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The top national and world news since last issue you should know
BY CRAIG OGAN
LA fire leadership
When in doubt, blaming the lesbian is apparently Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ way of deflecting responsibility for the fires that devastated LA in January. Los Angeles Fire Dept. Chief Kristin Crowley, an out lesbian, was canned. The mayor claimed she was “acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety.” She says the chief didn’t warn her of the possibility of devastating fires that have historically hit LA during the Winter Santa Ana wind storms. She says if she had known about the possibility of these storms, which hit with some regularly in Southern California, she wouldn’t have gone to Africa the day before the fire started. The National Weather Service and other media outlets had been reporting on the possibility of dangerous fires almost a week prior to the mayor going to Ghana. She also said the chief had sent home 1000 firefighters the morning the fires started.
Mayor Pete out in Michigan
Using the time-honored trope of “wanting to spend more time with his family,” former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has taken himself out of the running for the Michigan Senate seat vacated by Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement. Saying he is “p*ssed off” about the current president’s “slash-and-burn” policies, he says he wants to take this “opportunity to mobilize Americans” against current policies. He does leave the door open to a run for president in 2028. He did leave the family home as he went on a media tour recently. In one recent week, he appeared on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert, hosted a Bluesky ask-me-anything, and had an Instagram chat with veterans’ advocate Paul Rieckhoff. This leaves the
Michigan senate race for the Democratic nomination to the State Attorney General Dana Nessel, a practicing lesbian, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist. Right now, Sappho leads Hetero in the polls.
Newsom TERFs legislation
California Governor Gavin Newsom has made two moves that signal a run for the U. S. Presidency. First, he has started a blog to allow him to opine for three hours at a time and move away from some progressive stands. In an attempt to appeal to the “Bro vote,” his first guests were conservative figures Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, just released from prison. He told Kirk that he agreed with Kirk’s statements about transgender people in sports. He thinks their declared gender instead of the birth certificate gender was an issue of fairness and “men should not compete with women in women’s sports.” Second, he has told aides not to support the introduction of pro-LGBTQ+ legislation. He specifically referred to transgender health care and sports participation issues. Members of the California Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus ignored the directive and proposed a flurry of bills addressing LGBTQ issues anyway. Newsom’s bona fides as an LGBTQ ally are pretty solid. Over 20 years ago, as San Francisco mayor, he gave marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and he was one of the most prominent Democrats to take early pro-LGBT positions.
HIV Prevention, one shot, annually
British researchers are in field trials to prove the efficacy of an annual shot to protect against HIV infection. The first “safety trial” was a success. Lenacapavir tests now move to phase two. The trial consisted of 40 people without HIV receiving a shot. No major side effects or safety concerns were recorded, and after 56 weeks, the medicine was still detectable in their bodies. The HIV charity
Terrence Higgins Trust said, “PrEP as a daily pill has been a game-changer in our HIV response. The prospect of ‘safe’ annual injectable PrEP is as exciting as it is transformational. It’s great to see these early results that suggest injectable PrEP might be effective for up to 12 months.” Around 40 million people are living with HIV, 65 percent of them in Africa, according to the World Health Organization.
Kennedy Center crowd jeers VP
The current U.S. vice president was booed rather heartily upon arriving at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C. to hear a National Symphony Orchestra concert. He is a “culture warrior,” and was not warmly received by an audience composed of those he generally makes war on. This caused the new president of the Kennedy Center and the current president’s go-to gay guy, Ric Grenell, to throw a hissy fit at KCPA staff. In a memo to staff, he wrote of receiving messages from staffers who were embarrassed by the booing. ”As the premier arts organization, we must work to make the Kennedy Center a place where everyone is welcomed.” Though being welcoming is not a hallmark of the current administration’s many policies, he continued his policy contradiction by championing diversity and inclusion, “As president, I take diversity and inclusion very seriously.” Words for which he can be fired or at least “DOGEed” out of the job.
North Dakota marriage equality battle
North Dakota is the ninth state where legislators have considered a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the Obergefell decision granting marriage equality. It is also the ninth state legislature where such a measure failed. The state senate voted down the resolution, previously passed by the N. D. House, in a 16-31 vote after only ten minutes of debate. As in the state of Utah, North Dakota voters did approve a constitutional amendment many years ago defining marriage as a “union of a man and a woman.” That language, as in Utah, remains in the state constitution. Supposedly, marriage equality is protected nationally by the Federal Respect for Marriage Act, passed in 2022.
RIP: Alan Simpson
In a better time for the republic, Sen. Alan Simpson was way ahead of his Republican party when it came to LGBT rights and marriage equality. He died of age-related causes in February 2025. He represented Wyoming for 32 years in the House and Senate and was in leadership in the Senate Republican Caucus for 10 years in the 1980s and 90s. He was the Senate sponsor of immigration reform and supported environmental causes. In 2001, he became the honorary chairman of the Republican Unity Coalition, a gay-straight alliance within the Republican Party, which stopped operating in 2008. He recruited high-profile Republicans, like former President Gerald Ford, to serve on the RUC advisory board. In a “60 Minutes” interview on CBS network. he criticized Republicans, which he called “the get the government out of your life Party,” as hypocritical on the notion of interfering in the private lives of individuals by opposing marriage equality and antidiscrimination favoring gays and lesbians. He received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom at age 95 in 2022
RIP: Felice Picano
Men of a certain age will remember Felice Picano’s groundbreaking book, “The Joy of Gay Sex.” He recently died at age 81. Picano’s 30 works included novels such as “The Lure,” “Onyx,” “Like People in History,” and “The Book of Lies,” plus memoirs, poetry, nonfiction, and plays. He was co-founder of the “Violet Quill,” a collective of gay writers. He established “SeaHorse Press” and “The Gay Presses of New York,” which were publishing LGBT authors.
Trump Administration poised to cut Federal HIV prevention funding
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to eliminate all federal funding for domestic HIV prevention programs, potentially shutting down the CDC’s HIV prevention division. The Wall Street Journal cited sources within HHS who say it’s part of a broader restructuring of public health programs. HHS Deputy Press Secretary Emily Hilliard stated that no final decision had been made. Experts warn this could reverse decades of progress in fighting HIV.
RIP: Britain’s oldest drag performer
David Raven, who performed in drag as “Maisie Trollette,” has died in Brighton, England, at age 91. He was the United Kingdom’s oldest drag performer. “Trollette” was a fixture on seaside Brighton’s drag scene for over five decades. As “Trolette,” Raven performed at the first “Brighton Pride” in 1973. Brighton is a long-time tourist and entertainment mecca on the Southern Coast of England. Raven was born in the 1930s near what became his place of work, Brighton. His career as a drag performer began as a duo in “The Trollettes with Jimmy Court,” who performed in London. The name was derived when a wag noted the two looked like a pair of “Trolls.” The duo was famed for putting on shows where “anything goes.” London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the site of many “Maisie Trollette” performances, described the character as a “doyenne of drag” who had a “life well lived” and wished Raven to “Rest easy, dear.” Q
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Idaho teacher told to remove inclusive signs, sparking backlash and student protests
An Idaho middle school teacher has become the center of a growing controversy after being instructed to remove two inclusive signs from her classroom. The district’s interpretation of its content neutrality policy has ignited debate over the balance between inclusivity and political neutrality in public schools.
Sarah Inama, a sixth-grade world civilization teacher at Lewis and Clark Middle School in the Boise suburb of Meridien, was told by administrators that her signs — one reading “everyone in this room is welcome, important, accepted, respected, encouraged, valued, and equal,” and another stating “everyone is welcome here”—violated district policy. Officials claimed that in today’s political climate, these messages constitute personal opinions rather than neutral statements.
Initially, Inama complied with the directive, but she later replaced one of the signs, saying she felt unsettled by its removal. She argued that the message reflects the fundamental values of education, not political ideology. “I feel like this is the basis of public education,” Inama said. “I would do anything to protect my students. I love all of them unconditionally.”
The district, citing its policy on classroom displays, insisted that all signage must be content-neutral. Chief Academic Officer Marcus Myers referenced Idaho’s Dignity and Nondiscrimination in Public Education Act, which prohibits instruction that promotes one group as inherently superior or inferior. The district’s pol-
icy allows displays such as the American flag, motivational posters, and academic materials, but administrators deemed Inama’s signs outside those parameters.
The controversy has sparked an outpouring of support for Inama from students, parents, and community members. Since the story was first reported, it has gained national attention, with activists and organizations weighing in on the implications of erasing messages of inclusivity. The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights issued a statement calling the removal of the signs “deeply concerning” and emphasizing that fostering a welcoming environment should not be a political issue.
Students at Renaissance High School, also part of the West Ada district, staged a walkout in protest, holding signs with messages such as “Kindness is not political” and “Equality is not controversial.” Seventeen-year-old Finn Angelopoulos, one of the student organizers, said, “If district policies are being used to discourage teachers from making their students feel safe and welcome at school, serious change must be made.”
The district has declined to comment on the specifics of Inama’s case but reiterated its commitment to maintaining a “neutral” educational environment. However, critics argue that the removal of inclusive messages disproportionately impacts marginalized students, including LGBTQ+ youth and students of color, who often rely on affirming spaces within schools.
Meanwhile, Idaho’s legislature has passed House Bill 41, which, if signed into law, would ban political and ideological flags in public school classrooms. The bill allows for displays of the U.S. and Idaho flags, as well as certain approved educational and cultural symbols, but its broad language has raised concerns about potential censorship.
For now, Inama’s signs remain in her classroom, but she has until the end of the school year to remove them. She says she remains hopeful that the district will recognize the importance of inclusion and embrace, rather than erase, messages of belonging. “Every single person’s voice makes a big difference,” she said. “I’m just really proud of everybody who has spoken out.”
The response she has received has been overwhelmingly positive, she said in an email.
“I have had hundreds of emails, and every single one of them has been positive and a message of support. Some from as far away as Sweden,” she wrote. “It has all been a little overwhelming, but in a good way. My students have been talking about it a lot as well, and it’s been kind of heartbreaking to see them for the first time have to wonder why that sign would be questioned, but they are very resilient and have been just continuously telling me that they support me and support our classroom poster. They truly are my inspiration, and every day when I see them, I don’t have one ounce of regret.”
“Some [students] wore homemade shirts that say what is written on my posters, and they made friendship bracelets that say everyone is welcome. Some of them want to start a website and make their own posters to give away. They understand why there is nothing wrong with welcoming all unconditionally,” she wrote. Q
Sarah Inama
San Francisco Pride faces $300K loss as corporate sponsors withdraw
San Francisco Pride, one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, is grappling with a significant funding shortfall after multiple longtime corporate sponsors withdrew their financial support. The event, scheduled for June 28-29, is now searching for alternative funding sources to cover the unexpected deficit.
Bay Area news station KTVU reported that five major sponsors — Comcast, Anheuser-Busch, Diageo, and La Crema (owned by Jackson Family Wines) — have withdrawn from supporting this year’s festivities. The financial impact of these withdrawals amounts to $300,000, a significant portion of the $1.2 million required to host the annual event.
Suzanne Ford, executive director of San Francisco Pride, expressed deep concern over the loss of these sponsors and suggested that the broader political climate may have influenced their decisions. “The tone has changed in this country,” Ford told KTVU. She pointed to pressure from the federal government and policies under the Trump administration that target Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives as a possible factor in corporate hesitancy to support LGBTQ+ events. “Businesses already hedge their bets, and I think those for whom this isn’t a core value may be reconsidering their investments.”
While San Francisco Pride will still take place as planned, Ford acknowledged that the loss of sponsorship funds could impact programming, though details remain unclear.
CORPORATE RESPONSES AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Jackson Family Wines, the parent company of La Crema, has denied any political motivation behind its decision. Spokesperson Janel Lubanski stated that logistical challenges, rather than ideology, were behind their withdrawal. “We told SF Pride that we wouldn’t be able to activate like we did in past years with our larger pop-up tasting room due to logistical reasons, but it was still our hope to partner and be part of the event in some capacity,” Lubanski explained in an email statement. She emphasized that La Crema remains committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community but, like many in the wine industry, faces economic constraints that have forced tough decisions about sponsorship and outreach.
CORPORATE RETREAT FROM DEI INITIATIVES
San Francisco Pride’s financial struggles highlight a growing trend of corporate retreat from DEI initiatives, particularly under increased scrutiny from right-wing groups and politicians. Since Donald Trump returned to office, several major corporations, including Target and Paramount, have rolled back DEI programs.
As SF Pride works to compensate for the lost funding, the event’s organizers and supporters remain determined to celebrate and uplift the LGBTQ+ community despite growing financial and political challenges. Comcast, Anheuser-Busch, and Diageo have yet to respond to media inquiries. Q
Pride flags fly in spite of Legislature’s ban
In bold acts of defiance against the Utah Legislature’s recently passed bill banning Pride flags from government-owned property, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the Utah Pride Center have taken a stand, affirming their unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community. As hundreds of protesters gathered at the Utah State Capitol on Friday, they unfurled a massive 200-foot rainbow banner on the building’s steps, sending a powerful message of resistance against H.B. 77.
The bill, which passed with a 49-20 vote in the House and a 21-8 vote in the Senate, restricts public schools and government buildings to flying only sanctioned flags, including national, state, school, Olympic, and certain military-related flags. Gov. Spencer Cox has indicated he will not veto the bill, ensuring its likely enforcement. Violations could result in fines of $500 per day if non-sanctioned flags remain displayed beyond the designated removal period. In response, Mayor Mendenhall ordered the Salt Lake City/County Building to be illuminated in rainbow colors and the Pride flag to fly from its flag poles. Her office released a statement reaffirming the city’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ residents: “Supporting our LGBTQ+ community is always a priority for us. We’re planning to keep our Pride flag and lights up through May until we are no longer permitted to do so.”
The protest at the Capitol was swiftly organized by the Utah Pride Center, which provided the 200-foot flag unfurled by demonstrators. The Center, a key advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the state, sees the bill as part of a broader, national movement aimed at suppressing queer visibility. Many activists and legal experts argue that the legislation not only stifles free expression but also removes critical symbols of support for LGBTQ+ students and community members.
The Utah ACLU has already expressed concerns about the bill’s constitutionality, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for further restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights.
“This bill is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to erase the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in Utah,” said Sam Ames, an LGBTQ+ rights advocate. “We’ve seen these kinds of measures across the country, and they always have one goal: to push queer and trans people back into the shadows.”
Supporters of the bill claim it is an effort to ensure schools focus on education rather than political or ideological displays. Corinne Johnson, founder and president of Utah Parents United, a conservative “parents’ rights” group that opposes LGBTQ+-inclusive policies in schools, stated, “We are setting our Utah schools back on a course to focus back on what matters most to parents and students, which is student success.”
However, LGBTQ+ advocates argue that removing Pride flags from schools sends a harmful message to queer youth, many of whom already face heightened levels of bullying and mental health challenges. Teachers and students alike have voiced their opposition to the measure, with some educators vowing to defy the law.
One teacher, J. Ryan Waddoups, made his stance clear in a public letter to state Republicans. “You will have to fire me before I take down my Pride flag,” he wrote. “It serves as a symbol to our LGBTQ youth that they are loved, supported, and accepted unconditionally.”
Utah students also joined the protest, expressing their fear and frustration over the bill’s implications.
London Skies, a trans woman and protester at the capitol told local media, “I actually feel really safe when I go into a neighborhood and I see a trans flag because I know that I have an ally, somebody that is supportive. Especially as a trans woman, there’s so much violence against us. When you see that, it makes you feel like if something did happen, I know that there’s someone on my side who would stand up for me.”
This isn’t the first attempt by Utah lawmakers to restrict the display of Pride flags. A similar bill failed in the state legislature last year, but this time, Republican lawmakers expanded the ban to include all government properties rather than just schools. Nationally, restrictions on Pride flags have become a growing trend among conservative lawmakers, with similar bans enacted by the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Veterans Affairs under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“We will not be erased,” said Sue Robbins, a board member of Equality Utah. “The rainbow flag isn’t just fabric; it represents hope, love, and the promise that every person deserves dignity and respect. We will keep fighting to ensure that message remains visible for all.”
As the deadline for flag removals looms, Utah’s LGBTQ+ community remains steadfast in their resistance. The question now is whether legal challenges or further public pressure might overturn the controversial legislation. Until then, the rainbow lights of Salt Lake City’s City/County Building will continue to shine, a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity.
At press time, Cox had yet to sign the bill on his desk. If he does not sign or veto the bill by Monday, March 24, the bill will automatically become law. Q
Utah Legislative Session 2025 wrap-up
BILLS THAT PASSED
HB 77 — Flag Display Amendments
Chief sponsor — Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton
The Utah House has passed H.B. 77, a bill restricting flag displays in public schools and government buildings. The measure, approved in a 49-20-6 vote, allows only select flags — including U.S., state, military, and Olympic flags — while banning others, such as LGBTQ+ Pride flags.
Bill sponsor Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Davis) argues it ensures political neutrality. However, critics, including the ACLU of Utah and House Democrats, say it unfairly targets LGBTQ+ visibility. The bill passed the Senate and was sent to the governor’s office, where, at press time, it still sits.
A story questioning whether the state will lose the Sundance Film Festival over the passage of the bill went international.
EQUALITY
UTAH
“This legislation first appeared last year during the final hours of the 2024 session as an amendment to an education bill that would have banned pride flags in classrooms. While that attempt failed due to vague language, it returned this session in the form of HB 77.
We engaged directly with Rep. Lee, this bill’s sponsor, to understand his concerns about political neutrality in classrooms, which was his stated goal.
Through these conversations, we successfully secured new language that explicitly reaffirmed that schools have an obligation to protect all students from discrimination in the classroom, including LGBTQ students. Language was also added to safeguard the First Amendment rights of teachers and students to wear rainbow pins, stickers, and patches — small but meaningful symbols of support and belonging for LGBTQ youth. Finally, Lee agreed to strike a provision that would have opened the door for parents to sue teachers over classroom displays. Later in the session, however, the bill was amended to prohibit city and county buildings from displaying pride flags. Bringing cities and counties into the scope of the legislation sets
a dangerous precedent that the state can silence the speech rights of local governments. As passed, we believe HB 77 is constitutionally suspect, and have urged Governor Cox to veto the bill. If signed by the governor, we will support efforts to challenge this bill in court.”
ACLU, UTAH
The ACLU of Utah sent Utah Gov. Spencer Cox a letter urging him to veto HB77: “Dear Governor Cox:
The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah (ACLU of Utah) urges you to veto HB77, Flag Display Amendments, another bill that would wield the government’s power to restrict and undermine free expression and dignity in our schools and public spaces. HB77 would ban the display of Pride flags in public schools and on government property, restricting free expression and sending a clear message that some students and community members are not welcome or protected. The government should not be in the business of banning symbols that help people feel seen and welcomed. Beyond stoking fear among LGBTQ+ Utahns, this bill sets a dangerous precedent that threatens free speech for everyone.
From the start, we have said HB77 is not about protecting personal freedoms — it’s about control. The bill sponsor’s comments at the Capitol and public events make the intent clear: this isn’t about flags but about othering and erasing LGBTQ+ people from public life. This bill also takes decision-making away from local communities — the people who know their schools, towns, and neighbors best—and hands it to politicians at the Capitol. Teachers, school boards, and local governments should be free to decide what conduct reflects their values, not be forced to follow a top-down mandate that tells them what they can and can’t display.
It’s clear the bills being sent to your desk are part of a larger agenda. Since 2022, you have enabled the Legislature to curtail the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and attempt to push these Utahns out of public life. Today, it’s Pride flags. Tomorrow, it very well could be broader restrictions on speech, education,
or expression for even more Utahns. For these reasons, we urge you to veto HB77.
UTAH DEMOCRATS:
“The Utah House Democrats condemn the passage of H.B. 77 Flag Display Amendments. This harmful bill, which received bipartisan opposition, seeks to censor Pride and Transgender flag displays in public schools and government buildings. H.B. 77 is yet another example of unnecessary legislation aimed at silencing expressions of support and pride for our LGBTQ+ communities. Despite persistent rhetoric from legislators about the sanctity of small government, this bill unwisely restricts teachers’ ability to make their classrooms safe and welcoming for their students. Legislating classroom decor makes a mockery of the concept of local control. We refuse to let this distract us from the truth: Utah is home to diverse, loving, and supportive communities. We remain committed to fighting against efforts that marginalize underrepresented groups and will continue standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Utahns across the state.”
HB 283 — Children in state custody
Chief sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Utah County
The Legislature passed H.B. 283, a bill prioritizing parental rights over a child’s gender identity and safety in state custody. The legislation bars courts from denying parental reunification solely due to a parent’s rejection of their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity, even if that rejection led to the child entering state care.
The bill also requires authorities to disclose a child’s LGBTQ+ identity to parents and mandates parental consent before using a child’s preferred pronouns. Critics warn it could force vulnerable youth back into unsafe homes and limit access to affirming support.
EQUALITY UTAH
“For LGBTQ youth in foster care, supportive home environments create stronger relationships and better outcomes. HB 283 addressed various aspects of foster care placement but notably one
of the provisions in this bill prevents children from being placed with families who are not supportive of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The bill also thoughtfully balances this protection by ensuring that a parent’s support or lack of support for their child’s LGBTQ identity cannot be the sole determining factor in custody or reunification decisions, unless there is potential for harm to the child. We collaborated closely with Rep. Gricius to ensure these essential protections remained intact throughout the legislative process.”
HB 269 — University sexdesignated housing
Chief sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Utah County
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed H.B. 269 into law, restricting transgender students from living in university housing that does not match their sex assigned at birth. The law, framed as a measure to preserve privacy in sex-segregated housing, follows controversy over a transgender woman serving as a resident assistant at Utah State University. Despite the university clarifying that the housing in question was co-ed, lawmakers pushed forward with restrictions. The law makes exceptions for intersex individuals, those who have legally amended their birth certificates, or individuals who have undergone gender-affirming surgery. Critics argue it discriminates against transgender students, limiting their ability
to find safe and affirming housing.
EQUALITY UTAH
“HB 269 expanded upon last session’s bathroom bill (HB 257) to include college housing, restricting access for transgender students in on-campus housing at Utah’s public college campuses. The genesis for this bill was a situation at Utah State University involving a transgender resident advisor. Universities already have the ability to resolve roommate disputes, and in fact, do so frequently. State action in the form of HB 269 is reactionary, heavy-handed and unnecessary. Importantly, the bill provides that transgender Utahns can still access co-ed and multi-gender housing options where available. We would encourage universities to increase these options to ensure that housing opportunities exist for all students.”
HB 424 — School Activity Eligibility Commission Amendments
Chief sponsor: Rep. Nelson Abbott, R-Orem H.B. 424, a bill aimed at making technical adjustments to Utah’s School Activity Eligibility Commission, was passed by the Legislature and the governor signed it into law. The commission, created to determine eligibility for transgender students in school sports and activities, would see changes in meeting schedules, vacancy filling, and other procedural matters.
EQUALITY UTAH
“We kept a watchful eye on HB 424, a bill making various technical changes to
Utah’s School Activity Eligibility Commission, the body created to determine whether transgender youth can participate in school sports and activities. By working closely with the sponsor, we ensured only procedural changes were included in the final bill. These include provisions regarding meeting scheduling, filling vacancies on the commission, and other non-material aspects.”
This bill prohibits the Department of Corrections from allowing inmates to initiate gender transition treatment, including hormone therapy, surgical procedures, or puberty blockers while incarcerated.
EQUALITY UTAH
“Although we opposed these restrictions on healthcare access, we are grateful that the final bill does not disrupt care for transgender individuals already receiving treatment when they enter the correctional system. Interrupting medical treatment and care can be both dangerous and legally problematic.
The legislation also concerns housing placement for minors in the youth criminal justice system, limiting rooming assignments based on gender assigned at birth. Current practice in the youth criminal justice system, however, is to provide individual rooms to youth offenders, which mitigates the potential negative impacts of this provision.”
BILLS THAT FAILED
HB 401: Adultoriented Performance Amendments
This bill was the third attempt in as many years by the same legislator to pass legislation targeting drag performances. HB 401 was modeled off of language borrowed from a Tennessee law, and included vague language that was sure to implicate the First Amendment rights of Utahns. Working behind the scenes, we focused our efforts on keeping this bill off of a legislative agenda entirely, and the bill never received a hearing.”
HB 413: Child Custody Proceedings Amendments
This bill would have prevented law enforcement and child welfare professionals from protecting youth when parents refuse to acknowledge their gender identity. The bill also falsely implied that children are being removed from their homes because of a parent’s non-support of a child’s gender identity; despite a lack of any evidence to support this contention.
EQUALITY UTAH:
We raised concerns about the bill and were able to block it from advancing during a senate committee hearing. We’re grateful to those senators who recognized the bill’s potential dangers.
HB 250 — Pronouns in schools
Chief Sponsor Rep. Nicholeen Peck, R-Tooele
The Utah House passed H.B. 250, a bill preventing schools from disciplining teachers who refuse to use a student’s preferred pronouns or name due to moral or religious beliefs. The legislation follows
a recent Ohio court ruling in favor of a teacher punished for similar reasons.
Supporters argue the bill protects teachers’ rights, while critics say it could harm transgender students and weaken inclusive school policies. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration in the final two weeks of the legislative session.
EQUALITY UTAH:
“This bill would have prevented schools from disciplining teachers who refuse to use a student’s chosen name or pronouns. It would have also allowed government employees to ignore their colleagues’ name and pronoun requests based on personal, religious or moral beliefs. We worked with lawmakers to incorporate anti-discrimination language from the Utah Compromise into the bill, and continued to argue that even with these amendments, the entire bill was unnecessary and harmful. By highlighting how Utah’s existing code already balances religious beliefs and LGBTQ protections, we convinced key senators to vote against the bill, successfully stopping it in committee.”
SB 320: Physician Practice Amendments
This bill would have allowed doctors to refuse care to patients based solely on personal, religious, or moral beliefs. This would have created dangerous healthcare barriers for many Utahns, with LGBTQ people likely facing disproportionate denial of services.
EQUALITY UTAH:
Working with medical community stakeholders, we brought our concerns to the sponsor who pulled the bill from the agenda before it was ever heard.
HB 521: Transgender Medical Procedures Amendments
This bill sought to ban all public funding for gender-affirming healthcare, which would have cut off essential medical treatment for many transgender Utahns, including adults. Under the provisions of HB 521, Utahns on Medicaid, government employees receiving health benefits, people in prisons and jails, and even patients at university health clinics could have lost access to care.
EQUALITY UTAH:
We worked with lawmakers and other stakeholders to ensure that this bill was
never given a hearing, and therefore did not advance.
HB 487: Women Veterans Day Observance
This bill proposed the observance of a Women’s Veterans Day in Utah, to recognize women who serve or have served in the military, but would have specifically excluded transgender servicewomen. This bill is mean-spirited, discriminatory and wholly unnecessary. Through careful conversations with legislative stakeholders, we successfully kept this bill from advancing beyond the Rules Committee. Q
Will Pride flag ban cost Utah the Sundance Film Festival?
By the end of March or early April, the fate of the Sundance Film Festival’s next home should be public knowledge, with Salt Lake City/Park City, Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati competing to host the prestigious event for the next decade. A controversial bill heading to Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s desk — a measure that would ban the Pride flag in schools and state government buildings — could become a major obstacle to Utah’s chances of retaining the festival beyond 2026.
“What are they thinking?” asked a Sundance insider, referring to Utah lawmakers’ push to ban the LGBTQ+ flag, which initially allowed the Nazi flag in history classes before a loophole was closed. The question came after a virtual meeting between Utah leaders and members of Sundance’s selection committee. “Utah is Utah, but this goes to the heart of the community Sundance has worked years and years to develop.”
House Bill 77, sponsored by ultra-conservative State Rep. Trevor Lee and Sen. Daniel McCay, would allow only select flags to be displayed on government property, including the U.S. flag, the Utah state flag, Olympic flags, military flags, and university banners. The bill has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that it directly targets marginalized communities. The ACLU and Equality Utah have condemned it as a “blatantly unconstitutional bill.”
ACLU Utah sent Cox a letter, urging him to veto HB77, calling it “another bill that would wield the government’s power to restrict and undermine free expression and dignity in our schools and public spaces.”
“The government should not be in the business of banning symbols that help people feel seen and welcomed,” the statement read. “Beyond stoking fear among LGBTQ+ Utahns, this bill sets a dangerous precedent that threatens free speech for everyone.”
Governor Cox, who has championed Utah’s bid to keep Sundance, recently secured $3 million in state funding for the festival. However, the passage of HB77 threatens to undercut those efforts. The bill’s restrictions on Pride flags stand in stark contrast to Sundance’s stated commitment to being a “vibrant, inviting, and inclusive festival.”
Can Utah overcome the backlash?
With blue-state Boulder gaining momentum as the strongest competitor, Utah’s bid has been shaken. Several sources have indicated that the bill has “caused concern” and “slowed” Utah’s momentum in the selection process. Some argue that the legislation is a political maneuver aimed at punishing Salt Lake City, the state’s progressive hub.
“This legislation, seemingly fueled by an ongoing dispute with Salt Lake City, strips away local control and targets the
free expression of Utah’s communities,” EU leaders wrote in a statement. “In this political tug-of-war, LGBTQ Utahns have unfairly become collateral damage.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, a longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, responded forcefully to the bill’s passage. “Salt Lake City will never stop supporting our neighbors, including the LGBTQIA community,” she told Deadline, which first reported the story. “The power of amplifying voices and creating change through art is needed now more than ever.” A Pride flag currently flies at Salt Lake City’s main civic building, a quiet but firm act of resistance as the legislative battle unfolds.
Despite widespread criticism, Rep. Lee remains adamant that HB77 is simply about keeping government spaces “politically neutral.” When asked if the bill could hurt Utah’s chances of keeping Sundance, he dismissed the concern outright: “Not at all.”
Sponsor Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, doubled down on the bill, even in the face of losing the Festival.
“Bye Felicia,” McCay posted on X in response to the Deadline article. “Sundance promotes porn. Sundance promotes alternative lifestyles. Sundance promotes anti-lds themes. Sundance does not fit in Utah anymore.”
Lee reposted McCay’s post with a photo of Salt Lake City flying an LGBTQ+ flag, saying, “The days of pushing political agendas on the taxpayers dime is over in Utah.”
What’s at stake for Utah?
Sundance is more than a cultural institution — it’s an economic powerhouse. According to the latest Y2 Analytics report, the 2024 festival generated $132 million in economic impact for Utah, supporting over 1,700 jobs and contributing nearly $14 million in state and local taxes. Losing Sundance would be a significant financial blow, not to mention a symbolic rejection of Utah’s ability to foster an inclusive artistic community.
Sundance Festival Director Eugene Hernandez has remained tight-lipped about the impact of Utah’s political climate on the final decision. “We’re still working through that process,” he said in a recent interview. “We hope to have a decision in place by end of March or early April.” Q
Utah Transgender Day of Visibility to be marked with rally, march, community celebration
Each March 31 is the globally observed International Transgender Day of Visibility, dedicated to honoring the resilience, contributions, and visibility of transgender individuals. Across Utah and beyond, community leaders, advocates, and allies are coming together to celebrate trans lives and raise awareness about the challenges trans people face.
“TDOV is a global event to celebrate nonbinary people — our lives, our stories, and our resilience,” said Dallas Rivas, Glitter Foundation cofounder and trans activist. “It’s about being seen, valued, and heard, especially in a time when our voices are being silenced.”
“But visibility alone is not enough.” Rivas continued. “We need action. Across the country, trans rights are under attack. There are currently 372 active anti-trans bills across 43 states, with 6 in Utah. Too many of these are passing into law. We are facing harmful legislation, misinformation, and real threats to our safety.”
While the official date falls on a Monday this year, events recognizing the occasion are happening throughout the weekend and into the following days. The goal is to highlight the voices and ex-
periences of transgender people, counteract discrimination, and foster an environment of inclusivity and understanding.
Rally and March, March 29
The Glitter Foundation partnered with the Utah Pride Center to hold a rally and march on March 29. The event starts at 3 p.m. with a rally at the Utah State Capitol. At 4 p.m. a march heads down State Street to Washington Square for an open mike sharing circle.
“This year, Transgender Day of Visibility follows a particularly harmful legislative session in Utah, with several bills targeting our trans community—including the recent passage of HB 77, which bans pride flags on government property. We are thrilled to unfurl what we believe to be the largest trans flag in the country, celebrating our community and creating a space of empowerment, visibility, and support. We are deeply grateful for our continued partnership with The Glitter Foundation and the opportunity to uplift and honor our community on this momentous occasion.”, said Chad Call, Executive Director of the Utah Pride Center.
The groups recently announced that
a 200-foot transgender flag, the largest in the state, will be part of the march.
“Whether you are trans, nonbinary, an ally, a friend, or just someone who believes in human rights, your voice matters. We need you there to be seen, to be heard, and to fight for a future where we can still live openly and safely,” Rivas said. “When we show up, and when we stand together, we send a clear message — we are here, we belong, and we will not be erased.”
“Let’s make this the biggest TDoV rally in history.”
Community Celebration, March 31
A Utah Transgender Day of Visibility Community Celebration will take place on Monday evening, March 31, at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center (1335 W. 3100 S., West Valley). The evening will feature entertainment, community connection, and a “celebration of trans joy.” The Mildred Berryman Institute will also exhibit Utah’s early transgender history, dating back to the 1940s.
How Did TDOV Begin?
The observance was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker, the executive director and co-founder of Transgender Michigan. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors lives lost to anti-trans violence, TDOV is about celebrating life and visibility.
“I think that once a person understands us, it’s hard to discriminate against us,” Crandall-Crocker said in an interview. “I created it because I wanted a time when
Glitter Foundation co-founder Dallas Rivas
we don’t have to be so lonely. I wanted a day when we were all together all over the world as one community. And that’s exactly what we are.”
Crandall-Crocker selected the day at the end of March to give it space from the day of remembrance and Pride Month in June, which celebrates all types of LGBTQ+ people.
Why is it Important?
Transgender people have become more visible in public life in the U.S. and elsewhere. However, there has also been a backlash from conservative officials. At least 11 states have adopted policies barring people from using the bathrooms aligning with their gender in schools or other public buildings, 25 have bans on transgender women and/or girls compet-
ing in sports for women or girls, and more than 20 have adopted bans on gender-affirming health care for minors. Some of the policies have been put on hold by courts.
Nico Lang, author of American Teenager: How Trans Kids are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era, which is scheduled to be published later this year, said it’s important to find happiness even amid the political tumult.
“I feel like we as people — all of us queer people, trans people — are trying to assert our humanity right now,” said Lang, who uses they/them pronouns.
They said the day of visibility is powerful because it’s not just on social media but also in real life with rallies and potluck meals.
“It’s just us living our lives,” they said. Q
Q mmunity
WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE HELPFUL SIDE-BAR
• Talking about wanting to die
• Looking for a way to kill oneself
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide
Utah Gay Rodeo Association to host ‘Sashes, Crowns & Medallions’ fundraiser
The Utah Gay Rodeo Association invites the community to an evening of Western glamour and entertainment at “Sashes, Crowns & Medallions” on Sunday, April 6, at Keys on Main (242 S. Main Street). Hosted by Ms. UGRA Odie and Ms. UGRA 1st Runner-Up Janelle, the event promises a dazzling show in support of the upcoming Crossroads of The West Rodeo in June.
Doors open at 5 PM, with the show kicking off at 6 PM. A $7 suggested donation will help support the rodeo, ensuring another year of excitement and inclusivity in the local rodeo scene.
UTAHGAYRODEO.COM
Matrons of Mayhem Drag Bingo to Benefit Preservation Utah
and food trucks. Tickets are available now at UNITEDPAGANMARKET.COM Parking is $10, with carpooling and public transit encouraged.
Talia Keys & The Love to debut ‘From The Ashes’ at The State Room
Get ready for a night of soulful storytelling and electrifying performances as Talia Keys & The Love celebrate the release of their latest album, “From The Ashes,” at The State Room on April 19, 2025. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m. This 21+ event will showcase the new album in full, featuring haunting arrangements, heartfelt lyrics, and a fresh sound for the band. Fans will also enjoy a set of favorites from past albums, ensuring a night filled with community, dancing, and big emotions. Attendees will have the first chance to grab the new vinyl before it hits streaming platforms, thanks to the “Buy Before You Stream” initiative by Midtopia, a collective working to change how fans engage with new music. THESTATEROOMPRESENTS.COM
Transgender Celebration 2025 art exhibit reception at SL Main Library
WHAT TO DO
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:
• Do not leave the person alone
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
• Call the U.S National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8 or 800-273-8255
• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
9-8-8
A free, 24/7 service that can provide suicidal persons or those around them with support, information and local resources.
Get ready for a night of glitz, games, and good causes as the Matrons of Mayhem present Drag Queen Bingo to benefit Preservation Utah on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Memorial House in Memory Grove, 375 N Canyon Rd. Doors open at 6 p.m., with bingo kicking off at 7 p.m. Cards are $5 each for seven games, with extra fun add-ons like Party Foul Insurance and the Flamingo Hat of Shame available for purchase. Admission is free, with general seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved seating tickets are available for $20 and must be claimed by 6:30 p.m. All proceeds support Preservation Utah’s mission to protect and restore historic landmarks across the state. Grab your bingo cards, bring your best game face, and help keep Utah’s history alive one fabulous number at a time.
PRESERVATIONUTAH.ORG/CALENDAR
Beltane Festival 2025 to Bring Magic and Celebration to Utah State Fairpark
Celebrate the return of summer at Beltane Festival 2025 on April 27 at the Utah State Fairpark! From 10 AM to 7 PM, this family-friendly event promises a full day of festivities, music, and community spirit. Attendees can enjoy a Maypole dance, drum circles, sound baths, workshops, and the 3rd annual Jack-The-Green Parade. Other highlights include the “Jump the Fire” custom, live entertainment, a woodland-themed costume contest, and over 30 local vendors
Join the opening reception for “Transgender Celebration 2025,” a powerful group art exhibit honoring transgender artists and experiences. The event takes place on Sunday, March 30, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Lower Urban Room of the Salt Lake City Main Library. Featuring works from various artists, the exhibit runs from March 14 to April 20, showcasing diverse perspectives and creative expressions within the transgender community. This all-ages event is an opportunity to engage with the art, celebrate trans voices, and support inclusive spaces in Salt Lake City. Don’t miss this inspiring gathering free and open to the public. EVENTS.SLCPL.ORG
UGRA Hosts Urban Darts Night at Club Tryangles
Get ready to aim, throw, and cheer at Urban Darts with the Utah Gay Rodeo Association on Wednesday, April 16 at Club Tryangles (251 Harvey Milk Blvd). Hosted by the charismatic Mx. IGRA 1st Runner-Up Pup Mystic and the dazzling Miss UGRA 2025, Jazz-Men Gayle, the evening kicks off with doors at 7 p.m. and games starting at 7:30 p.m. sharp. With just a $5 buy-in, all proceeds go to support the Crossroads of the West Rodeo and the International Gay Rodeo Association. Whether you’re a dart pro or just in it for the fun, bring your friends and best spirit for a night of competition, community, and pride. Q
Davis County Pride 2025: Shimmer, Shine & Show Your Pride
Get ready to shimmer, shine, and celebrate as Davis County Pride returns on May 3. This year’s festival will once again take over Layton Commons Park from noon to 6 p.m., bringing a vibrant and inclusive celebration to Northern Utah. Best of all? It’s completely free and open to the public.
This year’s Pride promises to be bigger and bolder than ever, featuring over 60 local artists and crafters, 40 non-profits and resource providers, and a dazzling lineup of drag performances, storytellers, poetry readers, and street buskers. Attendees can take part in an interactive art display, witness a surprise flash mob, and join a lively walking parade to show their Pride in motion.
Of course, no festival is complete without food, and Davis County Pride
will deliver with an array of food trucks and vendors ready to satisfy every craving. Whether you’re looking to shop, connect with community resources, or just soak in the electric energy, there’s something for everyone.
Davis County Pride continues to grow as a space for LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and families to come together in love and solidarity. Mark your calendars and get ready to Shimmer, Shine & Show Your Pride at this unforgettable celebration.
Organizers are taking applications for vendors, food trucks, volunteers, sponsors, and entertainers.
There will be space for 100 10x10 booths, which are $80 if registered before March 31. Nonprofit organization booths are $20, and GSA booths are free. Q
More at DAVISCOUNTYPRIDE.ORG
views quotes
“I have a trans brother. It’s not for you to believe in or not believe in but it’s for you to respect. Because that’s what evolved human beings do — respect one another and not always point each other out when people just be trying to get thru the damn day.”
—Azealia Banks
“I don’t give a f**k that they put an ‘M’ on my passport. It doesn’t change really anything about me or my transness, however, it does make life a little harder. I’m pretty sure it’s gonna come along with having to out myself to border patrol agents […] much more often than I would like to or is really necessary. And thinking about other trans women or other trans people who this might be happening to.”.”
—Hunter Schafer
“I don’t have any more F’s to give. The night of the election, I went, ‘That’s it, I am not even going to pay attention to him anymore. I’m not going to give him any of my fear, any of my disappointment. I’m not going to give any of that anymore.’”
—Melissa Etheridge
Becoming baby ready
BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS
Over the nearly 16 years of writing this column, I’ve spoken with some amazing people. There have been other LGBTQ+ parents, the parents of queer kids, family experts, and even politicians. In all those cases, I’ve asked the questions. Then I heard from Canadian Sam Leeson, who with her wife has three kids. Nothing overly remarkable about that, but Sam is dedicated to helping other queer people navigate the trials and tribulations of becoming parents – while also offering advice and help to those of us who are already called mom and dad. That’s why during Pride nearly two years ago, she launched the podcast becoming babyReady. In a role reversal, I was incredibly honored to answer the questions when she kindly asked me to appear on the show last January. But you know me, I like to be in charge, so we flipped the script, and this time I interviewed her! What was the motivation to start becoming babyReady? It felt like everyone knows where to buy diapers, baby food, clothes and furniture, but there didn’t seem to be anywhere for Queer people to find the answers that they’d need in order to become parents. As a birth worker for 25+ years, I know that there is an inordinate amount of misinformation passed around in the family creation realm. I wanted there to be a reliable resource for people who wanted more information about family creation. What are the biggest misconceptions LGBTQ+ people have about parenthood? That it’s unattainable. There are a surprising number of organizations and insurance companies that strive every day to do what they can to assist with this process. It’s really just a matter of knowing where to go to look for the resources that are there.
Besides the podcast, what else do you do? When it comes to family creation, the question really is what don’t I do? I offer fertility awareness coaching. I connect hopeful parents with a variety of agencies in their geographic area (from surrogacy agencies to donor portals, fertility clinics, adoption agencies and more). I have written and facilitated curriculums for expectant Queer parents looking for prenatal education classes, and/or newborn parenting classes. I also offer parenting coaching to individuals and families who have children from infancy through the teen years. What are some of the common themes you hear on the show? The best theme that I hear is that no matter how much it has cost, no matter how much time it has taken, no matter how many hoops needed to have been jumped through, there isn’t anything in the world these parents wouldn’t do over and over and over again to have the family that they have now. ALL of them are forever grateful.
What advice would you give LGBTQ+ couples thinking about becoming parents? First, don’t let anyone make you feel as though you are not as deserving as anyone else. Secondly, no one on this planet will love this child as much as you.
What about for a single LGBTQ+ person? Do what you can to set up your community of support before you begin the process. Have at least one person that you trust to attend appointments with you so that both of you can hear the information and process it together. You are remarkable for doing this as a solo parent and you deserve to have people to lean on when you need it. Q
To learn more about everything Sam can help you with and to listen to the podcast (including the episode featuring ME!) visit www.babyREADY.info where you’ll also find hyperlinks to her social media options.
12896 S Pony Express Rd Suite 200 in Draper (just north of IKEA) 801.333.3777 www.ilovelotus.com
Tenguest editorial
Fairness for All: Utah’s model for bridging divides and protecting rights
BY UTAH SENS. STUART ADAMS, BRADY BRAMMER, CHRIS WILSON, TODD WEILER, UTAH REP. MICHAEL PETERSEN, AND PROF. ROBIN FRETWELL WILSON.
years ago, Utah pioneered an approach to fostering harmony in an increasingly diverse society: Fairness for All. Through two landmark pieces of legislation, Utah — one of the most politically conservative states in the nation — protected religious freedom and LGBT individuals from discrimination in housing and employment. These laws harmonized protections for LGBT people with protections for people of faith, fostering mutual respect.
Both communities sought the same thing: to live authentically in public as well as in private — without fear that something as deeply personal as one’s faith or who one loves could be wielded against them.
Those laws allayed fears without requiring anyone to give up or alter their personal beliefs.
Fairness for All became a model for addressing conflicts that have often divided the nation. It reflects the principles that all individuals deserve respect and that governments should expand freedoms for all rather than limit them.
Consider Utah’s unanimously enacted Exercise of Religion Amendments. In 2024, Utah became the 26th state to ensure that laws burdening religious free exercise have effect only when absolutely necessary.
In 2023, Utah unanimously enacted a law banning conversion therapy for minors. The law also provides assurances that therapists who speak candidly with children will not have their licenses revoked on that basis. These are just two examples of Utah’s ability to find bipartisan consensus around complex, divisive issues. Respecting religious faith and protecting rights should not be controversial.
Utahns deeply value freedom. Eightytwo percent of Utahns view religious freedom as a positive. And more than 8 in 10 Utahns support laws that protect LGBT people from discrimination.
It’s often said the three words most associated with American politics are “divisive, messy and polarized.” Yet, amid national polarization, Utah has managed to create bipartisan moments by following three principles:
REMOVING POINTS OF CONFLICT
Conflicts may arise when laws create uncertainty. Lawmakers can prevent conflicts by creating clear policies for how we live together despite our differences.
Just as the Utah Legislature successfully balanced religious freedom and LGBT rights, lawmakers can create solutions that serve everyone well.
In 2023, Utah unanimously passed an adoption law that avoided the stark, divisive outcomes seen in other states. In Massachusetts, a religious adoption agency closed up shop rather than make placements with same-sex couples, contrary to their convictions. In Tennessee, agencies are allowed to turn away qualified couples, whether same-sex or from another faith tradition, without offering alternative referrals.
Utah chose a different path and created a system that ensures all prospective adoptive families are respected and receive assistance while preventing agencies from being forced to close. Utah took children out of the culture war.
PROTECTING RIGHTS WITHOUT DIMINISHING OTHERS
By striving to protect rights without diminishing others, Utah’s “Exercise of Religion Amendments” passed unanimously. Elsewhere, opponents have claimed that religious freedom resto-
ration acts (RFRAs) “weaponize religious beliefs to justify discrimination.” The Utah Legislature made clear that it did not intend for Utah’s carefully constructed bipartisan legislation to be undone. Utah enacted one of the strongest RFRAs in the United States. These strong provisions would allow, for example, municipal pools to designate times to accommodate the modesty of Muslim women. Giving clarity about what a law is meant to do helps counter the destructive narrative that protecting faith must somehow harm others.
EQUAL MEASURE
Many people naturally speak about their home lives at work. The Fairness for All approach to workplace speech protections allows employees to speak about personal matters when it is non-harassing and allowed by employers — whether it is to comment on the Pride parade or a sermon at church. Utah’s 2024 law protecting moral and religious conscience in government workplaces continues this all-in approach. Utah’s Constitution protects rights of conscience in addition to religious freedom. Utah’s 2024 law gives substance to this guarantee, whatever beliefs one holds. Governments need flexibility to reasonably accommodate an employee’s sincerely held beliefs without causing substantial disruption. However, regardless of whether those beliefs align more with progressive or conservative perspectives, they deserve equal respect. This novel conscience protection has effectively safeguarded the rights of people of all beliefs. When we protect everyone’s freedoms, we live up to the promise of America. Fairness for All is a credit to the people of Utah.
‘Today,of the month
Iowa Republicans
BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
I signed into law a bill that safeguards the rights of women and girls,” Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) said in a video posted to X.
Sounds good to me! What’s in the bill? Reproductive freedom with abortion and birth control that is accessible to everyone who needs it? Strengthened domestic violence protections? Gun safety measures to keep kids from being murdered in school? Better access to mental health treatment? Better oversight of children in the foster care system in order to ensure that children are not placed in abusive environments?
Sadly, the answer is none of the above. Gov. Reynolds did not, in fact, do anything to protect the rights of women and girls. What she did was intentionally and maliciously hurt transgender people in the state.
With the stroke of her pen, Gov. Reynolds ended “18 years of protection against discrimination based on gender identity in Iowa’s civil rights law,” the Des Moines Register reports. “The signing makes Iowa the first state in the country to take away civil rights from a group it has previously protected in law.”
“Before I signed this bill, the civil rights code blurred the biological line between the sexes,” Reynolds said. “It also forced Iowa taxpayers to pay for gender reassignment surgeries, and that’s unacceptable to me, and it’s unacceptable to most Iowans.”
But targeting a specific group of people to kick out of the Civil Rights Club is apparently acceptable.
I probably don’t need to tell you this, but this move is a disgusting and dangerous escalation of the Republican war on transgender people.
“Gov. Reynolds has chosen to put Iowa on the wrong side of history,” Max Mowitz, executive director of One Iowa, told Iowa Public Radio. “By signing this
bill into law, she has made it legal to discriminate against transgender Iowans in nearly every aspect of life — where they live, where they work, and where they go to school. This law sends a devastating message: that transgender Iowans are not worthy of the same rights, dignity, and protections as their neighbors.”
Iowa Republicans, however, are claiming that this is no big deal and that transgender people will be fine. Federal law will protect them instead.
[RECORD SCRATCH
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The federal government? The one led by Donald Trump, who declared in his inaugural address that there are only two genders and said during his campaign, “I will take historic action to defeat the toxic poison of gender ideology and reaffirm that God created two genders, male and female.” That federal government? I call bullshit.
So do Iowa Democrats. “The majority party is removing the rights of fellow Iowans to housing, credit and jobs,” House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said. “Do not tell me the federal government will save us because they’re already attacking the communities we’re attacking today as well.”
The purpose of the bill Gov. Reynolds just gleefully signed is to support a coordinated attack against transgender people in the state.
As the Des Moines Register reports, “[Iowa] Republicans said the move will help other recent legislation they passed survive court challenges, including a ban on transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming medical care, restricting transgender students from using school bathrooms that align with their gender identity and banning transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.”
I see. Republicans know that discriminating against transgender people is wrong. But what’s a poor major political party supposed to do? Well, just erase transgender people from the state’s civil rights protections, I guess. What makes this even more disgusting is that Iowa Rep. Aime Wichtendahl is openly transgender. So the people who supported and passed this bill did so even though they actually know and work with a transgender person. And yet Iowa Republicans are operating as if transgender people are some kind of terrifying specter haunting public restrooms and school sports teams. But they’re not. They’re real people.
“The purpose of this bill, and the purpose of every anti-trans bill, is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence,” Rep. Wichtendahl told Iowa Public Radio. “The sum total of every anti-trans bill and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence illegal, to force us back into the closet. If we want jobs or a place to live, we have to go back, is what they are telling us.”
Iowa is, unfortunately, a harbinger of things to come. Republicans are working overtime to ruin transgender people’s lives. Unless you’re a straight cisgender white man, you’d best believe that you, too, are a target. Q
D’Anne Witkowski is a writer living with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBTQ+ politics for nearly two decades. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds
THE HEALING POWER OF A PUNCHLINE
How Fortune Feimster is turning conservative audiences into unlikely allies and bringing hope to
America’s most challenging spaces
BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
Fortune
Feimster may not wear a cape or leap tall buildings, but she might just be a superhero. Her superpower? Making us laugh until we forget why we needed saving in the first place.
In an America that often feels like a punchline without the comedy, Feimster offers both relief from the chaos and inspiration to keep pushing forward. With three Netflix specials and over a million Instagram followers, she’s built her career transforming life’s absurdities into moments of pure hilarity. Her latest Netflix special, “Crushing It,” tackles everything from marriage to navigating life as an out gay person — including the moment she and her wife Jacquelyn “Jax” Smith realized their honeymoon destinations weren’t exactly LGBTQ-friendly.
On tour this year, Feimster isn’t just serving up jokes — she says her shows have evolved into spaces where queer people and allies can laugh, connect and feel seen.
During our conversation, Feimster opened up about the deeper impact of her comedy, from helping parents better understand their LGBTQ+ kids to reaching audiences in conservative areas where visibility matters most. She also reflects on the fears surrounding marriage equality, why she and her wife Jax rushed to the altar after Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, and what gives her hope despite today’s political climate.
With everything happening right now — the political climate, the fires so close to your home — how are you holding up? The fires really just made all of us, at least in L.A., stop in our tracks and go, “Holy cow.” So devastating. We’re just kind of coming out of that, and then all this other stuff is happening. You do what you can and then just have to focus on getting back out there and just trying to bring levity to the situation in any way you can because you feel so helpless to know what to do otherwise. What does it mean to you to do what you can? I think there’s a lot of people who want people in the public eye to fix things. And you’re like, “This is so big!” I know it comes from a place of other people not knowing what to do, so maybe you’ll know what to do, but I’m right there with everybody else. So all I know how to do is to continue to be representation, hopefully positive representation, and to keep reminding people we exist and have a voice and are
people and have love and have problems and have all the same trials and tribulations as anyone else, as any straight person I know. And there’s power in sharing our stories and being out and being proud. That’s the best I know how to do right now — just continuing to be some sort of positive voice out there in the mix of all the negativity.
In “Crushing It,” you open up the show talking about how, for your honeymoon, you accidentally went to countries where being gay is illegal. That must be eye-opening for straight fans of yours who aren’t familiar with these laws in other countries. How do you think your comedy in the next few years can reach across the aisle The whole point [of that bit] was to say everyone gets comfortable and thinks, “Oh, gay rights are solved. Marriage equality exists, so you must be OK and we’re fine in our country.” That’s what I’m saying is the perspective, I think, of people who aren’t in the community. I wanted to point out the fact that there are many places where it’s not safe to go, where you can be arrested, and this still exists in these times. Through comedy, I get that point across.
I’m never going to be the political commentary comic, the social issues comic. There are people so much smarter than me who are so much more aware and so much better at presenting those facts and stories. I can only do it in my way, which is to let me tell you a funny story of something that happened to me. But the underlying part of that is, “This is scary, it sucks.” There’s so much further to go in this fight for equality, not only in our
country but the whole world.
So yeah, I hope to continue to tell stories like that, like I did in my “Sweet & Salty” special, where I tell my coming out story. Even though it’s masked by a funny story of going to a Hooters restaurant and then telling my mom at a Chinese restaurant later, the underlying part of that is it’s really hard to come out. I just think humor is a powerful tool — if you can make people laugh, they listen. And if they’re really hearing you, the underlying message comes through.
When in your career did you know people really were listening to your message? A byproduct of my standup that I just didn’t realize would exist is that, through a platform like Netflix, you’re getting to tell your stories in front of people who might not have watched you otherwise. So straight people watch, conservative people watch, males watch. I don’t think men were normally coming to my shows as much before, but on Netflix, they’ll sit there and watch. It’s cool to open minds in that way.
During the pandemic when “Sweet & Salty” came out, so many people were at home, so they saw something they might have not seen otherwise. I got a ton of messages that I didn’t expect from straight people saying, “I never realized how hard it was to come out, what that meant and the fear that gay people must go through in having that conversation.”
And that was a really amazing thing to hear from men, these dads. I also had parents say to me, “I’ve had an inkling that my kid might be gay, but they had never come out to me or
felt comfortable. And so we watched your special together and that made them feel like they could open up at the end of it.” Or I’ve had young people say, “I was scared to tell my parents I was gay, but when I saw them laugh at your jokes, I felt safe to come out to them.” I couldn’t believe that. Because I’m just sharing my own stories.
With your upcoming tour, you have many stops in more conservative states, like North
Carolina and Kentucky. Why is it important for you to show up in those places? I never shy away from those places because I was there in North Carolina at one point and I desperately needed someone like me to speak to me. I think I would’ve come out much sooner had there been representation, had I seen a lesbian comic come through town when I was 18. That could have made a huge impact on me. And it just didn’t happen as much back
WORLD PREMIERE BY JANINE SOBECK KNIGHTON MARCH 27–APRIL 13 in the Studio Theatre at The Rose THURSDAYS @ 7:30PM, FRIDAYS @ 7:30PM SATURDAYS @ 4PM, SUNDAYS @ 2PM (SENSORY FRIENDLY MARCH 29, ASL-INTERPRETED APRIL 5) 70 minutes, no intermission
then because it was not as welcoming or accepted to be gay. I didn’t have YouTube or “Will & Grace.” So I think about what I needed growing up in a small conservative town in the South, and that still exists for a lot of people, even though they have a lot more access and there’s a lot more representation. To go to these red states and these conservative areas and be an out, proud gay person and to tell my stories and have the audience full of people who relate to those stories or people who are just like me and they want to support me, it’s powerful.
Sometimes I’ll get people saying “Why would you go to Florida?” when Don’t Say Gay was happening, or when the drag ban was happening in Nashville. I’m like, “This is when we have to go.” Because in Nashville, I did the Ryman. That was 2,800 people. And I said, “I can’t change the laws here, I can’t make the legislation be different, but I can provide a place where 2,800 people can come and look around and see allies, to see other gay people.” And that’s powerful to know that we have each other and can go out into the world and spread a more positive message to help, little by little, to change legislation by voting, by volunteering, making a difference. It has to start in these smaller ways.
Given the anti-LGBTQ+ orders coming down from the federal level so far this year, will touring in 2025 feel different than in past years? I don’t know. I honestly haven’t thought about it. I’m going to a lot of those same places, and whereas I was doing one show, now I’m doing two in these places. So the message is getting out there, the numbers are growing, so maybe people need to feel that community more than ever. There’s a sense of, “OK, for tonight, in this room, I feel good.” And that does kind of pump you up to go back out there and be proud of who you are. And we’re at the beginning of whatever’s to come. So it’ll be interesting to see as I go what it’s like in these different areas and states. And you just have to hope the community continues to stick together and be strong and be a positive force for positive change.
Your wife Jax is from Michigan. When you stop here for a show, do the in-laws all pile in a van and come see you? Yes. Her family’s so amazing and has been
incredibly supportive of me from the minute we started dating. I remember our first year together: I had shows at a comedy club in Royal Oak, and her dad threw a little party before the show and all her family came. And her mom is always coming to shows in different states. They’re all just so supportive and proud. And Jax has been out since she was 15 and has always stood firm in who she is. And to have that kind of love and support… because Michigan, as you know more than anybody, can be pretty conservative in certain areas as well.
You and Jax got married in 2020, and I hate to even ask this, but with the current political climate, there’s a real fear about the future of marriage equality. Is that something you and Jax talk about? And how do you personally navigate that kind of uncertainty? It certainly hangs over our heads a bit because I think it’s very naive of people to think that it’s not in jeopardy. Well, look at Roe v. Wade. Exactly, yeah. I had extended family tell me, “Oh, you’re worried about nothing.” And I don’t know. “That’s easy for you to say, you don’t know.” We really don’t know. Maybe it’s totally fine. But the goal for them for so many years was Roe vs. Wade, and once that box was checked for them, it was like, “Well, what’s the focus now?” Because there’s got to be a communal focus. And the new focus is now on marriage equality and trans rights. Who knows what will happen? But it contributed to why we got married as quickly as we did the first time. We had been engaged for a couple years and knew we were going to get married, but just weren’t in any hurry to plan a wedding because we’re not big planners. And then when Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, we went, “Oh, crap. This changes a lot of things with the Supreme Court. And let’s just do it. Let’s just go ahead.” Because it means something to us to be married and to get to have that right. To just enter into that kind of thing together meant so much to us, and so that’s why we did it. We planned our wedding in two weeks and got married in front of five friends in the pandemic, just because if at some point it got revoked, we wanted to at least have said we got to be married, we got to see
what that felt like. And there is something really powerful and special about saying, “My wife.” It does mean something. I mean, gay people should be able to experience marriage, they should be able to experience divorce, they should be able to experience all the things.
With everything going on, it’s easy to focus on the negatives — but what’s one thing that gives you hope for the queer community right now? The beauty of my job is I get to go to so many places in so many states and so many cities. I meet thousands of people in a way that I think not as many people have exposure to, but it’s just by the nature of my job. And what I see in all these cities are good people, really good people, and kind people, both gay and straight, all over the rainbow, all over the spectrum of all different backgrounds, ages.
And those voices online and political voices, they’re all so loud that you think, “Man, there’s so much negativity and so much hate.” That’s so scary. And then I go to all these places and there’s so many good people. And I’m given hope in that because I think they exist in so many places and in big numbers, in ways that people kind of don’t get to see as much because those loud voices are so loud.
So even in these times when those voices continue to get louder, I have hope that the good people will continue being good and doing good and looking out for each other and making a difference and the bad stuff that happens, that will be squashed by the good at some point and in time.
I am very biased, of course, but I am most proud of the audience and fan base that I’ve cultivated. And in my 18 years of being in this business, the thing that every venue tells me, be it a club, a theater, they say, “Your audience is so kind, so amazing. The manners, the goodness, the energy in the room, it is such a breath of fresh air.” So I’m grateful that I try to put out good stuff, positive stuff, and the fact that that is seen and appreciated by like-minded people is really something I’m so proud of. Q
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
MARGARET CHO In Beast Mode
The comedian on her new anthem for trans youth, gay pop worship and her Republican ‘bottom’ muse
BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
MargaretCho’s new album, her first in eight years, might take some people by surprise — especially those who don’t know that her talents stretch far beyond comedy. But if you’ve followed her 30-plus-year career, one deeply intertwined with LGBTQ+ activism, the inspiration behind one of the LP’s standout tracks, “You Can Be You,” will ring all too familiar. The song is a tribute to the trans and non-binary communities, and it was written in response to the tragic 2024 death of Nex Benedict, a trans non-binary teen. Their death, a consequence of systemic failures, left Cho shattered. But in the face of that grief, Cho turned her heartbreak into something powerful — a song that’s as much about mourning as it is about defiance. The message is simple but profound: “You can be you.”
Cho, 56, has always used her voice — whether it’s the sharp humor that built her career or the unflinching activism that runs through her bones — to break down barriers for marginalized groups. Her new album, rooted in ’90s female rocker-folk vibes (think Lilith Fair with a modern twist), also taps into the cultural power of gay pop. It’s a collection of songs that feel both deeply personal and politically charged.
This isn’t Cho’s first foray into music. Her 2010 debut album “Cho Dependent” earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album, featuring collaborations with big names like Fiona Apple, Patty Griffin, Andrew Bird, and Tegan and Sara. That project set the stage for what would become a unique blend of comedy and music, with Cho tackling serious issues in her own inimitable style.
Now, with her third album — following up “American Myth” from 2016 (which also earned her a Grammy nomination, bringing her total to five) — Cho shows how much she’s evolved as both an artist and an activist. The new album, released under her own Clownery Records label, feels like the culmination of decades of growth. On the title track, Cho plays her signature “mandotar,” a double-neck mandolin-guitar hybrid that adds a personal touch to the sound.
I recently sat down with Cho to talk about the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the role comedy plays in today’s volatile political climate. Having lived through the AIDS crisis and the Reagan years, Cho’s perspective is priceless. She knows exactly how far we’ve come — and how far we still have to go — and how music and comedy remain essential tools to help us through it all.
As one of the most fearless and consistent LGBTQ+ advocates of the past four decades, your activism has spanned multiple eras of struggle and progress. How does your unique perspective help you contextualize today’s challenges for the community? We’ve had this before and we were fighting a deadly pandemic. During AIDS, the environment was the same. We had even less rights and we were dying from the inside out with no help from the government who were actually spreading this idea that we brought this upon ourselves — it was God’s will.
We need to just be assured that we are OK. We’re going to be OK. It’s just a really horrifying time. I don’t know exactly how it got here, but we don’t have to comply with anything. We don’t have to go along with the hatred. We can actually just be rooted in our self-love and take care of each other.
So ultimately this is not the worst of it. It could be so much worse, as it was so much worse then. How much of our community we lost at that time, and the incredible sense of hopelessness that existed. But now we have made such huge political strides because of that era, because of the intense activism from ACT UP and all those wonderful grassroots organizations. Now, we already have a foundation of political action that we’ve built for 60, 70 years and longer. So there’s hope. The strategy of the right is to overwhelm us with this idea that, well, it’s over. Woke is over. But it’s not. Or that woke is new. Woke is not new. It’s never been new. It’s been around as long as unwoke.
Reflecting on the ’80s, what brought you hope then and what is bringing you hope now? Well, humor. Humor and the way that we make strides with what we have, and we’ve always had drag to rely on during that era. In the ’80s, there were all sorts of drag shows that were calling attention to what was going on. There was also punk-rock shows. We had Rock Against Reagan and Rock Against Racism, where you would see bands like the Dead Kennedys and you’d see just incredible activism within punk rock and other music and all these communities coming together to support each other. That’s what gave me hope.
The die-ins were ACT UP, and people were laying in the street to just show, We are dying, we are dying. We’re going to stop everything and show everybody
what’s happening. So the inability for the mainstream to deny us life was the fighting in so many ways. So I think the quilts that we see now are a celebration of all of these lives and put to fabric, put to this very old time-y American art form. Those kinds of things I think collectively brought us to where we are. So that gives me hope. And what gives me hope now is humor. It’s activism, it’s life, it’s the fact that we are protesting in our own ways and resisting in our own ways, on social media and everywhere.
This album feels deeply connected to a sound you truly love, with clear influences like Patty Griffin. I’m definitely picking up on those ’90s women rocker-folk vibes, especially the Lilith Fair energy. What inspired you to create this record? You know when VH1 had two channels? They would show all of the coffeehouse artists. I loved that. I love that era of Ani DiFranco and, of course, Patty Griffin. She is amazing and one of my idols. So yeah, I wanted to do an album that was very melodic, but also kind of power pop, and then also hearkened back to ’90s women, whether that was bands like The Breeders or Belly or anything that was kind of just Lilith Fair. Anything like Sinead O’Connor. I actually did a show once with Sarah McLachlan at a rock festival. I tried to pass her a filthy roach. We were all smoking weed and I tried to pass her, the beautiful Sarah McLachlan, a nasty roach. She looked at me and was like, no, thank you. She looked at me like I was one of those animals in a shelter. Like I was a little Maltese with one eye. Like, “That is so sad, but also so darling that you were trying to pass me this nasty roach.” [Laughs.] I love to make music and I really worked hard on my voice for this. I was really excited to be able to finally compose quite a few tracks. I’ve usually relied on musicians to help me compose music, but this is the first time that I actually came at it as a composer, which was very new, so I’m really grateful for the ability to do that. You described the song “Lucky Gift” as gay pop. How do you define gay pop? I hope that that song gets on the soundtrack of a film like “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” It should be in “Legally Blonde 5,” when they’re in the car, hair blowing in the wind, in the convertible — that kind of vibe. To me, gay pop, of course, is JoJo Siwa, but also Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. It’s Tate McCrae, who I love. It’s the great pop divas, but also the gay
pop diva goes deep. It’s Ani DiFranco, original gay pop, or even Courtney Love. Maybe it’s Dusty Springfield as well, or Nancy Sinatra and Tracy Ullman. Tracy Ullman is where I got sort of the idea of the look. I love her and I love when comedians do music and good music in particular. So, for me, gay pop is essential. I think it’s the way that, as queer people, we can keep on surviving — with our pop music. We need a Beyoncé, we need a Taylor. We need our pop divas. I think that as gay people, we need our pop divas so much more. It’s like a religion. They almost are like saints. We go to our pop divas for comfort, but it’s solace and it’s sanctuary. It is true relief. That’s what we need our pop divas for, because we have to deal with so much in life that it’s a blessing that we can get so much from their art.
Your song “You Can Be You,” an anthem for non-binary and gender non-conforming people, is especially poignant right now. What’s the story behind that song? That was written the day that Nex Benedict died. Nex was a trans non-binary teen who was so failed by the state of Oklahoma, by the board of education, by the school and by the staff at the school. They were essentially murdered by the system there, and so the way that I really grieved their death and the inhumanity of people after — continuing to misgender, continuing to make fun of this person, continuing to lie and use it for this political advantage somehow and to further dehumanize our community — I couldn’t sleep for days. I was so angry and so disgusted by what we had become as a nation, and so I decided to work on the song. I really wanted to say, “What would I say to them?” “You can be you,” the most powerful thing. That no matter all of this inhumanity that’s existing, you can still be you in the face of that. So that’s, for me, a really special song and one that I hope that all of our baby gays get to listen to and gain something from.
You’ve shattered countless barriers for both Asian American and queer performers. What advice would you offer to this generation of marginalized emerging artists who are working to carve out space for themselves in a political landscape that seems to be deprioritizing them once again? Well, we need them. We need more voices. We need more people to fill our ranks. It is almost like a draft. I want to draft all of these young queer artists to come and join, and we need them more than ever. Artists are the only
people that can fight this. I think art is so critical, and when art is used as a weapon, it is so powerful, and so we can do this, but we can only do this together. And I think about people like Alok [Vaid-Menon], who is so special because they are coming at this with such compassion, wit and beauty — undeniable beauty — and I’m so impressed by an artist like that. They are, to me, on the forefront of how we’re going to change minds and change views and change people because their views are so astonishingly poetic that it is a combination of poet, laureate, comedian — and supermodel! I’m really excited about Alok. You were a major part of the 2024 documentary “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution,” which puts into historical context exactly what comedy can do for a political movement. How do you think comedians such as yourself will meet the moment now and in the next few years? Well, I loved “Outstanding,” and thank you. I love that I got to spend time with Robin Tyler [the first out lesbian on national TV]. I’ve known Robin personally for a long time, yet I had no idea about her career before I even met her as a friend. These older lesbians hold multitudes. [Laughs.] She did so much and I had no idea because she’s so modest. Also, the film allowed me to spend a great deal of time with Sandra Bernhard, who is my North Star, my friend. I’m a Bernardologist, so every time I spend time with her, I’m like, oh, don’t forget, this thing you did had a huge impact. To me, that film is such herstory and also allowed me to reconnect again with the new generation of people like Joel Kim Booster, who’s my biological son. You both being in “Fire Island” together was such a highlight. Yeah, I love that film. It’s where I gave birth to him shortly before we made the movie, [laughs], so it was a really great experience for us to do that as mother and son.
It was an easy birth, right? [Laughs.] It was such an easy birth. It was a water birth. We did it right off the coast of Fire Island. I was in the bay and I just squirted him out onto Cherry Grove and he came onto the rocks and we dried him off.
He was quite literally born a comedian. [Laughs.] My biology! He and I really laugh because it is like biological — we look the same! Also, we have a really crazy ability to show our bodies at all times. [Laughs.] His body’s much better
than mine, but I’m going to show mine anyway. But I love that film, and I can’t wait to see Andrew Ahn’s new film, “The Wedding Banquet.” I love Andrew. They’re all children. Andrew, Bowen, Conrad Ricamora and, of course, Joel. Comedy is being challenged in this current political era. How do comedians interact with this era? It’s actually a good opportunity to use comedy as a weapon, as our own battering ram, because the thing about the Trump administration in particular — and Trump, Elon, the bro-oligarchy — is they hate to be made fun of and they wish they were funny, but they’re painfully unfunny. No matter what attempt that they do to make any kind of joke, it falls flat, constantly, and they know that. So that’s why Trump has always attacked comedians. That’s why he wants to have control of the FCC because he wants to make sure that these late-night hosts are not talking about him, but they will never stop because they know he hates it. Elon is so painfully sensitive about being made fun of, which is why it’s so imperative for all comedians to really rise to the occasion, and you have to use it like an onslaught. Use shock and awe, as many jokes as possible, at their expense because that’s the one thing they can’t pay for. No amount of money in the world is going to buy a sense of humor. It’s just the best. It’s really a good opportunity to just batter them senseless with a barrage of jokes that they’ll never recover from, and that’s our form of war. In my mind, I have gone to war in my comedy. I have a strategy. It’s almost military. I wake up every morning and I write a joke about what’s happening, and that really sets up the rest of my day of how I’m going to go about it, and then I try it out where I go, and I think it’s really soothing [laughs]. So comedians are going to be attacked, but they can’t kill all of us. They can’t imprison all of us, and even if we’re sent away, whatever they do with us, they’ll be another one to rise up in our place. You’ll just give birth to more comedians. [Laughs.] I’m freezing all of my eggs now to make sure we’ll have so many. All of my biological children will do it for us. You launched the Live and Livid tour last year before the election. You’ll be resuming that tour post-election, with Trump now definitively as president. How will that change the show? Well, there was so
much of a sense of hope. I think what’s so disappointing is that the Harris-Walz campaign allowed me to have hope. I am so disappointed, but then you can use that as an advantage in writing and in responding. I just loved working on the Kamala campaign. I loved being a part of that energy, and I don’t regret having hope. I don’t regret having hope for this country. I still have hope. And the thing about it is that it wasn’t really that much of a loss. If you think about it as a loss, it’s not really a loss. It wasn’t a defeat in the sense that it was such a minimal defeat, and that only became real because so many people didn’t vote and the fact that it was literally won on anti-trans rhetoric. It was them really going after just the idea of a trans community. Just the idea of a they/them. And so, to me, that is a personal attack. Is there less hope in the show now? More lividness? It’s more about finding hope now and discovering where that strength is. It’s not that there’s less hope, but there’s more of a need to find the strength within and also more of a need to get real crass and bring out — and unfortunately, I have to use it — the big guns. Gloves are off. Really. I’m going for it. I’m really letting them have it, especially [Speaker of the U.S. House] Mike Johnson. Mike Johnson, for some reason, has really become my special “Ohh, I hate him” [subject]. [Laughs.]
He’s become your comedic muse? [Laughs.] He’s become my muse. I’m really giving it to that little bottom. I’m so into it. It’s just brought out for me this animal rage that I appreciate that I haven’t had. I didn’t have it during the Bush era. Didn’t have it, of course, during Obama, who I love. Even during the first Trump era. For me, I’m reaching all new lows. I’m below the belt. Which I’m excited about, personally, as an artist. This has drawn out something of a beast.
In this era, we really have to be dom tops — or at least more vers. You have to be more vers. And vers tops are really in need at this point. [Laughs.]
For the next four years, at least In these uncertain times. Q
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
‘The
Lamb: A Novel’ by Lucy Rose C.2025, HARPER, $27.99, 329 PAGES
What’s for lunch? You probably know at breakfast what you’re having a few hours later. Maybe breast of chicken, sauteed in tomato sauce. Barbecued ribs, perhaps? Leg of lamb, beef tongue, pickled pigs’ feet, liver, and onions, the possibilities are just menus away. Or maybe, as in the new book, “The Lamb” by Lucy Rose, you’ll settle for a rump roast and a few ladyfingers. Margot was just four years old when she noticed the mold on the shower walls and wondered what it might taste like. She also found fingers in the shower drain from the last “stray,” the nails painted purple, and she wondered why they hadn’t been nibbled, too. Cooked right, fingers and rumps were the best parts.
q scopes
APRIL
BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
The season is about burning bright. The stars are stirring up some spicy desires in your love life. Don’t hold back! Whether it’s a steamy fling or deep passion, let your fire burn. Just don’t let anyone play with your heart unless they’re ready to take the heat.
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
April will turn your sensual side into a full-on masterpiece. Your confidence is sexy, and people are noticing. You might find yourself seduced by someone with a little more mystery than usual. Embrace it, but don’t let them get comfortable unless they’re ready for a taste of your devotion.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
Get ready for some scandalous chats. Your flirtatious nature is on full display, and those around you are spellbound. This month, you’ll have people second-guessing just how far you’ll
the bookworm sez
Later, once Margot started school, Mama depended on her to bring strays from the woods to their cottage, and Mama would give them wine and warm them up. She didn’t often leave the house unless it was to bury clothing and bones, but she sometimes welcomed a gardener who was allowed to leave. There was a difference, you see, between strays and others.
But Eden…. Margot couldn’t quite figure her out.
She actually liked Eden, who seemed like a stray but obviously wasn’t. Eden was pretty; she never yelled at Margot, although she did take Margot’s sleeping spot near Mama. Eden made Mama happy; Margot could hear them in the bedroom sometimes, making noises like Mama did when the gardener visited. Eden was a very good cook. She made Mama softer, and she made promises for better times.
And yet, things never got better. Margot was not supposed to call attention to herself, but she wanted friends and a real life. If she was honest, she didn’t want to eat strays anymore, either, she was tired of the pressure to bring home dinner, and things began to unravel. Maybe Mama didn’t love Margot any-
go. You are curious, and so are they. Don’t be afraid to push those boundaries and keep them guessing.
CANCER June 21–July 22
Challenges may bring out your need for security, but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in some wildness. Seek out moments of bliss, but be ready to dip into the more emotional corners of your relationships. Lust is fun, but depth is what will keep you coming back for more.
LEO July 23–August 22
The spotlight is on you this month, and your magnetic energy is irresistible. But beware: people are drawn to you like moths to a flame. You’ll have your pick of admirers, but don’t be surprised if one stirs up a side of you that’s a little naughtier than you’d expect.
VIRGO August 23–Sep 2
Your mind is running at full speed this month, and your body might just follow. There’s something about a little chaos that gets your engine revving, so embrace it. Expect your perfect blend of intellect and passion to ignite a fire in someone who can keep up with your quick wit and faster moves.
more. Maybe she loved Eden better or maybe Mama just ached from hunger.
Because you know what they say: two’s company, three’s a meal…
Not a book to read at lunch? No, probably not – although once you become immersed in “The Lamb,” it’ll be easy to swallow and hard to put down.
For sure, author Lucy Rose presents a somewhat-coming-of-age chiller with a gender-twisty plot line here, and while it’s occasionally a bit slow and definitely cringey, it’s also really quite compelling. Rose actually makes readers feel good about a character who indulges in something so entirely, repulsively taboo, which is a very surprising – but oddly satisfying – aspect of this unique tale. Readers, in fact, will be drawn to the character Margo’s innocence-turned-eyeswide-open, and it could make you grow a little protective of her as she matures over the pages. That feeling plays well inside the store,y and it makes the willthey-won’t-they ending positively shivery.
Bottom line, if you have a taste for the macabre with a side-order of sympathy, then “The Lamb” is your book and don’t miss it. Fans of horror stories, this is a novel you’ll eat right up.Q
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
Social energy invites you to play in the balance between sweet talk and sultry moves. Someone has got their eye on you, and they’re not interested in just chatting. Push past the pleasantries and dive into something with more heat. Flirting’s fine, but passion will have you craving more.
SCORPIO Oct 23–Nov 21
The stars are making your desire more intense than usual. You’ve got a sultry mix of mystery and hunger, and someone’s about to get lost in you. This month, don’t be afraid to give in to the temptation and show them just how deep you’re willing to go. They won’t forget.
SAGITTARIUS Nov 22–December 20
You are feeling adventurous and a little naughty. The universe is calling for some exploration in both your mind and body. Whether it’s in the bedroom or on the dancefloor, go ahead and flirt shamelessly. Just make sure you’re not being reckless with anyone’s heart, as fun as it is to play.
CAPRICORN
Dec 21–Jan 19
Spring is giving you permission to throw caution to the wind, but don’t mistake that for weakness. You’re strong and disciplined, but even you need a bit of play. Embrace the chaos in your love life and let someone see the side of you who knows how to take control your way.
AQUARIUS Jan 20–Feb 18
You are feeling rebellious this month, and it’s about to get you into some steamy situations. You’ve got ideas that turn people on, and your creativity knows no bounds. Push those boundaries even further. Just don’t get so lost in the excitement that you forget to enjoy the ride.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
You are all about dreamy pleasures and wild fantasies. Let your imagination run wild as you embrace the messier side of love. You’re all in when it comes to indulging in your desires. But don’t let those dreams take over completely. Sometimes, a little reality can make the fantasy sweeter.! Q
Kyle’s Bed & Breakfast
Rio
1 “I’m wash that man right outta my hair” 6 Buffy creator Whedon 10 Prince Harry’s aunt
“I’m Cowhand” 15 Body of soldiers 16 Went right with your stallion
17 Start of a quote from Bianca Del Rio
18 More of the quote
20 Uranus might be on it 22 Evidence of not spitting
23 Prevent from scoring, with “out”
25 Cave ricochet
26 More of the quote 32 “Keep your pants on!”
33 They may be split
Singer Janis 36 Mystery writer Claire
Face down 39 Barely made, with “out”
40 Willingly, to Shakespeare 41 Lesbian character in “No Exit”
by Greg Fox
42 Percentage that’s gay, they say
43 Seizures for Caesar
46 More of the quote
51 La Femme of espionage
55 “G.I. Jane” actress
56 Toklas of expats
58 “Culpa” starter
59 “That’s lame, dude”
60 End of the quote
62 Where Dick Button performed 63 “Swan ___”
64 Tear apart
65 Ass-kissers’ responses
66 Maker of some fruity flavors
67 River to the Seine DOWN
1 Regrets not spitting
2 Like a top
3 PBS science show
4 Glenn Burke, formerly
5 Cukor movie of 1949
6 Spring to one’s feet
7 “Cat Hot Tin Roof”
8 Homophobia and such
9 Fellows may receive them
10 Christie of mystery
11 Like Sir Isaac, who let a fruit hit him on the head
12 “Chicago” producer Meron
13 “___ of Seventeen”
19 Most like Nelly
21 Tennessee Williams title words
24 When repeated, end of a Stein quote
26 Top
27 Make fun of
28 Actress Skye
29 Decked out
30 Switch positions
31 Ms. Right-now
35 Cyrano’s nose
37 Top
38 Global domination game
40 Bloomers worn around the neck
42 Projects for degree candidates
44 Measure of manhood
45 Start of a Tony Orlando title
46 Perth ___, New Jersey
47 Not a single person
48 They may be found in awkward positions
49 Restless peace time 50 Media watchdog org.
Philip Johnson contemporary
Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution which can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits 1 through 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must each column and each 3x3 square. Qdoku
Tues. 7p Live & Let Live, Mt Tabor Tues. 7p Pride in Recovery, Narcotics
Anon. UPC, 68 S Main
Wed. 7p Sober Today, 1159 30th St , Ogden
Wed. 7p Bountiful
Men’s Group, Am. Baptist, 1915 Orchard Dr, Btfl
Fri. 7p Stonewall Group, Mt Tabor Lutheran, 175 S 700 E
Crystal Meth Anon
crystalmeth.org
USARA, 180 E 2100 S Clean, Sober & Proud Sun. 1:30pm
Leather Fetish & Kink Fri. 8pm
Genderbands
genderbands.org
EQ @genderbands
LifeRing Secular Recovery
801-608-8146
liferingutah.org
Weds. 7pm, Sat. 11am
How was your week?
First Baptist, 777 S 1300 E
LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapists Guild
lgbtqtherapists.com
* robin@lgbtqtherapists.com
YOUTH/COLLEGE
Encircle LGBTQ Family and Youth Resource Ctr
encircletogether.org
EQ @encircletogether
91 W 200 S, Provo, 190 S 100 E, St. George 331 S 600 E, SLC 81 E Center, Heber City Gay-Straight Alliance Network
gsanetwork.org
OUT Foundation BYU
theout.foundation
fb.me/theOUTfoundation Salt Lake Community College LGBTQ+
slcc.edu/lgbtq/ UofU Student Pride Ctr Q uofupride
USGA at BYU
usgabyu.com
fb.me/UsgaAtByu Utah Valley Univ Spectrum
linktr.ee/spectrumqsa
uvu.edu/lgbtq/ * lgbt@uvu.edu
801-863-8885
Liberal Arts, Rm 126
Youth Discord Virtual Hangout 6p Wednesdays
Open to all youth 14-20. Email jay@ utahpridecenter.org to get access
Our Vision is to reduce social isolation and loneliness, improve the health and well-being of older adults and to empower them to lead meaningful and connected lives in which they are engaged and participating in the community. Our Mission is to reimagine aging by empowering older adults to live life to the fullest potential guided by these five pillars:
• Cherish the Journey
• Encourage the Body
• Inspire the Mind
• Nurture the Spirit
• Empower the Future
BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE
Lily Gladstone turns ‘Lone Wolf’
“Killers of The Flower Moon” star and Academy Award nominee Lily Gladstone just wrapped a new project with filmmaker Mark Pellington (“Nostalgia”), one with more killing on the menu. The conspiracy thriller “Lone Wolf,” from an original screenplay by Tom Chilcoat, pairs Gladstone with Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), alongside O’Shea Jackson Jr. (“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera”) and Jennifer Ehle (“Zero Dark Thirty”). Gladstone plays a military vet struggling with addiction whose path crosses with a mercenary contractor (Cranston). When she’s pulled into a plot to commit a political assassination, she has to outwit everyone around her or take the fall. No word on when this one will be ready for festivals or theatrical release, but principal photography has concluded in Albuquerque so look for it maybe later this fall.
deep inside hollywood
the A24 movie, co-produced by Mattel, and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions. If you’re an older adult and missed the phenomenon of “Barney & Friends,” the show ran on PBS from 1988 for 14 seasons and it dominated the lives of ’90s children, aka the built-in audience ready to turn this into the next “Barbie.” What will it be about? No one’s telling, but if Edebiri is the creative force then expect it to both comment and celebrate the somewhat surreal experience of friendship with a giant singing dancing purple creature who’d never survive in Jurassic Park. More as this develops.
‘Bookish’ promises cozy queer mystery
of “The Piano Teacher,” which became a film also starring Huppert). In production now, early word suggests that there will also be a vampire theme involved. Why not? Bloodthirsty queens can look for it to splatter arthouse screens in the near future.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor gets “Lucky”
‘Dead Man’s Wire’
Al Pacino joins Colman Domingo for Van Sant’s
In 1977, Tony Kiritsis kidnapped Richard Hall, the president of the mortgage company that was planning to foreclose on Kiritsis’ home. He rigged up a shotgun to a trip wire and kept it aimed at Hall’s head for over 60 hours. When it was all over, Kiritsis served time in a psychiatric facility until he was elderly. Now, following a 2018 documentary and a 2022 podcast featuring Jon Hamm, the story is getting the narrative feature treatment from veteran queer filmmaker Gus Van Sant (“My Own Private Idaho”). “Dead Man’s Wire” stars an ensemble including Al Pacino, Colman Domingo, Cary Elwes, Bill Skarsgard (“Nosferatu”), Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things”) and Myha’la (“Industry”) and will tell a story of ’70s economic desperation that feels not unlike the plot of the Pacino-starring classic of that era, “Dog Day Afternoon.” Production is in progress, so look for this one in 2026.
Ayo Edebiri: Barney’s buddy
Ayo Edebiri, acclaimed star of “The Bear” and “Bottoms,” is shifting gears. She’ll be writing the new live-action film based on ’90s children’s television icon, Barney, the childlike purple dinosaur. The queer actor/ comedian/writer is also in talks to star in
Fans of cozy murder mysteries, your wish list is about to be fulfilled with “Bookish.” You might not yet know British actor/writer Mark Gatiss’s name, but you’ve seen him all over the place: in “Sherlock,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Favourite” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” Now he’s developed “Bookish” for UK television (with PBS distribution to follow for North America) in which he stars as a gay bookshop owner living in post-WW2 England. He has a wife (“Bridgerton” star Polly Walker) who knows his secret, and he’s also a part-time sleuth, solving murder mysteries. In other words, we’re all getting the gift of an updated “Murder She Wrote” but with period production design, literary references, rain, and clandestine homosexuality. Coming soon.
Roll out the deep red carpet for Isabelle Huppert as “The Blood Countess”
All queer goths worth their blackened reputations know about 16th century Hungarian countess Elizabeth Bathory (it’s not all just “Nightmare Before Christmas” fandom out here). But was she queer, too? A serial killer with over 600 deaths to her name? A blood-bathing madwoman? A strong powerful aristocrat hounded by the patriarchy? All of the above? To sort it out, here comes “The Blood Countess” and Isabelle Huppert has been cast in the title role. From legendary lesbian German New Wave filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger, now 82 and still directing, the screenplay comes from Ottinger and Elfriede Jelinek (Nobel Prize-winning author
The category is Women Doing Crimes, and this installment comes from the production team led by Reese Witherspoon (who got a head start early in her career with the cult crime comedy “Freeway”). A fresh AppleTV+ limited series is in the works, based on Marissa Stapley’s novel “Lucky,” featured as part of Witherspoon’s book club, and starring co-exec producer Anya Taylor-Joy and queer Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. The series, created by Jonathan Tropper (“Banshee,” another stylish, crime-heavy project) will focus on Taylor-Joy as a woman attempting to turn from a life of crime, only to find herself drawn back in. Meanwhile Ellis-Taylor will play the FBI agent tasked with hunting her down. We’re torn between not wanting any plot spoilers and hoping she gets away with everything. AppleTV+ will reveal all soon enough.
Harper Steele joins “The Good Daughter”
Trans comedy writer Harper Steele went in front of the camera for the first time last year with best pal Will Ferrell for the Netflix’s “Will & Harper,” a documentary that focused on a queer road trip across America. Now she’s doing it again, this time for her first acting role. “The Good Daughter,” a limited series based on the suspenseful crime novel from Karin Slaughter, is headed to Peacock. Starring Rose Byrne (“Bridesmaids”), Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”), Brendan Gleeson (Academy Award nominated for “The Banshees of Inisherin”), and Steele (in an unspecified role) it’s the story of two adult sisters (Byrne and Fahy), traumatized by a violent incident in their past, now having to relive the trouble when more violence enters their lives. The vague synopsis promises “twists” and “shocking revelations.” That’s enticement enough for us and we await the deluge of Peacock marketing. Q
Romeo San Vicente will not comply in advance.
WE CANCEL TIMESHARES
Many people believe their timeshares cannot be cancelled, but they often can be. Our founder and CEO, Chuck McDowell, has successfully helped over 30,000 families get rid of their timeshare and he can likely help you too. If you were misled, lied to, or pressured, you may have an easy exit with a 100% money back guarantee.
How Does the Cancellation Process Work?
• Start with a FREE consultation to tell your story.
• If we see that the circumstances of your situation qualify you to exit the timeshare, you’ll be assigned a specialist to walk you through starting the process.
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We’ve been able to help many timeshare owners that contact us. You could be one phone call away from complete peace of mind.
We have a dedicated team waiting for your call.
Don’t think for another minute that you are stuck with this. What we do is help you cancel your timeshare along with all of the debt and fees associated with it. Guaranteed.
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Thank you all so much. This has been a huge burden and you all helped relieve that burden. Thank you.”
- Kyle S Wesley Financial Group, LLC client
*This
Chuck McDowell, Founder & CEO
Thethe perils of petunia pap smear
The tale of Cruising 101, part B
BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
road to sipping mai tai’s on the beach is fraught with danger and excitement.
Continuing our Caribbean cruise story from last month. Our flight arrived at the Orlando airport two hours late. Unfortunately, our pre-arranged shuttle had been waiting, so we needed to hurry as fast as we could. Thus, there was a mad dash to get to the baggage claim area.
All of this was made more complicated by the fact that I needed my supped-up and bedazzled mobility scooter, Queerteeny, to get around.
Amazingly, due to Queerteeny’s faster-than-a-speeding turtle hyper-drag drive and my beehive wig being specially designed to produce very little wind resistance, I was quickly able to maneuver Queerteeny right up to the side of the baggage carousel as smoothly as if driving Queertanic my beloved land yacht of a car up to a McDonald’s drive-in window, before the rest of the group, and retrieve my exceedingly large suitcase. Happily, it was a newer suitcase with wheels, so that I could drive Queerteeny with my right hand and hold onto my huge, oversized luggage with my left. That worked out well until I needed to get into an elevator to take me to ground level to meet the shuttle bus.
Of course, the rest of the group managed to sachet easily and stylishly to the escalator. Some of them even performed some queen-approved waves to the adoring public. The last time I tried that, I happened to be wearing a golden caftan, and I was horrified that several onlookers mistook me for Trump on his golden escalator. One even tried to give me one of those red MAGA hats. EEWWWWW!
This time however, riding on Queerteeny, I needed to ride in an elevator. As the rest of our party sank out of my sight down the moving stairs, and since I didn’t know where to go, I was panicked to try and find the elevator. Down the concourse and around the corner I finally found it. Heaving a great sigh of relief, I
sped Queerteeny into the elevator with such gusto that I slammed into the back wall of the elevator, perhaps becoming slightly concussed in the process.
Upon arriving at the ground floor, I shoved my humongous suitcase out of the elevator first and then proceeded to drive Queerteeny out, but the doors closed on me before I could get all the way out. The door kept opening and closing on me so quickly that I couldn’t escape. I felt as if I was in Godzilla’s mouth and was being chewed with gusto. Several foul words may have escaped my lipstick at this point. Eventually, I grabbed the doors and tried to force them open like Hercules. Alas, the inside door opened, but the outside door stayed closed. Time to abort and eject the warp core/beehive wig. Finally, after some fancy gymnastics and breaking three of my Lee Press-On Nails in the process, I was able to back into the elevator car again and pushed the open-door button. I ended up riding the elevator back up two floors and then returning. Thankfully, my luggage was still there, however it was beginning to be scrutinized by security as being an unattended bag left in the airport. After batting my eyelashes and showing a little bit of ankle, the security guys let me take my suitcase and leave.
After I had finally escaped the elevator doors of death, I could not see anyone from our group. Panic set in. I feared that I would have to stay and live in the Orlando airport and write a book called “Lost and Alone in Orlando.” But I did spy with my little mascara-laden eye if I squinted hard and looked between my eyelashes, a small sign pointing to the shuttle pick-up area. In my anxiety and fear of losing the group, I was speeding along the concourse, and Queerteeny happened to graze a baby stroller and knock a grandma’s cane out of her hand. I sped around the corner, and lo and behold, there everyone was, loading their luggage into the shuttle van.
Since gay boys don’t travel lightly, due
to the many costume changes needed each day, it was going to be very difficult to get all the luggage into the van. Thus began the biggest game of Tetris I’ve ever witnessed. After much grunting, a couple of swear words, and unloading and reloading at least three times, we got it all in and started down the road. I was ever-so-grateful because I was beginning to fear that I might need to take up permanent residence with Mickey and Minny at Disney World. Although I guess it wouldn’t be that bad; I could always swap makeup and fashion tips with Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.” Stay tuned next month for the boarding of the ship…
This story leaves us with several important questions:
1. How many times would Queerteeny tumble if she tried to ride the escalator?
2. Will Chuck-A-Rama ever install a driveup window so I don’t have to walk in?
3. Should I install bumper pads on Queerteeny for bouncing off of elevator walls?
4. Should I also install a ‘cow catcher’ on the front of Queerteeny to sweep annoying small children and slow old ladies out of my way?
5. The elevator doors of death made me feel like I was Godzilla’s lunch, so I wonder if that is how the roast beef and turkey at Chuck-A-Rama feel when they see me coming.
6. Does airport security conduct cavity searches?
7. How do I make a reservation for that?
8. If I began living at Disney World, would that make me the newest Disney Princess?
These and other eternal questions will be answered in future chapters of The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q
