie tries to re-imagine both the history of feminism and the history of theater, to play the entire field of human sexuality, and, most importantly, to give the audience a happy hetero ending. The costumes are great; British character actors in small roles make up the brightest moments; and Crudup is interesting to watch as a fancy lady. But in the end, this Beauty is only skin deep. Grade: C+ Kinsey Scale: 5 (Kynaston’s sexuality is fluid throughout, but his true happiness comes when he finally hooks up with Maria. In real life things do go that way sometimes, but in a film it smells more than a little like moralism and gender rigidity. Ben Chaplin plays Crudup’s lover, and there are flamboyantly gay characters peppered throughout. The out Everett has played gay several times onscreen, and Danes got her start on the TV show My So-Called Life, which featured a gay teenage character in its ensemble.)
One card fits all. G
A
S
T
R
O
N
O
M
Y
ARD GIFT C
Gastronomy Gift Cards! • 9 Spectacular Restaurants • 2 Fresh Fish Markets • Hundreds of Delicious Choices
Call 322-2020 or click gastronomyinc.com MICHAEL AARON
Or purchase at your favorite Gastronomy restaurant.
Café Med owners Doug Nassar and David Barker
Café Med by Vanessa Chang Address: 420 E. 3300 South, SLC, UT Phone: 493-0100 Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am–9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm All major-credit cards accepted, Handicap accessible
Nominate someone who you think has the
Sexiest Eyes in Salt Lake Metro’s
Utah’s Sexiest Contest
SALT LAKE METRO ■
25
no purchase necessary. Full rules at slmetro.com
■
and get a chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Christophers Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Nomination Form on Page 2
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
I’ve held firm to the belief that when it comes to cooking, garlic is sexy. There are the nay-sayers who doubt the appropriateness of garlic in “date food.” But the cuisines of the eastern Mediterranean all the way to the climes of central Asia have incorporated it in such balanced and aromatic ways, this sort of pungent food is, in my view, entirely socially acceptable. One of the most interesting places around to get a feeling (literally) for these flavors is an unassuming and cozy little dive called Café Med. Just shy of kitsch, the ambience is eclectic and cozy. Batik scarves, hieroglyphic prints, and a modern pop soundtrack welcome diners. And how often can you say that you dined staring at a life-sized Tutankhamenesque sarcophagus? Yet, it works. And for those of us who are bored of the predictable pleasantries of dining décor, this sociological hodgepodge is rather refreshing. It’s an unlikely place for people watching. On any given night, this eclectic environment houses and feeds a range of folks. One evening included double-dating gay couples toasting with Armenian Kilikia beer, two interracial couples, a small group of ladies distressing over the state of local theater, and a family with full-grown children sharing glasses of wine—all serviced by a small and efficient wait staff. Ultimately, what attracts people is the food. The aforementioned menu is a formidable fold-out spanning from sandwiches, wraps, and salads, to the more belly-distending garlic-imbued specialties. It can be a double-edge sword. There literally is something for everyone with a stand-alone vegetarian section, a grouping of Italian
pastas, and Persian stewed entrees. But for those who struggle daily with decisions like which colored Skittle to eat first, it can induce a bit of anxiety. It’s safe to order a couple of appetizers to nosh on while you decide—one favorite is the silky baba ghannouj (roasted eggplant dip) served with warm pita and drizzled with enough extra-virgin olive oil to balance out the acrid garlic flavor. Luckily for the indecisive diner, portions are huge - perfect for sharing around the table. Turkish Yogurt Pasta ($9.99) was a pleasant surprise, covered in crumbled feta and dressed in a spicy and savory tomato sauce. For those unfamiliar with the luxurious concoction of potatoes, ground lamb, onions, and eggplant covered in an unctuous cream sauce, known as Greek moussaka, it is one of the best in the valley and worth a try. But the real adventure in dining out at Café Med is the Persian dishes, all of which come with aromatic basmati rice. Koofteh—plum stuffed meatballs stewed in a light tomato sauce—showcases the playful balance of sweet and savory flavors of Persian cooking. The Persian eggplant stewed in tomatoes and served atop the restaurant’s signature dill basmati rice is an unforgettable creation. No matter how much garlic or other heady aromatics consumed during dinner, you can end your experience on an intensely sweet note. The dessert list sounds like something out of a Byron poem with saffron rice pudding studded with almonds and rose water, or the equally fragrant saffron pistachio ice cream. “One of the Sexiest Desserts of the Year” Award should go to Basboosa, a semolina cake topped with coconut and almonds, meant to be savored with a loved-one sipping a cup of house cardamom tea, licking up the fragrant sugar-floral syrup as you go. Paired with a prior feast of aromatic rice and savory entrees, that’s what I call date food.
STONEWALL COFFEE NEW HOURS Monday 6:30-10am Tuesday-Friday 6:30-10am, 4:30-10pm Saturday 10am-10pm Sunday CLOSED 361 N. 300 West • 801.539.8800
Festivus for the Rest of Us by Beau Jarvis beau@slmetro.com
I think Frank Costanza was on to something. Remember Festivus? If you have no idea what I’m talking about then I suggest you watch the Seinfeld episode entitled, “The Strike.” I propose we celebrate this fine holiday on December 23rd. I used to enjoy the concept of Thanksgiving: poor, persecuted Puritan pilgrims fleeing tyrannical Britain to freely practice their religion. Later these pilgrims shared a meal of thanks with friendly Native Americans. It all sounds so idyllic and quaint. Look a little closer at what those gentile pilgrims left their adopted land; something called “Puritanism.” And the effects of this –ism? It didn’t end at witch burning. In fact, our country seems to be regressing back to these ‘old time’ Puritan values (Election 2004 and Amendment 3). If this retro-culture is indeed what our Mayflower forefathers left us… I, for one, no longer want to take part in Thanksgiving. Hence, my newly adopted holiday, Festivus. Mr. Costanza was quite clear on the proper celebration of Festivus. First, the only decoration allowed is an aluminum pole, devoid of ornamentation – especially tinsel. Second, on Festivus Eve we all must gather together our families and friends and conduct the “airing of grievances.” Finally, our Festivus celebration concludes with “feats of strength.” Since I am supposed to be writing about wine in this column, allow me to present some ideas for a fun and wine-friendly Festivus ’04. Decorating for Festivus (or the spirit of the aluminum pole) Unfortunately I don’t have the ceiling height in my home for a proper tall, tinselless aluminum pole. I do have room for a bottle of Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad. This is a fine sparkling wine (AKA “Cava”) from Spain. It is a richly textured bubbly with toasty flavors coupled with white pear and vanilla scents. But that’s beside the point. Take a look at the bottle! The top of this bottle is wrapped in aluminum. There are also more metal overlays on this bottle than on any other wine bottle I ve ever seen. It might not be an aluminum pole, but this bottle certainly reflects the aluminum spirit of Festivus décor. It also has no tinsel. For eighteen bucks, not only will I have a nifty Festivus decoration, but I will also have some might fine bubbly that pairs superbly with my holiday meal (Your Festivus meal is up to you. I prefer pop-
corn, chicken pesto pizza or a tub of butter and fresh baguette). The “Airing of Grievances” I’m certain I could fill up several tomes containing grievances vis-à-vis my friends and family (so I’m petty, sue me). However, let me simply air some of my wine-related grievances: Because the dollar is getting clobbered by the Euro, most of my favorite European wines cost $3-$5 more than they did last year (thanks to Dubya and his genius economic policies) Why does my favorite restaurant charge $36 for a $9 bottle of wine? That’s four times the price! I can hold my nose and pay triple the price for wine in a restaurant, but don’t ever, ever expect me to pay four times the price. Will everyone stop telling me how good Yellow Tail Shiraz is? Yes I know it’s “only twelve dollars and it tastes great.” It also has a fun kangaroo on the label. I don’t care. Guess what? It’s overpriced. Try Bulletin Place Shiraz for six damn dollars. It’s every bit as good; so shut your yaps about Yellow Tail. Ahh. I feel better. This is a great holiday. Feats of Strength I can think of no greater feat of strength than carrying out a full case of wine from the wine store. Of course physical strength is required to schlep a case of wine. For me, immense willpower is also required. You see, when I start filling up my little shopping cart with wine; it’s nearly impossible to stop at twelve bottles. Even more difficult is resisting the temptation to open more than one bottle once I get my wine-booty home. Now that, my friends, is a tremendous feat of mental strength. In case you are wondering about the contents of my Festivus case of wine, allow me to share my twelve holiday wine selections: Hope Verdelho ’02 ($7), Can Feixes Blanc Seleccio ’02 ($12), Schloss Schönborn Riesling ’02 ($11), Höpler Grüner Veltliner ’03 ($12), Gentil Hugel ’02 ($11), Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier ’03 ($13), Georges DuBoeuf Brouilly ’02 ($11), Taurino Salice Salentino Reserva ’97 ($13), Bogle Petite Sirah ’03 ($11), Brancott Pinot Noir ’03 ($11), Herencia Antica Reserva ’97 ($7), Shooting Star Syrah ’01 ($11). In the spirit of Festivus, take these ideas and remember to celebrate this festival for “the rest of us” on December 23rd. What’s that you say? You also want to celebrate Christmas? I suppose that’s OK. I’m positive Jolly Old Saint Nick is indeed “jolly” for a reason. Let’s not let our puritanical friends in on this little secret. I would hate to forfeit all the great loot I’ll be getting on December 25th. Cheers and Merry Festivus!
26
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
“I can think of no greater feat of strength than carrying out a full case of wine from the wine store.”
Beau Jarvis is a sommelier and wine educator who operates basicjuice.com and manages a weblog of entertainment and culture at basicjuice.blogs.com.
Dining Guide SALT LAKE CITY, UT Baci Trattoria 134 W. PIERPONT AVE / 328-1500
gastronomyinc.com HOURS:
CUISINE: RESERV.: PRICE: CARDS:
M-F 11:30AM-3PM M-TH 5-10PM F-SA 5-11PM ITALIAN ACCEPTED $$ TC AE D DC MC V
110 W. BROADWAY / 519-8515
orbitslc.com
WEST VALLEY CITY, UT
SU-TH 11AM-10PM F-SA 11AM-3AM CUISINE: AMERICAN ECLECTIC PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V
Gringo’s West Valley
christophersutah.com HOURS:
CUISINE: RESERV.: PRICE: CARDS:
M-F 11:30AM-3PM M-TH 4:30PM-10PM F-SA 4:30PM-11PM SU 4PM-9PM STEAK, SEAFOOD SUGGESTED $$ TC AE D DC MC V
540 W. 200 S. / 322-3808 HOURS:
Bash’s Grill
Fiddler’s Elbow
Café Med 420 E. 3300 S. / 493-0100 HOURS: SU-TH 11AM-9PM F-SA 11AM-10PM CUISINE: MEDITERRANEAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V
Persian, Greek, Italian, Turkish and Vegetarian in a warm, relaxing atmosphere.
Cafe Pierpont 122 W. Pierpont Ave. / 364-1222
gastronomyinc.com HOURS:
CUISINE: RESERV.: PRICE: CARDS:
M-TH 11:30AM-10PM F-SA 11:30AM-11PM SU Noon-9PM MEXICAN ACCEPTED FOR 8+ $$ TC AE D DC MC V
Extensive menu of traditional Mexican favorites served in a festive setting. Sunday Brunch
Nonprofit drop-in with full coffee bar, sandwiches and deserts. Meeting space.
Orbit Cafe
Traditional Italian favorites, as well as roast veal, lamb, chicken, and seafood.
Grab something to eat while at the new Heads Up private club at Bash’s.
361 N. 300 WEST / 539-8800 HOURS: M-F 6:30-10AM TU-FR 4:30-10PM SA 10AM-10PM CUISINE: COFFEE PRICE: ¢
Christopher’s Seafood and Steak House
Open late nights on Fridays and Saturdays with DJs and We are famous for our USDA a special menu. choice steaks and our fresh Panini seafood flown in daily. 299 S. MAIN ST. / 535-4300
163 W. PIERPONT AVE / 359-2161 HOURS: M-T 9PM-1AM F-SA 9PM-2AM CUISINE: VARIETY PRICE: ¢ ACCEPTED: AE D MC V
Stonewall Coffee
1063 E. 2100 S. / 463-9393
panini.us HOURS:
fiddlerselbowslc.com M-TH 11AM-11PM F-SA 11AM-12AM SU 9AM-10PM CUISINE: AMERICAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V HOURS:
CUISINE: RESERV.: PRICE: CARDS:
M-F 11:30AM-3PM M-TH 5-9PM F-SA 5-10PM ITALIAN, SEAFOOD SUGGESTED $$$ TC AE D MC V
32 beers to choose from, including Utah’s best selection of microbrews.
Robust Italian fare in an elegant atmosphere with a tasteful, contemporary vibe.
Market Street Grill
Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta
48 W. Market St. / 322-4668
gastronomyinc.com HOURS:
CUISINE: RESERV.: PRICE: CARDS:
OPEN M-F 6:30AM SA 7AM, SU 9AM CLOSED MO-TH 10PM FR-SA 11PM SU 9:30PM STEAK/SEAFOOD ACCEPTED $$ TC AE D DC MC V
1063 E. 2100 S. / 484-1804
saltlakepizzaandpasta.com M-SA 11AM-11PM SU 11AM-10PM CUISINE: ITALIAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V HOURS:
Voted as Utah’s Best Pizza two years in a row! Great A well-deserved reputation as Salt Lake’s finest seafood beer selection. Sugarhouse. restaurant. Sunday brunch. Spice Restaurant
Nick-N-Willy’s Pizza
4538 S, HIGHLAND DR./ 273-8282
nicknwillyspizza.com HOURS: CUISINE: PRICE: CARDS:
SU-TH 11AM-10PM F-SA 11AM-12PM PIZZA $ AE D MC V
123 S. WEST TEMPLE / 484-1804 HOURS: M-TH 11:30AM-9:30PM FR 11AM-3:30AM SA 8AM-3:30AM CUISINE: AMERICAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V
2785 W 3500 S / 969-8811 HOURS: M-SA 10:30AM-9PM SU 10:30AM-8PM CUISINE: MEXICAN PRICE: ¢ CARDS: MC V
Good Mexican food...fast. Fresh salsa bar, food made to order. See our coupon!
SANDY, UT Heart & Soul Café 237 W. 9000 S. / 569-1245 HOURS: M-F 10AM-4PM SA 11AM-2PM CUISINE: AMERICAN PRICE: $ CARDS: MC V
Home roasted meats, homemade soups, fresh salads, hand-dipped chocolates LEGEND: TC–TRAVELERS CHECKS, AE–AMERICAN EXPRESS, D–DISCOVER, DC–DINER’S CLUB, MC–MASTERCARD, V–VISA ¢=0-$10, $=$11-$20, $$=$21-30, $$$=31-40.
Restaurant Owners: To get your restaurant listed in the Salt Lake Metro Dining Guide, please call 323-9500.
The art of healthy eating. Dine in or take-out. Call ahead and we’ll have it ready. Open late nights on weekAlbertsons Shopping Ctr. ends. Espresso, internet.
NOVEMBER 25, 2004 ■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
27
28
■
SALT LAKE METRO
■
NOVEMBER 11, 25, 2004 2004
Bar Guide Club 161*
Club Naked*
Club Panini*
Club Try-Angles*
161 Pueblo St. (1440 W.) 363-8161 / club161.com HOURS: 7pm-2am, Closed Tues GAY: Every day / AGE: 21+ COVER: No A men’s bar. TH–Underwear night. FR–Bear & Leather nights. SU–75¢ drafts.
326 S. W. Temple 521-9292 / nakedslc.com HOURS: SA 9pm-2am. GAY: Saturday nights AGE: 21+ / COVER: $5-7 Gay on Saturdays. 21+ dance club on two levels with an outdoor patio.
299 S. Main Street 535-4300 / panini.us HOURS: M–TH 11am-10pm F–SA 11am-12am GAY: Mondays AGE: 21+ / COVER: No Metro Mondays. Speed dating first Mondays of the month. $2 drafts.
251 W. 900 South 364-3203 clubtry-angles.com HOURS: 2pm-2am daily GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ / COVER: No FR-SA DJ Boy Toy. MO “MorMondays.” TU, FR, SA–$1 drafts. SU afternoons–Buffet.
Heads Up*
Todd’s Bar and Grill*
163 W. Pierpont Ave. (250 S) 359-2161 / headsupslc.com HOURS: 4pm-2am daily GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ / COVER: No Salt Lake’s newest, hottest club. MO Karaoke. TU 50¢ drafts. TH $2 shots. FR, SA High NRG.
1051 S. 300 West 328-8650 toddsbarandgrill.com HOURS: Weds. 10am-2am GAY: Wednesdays AGE: 21+ / COVER: No Gay on Wednesdays with DJ Ebenflow and Brent B. Free parking.
MoDiggity’s* 3424 S. State St. 832-9000 / modiggitys.com HOURS: M–TH 4pm-12am F–SA 4pm-2am SU 11am-2am GAY: Every day / AGE: 21+ COVER: $4/members free A sports and music club for women. Football and mimosa brunch Sundays. Live shows.
Paper Moon* 3737 S. State St / 713-0678 thepapermoon.com HOURS: M–F 3pm-1am, SA 7pm-1am, SU noon-1am GAY: Every day / AGE: 21+, COVER: $2 (80¢ Weds.) SL’s Premier Woman’s Club. TU Karaoke, WE 80¢ drafts, shots. FR & SA hip hop/dance
Trapp* 102 S. 600 West 531-8727 / thetrapp.com HOURS: 10am-2am daily GAY: Every day / AGE: 21+ COVER: $3/Members free Really gay every day. SU Buffet and NFL, MO & WE Karaoke.
Trapp Door* 102 S. 600 West 533-0173 / 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. SU Latin night. Plenty of free parking. * A PRIVATE CLUB FOR MEMBERS.
Bar Owners Get your bar listed in the Salt Lake Metro Bar Guide for as low as $15 per issue. Free with any display ad. Call 323-9500 for details.
HELP WANTED DANCE AUDITIONS No experience required. 18 older men and women wanted Saturday, November 13 at 1:00 pm. Contact Syndey at 801-558-5580 FUNDRAISER DIRECTOR GLBT Community Center of Utah seeks funds development professional. Manage fund development plan, write grants, develop donor relations. Email cover letter & resume to cbeyer@glccu.org PROFESSIONAL DANCERS Heads Up is seeking exotic dancers. Apply Within.
REAL ESTATE A SUGARHOUSE Classic, Open Sat 2-4 Beautifully Remodeled, Many Extras, Leaded glass, Jetted Tub, 3 bdrm 1207 S 1100 East, 580-8978 infotube.net/94944
GRAYSTONE MANOR Condo. 4 Floors, 6,700 sq. ft. Hollywood era eloquence. 3 Bdrm, 2 1/2 Bth. 540K Richard (801) 485-8700 WEST VALLEY Home 4 Bedroom 2 bath double garage, oak floors, quiet neighborhood. Great for entertaining. Call Keith at Coldwell Banker 205-3975 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
FOR RENT AVENUES HISTORIC Mansion, Gorgeous 3+2 2000+ sqft owner’s unit, remodeled, hw flrs, views, priv gar, xl mstr ste, stor room, cntrl ht/air, free lndry, 335 5th Ave $1195/mo. 310-625-2218 MURRAY APARTMENTS for Rent. Great 2 bed, 1 bath. Free cable. Laundry and pool onsite. $500. 5710 S 900 E Call Jed 266-9912.
THREE BEDROOM home. 1.5 Bath. Hardwood Floors, cul de sac address. $995/ mo. $200 deposit. Joy, CDA Properties, 801-268-4869. 782 E. La Dore Dr. (4410 S.) VERY CLASSY (and Gay) 2 bed apt at 133 E. Kensington w/laundry,dishwasher,new carpet-paint, garden patio & more. $600. See it at www. xmission.com/~bradley/ kensington.htm or call 550.0330 NICE 2 BEDROOM 1 bath. Large fenced yard, storage,new carpet, new paint, W/D hookups. Nice quiet neighborhood.Pets/ smokers ok $625 mo. Call Alan 508-982-1271
ROOMMATES SEEKING ROOMMATE to share 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo downtown. $425 per mo inc. utils, cable, washer/ dryer, indoor parking, weight room, pool and hot tub. Call Carl 467-8188.
ROOMMATE ADS work! Just $5 at slmetro.com TWO MEN seeking roommates to share home 5 miles from downtown SLC. $350/ mo includes all util., cable, & washer/dryer. You be clean, quiet, & responsible. Call Matt or Brian @ 328-0791. 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. WANTED FEMALE to share house, private room share bath, pets okay, no smoking, $350/mo includes util. and cable w/d avail. 230-2529
MISC NEED MORE PASSION IN YOUR LIFE? Want more romance in your relationship? Crave more fun in the bedroom? How about a passion for your job? Host a passion party! Call Sherixx @ 801-347-0108
SERVICE DIRECTORY ATTORNEY
FURNITURE
JEWELERS
PAINTING
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
EXPERIENCED INDOOR HOUSEPAINTER No job too small. Call Boyd at 801-9162558 Free Estimates
WWW.DENNISMASSAGE.COM A Man’s Man. 598-8344. “For Men” Model/Massage. LMT#98212332470
WEIGHT LOSS LOSE WEIGHT, increase energy and get healthy! For more info go to: http://herbalnutrition.net/naturalliving
29
LOSE WEIGHT, increase energy and get healthy! for more info go to: http://herbalnutrition.net/naturalliving
■
HEALTH CARE
BEST THERAPISTS, best price, best place, best hours, call for appointment 486-5500 Pride Massage 1800 South West Temple Suite A224
SALT LAKE METRO
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
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
■
ESTATE PLANNING
GRAPHIC DESIGN
MASSAGE 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.
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
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.
REAL ESTATE NOT YOUR FATHER’S Realtor®. Brad Dundas, Stonebrook Real Estate Inc. 5500330 or bradley@xmission. com. www.saltlakesgayrealtor.com
30
■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
PERSONALS MISSED CONNECTIONS U BLACK MUSTANG..ME SILVER CELICA. You were on I-15 headed south and so was I. You turned off at the exit by prison you had a Kevin Bacon smile I want to find you..Will I? REPLY TO BOX 160, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
MISCHIEVIOUS BACK room. You were fondling an appendage of Jeff Stryker’s. I smirked and you blushed. Wanna try the real thing? REPLY TO BOX 161, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
TESTOSTERONE Screening. We exchanged glances during the scene where Antonio Bandera’s dangle appeared onscreen. Was hoping to danlge with you some day. REPLY TO BOX 162, 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.
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
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
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
GWM SEEKING BEAR for friendship or more. No smokers. No partiers. Must be employed. Mid 40’s, furry, beard a plus. Must like massage, long walks, and home cooking. REPLY TO BOX 88,
41 GOING on 30 seeking 30 going on 41. Laid-back guy seeking someone without drama. REPLY TO BOX 165, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
CUTE STUD for luv. GWM 38 yrs old seeks GWM 35-55 for long-term relationship. NS, ND a must. Check out my profile at outinsaltlakecity.com - UtahGrungeBoy.
Comics ADAM AND ANDY by James Asal
REPLY TO BOX 1, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
IT’S GETTING LONELY here under this bridge. Need some hot hunks to play “strip Monopoly” or other such nonsense with. I promise you won’t get stuck in the mud. Let’s Play! REPLY TO BOX 2, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
MODERN AESTHETIC 28 SWM Gay. Downtown seeks partner for conversation, arts performances, etc. Love travel, cooking, fine dining. REPLY TO BOX 5, 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
PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
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
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
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
31
REPLY TO BOX 162, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
■
TESTOSTERONE Screening. We exchanged glances during the scene where Antonio Bandera’s dangle appeared onscreen. Was hoping to danlge with you some day.
SALT LAKE METRO
REPLY TO BOX 94, PERSONALS@SLMETRO.COM
■
TRY-ANGLES SAW you at the urinal. Nice. You laughed at where my eyes were.
BITTER GIRL by Joan Hilty
NOVEMBER 25, 2004
NEW CLUB on Latino night. You—white boy with green eyes. Me—Latin boy through and through. Hit me back.
32
■
SALT LAKE METRO ■
NOVEMBER 25, 2004