QSaltLake, August 1 –15, 2006

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Utah’s Gay and Lesbian Newspaper August 1–15, 2006

Gay Wedding Guide While the debate goes on, same-sex ceremonies are quietly performed.

Team Salt Lake Brings Home the Medals Gay Games VII in Chicago ‘most profitable ever’

SoulForce Marches on Colorado Springs WorldPride in Jerusalem is Cancelled Laurie’s Craigs List Tips

‘Another Gay Movie’ Review Q Agenda

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Lagoon Day, Raging Waters Day

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August 1–15, 2006

In This Issue Gay Marriage Guide

As the gay marriage debate rages on, gay and lesbian people are going to Canada, Massachusetts and other places for ceremonies. Many are having their own ceremonies here at home. Here’s a guide to help you plan your own.

Gay Wedding Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Gay Marriange and the Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Gay Marriage Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Guest Editorial by Joe Solmonese . . . . . . . . . . . 11

On The Cover

Josh Shuck goes to the jazz festival and ends up in the e.r.

Page 8

Gay Bashed

A trip to the Salt Lake City Jazz Festival lands a gay Utah man in the emergency room. Is it a hate crime? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

News & Opinion World News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 National and Regional News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Editorial Cartoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Guest Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Arts Q Agenda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ‘Another Gay Movie’ Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Q Buzz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Rox Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

GAY WEDDING GUIDE

How to’s, tips and books Page 14

Columnists Ruby Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Ben Williams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Laurie Mecham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Travis Labrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

The Big Q Q Bar Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Comics — Kyle’s Bed & Breakfast. . . . . . . . . . . 25 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Horoscopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Q Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Q Marketplace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Comics — Troy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

801-979-2163

JoSelle Vanderhooft

801-232-7748

‘Another Gay Movie’

Page 19

Copyright Š 2006 Salt Lick Publishing, LLC. Contributors All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be Kim Burgess, Angela D’Amboise, Troy Espera, reproduced in any manner, including electronic retrieval Matthew Gerber, Garth Gullickson, Tony systems, without the prior written permission of the publisher. One copy of this publication is free of charge to Hobday, Brek Joos, Scott Johnson, Chad Keller, Travis Labrum, Danny McCoy, Laurie any individual. Additional copies may be purchased for $1. Anyone taking or destroying multiple copies may be Mecham, Stuart Merrill, Ross von Metzke, prosecuted for theft at the sole discretion of the pubWilliam H. Munk, Blaine Osborne, Ruby Ridge, lisher. Reward offered for information that leads to the Mikey Rox, Nicholas Rupp, Kim Russo, Joel arrest of any individual willfully stealing, destroying or trashing multiple copies. QSaltLake and the QSaltLake Shoemaker, Mark Thrash, Darren Tucker, logo and the Q bug are trademarks of Salt Lick PublishJoSelle Vanderhooft, Ben Williams ing, LLC. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of

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the publishers or staff.

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Editor Michael Aaron Arts Editor Tony Hobday Proofreader Nicholas Rupp Office Mgr. Tony Hobday Distribution Courtney Moser

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Ad Sales John Geertsen

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WORLD AND NATIONAL

Cyndi Lauper Closes Most Profitable Gay Games Ever

by Troy Espera Chicago — An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 participants and spectators boogied down Saturday night to the songs of pop icon Cyndi Lauper at the closing ceremonies of Gay Games VII at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Lauper, dressed as a rainbow version of the Statue of Liberty, headlined the colorful celebration, marking the end of a weeklong Olympics-style sporting event.

“I feel like this is becoming sort of a tradition for me since I performed last time the Gay Games were in the States, in New York City in 1994,” Lauper said in a statement on the Gay Games Web site.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who has been vocal about his desire for his city to host the 2006 Olympic Games, escorted the Gay Games flag during its ceremonial transfer to an official from Cologne, Germany, the host city of the 2010 games.

“As mayor, I want you to know how much we enjoyed having you here this past week,” Daley said to the crowd. “I’m sure you found Chicago is a very welcoming place for members of the gay and lesbian community.”

The seventh Gay Games were originally planned for Montreal, Canada, but after a disagreement between local organizers and the Federation of Gay Games, the event was handed to Chicago.

Montreal organizers decided to stage their own games, and the inaugural Out Games opens in Montreal on July 29. Many doubted whether the Chicago Games would be a financial success, but organizers now report the event to be the most profitable in the history of the Gay Games.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that attendance figures will not be available until later this week, but Gay Games spokesman Kevin Boyer told the Chicago newspaper that he predicted the games would make money.

Boyer estimated the city and surrounding suburbs pulled in $50 million to $80 million through the Gay Games. The Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau made a more modest economic impact estimate of $33.4 million based on the lodging, meals and transportation costs of the 11,500 registered athletes.

Regardless of how successful the games were, many attendees said that Chicago earned a reputation for being a progressive city.

“This was one of the only places where if you want to put your arm around your partner or give her a kiss, you can do it without having to worry about what other people will think,” Crete resident Jean Tolchinsky told The Sun-Times.

“I think Chicago showed its best side.” Q

Team Salt Lake Gay Games VII Medals Basketball Team Utah, men’s

Bronze Team Utah, Women’s

Fourth

Diving Paul Reynolds

Silver, 1m Silver, 3m Silver, Platform Gold, Synchronized

Golf Mark McGowan

Bronze

Marathon Trent Bell:

Barbara Nash

Gold, 50-meter Freestyle Women 60-64 Gold, 50-meter Breaststroke Women 60-64 Gold, 100-meter Breaststroke Women 60-64 Gold, 200-meter Breaststroke Women 60-64 Kyle Treadway

Silver, 200-meter Individual Medley Men 45-49 Silver, 200-meter Butterfly Men 45-49 James Viney

Fourth, 50-meter Butterfly Men 55-59 Elizabeth Watkins

Gold, Women’s Overall Open Water Swim Gold, 200-meter Breaststroke Women 40-44 Silver, 800-meter Freestyle Women 40-44 Silver, 50-meter Breaststroke Women 40-44 Bronze, 1500-meter Freestyle Women 40-44 Patrick Wentworth

Fourth, Synchronized Swimming

Silver, Half Marathon

Water Polo

Martial Arts

QUAC/Team Salt Lake:

Chad Morishita

Silver

Fourth, Black Belt Seniors Third Degree & Above

Volleyball

Swimming

Seattle/Salt Lake Mixed Team

Team Salt Lake

Elizabeth Watkins, Barbara Nash, James Viney and Kyle Treadway Silver, Mixed 200-239 200-meter Freestyle Relay

Silver *Results available at press time.

Team Salt Lake enters the Opening Ceremonies of Gay Games VII in Chicago at Soldier Field Stadium.

PHOTO: MARK BARR

Team Salt Lake Brings Home the Gold

by Michael Aaron

michael@qsaltlake.com

and then again in the semifinals, eliminating them from medal competition.

“We had a great time and met a lot of cool people. Overall, it was a really great experience,” said team member Sarah Burton.

Salt Lake’s Avalanche flag football team lost three games in pool play and did not make it to medal competition.

Chad Morishita competed in Martial Arts, also acting as a judge in pattens and sparring. He placed fourth, edging him out of a medal by two-tenths of a point in Black Belt Seniors Third Degree & Above competition.

He was only a half point from the gold medal winner.

“It was a very close match. We

Chicago — Gold medals were awarded to three members of Team Salt Lake at Gay Games VII held in Chicago, Ill. Barbara Nash swam away with the most medals on the team, garnering four gold and one silver medal. Elizabeth Watkin brought home two gold, two silver and a bronze and Paul Reynolds won one gold and three silver medals.

The Games were held July 15 –22 in Chicago. Around 100 Utahns participated, including several teams: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s softball, water polo and a relay swimming team.

Queer Utah Aquatics Club had two teams in water polo. Team A made it all the way to the finals after trouncing London 15-2 and Toronto 15-1 but losing to Atlanta 5-6 in preliminaries. They won over West Hollywood B in the quarterfinals 15-9 and New York in the semifinals 9-6.

They finally lost to West Hollywood A in the finals 9-11, giving them the silver medal.

“We fell behind in the first quarter,” said team member and QUAC President Doug Fadel.

Top: Doug Fadel in water polo competition.

PHOTOS: ALICE COPERMAN FOR GAY GAMES VII Bottom: The QUAC team in a pow-wow.

“We were coming back strong. If we’d have had another quarter we would have gotten them. had a total of 150 competitors, 80 of which were black belts,” Morishita said. “I had a It was a great match.” great time at the Games.”

Team B ended up with a 1-4 record.

Most Utah medals came from the swimThe men’s basketball team took home a ming competitions, including a silver in the bronze medal after winning over the LBL Mixed 200 Meter Freestyle Relay with team Slashers 58-34, then losing to Long Beach members Elizabeth Watkins, Barbara Nash, 46-34. They won the bronze medal game James Viney and Kyle Treadway. Treadway against the Dallas Drillers. also came home with a silver in 200-meter inThe women’s basketball team lost out in dividual medley and 200-meter breaststroke. the bronze playoff after losing two players Paul Reynolds won a gold in synchronized to injuries. The team was 7-1 in preliminary diving and three silvers in 3-meter, 1-meter rounds and won handily in the quarterfiand platform diving competitions. nals 50-35, but lost their point guard in that Information available at press time game. They lost to Mineapolis 44-35 in the showed a tally of seven gold medals, 12 semifinals and to Team Desire 54-40 in the silver medals and three bronze medals won bronze medal game.

by Team Salt Lake. Q Team Swoosh won all three preliminary softball games, but lost in the quarterfinals

The First World Outgames Takes Off in Montreal Montreal — The first World Outgames, a celebration of sport, culture and human rights, is set to begin this weekend in Montreal and promises to bring more than 12,000 athletes from around the world.

The athletes will be arriving in Montreal over the next few days for the Olympicstyle event for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes.

“We’re very excited because it’s a real international event... there are lots of volunteers and people who worked for years and years to organize those games,” Louise Roy, Outgames’ CEO told Canadian network CTV. The Games are part of The International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, where 2000 people from around the world will discuss LGBT human rights—from essential rights to global issues. CTV reports that close to 5,000 volunteers have registered.

“If I was a little younger I would be participating but I found another way to participate by being a volunteer,” says Isabelle Ruiz.

Volunteer Marco Lopez told CTV he was “a little bit nervous but I’m excited as well... I think it’s going to be a very good experience.”

The expected 12,000 to 13,000 participants is below the initial estimates of 16,000, organizers say. Many attribute the lower turnout to a delay in the issuance of visas for the international athletes.

The government blamed the delays on the crush of people from abroad seeking to enter Canada during the peak tourist season.

But Opposition Liberals in the Canadian Parliament suggested that the government is purposely dragging its feet. Many of the 315 having difficulties entering the county have criminal records — the result of laws in their home countries against homosexuality and social protest.

However, organizers are predicting the Games will be a big success.

“I think that we’re the best prepared for an event like this that’s ever been delivered for the gay and lesbian community,” said Mark Tewksbury, the Outgames’ co-president.

According to World Outgames’ Website, athletes will compete in some 35 events, such as swimming, track and field and volleyball.

Several cultural events are also planned.

The Games will run July 26 to Aug. 5 on the heels of the Gay Games VII held in Chicago from July 15-22. —TE

August 12 Jazz Downtown

live music in the park

August 19 August 26 Ferragosto Italian Festival Downtown Living Fair

a preview of the annual free tours of the city’s Rio Grande celebration urban living options

WorldPride in Jerusalem Cancelled Tel Aviv, Israel — An international ‘gay pride’ parade scheduled for August in Jerusalem has been called off due to Israel’s war with Hezbollah.

Some rabbis, who have urged that the World Pride parade be cancelled, see the war as God’s judgment for the Israeli government’s tacit support of the homosexualactivist celebration, reports WorldNetDaily. com.

“We have not protested enough against this parade of abomination and therefore we have received this warning,” warned Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, the head of the extremist Eda Haredit rabbinic court, in a hand-written message to his followers. “Who knows where things will get to if we do not act further and more stringently against it.”

But YnetNews.com reports that Israeli authorities stated they lacked the manpower to guarantee participants’ safety in light of Israel’s ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah in Lebanon, WorldPride spokeswoman Cathy Renna said.

Israel was massing tanks and troops on the Lebanese border and preparing for a likely ground invasion, the Associated Press reported.

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National and Regional

Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Defeated in U.S. House Washington — The House of Representatives on July 18 voted against a Constitutional gay marriage ban, giving added momentum to marriage equality advocates in their ongoing work to defeat state-level marriage legislation that will appear on ballots in a number of states in November.

The 236-187 vote for the proposal to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman was 47 short of the two-thirds majority needed to advance a Constitutional amendment. It followed six weeks after the Senate also decisively defeated the amendment, a top priority of social conservatives.

With this federal-level victory, supporters of gay marriage say they are now shifting gears from fighting the amendment to educating about the critical need for marriage equality, why it’s good for families and for the nation.

“The fact that this even came up for debate is yet another example of too many legislator’s misplaced priorities or worse—election year pandering,” said Jody M. Huckaby, Parents Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays Executive Director. “The bottom line is that Americans are facing issues that need attention—skyrocketing gas prices, international tensions, and environmental issues, to name just a few. Working towards enshrining discrimination into our Constitution doesn’t make the list of things they want done.”

But according to The Associated Press, supporters said the vote will make a difference when people got to the polls in November.

“The overwhelming majority of the American people support traditional marriage,” said Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., sponsor of the amendment, in an AP report.

“And the people have a right to know whether their elected representatives agree with them.”

The marriage amendment is part of the “American values agenda” the House is taking up this week that includes a pledge protection bill and a vote on President Bush’s expected veto of a bill promoting embryonic stem cell research. Bush has asked, and

social conservatives demanded, that the gay marriage ban be considered in the run-up to the election.

Lesbian Couple in Landmark Gay Marriage Suit Splits Boston — A lesbian couple involved in the lawsuit that led to same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts announced this week that they have “amicably separated.” “Julie and Hillary Goodridge are amicably living apart,” Mary Breslauer, a local political consultant, said Thursday night to Boston’s Bay Windows newspaper on the former couple’s behalf. Breslauer declined to comment on how long they had been separated or whether the couple planned to divorce.

The Goodridges were among seven gay couples whose lawsuit helped thrust Massachusetts into the center of a nationwide debate on gay marriage. The state’s Supreme Judicial Court issued its narrow 4-3 ruling in November 2003 in their favor, saying gays and lesbians had a right under the state constitution to wed.

According to Bay Windows, the Goodridges were married May 17, 2004 — the first day same-sex marriages became legal under the court ruling. Their daughter Annie figured prominently in the Goodridges’ case. When Julie Goodridge gave birth by cesarean section, there were complications.

Hillary Goodridge, at the time having no legal relationship with mother or child, said she was barred several times from seeing her daughter and partner.

“Even though their number one priority was their daughter,” Breslauer said in an interview with The Boston Globe, “marriage makes her also their legal obligation. Their daughter is more protected because they are married.”

According to The Houston Chronicle, Julie Goodridge declined to comment, saying Breslauer was the family’s acting spokeswoman. Hillary Goodridge also has not commented.

“The plaintiff couple in this case are real people with real lives. They’re not immune from life’s ups and downs,” Breslauer told The Chronicle. “Certainly over the course of time there will be same sex couples that separate just as happens in other marriages.”

Soulforce Marches in Colorado Springs

‘1000-Watt March’ draws hundreds to protest Focus on the Family Denver, Colo. — Responding to comments from New York University sociologist Dr. Judith Stacey that Focus on the Family had twisted her research about the children of same-sex parents to justify anti-gay discrimination, Focus on the Family twisted the conclusions of another researcher. In an Associated Press report published on July 18 in newspapers across the nation, Focus on the Family spokesperson and Bush administration advisor Glenn T. Stanton cited an article by Mary Parke from the Center for Law and Social Policy which he said shows that children need a mother and a father.

Parke’s article, “Are Married Parents Really Better for Children? What Research Says About the Effects of Family Structure on Child Well-Being,” was published in 2003, and consolidates social science research comparing the outcomes of children raised by married biological parents with children raised by single or divorced parents and step parents. The article does not compare children raised by committed same-sex couples to children raised by committed heterosexual couples. The use of studies on the children of divorced or single parents to justify the claim that children fare better with heterosexual parents was the chief criticism Dr. Stacey leveled against Focus on the Family. Parke no longer works with CLASP and was not available for comment.

“They’re sticking to their game plan,” said Jeff Lutes, executive director of Soulforce, “They have Judith Stacey on record as saying their references to her work don’t match the conclusions of her research so they just move on down the line and misquote another researcher.” Lutes continued, “It’s like they’re allergic to the truth on this issue.”

Lutes has documented dozens of published instances in which Focus on the Family has claimed that gay and lesbian people are harmful to children, or attempting to destroy the American family. “Focus on the Family says that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are sick and sinful, a danger to children and a threat to the American family. They have dressed their bigotry up in the language of faith and social science to make it more palatable. It’s time for them to stop because they are hurting our families.”

The 1000 Watt March from the Colorado state capitol to Focus on the Family headquarters was held July 18–22, with the marchers braving temperatures near 100 degrees.

Among the marchers were Ken Lewis and Jamieson Allen and their four sons, including a set of triplets. As they set up a large, three-seat stroller with a canopy so the three year-old triplets could ride in style, Lewis said

they were marching to Focus on the Family because religious issues were of growing importance in American society. “It’s important for us to march because it’s important for our kids. It’s important to tell the truth.” Allen added, “Religion is about love not hate.”

Clearly a family that buys in bulk, Lewis and Allen pulled out an entire bunch of bananas and distributed them to their children before setting off along the road.

Laurin Foxworth and Lewis Thompson said their relationship was arranged by a higher power. After their initial meeting the two exchanged letters for seven years. Their correspondence had dwindled when they met again at a “Gay and Gray” conference and knew they were meant for each other.

Foxworth, who is 80, and Thompson, who is 60, hammed in front of a documentary camera before their leg of the march began.

Asked if they were ready for the harsh temperatures, the senior member of the couple made a muscle and said in a fractured accent, “We are strong like bulls.” Asked why they were marching, Foxworth responded, “We’re marching because nothing feels as empowering after a lifetime in the closet.”

On July 22, actor Chad Allen and Judy Shepard, executive director of The Matthew Shepard Foundation, led a final two-mile march from Rampart Park in Colorado Springs to the headquarters of Focus on the Family. The crowd encircled James Dobson’s headquarters, joining hearts and hands in vigil as they peacefully call on him to cease his defamation of the queer community.

Broadway star Billy Porter protested in song with a jazz concert celebrating the lives of all people and loving relationships that seek the American dream. Q

Win Two Tickets to the Equality Utah Allies Dinner from QSaltLake Be wined and dined in the Grand Ballroom of the Salt Palace as 1000 gay men, lesbians and friends support Equality Utah and gaysupportive candidates running for office.

Write us a 400-word essay on why it is important for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to be politically-active in Utah. We will publish the best five and give two tickets, worth $100 each, to the person who writes the best one!

Deadline is August 21. Please email submissions to allies@qsaltlake.com. Please do not send attachments — copy and paste the essay into the body of your email. Do not exceed 400 words. Articles become the property of QSaltLake, though any publication of the essay will be attributed. Q

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LOCAL

Gay Bashing at the Jazz Festival

By Michael Aaron

michael@qsaltlake.com

“I wish I would have just stayed home.”

Josh Shuck, who just celebrated his 23rd birthday last weekend, is now in a neck brace for six weeks and faces the possibility of surgery to repair two crushed vertebrae after making the decision to go the Salt Lake City International Jazz Festival the night of July 9.

Though Josh is a bit blurry on the details, those around him and those who came to his aid say his beating was an out-and-out gay bashing.

“I got off work and tried to decide whether I wanted to go down to the jazz festival or just stay in,” Josh said. “I just live a few blocks away so I decided to go down. I ran into some friends and we hung out. We were really having a good time.”

One of the friends Josh met up with was a woman he once worked with. Mary, who asked that her real name not be used in this story, agreed that the night was a lot of fun.

“I hadn’t seen Josh in a few months, so it was nice to see him again. We and a bunch of other friends were just enjoying the festival, enjoying the company, having fun, dancing.

It was just a peaceful experience for me. We were having a load of fun, really enjoying our time together,” Mary explained.

“Then, closer to the end of the night, two guys approached us,” Mary continued. “A girl friend and I were sitting on the curb and Josh was sitting on the street in front of us.

Two guys came up and one sat to my left and started leaning over me at my friend. He began making rude comments about her body … inappropriate remarks.”

“The two guys were pretty drunk,” said Josh. “They were telling my friends to make out and stuff. One wasn’t lesbian and it was making us all feel uncomfortable. They wouldn’t leave us alone.”

“Everything seemed to go south really fast,” said Mary. “I was trying to tune it out. I turned away from him hoping he would take the hint and just leave us alone. He just kept on saying very graphic things.”

Josh then called one of the friends at the festival, Dallin James, hoping he’d bring some friends with him.

“Josh called me and said, ‘get over here, these drunk guys are harassing the girls and we need to get them out of here,’” said Dallin. “He actually called a couple times telling us to save them. We walked over and saw the guys basically harassing them. We didn’t say even two words to them, we just walked over and said, ‘ok guys, gotta go, our ride is leaving.’”

“Immediately, the guy with the shaved head looked at me and said, ‘you guys are a bunch of cocksuckers, aren’t you?’ I was taken aback. ‘Are you serious?’ I thought,” Dallin explained. “They were obviously wasted drunk. ‘You guys are fucking fags! You better get out of here, you’re faggots.’ He just kept on and on calling us names.”

That’s when the group started walking away.

“I turned back around and saw he was getting up to come after us,” Dallin said. “He kept yelling ‘fags,’ ‘cocksuckers.’ We just kept walking.”

“We walked away and I walked ahead of Josh a bit. I heard a male voice yelling ‘You fucking faggot, you fucking faggot!’” said

Mary. “I turned and saw the guy grab Josh by the collar of his shirt and he hit him in the face. I turned again to find my friends and turned back and saw the guy had him in a headlock and he threw his head right to the ground.”

“It was so awkward to me. If someone’s not fighting back, why do you keep pummeling him?” Mary wondered.

“Josh was already down and the guy Beating victim Josh Shuck picked him up and threw him down again.”

“You wouldn’t believe the impact to the ground,” said Dallin. “It was pretty intense how he hit him to the ground.”

“I started to yell, ‘This guy is a gay-basher!

This guys is a gay-basher! At the top of my lungs” said Mary. “Instantly complete strangers swooped in and tackled him.”

“People tuned in to what was going on” said Dallin. “Random bystanders stepped in and protected Josh and I. They got the shit beat out of them. I think they got what was coming to them.”

“I ran straight towards Josh and grabbed his bag and ran over to our other friend. She grabbed Josh — he was shaking and crying, ‘My head hurts, my neck hurts.’ We laid him flat.”

Festival security, paramedics and the police were called. Paramedics took Josh and the alleged perpetrators, Marc Handley and Greg Ratliff, to the hospital. Police questioned Handley, who said, according to police reports, he could not remember anything. He was cited with misdemeanor simple assault. Ratliff was not charged.

Handley said he worked as a loan officer at Security National Mortgage. The person answering a phone call by QSaltLake said that Handley did not work there. After investigating, we found that both Handley and Ratliff work at NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate. QSaltLake also believes that Handley offered up a false residence. Handley is not listed on the condominium directory at the door and an office staffer could find no Handley in her files.

Police are not yet handling the incident as a hate crime. While Handley has been cited, police spokespeople say the case is still being investigated.

“If it turns out to be an assault, it will be investigated as an assault, if it turns out to be a hate crime, it will be treated like a hate crime,” Det. Joe Cyr, Salt Lake City Police Public Information Officer, told QSaltLake.

As for Shuck, he continues to wear his neck brace and hopes for the best. “I can’t look down or otherwise get hurt,” Shuck said, “or I will be permanently paralyzed. This is the first broken bone I’ve had in my life.”

“I cannot remember anything said or done that would have instigated any kind of fight,” said Mary. “Josh is ... he means no harm. He is a tender, young man. Very sweet. He would never try to pick a fight. It’s beyond me that it all happened.”

Handley did not return calls to QSaltLake for a statement.

Drive for Diversity Golf Classic The seventh annual Center Golf Classic – Drive for Diversity golf tournament is around the corner. This tournament is a fund raising event supporting the programs and services that the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah provides.

The tournament is an event that draws people back year after year due to its fun scramble format, games at the holes, raffle prizes, and the chance to win a car for a hole in one.

The registration fee is $85 per person, $340 for a team, and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, breakfast, lunch and a prize bag.

Registration is now available on the Center’s website at www.glbtccu.org/page/events/golfClassic.php. There are a limited number of places available — so you are encouraged to register your team early. The tournament is held Aug. 27 at Stonebridge Golf Course, with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start.

A pre-party on the Friday before the tournament will be held on the patio of the Paper Moon on Friday, Aug. 25th at 7:00 p.m. The New Yorker is providing an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. There will also be live music and dancing. This party is open to everyone, regardless of whether or not participating in the tournament.

A $10 entrance fee benefits The Center.

The Project is a coalition of people and organizations promoting healthy lifestyles in Weber and surrounding counties. They provide confidential Rapid Test HIV testing services each Tuesday afternoon, offering same-day results.

They also test for gonorrhea and Chlamydia and provide counseling for hepatitis C. A donation of $15 is asked to participate in the walk/run and children under 12 are free.

Walkers will receive a walk T-shirt.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., and the walk/run will start at 8:45 am after a special presentation.

PAC Announces Goal of 1000 at their annual Allies Dinner Imagine a room filled with 1,000+ members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, our allies and the elected officials

who support LGBT equality. With your help, we can make that happen and impact Utah politics, says Equality Utah Executive Director Mike Thompson.

The Equality Utah Political Action Committee is preparing for their annual Allies Dinner, to be held Sep. 19 in the Salt Palace Ballroom, and is asking for people to become involved now.

The mission of Equality Utah PAC is to achieve equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Utahns and their families. The group hopes to increase the number of fair-minded elected officials in state and local government. Through interviews, the PAC identifies and endorses candidates who are strong on queer issues. In addition, they support those campaigns with volunteer efforts and financial contributions. Over 600 candidates across the state will receive interview requests.

Neil Giuliano, President of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and former Mayor of Tempe, AZ will keynote the Allies Dinner where the Allies for Equality awards will be presented.

“With an expected attendance of 1,000 people, this year’s Allies Dinner will certainly strengthen the power of our PAC,” said Thompson.

The group is seeking people to act as table captains who work to fill a table of ten attendees. The only financial commitment, says Thompson, is the cost of your own ticket as each of your guests are responsible for the cost of her or his own ticket. Tables who do not make the goal of ten seats are filled by the PAC. If you want to be a Table Captain, email Thompson at mike@equalityutah.org.

More information is at equalityutah.org.

Burnett Moves to Oregon, McNeil Named Youth Director After serving a happy and fulfilling tenure as the Director of Youth Programs for the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah, Stan Burnett has decided to relocate to Portland, Oregon.

Rachel McNeil has stepped in as the new director of youth programs. McNeil recently received a masters degree in social work from the University of Utah and has completed practicum positions as a therapist with Pride Counseling and the Utah AIDS Foundation. She has also served as a volunteer for The Center’s Youth Programs for the past two years.

Also new to The Center is Marina Gomberg, who has stepped in as the new part-time position of Youth Coordinator. This position was created in order to assist Rachel with the growing responsibility of caring for the Youth Activity Center and its many activities. Marina is currently a student at the University of Utah studying Gender Studies and Psychology. She brings with her a history of leadership related to youth services and the gay and lesbian community.

PWACU Runs the River

Steppin’ for Life in Ogden The Northern Utah HIV/AIDS Project’s sixth annual “Steppin’ for Life” Walk/Run will be held the morning of Saturday Aug. 19th at Lorin Farr Park in Ogden.

The 5K-Walk/Run is aimed at increasing HIV/AIDS awareness throughout the Northern Utah communities and to raise funds for the organization.

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The People With AIDS Coalition of Utah will hold their annual river trip Aug. 26 & 27 at Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming. The trip includes two days of rafting the scenic section of the Snake River through Teton Park “where eagles and otter play.”

The group will camp in the park overnight and raft the Class III Alpine section of the Snake River. Bison, bald eagles and coyote are often spotted on this trip. Food, transportation, camping equipment and park passes are included in the cost of $25 for PWACU clients and $100 for family and friends.

Common Grounds Outdoor Adventures is guiding the trip. A trip orientation will be held at the PWACU offices, 175 W. 200 South, Suite 2010, Aug. 3 at 4:00 p.m. Those interested are asked to call Georgia at 484-2205.

The PWACU Recreation Program offers people living with HIV/AIDS the opportunity to create social support networks in a positive and safe environment and provides access to cultural and community events that people affected by HIV/AIDS may not otherwise be able to attend. Membership is confidential.

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Marriage Fight Not Over

by Joe Solmonese,

Human Rights Campaign

Dear HIV/ AIDS:

by Dwayne Sessions July 7, 2003

Though we are both aware of each other’s presence, I have never spoken to you directly. I suppose, in a lot of ways, I should thank you. You’ve forced me to look at myself at some interesting angles, most of which have not been too flattering.

For the last five years (since I’ve known about you), I have tried to “take the high road,” “look for the silver lining,” “keep my chin up,” and “take care of business.” I have used my whole arsenal of emotions to keep focused and positive and I’m getting tired now.

Don’t get too excited, my friend — this is not a surrender! I’m just being honest with myself in admitting a few things and telling you in the process. Let’s call it reparative therapy, shall we? On thing is for sure: you are definitely high maintenance.

I’ll admit, I never dreamed I would be going through this much for this long. I was kind of thinking it would be over faster than this. I have never been challenged like this before and I have never felt this kind of pain (the kind that feels like someone is ripping the flesh right off of your bones).

You have confused me, threatened me, scared me and sent me spiraling into moments of panic that have left me paralyzed to the core of my being.

At first you were easy to beat because I knew I wouldn’t have to keep it up for very long. The way the doctors were talking I figured it was already over, but you decided to draw this out and take your sweet time, I suppose, in an attempt to break my will. Well, you’re good — I’ll give you that.

Congratulations! I am feeling quite broken at this point. I feel like enough is enough and I really don’t want to fight with you right now. So, you’ll have to forgive me if I ignore you for a while. I feel like focusing on some of the things that lift my spirits and help me regroup so that next time we face each other I can stand a little taller. I can’t do that if I’m constantly thinking about you. Don’t take

it personally, you know; I have nothing but respect for you. You are a formidable adversary and I am aware that it’s not your fault I’m in this position. It was my “life choices” that sent your invitation in the first place, so, I don’t blame you at all. Quite the opposite! I know that all you’re doing is trying to survive.

In the meantime, we should be proud, you and I. We’ve given each other a run for the money. I bet you didn’t expect some of the challenges I have given you. I have a history of giving up and, I’m sure, you weren’t ready for a strong positive attitude. Take the wind out of your sails, did it? You’d like me to think so, but I highly doubt it. You see, at this point, the last thing I’m willing to do is underestimate you. I think I know you as well as you know me and I’m sure you won’t miss a beat. I am aware that every time I miss a dose of medicine you go crazy and, I know I should eat better and take better care of myself. I even know that you think you have the upper hand and this whole thing is “in the bag.” However, one thing you have taught me is to assume nothing, to always be on the lookout for the next twist or turn. Perhaps I have learned this lesson better than you have because there is one thing I haven’t told you yet! You might want to brace yourself for this one. You see, this body you are so hell-bent on destroying is not really me! This is only where I live temporarily. That’s right, I fooled you! The truth is I will go on long after you have done your best.

So, old boy, there you have it. This probably clears a few things up for you and I pray that I’ve succeeded in creating your own “moment of sheer panic” so you can learn how it feels.

Bottom line, you can cripple my body into a shriveled heap if you want to! You can kill everything and everyone I have ever cared for. You can leave me a withered up shell of a man who can’t care for himself. You can do all of this and more, but there is one thing you can’t do! You can’t stop me from going on, and when I do I will no longer need the body you are living in and you will die. Ironic, isn’t it?

Tell me who’s laughing now?

Until that time, “bring it on” and may the best one win. I know it will be me!

DeWayne Sessions won his battle with AIDS July 16. See the obituaries next page.

We know from history that the struggle for equality is never quick or easy. We have also learned that it takes courage and resolve to push for change — which is exactly what we saw in New York, where supporters of marriage equality brought forward their case to the courts. And as the national debate on marriage builds, we see more individuals coming to accept gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, and also a societal shift toward marriage fairness.

A March 2006 Pew Research Center poll found that since July 2004 there has been a 12-point total shift in support on the question of whether gays and lesbians should be able to marry legally. In New York specifically, polls show that the majority of New Yorkers now support marriage equality, while at the same time, the percentage of those who oppose it has decreased sharply.

Every time in our nation’s history that we have moved forward — from women’s suffrage, to integration to gay rights — we have seen resistance to the change. Acceptance doesn’t happen overnight; it happens in small and big steps with setbacks along the way.

Last month we witnessed a setback in our struggle but certainly not a defeat. On Thursday, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the state constitution permitted the denial of marriage to same-sex couples.

The court ruled that the Legislature had a rational reason for denying marriage, saying that it was more important to promote stability in opposite-sex relationships than same-sex relationships. The court also suggested that the state could reasonably conclude — in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary — that children would not do as well with lesbian and gay parents.

This 21st-century decision reflects archaic and discredited views. With its ruling, the court threw out the window the expert advice of child welfare professionals and years of scientific evidence. And in the process of denying marriage to same-sex couples, the New York Court of Appeals had a Dan Quayle/Murphy Brown moment. Rather than acknowledging all American families — whether single parents, childless couples or same-sex couples and their children — the court justified inequality in service

It’s About ... Family Editor, The Ali Forney Center’s advertising campaign [“Would you stop loving your child if you found out they were gay or lesbian,” July 16] is exactly what is needed here in Utah.

How many times have we had to watch ads on television from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... the Mormons ... extolling the virtues of family, only to turn around and find another person kicked to the curb by their Mormon family because they reveal their sexual orientation?

How many holidays are ruined by the ultra-closed minded holier-than-thou brother-in-law because they shriek at the thought their gay or lesbian family member may actually show up for dinner?

Make the locals put their money where their mouth is and treat their own family members in civil, humane ways upon find-

of its own image of what a family should look like. The court reduced the commitment between same-sex couples who want to marry to “a person’s preference for the sort of sexual activity that cannot lead to the birth of children.” Under this logic, children raised by single parents are not really families, and married couples who are not able to conceive should not be married.

Those comments are offensive and prejudiced, and have no place in an American court of law. However, some judges displayed good sense in their dissent. Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye wrote, “I am confident that future generations will look back on today’s decision as an unfortunate misstep.” And as we look at the acts of discrimination in our nation’s history and how unfathomable they are to imagine today, I wholeheartedly agree.

As the fog of prejudice is lifted and when Americans have a real conversation about marriage equality, we increasingly see them coming down on the side of fairness. People are realizing that GLBT Americans are their friends, their neighbors, their co-workers and their relatives. No one wants to see a loved one treated as a second-class citizen — it’s not the American way. This week’s decision was certainly a disappointment, but our struggle is far from over. Now the debate will go to the New York Legislature, where state representatives will vote on marriage equality — and we hope that they will follow the will of the people of New York and extend marriage equality to GLBT New Yorkers.

As marriage equality moves to the legislature, we at HRC will continue to support the efforts of Empire State Pride Agenda and other allies in the state to engage elected officials, and we will continue to support litigation groups like Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union who are fighting for our rights in the courts.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has already made his support for marriage equality public and has committed himself to campaign.

We hope that you will continue to stand with us on our struggle for equality and to fight discrimination so that our children and their children will look back on the ruling and say: “What were they thinking?”

For more information on New York and what is happening throughout the country, please keep an eye on www.hrc.org because the fight for marriage equality in New York and across the United States is far from over.

Joe Solmonese is the president of the Human Rights Campaign, hrc.org.

ing they are willing to live their life the way they believe their god made them.

This campaign would shake the bigots to their core and make them see themselves for what they truly are.

What an inspired campaign and what a worthy campaign for our local organizations and foundations to find a way to fund locally.

Deborah Allred-Christianson South Jordan

Seattle Successes Editor, I, too, was moved by the performance of “Not in Our Town” by the Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choirs [“From the Editor,” July 15].

In fact, I had a truly remarkable time watching the entire performance, including our own Salt Lake Men’s Choir and their performance of “Rainbow Connection” and

Survey Says...

by Ruby Ridge,

ruby@qsaltlake.com

Someone get Miss Ruby a julep, she’s a sweatin’ in this here heat! Lordy, is it sweltering or what? Darlings, if someone says to you there’s no such thing as global warming, you have my personal permission to bitch-slap them into another zip code!

Its time these pro-fossil fuel, big business, anti-science, talk radio blathering naysayers had a wake up call, or preferably a size 13 thigh-high boot up their butt. Between you and me, petals, I’m sure the Republicans will only fess up to global warming some election year when they can blame it all on the fags having hot gay sex. Jaded, Ruby? Hmmm … possibly, muffins. But I’m just waiting until some bogus think tank funded by Focus on the Family releases a study declaring that vaporized lube is eating out the ozone hole too!

So anyway, kids, I’ve been thinking. There have been a number of articles and letters to the editor about the absence of participation in our community organizations. I’m glad someone else is feeling that “malaise”. I look at the old standby organizations that have served the community for years and some of them seem to be fatigued, directionless, or totally out-of-step with the current realities of their clients. Case in point, can anyone tell me what the People With AIDS Coalition actually does? In an age where meth addictions and chronic drug abuse problems are ravaging our gay men’s community, the old HIV/AIDS agencies almost seem antiquated and out of touch. I guess it’s just a natural selection kind of evolution-ish thingy.

Oh … speaking of evolution, does anyone remember the Knights of Malta? They were

Obituaries active for years and then they just disappeared like so many volunteer-based community groups. Now the Utah Gay Rodeo Association seems to hover on the edge of oblivion, every year held together by a few overworked board members, and ditto for the Royal Court who have to beg people to run for office. It’s weird and I can’t quite put my finger on the problem, but it just seems that as a community we’re going through this awkward inter-generational shift. And don’t get me started on the effects of the internet and how many of our folks have on-line addictions. I am so old, I remember when people actually met in bars, face-toface. Boy howdy, has that evolved beyond recognition!

So here’s my pitch, darlings … the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah is doing a survey to see what needs exist and to see where evolution and change needs to occur in the gayborhood. I strongly recommend that you fill it in and participate (contact them at www.glbtccu. org). I know what you’re thinking …

Ruby don’t you have a few issues with The Center? Well, yes, a few minor disagreements, but nothing major. Actually I have been trying to improve my outlook towards the Center. I resolved to stop calling its lesbian leadership “hers”bollah, which I think is a positive step. Yes, there is a preponderance of strong-willed feisty lesbians in leadership positions, but that could become more representative in a heartbeat if gay men actually pulled their heads out of internet chat rooms long enough to contribute to their real world community. Ooops, was that my out-loud voice? Hmmm, I’ll have to watch that.

Actually I have been trying to improve my outlook towards the Center. I resolved to stop calling its lesbian leadership “hers”bollah, which I think is a positive step.

Letters, Continued

3/1/56 ~ 7/14/06

R. Jeffrey Kirkbride, our beloved companion, son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away suddenly Friday July 14, 2006 at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jeff was born March 1, 1956 in Salt Lake to Ronald M. and Eleanor J. Kirkbride. He spent most of his young life in Northern Utah and graduated from Ogden High School. Jeff was employed by Utah Power and Light for 30 years. He also owned “Aunt Fannies Bloomers” flower shop with his companion. He was a talented artist, musician, and had a beautiful voice, singing with the Symphonic Choir and the Salt Lake Men’s Choir for many years. He was compassionate, extremely loyal, and generous towards those closest to him. He loved all of his children very much and expressed those feelings often. Jeff had a great sense of humor and was an absolute joy to be around. Jeff was a devoted and dear companion and holds a special place in our hearts and will be sorely missed by all. Jeff is survived by his companion of 21 years, Phillip Foster; parents; sister, Kimberly (Mark) Hadley; children, Melissa (Scott) Borelli,

Boyd “DeWayne” Sessions 1958 ~ 2006

Our son, brother, uncle, friend and renowned artist, Boyd “DeWayne” Sessions, passed away at home surrounded by his family on July 16, 2006. His long battle with HIV/AIDS is finally over.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Sessions. He is survived by his father, Boyd (Karen) Sessions, brothers, Don Irwin (Kathy), Gail Sessions (Maria), sisters Nancy Ritter (Delbert), Joyce Luscombe (Jim), Debbie Cheney (Bryan), Diann Corbin, Baby, Patti Christie (David) and lots of nieces and nephews. Services were held July 20 at Memorial Mortuary. Interment was at Park City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation at Deseret First Credit Union, donations go to help fund Art Positive, founded in part by DeWayne. Condolences may be sent to www. celebratinglife-ut.com.

Ciao, babies!

Ruby Ridge is one of the more opinionated members of the Utah Cyber Sluts, a camp drag group of performers who raise funds and support local charities. Her opinions are her own and fluctuate wildly depending on summer heat and thigh chaffing.

will scramble to the box office to support their efforts.

I’m excited to see the future.

Crystal Rasmussen Sugar House

QSaltLake welcomes letters from its readers. Please email letters@qsaltlake.com or fax 1-800-806-7357. Letters should be fewer than 400 words and must include the author’s full name, the city and state in which you live, and contact information. Anonymous letters are not allowed. We may agree to withhold a name on sensitive letters. All submissions, if printed, are subject to editing for length, clarity and potential libel.

Department of Corrections Page 9 of the July 15 issue had a duplicate of the news on the previous page. Several news stories did not make print because of this error, including some stories advertising upcoming fundraising events.

We apologize for the error.

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“Stout-Hearted Men.” Had I known before that the Salt Lake Men’s Choir performed at such a high caliber, I would have been going to concerts for a very long time.

I’m wondering, though, if our choir can be as out as the Seattle choirs. It’s always seemed to me that SLMC was kind of the hush-hush-wink-wink gay choir, always followed with the exclamation that there was one or two non-gay members.

The Seattle choirs owe their success, in part, to their unapologetic, unflinching outness. Looking through the program, you see major corporate sponsors and a long list of personal contributors. This is likely because the choir has a larger purpose than a bunch of guys or women getting together to sing.

They are there to build community, build bridges and spread the message of love and hope.

I hope that our talented choir can learn from the successes of Seattle and be as out and proud as they. In turn, I think our community and all of our families and friends

R. Jeffrey Kirkbride

Randon Jeffrey Kirkbride, and Sarah Lynne Kirkbride; grandchildren, Matthew and Hailee of California; and many friends, relatives, and loved ones. A viewing was held July 18 at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, and a graveside service took place July 19 in the Heber City Cemetery.

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Court History

“spouse.� This tradition continues to this day.

Eventually San Francisco Tavern Guild’s annual charity ball was changed to a “coronation� and it sparked an annual event marking the election of empress and emperor of

by Ben Williams the Imperial Court of San Francisco. Sarria ben@qsaltlake.com developed the bylaws and functions of the In 1965, one of the Imperial Court that sought, through drag world’s longest-runshows and other functions, to raise monies ning gay charity-raising for gay charities. organizations was born Soon, fans of the San Francisco group took when a female impersonator named Jose the ideas to other cities, eventually spreading Julio Sarria was named Queen of the San chapters across the country and into Canada.

Francisco Tavern Guild’s annual charity In 1967 Sarria encouraged a drag performer ball. In his acceptance speech Sarria looked named Christina in Modesto, Calif. to proat the crowd of Bay Area gay bar owners, mote the Court system. It was then Christina thanked them for the honor but stated that was appointed by the community as Empress he was already a queen so they could not I of Modesto, forming the Owl Empire of make him one.

Stanislaus County. However, it was not until In the 1940s, Jose Sarria entered Gay hisafter the Stonewall Riots of 1969 did the Court tory when he began to cover shifts for his system explode. In 1970 the Imperial Royal waiter boyfriend at the Black Cat CafĂŠ in San Lion Monarchy in San Jose, California, held Francisco. Once, while Jose was its own Imperial election, in a serving drinks and the pianist campaign where several drag was playing Bizet’s “Carmen,â€? queens “fought tooth and Sarria began to sing arias to the press-on nailâ€? for the coveted opera. He was an immediate title of empress. sensation and his reputation as The following year, four a legendary drag performer at Court systems were form. The the Black Cat was born. At the International Imperial Court end of each performance at the of Long Beach California was Black Cat, Sarria enjoined his granted a charter by the Impegay audience to sing with him rial Court of San Francisco, a rousing rendition of “God —Jose Sarria with the founder of the ImperiSave Us Nelly Queens.â€? al Court System Empress I Jose Gay men and women before the Widow Norton crowning Stonewall were arrested on nuthe first monarchs in 1971. In merous charges used to keep San Diego, Calif. the Imperial homosexuals hidden in the Court de San Diego crowned Don Edmundcloset. Often Sarria would change the lyrics son the first African-American Empress of the of his arias at the Black Cat to warn people of Imperial Court system as Empress I Tawny the entrapment practices of the police. As he Tann. Seattle’s Imperial Sovereign Court of became more political, he coined the phrases Seattle and the Olympic and Rainier Empire “There is nothing wrong with being gay, the became the first Imperial Court outside crime is getting caughtâ€?, and “United we California while Vancouver, British Columbia’s stand, divided they get us one by oneâ€?.

Increased entrapments and raids by the po- The Dogwood Monarchist Society, founded also in 1971, became the “Mother Court of lice forced San Francisco’s gay bars to develop Canada. an association to denounce city-sponsored Three court systems were organized in oppression. In 1961, Jose Sarria became a 1972.

While Portland, Ore. had been holdcandidate for city supervisor and thereby also ing balls similar to San Francisco since 1966, became the first openly gay candidate in the it was following the crowning of the first nation to run for public office. Sarria lost his “elected� Rose Empress Tracey St. James bid but did garner an impressive 5,600 votes that the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court was which sparked a change in the voting laws. formed. Another Court system in the Pacific Votes were now allowed by ward, not simply city wide and this change allowed for minority Northwest was formed as the Imperial Sovereign Court of Spokane, while in Southern candidates to win future elections, including California, the Imperial Court of Los Angeles/ Harvey Milk in 1977.

Hollywood was established.

In early 1965, various gay bar owners put The Court system leaped to Denver, Colo. on the first “drag ball,� where Jose Sarria was in 1973 when The Imperial Court of the Rocky named “Queen of the Ball.� At this, “she�

Mountain Empire was founded as oldest gay exclaimed, “Why be a QUEEN when I can be organization in the state. Fresno, Calif. also an EMPRESS?â€? JosĂŠ Sarria then put a crown formed The Imperial Dove Court de Fresno upon his head and proclaimed himself by and Madera that same year. his own powers, “Dowager Widow of the Eugene, Ore. organized the Imperial Emperor Norton, Empress of San Francisco Sovereign Court of the Emerald Empire in and Protectress of Mexico.â€? Sarria drew upon 1974 and Sharon its first Emperor was the first the legend of Emperor Norton, the eccentric woman Emperor ever elected to the impe19th century San Francisco miner who, in rial court system. Two more California courts 1859 after losing a fortune and went mad, were formed in 1974, the Court of the Great proclaimed himself emperor of the United Northwest Imperial Empire of Sacramento States and Canada and protector of Mexico. and the Imperial San Joaquin Delta Empire of The Emperor Norton, although a pauper, was Stockton. a beloved figure and when he died in 1880, In 1975 the Imperial Sovereign Court of the leading city business men paid for his lavish Raintree Empire of Vancouver, Washington, funeral. The funeral cortege was two miles The United Court Of The Pikes Peak Empire long with between 10,000 and 30,000 people of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and The Impereported to have been in attendance. Sarria, in spirit if not by law after proclaiming himself rial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Social Association of Edmonton, Alberta, were all “The Widow Nortonâ€? began annual pilgrimorganized. ages to Norton’s grave in nearby Colma where To be continued in the Aug. 15 issue, includhe and accompanying drag queens would pay ing Utah’s own Courts. their respects with flowers to Sarria’s departed

“Why be a QUEEN when I can be an EMPRESS?�

Highly Personal, or Just High?

by Laurie Mecham laurie@qsaltlake.com

Hwp, bdsm, mtf, ltr, BYOB—face it, the personal ads can be confusing. If you had ever read any, you would know what I mean. Sometimes you have to read between the lines to figure out what the person is really trying to say—or not say. In case you ever do find yourself for some reason reading, or even writing a personal ad, I want you to be ready. I went to craigslist and gathered a few example ads and analyzed them for you. I already read between the lines in order to translate, correct, or elaborate on the ads. Just like a fundamentalist church, I’ve already done the thinking for you! Hope it helps! xoxo Laurie

strictly platonic Just Lose It - m4mw - 24 First things first: I will not change who I am for anyone. EVER. If you don’t like me as I am, then you can simply eff off. I spent all tonight sitting around playing video games. I love to drive. Random road trips with friends are good, but I don’t really have anyone to go on them with, plus my car is a single passenger car. I would love to visit Finland too. I like to drink and smoke. I want to quit smoking the cigs, but it’s hard. I’d prefer to make some new female friends.

Translation: I am whacked out of my mind…did I say that out loud?

Correction: If I not so hung up on breasts I would realize to ask for gal with small vagina.

women seeking men Is Friendship Possible? - 35 Looking only for friendship. Is there really such a thing? Am I nieve?

Correction: She meant to say, “Am I noiave?”

Artsy girl seeks CLOSET Cross dresser - 31 I’m a girl who likes men who sometimes dress up like a girl.

I’m looking for a strait man who’s secure with his identity and seeks an understanding playful woman to share lots of great times with.

Translation — no, actually just a question: How do you even discover that particular fetish?

women seeking women I have no idea why im doing this! - 29 What She Didn’t Say: …or why I posted a picture of my naked ass.

Getting more curious everyday... - 36 Wondering if people out there really do ‘connect’ online. Be it friendship or whatever. I

am looking to make some friends. So if you’d like to chat...here I am...

Translation: Email me this second, the Uhaul is warmed up and ready to go.

My really long list - 31 What percentage of women between the ages of 30 and 42 do you think meet these criteria?

- She doesn’t have a major history of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, schizophrenia, other mental illness, or child abuse.

She’s not dependant on meds of any kind for basic stability.

- She is comfortable with my herpes…

STOP RIGHT THERE! TRANSLATION TIME: Seeking woman who is comfortable with my double standard.

men seeking men Looking to suck cock tonight. - 35 Translation: Misunderstood Romantic wants to Cuddle.

Lookin For A Few New Buds! - m4m - 49 Nice guy that happens to be done working at an early age. There is plenty to do around the house, yard and lake place! I need some new conections! Many of my friends are not into hangin with larger groups! Small groups, single guys...Its all good!

So if there are any guys with time on their hands especially weekdays and some weekends look me up!

I happen to be gay and live with a best friend. We are platonic buds! I get enough sex. What I need is some new connections.

I get along great with bi and str8 guys! Any guys want to go fishing?

Translation: Fishing? Why, I’m fishing right now! Can you tell I have a lot of money? If you read between the lines, you’ll see that I am available any time. Also, I have lots of money. My friends aren’t into group sex, but I have money! If you’re into group sex with rich men--email me. The great thing about the way I worded my ad is that when we do have sex, we can both pretend it “just happened!” p.s.

Did I mention I have money?

Looking for LTR/Serious ONLY/No Casual Encounters - 27 I am looking for a potential long term relationship - I have no interest in casual sex, or discussing my sexual preferences with strangers.

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day! :) Correction: I’m sorry, I thought this was the grandmothers seeking grandmothers area.

Laurie Mecham is 32, tall, black, sexy, and independently wealthy.

good herb and good people - m4w - 28 I like lazy days filled with bowl burnin and beer drinkin, cheeseball movies, playin guitar and other stuff. Looking for others with similar interests for hangin out.

What He Didn’t Say: Just don’t be wakin’ my grandma.

need housework done? - m4w - 33 Cute, healthy, sm, willing to mop, vac, dust in the buff for interested female. Not looking for sex, just a fantasy I have. Are you the dirty girl I’m looking for?

Correction: That “strictly platonic” part was just bullshit.

men seeking women Worthy Man Seeking Wealthy Woman w/ Acreage to Develop for LTR

Wouldn’t You Rather Be Reading A Good Book?

- 49 To be frank, I’d really rather be doing something other than writing about myself right now. Reading a good book would be nice. Or going for a long run.

Translation: To be frank, I’d really rather be dragging my face between your creamy white thighs.

Guy with small tool wants gal w/ small to none breast -33 I have small penis and I have funtasy to find nice lady for friendship and good time .

Please be plus / minus 5-10 years of my age How about to meet for drink or sushi

A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 0 6 Q Q S A LT L A K E Q 1 3

I am a moral and honest Christian man who is seeking a woman of means who owns acreage and would be interested in moving a double wide mobile home onto the site. It is in excellent condition with a heat pump, one large shed/work shop and a second smaller for storage. Also a large covered deck and carport. I am in the health and nutrition business.

Translation: Man seeking Woman. Trailer, Herbalife Products for Sale

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W

hile the debate over gay marriage escalates during this, and seemingly every, election season, gay men and women are still flocking to the altar ... but in their own way and on their own terms. Civil ceremonies have gone on for decades, and probably since the beginning of time, regardless of what local statutes have said on the matter. The binding of two souls and the public expression of that bond has more to do with personal benefits than legal ones. It’s just a matter of fairness to expect the latter to come along one day.

In the meantime, QSaltLake brings you this Gay Wedding Guide to help you plan your big day. We turned to The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings,

by Tess Ayers and Paul Brown (Alyson Books). With its smart advice and great sense of humor, this is the best resource out there for same-sex couples. Here are ten excerpts to help you plan your celebration.

1. WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? Perhaps the term “wedding” isn’t to your taste; you want a phrase that reflects more personal sentiments. Some to consider: Affirmation Ceremony Blessing of Love Blessing of the Relationship Bonding Ceremony Celebration of Commitment Ceremony of Heart Commitment Ceremony Covenant of Love Holy Union Joining Life-Partnership Ceremony Lifelong Commitment Vows Lifetime Commitment Permanent Partnership Ceremony Relationship Covenant Rite of Blessing Union Ceremony 2. SHOUTING IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS Some couples wait a bit before telling anyone that they are betrothed to one another; it gives them a chance to get used to the idea and to prepare the proper response to questions such as, “How’s your girlfriend?” (The proper response being, of course, “She’s no longer my girlfriend, she’s now my fiancee.”) Other couples fling their windows open and scream to the world, “Hallelujah! We’re engaged!”

For some couples, whom they tell about their decision and how they tell those people may be the most anxiety-ridden phase of this whole process.

Historically, the first people to learn of an engagement are the couple’s parents.

However, because many gays and lesbians make their friends into their true extended family, and those friends will probably be jazzed to hear your news, you may elect to tell them first. Odds are they’ll give you the kind of thrilled reaction you may not get from your biological family.

This can build a wave of confidence and good feelings, and give you the support you need to make the announcement to your folks.

3. WAYS TO FORMALIZE YOUR RELATIONSHIP You may have taken some of these steps already, while you may not be ready, willing, or able to consider others. That’s okay; just make sure the two of you discuss the formalities so there will be no misunderstandings.

Draw up and have notarized a relation-

ship agreement. This doesn’t have to do with property; it has to do with personality — sort of a contract of what each of you expects from the other person emotionally.

Open a joint savings account, checking account, or charge account.

Have both names on all club memberships and subscriptions.

Choose a doctor for both of you, who in effect becomes your family physician.

List your partner’s name on medical records as your spouse. Do the same with credit card companies.

Have address labels or a rubber stamp made up with both your names on it.

Make donations in both your names.

Include each other in your wills.

4. GOING GAY ALL THE WAY Some couples feel that it’s both politically correct and socially responsible to put their money into gay-owned businesses. Check the gay yellow pages, a.k.a. the Community Yellow Pages — local non-telephone-company books that list businesses that cater to a gay clientele.

There is also the National Gayellow Pages, which gives numbers of services in areas ranging from Dover, Delaware to Honolulu, Hawaii. Another possibility is to look through local gay periodicals (pay special attention to the classifieds) as well as nightlife handouts. Call or write the gay and lesbian center nearest to where you live. Even if they’re in a city a hundred miles away, they should be able to point you in the right direction. And, of course, don’t forget word of mouth; ask around.

Keep in mind that the fact that a business is advertised in a gay publication or telephone book doesn’t mean it’s gayowned or operated. Some companies are merely “gay-friendly,” which means they welcome and acknowledge gay clients and really don’t feel that sexual orientation is an issue. Other companies advertise in gay periodicals because it makes good business sense to cash in on gay and lesbian buying power. A business that is gay-owned or -operated won’t necessarily give you more attention or offer a better price. As a consumer, you should always check out the quality of the service or product.

5. DEALING WITH THE STRAIGHT WORLD To inspire you, some positive stories from the Experts, the Pioneers, the people who’ve actually done it: the gay and lesbian marrieds who went through the wars, fought in the trenches, and have these words of wisdom to impart.

“I said to the printer, ‘Look, I need a good price, and I want you to know that this is an unorthodox alternate-lifestyle wedding. Will you handle something like that?’ He said, ‘Why wouldn’t I handle something like that?’ I said, ‘Do you know what I’m talking about?’ He said, ‘Yeah, you’re gay and you’re getting married. So what?’” — Rob “We were shopping around for wedding locations. A man in charge of a chapel said to us, ‘So, who’s the bride? Or is it a double wedding?’ We explained that we were marrying each other. He took a moment to adjust and then was actually kind of entranced with the idea and showed us around with renewed enthusiasm.”

— Beth and Patty “We hired a restaurant we liked to handle the food. We just said it was a

wedding; I think I was afraid of running into discrimination. I really wanted this particular restaurant to cater it, and I guess I didn’t feel that they needed to know. When they got there, no one acted surprised, but I’m sure they were. All the waitresses were so professional and nice.

I was up there serving the cake and one of them came over and said, ‘Oh no. You just go on and have a good time. This is your special night.’” — Jeff “Jane made a cake top for us that had the two of us wearing wedding gowns and holding hands, with our two cats sitting on either side. We thought we’d put it on when we brought the cake home. But the bakery owner advised me to bring the top in so they could decorate around it.

When I brought it in, I had it in a box. The owner was sitting having coffee with two older women, and told me to take it out so she could see it. I took a deep breath, removed it from the box, and set it on the table. The three of them examined it for what seemed like hours. Then one of the older women asked, ‘What kinds of cats are those?’” —Tess 6. IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR Even if you don’t invite your family, they are still members of the wedding: in their absence, they are present. A few guidelines for you to ponder: Give Them an Out: Sometimes family members reluctantly agree to show up because they want to be supportive, but in truth they don’t feel entirely comfortable.

If you sense that this will be the case with your family, tell them that you appreciate their good wishes and support, but suggest that instead of attending, they may want to give a dinner party in your honor.

If after your talk they say they wouldn’t think of missing the ceremony, believe them, and count yourself blessed.

Don’t Assume Anything: Decide whether to invite someone based on whether you will be comfortable with them; don’t decide for them that they’ll be uncomfortable.

Realize the Power of the Statement You’re Making: Let’s say your older brother is the Prince of Denial, and that although he knows you’re gay, he refuses to acknowledge your partner. By sending him a wedding invitation, you’re telling him that your committed relationship is not something you’re ashamed of. Maybe, just maybe, this will help him understand.

Don’t Underestimate Their Love for You: If they’re open enough to the idea and love you enough to come, chances are they’ll have the time of their lives.

8. PILES OF STYLES There are as many different wedding styles as there are couples. Here are the impressions of some of the people we spoke with who have been through it already.

On Which Side of the Aisle Do I Sit at a Gay Wedding?

It seems so easy at a non-gay wedding.

There is a bride’s side and a groom’s side, and you tell the usher if you are a friend of the bride or groom and he seats you accordingly. You are now at a gay wedding ... on which side of the aisle do you sit?

The simplest option: select the side with the fewer guests and ask to be seated as close to the front as possible. Doesn’t everyone want to be as close as possible? I certainly do, and I love having the aisle seat so I do not miss a thing during the processional and recessional.

Perhaps the brides (or the grooms) have instructed their ushers on which side to

seat Jane’s friends and on which side to seat Sally’s friends. This is no different than the ushers asking, “Are you a friend of the bride or groom?” The question now becomes, “Are you a friend of Jane or Sally?”

It is really all pretty straight forward. I think what throws people is that a gay wedding is different than what they are used to ... this time there are two brides or two grooms. Perhaps they have never been to a gay wedding before. Therefore they think, “I don’t know what to do.” I maintain you do know what to do. Two people are getting ready to stand up in front of their friends and family and declare their life-long love and commitment to one another. You are there to support them and celebrate this special day with them. Your common sense will fill in the blanks.

Here is my advice: Get the best seat you can (do remember to act politely) or follow instructions! How can it be any easier!

9. WHERE IN THE WORLD? There are no stats available yet for samesex honeymooners, but the following were named as favorite destinations for gay and lesbian travelers in a survey by the International Gay Travel Association: Domestic Key West San Francisco area Provincetown New York City area Southern California Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area Hawaii Washington, D.C. New Orleans Phoenix International London Paris Mexico Amsterdam Caribbean Islands Toronto South Pacific Islands Australia Rio de Janeiro Berlin 10. SHE’S NO LADY, SHE’S MY ... WIFE? What do you call this person now? Do you refer to him/her any differently than you did before? We’d like to wave a magic wand and come up with a whole new word to describe a partner for life with whom you share sexual intimacies, a word that doesn’t carry the baggage that comes with wife and husband, one that doesn’t have the sexual overtones of lover, one that isn’t as legalistic sounding as partner. We took a straw poll on this burning issue, and it appears that spouse is the terminology of choice for married gays and lesbians. Some do use husband, wife, partner, or life partner, and some change the word according to the situation and whom they’re speaking with. There are always the old standbys — significant other, companion, soul mate. In any case, most seem to want to indicate that a new step has been taken in their relationship.

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7. MAKING A STATEMENT Think about whether you want the ceremony to deal directly with your being gay. We spoke with many couples who didn’t feel it necessary to draw attention to their sexuality. For others, a vital part of the ceremony has to do with the very fact that a same-sex wedding is not yet commonplace. Rabbi Julie Greenburgh told us, “As a clergyperson, I think it’s important to stand up there in my robes to say that we’re celebrating the creation of a new lesbian or gay family.”

“It was right out of a 30s movie.”

“We wanted to involve the people we care about, and by that I mean all the people we care about. Twenty-two people spoke at the wedding. No, we weren’t bored; but then again, they were talking about us.”

“Even though Jessica wasn’t religious, I felt the need to have a ceremony in a house of worship and wear my grandmother’s wedding gown. We had a beautiful candlelight ceremony at a Unitarian church.”

“All right, so we’re a little theatrical — the ceremony lasted an hour and a half. People sang, people recited Shakespeare; there was even a skit. But there wasn’t a person there who didn’t have the theater experience of his or her life.”

“I don’t think weddings should be a big deal, made into a three-ring circus. It’s a solemn occasion where you’re pledging your heart. We said our vows at sunrise and had 25 friends for a great breakfast.”

“I figured if I was going to do it I’d go ahead and invite some of my partners from the law firm. We had a private ceremony, then rented a room at a downtown hotel and had hors d’oeuvres and dancing. It had a corporate feel, but then, we’re corporate women.”

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Gay Marriage and the Law Human Rights Campaign’s senior counsel, Lara Schwartz, answers your questions about gay marriage:

Healthcare Savings Accounts and Domestic Partners Q: Dear Lara, The company I work for offers domestic partner benefits. They are currently rolling out their new health care plan, which includes provisions for a new “Healthcare Savings Account” — a federally defined, tax-free account. Can I use this account to pay for a medical expense (authorized by the existing DP benefits) for my partner?

Can you please help to shed some light on this issue? I’d like to be able to explain this to the members of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employee organization.

Thank you, Nancy

A: Dear Nancy, Health savings accounts are a great way to use pre-tax dollars to pay for necessary medical items such as eyeglasses and prescriptions. At present, the federal tax code

does not permit employees to use these accounts for a domestic partner’s medical expense, even if the partner is enrolled in an employer-sponsored insurance program.

Unfortunately, this is something that can only be changed through a change in federal law — your employer cannot fix the situation through a change in its benefits plan.

The Human Rights Campaign supports changing federal tax law to treat all families equally. We continue to push for important changes in the tax code, including the issue that you mention, and also eliminating the tax on domestic partner benefits and ending unfair taxation of inherited retirement savings. It’s important to let your member of Congress know that this is a real problem for you and your family.

Claiming a Partner as a Dependent Q: Dear Lara, I realize that the IRS does not recognize domestic partners, but couldn’t my partner claim me as a dependent since I live with him and was a student this year with no income?

The following comes from the IRS

website. It obviously refers to a heterosexual relationship, but wouldn’t it apply to a samesex relationship as well?

“In order to claim your girlfriend as a dependent, your relationship must not be in violation of local law, your girlfriend must have lived with you for the entire year and the following five dependency exemption tests must be met:” Member of household or relationship test.

[We lived together for the entire year.]

Citizenship test. [We are both citizens.]

Joint return test. [I don’t file a joint return.]

Gross income test. [I had no income this year.]

Support test. [He provided virtually 100 percent of my support.]

Thank you, Michael

A: Dear Michael, The requirements for claiming someone as a “dependent” are extremely complex. In the past, some same-sex partners could qualify as “dependents” for tax purposes if they received more than half of their support from their partner and met other criteria.

Unfortunately, the criteria for becoming a dependent have changed, and far fewer partners will qualify, especially if they are employed. For information about whether

you or your partner qualifies as a dependent, seek individualized financial advice.

But, unfortunately, even if you are able to claim your partner as a dependent, that does not mean that you are eligible for the various benefits under the tax code (or elsewhere in federal law) that spouses receive.

For instance, you and your partner may not file a joint return even though you qualify as his dependent.

The Human Rights Campaign is working to reduce inequities in the tax code by promoting legislation that treats all Americans in committed, long-term relationships equally. Currently, HRC staff is meeting with key members of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, the committees that write tax legislation, to educate them about our relationships and how we are inequitably impacted by the federal tax code. Until we can get full marriage rights, we are advocating for several individual fixes to the tax code, including removing the tax on domestic partner benefits and ensuring that domestic partners can inherit one another’s 401(k)s without having to pay a hefty tax, as spouses are currently allowed to do.

Marriage and Taxes Q: Dear Lara, My partner and I got married in Canada this year. Can we file our taxes as married or do we have to file as single?

Sincerely, Anabel

A: Dear Anabel,

Congratulations on your marriage. Tax time presents couples who marry in Canada with unique challenges, both at the state and federal levels.

Federal Taxes: In spite of the universal legal rule that a marriage that’s valid where celebrated – as yours was – is valid everywhere, it is fairly certain that the federal government will not accord your marriage the respect it deserves and you will not be considered married for federal tax purposes. This is because a 1996 law called the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage under federal law to include only opposite-sex couples. DOMA discriminates uniquely against same-sex couples; for all other couples, marital status is determined by the law of the taxpayer’s state of residence.

DOMA not only means that you and the partner whom you married in Canada are not recognized as spouses entitled to file joint tax returns – it also affects your eligibility for more than federal benefits and protections, including Social Security survivors’ benefits, family and medical leave and many others.

Utah Taxes: Utah law states that only marriages between a man and a woman are valid. Thus, Utah is also likely to discriminate against your marriage and require you to file separate tax returns.

Extra Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourselves: For most taxpayers, the amount of tax that is owed changes significantly depending upon whether they file jointly or individually. For instance, most two-earner couples will owe fewer state and federal taxes if they file as individuals. Single-earner couples, however, receive a significant “marriage bonus” if they are permitted to file joint tax returns. Because the IRS penalizes taxpayers who underpay, you might want to consider alerting the IRS that you are married but that your marriage is not recognized by federal or state law when you file your tax return.

For more information, see the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders fact sheet, “What Do I Need To Know About Getting Married In Canada?”

Gay Marriage Reading QSaltLake recommends the following books for more information, or a little laugh, about gay marriage.

Humor The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My Family

Wedding Planning

Dan Savage • Penguin Group • Sep. 2005 • 336 pages • Hardcover (Paperback due 9/06) • 0525949070 • $24.95

The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings, Revised edition

Tess Ayers, Paul Brown • Alyson Publications • Feb. 1999 • 304 pages • Paperback • 1555834841 • $18.95 Witty anecdotes, proper etiquette, and unexpected trivia make this an indispensable and truly entertaining resource for same-sex couples who want to plan an unforgettable and perfectly orchestrated wedding. Sprinkled with true stories of men and women who have tied the knot, The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings is a must for anyone just thinking about it or ready to jump into matrimony.

Gay and Lesbian Weddings: Planning the Perfect Same-Sex Ceremony

David Troussaint • Balantine Books • Release date: June 2004 • 240 pages • Paperback • 0345475747 1 $13.95 “While gay people’s struggle to win the right to marry continues, weddings are already happening — and gay couples, their families, and friends planning their celebration will benefit from the advice and stories in this fun-to-read guide.”

—Evan Wolfson, Executive Director, Freedom to Marry

The Complete Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings

K. C. David • St. Martin’s Griffin • May 2005 • 240 pages • Paperback • 0312338791 • $16.95 Planning a same-sex wedding isn’t all that different than planning a straight wedding. The guide provides the usual checklists and common-sense wedding advice (“never hire a caterer-no matter what-without tasting the food first”). But its most unique-and therefore most useful-aspects deal with the challenges specific to same sex couples, such as hiring an attorney to navigate state laws that deal with partnerships; announcing the engagement to family and friends; finding gay-friendly vendors; and dealing with hesitant guests.

Ceremonies of the Heart: Celebrating Lesbian Unions

Becky Butler • Seal Press • Jan. 1997 • 328 pages • Paperback • 1878067877 • $16.95

The author of the internationally syndicated column “Savage Love” brings much-needed humor, and a reality check, to the bitter gaymarriage debate with this polemical memoir.

As Savage (Skipping Towards Gomorrah) and his boyfriend, Terry, neared their 10th anniversary, Savage’s mother put on the pressure for them to get married. But, Savage notes, there were several other points to consider before deciding to tie the knot: among them, the fact that marriage doesn’t provide legal protection in Washington State; Terry prefers tattoos as a sign of commitment; and their six-year-old son declared that only men and women can get married.

*AMES (ICKS

Religion What God Has Joined Together?: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage

David G. Myers, Letha Dawson Scanzoni • HarperCollins Publishers • May 2006 • 208 Pages • Paperback • 0060834544 • $12.95 Across denominational lines and throughout the nation, the debate rages between those who see themselves as defending the institution of marriage from mortal degradation and those who see themselves as defending civil rights and “true” Gospel values.

Myers and Scanzoni, active Christians and experts in the field of marriage and sexuality, make a convincing argument in support of gay marriage-for conservative as well as liberal reasons. This concise and compelling compilation of sociological, biological, and scriptural theses will help everyone marshal the current arguments and develop an informed opinion.

Politics Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People’s Right to Marry

Evan Wolfson • Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group • May 2005 • 256 Pages • Paperback • 0743264592 • $13.00 A nationally renowned attorney and director of Freedom to Marry, Wolfson hails the movement for marriage equality as “one of the first important civil rights campaigns of the 21st century” and grounds support for it within the logic of the long-established protest traditions in U.S. history: abolition, the women’s suffrage movement and the racial equality movements of the 1950s and ‘60s.

Unlike those who support gay marriage as a way to regulate what they see as the selfdestructive sexual practices of homosexuals, Wolfson sidelines the issue of morality and discusses the right to marry as part of each citizen’s inalienable claim to what the Declaration of Independence calls the “pursuit of happiness.”

Yo u r d a y. . .

Yo u r w a y. por t r ait s . c er emonies . f r eelanc e

A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 0 6 Q Q S A LT L A K E Q 1 7

Further proof that you can have any sort of wedding you jolly-well want, this book features several firsthand accounts of the planning and experience of commitment ceremonies. It starts with a very educational section on the history of lesbian relationships in the Western world, which I would highly recommend to anyone ignorant on the subject.

SUPPORT YOUR ADVERTISERS — THEY SUPPORT YOU!

1 8 Q Q S A LT L A K E Q A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 0 6

Judy Garland See Aug. 8.

By Tony Hobday

tony@qsaltlake.com

I recently received some feedback on a critique I wrote and it reminded me of a quote, which I feel I should share. ‘We might remind ourselves that criticism is as inevitable as breathing, and that we should be none the worse for articulating what passes in our minds when we read a book [or see a play] and feel an emotion about it, for criticizing our own minds in their work of criticism’. —T. S. Eliot

1TUESDAY

Q A 69er like myself (that is born in ’69), Duncan Sheik or the “Sheik of Sensi-

tive Soulmusings” has created a unique humble career for himself and has continued an unwavering emotional intensity to his music. Plus, he dresses to the 9’s and is rather good-looking. Us 69ers got it going on. Snap, snap!

9:30pm, Club Suede, 1612 High Ute Blvd., Park City. Tickets $15, call 359-3219 or visit smithstix.com.

2WEDNESDAY

Q It’s 4:20, grab a fork out of the drawer and stick a roach between the tongs. Ok, that’s the most I know about…umm, pest extermination. Yeah, yeah, that’s the ticket. If you’re confused by my yammering, just ask Tommy Chong, one-half of the 70’s hippie duo Cheech & Chong. Well, now he’s paired up with Shelby Chong,

SLAC SATURDAY'S VOYEUR THE SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY

picnic Bring a e fun. th & join

CLOSE0th!

T S U M T2 AUGUS kets Now! ur tic Buy yo

2006

by Allen Nevins & Nancy Borgenicht

June 6 - August 20

This year the VOYEUR gang goes to “Bendover” your destination family resort town where the natural family is protected, life is elevated to brand new heights, and nothing is quite what it seems.

VOYEUR audiences are saying: “We’re having so much fun, do we have to go home?”

“We couldn’t wait to come back a second time.”

“It’s everything I was hoping for.”

“Loved, loved, loved it!”

m 0p 7:3 pm t a t8 ay a rsd rday 7pm u h & T tu For Tickets call 363-SLAC or 355-ARTS y & & Sa t 2pm a www.saltlakeactingcompany.org esd ay y a dn Frid nda 168 West 500 North, SLC We Su

his widely accepted co-star and stage partner. And lucky for us hemp-deprived Utahns, Tommy Chong & Shelby are in town tonight. Hey, what ever happened to Cheech Marin? Did he marry Tyne Daly?

7pm & 9pm, Wise Guys Comedy Cafe, 3500 S. 2200 West. Tickets $15, call 359-3219 or visit smithstix.com.

Q Ok, six actors playing 35 characters — wow, I thought I had it difficult with my other four personalities. Salt Lake Shakespeare theatre company, a non-profit group solely devoted to the infamous William Shakespeare, proudly presents a production of Henry V. England’s King Henry takes on those filthy French philanderers.

Oh, bloody hell! A short original play commissioned by SLS preludes each show.

7:30pm, Wednesdays-Sundays through August 20, Babcock Theatre, UofU, 1400 E. 300 South. Tickets “pay-what-you-can”, visit saltlakeshakes.org for additional information.

3THURSDAY

Q Oh my god, a totally cute dreadlockcoiffed lesbian. Who would’ve thunk?

She’s a twenty-something Miami Beach native and Berklee College of Music alumni. She tickles the ivory and strums the guitar like…well, Ill leave that to your imagination. She is Steph Taylor. Her music ranges from contemporary indie rock to alternative folk. Oh, and how whimsical is this…she travels around in a “quirky purple van.” I think I’m in love.

9pm(ish), MoDiggity’s, a private club for members, 3424 S. State Street. Tickets $5 at the door.

4FRIDAY

Q The great terrain of Utah—majestic mountains, lakes galore and red-rock canyons. Especially the red-rock canyons, where it just so happens, the Torrey Music Festival is entering its third year.

Granted I have never been to the fest and the long lineup of musicians seems a little hillbilly to me, but just to be out in the great wide solitary open of our beautiful land, then it will all be worth it I imagine.

7pm Tonight, 11am Saturday and Sunday, 185 W. Main Street, Torrey. Tickets $20 per day, $45 for all three day. Call 435-4253265 or visit torreymusicfestival.com for ticket information.

Q In keeping with the theme of Utah’s magnificent landscape, Weber Pathways, a non-profit organization presents TGI Fiesta. The fundraiser offers an array of Mexican delicacies from the Union Grill, a mariachi band and outdoor-themed auctions. All proceeds will help promote, plan and preserve non-motorized public pathways in Weber County. Arriba, arriba tu cahones amigos.

6pm, MTC Pavillion, Ogden River Parkway, 1800 Monroe Blvd., Ogden. Tickets $40, call 801-393-2304 for more information.

5SATURDAY

Q Ok, another arts festival takes off this weekend, but this one is my favorite. I don’t really know why because the art is outrageously priced, and I can only assume the markup stems from the fact it’s the Park City Kimball Arts Festival. I am

sort of a Park City snob and that may be why I enjoy the festival so much. I mean I do live totally above my means. But, I digress. Among the many musicians playing this year are Zion Tribe, Debi Graham Band, Insatiable and Shane Vincent, just to name a few. 200+ artists are participating with approximately 45 from Utah.

10am-7pm, Today and Sunday, Main Street, Park City. Tickets $5/day or $8/weekend at the gates. Advance tickets available at Kimball Arts Center, Park City.

Q I am so excited to finally pull out that industrial-sized can of Crisco that’s been gathering dust in the cabinet and break the box open on the leather hammock.

So, all you kinky BDSM fans, best be gettin’ your freak on at the inaugural Utah Rebellion, a leather and fetish party at Club Try-Angles. (Oh Gene, you dirty, dirty dog!) Space is limited to 150 leatherclad daddies and subs. I guess they’re worried about all that leather rubbing together and catching fire. So get there early, or pre-register online. Damn, these leather/fetish types are mighty refined and organized.

4pm, Club Try-Angles, a private club for members, 251 W. 900 South. Tickets $2-4 at the door or pre-register at utahrebellion. com.

7MONDAY

Q Mondays are usually so blasé, don’t you agree? Well, not this Monday because you’ll never believe who’s in concert. And if you were shucked from your mother’s womb circa 1985, then you really won’t believe it. You may want to sit down for this announcement. Wait…a few clues first: “Juke Box Hero”, “Urgent”, “Hot Blooded”, “Cold As Ice”. Do you have it, yet? That’s right folks, legendary rock band, Foreigner is in town tonight.

8pm, Ed Kenley Amphitheater, 403 N. Wasatch Drive, Layton. Tickets $32-53, call 546-8575 or visit tickets.davisarts.org.

8TUESDAY

9WEDNESDAY

Q Christopher Guest, the genius behind Waiting for Guffman and Best In Show delivered another delightful comedy in

10THURSDAY

Q Internationally acclaimed choreographer, lighting designer, music composer, and costume designer, Alwin Nikolais’ (1910-1993) creations are brought to life in the film The World of Alwin Nikolais.

His many, many impressive achievements and contributions literally changed the world of contemporary music and dance.

7pm, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Free.

13SUNDAY

Q Gee willikers, I hope the temperature has dropped back to the double digits by today because amusement parks—even if they have a water park and/or certain rides that spray you down like a dirty rag—are typically unbearable. Or it could just be me. Anyhoo, it’s that time again for all us homos and homo lovers to plague one of the largest and most exciting amusement parks in the country during Gay Lagoon Day. And can you believe it’s located in Farmington, Utah. Wow. Oh, and picnic space has been reserved.

11am, Targhee Terrace, Lagoon, 375 N Lagoon Drive, Farmington. Tickets $27.50/(the cheap)Gay Discount or $33.95 at the gates. Discount tickets available at Cahoots, Mischievous, and The Trapp.

15TUESDAY

Q He’s in like Flynn with the big-wigs of the Hollywood film industry and has snagged numerous nominations/awards for his wry and caustic songwriting and composing. He is the boundless Randy Newman and he’s in concert tonight.

You’ll recognize his work from a wide range of movies from The Natural to Toy Story.

7pm, Deer Valley Resort, 2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Park City. Tickets $28-53, call 355-ARTS or visit arttix.org.

Upcoming Events

Pridaho, Aug. 18–19, Pocatello, Idaho Fruit Float, Aug. 19, Lava Hot Springs Steppin’ for Life, Aug. 19, Ogden OUTrageous Raging Waters Day, Aug. 20, a Pride365 event sponsored by QSaltLake.

“Footloose,” Aug. 25, Hale Center Theatre, Orem

To submit your event for consideration in the Gay Agenda, email tony@qsaltlake.com.

Another Gay Movie Scores a “Big A”

by Tony Hobday

tony@qsaltlake.com

The making of a good camp comedy motion picture involves not only leaving the audience howling in the aisles throughout its duration but also delivers a few scenes that spawn a clamoring of ejaculations from the audience like ooooohhh! and whooaa! and aaaagh! If it’s a great camp comedy, then there would be at least one scene that makes the audience drop their jaw or involuntarily turn their head from the screen or throw their hands up over their eyes in giggled disgust.

Another Gay Movie has all the elements that make a great camp comedy, along with prolific sexual content and some toilet humor; and it’s not just another gay movie. Sure, there are the stereotypical characters of any high school teeny-bopper angst film. But, refreshingly, there is no demeaning or detrimental content that ravages homosexuality in real society — no bashing, no ostracizing, no suicide.

Everyone is simply gay or at least bisexual, including the cheerleading squad.

Todd Stephens’ (Edge of Seventeen, Gypsy 83) latest flick offers a hilarious and unapologetic approach to the complexity of gay sex. Reminiscent of Scary Movie with zany mock snippets of classic and contemporary films such as Carrie, American Pie, and Mommie Dearest — Stephens pokes fun with abandon at the homosexual lifestyle.

The main premise is elementary: Four San Torum Donkeys make a pact to de-virginize their booties by the end of summer. Andy (Michael Carbonaro, A Tale of Two Pizzas), the central character, has a predisposition to garden vegetables and rodents, which honors him as poster boy for what his onscreen father deems “the remarkable adaptability of the human anus.”

Jarod (Jonathan Chase, the now defunct UPN’s One on One), the varsity jock, takes ridiculous measures to rectify the inadequate size of his manhood. Griff (Mitch Morris, Summertree), the four-eyed geeky class valedictorian, spews such terms as “prodigious penis” and “anus copulas” and wants more maximus to his gluteus.

Nico (Jonah Blechman, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), the “flaming” queen, deceives his clueless blind girlfriend by tempting the likes of a porn star (Matthew Rush), a million-dollar Bear (Richard Hatch) and a geriatric “silver-hair fox” (I’ll leave the surprise intact here).

But as their attempts to engage the “Big A” continue to fail in humiliating botchery, they turn to the brusque enlightenment of their bull-dyke Casanova friend Muffler (Ashlie Atkinson, Inside Man), whose ridicule, mockery and strange sex appeal pushes the boys to shamelessly carry on.

Stephens’ screenplay lacks structure — it’s difficult to determine the conflict that piques the movie, but then again it’s camp. Also, the central character Andy is eventually pushed to the sidelines as the sexual tension between Jarod and Griff evolves. Regardless, Another Gay Movie is a raucous, raunchy, riot of a movie with a fantastic soundtrack and a cast that play their roles with such sweet silliness that you literally cheer them on; also, many of the lines deserve inclusion in memorable movie quotes.

Like with any great camp comedy, this movie embarks a temporary freedom to ones multitude of inhibitions, so as when one exits the theater, a heightened sense of selfesteem enables one to directly patron the bars and night clubs to pursue the “Big A”.

The movie is not rated for language, boyon-boy sex, show-ers, grow-ers and brief Belgian chocolate. You’ll love it long time.

The show opens August 11, 2006 at the Tower Theater. Q

Sing with the Salt Lake Men’s Choir!

It’s that time of year again — time to dust off the old vocal chords and start singing with Utah’s OTHER Choir.

Join us Thursday, Aug. 17 and 24 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1700 South Foothill Blvd.

See saltlakemenschoir.org

A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 0 6 Q Q S A LT L A K E Q 1 9

Q If Foreigner is a tad archaic for your taste in music, how about the savvy quartet Death Cab for Cutie. Now, this is a band that has recently grown in popularity with their intelligent, complex and melancholy music. Their tunes literally make you kick off your shoes, put your feet up and enjoy the solace.

7pm, McKay Events Center, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem. Tickets $25-28, call 359-3219 or visit smithstix.com.

Queen Alert! Queen Alert! As part of the Utah Festival opera, a screening of Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) with Judy Garland.

She is so fag debonair. This charming, colorful musical garners some of Garland’s most gay celebrated melodies. Come cheer Garland on as she sings and twirls into the heart and whatever else of her boy-toy neighbor, John.

7pm, Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S. Main Street, Logan. Tickets $6 general admission at the door. Visit ufoc.org for more information.

2003, A Mighty Wind. A mockumentarystyle comedy about a has-been 60’s folk trio The Folksmen reunite for a tribute concert in honor of a recently deceased music promoter. Guest co-wrote, directed and starred in this wonderfully wicked movie. If you’d like to take in an earlier screening, it will be playing August 4 at City Park in Park City and again on August 7 at the Gallivan Center.

9pm, Eccles Stage, Sundance Resort. Free, visit sundanceresort.com for directions.

Tabloids have been attempting to out celebrities for years. From the 60’s when Tab Hunter, Rock Hudson and Cary Grant were constantly being hounded by the press at every turn, to the 90s when tabloids dug up photos of stars like Chad Allen and George Michael in “compromising situations� and splashed them all over the country like it was some sort of unforgivable flaw.

And sadly, not much has changed. I’m sure The Globe would pay a killing for a pic of Tom Cruise stepping out on Katie for a roll in the hay with some sweaty escort. Queen Latifah and Jodie Foster having a “power� lunch? Who wouldn’t die for that video? And if someone could finally stumble on proof nailing Clay Aiken’s gay ass to the wall, well then — not much would change actually, because the gays never really did rally behind that one.

The only real difference between gay now and gay a decade ago is, when a star does choose to talk publicly about his or her sexuality, it’s no longer the career kiss of death it once was.

Consider the two very different celebs who went public about their sexuality in the media this week.

First up, Nelly Furtado.

Following in the footsteps of Pink and Angelina Jolie, Furtado told reporters earlier this week that she is, indeed, bisexual.

Unlike Jolie and Pink, Nelly didn’t come to this revelation making out with a buff actress in a nightclub or going down on a costar. She read about human sexuality in a book about Chinese medicine, which she says claims that all people are bisexual to balance their natural energies.

Something clicked, and now the “Promiscuous� girl has expanded her horizons to include ladies. “As humans we have both male and female energies,� she told the UK gay mag GUS. “I believe Kurt Cobain’s statement that, in the end, everyone is gay. Everybody should have the freedom to experiment. I believe sexual

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And so we reach the end of another week on the countdown. Stay cool, enjoy the gorgeous summer days, and remember to take some time out to smell the gossip.  Q

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In some corners of the world, it’s just about who can wank the longest.

Yeah, you heard me. Britain’s Channel 4 confirmed Wednesday it will film a documentary of the country’s first “masturbatea-thon,� in which people are sponsored per minute they masturbate to raise money for sexual health.

The event started in San Francisco (now there’s a shocker) five years ago and continues to take place annually. Traditionally, participants are separated into men only, women only sections with a mixed sex area in the middle, which in my opinion makes it really easy to determine who’s gay and who’s straight (All the gays, stay put!).

The scariest part is the current record.

Eight hours and 23 minutes. Now that’s a serious wet dream.

And finally, I know you’ve been patient.

Patient people are frequently rewarded, and today is no exception. Since most of the world’s hottest men are from Brazil, I thought “why not type Brazil men into Google and see what comes up?â€? I found enough hotties to fill this section of the Buzz through 2008, but one stood out — Ale Marchi. Ale is a model‌ a successful one. From underwear campaigns to music videos to the Web following he’s amassed, he is truly a site to behold. So much

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haunt on the East Coast pretty much sealed the deal.

Of course, not that the press hasn’t been alerting America of the “warning signs� for years. I remember, not so many moons ago, when the strongest evidence Lance Bass was gay was his unnerving desire to perform live with Shania Twain and Celine Dion while still with ’NSync. After the band broke up, he agreed to a Mystic Tan live on Access Hollywood. Then came the appearance with Kathy Griffin and her gays on My Life on the D List.

Tres gay, no?

And finally, just last spring, he started popping up places with Reichen ‌ first with that girl from The Sopranos out and about with them to make it look a bit less suspicious.

Then alone. Then supposedly, someone snapped a pic of the two shirtless at a slumber party of sorts. And now, they rang in the 4th with thousands of sweaty gays, no girls far as they eye could see.

Is Lance gay? The evidence is no longer circumstantial, but it doesn’t make it right!

He has yet to sit down with Larry King.

He may never. But he’s also yet to take to a podium and say, “Listen up America. I like Bush‌ Muffy, not George.â€? It may just live on as an open secret, and frankly, whether he says yay or nay is none of my damn business.

I for one would like nothing more than to loudly proclaim him a member of our team and get it over with, but it’s not my call, nor is it Hilton’s or Larry’s or any other media personality, for that matter.

One thing I do know. If he really has snagged Reichen, he’s a lucky fucking bastard!

Moving on to those who will continue to deny the gay rumors to the grave‌ like Oprah Winfrey.

I, for one, have never gotten the lesbian vibe from Harpo. For starters, I think if Lady O were gay she’d have come clean by now, and for another, with Gayle King? Home girl has more power than virtually any other woman in the world‌ she could do so much better.

No, seriously. Just because Gayle and Oprah are joined at the hip, gossip columnists are convinced something must be going on. But Gayle insisted in a statement this week they just have a friendship that goes beyond what Americans know how to define.

And issuing a nice little plug for the ethical treatment of homos, Gayle said in a statement: “The truth is, if we were gay, we would tell you – there’s nothing wrong with being gay.�

And how’s this for a surprise: Not EVERYTHING in the media this week is about who’s gay or who’s not gay!

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2 0   Q   Q S A LT L A K E   Q   A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 0 6

By Ross von Metzke

experimentation is part of human history.�

Not that we really care where she came up with her ideas. It’s just nice to see we’re adding quite a menagerie of young, attractive, talented women to the roster of girls who’d do girls.

Across the pond, Darren Hayes, the lead singer of Savage Garden who’s been enjoying quite a bit of success as a solo act of recent, made it official by announcing he was gay and had married his boyfriend of two years in a civil union.

Not that there was really much doubt – the British press has been grilling Darren about his sexuality for years, but the response has always been that Hayes simply refuses to talk about his private life period.

That all changed when the singer enjoyed what he says was the “happiest day of his life� by tying the knot with boyfriend Richard Cullen.

Writing to his fans on his Web site, Hayes started by saying, “I very rarely make comments about my private life.� He then announced the nuptials and commended the British government for embracing what he considers to be a “basic civil liberty�. “I’m proud of who I am, and after what felt like an eternity, I’m finally in a place where my heart is secure and content,� he said. “And I can finally make sense of all of the searching.�

Of course, not everyone is quite so eager to make a major declaration of their sexuality. The buzz around Aiken continues – even after pics of him on a gay Webcam, the transcript of that chat and now a rumored photo of him making out with a married man have been leaked to the press, he’s keeping mum.

Heck, even a trio of girls sued him for misleading America with his alleged ‘straight’ persona. Now if that doesn’t say your core fan base is out to get you, I don’t know what does.

But the star the media firing quad has turned its attention to most recently is ’NSync-er Lance Bass, who just two weeks ago was allegedly caught canoodling with Amazing Race star Reichen Lemkhul over 4th of July weekend in Ptown.

Gay gossip Perez Hilton has been trying to out Lance for months, but their shirtless romp in the most popular gay

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Announcing the Opening of Our Fully Decorated Model Units Beginning Saturday, July 8th This event marks the beginning of the first phase in the masterplan development of an exciting new cosmopolitan retail, residential, and commercial experience unlike anything the area has ever seen. Don’t miss the opportunity to invest in one of these handsomely appointed condominiums. Open floorplans and thoughtfully planned amenities have gone into the design of each unit.

Make the connection – The Residences at Central Pointe.

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801-466-2600 ResidencesCP.com

Residences at Central Pointe is an equal opportunity community, and is a registered trademark of SLC Development Partners I, LLC. Models do not reflect racial preference. Pricing, terms and availability subject to change prior to sale. Rendering is artist interpretation. Map not to scale. Professionally marketed

by One Eighteen Advertising. www.OneEighteen.com

RESIDENCES AT CENTRAL POINTE

A u g u s t 1 , 2 0 0 6 Q Q S A LT L A K E Q 2 1

2 2 Q Q S A LT L A K E Q A U G U S T 1 , 2 0 0 6

The Rox Box

by Mikey Rox For two decades, Pet Shop Boys have consistently delivered some of music’s most interesting and entertaining ditties. And with the release of the band’s ninth album, Fundamental, they maintain their spot at the top of the synth-pop throne. Consisting of 12 lyrically engorged tracks, Fundamental reunites Pet Shop Boys with legendary producer Trevor Horn, who first worked with the group on 1988’s seminal Left To My Own Devices. Recorded in London in May 2005, the release features 11 new Neil Tennant/Chris Lowe compositions that include infectious confections such as “The Sodom and Gomorrah Show,” “I Made My Excuses and Left” and “Psychological,” as well as a track written by Diane Warren called “Numb.” The pièce de résistance, however, is “I’m With Stupid,” a love song of sorts, inspired by the relationship between Britain’s Tony Blair and our very own George Dubya – from the prime minister’s point of view. With lines like, “No one understands me/Where I’m coming from/Why I would be with someone/Who’s obviously so dumb?” Fundamental makes you wanna smack the shit out of John Kerry.

We all love a night at the club. The boys.

The booze. The boys. All right, the music is good, too. But you no longer have to pay that $10 cover to crank up the crunk.

From Music Plant Records comes the Many Moods of Mike Cruz, a two-disc compilation that traipses through all the emotions that erupt on a dance floor – love, hate and lusting your best friend’s beau! DJ Cruz kicks off the album with his own mix of Inaya Day’s “Spin Me Around” – a tune as timeless as 2(x)ist black briefs – and progresses into harder, darker afterhours-style tribal tracks.

Packed with exclusive productions, remixes and previously unreleased tracks, Many Moods elaborately showcases the talents of Kevin Aviance, Luz Divina, That Kid Chris, Richie Santana and Frank Pellegrino, among other circuit stars. While a Whitney H. track would have done well to round out the CD, Cruz does just fine capturing the high and lows of midnight malfeasance.

She was probably too busy shoveling snow to sign a release waver anyhow.

If Liza Minnelli could loosen her grip on the bottle, she’d give the rock-cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls two thumbs up.

Actually, she’d probably pop up different digits, but that’s the way love goes.

On the Dolls’ sophomore release, Yes, Virginia… – the title of which refers to the famous 1897 exchange between 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon and New York Sun editor Francis P. Church about the existence of Ol’ Saint

Nick – keyboardist/singer/principal songwriter Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione provide a 13-song sampling of what life is like for troubled modern-day troubadours. Tracks such as “Sex Changes” and “My Alcoholic Friends” barely scratch the surface of its creators’ psychological unrest, but it’s all for the better – through its melodious rants and raves, Yes, Virginia… successfully blurs the lines of ideology and irony, rivaling any authentic vaudeville offering. And while each track drips with the toxicity of your local bar’s tragic trannie, Palmer’s lyrics still manage to maintain a thoughtfulness that’ll entice you to touch yourself. As if you aren’t already.

She’s not the most inconspicuous drunk driver, but Diana Ross sure has chops! For more than 30 years, rumors have circulated of a never-issued jazz-standards album recorded by Ross to accompany the early 1970s Lady Sings the Blues soundtrack.

But because the album’s songs were considered too jazzy by her label, Ross was encouraged to return to her pop-music roots. And return she did. In 1973, the single “Touch Me in the Morning” shot to #1 on the charts, relegating the forgotten album to the Motown vault.

Until now. Blue, the long-overdue jazz debut of Diana Ross, premieres renditions of Cole Porter’s “Let’s Do It,” the Gershwins’ “I Loves Ya Porgy,” and Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen’s “But Beautiful.” Nine other tracks complete the release, along with four bonus songs, which were recorded during the soundtrack sessions, but left out of the film and off its companion LP. While Ross’ career and DMV record have seen better days, this decades-old album provides a prime example of why America fell in love with the legendary entertainer in the first place.

According to bootleg brochures, in the middle of the Mediterranean, there’s an island inhabited by homosexuals. Whether that’s true or not, Ibiza is a hot spot for summertime sin, and Defected in the House: Eivissa (Ibiza) 2006 delivers all its diabolical, dance-inspiring goodness in three incredible new CDs. This annual collection captures the pleasures of sun, sea and spirit celebrated on the Spanish isle with Simon Dunmore mixes on discs one and two, and classics compiled by DJ Pippi on disc three. A set to keep you shakin’ well into the a.m., Eivissa 2006’s house tracks intermingle with unforgettable disco and straight-up soul to provide a backdrop perfect for any party, whether you’re tearin’ up Tar Beach or grilling sausages in the suburbs. The glamour of Ibizan nightlife can’t be disputed on this compilation comprised of songs by the world’s best producers and DJs, the highlights of which include Thommy Davis’ “Nighttrain,” Ultra Naté’s Fire Island remix of “How Long” and Bob Sinclar’s “World Hold On.” Thinking about what to pack, aren’t ya?

Who is Mikey Rox? Who gives a fuck! But he can be reached at whoismikeyrox@aim.com.

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then comes on and in an amiable voice says something like “Sometimes the best thing you can give is yourself.�

How true is that? And, more importantly, who gives more of themselves than gay

by Travis Labrum men? After watching this commercial, I’m travis@qsaltlake.com really not sure why we’re on poor terms You know those obnoxwith the prophet and those twelve old ious LDS commercials? men. Mother Teresa didn’t give as much of The ones that portray a simple yet supposherself in her lifetime as most gay men do edly provocative lesson and end with the every weekend or, for the lucky ones, every message, “Family, isn’t it about ‌ time?â€? day. Just two days ago I was at the Trapp Well, the other day I was watching lameDoor with my ladies, waiting in line to use ass late night programming, wishing I had the bathroom, when we watched a man cable, when one I’d never seen before came selflessly give of himself on. It showed two todthrough oral services. My dler-aged children walking friends thanked god they side-by-side — one a boy had worn pumps and I and one a girl. They careMother Teresa didn’t thanked god for gay men. lessly strolled on a grassy Even Gandhi wasn’t selfless ledge until deciding to take give as much of enough to blow someone a steep step down onto just to make their day! And herself in her lifetime pavement. I know you’re yet we do it all the time. We overcome with suspense so as most gay men do give of ourselves in parks, I’ll quickly tell you how it gyms, the Home Depot, every weekend. progresses. The boy slowly obviously bathroom stalls, scrambles down the ledge rest stops, communal and then, after briefly showers at BYU, and I’ve looking up at the girl with even heard of churches. concern, gets down on We may not be willing to give ourselves to all fours and allows himself to be used as women like the boy in the commercial but, a step down to the pavement. A narrator god knows, we’re willing to get on all fours.

I’m joking, mostly, and realize that not all gay men have been around the block like a banana seat bicycle with pink tassels. But, really, why is it that the promiscuous are considered hedonistic? I’m sure those of us who get around enjoy it, but our partners typically enjoy it as much as we do. Maybe we’re having sex with them because we want to brighten their day. And, god knows, it works. We could easily be considered saints. Not to mention, the times we perform services without expecting to receive anything in exchange? To me, that’s the epitome of altruism. There were two men in that bathroom stall the other night but only one of them came. Hedonistic? I think not. I admit that he probably gave the other man a quickie because it got his rocks off, figuratively, but what’s the difference between this and other selfless acts? People don’t do good deeds because it makes them feel bad about themselves. We do them because they’re their own reward. And blowing someone without expecting to get blown in return is as self sacrificing as I’ve ever seen.

So, what brief yet provocative message should I end with? How about this: “Often the best thing you can give is yourself, especially if it makes your partner feel closer to god and to the second coming.�

Travis is an aspiring clinician, Sudoku player, and whore. Since you’ll now be asking, his hobbies are telling lesbians he’d like to eat their pussies, pretending he’s a member of the Pussycat Dolls, and chasing after men who just aren’t that into him.

Q Horoscopes ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

Friends and partners have some great ideas as to how you can spend your dough.

The truth, Ram, is that August will be chockablock with hefty purchases that satisfy your every whim. This largess will also act as an aphrodisiac with almost anyone you choose. Squeeze and spread yourself around. They say money cannot buy happiness but let’s prove the skeptics wrong!

TAURUS (Apr 21 - MAY 21)

Bulls have excessive amounts of energy that can be channeled to success this August thanks to Mars, Neptune and Jupiter. Expend it on the job and with anything that plots out long term professional plans. (Do you have any?) There will be something about you that encourages a certain someone to give you a shot at the big prize. Ready, aim, fire.

GEMINI (May 22 - Jun 21)

Adventure awaits you this August and it won’t be in the usual way. Get out of your rut and routine Twin and try something or someone totally different. Mars conspires with Jupiter to provide a few fun surprises and sparks of inspiration.

Travel is highlighted but only if it takes you to mind altering, consciousness raising destinations. Try Paris, not Newark.

CANCER (Jun 22 - Jul 23)

Changes in your home situation prove to be very lucky this August, Crab. If you have been eyeing that palace by the beach, consider making a deposit.

Improving your home surroundings not only create a physically pleasant environment but also have emotionally recharging impact. Mars recruits a few good pals to help you with the heavy lifting ... of the cocktails.

LEO (Jul 24 - Aug 23)

Hard work pays off this August, at least that what Mars tells me. But frankly it is not good enough to quietly do the work. No effort gets recognized without some buzz. Jupiter is ready to give you press points and you are deserving of all accolades. You have been a shining star professionally. Don’t be shy -tell others how great you are. Give it a roar, Lion.

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

Virgins have itchy feet this August. Mars can’t sit still and Jupiter promises to have all the funds you need for fun, fun, fun. Travel will not only broaden your horizons but will also expand your social life. Be sure to tie off any loose ends at work before you escape to parts unknown. It would be a shame to have another mountain (of paper) to climb when you return.

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23)

How hot can your August get, Libra? Pretty hotsy totsy thanks to energetic Mars.

Revel in it and plan to get your face out there where you can meet and greet.

Jupiter gives you charm, panache and enough good luck to be able to maximize every encounter. The is no telling who is waiting to get to know you. Hmmm. Just how well...?

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

No matter how secretive you are apt to be, August demands that you lose that straight jacket and be true to yourself. Lucky Jupiter is feeding you all sorts of useful information through the strangest sources. Go with your gut Scorp. Don’t ask why, just listen and then act upon it. Some of these missives include important relationship advice. Do you need any?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 22)

If the mirror has not been kind, use August to try for a better reflection. Archers have the energy to turn over a new, healthy leaf that will not only enhance the image in their own eyes but will also create waves in their social pond. Jupiter sez share your high spirits with a group of new souls. If they say beauty is only skin deep show more of that gorgeous skin.

CAPRICORN (Dec 23 - Jan 20)

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19)

You manage to make your opinions known internationally by just staying close to home this August. News of your exploits and talents will travel even if you don’t.

So if money is tight or time is short, don’t mope quietly around the house. Reach out as best as you can and bring the world to you. It is your base of operations if you do more than the lazy basics.

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

Fish seem to know just what to say to get who and what they want... at least this is so for the month of August. Do you have your eye on a certain special someone? Make your intentions known. And while you reap the personal benefits of your charismatic bon mots, be sure that you spread more universal truths around as well. Get off your stump and make a speech.

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While I know that it is not in your nature, Caps can glide through their career this August with the least amount of effort and the maximum amount of reward.

Sipping coffee is seen as pivotal information gathering and staring out the window is viewed as creative brain work. Will you score points for taking a nap under your desk? Don’t let this become a habit, buddy!

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