Metro, Volume 2, Issue 12

Utah’s Gay and Lesbian Biweekly Newspaper Volume 2

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Issue 12 June 9–22

Comcast Nixes Gay TV Network Utah affiliate claims no market for here! Network

Zions Bank Pulls Support of HRC Gala Human Rights Campaign declared too ‘controversial’

Navajo Nation Overrides Gay Marriage Ban Veto Maryboy: ‘In the traditional Navajo ways, gay marriage is a big no-no’

Gay Men’s Footbal League to Start in June First step in a Utah gay athletic association

Radical Right Targets Ford Motor Co. Too gay-friendly Mecham: Value Pride Guest Editorial: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dyke March Gay Agenda

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wamu.com/pride

FDIC Insured

Contents VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 12

JUNE 9, 2005

METRO GUIDE TO PRIDE Our “Insider’s Guide” to the activities of the year’s largest gay and lesbian event— Utah Pride!

Page 19

NEWS

The Gay Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Earpiece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

OPINION

FOOD & WINE

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House Editorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 William Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 AberRant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Ruby Ridge Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Lambda Lore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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A&E

World and National News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Local News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Restaurant Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Dining Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Red, White & Bubbly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

CLASSIFIEDS

Service Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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News WORLD AND NATIONAL

Anti-Gay Group Adds Ford Motor Company to Boycott List

by Ross von Metzke Washington, D.C.—Just weeks after announcing plans to promote a boycott against Kraft Foods for sponsoring the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, on May 24 the American Family Association launched another nationwide boycott, this time against Ford Motor Company.

The AFA has set up a website at boycottford.com to encourage members to register for the boycott. Ford’s line of vehicles includes Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar, Mazda and Land Rover.

“If one looks for the company which has done the most to affirm and promote the homosexual lifestyle, he would be hardpressed to find a company which has done more than Ford Motor Company,” AFA Chair Donald E. Wildmon said on the website.

“While this is hardly known to the general population, it is well known by numerous homosexual organizations. In fact, the Human Rights Campaign (a national homosexual organization whose goal is homosexual marriage) gave Ford a 100% corporate rating.”

The Mississippi-based AFA has a history of opposing gay civil rights. The conservative group also denounced Ford for its support of GLAAD, saying “Ford believes the effort to legalize homosexual marriage by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is so important that the company is giving GLAAD up to $1,000 for every Jaguar or Land

Rover purchased this year.”

It also notes that, “Volvo has donated $500 to the Human Rights Campaign when a vehicle is purchased or leased.”

Ford was one of the first companies to recognize domestic partnerships among its employees for purposes of medical insurance. The company has consistently advertised in gay media.

“I urge you to take action today,” Wildmon continued, according to 365gay.com. “Sign the petition to boycott Ford. Call your local Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar, Mazda and/or Land Rover dealer and inform them you will not be buying a Ford product until they stop their promotion of the homosexual movement and homosexual marriage.”

Last week, the AFA ended a nine-year boycott of the Walt Disney Co., although Disney says none of the policies the AFA pushed to have changed are any different.

The AFA launched the boycott in 1996 when the company began giving benefits to the domestic partners of gay employees. It denounced Disney for Gay Days at Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in California and attacked its partnership with Miramax films, which has since been dissolved.

Despite the boycott against Kraft, that company reaffirmed its commitment to the Gay Games according to Games co-vice chair Kevin Boyer.

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California Gay Marriage Bill Dies

by Ross von Metzke Sacramento, Calif.—California’s Assembly voted Wednesday, June 1 against a bill that would allow same-gender marriages in California, and while hopes were high the vote could be swayed in a second vote Thursday morning, another loss delivered the final blow to efforts that would put same-gender couples on equal legal footing with heterosexual spouses.

Supporters of the measure were scrambling late Wednesday night to find more votes, but odds for success did not appear positive. The bill received just 35 votes—all from Democrats—falling six short of the 41 needed for approval. Thirty-seven members opposed the measure—five Democrats and 32 Republicans.

Voting followed an emotionally charged debate with some lawmakers pleading for an end to discrimination and others fearing an end to what they call a “sacred institution.”

“We’ve got some work to do, but we’re not giving up yet,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, author of Assembly Bill 19.

Leno was seeking another vote late last night, but he said the legislation could be brought back for reconsideration today.

Backers of the legislation had hoped the Assembly would become the first legislative house in the United States to approve

same-gender marriages without the threat of a court mandate.

Last year, the Massachusetts Legislature legalized same-gender marriage, but only after the state’s high court ruled that denying marriage to same-gender couples violated the state’s constitution. Massachusetts was the only state to approve gay marriage in 2004—11 states voted last November to ban same-gender marriage.

California passed its first domestic-partnership law in 1999 and then broadened it 2003. The law grants registered same-gender couples many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage, including child custody rights and obligations.

Gay rights supporters argued that anything short of marriage turns homosexuals into second-class citizens. They say treating same-gender marriages the same as heterosexual marriages is a matter of civil rights.

“This is about reclaiming human dignity for all of us in this room,” said Leno, who is openly gay.

Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) is a supporter of the bill and compared the discrimination faced by gays and lesbians to that encountered by other minorities.

“For me, fundamentally, this is a question of discrimination,” he said. “As a Latino, I have faced discrimination.”

Decorated Gay Soldier Discharged Dayton, Ohio—According to the Center for the Study for Sexual Minorities in the Military, an openly gay Ohio Army sergeant wounded in combat in 2004 was officially discharged from the military on May 31.

Injured last May when a grenade sent shrapnel flying into his arm, legs and face while he was firing a machine gun aboard an armed Humvee, Sgt. Robert Stout, 23, received the Purple Heart, the highest accolade given by the military. However, he said he was discharged for expressing his desire to serve openly.

“We can’t keep hiding the fact that there’s gay people in the military and they aren’t causing any harm,” said Stout in an Associated Press interview last April. He added that he was out to almost all members of his 26-member platoon, part of the Ninth Engineer Battalion based in Schweinfurt, Germany, and experienced no trouble from his fellow soldiers.

In April, Stout said he was unwilling to stay in the military under its controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prevents gay people from discussing their orientation.

After Stout’s April interview, Martha Rudd, a spokeswoman for the Army at the Pentagon, told the Associated Press that soldiers discharged under the controversial policy usually receive honorable discharges. However, she said she could not comment on specific cases, including Stout’s.

The Pentagon also did not immediately confirm Stout’s discharge.

Stout is widely believed to be the first gay soldier wounded in the Iraq theater to openly discuss his sexuality.—JV

Ohio Legislature Introduces Anti-Bullying Bill

Oregon Gay Groups Oppose Partnership Bill Salem, Ore.—A controversial reciprocal partnership benefits bill has drawn opposition from local gay groups for what they describe as its failure to protect gay and lesbian families or provide them with responsibilities and rights similar to marriage.

Touted as an alternative to civil unions, House Bill 3475 would give almost 20 benefits to any two people over age 18, including same-gender couples and relatives who live together. These benefits would include things such as property ownership, inheritance and end-of-life decisions. But the legislation does not cover things like medical insurance, pensions or adoption rights. The benefits can also be ended on short notice by either member, or end automatically if one were to marry.

“If my partner lost her job today, and if I were not a better person, I could refuse to support her, even if we remain together,” said Jeanna Frazzini, a lesbian who testified against HB 3475. “She and our child could end up on welfare, a burden on the state, but the state would have no right to seek support from me.”

Bill supporters told the House Judiciary Committee that the legislation grants previously unheld rights to gay couples.

Family members who live together have also praised the measure because it would give them rights that civil union legislation would not.

Lillian Gonzalez, who has lived with her sister Maria for over 25 years, told the House Committee that they were in need of the rights the bill would allow.

“It is devastating to know that if she were to die, I would be left with very little, if anything,” she said.—JV

Record Numbers Attend Brazilian Gay Pride Sao Paolo, Brazil—Nearly two million gay men, lesbians, drag queens and their supporters—many decked out in Carnival-style glitter and glamour—marched through Brazil’s biggest city and financial center on May 29 in support of civil union legislation for same gender couples.

“There have never been so many people at the Gay Pride parade,” said Pedro Almeida, a spokesperson for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender group that organized the festivities.

“This shows true support for our cause, that of civil unions of people of the same sex,” a News 24, South Africa article quoted him as saying. “It is not only homosexuals and lesbians that participate in the parade, also sympathizers.”

Parade participants said the event was instrumental in fighting societal prejudice against lesbians and gay men in a nation where, according to Almeida in a later interview with the Associated Press, “a homosexual is murdered here every two days—just for being homosexual.”

Many hoped that the parade would urge President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to act on the civil union legislation his Workers Party submitted to Congress a decade ago.

Legislators have not taken up the proposed measure since.

The parade—known now as the largest gay pride event in the world—is twice the size of San Francisco’s annual parade.

This year it also drew 700,000 tourists from around the world.—JV

Romanian President Okays Pride Festival Bucharest, Romania—In late May, President Train Basescu, formerly a member of Romania’s capital, intervened to save GayFest, Romania’s first ever gay pride parade, from cancellation after the current mayor banned the event for what he termed security concerns.

According to a UK Gay News article, Basescu intervened after receiving thousands of emails from across the world requesting the parade be granted official status.

The emails came in after Florin Bucheanu, executive director of the human rights organization Acept Romania, and Metropolitan Community Church pastor Rev. Elder Diane Fisher issued an email informing the world of the parade’s abrupt cancellation in mid-May. The president is thought to have acted partly because of concerns voiced by the European Union’s Parliament about antigay discrimination last April, when Romania began preparing to join the Union.

Initially, gay rights advocates in the city had promised to go ahead with the parade in spite of the ban, thereby making the parade an act of civil disobedience.

Gay sex was a crime throughout Romania until 2001.—JV

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Columbus, Ohio—A state representative has introduced an anti-bullying bill that mentions no specific group, including gays and lesbians, as possible victims.

Mentioning that his office had received phone calls and e-mails from people concerned his bill would exclude “people on the basis of sexual orientation,” Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R., Athens, introduced HB 276 on May 24.

He said the callers initially misunderstood the bill, and added that it did not include language specific to any group in order to protect everyone from harassment.

“If you get specific, there’s always a possibility of leaving a group out,” Stewart told Ohio’s Gay Peoples’ Chronicle May 27. “If I list 10 or 100 [groups], someone will find one you didn’t think of.”

The measure would not only mandate that school systems adopt anti-bullying policies, it would also require the state auditor to report on violations of the policy as part of the school system’s annual reports.

The state board of education would also be required to include harassment and bullying in its yearly school system report cards.

Neil Bomberg, the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s director of public policy, criticized the measure for its lack of language specific to sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Classless laws don’t give administrators authority or legal basis to enforce antiharassment policies with regard to LGBT students,” he said.

Lawmakers hope to hear testimony on

HG 276 in mid-June. Stewart has said he hopes to hear the gay community’s testimony on the measure.—JV

News LOCAL AND REGIONAL

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HRC Gala Too ‘Controversial’ For Zions Bank Just days before the inaugural Human Rights Campaign Utah gala, the Deseret Morning News brought the event new levels of attention with a front-page story about Zions Bank pulling their sponsorship.

The bank had come on board as a gala sponsor just two weeks prior to the event based on information that it would be hosted at the home of WordPerfect co-founder Bruce Bastian, featuring guest speaker Tipper Gore and a performance from pop star Oleta Adams.

The Utah-based Zions Bank President Scott Anderson company reportedly received an anonymous tip on Wednesday, June 1, that supporting HRC might be interpreted as supporting same-gender marriage—leading the publicly-traded company to pull their mid-level sponsorship.

According to Zions Bank spokesman Robert Brough, as quoted in the Deseret Morning News, the sponsorship was pulled to “avoid any misinterpretation related to the controversy around this issue (samegender marriage).”

“We signed onto this thinking it was a Democratic Party human rights event to promote equality in the work force, particularly single mothers,” he said. “When we realized there may be some conflicts here, we withdrew.”

The response from the queer community, however, has been vocal complaints about Zions Bank’s decision. Within hours, several public email groups were flooded with calls for boycotts of the institution, contact information for reaching Zions Bank President Scott Anderson, and more.

“I would suggest that anyone with an account through Zions close it immediately,” said Tim Keller in an email. “Anyone with a loan, credit card or mortgage should refinance immediately. All with a polite letter explaining that there are banks out there that appreciate our business (Wells Fargo and Washington Mutual for instance have

supported us in the past.) Strongly worded letters and whining can only do so much ... let’s hit ’em where it counts. I sure as hell wouldn’t do business with them.”

“I’m sick of these corporations like Comcast and Zions blatantly saying ‘we hate gays’ throwing it in our faces but we do absolutely nothing about it,” wrote James Hicks. “They are using Amendment 3 as their stance and their hatred against gays & lesbians. They feel like because Amendment 3 passed they can do whatever it is they want and say, ‘it’s a business decision’ without giving it any merit.”

In a form letter from Anderson, Zions Bank seems to be trying to walk a middle line with the queer community. “When it was brought to our attention that our support of the Human Rights Campaign gala might be misinterpreted by some as taking a position on a controversial issue outside of our industry, we made the decision to withdraw our sponsorship.

“We are disappointed with the way this story has been spun in the media. In making our decision, we were not making a judgment on same-sex marriage. We were making a judgment on whether the issue is controversial. And it is.

“As an organization, Zions Bank does not have a position on the issue. We do, however, strongly support equality in the workplace and strongly support (and, in fact, encourage) all employees in their participation in community groups and organizations they individually support.”

Bastian, a Human Rights Campaign board member, said that while losing Zions as a sponsor is unfortunate, he doesn’t understand why the company didn’t research the event before pledging its support.

“HRC is about honesty and being up front,” Bastian told the Salt Lake Tribune. “We’re right out there with what we stand for and what we fight for.”

Bastian said the event is poised to be a huge success and he’s not worried about the impact a major sponsor backing out at the minute will have.

“People are clamoring to get in, and there’s no more space,” he said.

Over 600 people paid $150 apiece to attend the event.—JK, RVM

Local Comcast Affiliate Axes Gay Network

by JoSelle Vanderhooft joselle@slmetro.com

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When James Hicks first read about here!

Networks, a new gay- and lesbian-themed cable network specializing in original programming and recent video releases, he immediately wanted to subscribe. He visited the network’s website and entered his ZIP code. Sure enough, here! was supposed to be available in Utah through the cable provider Comcast, just as it was across the nation.

Hicks grabbed his phone for what would be the first of many calls to the cable company he’s patronized for two decades.

“When I called Comcast James Hicks the first time, I spoke with someone and they said they had no idea what I was talking about, but they would investigate it and get back to me,” said Hicks, an IBM consultant and Coldwell Banker Real Estate agent. “I waited and finally got a phone call back.

The person said, ‘thanks for letting us know about this. We’re going to do some research and we’ll get back with you.’ I never heard a word.”

Deciding he’d waited long enough for an answer, Hicks decided to call again. This time he reached Lisa Jenkins, Comcast’s Utah marketing manager. According to Hicks, Jenkins told him Comcast Cable of Utah wasn’t planning on carrying here! Networks.

“She told me that they did not feel [here!] would have an audience in Utah,” Hicks said. “I said, ‘Did you think it’s because of the gay- and lesbian-oriented theme?’ and she said, ‘I can’t say.’”

Jenkins declined a request for a statement on the decision, and referred questions to Ray Child, Public Relations Director for Comcast Utah.

“We have made a business decision to not carry here! in Utah,” said Child. He said this was all he could say on the matter.

Hicks said he received the same response when he called Child on June 1, even when he asked for more specific information.

“I know that business decisions are based on different factors,” said Hicks. “You don’t just make a business decision without a reason why you’re backing it up.” He added that the lack of a further response has led him to consider that the network was removed “because of the gay- and lesbian-oriented themes.”

“I am frustrated about it,” he said. “It’s unfair, it’s flat out discrimination. I told them that. It’s just another slap in the face to the gay and lesbian community in Utah.

I told them I have been a subscriber to Comcast back 20 years ago when it was TCI Cablevision. To be a loyal customer and to tell me I can’t watch a station because it’s gay- and lesbian-oriented, that’s a huge

slap in the face, especially when they offer so many things out there to the heterosexual community,” such as the Spice Channel and HBO and Showtime’s late-night sexually-oriented programming.

In the time he’s spent calling Comcast, Hicks said he’s also made an attempt to let Utah gays and lesbians know about the cable network’s decision. So far, he has sent emails to Equality Utah and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Though he has yet to hear back from either organization. He said Valerie Larabee, The Center’s executive director, responded almost immediately.

Although Larabee said most of her time is now focused on preparing for Utah Pride Day, she and her staff “have [the Comcast situation] on our list and will lodge our concerns” shortly.

“I think that it’s important for us to know what is available via these cable TV networks and to understand when we are not being allowed to have access to something,” she said. “If that goes untalked about then we can’t do anything about it.

We would like to see anyone that has a Comcast account and thinks that this is important to give Comcast a call and say they would like to have access to here!”

“After a while,” she added, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

Meanwhile, here! officials have said they are aware of the situation and are looking into the matter. “here! is proud to be in partnership with Comcast, which has rolled here! out across the country in the majority of its markets in the United States,” said Stephen Macias, vice president of corporate communications and Public Relations for here!

Networks. “While we understand Comcast’s current business decision, here! looks forward to being in the Salt Lake City market in the future.”

He added that local affiliates are allowed to moderate programming, and that those decisions are “at times unfortunate and sometimes called censorship; but it’s not done on a regular basis.”

Currently, the network’s website www. heretv.com still lists here! as available for Utah ZIP codes 84070 in Sandy City, 84112 in Salt Lake City, 84660 in Spanish Fork and 84601 in Provo—all areas served by Utah’s Comcast affiliate.

Comcast Utah’s decision not to bring here! to customers is not the first time a Utah network affiliate has pulled network programming from its line up. When KSL-TV changed over to NBC in 1994, they refused to air (as they still do) Saturday Night Live. In 2000, KSL declined to air the controversial and short-lived animated series God, the Devil and Bob. In October of the same year, UPN announced it would move away from its Utah affiliate KJZZ when the station objected to airing a number of the network’s Monday night black/urban themed shows such as Moesha and The Parkers. The affiliate objected because these programs received poor ratings among Utah’s predominantly Caucasian audience.

News LOCAL

Gay Men’s Flag Football League Starting June 16

by Kim Burgess

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kim@slmetro.com

Sunshine, green lawn and pigskin. These three staples of Americana will come together this summer in the new Mountain West Gay Men’s 7-on-7 Flag Football League.

The league will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. starting June 16 and continue for six weeks.

At this time the location for games is uncertain, but Sunnyside Park, Fairmont Park and Sugar House Park are in the running.

Organizers Mark Barr, Gordon Wilkins and Wil Nicholson hope to create four teams of various skill levels. Women are welcome to play with the understanding that the league will use men’s flag football rules. Participants must be 18 or older. A $25 membership fee will go toward paying officials and reserving fields.

“We’re looking for people to come out and be enthusiastic. We hope to get even more spectators coming out to watch than we have actually playing because it’s a community activity. It’s a great way for people to meet in a healthy way, just have fun and get to know each other,” said Barr, who has organized informal flag football games for ten years in both New York City and Salt Lake City.

“I have a mailing list of guys who’d get together for a few hours on Saturday for games, then go to brunch. It’s a great group,” Barr said. These good experiences inspired Barr and friends Wilkins and Nicholson to formalize their league in the hopes of bringing that sense of acceptance to other gay men.

“When you realize you’re gay, especially as a gay man, if you’re athletic, you often find yourself not fitting into the ‘gay mold.’

You don’t fit into this stereotype of the gay community. For me, someone who has played sports my entire life, I thought I’d play professional baseball. I always felt like an outsider in the gay community. This is a place where these individuals who feel like they’re not the stereotype have a place to fit in. It’s another outlet,” Barr said.

Wilkins, Barr and Nicholson are also currently creating the Salt Lake City Gay Athletic Association with the goal of coordinating various queer sports groups such as flag football, tennis, softball, and hiking.

“It would be like a canopy. We wouldn’t have jurisdiction over these different groups, but we would be able to help smaller groups grow, do fund raising and get community involvement … I’d like to see the association send people to the Gay Games in Chicago. We’d also like one of our flag football teams to participate in the Gay Super Bowl in San Diego. We’ll have tryouts for that later in the season,” Wilkins said.

The Salt Lake City Gay Athletic Association is still in the planning stages, but will have a booth at Utah Pride. Wilkins, Barr and Nicholson are actively seeking partnerships with other queer organizations to assist in forming the athletic association.

Individuals who would like more information on the Salt Lake City Gay Athletic Association or the Mountain West Gay Men’s Flag Football League can email gkwinslc@aol.com or wulverinex@yahoo.com.

Navajo Nation Overrides Gay Marriage Ban Veto The Navajo Nation’s tribal government voted June 3 to override President Joe Shirley’s veto of a measure banning samesex marriage on the largest Native American reservation within the United States borders.

The Dine Marriage Act of 2005 defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman and prohibits plural marriages as well as marriage between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, brothers and sisters and other close relatives.

“In the traditional Navajo ways, gay marriage is a big no-no,” Kenneth Maryboy, a delegate from Montezuma Creek, Utah, told the Associated Press. “It all boils down to the circle of life. We were put on the earth to produce offspring.”

The tribal council vote was 62-14, with 12 delegates abstaining or absent, to override Shirley’s veto last month.

“My feeling is that the reason they overrode the president’s veto is that they have a huge animosity toward the president,” said Percy Anderson, a gay rights organizer who

started a Web site and petition to lobby against the marriage act.

Anderson, who previously held an elected office in the tribe’s Manuelito, N.M., chapter, said he believes the council is locked in a power struggle. “They want to show the president that they are the governing body,” Anderson said.

Maryboy disagreed, saying his constituents overwhelmingly oppose gay marriage and generally disapprove of gay relationships.

“My supporters told me to stay firmly against it, especially the ministers who join people in marriage,” he said.

A spokesman for Shirley said he will issue a statement override over the weekend.

Delegate Larry Anderson of Fort Defiance, Ariz., author of the Dine Marriage Act, did not return numerous phone calls seeking comment.

The Navajo Nation, which has more than 180,000 residents, spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Same-sex marriages are not allowed in any of those states.

sWerve to Offer Scholarship Meaning at a point in our lives many of us have struggled through financial hardships, and many of us have wanted to change our situation in life and the best way to do that is through education. Whether through endowment or small nonprofit organization, anything we can do to help people in situations that resonate with us is a way to benefit whole community.”

Applications must include the applicant’s name, current address, telephone number, email, educational institution of choice, and area of study. A two-page essay addressing a commitment to sWerve’s mission, a stated intent to pursue further education and proof of financial need are also required.

Completed applications should be mailed to sWerve, care of L. Wood, 1321 S. 1100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84105. The deadline is June 30, 2005. —JV

Washington D.C.—The National Organization for Women has launched a multi-faceted Equal Marriage Campaign designed to stop the reintroduction of the Federal Marriage Amendment, to call for the repeal of 1996’s DOMA legislation, and to educate the public about the importance of equality, justice and fairness for queer people and their families.

NOW believes that to accomplish these goals, it is necessary to put a human face to the subject of marriage equality. Lots of human faces, actually. They are asking queer people and families to share their stories with the developing “story bank” on the NOW website. Studies have found that personalizing social issues such as this are the best way to educate the country and move people away from discrimination.

“NOW is resolute in our commitment to winning equal marriage,” said NOW Presi-

dent Kim Gandy. “The goal of our campaign is to ensure that same-sex couples and their families have access to the full benefits and protections that only marriage can provide.”

NOW is welcoming letters, stories, even poems from queer people, couples, children of queer parents, straight allies, extended family members or even friends of queer people explaining why marriage equality is important and/or highlighting experiences that show what a difference marriage inequality makes in our lives.

The stories will be used in the NOW website and publications, possibly even with photos. NOW hopes that many people will choose to educate the world by sharing their stories.—JK To share your story, visit now.org/issues/marriage/send-stories.html

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

OUTPARK

AT LAGOON IN FARMINGTON WILL BE SET FOR

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 This event is not affiliated with or endorsed by Lagoon Corp.

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 11

NOW Seeks Personal Stories

AT THE

Regardless of age or field of study, collegeage women in Utah are now able to receive some financial aid from sWerve, a local non-profit organizing resource for lesbianfocused social and civil activity.

Created this year, the $1,000 sWerve Scholarship will be given to a woman in the community who exemplifies the organization’s mission: to build community among Utah women, to promote positive images of queer, lesbian, bisexual and transgender women, and to engage in “civic action including education and community service.”

According to Fran Pruyn, sWerve vice chair, the organization decided to create a scholarship because of the role good education plays in community building.

“It was important for us to try and find an individual who reinforces our own mission,” said Pruyn. “Someone we feel who is, for lack of a better term, like ourselves at one time.

Publisher Michael Aaron Editor Jere Keys Arts Editor Eric J. Tierney Proofreader Nicholas Rupp

Opinion

Contributing Brandie Balken Writers Kim Burgess Vanessa Chang Jason Clark Beau Jarvis Laurie Mecham Rob Orton William T. Park Nicholas Rupp Mandy Q. Racer Ruby Ridge Kim Russo David Samsel Joel Shoemaker Brendan Shumway Eric J. Tierney Darren Tucker JoSelle Vanderhooft Ross von Metzke John Wilkes Ben Williams Contributing Tony Fantis Photographers David Harris Lucy Juarez William H. Munk Kim Russo Joel Shoemaker Art Director Michael Aaron Designer Kris Kramer Sales Director Steven Peterson Display Ad Dave Harris Sales Russ Moss 801-323-9500 National Rivendell Media Advertising 212-242-6863 Representative 1248 Rte 22 West Mountainside NJ 07092

Office Mgr. Tony Hobday Distribution Jarrod Ames Brandon Hurst Russ Lane Courtney Moser

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(801) 323-9500 Fax: (801) 323-9986 President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer:

Michael Aaron Steven Peterson Steve Whittaker Larry Tanner

Fairness is Good Corporate Policy There has been a lot of news lately about how large corporations are dealing with the queer community. On one hand, we have companies like Disney, Ford and Kraft finding themselves the targets of boycotts by notoriously anti-gay groups like the American Family Association.

On the other hand, Zions Bank caused a stir when they pulled their support of the HRC gala, and the local branch of Comcast has angered gay customers by refusing to air here!, the new gay network.

It seems that while many of the nation’s largest and most successful companies have realized that it’s good business to support the struggle for queer equality, the local business community hasn’t quite caught on yet. What are they afraid of?

Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? They’re afraid that all the diminutive Mormon grandmothers will email each other and organize a massive boycott of their company.

Puh-leaze.

The reality, folks, is that studies by organizations like GLAAD, Commercial Closet, and dozens of other research firms not associated with the queer community have all shown that supporting queer rights has little if any negative impact on the success of corporations. Most Americans simply don’t care about hating us enough to change their plans when purchasing or consuming products.

On the other hand, many companies have discovered that by actively supporting the queer community, they gain a fiercely loyal and lucrative client or customer base. Why do you think Wells Fargo, JP Morgan/Chase, American Express and Washington Mutual will all be supporting Utah Pride this year? Who would you rather bank with, Zions Bank who pulled their sponsorship of an HRC event because they wanted to “avoid a controversial topic,” or any

of the four alternatives who recognize that supporting equality is about fairness.

In a form letter sent to people contacting Zions Bank to complain about pulling their sponsorship, President Scott Anderson writes “We are disappointed with the way this story has been spun in the media. In making our decision, we were not making a judgment on same-sex marriage. We were making a judgment on whether the issue is controversial. And it is.”

“As an organization, Zions Bank does not have a position on the issue,” Anderson continued. “We do, however, strongly support equality in the workplace and strongly support (and, in fact, encourage) all employees in their participation in community groups and organizations they individually support.”

And that’s the key point, really. Labeling gay rights issues as “controversial” as an excuse to avoid supporting the community is both discriminatory and offensive. It’s not enough to simply make small placating noises about “equality in the workplace” when there is no equality in the personal lives of their queer employees. There is nothing “controversial” about standing up for equal treatment under the law, human rights, or an end to oppression.

The same argument was used in 1997 when advertisers pulled their support of “Ellen.” Eight years later, few national companies would dare pull their advertising support from a television show just because it features gay characters.

Unbelievably, however, there are still companies who trot out that tired old “controversial” argument.

Salt Lake Metro encourages our readers to tell Zions, Comcast, and all other corporate institutions which would marginalize our community that doing the right thing may be controversial, but standing by silently in the face of injustice is never a good business move.

From the Editor An Insider’s Guide to Pride

by Jere Keys jere@slmetro.com

I’m excited about Utah Pride for a lot of reasons—not the least of which is that once it’s over my life gets considerably less hectic. But I’m excited because I spent last weekend in Las Vegas urging several of my friends from Sin City to drive up and experience Zion’s version of Pride celebrations.

One of those friends, who seemed skeptical, said to me, “So, you’ve got the inside scoop; what do I most want to check out and do at Utah Pride?

What’s so special about another Pride Festival?”

I tried explaining that Utah Pride is larger than Vegas Pride, has a more political and social feel, and is full of repressed ex-Mormon boys ready to burst with pent-up sexual energy. He was intrigued, but still not convinced. You’ve been to one festival, you’ve been to them all, right?

On some level, I have to agree with him. Pride celebrations have been happening around the world for 35 years now, and it has become unmoving and routine for many people—even if this is our holiday (mothers, fathers, veterans, secretaries, and just about every other group out there gets a holiday, and this is ours, so somebody send me a Hallmark card to commemorate my day!).

Another friend of mine, a 40-something lesbian in San Francisco, echoed those thoughts.

“I must say I’ve gotten really blasé about Pride over the years. Not that I don’t appreciate the spirit behind the day itself and think it’s important to remember the struggle and the pride and the whatnot, but the day itself—the parade, the parties, the events—been there, done that a dozen times over,” she wrote me. “I’m likely now just to skip town and go hiking somewhere peaceful.”

I wrote her back pointing out that every time I join a committee, the first meeting is dedicated to the topic, “How can we make Pride fresh and exciting again?” Unfortunately, the ideas we manage to come up with never please enough people.

The things that would bring excitement (like a big-name headline performer) are ridiculously expensive.

That’s when Nancy wrote back with the greatest comment I’ve ever heard about this eternal struggle to keep Pride exciting.

“The way to make it fun again for me is to have a newly-out person, or a straight friend (or a gay friend) who’s never been before, accompany me.

To see it all again for the first time through their eyes,” she said. “Revisiting it with a newbie brings all the excitement of it back.”

So there it is, ladies and gentlemen, my new “insider’s advice” about enjoying yourself at Pride.

Bring someone new to the community; bring a straight friend who has never been to our big, fat, gay festival before; bring a buddy just out of the closet; bring your young nieces and nephews. If you don’t know anyone who has never been to Pride before, why don’t you try going to some of the events other than the festival? Check out the film festival, the interfaith service, the dyke march (it’s not just for women) or the 5K Run/Walk/Roll.

Have your own ideas about how to jazz up the annual celebration? Why not volunteer this year and learn how things run? Event organizers like myself pay a lot more attention to the opinions of people who have been “in the trenches” and have a working knowledge of how much effort Pride actually takes. Sometime while we’re picking up garbage at 3am Monday morning, you’ll find us really receptive to your suggestion to include sword-swallowing belly-dancers on the backs of camels next year.

I hope to see you all, along with your newbie friends, at Utah Pride 2005. Happy Pride!

Letters

EMAIL YOUR LETTERS TO LETTERS@SLMETRO.COM

Pride Not a Piggy Bank

Connie Anast Salt Lake City

Self-Sufficient Pride Dear Editor, It is encouraging that the vast majority of GLBT Utahns have come forward to support the $5 admission to the 2005 Utah Pride Festival. When people realize the Festival costs $120,000 to produce, most are very willing to help make sure we have a great festival to be proud of in Utah.

Recent attendance has grown dramatically! Knowing that the Utah Pride festival lost money in 2002 and 2003, we requested donations at the gates to help pay for the festival in 2004. This effort netted $1,777 from the 30,000 attendees. Last year, The Center was forced to take funds budgeted for programs and services to pay for festival expenses.

In the fall of 2004, the board of directors of The Center considered several options: canceling pride, scaling it down, returning it to a group of volunteers, or making it profitable.

Knowing that across the country the trend

John M. Johnson Board of Directors/Treasurer GLBT Community Center of Utah Salt Lake City

Constitutional Rights Are Constitutional Rights Editor, Aaron Cloward agrees that the U.S. Second Amendment “is still beneficial for protecting one’s personal property and family,” but, oddly, not for one’s self (“Letters,” Salt Lake Metro, May 26, 2005). He wonders “would anyone need a gun at Pride” when “this right was originally meant as self-protection of citizens during war time when public peace officers were very limited in numbers (and probably non-existant) [sic].”

Actually, the founders’ original intent of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms was more direct: To protect against violence and against the possibility of a tyrannical government. For citations about this, check out this U.S. Department of Justice legal opinion about his concerns: http://usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm It’s a dangerous thing to suggest that, because technology has advanced, some constitutional rights are obsolete. That the United States has a standing army and law-enforcement agencies shouldn’t ignore the right of people defending themselves if they choose to do so. We’d no sooner argue similarly that the First Amendment applies only to quills and parchment instead of the more abundant Internet, would we?

I disagree that there is no positive reason for someone to choose defending themselves with a legally concealed firearm at a public event. If not at public events, then where? Crime and violence have ways of surprising us. At a mid-1980s Utah Pride Festival, an attendee was stabbed. At an early-1990s Utah Pride Festival, white supremacists and neo-Nazis threatened violence against several attendees.

No one hopes for violence or crime, but our discussion about the idea about self defense should be about choices; the choice to defend or not, with a legally concealed firearm or not. No one should make

that choice for others.

Cloward and others should keep in mind that legally concealed firearms WERE at the 2003 and 2004 Utah Pride Festivals, and probably at the previous ones, too. There’s no evidence that the people who make the choices to carry their firearms at this year’s festival will cause illegal harm or damage, let alone be noticed.

David Nelson Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah Salt Lake City

Las Vegas Pride No Match for Salt Lake Dear Editor, My partner and I just returned from Las Vegas Gay Pride and it has completely changed our outlook on Salt Lake Pride. We were upset about the $5 ticket charge and thought we’d try out Pride in a bigger city instead. I can’t tell you how disappointed we were.

Las Vegas Pride cost us $15 for admission to the festival, an additional $5 for the adults only area upstairs (which was boring and a waste of time), plus $5 per drink all day. That was just the festival. We also attended the after-party at Gipsy, the pool party at Blue Moon Resort, the final party at Krave. Each of these events set us back anywhere from $10 to $30 (Krave).

I won’t say that we didn’t have some fun, but as far as we can tell, the only free event was the parade. We felt like all they [Las Vegas Pride organizers] really wanted was our money.

It really gave us a new perspective on our local Pride events. Salt Lake Pride has a larger crowd, more to do and see, and is always more fun than the Pride we attended in Las Vegas. Knowing how superb our Pride is compared to others in the area, we’ll gladly buy our $5 tickets this year to support a festival worth supporting.

Walt Dougall Salt Lake City, UT Salt Lake Metro welcomes your letters at letters@slmetro.com

Obituary PAUL A. DOUGLAS, age 58, died May 16, 2005 in Salt Lake City from complications of multiple medical problems.

A native of California, Paul Douglas opened one of Salt Lake City’s earliest gay bars, the Rusty Bell, with Mac Hunt and Jim Beveridge in July 1975. As a pioneer community-builder, Douglas’ bar was open to all community functions from hosting wedding ceremonies to Sub for Santa charities. The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire held their first Coronation at the Rusty Bell Jan. 14, 1976. Although he was not a user, Paul Douglas was also a founder of Cocaine Anonymous after seeing its devastating effect on Salt Lake’s gay community.

Paul is survived by the love of his life and his partner of thirty-five years, Bobbie Almstead, two brothers and a sister, and a host of friends who are grateful for his dedication to Utah’s gay community.—BW

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Editor, In years passed, I have enjoyed going to Pride Day and visiting with friends, enjoying the vendors and having a wonderful day with my family. We would pack a cooler with sandwiches and Diet Coke, head off to a nice shady part of the park, shop the many shops and spend a lot of money, donating and purchasing items from our LGBT community. Some of us would bring our four legged children as well, leashed and happy.

This year, the Pride Committee has decided that this is no longer about us as a community—but rather us as a collective piggy bank and a bunch of children.

For the first time, an entrance fee will be charged of $5 per person for admission to the event. This money is supposed to be used for The Center’s activities and events.

While I understand the need for an admission fee, and respect it, I am appalled at the other restrictions that have been placed on the attendees.

The major restriction this year that bothers me is this: no outside food or drinks.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that our community is diverse and one of the biggest reasons for The Center is to support the disenfranchised, at-risk youth and young adults in the community—those in major socio-economic hardship. It takes a lot for some people to come up with the admission price, let alone not being able to bring a sack lunch for themselves. So, like a lot of people, they will volunteer, then are asked to pay $4 for bottled water and $7 for a cold sandwich plate—at least if Pride is like any other “public” event in this state.

Personally, I contribute each and every paycheck to The Center, through a direct funds program through the U. I have yet to go to any other sponsored event of The Center because nothing appeals to me. I recognize its value, so I continue to support it for the entire community’s benefit. Yet, I will be charged to go to the ONE event that I do find rewarding, and then get soaked by food, beverage and other prices after I enter the gates.

Many GLBT families attend Pride because they do not go to the bars or events— they are busy trying to raise a family in this state—and Pride is usually the one time they can reconnect with old friends. At $5 a head, plus food and drink, that can get really pricey for lunch in the park. Pride Day was the one event where all were treated equally. Now, The Center is looking at them only as a paying customer and not a valued member of the community.

Oh, don’t forget, there are some free events.

But only a few. I guess I should feel privileged.

Someone said to me the other day, “Well, San Fran charges $35 dollars for their Pride Day.” That is not true. According to www. sfpride.org, the Parade and Celebration are completely free. “Join us for two days of music, food and fun... all for FREE! No tickets are needed and no one is turned away for lack of funds.” The only mention of money is a voluntary $3 per person contribution at the gate and $30 ticket if you want to sit on the Grand Stands during the Parade. The people who participate in putting on SFPride (i.e., the vendors who make money off of the GLBT community) pay for the privilege to be there. Plus, the people who do the

real work, the volunteers, are given gift bags full of vendors’ items as a thank you.

May I also remind the Pride Committee— we are not San Francisco. Thank God for that.

I recognize that Pride takes a lot of money to put on. The admission fee alone should help offset that, along with booth space rentals by vendors, etc. There is no need to exclude people from bringing food.

Oh, wait, yes there is—greed. It’s not about security, no matter what anyone says. Years passed have proven that. Let’s keep in mind, most of the people who put on Pride are volunteers, so no one is being paid to be there, and a great many of us who have volunteered at Pride Days in the past won’t do it again because of how we’ve been mismanaged and treated. I am lucky that I have found a Volunteer Coordinator (Teinamarrie Nelson) who fights for the volunteers comfort and care. Not everyone does.

The other ridiculous restriction— no animals permitted, even those legally leashed. For many in our community, their pets ARE their children. Last year, we were surrounded by our four-legged friends and they behaved themselves wonderfully.

Their owners cleaned up after them and all was well. The LGBT community is notoriously known for love of animals and as being responsible pet owners. Yet again, the Pride Committee is treating us like a bunch of misbehaving children.

The Center’s Pride Committee has made my decision for me—My family will NOT attend Pride this year—the first time in nine years. Instead, I will host a party at my home to celebrate my Pride—at least in my yard, there is no admission fee and everyone is welcome to bring what they wish—food or furry friend.

Maybe next year, if The Center board actually cared about the community they serve, they would allow people to bring a picnic basket and realize that those who can afford to feed their families will buy food from the long-lined vendors, and those who can’t should still be welcomed with open arms and wagging tails.

So, GLBTCCU, enjoy the financial contribution I make to you every two weeks.

I’ve more than paid my admission to an event I won’t be attending.

was to charge $10–20 for admission, and that most festivals benefited their own community center, it was agreed to try again, this time with a minimal admission fee.

This year, a major sponsor is returning because the community is helping to cover the cost of the celebration. Many people have said, “It’s about time” and “It’s only the cost of a cocktail on Saturday night or a latte in the morning.”

Systems are in place for those in need of financial help. Several supporters have donated tickets for those financially strapped, or for people with AIDS, and for youth unable to buy a ticket. Additionally, hundreds of volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts and all will receive free admission.

Today, The Center’s budget is lean.

Thanks to a great staff, hard-working board members and many volunteers, donations are coming from a diverse network of supporters. We hope this year’s festival will no longer be a drain on our community center, but will pay for itself and possibly provide funds for programs and services that the community uses throughout the year.

Please join us in celebrating our diversity, showing our pride, exemplifying our self-sufficiency, and demonstrating our charity by attending the 2005 Utah Pride Festival.

William T. Park T T T T

T

T

It’s Equality, Stupid

by William Todd Park liam@slmetro.com

Clint Eastwood bravado would likely clash with the Roman philosopher Seneca, who said, “Luck is where opportunity and preparation meet.” So, either Republican ‘punks’ have been pretty damned lucky or they have made deliberate gains through really good preparation and campaigning. It’s fair to say that we could stand to learn a thing or two from these victories in order to advance equality issues.

Important battles are not won by tactical smart bombs, but rather by a long-term strategy. We’ve been trained to expect immediate service from the drive-thru and then immediate results from the latest diet craze, instant answers from our computers and when we don’t get them, real-time technical support from a live human, even if you can’t pronounce the techie’s name. It’s not realistic to expect equality to just happen. Fighting for equality has never been a short-term thing and more importantly, it cannot be successful and authentic if it happens instantly.

Free market reforms in Russia after the Soviet Union’s demise and, more recently, the American invasion into Iraq serve as proof-positive that instant gratification on a large scale does not work.

Insurgents will not give up what is important to them, even at the peril of their own countrymen. You can be assured that those who currently wield power in our own country will not simply acknowledge that bigotry is evil and extend true equal rights to every American, especially when they believe that we already have them.

While progress is being made, substantial disparity in terms of compensation and promotion for women still exists. When it comes to poverty, study after study affirm that some minority groups remain disproportionately high. Implementing equality for all is important, but demonstrating that equal rights are not special rights and that building social momentum simply takes time.

Anti-discrimination clauses in corporate and government human resources policies weren’t put into place overnight.

It took years of negotiating and proving that equality makes good business and that gays and lesbians are assets to an organization. The gay marriage debate has brought equality into the cross hairs of the religious right, mostly because the issue is visible, but equality in and of itself encompasses far more than same-gender

unions. To tie the whole package together, carefully thought-out foundational principles must stand to hold the strategy together when brush fires of disagreement flare up. The 1992 Clinton campaign rallied around a simple but poignant phrase: “It’s the economy, stupid.” That singular focus propelled our economy to unprecedented heights that only the likes of Dubya could foul up. We need that same focus on equality.

Bringing about this massive social undertaking requires sensitive and pro-active leadership, capable of engendering collaboration. Michael Mitchell at Equality Utah has done a great job of this. He has brought together groups as allies in the community so that one minority isn’t standing alone, but rather creating a political force to be reckoned with and drawing on the many different strengths of each group.

Michael has also energized the grassroots in our community to make a substantial impact. Amendment 3 may have passed, but the grassroots involvement leading up to the election proved that there are capable, intelligent people from all over the state willing to stand up and make a difference.

He leaves some pretty big shoes to fill as he moves on with the ACLU to the national battleground for equality.

The ban on gays in the armed forces might not be in place had there been collaboration in finding a solution instead of the demand for an all-or-nothing fulfillment of one of President Clinton’s campaign pledges. Since activists saw an opportunity, they pressed the president’s hand and because proper planning and preparation were lacking, the nation got “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which is not even a compromise. In fact, discharge figures indicate that the flawed policy has backfired on both the military and patriotic homosexuals who simply want to serve.

Equality has some facets that are tangible and easy to quantify, and then there are others that are like art—you know it’s good when you see it. But for it to work, it has to be more than a nice catch phrase for a poster; it has to be embraced and recognized as the constitutionally-guaranteed right to everyone in our borders.

Just like any great privilege, there are great responsibilities.

That’s the rub though, isn’t it: doing something, getting involved? It’s far easier to let someone else make things happen, or maybe even write a check to a political action group, than to actually do something. But having to regain freedoms after an apathetic minority has allowed rights to be signed away by glad-handing officials in the interests of the tyrannical majority is much more difficult.

So, ya feelin’ lucky, punk?

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SALT LAKE METRO ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ UTAH PRIDE 2005

The 1992 Clinton campaign rallied around a simple but poignant phrase: “It’s the economy, stupid.” We need that same focus on equality.

AberRant Value Daze!

by Laurie Mecham laurie@slmetro.com

Remember awhile back I told you about our trouble at work, when THE MAN took away our coffee? We had enjoyed an endless supply of French Roast, decaf, even cocoa, and it was all free! If anything ran low, the Coffee Guy would magically show up and replace it.

Then, one morning, there was a cruel, impersonal note hanging in the kitchen.

There was no signature, just an anonymous note that said, “The Department will no longer fund coffee, cocoa, utensils, etc.”

Shock reverberated through the building. It wasn’t as bad as November 3, the day after the last national election, when we were all shell-shocked, dazed, and pondering the decline of reason, the devolution of our species and the existence of a benevolent God. But the Coffee Incident came in second on the personal-impact Richter scale. I acted out my hurt and anger in my usual humor-aggressive manner, by sending out an email that addressed both the situation and the harsh notice:

this effort, these three folks were burned out and out of money, so they decided to close down and sent out a press release to that effect. But here is the beautiful part: the community said, “No way!” Those who loved and valued the jazz concerts stepped forward in great numbers and with financial support. Their message was, “Why didn’t you tell us you needed money?”

I know what you’re thinking: “For God sake, Sister Mecham, make your point before snack time!” The lesson, my little Sunbeams, is about valuing. Pride is coming up, and I’d like all of you to put on your drinking caps—er, thinking caps—and consider what we value as we think about the Big Change for this year’s Pride celebration. The GLBT Community Center is organizing Pride, as it has done for the last few years. The Center made the decision that in order to even have a Pride celebration, they would need to charge a nominal gate fee.

Many members of the community have responded by saying, “It’s about time!”

Others have their Baskit Action Mesh Jocks all in a tiny, tasteful-yet-uncomfortable bunch. [Publisher’s note: Laurie —Please don’t use the words ‘jock’ and ‘tiny’ in the same sentence in a gay paper.] Yes, Pride has always been free, in Salt Lake, anyway. That doesn’t mean that this huge festival, second in size only to the Utah Arts Festival—for which we fork over seven bucks a day just to step inside the gates—always pays for itself.

But Pride is here and it’s going to happen! It’s our turn again to celebrate ourselves. It’s time to be highly visible, to gather in huge numbers, to dance, to parade, to be sexy and frumpy and campy and goofy and all the things that we are.

The entry fee, which could otherwise go for a single microbrew or a grande latte, will ensure that The Center can maintain their own personnel and budget for—get this—the activities and programs of The Center. Pride will pay for itself this year.

What a concept!

The question is: Do we value Pride? Are we going to be spoiled and whiny and obnoxious because we think that entry to Pride should be free because “that’s the way it’s always been?” Well, guess what, my little CTRs, part of the reason we have Pride in the first place is because we aren’t real happy about keeping things the way they’ve always been. I’m talking closets, gay-bashing, discrimination in housing and jobs and other civil rights like, oh, say marriage, for example.

So if you’ve been bitching, get over it.

Volunteer if you can. Panhandle if you truly don’t have five bucks. The Center is donating tickets to the Utah AIDS Foundation.

If you’re worried that someone will be left out, buy them a damn ticket. In closing, dear Merrie Misses and Valiants, when you say your prayers tonight, be sure to thank God for three of her many gifts: coffee, jazz, and Pride.

Thank God for three of her many gifts: coffee, jazz, and Pride

Sorry about the sign. We meant to say: Due to funding constraints, we, the administrators of the Department, deeply regret that after a six-month transition period, we will be forced to phase out the provision of coffee and other hot beverages.

We value our wonderful employees and are despondent that we cannot continue to supply you with these small comforts.

In order to sustain employees during this difficult time, the Department will have daily support groups at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for bereavement counseling, as well as a 12step caffeine withdrawal group.

Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

Sister Mecham was released from her calling due to rumors regarding the Word O’ Wisdom.

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 15

As I write this, a couple of months have passed, and we java junkies have survived.

I believe that we have even grown because of this experience. Because people stepped up. One guy bought a very fine new coffee maker. Another brought a coffee grinder.

Others brought bags of coffee, even a case of pre-measured coffee packets from Costco, just like the Coffee Guy used to bring.

I personally donated about ten thousand coffee filters. The truth is, most workplaces do not provide coffee. It had just been there, free, for so long, that we took it for granted. We didn’t really recognize the value it held for us until the responsibility for providing it became our own.

An interesting thing happened to a larger community in Salt Lake recently. The GAM Foundation has been bringing outstanding jazz performances to town for ten years.

This organization was actually just three people who put the whole thing together.

(I learned that the name comes from their initials, although it will always read “Gay Asian Male” to me.) Anyway, after years of putting blood, sweat, tears and money into

Guest Editorial Dyke March is Nothing to be Afraid Of

By Fran Pruyn

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SALT LAKE METRO ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ UTAH PRIDE 2005

If it had been left up to me, I would have never made it to my first Dyke March.

I was mostly scared, I think.

I didn’t know what to expect. Didn’t quite know where to go. Didn’t like the name. I thought people would make fun of me—not the people watching, but other lesbos. At least I guess that’s why I didn’t want to go.

But my girlfriend said something like, “You wuss! How often are we in San Francisco during PRIDE? We gotta go to the Dyke March.” So we went. It just might have been life altering.

My friend Clare, the social worker, tells me it’s because there’s something powerful, thrilling, and energizing when you are part of a crowd that is doing the same thing all at once. And when that something is more than singing the national anthem or cheering for the Utah Jazz, when that something is about rights and unity and coalition, it can make you downright emotional.

So, for me, the San Francisco Dyke March was off the charts: thousands upon thousands of women walking down the street holding hands. Okay, some folks were doing more than holding hands, but that’s San Francisco, so I just looked the other way. There were many, many contingents with big signs.

We marched for miles or maybe just a lot of blocks. It was 40 degrees in June, and when we finally stopped, I was tired and cold and euphoric. It felt fabulous to be part, for once, of a group.

So now Salt Lake has its own Dyke March. This is our third year—and who’d a thunk it? Of course, you have to be braver here to march, because there are hundreds, not thousands of women, because we walk right by the temple,

because you are outing yourself to a few people who probably already saw you at the Paper Moon, and mostly because you are bound to run into your ex.

And lots of girls stay away because they, just like me, don’t know what to expect, don’t know where to go, don’t think they will be welcome, and don’t like the word ‘dyke.’ So, let me help.

What to expect: It’s a march, and a short one at that. It’s not a parade, it’s barely a demonstration, it’s a march that says, “We support women who love women.” We’ll do a rally first.

Where to go: City Creek Park—6 p.m.

Saturday, June 11. It starts at City Creek Park and ends at Library Square.

Won’t be welcome: Nonsense! If you support us, we like you. Female, male, straight, gay, and in-between. We are women, we want to be liked. We especially like your dogs (but don’t bring them if you plan to attend the dance afterward).

Are afraid of being seen on TV by their mom or boss or someone: In your dreams, honey. When we are big enough to be noticed by the local media, then you can probably hide behind your next-door neighbor. This is Saturday at 6 p.m. on State Street. Sadly, only the teenagers cruising State might see you.

Dyke-phobia: You’ll just have to suck that one up.

The sWerve girls host the Dyke March, and we really, really want 1000 people there this year. If there are a million people in the Salt Lake Valley and only 2% of them are gay, then that’s 20,000 queers. Surely, one in 20 of them can’t be afraid of a four-letter “d” word.

Fran Pruyn is a member of sWerve (swerveutah.com) and a committee member of Utah Pride 2005, utahpride.org

Ruby Ridge Living Étouffée Brutus?

by Ruby Ridge ruby@slmetro.com

So, darlings, I’ve just returned from a fabulous little getaway to New Orleans.

Yes, that’s right; with Ruby in town the Big Easy just got a little bit bigger and a whole lot easier. Just between you and I, petals, I started eating the moment I landed and didn’t stop until I took off. The food and the atmosphere down there are just that fabulous. With all the fish from the delta and the seafood from the gulf, the French, Caribbean, and Creole influences, my taste buds were having Mardi Gras in my mouth. My favorite dish was a shrimp étouffée omelet with a side of grits and biscuits at this little diner way the hell out past the Garden District. Oh my God, it was so good I schlepped out there twice. Any place that plays Ike Turner, has transgender waitresses and great eggs ... I’m all over it! One of the locals there also shared his best hangover remedy and I kid you not, he drinks YooHoo and Bourbon. I only have one word my babies: yikes!!

Now, those of you who know me well (no, not in the biblical sense you gutterminded tramps!), know that I am a combat tourist. Sweet peas, I am up at the crack of dawn and out the door in sensible shoes just to soak in the sights and sounds of the city as it wakes up, and it’s amazing what a different perspective you can get at that time of day. Don’t believe me? Well, next time you’re in Las Vegas, walk down the strip at 5 in the morning. No crowds, no

traffic. I tell you, it’s almost zen-like. This early morning strategy works really well in a city like New Orleans, where the nightlife is touristy and crowded, and the humidity is off-the-charts during the heat of the day. It was such a treat walking through the quiet old neighborhoods with these gorgeous historic homes, ornate wrought iron fences, oak trees, Spanish moss, and really interesting above-ground cemeteries.

Aahhh ... good times!

My one token act as a tourist was the obligatory beignets and chicory coffee breakfast at Café Du Mond down in the French Quarter. Apart from that, I really couldn’t get out of the Quarter fast enough.

During the day it’s just so crowded and tacky and, trust me, I usually revere tacky! But before you accuse me of being anti-tourist, I admit, when the Riverboat Natchez started playing Scott Joplin on its steam powered calliope, I had to grin from ear to ear. I just couldn’t help myself.

Cherubs, if I were from New Orleans, I think blood would shoot from my ears every time anyone mentioned “the Utah Jazz.” It’s so sad that an NBA franchise could slip away from a city like New Orleans, a city that is so chock-full of energy, music, history, and joie de vivre, only to end up beached in an antiseptic wasteland like Salt Lake City. It’s so ironic that Alanis Morissette would be freaked, and thinking about it makes my head hurt. For the love of God, someone pass the YooHoo.

Any place that plays Ike Turner, has transgender waitresses and great eggs, ... I’m all over it!

Give Fido something to sink his teeth into. Subscribe to Salt Lake Metro today at slmetro.com or 323-9500.

Ruby Ridge is one of the more opinionated members 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 irritability and having to mow the lawn five times already this spring.

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Lambda Lore Circles

by Ben Williams ben@slmetro.com

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Life is full of circles if one knows where to look. On Sunday, May 29, while the thirtieth coronation of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire was about to commence at the Sheraton Hotel, I was attending a memorial service for Paul A. Douglas at the home of Richard Packer and Steve Merrill. Douglas died May 15 after a lifetime of community service. While I personally did not know the man, I knew of him and felt the need to remember him by being present.

In July 1975, 28 year-old Douglas, along with Mac Hunt and Jim Beveridge, opened a gay bar called the Rusty Bell on the far west side of Salt Lake City. The bar was at 996 S. Redwood Road and later became the infamous Puss and Boots lesbian bar. Now it is a dilapidated Mexican meat market.

Douglas, according to his partner of 35 years, poured his heart and soul in making a go of the bar, but after losing two homes mortgaged to support the bar, the place closed in 1978. Inflation, like disco, killed many a gay business in the late 1970s.

The Rusty Bell, unlike some bars, was a community-minded organization. I know some people get agitated when you mention gay and bar in the same breath. But let me try to explain the significance of bars in the development of a gay identity in the 1970s.

Back then, there were basically only two places for gay men to meet: the parks and the bars. The difference is that at the bars

people talked to each other.

The Rusty Bell, thanks in part to Paul Douglas’ community spirit, soon became a place of convergence for gays and lesbians.

In October 1975, the Rusty Bell held a 1950s party to raise building funds for the Grace Christian Church. The following month, two lesbian activists, Shirley and Camille, exchanged wedding vows at the Rusty Bell. Rev. Bob Darst, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church, in a double-ring ceremony, conducted. A reception was then held at the bar with, according to attendees, an abundance of champagne and wedding cake.

In December 1975 the Western Rustlers, a lesbian organization sponsored by the Rusty Bell, hosted a Sub for Santa. They were the first known gay organization in Utah to contribute to the Sub for Santa Charity.

But now I come back full circle. As I had previously mentioned, the Royal Court was celebrating 30 years of fantabulous glitter, glamour, gossip and generousity, while I was attending Paul Douglas’ memorial service.

Perhaps 15 people were there to remember him, while 500 partied at the Sheraton. Few there, I suspect, knew that the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire held their first Coronation at the Rusty Bell in June 1976, when the court was originally called the Imperial Court of Utah. I wonder if Douglas’ spirit was torn between being with his friends at his memorial service or whether he was at the Sheraton still supporting his community.

Paul may be gone now, but shall not forgotten in the history of gay Utah.

Ben Williams is the founder and president of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society at utahstonewallhistoricalsociety.com

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THURSDAY– SATURDAY Damn These Heels Film Festival

by Kim Burgess kim@slmetro.com

In celebration of Pride Week, the Salt Lake Film Center is presenting “Damn These Heels,” a four-day film festival of queer cinema.

Held from June 8–11 at the Salt Lake City Public Library, Damn These Heels is providing free screenings of local and national films that explore a wide range of topics of interest to queer and nonqueer audiences alike, including the recent ban on gay marriage, the rising number of homeless gay teenagers, transgender issues and spirituality.

A highlight will be Gary Nelson’s Sundance Film Festival and Independent Spirit Award-winning Brother To Brother, the story of a queer AfricanAmerican artist living during the Harlem Renaissance. Tony Awardnominated actor Roger Robinson, who plays the lead role, will answer questions following the screening.

The Salt Lake Film Center was found-

ed in 2002 to bring the best national and international cinema—independent, feature, and documentary—to Salt Lake City on a year-round basis.

In keeping with their mission to explore diversity, the Film Center created Damn These Heels last year after several individuals requested a film festival that would frankly explore topics of queer life. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and the Salt Lake Film Center hopes to hold the event annually.

“Salt Lake City has the second largest gay per capita community in the United States, and presenting films that reflect this diversity is a strong value of the SLC Film Center,” said Naomi Lee, Development Director. “We hope to build bridges and awareness between the heterosexual and LGBT communities through this event.”

For more information, please visit the Salt Lake Film Center’s web site, www.slcfilmcenter.org.

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DAMN THESE HEELS FILM SCHEDULE JUNE 8 4:00 PM—Big Eden is the story of Henry Hart, a New York artist, who returns to his hometown to care for the grandfather who raised him.

7:00 PM—Brother to Brother; a Black gay artist encounters the gay and lesbian subcultures in the Harlem Renaissance. Q&A with Roger Robinson JUNE 9 4:00 PM—It’s Elementary is about what really happens when teachers address lesbian and gay issues in age-appropriate ways.

7:00 PM—Calpernia Addams: Soldier’s Girl depicts the romance between an Army private and a transgender performer; followed

by Casting Pearls, produced by Calpernia Addams, which documents the casting of transgender individuals. Q&A with Calpernia Addams JUNE 10 1:00 PM—Aimée & Jaguar; Felice, a Jewish woman, and Lilly, a mother of four and wife of a German officer, embark on an ill-fated affair.

4:00-6:00 PM—Short Program with Panel “No Dumb Questions”—A funny, touching documentary about the reaction of three

sisters to their Uncle Bill becoming Aunt Barbara—who just happens to be the University of Utah’s own Dr. Barbara Nash.

“Paraiahs”—This short details the unique struggle of gay and lesbian Mormons facing ostracism from family members and church leaders.

“Gay Homeless Youth Project”—This film brings to light the issues that force LGBTQ youths out of their homes.

“We Will Be Married”—This is the story of visionary families who decided once and for all to take a stand for equality and justice for all.

Stephen Williams Film: a presentation by local filmmaker.

Guest Panel to follow JUNE 11 1:00 PM—Die Mommie Die; Angela Arden is a former cabaret singer whose career has long since hit the skids and crashed to an abrupt halt.

3:00 PM—But I’m a Cheerleader—Megan is a teenager in the suburbs when suddenly her behavior makes her suspect in the eyes of the community.

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 21

FRIDAY

75˚

Mostly Sunny 30% chance of rain

2005 UTAH PRIDE GRAND MARSHAL SCOTT MCCOY

NAT’L WEATHER SERVICE

Grand Marshal Reception

by David Samsel david@slmetro.com

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As volunteer coordinator for the awards process this year it was Craig Miller’s job to solicit nominations for the Grand Marshal of 2005’s Pride Celebration. The Grand Marshal needed to be someone who had done extraordinary things in benefit of the Queer Community.

The votes overwhelmingly pointed to one man, Scott McCoy. For many in the gay community their first exposure to Scott McCoy was as the articulate and composed advocate for equal rights during last year’s election. He has since become Senator Scott McCoy, and continues to fight for equality and when necessary, address the lack thereof.

The community also selected two Youth Grand Marshals: Taunica Crump and Kourtni Coats. Taunica and Kourtni made headlines this year when they were

selected as Murray High School’s “cutest couple.” This event brought the idea of equality and difference to the surface of thousands of young minds.

Like Senator McCoy, Taunica and Kourtni have been public faces for the queer community. Each of these three people has chosen to live their lives in defiance of fear. They have demonstrated a comfort and security with themselves that made them stand out in the minds of their peers, and more prominently in the news stories of our media.

They will be honored at the Grand Marshal Reception in the roof top gardens of the Salt Lake City Library on June 10 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. The organizers of the reception have extended an invitation to anyone interested in an evening with exceptional people, entertainment by Eric McKenna, awards, and a light buffet with bar provided by Taste of the Wasatch Catering. The cost is $25 per person; please RSVP to the GLBT Community Center of Utah by calling 801-539-8800 or email at Melissa@glbtccu.org.

In addition to honoring the Grand Marshals for 2005 the reception will also

be a time to honor several other deserving people. The Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award (Jane and Tami Marquart), The Pete Suazo Political Action Award (Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff), The Organization of the Year Award (Salt Lake Metro Newspaper), The Community Volunteers of the Year Award (Don Steward) and the all-new Youth Leadership Award (Lauren Bradley) will also be distributed.

This event will be an opportunity to show our respect and support for members of our community who have chosen to live their lives in support and respect of us.

The GLBT Community Center would like to thank Carol Gnade, Kent Forgley, and John Funk along with the numerous other people who have worked together to organize this event.

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SATURDAY

74˚ Partly Cloudy 40% chance of rain NAT’L WEATHER SERVICE

Pride InterFaith Celebration Being Gay Isn’t Just for Godless Heathens

by Brendan Shumway brendan@slmetro. com

For years now, queers and their supporters across America have communed once a year in celebrations widely referred to as “Pride.” A veritable gay holiday, there have always been present the elements of diversity, self-respect, and of battles fought, lost and won. But as we hold up our flags as the symbol of diversity, what has happened to the element of spirituality? The answer to that question is being answered, in part, by members of the Pride Interfaith Council, a collection of affirming local religious and spiritual organizations that have banded together and formed the Pride Interfaith Celebration, which takes place this year on June 11 at the First Baptist Church in Salt Lake.

What started out four years ago as an un-

official sidecar to other Pride festivities has ballooned into an event large enough in both participation and esteem that it has, for the first year ever, been made an official event of Utah Pride. The council has grown to include different groups that run the gamut of religion and spirituality, including organized Christian religions, Buddhism, Judaism and Paganism, to mention a few.

“We felt that Pride didn’t represent all aspects of life, that with gay pride we should celebrate all aspects, including spirituality,” says Interfaith Committee Chair Duane Jennings, who has a wide-ranging background of involvement with various local and national religious leaders.

While many mainstream churches and religions may be loathe embracing the acceptance of queer people, or content to remain neutral on the subject of homosexuality, it is the goal of the Interfaith Pride Council to focus on the fact that the basic concepts of religion are the same, centering on trying to be the best person you can be. The idea that all people come from different beliefs and religious backgrounds is central, and that by using those differences to bring the community together, coming

out of the closet doesn’t have to equate supporting themselves solo in terms of spirituality. All of the involved members are affirming and welcoming of queer people, whether they are ancillary queerbased religious support groups, traditionally tolerant spiritual organizations, or congregations progressive in 2005 Utah Pride Interfaith Committee their nature, allowing The theme of the celebration will be “Holy their members to seek dialogue concernPeople—Equal Rites,” a theme that paraling issues such as same gender unions or lels the idea of diversity and the theme of advancement within church clergy.

Utah Pride 2005, “Equal Rights. No More.

The participants of this year’s Pride No Less.” The service will last about an Interfaith Celebration will include Inhour and will include aspects and elements tegrity Utah, Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian respectful of the varying religions and spiriMormons, South Valley Unitarian Univertual groups coming together. Also performsalist Society, the Covenant of Unitarian ing in the service will be the Salt Lake Men’s Universalist Pagans, Congregation Kol Choir, the Dark Moon Drummers Guild, Ami, Sacred Light of Christ Metropolitan PFLAG-SLC, and others, including indiCommunity Church, Family Fellowship, viduals from The Center. After the service, Gamofites, Wasatch Presbyterian, LDS those attending are invited to a social hour Reconciliation, the Unitarian Universalist for refreshments and a chance to mingle Church of Ogden, Holladay United Church with participants and learn more about of Christ, the Restoration Church of Christ, affirming religious and spiritual organizaand the Wasatch Zen Center, including tions within the area. other unaffiliated faith groups within the With both an increasing attendance and valley. participation, as well as become an official Each year’s celebration is held at differvenue of Pride, Jennings concludes this ent locations of the various participants, year’s Interfaith Pride Celebration will be “a keeping in line the differences that bring celebration of song and word, a renewal of the collective faiths together. This year it the desire and commitment to create a betwill be held at the First Baptist Church, ter world where all people are recognized, located at 777 South 1300 East in Salt included, and celebrated.”

Lake City, with free admission at 6pm.

Beverages

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No More ‘Drink Prison’ at Pride Long-time attendees of Utah Pride will remember the infamous Beer Garden, a small, enclosed pen where all alcohol purchases and consumption had to take place. Many have complained about the crowded, small “drink prison.” The Pride committee has heard those complaints and by working with the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the beer garden fence is no more.

This year, Pride Festival attendees who want to enjoy a beer are allowed to roam freely throughout the festival grounds, any-

where within the perimeter of the fence.

Because of the increased security and accountability at this year’s Utah Pride Festival, the Pride Committee has been authorized by the state to take down the fence at the beer garden, essentially turning the entire Festival grounds into a beer garden.

In previous years there was a fence around much of the Pride Day Festival, but it wasn’t strictly enforced. This year, because of the $5 ticket sales, there is a controlled access point where visitors will receive wristbands on entry and the boundaries of the event are clearly marked.

This means a great deal to attendees who have, in the past, been restricted to a small fenced area when enjoying a beer.

There is so much to see and experience at the Utah Pride Festival that many people missed out. But now attendees will be able to visit booths, enjoy the great entertainment, and listen to speakers at the Political Stage.

This privilege may be revoked in future years if we don’t all pull together to act responsibly. Event sponsor Bud Light joins Utah Pride in asking you to drink responsibly, ensure there is no under-aged drinking, and if you drink be sure to have a designated driver or use some of the city’s great public transport—Trax is just a few steps from the festival.

Budweiser products will be on sale at the Pride Dance from 6pm to 10pm and at the Utah Pride Festival from 12pm to 6pm.

Soda and bottled water will also be on sale at both events.

LUCY JUAREZ

2004 Dyke March

Dyke March 2005, 12 years after the first march, even corporate lipstick lesbians will cop to being called a dyke, as long as it’s just among other dykes. It may seem hard to believe, but Dyke Marches have practically become mainstream. We even have one in Zion.

Salt Lake’s march—which kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 in City Creek Park—was started three years by two sWerve board members who had visited San Francisco and wanted to share the experience with their provincial, conservative, but reactionary, hometown.

Brandie Balken, sWerve’s Board Chair, said, “The Salt Lake Dyke March is for all women, and for all men who aren’t afraid to be called dykes. We can’t afford to be exclusionary.”

“It was important for us to march down from the Utah State Capitol, in front of the Salt Lake Temple,” Balken continued, “and end up at the City and County Building. Lesbians, dykes if you will, are not acknowledged, let alone tolerated. They are invisible. In Salt Lake City, it is critical for all those who sit in power to see us, really see us for who we are. We are your daughters, your sisters, your mothers and grandmothers, we are your family. Once a year we need to stand up and stand out.

If people never have to look at us then we remain invisible, and it is far too easy to marginalize an invisible opponent.”

Because of construction surrounding the capitol, the 2005 Salt Lake Dyke March will begin in City Creek Park and end in Library Square. sWerve’s goal is for 1,000 dyke-supporting people to let the Valley know that lesbians are vital, political, happy Utah citizens.

“Pride is such an exhilarating experience every year, and this year’s theme— Equal Rights. No More. No Less.—is particularly poignant,” said Balken. “This is our opportunity to show solidarity for all women-identified and women-loving people, our chance to empower ourselves and educate our community. Our one day a year to show each other and the community at large just how amazingly diverse, beautiful, powerful and proud dykes are.”

For more information contact swerveutah.com or utahpride.org.

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 25

By Fran Pruyn Google “Dyke March” and you get 108,000 hits. You’ll find links to Dyke Marches in Boston, Buffalo, Chapel Hill, Los Angeles, Mexico City and New Orleans. There are Dyke Marches in Oakland, Ottawa, Orange County, Seattle, Vancouver and San Diego.

The huge marches are in NYC, Toronto, Montreal, DC and, of course, San Francisco. Even Salt Lake City has a Dyke March.

Some background (or herstory, if you must): of course, leftist, lesbian feminists organized the first marches. It takes a radical in a pretty safe place to make something like this happen. Although gay people have taken to the streets since Stonewall, the first “official” Dyke March was the National March on Washington 1993, in Washington, D.C., when 20,000 women descended on the White House in the biggest lesbian demonstration in history. Then, they went home and organized Dyke Marches in NYC, Montreal and San Francisco.

These marches were fierce, urban, separatist sorts of things. There were no sponsors and no floats. There were also no permits and spats with the police were routine. These girls had lost their sense of humor, and their message was pretty simple: we focus on women, we are tired of male-domination, and we don’t approve of capitalist hand-outs. Calling yourself a dyke was wearing a badge of honor—one that said, “I am beholden to nobody. I am an in-your-face, out, proud, loud, lesbo.”

There is a group high that comes with this type of activity; these marches spawned other marches. And, as the marches migrated across the country, they softened a little, becoming more “newagey,” more inclusive, more female and less feminist.

The New Orleans Dyke March calls itself “a non-violent, anti-racist direct action demonstration and celebration of dyke visibility. It is a grassroots-organized, community building event, one night a year that we stand together as a united front of sisters to demand our rights and safety, and to rejoice in our commonalities as well as our differences.”

That politically correct description is typical of most heartland dyke marches. In

SUNDAY

Utah Pride 5K Run/Walk/Roll Parade Fun, Healthy Way to Start Pride

by John Wilkes john@slmetro.com

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If you don’t shake your groove thing too hard at the Pride Dance Saturday night and can possibly drag yourself out of bed early on a Sunday morning, lace up your running shoes and participate in the Utah Pride 5K Run/Walk/Roll on June 12.

Organizers need you to help meet this year’s goal of 100 participants. Don’t try that tired old excuse about no doggy-sitter either, because this year you can bring your pooch along.

It’s not too late to participate; you can register on race day. Save yourself some time by printing and filling out an official application from the Utah Pride website, utahpride. org. Sign-up runs from 7:00–8:00am on the corner of 500 North and W. Bonneville Blvd., northeast of the Utah State Capitol.

The registration fee of $25.00 gets you in the running and includes a t-shirt emblazoned with a Pride logo designed especially for this

80˚

Mostly Sunny 10% chance of rain NAT’L WEATHER SERVICE

event. The race kicks off at 8:30.

The 5K starts at the registration point and heads north along W. Bonneville Blvd. to the hairpin curve at the entrance to City Creek Canyon; participants will continue along what then becomes E. Bonneville Blvd. to 11th Avenue. At that point, everyone will reverse direction, return to City Creek, then head south along the road to Memory Grove for the finish. There will be two hydration stations along the route, an emergency medic on hand, and restroom facilities in Memory Grove. At a moderate pace, the route takes just about one hour to walk. This means everyone should manage to finish, return home, drop off their pets and freshen up, then get downtown in time for the Pride Parade and Pride Festival.

“We really hope people will come out and start Pride Day in a healthy way, at a beautiful venue, and have lots of fun,” said Valerie Larabee, executive director of The Center.

Ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third place “Butch” and “Femme” runners (you decide which category to enter), Top Dog and Top Roller. Youth awards include top three age 12 and under and top three ages 13-18. All proceeds benefit Utah Pride.

For more information, visit utahpride.org or call Race Director Jennifer Nuttall at 539-8800; extension 13.

Utah’s Second Largest Parade a Colorful Event

by Darren Tucker darren@slmetro.com

Polish your ruby slippers and get the dog groomed! Utah’s Pride Festival is on its way—and leading the pack to the festival grounds, as usual, will be the ever popular, ever colorful Pride Parade.

TONY FANTIS Utah Cyber Sluts in last year’s Utah Pride Parade The parade begins at 10:00 and formance will still satisfy your cravings will follow the same route as last year. This for bare chests and choreographed swim year, parade organizers are promising a routines on State Street—but Steward said bigger, longer and more exciting show there will be entries from more conservathan ever. There are already more entries tive groups as well. than last year, and organizers expect more For example, the parade’s color guard to come in. this year will be a troop of local scouts.

And, the show will appeal to a broader They’ll carry a United States flag, a Utah audience. flag and—believe it or not—a Pride flag.

“If you take a look at our parade, it’s The Spiral Scouts, an alternative to the exactually a very mainstream, balanced paclusionary Boy Scouts of America, practice rade,” said Don Steward, parade coordinanon-discrimination and are excited to act tor. “It’s not just a bunch of drag queens as color guard for the parade. and guys in Speedos running around and And Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corgetting in people’s faces. That’s pretty roon will climb down from the usual highmuch a thing of the past.” visibility limo or convertible and walk the Steward said the drag queens and guys parade route with his family. in Speedos will be there as usual—have “I think that is really, really cool,” Stewno fear, the crowd-pleasing QUAC perard said. “Instead of saying ‘look at me,

vote for me,’ it’s really appropriate of him to walk the route with his whole family.”

Steward said he’s begun a hard push to recruit more groups, which may not necessarily be a part of the gay community, but are our “allies.” For example, the Egyptian Theatre in Park City has an entry in this year’s event.

That’s just the sort of new entry Steward would like to see every year.

Some traditions never change, though, and Steward said he will make sure many of the familiar and popular sights and sounds will be right where they belong.

Columns of rainbow-colored balloons, bar entries with blaring sound systems and go-go dancers and, of course, the huge Pride Flag at the end of the parade will all be there as usual (bring your spare change to toss in).

Some of the less popular traditions will probably (unfortunately) be around as well, including protestors. In fact, Steward said organizers are expecting plenty of protestors because of the high profile gay issues have taken in recent elections.

He offers this advice to spectators and entrants alike: “Just ignore them and walk on by. They say such hateful things, and unfortunately they target families with children,” he said. “They want that confrontation. It’s what they crave. They’re such media sluts—don’t give them what they want.” He fondly remembers the year when a few “Dykes on Bikes” women stopped their motorcycles in front of

a group of protestors and revved their engines so no one could hear them, then quietly road away at the end of the parade.

Other advice for parade-goers includes where to watch. Steward says the top of State Street or 200 East is the best place to be—you can be in the sun and look down the street to see the entire parade as it approaches. Plus, he said, there is plenty of room because most spectators try to stay closer to Washington Square.

He also points out that tickets for the Pride Festival will be available along the parade route. He suggests buying your tickets there so you can use the express gates at the festival when the parade ends.

For parade entries, there will be a mandatory orientation at The Center on Thursday, June 9th at 6:00 pm. Entrants will get advice on how to avoid protestors and deal with other public safety events along the route. Also, entries with multiple vehicles will not be allowed to line up until everyone in the group is present.

Registration for the parade is now closed, but he said last minute entries will be taken at orientation on Thursday night.

This is Steward’s third year with the parade. He said all the work pay off when you meet someone who has traveled hundreds of miles just to spend a day really expressing who they are.

“We really take for granted living in a big city like Salt Lake,” he said. “It’s when you see someone who really benefits from the parade that makes it all worth it.”

Sumo Smackdown ‘City Weekly’ Staff Face Off for Funding

SIGNATURE MATCH—CITY WEEKLY VS. SLUG MAGAZINE: Members of the general public are encouraged to collect and turn in donations on behalf of their favorite publication: either City Weekly or SLUG Magazine. An employee from each publication will show their pride by Smacking-down against the other for the coveted title of Sumo Master. A collective prize pack with concert tickets, dinner certificates and more will

CITY WEEKLY WRITER VS. HIGHEST DONOR: Members of the general public are encouraged to collect and turn in donations for the opportunity to wrestle a City Weekly writer. Donation packets are due at the City Weekly booth at Washington Square on June 12, 15 minutes prior to desired match.

The individual who donates the highest amount will be suited up to sumo wrestle City Weekly’s Jamie Gadette, Bill Frost or Ben Fulton, according to the following schedule: 12 noon: City Weekly vs. SLUG Magazine 1 pm: Bill Frost vs. Highest Donor 2 pm: Jamie Gadette vs. Highest Donor 3 pm: Ben Fulton vs. Highest Donor Pick up your packets in advance and start collecting donations now. Packets are available at City Weekly, SLUG Magazine and The Center. You may also pick up packets at the City Weekly booth the day of the event to collect donations, however all packets must be received 15 minutes prior to the match.

On-Stage Entertainment Festival Entertainment Has Something for Everyone

by Jere Keys jere@slmetro.com

If you ask Pride organizers what is the most frustrating criticism they receive, chances are good that they’ll mention that year after year people are quick to complain about the entertainment lineup. That’s why Entertainment Coordinator Kathryn Warner has tried extra-hard this year to include a diverse line-up to appeal to everyone.

This year features a nearly even split of male and female entertainers, including female impersonators, and represents a variety of musical styles and tastes.

“The most important thing about a festival stage,” commented Pride Coordinator Sherry Booth, “is that it has to keep moving. People want upbeat, fun music to dance to.”

And that’s exactly what they’ll get on the festival stage, located in the southeast corner of Washington Square. The line-up includes popular local and regional talent such as The Spazmatics (80s retro band from California), Sister Wives, Salsa Brava (world music orchestra), The Butchies (dyke rock band from North Carolina) and Laura Love (African-American funk bassist), along with Juan Lopez and his Latin Drag Extravaganza. The festival stage will be

emceed by comedienne Sexy DJ Claudette.

For those who prefer a simpler sound in their music, the acoustic stage hosts a variety of singer/songwriter acts. Leraine Horstmanshoff, Kevid Allred, Sherri James, Brinton Jones (who used to open for Toad the Wet Sprocket) and Chris Bassett are also joined by Celtic rock band Salty Frogs.

Comedienne Karen Baylor emcees the acoustic stage. Best of all, the acoustic stage is located outside the gates to the festival, so those of you who don’t want to pay the $5 cover charge are still welcome to enjoy a full day of entertainment.

Entertainment at the Pride Festival isn’t limited to the music variety, though, as dozens of local leaders and interest groups take to the political stage. Coordinated by Michael Mitchell, Missy Larsen and the whole team at Equality Utah, look for a strong presence from our politically-minded brothers and sisters, with an especially large focus on youth issues this year.

If none of the live music or speeches appeal to your musical sensibilities, the newest feature of Utah Pride is the Dance Celebration tent. DJ Camille Bird will be spinning the dance tunes all day under the large canopy at the north end of the festival. Never has it been more exciting to shake your groove thang at Pride.

Festival entertainment kicks off shortly before noon and continues until the end of the festival at 6 p.m.

FESTIVAL STAGE

ACOUSTIC STAGE

Emcee: Sexy DJ Claudette 12:00 to 12:45 - SisterWives 12:50 to 1:45 - The Spazmatics 1:45 to 1:55 – Starquest Karaoke Contest Winner - Jamie Gartin 2:00 to 2:45 - The Butchies 2:45 to 3:00 - Juan Lopez and his Latin Drag Extravaganza 3:10 to 3:55 - Salsa Brava 4:10 to 5:00 - Laura Love

Emcee: Karen Baylor 12:00 to 12:45 - Leraine Horstmanshoff 12:55 1:45 - Kevin Allred 1:45 to 2:00 - Karen Baylor’s Comedy 2:00 to 2:45 - Salty Frogs 2:50 – 3:25 - Sherri James 3:30 to 4:15 - Brinton Jones 4:15 to 5:00 - Chris Basset

DANCE CELEBRATION DJ Camille Bird

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 27

The writers at City Weekly may claim the pen is mightier than the sword, but sometimes a wide girth and a topknot win the day. To wit, City Weekly will host a Sumo Smackdown on Sunday, June 12, at Washington Square in honor of Utah Pride. The competition is designed to raise funds for the Gay Lesbian Transgender Community Center of Utah.

The Sumo Smackdown entails one signature match between City Weekly and SLUG Magazine and three subsequent matches that allow members of the public to wrestle City Weekly writer Jamie Gadette, Associate Editor Bill Frost or Editor Ben Fulton.

All proceeds raised from the event will benefit The Center.

“Good things are happening at The Center, and we’re excited to share it, strengthen it, and bring us all closer to a community vision!” says Executive Director Valerie A. Larabee. “We encourage every person to become a ‘member,’ to become more energized, engaged, inspired and motivated to re-learn what ‘community’ is, and allow The Center to be your conduit into it!”

be awarded to the person who donates the highest amount on behalf of the publication that wins the match.

80s retro band The Spazmatics

MICHAEL MITCHELL. SEE THURSDAY, JUNE 9

THE GAY AGENDA

by Eric Tierney, eric@slmetro.com

9THURSDAY If queer Utahns have to lose one of their most eloquent, passionate, intelligent and downright handsome leaders, we can at least comfort ourselves with the thought that our brothers and sisters around the nation will benefit.

As Michael Mitchell prepares to leave Equality Utah to head up the ACLU’s Marriage Campaign, his supporters and fans will be sending him off in style at the Equality Utah Appreciation Party.

Attendance bonus: all proceeds from the evening will benefit the election campaign of our own Scott McCoy. 6pm, Cactus and Tropicals, 2735 S 2000 East. $10 suggested donation (no one will be turned away.) RSVP at 355-3479

10FRIDAY

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Some of Salt Lake’s most brilliant and talented queer youth will take the stage tonight to tell one another’s stories of coming out and coming to terms when Tooth and Nail Theatre presents Project Fabulocity—a brand new theatre piece created from weeks of workshops conducted with queer youth and their straight advocates. Come out and support these kids—after all, we’re supposed

FARMERS’ MARKET. SEE SATURDAY, JUNE 11

to be teaching them well and letting them lead the way, remember?

8pm tonight and tomorrow, 3pm Saturday, 6pm Sunday, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W Broadway. Tickets $10 at 355-2787 or arttix.org It’s Pride Time again kids, and this time we’ve got something extra special to celebrate—our very own gay senator!

Sen. Scott McCoy deserves our kudos—not just because he’s gay, but also because he’s a smart guy with good ideas who’ll be a grand senator. Come give Scott a pat on the back at the Utah Pride 2005 Grand Marshal Reception, where, in addition to hobnobbing with the power gays, your can enjoy entertainment by Eric McKenna.

6pm-8pm, Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 South. Tickets $25, RSVP at 539-8800.

11SATURDAY Everything from organically-grown tomatoes to flavored honeys to handmade sarongs are available again as the Downtown Farmers’ Market starts up again for another summer. Get there early (fresh-brewed coffee is available) before the good veggies are snatched up

by those that call the market their religion. Worth setting the alarm for.

8am–1pm, Pioneer Park, 300 W. 300 South. downtownslc.org

Here’s one for all you hapless pikers out there—John Edwards is coming! Yeah, the short guy with the bad facial hair who talks to dead people on TV! He’ll be conducting an “interactive seminar” concerning all that crossing over hooey. This would be an opportune place to see in-person the types of people who believe they’ve been abducted by aliens.

12pm, Capitol Theatre, 50 W 200 South.

Tickets $39-$59 at 355-2787 or arttix.org Life here in the reddest of states can get rough sometimes for a gay guy or lesbian lady. One weekend every year we get to take to the streets, raise our voices, and speak our minds. Here’s a listing of today’s Pride events: Dyke March If you are a dyke, or wish to see or be seen by dykes, this is the place to be.

Rally at 6pm, March at 6:45pm, corner of North Temple and State. Free.

Being gay is good! Can I get a “hallelujah?” Transgender folks are awesome!

Can I get an “Amen?” Let’s not forget those fabulous bisexuals! Hallelujah!

Oh, Lord, we even praise the Almighty for our wonderful straight allies! Amen!

Come join the celebration of “Holy People—Equal Rites” at the fourth annual Pride Interfaith Celebration.

6:00pm, First Baptist Church, 877 E 1300 S. Free. A social reception will follow.

Our people are burdened with innumerable cultural stereotypes. But hell, some of them are true—homos can dance! We will be out en masse tonight

at the Pride Dance showing our stuff.

The amount of energy expended during an average spin of “Hollaback Girl” at Gossip on a Friday night could power Parowan for a week, so you can just imagine what this is going to be like. Use plenty of product—you’ll sweat!

6pm-10pm, Library Square, 210 E 400 South. Free.

12SUNDAY One of the best things about Pride is the view of hard bodies in that summer sun.

Even better, why not be one of those hard bodies, working up a sweat at the Pride 5K Walk/Run/Roll.

Kicks off at 8:30am, Memory Grove Park. $25, register in advance by visiting www. utahpride.org or sign up at the event.

Dogs welcome.

There’s nothing like a parade to make a disparate group of citizens feel like a community. Celebrate the diversity and unity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Utah today at the Utah Pride Parade.

Kicks off 10am at 300 South and State.

After the parade, it’s time to head down to the Pride Festival. As the pride website says, the Pride Day Festival is the grand finale of Utah’s Pride Celebration, where people from all over Utah, the nation, and the world come together to celebrate diversity and support this year’s theme: Equal Rights. No More. No Less. There will be great music in two stages, not to mention speeches from political and civic leaders, vendors, and attractive people everywhere.

11am-6pm, Library Square, 210 E 400 South. $5 at the gate or at Cahoot’s, The King’s English, and The Center.

14TUESDAY What is the greatest Utah tradition of all? Pioneer Day? Hardly. Conference?

Get the hell out of here. The BYU/Utah game? That’s a sport, silly! No, the greatest event of the Utah year is, and has been now for 26 years, Saturday’s Voyeur. This year’s edition is set in Utah County and will satire everything from Michael Moore to Bikini Cuts to Ken Jennings. The cast features perennial favorites like Brenda Sue Cowley, Annette Wright, Alexis Baigue and Jayne Luke.

7:30pm Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm and 7pm Sundays through August 21, Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 West 500 North. Tickets $35-$45 at 355-2787 or arttix.org

15WEDNESDAY Sadly, there will be no Shatner or Murphy Brown, but nonetheless, tonight marks the second evening of the not-atall-misogynist Miss Utah “Scholarship Pageant.” I’ll give $10 to anyone who can chloroform a contestant and get her to read The Bell Jar. Free them! Free them!

7pm tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday, Abravanel Hall, 123 W South Temple.

Tickets $25-$45 at 355-2787 or arttix.org

16THURSDAY Odyssey Dance Theatre, just one of the stellar modern dance companies we’re lucky enough to have here in the City by the Pestilent Sea™, presents a new multimedia piece resulting from a collaboration by Kurt Bestor, Richard Paul Evans, and Derryl Yeager called The Dance. The show tells the touching story of a father as he watches his daughter dance and grow to maturity.

8pm through Saturday, 2pm Saturday afternoon, Capitol Theatre, 50 W 200 South, Tickets $15-$35 at 355-2787 or arttix.org

17FRIDAY

18SATURDAY The only thing better than an evening of improv is an evening of long-form improv. In addition to a glut of companies doing silly Whose Line Is It, Anyway? style theatre games, Utah is home to some producers of genuine improvisational theatre. See for yourself tonight as internationally touring duo JoKyR and Jesster present the latest of their monthly long-form shows. This show will feature a poetic exercise called “The Hook” that you just have to see to believe.

7:30pm, Sugarbeats, 2106 S 1100 East.

Tickets $5 at the door.

21TUESDAY Hot Hot Heat is a pretty hip band.

They’re playing Salt Lake tonight along with another, not-quite-as-hip band called Robbers on High Street. It’s Tuesday night and the show is less than $20.

What else are you going to do tonight?

7:30pm, In the Venue, 219 S 600 West.

Tickets $13 in advance, $15 day of show at467-TIXX or smithstix.com

22WEDNESDAY So, I don’t really have anything else to plug for tonight, so I guess I’ll mention that Dave Attell is here again. You know, the puffy, pasty drunken “comic” whose material consists solely of drinking jokes and references to fellatio, vomit, or any number of combinations of fellatio and vomit? If you have recently sustained some kind of head trauma or belong to a fraternity, enjoy!

7pm and 9pm, Wise Guys Comedy Club, 3500 S 2200 West. Tickets $25 at 467-TIXX or smithstix.com

David Turner as the butler, Scott Perry as the pharoah and Matthew Cockrum as Joseph in Salt Lake Men’s Choir’s allmale version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Salt Lake Men’s Choir Sells Out ‘Joseph,’ Adds Shows The Salt Lake Men’s Choir has announced two additional showings of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as all scheduled showings have sold out. The two new matinees will show at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26.

The production is the first venture into musical theater for the 23-year-old choir. It promises to be a twist on any version Utah audiences have ever seen—an all-male cast in the intimate setting of the Studio Theater in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, and a rendition that travels from camp to heartbreak.

Artistic Director Lane Cheney says most stagings of the show “run to caricature with no character… [we] will let the funny stuff be funny and the moving parts be mov-

ing.” This means that, while the show will have the audience “rolling in the aisles,” the humor will be reined in enough that Joseph’s reunion with his beloved father at the show’s climax will have real emotional meaning and won’t be relegated to afterthought status, as in most versions.

Director Jonathan Stowers lends a unique perspective to what has become Utah’s most ubiquitous summer theatre title, having directed the very first production in the Beehive State more than 20 years ago.

Tickets were only available for a few weeks, showing the new venture to be a popular idea.

Tickets are available at 355-ARTS and saltlakemenschoir.org

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 29

Not to be outdone, award-winning dance company SB Dance tonight opens the latest of their pieces produced in the ”theatre of movement” style. SPECIMEN: don’t tap

the glass places organic and very physical dance styles in the context of an idea defined with props and words. You kinda have to see it to get it. It was good enough for the National Endowment for the Arts, so chances are you’ll be impressed.

8pm tonight and tomorrow, 2pm Sunday, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W Broadway. Tickets $15 at 355-2787 or arttix.org

EarPiece Putting the ‘Ho’ in Hollywood

By Eric J. Tierney eric@slmetro.com

P R E P A R E T O G E T D O W N A N D “F U N K I F Y” !

o. o k c Cu nce. e n go is Da s ’ orld can do W The ll you A

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20 0 5

BY

ALLEN NEVINS & NANCY BORGENICHT

CABARET SEATING AVAILABLE CALL NOW FOR TICKETS Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm Sundays at 2pm and 7pm

JUNE 14-AUGUST 28 NO EXTENSION! For Tickets call 363-SLAC or 355-ARTS THE SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY 168 WEST 500 NORTH www.saltlakeactingcompany.org

Spring is now in full swing, gentle readers, which means two things: love and box office. The warm air tends to heat the blood, and people everywhere have the unmistakable flashing glint of lust in their eyes. In a related notion, I hope I do not sound more-than-usually cynical when I point out that nothing boosts box office like a high-profile hook-up, and the mythical creatures we call “Movie Stars” are not ones to let such opportunities slip by.

Have you noticed the rash of entertainment-industry marriages/relationships lately? Brad and Angelina, Katie and Tom, Renee and Kenny, Paris and Paris—the list goes on and on! Have you also noticed that at least one member—and in some cases both members—of these couples have a major movie coming out soon? Tom Cruise will spend the summer trying to save aliens from Dakota Fanning in War of the Worlds.

Renee Zellweger will spend the dog days standing by her pugilist in Cinderella Man. Not to mention Mr. and Mrs. Smith—incidentally, I’m sure it will be a pleasure for any nice, pretty Rachel Green-type girl who’s been dumped for a sloe-eyed, huskyvoiced vamp to see Angelina Jolie getting shot at for two solid hours.

Why the sudden glut of glitterati in welltimed, highly-publicized relationships?

The best publicity is word-of-mouth you know, and word-of-mouth is best generated amongst the highly-discerning and discriminatory American film-going audience by one simple thing: stunts!

Then there’s Paris Hilton. The air-ess has already released her “film” (did you see House of Wax? That’s okay—neither did anyone else in the free world. Rumor has it that some of our boys down at Guantanamo might have gotten all A Clockwork Orange with it though, if you know what I mean) and this release means she has nothing to promote. But her modus operandi seems to be something along the lines of “Oh, people are doing stuff? I’ll do stuff to! But while I do it, I’ll arch my back and sneer,” which could explain why the Harry Winston man has been hanging ‘round her door lately. Did I mention that her fiancée’s name is Paris as well? Paris Hilton and Paris Lastis. Paris and Paris Hilton Lastis. Look for their behind-the-scenes reality show sometime next year; my guess is they’ll call it P-Squared or something like that. Mr. Lastis, by the way, is the son of a Greek shipping magnate. So I’m sure Paris (the girl one) will be fine, because usually when American girls from prominent families marry Greek shipping tycoons everything works out rosy.

Pardon my digression here, but Entertainment Weekly reports that Hilton said her arrival at the Cannes Festival caused the biggest stir “since Sophia Loren.” The tone of the article leads me to believe that Hilton said this with a straight face. Apart from the fact that, if she chose, Sophia Loren could effortlessly break Paris Hilton in half, there

is the fact that if Sophia Loren had indeed shown up again this year, no one—up to and including Hilton herself, I hope—has any illusions about whom the paparazzi would cover: the emaciated raccoon peddling the cheap perfume or the woman who defined style for much of the last half of the twentieth century. If she caused a stir, I’m saying, it was by virtue of the “we’ll work with what we’ve got” mentality.

Now, Brad and Angelina. There is no doubt in my mind that Angelina Jolie is, in reality, a very nice person. U.N. Goodwill Ambassador, adopted mother to an orphan, generous giver of time and resources to good causes. But it’s a lot more fun to pretend she’s the wicked haughty bitch the tabloids say she is, so we’re going with that.

Poor Rachel. Things had been going so well for her and Brad—they were married for six years, which is the Hollywood equivalent of a Victoria-and-Albert-style affair. What kind of man leaves Rachel for Angelina? Rachel is expressive! She’s funny! She’s humorously awkward! She’s no-nonsense! She’s both charmingly self-deprecating and willfully coy about her miraculous beauty! And AnParis Hilton

gelina? She carried her last husband’s blood around in a vile. How does something like this happen? Well, kids: girls, I’m told, have wiles. This is why I have nothing to do with them. Well, that and the boobs.

A short note on Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise: she accompanied him on a recent appearance on the Oprah show. (That’s The Oprah Winfrey Show, by the way. In case that was unclear.) Tom gave Katie Holmes kudos and extolled her many virtues, not least of which, I’m sure, is the fact that she’s twenty-six years old. But he also wished to stress how much they value their privacy. It went something like this: “We really value our privacy, Oprah, which is why we’re coming onto your internationally-broadcast talk show that consistently breaks ratings records to discuss our relationship.

Oh, and while I’m here, I might as well mention that I’m starring this summer in an enormous Speilberg blockbuster called War of the Worlds.” I wonder if Katie climbs up a ladder to get into his bedroom at night when she’s all angsty.

A friend pointed out the other day that if West Hollywood and North Hollywood get called WeHo and NoHo, respectively, wouldn’t Hollywood be just Ho? I think that sums it up pretty nicely.

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 31

Local Women Team Up to Offer Inclusive Children’s Book

Comics A COUPLE OF GUYS by Dave Brousseau

by Eric J. Tierney eric@slmetro.com

“When something powerful and beautiful is a struggle to create, the outcome is often more truly valued.” This statement is in the author’s note of Melissa Larsen and Christina Schmidt’s elegant and poignant new children’s book, Because We Choose to Love You, and perfectly captures the little book’s themes.

Larsen, the author, is a certified social worker practicing in Salt Lake while Schmidt, the illustrator, wears many different hats: behavioral therapist, artist and interior designer. The two women have been working over the past two years to create a book for young children which addresses the uniqueness of family situations, driven by their mutual mission “to inspire all families to provide acceptance and love.”

That mission is reflected clearly in the book’s simple text.

Larsen employs classic children’s book techniques such as rhyme and repetition to reinforce her theme of acceptance, balancing a poetic sensibility with simple language for children in lines such as this: “we chose to keep you safe from harm/we chose to keep you healthy and warm/we chose to give you unconditional love/because you were sent from the heavens above.”

Perhaps the book’s strongest attraction is the stunning illustrations by Schmidt. Each page features a picture of a simple subject—a house, a stream, a mother and child—rendered in a highly dramatic style. Schmidt’s use of color is as bold and striking as a child’s would be, as she contrasts deeply saturated blues, reds, and greens with one another or works in brassy yellows and vibrant reds. The illustrations are acrylic paintings but Schmidt’s technique makes them look like surreal, strangely sophisticated crayon drawings—finger painting as Van Gogh the toddler might have done. These beautiful images are the perfect complement to Larsen’s elegant text, reinforcing the books themes of safety, comfort, and warmth while stimulating the imaginations of both parent and child.

The book will have particular resonance for the children of gay and lesbian parents. These kids and their families are often misunderstood, maligned and sometimes even threatened. They can often feel different from other children not just because they have same-gender parents, but because they are not the product of traditional conceptions or are adopted. How comforting for such a child to be able to curl up with their mothers or fathers and be told that their parents chose to love them.

Larsen and Schmidt, who have published the book themselves under the auspices of the Grapevine Press, have taken their commitment to social service beyond the office and into the home, and in doing so, they have created an eloquent, thoughtful and touching little book that any family could enjoy.

BITTER GIRL by Joan Hilty

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UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 33

Avenues Bakery & Bistro

by Vanessa Chang vanessa@slmetro.com

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481 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City (801) 746-5626 Monday-Sunday 7am-10pm The vibe at Avenues Bakery & Bistro is unique in Salt Lake. Situated on the fringes of downtown and its namesake neighborhood, it’s a great respite for residents of the area. Its appeal is urbane, with distressed floors and exposed ceilings and brick. But even with all its sophisticated trappings, it manages to be quite comfortable. The lofty space with abundant windows gives it an elemental charm that’s inviting to moms with strollers and the suited working-class.

In its original incarnation, it was simply the Avenues Bakery. In the daylight hours, this was where loaves and flaky mille feuille creations amassed a loyal following. To top off the offerings in the bread rack and abundant pastry case, folks could stop in for lunch and savor some truly delectable sandwiches.

And that’s still the scenario at the somewhat newly-minted Avenues Bakery and Bistro.

It’s a carb-loaded haven friendly to patisserie aficionados and sophisticated vegetarians.

Lunch is a stellar way to experience the place. A creative range of sandwiches appeals to any sort of appetite, never mind political or allergic characteristics of the diner. Vegetarians can rejoice in everything from the Pesto Primo Melt (a delicious construction of Portobello mushroom, roasted red peppers, with provolone and fontina cheeses) to the Pear, Walnut Gorgonzola (featuring a great flavor range of salted rich walnuts, crunchy sweet pears, and the smooth earthy notes of Italian blue cheese) to something called Paul’s Favorite Sandwich (again, with roasted red peppers, this time paired with watercress, tapenade, caramelized onions, and cheese).

These options are just as appetizing for omnivores, who can stretch their selection with a Turkey, Brie, and Apple sandwich, and a hearty interpretation of Roast Beef.

Most of the sandwiches are available in half orders, with the exception of the Pesto Primo Melt and the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich. And trust me, the latter you’ll want

whole anyway. It’ll have you bowing to the all-powerful cheese gods—creators of brie, asiago, and provolone. Melted and tucked between golden-toasted rosemary bread, it could be nominated for those precious few “food-gasm” moments in your lunch hour.

The relatively new Sunday brunch is a great addition to the menu. The entrées bear names of Salt Lake neighborhoods, some more obscure than others (after ten years in Salt Lake City, I did not know there was a place called Lindsay Gardens), but all equally delicious. Eggs Benedict, though easily mangled on many a menu, was a triumph with rich and balanced hollandaise and perfectly-poached eggs. The house potatoes are fantastic, too. And in the salmon hash, you do get a hearty presence of the coveted fish.

Avenues seems to be on a roll. But, dinner is another matter. I’ve heard from friends and frequent diners that they love the place as a dinner spot. So, I was disheartened at a lackluster evening featuring an ahi that more resembled pork in consistency and color. And my companion wasn’t thrilled with his duck, either. He loved the crisp skin, but the 40 or so bites it took to swallow the morsel was more than annoying. Oddly, the accoutrements, like the stir-fried veggies or mashed potatoes, were quite good. But it couldn’t hold up what was supposed to be the star of the entrée.

Those who are familiar with the Best Cellars wine store chain will get a kick out of the wine list. Listed by characteristics and personality, it’s easy to navigate your way around to pair with a meal. Unfortunately, a wine that promised to “wink” didn’t. In fact, it barely made a sound or gesture; apparently, we managed to order the Helen Keller of wines. Suspecting that it was corked, we asked and got another glass from another bottle. Service can be a bit of a crapshoot, but no matter their stress levels or how far they’re stretched, the servers do manage to always be friendly. And it’s rather nice to see the face behind the kitchen force. Four out of my five most recent visits, the chef has met his patrons face to face to ask about their meal.

I suspect it’s only a matter of time before the dinner menu becomes fine-tuned for consistency. Until then, thanks to a great lunch menu, pastries, and loaves, you don’t have to dine on bread alone.

Di ing Guide Dining de Bangkok Thai

Nick-N-Willy’s Pizza

1400 Foothill Dr. / 582-8424 HOURS: MO-TH 11:30-2, 5-9:30PM F 11:30AM-2PM, 5-10PM SA NOON-10PM, SU 5-9PM CUISINE: THAI PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

4538 S, HIGHLAND DR./ 273-8282

Rated “Best Thai” 1992–2005 by local and national press.

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

nicknwillyspizza.com SU-TH 11AM-10PM F-SA 11AM-12PM CUISINE: PIZZA PRICE: $ CARDS: AE D MC V HOURS:

Dine in or take-out. Call ahead and we’ll have it ready.

Albertsons Shopping Ctr.

Orbit Cafe

Persian, Greek, Italian, Turkish 540 W. 200 S. / 322-3808 orbitslc.com and Vegetarian in a warm, HOURS: SU-TH 11AM-10PM relaxing atmosphere.

Coffee Garden 898 S 900 E / 355-3425 HOURS: SU-TH 6AM-11PM F-SA 6AM-12AM CUISINE: COFFEEHOUSE PRICE: ¢ CARDS: AE D MC V

SLC’s buzzing java shop with a diverse crowd.

Fiddler’s Elbow 1063 E. 2100 S. / 463-9393

fiddlerselbowslc.com

M-TH 11AM-11PM F-SA 11AM-12AM SU 9AM-10PM CUISINE: AMERICAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V HOURS:

F-SA 11AM-3AM AMERICAN ECLECTIC PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

CUISINE:

Open late nights on Fridays and Saturdays with DJs and a special menu.

Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta 1063 E. 2100 S. / 484-1804

saltlakepizzaandpasta.com M-SA 11AM-11PM SU 11AM-10PM ITALIAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

HOURS:

CUISINE:

32 beers, including Utah’s Voted as Utah’s Best Pizza best selection of microbrews. two years in a row! Great Gringo’s West Valley beer selection. Sugarhouse.

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.

Michelangelo Ristorante 2156 S, HIGHLAND DR./ 466-0961

michelangeloristorante.com

TU-SA 11:30AM-1:30PM 5:45-9PM CUISINE: ITALIAN PRICE: $$ CARDS: AE D MC V HOURS:

Begun by childr\hood friends Paulo Celeste and Marco Gabrielli of Tuscany.

Xiao Li 307 W. 200 SOUTH / 328-8688 HOURS: LUNCH: 1130AM-2:30PM DINNER: 4:30-10PM F-SA 4:30-11PM CUISINE: CHINESE PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

The restaurant that serves the most authentic Szechwan and Mandarin cuisine.

Restaurant Owners: Get in the Dining Guide Today! 323-9500

UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 35

Red,White Bubbly Wine A to Z

by Beau Jarvis beau@slmetro.com

Have you ever flipped open an encyclopedia or dictionary to a random page? It can be quite an entertaining and educational exercise to discover the origins and alternate definitions of words like “fulcrum.” Today, for some strange reason, I jotted down the letters A through Z in my notebook. I then undertook a wine A to Z exercise—writing wine-related terms for each letter of the alphabet (Can you believe how exciting my life must be?!). Below are the A to Z highlights of my brief dalliance into wine encyclopedia authoring. Get familiar with a few of the terms and at the next party you attend, drop them into conversation during one of those awkward pauses.

Learning is fun.

ALDEHYDES A class of aromatic chemical compounds that, coupled with esters, make wine smell like, well, wine. Take the aldehyde Vanillin. It’s what makes a vanilla bean smell like vanilla. Vanillin is also present in the lining of French oak. Thus, when wine is aged in oak barrels, it often offers up scents of vanilla.

A

BACCHUS The Greek god of wine. It was always said amongst residents of Mt. Olympus, “If the Bacchus hizz-ouse is a-rockin, grab a 750, and be sure to come a-knockin!”

B

CASSIS French for blackcurrant. Often used to describe the scent of Cabernet Sauvignon. Try Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, ’03 ($14) for a simple introduction to Cassis-scented Cabernet.

C

DEALCOHOLIZED WINE You can get this at the local supermarket. It’s made by removing alcohol from normally fermented wine. It’s the de-caf of the wine world. I have no idea what it tastes like. I haven’t yet been able to bring myself to sample “de-caf wine.”

Would you?

D

ÉLEVAGE A French word that has no exact English translation. It can be approximately translated as rearing/breeding/raising. This word is simply fun to say. Say it slowly after taking a sip of wine, “A fine el-evaazh this wine is.” You’ll sound something like a French Yoda.

E

FENDANT The major Swiss white wine grape, also called Chasselas. It’s light, fruity, and slightly herby. Try Gilliard Fendant Valais ($16). You may develop the urge to climb on top of your roof and blow an alphorn until you’re blue in the face.

F

GRENACHE The world’s most planted wine grape. Grenache is huge in Spain and in southern France. It’s getting bigger in Australia and California. Try Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha, ’03 ($8) from Spain. It’s easy-drinking, fruity, and tastes fine slightly chilled.

G

HEURIGEN The Austrian term for Viennese wineries with attached taverns.

Vienna is one of the only cities with vine-

H

yards right inside its limits. If you ever find yourself in Austria, head to Vienna, find a few Heurigen, and enjoy a fabulous wine sipping experience.

ICEWINE One of the world’s most unique wines. Individual grapes are picked, usually during the middle of the night, just as they freeze. The frozen grapes are then quickly pressed. Because much of the grapes’ liquid is still frozen, the resulting wine is highly concentrated and very sweet. Canada is becoming a big producer of icewine. Sip Paradise Ranch Riesling Icewine ($50). It’s pricey stuff but makes for an intense experience.

I

JUMILLA A wine-producing region in central Spain. Jumilla produces a number of simple, easy-to-like red wines that are also wallet friendly. For eight bucks, I’ll take a bottle of Carchelo Tinto, ’03 any day of the week.

J

KABINETT If you’re not a fan of the Blue Nun style of German Riesling, grab a bottle with this word on the label. Kabinett wines are usually dry or slightly off-dry.

Wines in this category aren’t allowed to be sweetened with unfermented grape juice as are many entry level German Rieslings. Get your Kabinett groove on with Gunderloch Jean Baptiste Riesling Kabinett, ’03 ($19).

K

LAKE EFFECT Large bodies of water have a moderating influence on climate. This allows grapes to be grown in otherwise overly chilly locations. Take, for example, upstate New York’s Finger Lakes. Nearly all the vineyards in this region are ringed around the lakes. Thanks to the lake effect, we can all enjoy Salmon Run Chardonnay, ’03 ($12) from Konstantin Frank. I’m dreaming of the day when we can offer visitors a glass of Great Salt Lake Seagull Chardonnay.

L

MERLOT I’m not going to write about any #$%^#ing Merlot! See Sideways and you’ll understand.

M

NON-VINTAGE This term is usually associated with sparkling wine. Most sparkling wines are a blend of wine from various vintages, hence the letters “NV” on your bottle of bubbly. Back when I first began drinking wine, a friend asked me what the ‘NV’ meant on our bottle of California sparkling wine. Wanting to impress, I took a thoughtful, serious look at the bottle and said, “I believe it means Napa Valley.” She rolled her eyes and forced me to admit I actually had no idea what “NV” meant.

Now I do, and you do as well.

N

OXIDATION Your bottle of Bordeaux may have one ugly looking cork, covered in green mold. Don’t fear; the wine is still likely to be fine. However, if you open a bottle and the cork is so brittle you make cork confetti trying to open the bottle, beware. A dry/ brittle/cracked cork may allow air into the bottle. This will cause wine to be oxidized.

And oxidized wine has more in common with vinegar than wine fit for drinking.

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SALT LAKE METRO ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ UTAH PRIDE 2005

O

PETITE SIRAH This grape is neither petite nor Syrah. Many think it’s actually the blasé French grape called Durif. Actually, most Petite Sirah from California is likely a mix of one or more of the following grapes: Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, Peloursin, or Zinfandel. Whatever it is, David Bruce makes a Jim-Dandy P.Sir. Enjoy an inky, deep, plumy glass of David Bruce Petite Sirah, ’03 ($20).

P

QUPÉ Qupé is a truly unique California winery located in Santa Barbara County.

It specializes in interesting, unique white and red blends. Qupé’s Bien Nacido Cuvée, ’02 ($28) is a blend of Viognier and Chardon-

Q

nay. If you’re in a California Chardonnay rut, sip this concoction and bring excitement to your taste buds.

RETSINA Are you a brave soul? Then close your eyes and take a sip of this Greek wine. It’s been around for over 2700 years.

Retsina is a white wine that has been infused with pine resin. It packs quite a unique flavor-punch. Some might say it’s an acquired taste like, say, pine needles. See if you are able to train your tongue to like Boutari Retsina ($8).

R

SECONDARY FERMENTATION Thank Bacchus for this process. Champagne makers stumbled upon this process after putting recently-fermented wine into glass bottles.

They discovered that after some time, their wine contained “stars.” The conditions were right for the remaining grape sugar to be fermented by yeast. In a sealed bottle, the yeast-belched carbon dioxide bubbles were trapped. And thus we have bubbly. Hooray.

S

TCA OR TRICHLORANISOLE If this chemical compound is present in your wine bottle’s cork, kiss it goodbye. Unless of course you enjoy wine that smells of flooded basement, wet cardboard, or stagnant puddle. In which case, Salud!

T

UGNI BLANC This is the grape used to produce Cognac. Since Ugni Blanc-based white wine is doubly distilled in the Cognacmaking process, you can imagine that these grapes generally don’t produce wines that are exactly tasty.

U

VINTNER The term vintner can be used to refer to either wine merchants or wine makers. Of course, wine makers are sometimes called oenologists. Keep in mind, however, that “vintner” is different from the term “viticulturist.” Viticulturist refers to a wine grower. I constantly confuse these terms. This is why I am simply a vinbibere (wine drinker)

V

WOOD Wood and wine have been together for ages. Nowadays the most well known form of wine-wood relations is oak barrels. French oak barrels impart scents and flavors of vanilla, clove and caramel.

Some Spanish and Australian wines are fermented in American oak barrels. American oak is often considered to impart more spicy scents than French oak.

W

XAREL-LO This is the native Spanish grape that makes Cava (Spanish bubbly) smell slightly like asphalt, or rubber cement.

Of course this is actually a good scent—I promise. Take a whiff and sip of Aria Brut ($12) and see if you don’t agree.

X

YEAST Without yeast, we would all be drinking spoiled grape juice. Yeast is the microorganism that converts grape sugar into alcohol. And where would we be without alcohol in wine (see D above)?

Y

ZWEIGELT Ah ha! I avoided using Zinfandel for my “Z” entry. Like Zinfandel, Zweigelt is a red grape. It is grown in Germany and Austria. Think of it as a light, refreshing cherry-laden little number.

Summertime is the time to try Umathum Zweigelt, ’03 ($20).

Now, the next time you hear a knock at your door, it just might be me peddling wine encyclopedias. Be kind, and if you don’t want Volume 2, tell me you’ve already got Volume 1. Cheers.

Z

Beau Jarvis is a sommelier and wine educator.

He operates basicjuice.com, a wine review and info website. He also runs basicjuice.blogs.com

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UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 37

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SALT LAKE METRO ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ UTAH PRIDE 2005

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UTAH PRIDE 2005 ■ JUNE 9, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 39